A Father who points to Jesus

The characteristic that sets Mark ‘apart’ from other fathers is that he does not point to himself but continually points his family to Jesus as our  treasure , to glorify God and enjoy Him in all things. On our wedding day, Mark sang a song to me by Paul Clark called, Now and Forevermore. (you can hear this on Lala song player) It is from the scripture, “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord, now and forevermore.” This has been the theme in our home. God has poured out His grace on Mark to be a faithful man for almost 25 years of marriage and 9 children. He has been a faithful leader, provider and protector. He has sacrificed his own aspirations to lay down his life for his family, continually pointing us to Jesus.

            We have gone through many trials, we never imagined 25 years ago, including loss of job, pain and suffering of cancer and the death of our son. Yet, Mark was a solid rock and stood steadfast in the Lord continually pointing us to Jesus and teaching us by his example to love and treasure Jesus and His Word, through the trials.

            During financial pressures of loss of jobs, medical bills, extra expenses due to hospitalization etc., Mark’s unwavering trust in God’s provision built our faith and our hearts were pointed to Jesus as our provider.

            Mark has faithfully led our family spiritually throughout our marriage. He has a deep love for the Word of God that is contagious. He is saturated with God’s Word and it comes out in his counsel and encouragement. Mark’s passion for God’s glory continues to grow and spill out on us. He has faithfully taken God’s Word seriously to train up his children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Every time he leaves the house he points us to Jesus by admonishing each one he talks to, with, “Live for Jesus!” This is not just a light expression with no meaning. There is a deep passion and desire for his family to do all for the glory of God in all they do through out the day that is expressed in those simple words. It is a reminder to look to Jesus and treasure Him throughout the day. Jesus is our joy and our strength.

            There is no greater gift that a father can give to his children than to continually encourage them in the Lord and point them to Jesus in good times and in hard times. Mark’s faith has been tried by the fire. God has shown himself faithful to Mark, pouring out grace, so that he and his house would serve the Lord now and forevermore. I asked the Lord for a faithful husband and God has mercifully blessed me more abundantly than I could ask or think, with Mark.



Ps 78:1-8

Give ear, O my people, to my law;
Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings of old,
3 Which we have heard and known,
And our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children,
Telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord,
And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.

5 For He established a testimony in Jacob,
And appointed a law in Israel,
Which He commanded our fathers,
That they should make them known to their children;
6 That the generation to come might know them,
The children who would be born,
That they may arise and declare them to their children,
7 That they may set their hope in God,
And not forget the works of God,
But keep His commandments;
8 And may not be like their fathers,
A stubborn and rebellious generation,
A generation that did not set its heart aright,
And whose spirit was not faithful to God.
NKJV