Numbering Our Days

Over the past few days, I’ve seen this particular Bible verse come up a lot. I don’t mind it—it’s one of my favorites. In fact, it hangs on the wall of my office:

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12

I love this verse, but I want to pause and break down two key pieces of it.

First: Numbering Our Days

When was the last time you actually numbered your days? I don’t mean figuratively, but literally. Let me give you an example.

I turned 41 years old in May. Today, I’m 41 years and 4 months old. Said another way, I’m 496 months old—or even further, 2,148 weeks old. Every single one of those weeks is behind me, already owned by death.

Of course, the time I have left is uncertain. None of us knows what tomorrow brings. But we can at least get an idea of what’s probable.

Based on 2023 data, the average life expectancy in the U.S. is 78.3 years. That’s about 4,071 weeks. So let’s do the math:

• Total weeks: 4,071

• Weeks lived: 2,148

• Weeks remaining: about 1,923

Nineteen hundred weeks. Under two thousand.

Now, you might see that as depressing—or you might see it as motivating. I lean toward the latter. The weeks really do fly by. Knowing that our days are limited can either bring despair or light a fire. The truth is, we don’t have forever here on earth. This life is temporary, but it’s also purposeful. How we live now echoes into eternity.

Second: A Heart of Wisdom

The verse doesn’t say “so we may gain wisdom” as in more knowledge or clever insights. It says a heart of wisdom. That’s different.

How does my heart get wise? How does numbering my days affect my heart?

Here’s my opinion. A real, honest look at our time connects our hearts to our Heavenly Father. Our days are a gift. Each one unique. Each one filled with opportunity, struggle, joy, pain, celebration, blessing, and consequence. All of it allowed by God.

And yet, we often spend our time worrying, planning endlessly, or trying to control what we can’t. But life keeps slipping through our fingers. As Jesus said in Luke 12:25–26:

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”

God is after our hearts. He wants us to see our lives for what they are: a gift, fleeting but full of beauty, meant to glorify Him. While we’re here, we have the choice—will we fully live for Him or not? If we do, we experience His fullness now and forever.

Today's Challenge - Number ‘em

So here’s my encouragement: pull out a calculator and number your days. Do the simple math. Let that number sink deep into your heart.

Then ask God what He wants you to do with the days you have left. Specifically this day. Let His Word guide you. Test your thoughts within Scripture to be sure it honors God. And see how He begins to shape your heart with wisdom for how to use your next opportunity.

Because our days are numbered—but in His hands, they are never wasted.

-Mark

We Remember

Memorial Day is a powerful reminder. A sacred pause to remember those who have sacrificed everything on behalf of others. Deep within us, there is something instinctive, something honorable, that stirs when we think about those who have made the decision to serve, knowing full well that the possibility of death lies before them. And yet, they choose to serve anyway.

They are drawn to something greater. Drawn to the servant-hearted call of protecting a cause larger than themselves. For them, the possibility of ultimate sacrifice is not something to be avoided. It’s a price they consider worth paying.

I am supremely grateful to the men and women who have made that decision. Today, I’m praying for them, and for the families and friends left behind. Because their sacrifice echoes far beyond the battlefield. It lingers in the lives of loved ones, in empty seats at the dinner table, in quiet tears and proud memories. To all who carry that weight: thank you.

On this Memorial Day, I cannot help but reflect on how the brave lives we honor also mirror the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross.

While the men and women we remember today gave their lives to protect us physically, Jesus gave His life to protect and redeem us spiritually for all eternity. He came not as a conquering king, but as a humble servant. He took on our nature. He bore our sin. He paid the ultimate price so that we might be forgiven and brought back into relationship with the Father.

Let’s read these powerful words from Philippians 2:5–11 together:

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
— Philippians 2:5–11

Jesus humbled Himself.
He served.
He sacrificed.
And because of that, He is exalted forever.

Today, we honor those who have sacrificed for us in a lesser but still sacred way.
They too humbled themselves.
They served.
They sacrificed.
And they deserve to be held in a place of honor and deep esteem.

Their actions reflect some of the very same qualities our Lord Jesus Christ displayed. Today we remember the fallen, and we lift up the families who carry their legacy.

And above all, we stay focused on the hope and glory of Jesus Christ. Because of His sacrifice, we can be confident in where the men and women we honor today have had the opportunity to go: Home. With our Lord. In perfect peace and love.

Let us pray today not only for those who grieve, but for the living—that many would come to know this hope, this Savior, this love. So that one day, when our names are remembered here on earth, our souls might be rejoicing together in Heaven.

-Mark

"Looking Around" | This is Our Time

Birthdays. Why That Specific Day?

Today is my birthday.
It’s funny because I’ve never really given my birthday much thought. Being on Cinco de Mayo has always added some extra fun over the years, but ironically, I never go out for Mexican food on my birthday—the places are always packed!

As of today, I’m 41.
Just typing that feels strange. I can still remember turning 10 like it was yesterday. Then 16. 18. 21. 30.
How the heck did 41 come around so quickly?

Birthdays are mile markers in our lives. They give us reason to reflect. On where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re headed.

I can remember being a kid. Everything was about looking forward.
Do you remember that? Looking forward to your birthday?
I can remember why I did. It was simple stuff. I loved the chocolate Entenmann’s donuts.
You know, the cheap ones on the end caps at the grocery store. I'd always ask my mom to get them for my birthday breakfast. She always did.

My dad would wake up early and sing this ridiculous song to us on our birthdays when we were kids. Eventually, everyone would join in. We opened presents in the morning, because with six kids in the house, the evenings were pure chaos. Sports, homework, and noise until we crashed into bed.

25 years ago today, my Grandpa drove down the street in his old truck to give it to me for my 16th birthday. An '84 Ford that I still have to this day. That truck and I are the same age. He died later that year, but every time I slide into that driver’s seat, the smell brings me back to rides with Grandpa when I was just 3 or 4 years old. That’s a birthday I’ll never forget.

As we grow older, birthdays shift.
They stop being about looking forward and start being about looking around—and eventually, looking back.

At 41, I find myself "looking around" a lot.

I’ve done quite a bit, but I’m not done.
I know more than I used to, but not nearly enough.
My desires have changed, but I still hold on to what was.
And when I look to the future…I’m more unsure than I’ve ever been.

It’s strange being in this in-between.
I still feel young in a lot of ways.
I know I don’t want to get old.
But somehow, this moment—this exact time and place—feels like it was made specifically for me.

And I didn’t realize that until I started walking more closely with Jesus in the day-to-day.
He doesn’t make mistakes.
Not with words. Not with lessons. Not with purpose.
And especially not with timing.

The God of the universe had a birthday, just like me.
His was intentional. Specific.
Mine may not be as consequential to the degree of eternity, but still—He stepped into time at a certain moment, just like I did.
He had a real purpose, just like I do. Just like you do.

And the best part?
Now that I’ve aligned my purpose with His, we’re just getting started.

There’s a Bible story that always moves me. The story of Esther.
A Jewish woman who becomes queen of Persia at a time when her people are in grave danger.
In Esther 4, her cousin Mordecai challenges her to act, saying:

“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
— Esther 4:14 (ESV)

That phrase echoes deeply: For such a time as this.

Maybe your gifts, your position, your experiences...maybe they were designed for this exact moment.
You were born for a reason. So was I.

We’re here for a purpose in the places we inhabit.
Our skills brought us to the industries, companies, and people we interact with.
Jesus knows exactly how He intends to move in our lives…if we’ll only let Him.

Birthdays have a funny way of surfacing thoughts like these.
I’m glad they do.

So, here’s to 42.
I don’t know exactly where it will go, but I do know who it will glorify.
And if I’m blessed with the full 365, I know whose purpose I’ll be serving.

I hope that at your next cosmic milestone, you’ll pause and reflect—and move forward—with Jesus by your side.

-Mark

From Moriah to Golgotha – It Is Finished

This morning, I had a time of deep reflection on the events of Good Friday—the day we remember Jesus dying on the cross. It’s a moment in history that echoes throughout eternity. On this day, the offspring of the woman spoken of in Genesis 3 crushes the head of the serpent once and for all.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Just after sin entered the world, God spoke of Jesus and His ultimate victory over sin. He already had a plan. Our perfect Lamb, slain for us, to make us clean.

Yesterday, I wrote of Jesus’ last words and His time with the disciples at the Last Supper. During the washing of feet in John 13:7, Jesus said, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” When Peter protests, “You shall never wash my feet,” Jesus responds, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

Jesus must indeed wash us—not just the dirt from our flesh, but the sin from our souls. We need His washing every day.

This day has been pointed to throughout all of Scripture.

In Genesis 22, Abraham is tested when asked to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. He is told to go to Moriah and make the walk with his son to what appears to be a sacrificial death. In verse 6, Abraham places the wood for the sacrifice on Isaac’s back—just as Jesus was made to carry His wooden cross to Golgotha.

Isaac, in verse 7, notices the wood and fire, but asks, “Where is the lamb?”
Abraham responds, “God Himself will provide the lamb.”

Indeed, He does.

Jesus—God in the flesh, the Word made manifest—supplies Himself as our holy and eternal sacrifice on this day. God chose this very place to test Abraham, and again chose this very place to provide the ultimate provision. On the mountain of the Lord, He provided all we would ever need.

Today, I found myself looking at this from another angle—from the lens of the Father.

Was the cross harder for the Son… or for the Father?

As a father myself, I believe it would be impossible to sacrifice one of my sons to save others from what they rightly deserve. Could you pour out that much grace, so abundantly, to shield others from their just punishment?

I couldn’t.

But God could. And He did.
He loves us that radically.

When He looks at us and weighs the cost, He says, “You were worth it.”
You. Me. All of us.

Jesus’ love is immeasurable and uncontainable.
There is enough of it to cover every sin—and everyone.

His blood contains life and life everlasting, and on this day, He poured it out for all people, for all time.

What a day it is.

Let us never forget it.
Let us always hold fast to the love that God has for His creation.

That’s you.
That’s me.

Jesus, thank You—for Your love, for Your heart, for Your willingness to save me, and for washing me clean each and every day.

-Mark

We Celebrate Jesus' Last Words

Powerful Last Words

Have you ever thought about what you would say to the people you love most if you had just one final conversation with them before you died?

Just sit in that thought for a moment.

I just did — and the thoughts that rushed through my mind were filled with love. Urgency. Clarity. The most important things I’d want to leave with them. There would be no time for useless banter. No room for distraction. I’d be locked in. Wasting nothing. Doing my best to give them everything I had in that moment.

Today, we remember The Last Supper — Jesus’ final meal with his friends. The people he had poured into. His twelve... soon to be eleven.

This was his last conversation before the cross. These were his last words, and they’re recorded for us so beautifully in the Gospel of John.

Let’s break down just a few of the key moments from this sacred time.

John 13

The Devil had already prompted Judas to betray Jesus.
And yet — Jesus washes his feet.
He kneels down, taking the position of the lowest servant, and washes the feet of each of the twelve. He begins these final hours by serving them. Teaching them. Showing them that no servant is greater than his master.

Judas soon leaves to do what he was going to do.
Then Jesus gives them what he calls a new command:

“Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

John 14

Jesus begins to comfort them. He tells them he's going to prepare a place for them — that his Father’s house has many rooms.

When they ask how they’ll know the way, Jesus gives one of the most powerful “I Am” statements in all of Scripture:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6

By knowing Jesus, we know the way.

And even as he prepares to leave them physically, he promises the Holy Spirit — a Counselor, a Helper, who will live in and work through them. Through us.

We are not alone.

John 15

Jesus gives this beautiful image: “I am the vine, you are the branches.”
If we remain in him and he in us, we will bear much fruit. But apart from him, we can do nothing of real consequence.

He warns us, too:

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” – John 15:18

The servant is not greater than the master. Following Christ fully will set us apart — and the world may not respond kindly. But we’re chosen out of the world for something greater.

John 16

He tells the disciples that their grief is coming. That they will scatter. But he is not alone — the Father is with him.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!
I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

John 17

Jesus begins to pray. First, for his disciples:
Not that the Father would take them out of the world, but that he would protect them in it.
That they would be sanctified by the truth — your word is truth.

And then he does something incredible.
He prays… for us.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message…” – John 17:20

That we would be one, as Jesus and the Father are one.

How powerful are these final words?
These are the things Jesus chose to say before he fulfilled his mission on the cross:

• Love one another.

• Remain in me.

• You’re not alone.

• You will grieve, but you will rejoice.

• Take heart.

• Be one.

Words filled with love.
With selfless service.
With grace — knowing those who love him would fall away.
With truth — unshaken by the world’s opinions.
With encouragement — to hold on in hardship.
With hope.
With unity.

These are the things I’ve come to fully count on Jesus for:

Love. Example. Grace. Truth. Encouragement. Hope. Unity. Fulfillment.

Thank you, Lord, for your willingness to reveal these things to us — in our time, and for all time.
We love you.

Thank you for these powerful last words.

-Mark

Slowing Down: Your Productivity Will Thank You

Intentional Slow Downs: Real Reflections and Making Time

Slowing down is not something that is praised or rewarded in business. Many leaders acknowledge its importance, but the practice of truly reflecting or recharging happens sparingly for most of us. In my experience, we typically write off a needed slowdown due to a lack of time or an abundance of activity that demands attention. These, of course, go hand in hand.

As I've gained more experience (another way of saying I've gotten older), I’ve come to recognize the importance of slowing down at critical times in life. These moments come in different forms, but the repeating patterns I see in myself and those around me occur:

• Before big decisions

• Before a foreseeable activity speed-up

• After a flurry of high-pressure events

All three of these are common in business, but they are often accompanied by more of the same. Big decisions lead to more activity. Activity brings pressure to perform and make even more decisions based on outcomes. The cycle repeats.

This week, as I’ve been on a slowdown with those I love most, I’ve had the chance to reflect, plan, and recharge for what’s next. No wonder we see Jesus doing this time and time again in the Gospels. Here are some of the many examples:

After His Baptism – 40 Days in the Wilderness
Matthew 4:1-2, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-2
Jesus withdrew into the wilderness for 40 days to fast and pray before beginning His public ministry.

After Feeding the 5,000
Matthew 14:23, Mark 6:46, John 6:15
“After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone.”

After Healing People and Casting Out Demons
Mark 1:35
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
Even after a long day of ministry, Jesus prioritized prayer in solitude.

Before Choosing the Twelve Disciples
Luke 6:12-13
“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them.”
Before making a major decision, Jesus spent an entire night in prayer.

We see our Lord seeking wisdom through solitude and prayer before major decisions. We see Him retreat to the wilderness for 40 days to be tested and to pray before beginning His ministry. We see Him withdraw after long days of healing and serving others.

Slowing down is productive when used correctly and helps ensure we stay on the right path. Not every slowdown needs to be a vacation, but it should be intentional—time for reflection and recharge—as a tool to help us on the journey.

When’s the last time you slowed down? Perhaps a small slowdown tonight with the Father could do us all some good...

-Mark

We All Die Sooner Than We Think...

We All Die Sooner Than We Think...

Each morning, when I wake up, I spend the first few minutes resting—taking time with God before the day speeds up and takes over. This morning, as I prayed, I asked God to continue showing me the path forward. I want my calendar and my efforts to truly move the needle in this short life. Then, I asked a question I had never asked before:

"God, how long will my life last? Will you show me?"

What I heard in response was profound:

"Everyone dies sooner than they think."

Wow. Ain’t that the truth?

We see this reality hit hardest when someone young or talented passes away unexpectedly. The phrase we hear over and over is that they were “taken too soon.” But as I thought more about it, I realized this doesn’t just apply to the young—it applies to all of us.

I thought about the older generations aging out of the business world, those just beginning retirement, and those who have been retired for some time. Even now, they don’t feel that their time is up. I know many who still have goals, a purpose, and things they want to accomplish.

I also thought about my 96-year-old grandmother. Even at her age, she still has purpose. She prays daily for each of her 100+ descendants and dedicates time to remembering every birthday. If today were her last, she would surely feel it was too soon.

Death and business don’t often intersect—unless we’re talking about bankruptcy courts or technology rendering old ways obsolete. But today, I want to challenge us the way I was challenged.

What percentage of our time do we spend planning and preparing as if we will always be here?

I can confess that for most of my career, my pursuits have been centered on goals that contribute to success in this temporary world—as if earthly accumulation and effort would provide ultimate security.

But what percentage of my time have I spent planning and preparing with the mindset that I could leave this life at any moment?  

Very little. Though I’m becoming more aware, I know this perspective still needs to grow.

A hundred years from now, the odds of our businesses still existing are slim. The reality is that most people on earth will barely remember your greatest triumphs or challenges. Any wealth you accumulate or pass down will likely be spent, forgotten, or inflated away.

So, what will remain?

What carries into eternity.

The people you invested in.
The generosity that changed lives.
The influence you had for Jesus through your work.
The conversations that made others reflect on their ultimate future.

Most of us work to provide a tangible service or product in this temporary world. Our work is what keeps the world moving. But from time to time, it’s essential to step back and refocus. How can we use what’s in front of us today to influence not just tomorrow, but eternity?

We all die sooner than we think—so let’s remember where we’re heading before it’s too late.

-Mark