Author Archives: Mark Cole

About Mark Cole

Jesus follower, Husband, Grandfather, Worship Leader, Writer, Pastor, Teacher, Founding Arranger for Praisecharts.com, pickleball player, blogger & outdoor enthusiast.. (biking, hiking, skiing). Twitter: @MarkMCole Facebook: mmcole

What Did Jesus Mean by “Take Up Your Cross”?

Posted on April 18, 2026 by Mark Cole

When Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me,” He was not offering a poetic slogan. He was laying out the true cost—and the deep purpose—of following Him. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Leadership | Tagged ambition, approval, calling, challenges, character, comfort, control, cross, decision, depth, dying, endurance, faith, faithful, follow Jesus, follow Me, forgiving, habits, honesy, humble, humility, integrity, Not my will, obedience, obey, pride, recognition, sacrifice, serving, sinful, strength, Surrender, take up your cross, true life, your cross | Leave a comment

The Cost and Blessings of Following Jesus

Posted on April 18, 2026 by Mark Cole

Following Jesus is the greatest decision a person can make—but it is not an easy one. In a society that celebrates comfort, self-promotion, and independence, the call of Christ cuts across the grain. He never hid that truth. He spoke … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, God, Jesus | Tagged blessing, blessings, comfort, cost, cost us, daily decision, day by day, deny himself, direction, division, eternal life, eternity, follow Me, following Jesus, grace, His presence, humble, inside out, integrity, loving, ministry, obedience, obey, patient, pride, purpose, relationship with God, relationships, reward, self-rule, soul, step by step, transformation, truth, Your will | Leave a comment

Two Hearts, One Journey: Questions for Couples

Posted on April 17, 2026 by Mark Cole

My wife and I have built a simple rhythm into our week: every Friday morning, we go out for breakfast together. Nothing fancy. Just a light breakfast, coffee, and conversation. But recently, we added something that has quietly transformed these … Continue reading →

Posted in Family | Tagged breakfast, conversation, couples, curiosity, date, do better, do together, encouraging, God speaking, heart check, honest, humility, know you, laugh, listen, married, most loved, open-minded, prayer, questions, reflective, relationship, seasons change, you matter | Leave a comment

The Power of a Cheerful Heart

Posted on April 17, 2026 by Mark Cole

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” — Proverbs 17:22 There is more power in a cheerful heart than most people realize. It’s not shallow optimism or forced positivity—it’s a deep, settled joy … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Health, Wisdom | Tagged best medicine, better, change your life, cheerful, choice, choose joy, energy, God is good, God is in control, good medicine, gratitude, guard your heart, heart, heavy spirit, improves, joyful, joyful spirit, medicine, physical health, relationships, relaxed, think clearer, time with God, trust in the Lord, Working all things | Leave a comment

The Unseen Power of Humility

Posted on April 17, 2026 by Mark Cole

Jesus said it plainly: “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Those words aren’t just spiritual—they’re intensely practical. They show up in everyday moments, even on a pickleball court. You’ve already seen … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Jesus, Leadership, Sports, Wisdom | Tagged arrived, better decisions, consistency, decisions, declines, disrespect, grace, grounded, growth, honor, humble, humility, insight, leader, learner, mindset, musician, patience, pickleball, play better, pride, respect, student, teachable | Leave a comment

The Upside-Down Path: The Power of Humility

Posted on April 17, 2026 by Mark Cole

Jesus made a statement that cuts against the grain of everything our culture promotes: “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” At first glance, it sounds like a warning—and it is. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Jesus, Leadership | Tagged appreciated, comparing, competition, contentment, credit, dependence on God, exaltation, exalted, giving credit, heart of God, humble, humbled, humility, importance, listen, peace, posture of the heart, pride, promote, self-exaltation, servant, serving, teachable, upside down, way up | Leave a comment

No Two Battles Alike: How God Brings Victory

Posted on April 16, 2026 by Mark Cole

If you read the Old Testament carefully, one thing becomes very clear: God rarely wins battles the same way twice. Sometimes He uses overwhelming force. Other times, He reduces an army to almost nothing. He wins through strategy, miracles, confusion, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, God, Leadership, Worship | Tagged 300, battle, battle is the Lord's, battles, confusion, courage, David, eyes on God, faith, faithfulness, follow Me, formula, Gideon, Jericho, listen, marched, method, miracles, obedience, obey, pray, Samson, Shamgar, shepherd boy, silence, strategy, strength, tested, Trust, victories, victory, weapon, willing, wisdom, Worship, worshipped | Leave a comment

Jesus’ Call to Repentance

Posted on April 16, 2026 by Mark Cole

Repentance is not a popular word today. It can sound harsh, negative, even outdated. But when Jesus began His ministry, His very first message was clear and direct: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” That wasn’t a side … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus | Tagged align, bondage to freedom, change of direction, change of heart, come back, confess our sins, darkness to light, follow Jesus, follow Me, forgiveness, freedom, God's truth, God's way, God's Word, Gospel, grace, guilt, His kingdom, His rule, His truth, humble, humility, kindness, Kingdom of God, lifestyle, mercy, peace, pride, proud, realign, regret, relationship, renewed, repent, repentance, restored, rooted in love, sin, sinners, Surrender, toward God, transformed life, turn, turn from sin, turn to God, turning, walk with God, with God | Leave a comment

Lessons From the Life of Gideon

Posted on April 15, 2026 by Mark Cole

The story of Gideon in Judges 6–8 is one of the most relatable leadership journeys in Scripture. He doesn’t begin as a hero. He starts fearful, hesitant, and unsure—yet God uses him to deliver a nation. That alone should get … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, God, Leadership | Tagged courage, dangers, faith, faithfulness, fear, fearful, finishing well, fleece, Gideon, God calls, God is patient, God sees, God's perspective, God's strength, influence, judges, lessons, mighty warrior, misstep, moving forward, next step, obedience, obey, our weakness, signs, small things, success, yes to God | Leave a comment

What Is The Kingdom of God?

Posted on April 15, 2026 by Mark Cole

Few phrases appear more often in the teaching of Jesus than this: the Kingdom of God. It was the centerpiece of His message, the focus of His parables, and the heartbeat of His mission. Yet for many people, it remains … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Leadership | Tagged communities, death, desires, forgiveness, future, generosity, God's rule, hidden treasure, His authority, His kingdom, His will, homes, human heart, humble, humility, Jesus' life, justice, kingdom, Kingdom of God, like a seed, lives, love, message, message of Christ, message of Jesus, mission, obey, obeyed, parables, peace, present, priorities, reign, repents, resurrection, rule of God, submits, teaching, teaching of Jesus, transformation, turns to God, Your kingdom, Your will | Leave a comment

Author Archives: Mark Cole

About Mark Cole

What Did Jesus Mean by “Take Up Your Cross”?

The Cost and Blessings of Following Jesus

Two Hearts, One Journey: Questions for Couples

The Power of a Cheerful Heart

The Unseen Power of Humility

The Upside-Down Path: The Power of Humility

No Two Battles Alike: How God Brings Victory

Jesus’ Call to Repentance

Lessons From the Life of Gideon

What Is The Kingdom of God?

Top Posts & Pages

Recent Posts

Categories

Recent Posts

Archives

Categories

Meta

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :-)