My Dad

My Father became very ill in late September. For several weeks he was unconscious and in a Polio like paralysis. We eventually found out that he has tested positive for the West Nile Virus.

West Nile affects people differently, some get it and they don't even know it, some just have flu like symptoms for a few days, while others will get headaches that last for days. Currently there is no cure for West Nile, the body just needs to fight off the virus on it's own. In some cases, West Nile can lead to further complications, such as Meningitis (inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord), Encephalitis (an acute inflammation of the brain), and Spinal meningitis (an infection of the fluid and membranes around the brain and spinal cord.) My father has all three of these conditions. He has already suffered nerve damage and was in a Polio like paralysis. He has been on a respirator for 16 days since he is unable to breathe on this own. While the nerve can regenerate itself (about 1" every 30 days), I'm told his lower body muscles will die without signal from brain leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. Furthermore there is additional neurological damage. This damage would leave him mentally incapacitated where he may or may not recognize us and/or be coherent. The outcome of this would require long term physical care.

On many occasions my father has indicated to each of us in the family that he did not wish to ever continue in a situation like this. On Tuesday afternoon September 30th 2008, we honored his request and had the medical staff remove him from the life supporting ventilator and as a result he passed away peacefully at 2pm.

My Father was a believer and we know that today he has joined Jesus in Paradise.

Always Close By and Always Available

My Dad was always close by and always available.

His words and achievements were like that of any normal man. However, what made my Dad extraordinary was his presence.

His presence was like a warm fireplace or a sturdy porch swing or a big branched elm tree, he was always a source of comfort. He could always be found … and leaned upon.

During the turbulent years of our adolescence, Dad was a large part of our lives that was predictable. Girl friends came and girl friends went, but Dad was there. Football season turned into baseball season and turned in to football season again and Dad was there. Whether is was dates, homework, my first car, or playing catch in the yard—they all had one thing in common; his presence.

And because he was there life went smoothly for us. The car always ran, the bills got paid, and the lawn stayed mowed. Because he was there, we kids never worried about things like income tax, savings accounts, monthly bills or mortgages, and we never went without. Because of him our future was secure.

He did what dads are supposed to do—be there. Through his example, he taught me right and wrong. He modeled the importance of getting up early, working hard and caring for others. And I knew if I ever needed him, he’d be there.

Because he was there my growing up was what God intended growing up to be for us, a safe place where we could be trained.

I know that times of trouble and testing will come for me (us) in the future. Even though he’s gone, my memory of him and his example will always be very near.

As far as Dad’s are concerned, I had one of the best and I want to thank my heavenly Father for providing him. I pray as time goes on, God allows me to continue to follow his example and be the best Husband, Dad, Brother, Uncle and Friend that I can be.

I Mean Something To God

I'm not here as an accident or a random occurrence. I'm here because God wanted me here. He made me just the way I am for a purpose.

3 "Family of Jacob, listen to me!
All you people from Israel who are still alive, listen!
I have carried you since you were born;
I have taken care of you from your birth.
4 Even when you are old, I will be the same.
Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you.
I made you and will take care of you.
I will carry you and save you. [Isa. 46:3-4 (Ncv)

God made me for a reason and I can discover this when I make God the reference point of my life.

Point to Ponder: I'm not an accident. God uniquely created me and I need to accept who I am and not struggle over appearance or status.

What Am I Here For?

A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree. [Proverbs 11:28 (Msg)]

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit." [Jer. 17:7-8 (NLT)]

The first sentence in Rick Warren's book, "The Purpose Drive Life", says a lot.... "It's not about you."

What I'm realizing is that my purpose in life is much larger than my own personal fulfillment, family, or career. I was put here by "His" purpose and by "His" will. The only way for me to discover what His purpose is for me, is to consult his written manual, The Bible.

In essence, life is really about letting God use me for his purpose, this is quite a contrast to what the world teaches us. I find myself trying to fit God into my desires or purposes.

The point for me to ponder today is "It's not about me!." So I need to remind myself that life is really about living for God, not me.

Purpose Driven Life

I've been thinking a lot about my purpose in life.

Recently my church went though a series on "The Road to Financial Freedom." Included in this was an opportunity to attend a one day seminar from Crown Financial Ministries. The whole series and the seminar provided a lot of detail on God's perspective toward money and possessions and really got me thinking about my walk with Christ.

The Key Points Were:

. "God is in Control." He owns and is involved in every thing.
. We are only stewards of his resources.
. With debt we become a slave to the lender.
. We are to enjoy (be content) with what he have given us.
. We are to give back, and those God will provide for others and allow us to be part of it.

From this series our church launched summer small groups for managing finances God's way. I was happy to volunteer to lead one of these small groups. As we began the study, the introduction was from Rick Warren and in it Rick pointed out that were five purposes for our lives. We are called to:

. Worship God
. Have Fellowship With God and Other
. Grow like Christ
. To Serve Others
. Be on-mission for God in the World

I decided to go back through Rick Warren's book "The Purpose Driven Life." What will follow in the next few weeks will be my observations and thoughts as I review this and as I go through with my group the materials on Managing our Finances God's Way.

I'm not sure if anyone will ever read my posts, however, I pray that God will use the insights, concepts and perspective's I write about to make a difference in the life of someone else.

Changes for this Site

I've been extremely busy the last several months (work, school, ministry, family..)

When I first created this blog, I intended to use it as a place to record what I'm studying or other interesting tidbits of valuable information I came across (mainly about Computers, Technology, and Security/Protection.

I've decided to switch things up a bit...

A while back I created another blog named "techideout.com." I've decided that I'll use the newer site to continue posting about technology there and use this site as a personal blog and to record my walk with Christ..

I'd still love to here your comments on the items I post so feel free to comment or email me directly at mark@gresak.com.

The Key Ingredient in Making plans

In one of my most recent quiet times I came across James 4:13-16 (New Living Translation)


Photo by Koyochi

The sub-title for this passage was a "Warning about Self-Confidence" and it said:

"13 Look here, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit." 14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it's here a little while, then it's gone. 15 What you ought to say is, "If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that." 16 Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil."

James points out some interesting comments/warnings here about how we should make our plans...

• We often take for granted what will be available to us today, tomorrow and the future. And we can tend to put our confidence in our own abilities.


• James warns us that we do not always know what lies ahead for us. This life in comparison with eternity is like a brief fog that occupies only a brief portion of the day. Here one moment, gone the next.


• James continues to warn us that what we should be saying/thinking is, if the Lord wants us to, we will. God is in control!

Does this mean that we shouldn't have plans or goals?

• It is good to have plans or goals, however, these plans and goals will disappoint us if we leave God out of them.


• There's no point in making plans as though God does not exist or is not a part of it, because the future is really in his hands.
• The key ingredient is including God!

If your like me, I have lots of plans/goals going on right now. This passage is pointing out that I need to review these to be sure that I'm including God and His desires within them.

In Summary:

• It's important that I put God at the center of my life


• Make plans, however, make sure they are in line with His desires


• Talk/pray to God for wisdom and insight


• Continue to Love people in the process


• Continue to meet and discuss plans/goals regularly

So, Plan ahead... but hold your plans loosely. Be Sure to put God's desires at the center of your planning, he will never disappoint you.

Let me know if this perspective has been helpful to you. I appreciate your comments and love to hearing from you.