Back in March, Randall House held it’s annual vision retreat…but with a different twist. Six pastors were invited to answer questions, give feedback, share about their needs, and give suggestions about Randall House products and resources. The results? Amazing…remarkable in fact. We learned a lot about the current needs of pastors. So much, that we decided to take this show on the road.
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There are only 4 teams left in the NFL that are 3-0 on the season, and my team, the Tennessee Titans, are not on the list. Three of the teams on the list will not come as a surprise to you: the Colts, the Patriots and the Stealers. But the fourth is shocking to many…the Green Bay Packers! Could this be the season that Favre has been waiting for in order to call it quits? Read the rest of this entry »

As I mentioned on my August 20th post, I have been challenged by the book Every Man’s Marriage. The Best book I’ve read in the past two years and likely the best book I have ever read on marriage. As I was finishing it the other day, I came across a powerful part of the book where Fred Stoeker talks about Deuteronomy 6, which is a foundational passage for what we do at RHP. I found this quite interesting. Check it out:

It’s a sad thing to look back and say “I wish I had risked more during my career” but it’s positively tragic to look back and say, “I wish I had risked more in trusting God’s word.” Read the rest of this entry »

Many days of the week, our house is the hub for all boy activity on our street. Most of the time we love it because we get to see, hear, smell (not always pleasant), and experience the lives our sons up front and personal. Sometimes, the drama gets a little thick.

It was a Wednesday afternoon. Supper was on the stove and I hadn’t been home long. My son (a kindergartner) and three of his early elementary friends were sword fighting and pillow fighting all over the house. Many tears were shed. By the time one guy had just dried up his tears over a banged up wrist, the other was crying due to a pillow to the eyes. Egos were bruised and the pecking order was at stake. Eventually the drama got so thick, that I had to step in.

“Boys,” I said “Remember how God’s Word says to treat others how you would like to be treated?” They replied with an under-enthused “yea.” “Well you guys really need to remember that in the way you are treating one another right now…” I went on to say “If you are going to sword fight and pillow fight, you gotta know that at some point you are going to get hurt, so get your crying out and move on because you are all going to get hurt at some point.” They understood.

Minutes later another outbreak was occurring and all of the younger boys began to turn on the oldest boy because he had crossed the line one too many times in instigating trouble. Realizing that he, as the oldest in the gang, was loosing their loyalty and his place in the pecking order, he leaned over to one of the younger guys and said to him “You need to respect your elders.”

I lost it! I had to run to the other room as to not show him I was laughing. Isn’t it funny how a child will use “the Bible” in any way possible as long as it leverages him to a better position. So funny!

I think we do that sometimes, too. I was recently “re-reminded” of a wonderful passage of scripture by Mark McPeak that says “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3,4

Be Encouraged!

Odds are, you are a brand lover of something. I am a brand lover of Nike. I love Nike shoes, clothing, the history and the development of the company, much of their marketing, and the role Nike played in my growing up years (Mars Blackman…can I get a witness!). I also love Apple, New Balance, Coke, and Old Navy. I am loyal to these brands.

Yesterday, as I walked in the door, I was welcomed by my lovely wife who was glowing …perhaps even beaming! Was it because she was ecstatic to see me after being away at work all day? Think twice buddy. It was because she just bought a 12 pack of Sharpies for 75% off!

Target, in an effort to liquidate their overstock of school supplies has decided to slash their prices on all leftover items. So, the 4 pack that I bought her last week was cool, but not as groovy as the 12 pack! There is not a single color of Sharpie that we don’t own. I lover her, and she sure loves those Sharpies.

We seem to be drawn to certain brands that attract our personalities. What brands do you love and why?

As someone who works in sales and marketing, I am regularly reminded of the need to communicate our primary message clearly, effectively and creatively.

I’m not feeling too creative right now, but I do want to communicate clearly Randall House’s main initiative. We are commissioned to resource the local church in Sunday School, small groups, training, and Christian Education.

Our primary way of accomplishing this is by creating tools that help churches, families and individuals grow deeper and closer with Jesus Christ. We publish Commentaries, Study Guides, Bible Studies, Handbooks, Curriculum and a variety of other resources. However, the one tool that we publish that we think has the greatest potential to change families is our CLEAR Devotional and Bible Study Magazines for the Whole Family.

These magazines, although they are the centerpiece to our CLEAR Curriculum line, are also stand alone resources that can connect families to God and to each other throughout the week. Our passion is to support the biblical vision of the pastor by equipping the church to love God and love others. CLEAR Devotional and Bible Study Magazines give toddlers, children, teens and adults an opportunity to spend time with God and His Word. What’s more, CLEAR Devotional Magazines are packed with fun games, relevant articles, crazy puzzles, crafts, and many other engaging items, depending on the age level.

If you do not subscribe to a CLEAR Devotional and Bible Study Magazine or receive one as a part of your Sunday School/small group program, then email me at matt.markins@randallhouse.com and I will send you a free copy. Your family needs to be in the Word of God each week.  CLEAR Devo Mags are a wonderful resource that can help.