Blog

Dear Reader,Just finished my morning watch, and I need to write this down while it's fresh. Today was different - not because of any amazing spiritual revelation, but because I finally understood something about the purpose of this quiet time.Usually, I come to my morning watch with a mental checklist: read a chapter, pray through my list, maybe jot down a few thoughts. But today, while reading Corinthians and Ephesians, something shifted in my perspective. I realized I've been approaching even my personal devotional time with a self-focused mindset: What can I get out of this? How can I feel more spiritual? What insights can I gain?But these verses spoke differently to me today. Even in my private time with God, shouldn't the heart behind it be about building others up? When I pray, am I only focused on my needs, or am I truly carrying others' burdens? When I read Scripture, am I just collecting knowledge, or am I receiving something that could encourage someone else later?It's fascinating - the moment I shifted my morning watch from "what can I receive?" to "what can I receive to give to others?", everything felt more alive. My prayer time became less about rattling off requests and more about genuinely connecting with God about the people in my life. Even my Bible reading felt different - instead of just highlighting verses for myself, I found myself thinking, "This would really speak to Mark's situation" or "Sarah needs to hear this truth."The irony? This change of focus actually made my morning watch more meaningful for me too. It's like what these verses say - when we're not fixated on our own spiritual growth, that's often when we grow the most.Tomorrow's morning watch goal: Come before God not just as an individual seeking filling, but as a vessel that can pour out to others.Until next timeChaplain Mark P.S. Need to remember: Even private devotion time can have a public purpose.

Beyond Self-Care: When Morning Watch Becomes Morning Share or

Breaking the vicious cycle in business or in daily life

Dear reader,Today, I spent time meditating on Luke 4:18-19: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to declare freedom for the captives and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, (19) to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."This passage resonates deeply with me. It reminds me that Jesus, <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-weight: inherit; font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); background-color: rgba(249,250,251,var(--tw-bg-opacity));" data-mce-style="font-family: inherit; font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-weight: inherit; font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); background-color: rgba(249,250,251,var(--tw-bg-opacity));">was anointed by God to bring hope, healing, and freedom to those in desperate need. He came to preach good news to the poor—not just those lacking material wealth but those impoverished in spirit, those longing for something heavenly, spiritual, and divine. I often find myself among them, seeking His renewing presence in every corner of my life.The captives in this passage are often understood as prisoners of war, those held under Satan’s bondage. But today, I also see another kind of captivity—being trapped by anger rooted in the pain of the past. How many of us carry wounds inflicted by those who have hurt us mentally, spiritually, or physically? We can find ourselves bound by bitterness toward those who betrayed or abandoned us, unable to move forward because the scars run so deep.And yet, Jesus understands this pain intimately. His own disciples—those closest to Him, His friends—fled when He needed them most. One of them, Peter, denied Him in fear. Another, Judas, betrayed Him outright, delivering Him into the hands of those who would crucify Him. If anyone understands the weight of betrayal and the sting of abandonment, it is our Savior. But in His response, He showed us the way: forgiveness, grace, and love that triumphs over anger and pain.The blind in this passage include those physically unable to see, but also those whose pain blinds them to hope. When we’ve been hurt, our wounds can obscure our vision of God’s goodness and His plans for us. Anger can harden our hearts, making it difficult to see His hand at work. But Jesus offers recovery of sight—not just for our eyes but for our hearts, so we can see beyond our hurt to the healing and restoration He provides.The oppressed are those crushed by sin, sickness, or despair. The Greek word here means "to break into pieces," and I think of how many people feel shattered by life’s trials. Jesus doesn’t leave us in those broken pieces. His mission is to set us free—not just from sin but from the crushing weight of grief, resentment, and hopelessness.Finally, I was struck by the declaration of "the year of the Lord's favor." This year of jubilee represents a time of restoration, where debts are forgiven, captives are released, and joy returns. In Christ, we live in a perpetual jubilee. No matter how long we’ve carried our burdens, His salvation is an invitation to let go, to step into freedom, and to embrace the peace only He can give.As I reflect, I’m reminded that Jesus’ mission is ongoing. He continues to bring healing to the broken, freedom to the bound, and sight to the blind. He understands our anger, our sorrow, and our pain—not as a distant observer, but as one who has walked this road Himself. Lord, help me walk in that freedom today and extend it to others who need to hear Your good news.

Freedom for the Broken

Scripture: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18 (ESV)Dear reader: The Christmas season is often portrayed as a time of joy, lights, and celebration, yet for many, it also carries the weight of loss and grief. The empty seat at the table, the silent phone that once carried cheerful calls, and the memories of moments shared can bring a deep ache, magnified by the season’s expectations of happiness.During this time, the isolation of depression can feel overwhelming. It’s easy to believe you’re alone in your pain. Yet, the story of Christmas reminds us that God’s light shines brightest in the darkness. Jesus, our Emmanuel—God with us—came into a broken world to bring hope and healing. His birth was not amidst royal splendor but in a humble manger, surrounded by simplicity and need. This is the beauty of our Savior: He meets us in our pain, not asking us to rise above it but joining us in it.As I grieve the loss of a loved one and face the emptiness of shattered dreams, I am reminded that God sees my tears. He understands the depth of my sorrow, and His promise remains: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). He offers His presence as a balm for my soul, inviting me to bring my burdens to Him. I also witness my wife’s struggle as she works through her own anger and grief. This shared journey of loss reminds me that God’s love and grace are sufficient for both of us in our pain.There is comfort in knowing that Jesus came to bind up the brokenhearted (Isaiah 61:1). He came for me, for my wife, and for anyone walking through the shadows of grief. Though this season may not feel merry, it can still be meaningful. I will allow myself to grieve while inviting the Lord into my sorrow. I will share my pain with Him in prayer and seek the support of loved ones or a community of believers I am learning to try to trust.This Christmas, I want to shift my focus from what is missing to what remains—God’s love, His promises, and the hope of eternal reunion. May the flicker of a candle, the lyrics of a carol, or the quiet of a winter’s night remind us all of His nearness.Until next timeChaplain Mark

Finding Light in the Darkness

Dear reader,I've been thinking a lot this morning about reactions and how God calls us to respond differently than our instincts want us to. It hit me - so many of us (myself included) struggle with the whole "turn the other cheek" thing. When people are unreasonable, my first thought is usually "This is ridiculous! Why should I have to deal with this?"But I had this realization today: when I resist these teachings, my real struggle isn't with the difficult people in my life - it's with God Himself. He's the one asking for this different way of living, and there's a profound reason behind it.I'm starting to understand that the life He's given us is meant to be above normal reactions. It's not just about gritting my teeth and enduring bad treatment. The amazing thing is - this new life actually thrives when facing opposition. The more someone tries to bring it down, the more its true nature shines through.Today I'm challenging myself to see these situations differently:When someone demands something unreasonable, I want to go even further When someone takes from me, I want to give more When someone hurts me, I want to respond with unexpected kindness It's weird, but I'm discovering that real peace and joy come when I stop fighting against these hard teachings and start embracing them. This is what being a Christian really means - not just controlling my negative reactions, but living in a way that completely transcends them.Need to remember this next time someone pushes my buttons...Until next time&nbsp;Chaplain Mark

Two Cheeks, Higher Ground

<figure id="figure-4y8nltnyrim4tpv8ob"><img id="4y8nltnyrim4tpv8ob" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/315ot4f9n3xpa07mt2iuoU2dqFSvcF21qv6mYb0s1Bc4fufbbsnQfITab0BE89Bm.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>Dear reader,Today, I'm wrestling with a profound thought from the Sermon on the Mount. It feels like God is teaching me about spiritual expansion—how growth isn't about accumulating, but about letting go.I've been thinking about how easily I get attached to small things. A criticism. A lost opportunity. A minor possession. And how these attachments actually make me smaller, not larger. It's like I'm wearing garments that restrict my movement, my spirit.But there's something deeper I'm realizing today. The baggage I carry isn't just about current possessions or immediate circumstances. It's the weight of past experiences—old wounds, forgotten hurts, unresolved memories that I've been carrying like invisible luggage. These memories are perhaps the heaviest garments of all.I think about the stories I've told myself. The narratives of hurt, of limitation, of who I am based on what has happened to me. Each memory is like a layer of clothing that I've wrapped around myself for protection, but which now feels suffocating. Some of these layers are so old, I've forgotten I'm wearing them.What would it look like to truly lay these down? Not to forget—but to release their power over me. To recognize that I am not defined by what happened, but by what can happen. That my past can be a teacher, but it doesn't have to be a prison.What would it look like to be truly free? To respond to life's demands not with resistance, but with a kind of transcendent spaciousness? When someone asks something of me, can I see it as an opportunity for growth rather than an imposition?I'm realizing how often I've been a "small" person. Quick to anger. Quick to defend. Measuring my worth by what I can hold onto, protect, or control. But that's not the life I'm called to. I'm called to something larger.The challenge is in the moment. When someone takes something. When I'm demanded of. When I'm pushed beyond my comfort. Can I choose enlargement over protection? Can I choose grace over rights?It's not about being a doormat. It's about being so deeply rooted in a larger life that external circumstances can't shake me. That my response comes from a place of abundance, not scarcity.These past experiences—they don't have to be chains. They can be stepping stones. Each memory, each hurt, can be transformed from a weight that holds me down to a wisdom that lifts me up. It's about perspective. About choosing to see differently.I want to be someone who grows. Who keeps expanding. Who isn't defined by what's been taken, but by what can be given. Who can look at the landscape of past experiences and see not a battlefield, but a garden of potential.Lord, enlarge my heart. Expand my capacity. Help me to see each moment—past, present, and future—not as a threat, but as an invitation.Help me to travel light.Until next timeChaplain Mark

Unpacking My Invisible Luggage

Dear Journal,Today, I'm struck by how easily I let my work consume me. It's like I'm a fish caught in my own net of productivity, thrashing against the very thing that's supposed to give my life meaning. When was the last time I truly stopped and listened?This morning, I read about the disciples—those fishermen who left everything behind. Not because their work was bad, but because something more profound called to them. It makes me wonder: What am I letting occupy my heart that keeps me from truly hearing that call?My days blur together—emails, meetings, client notes. I'm busy, but am I truly living? I tell myself I'm just doing what's necessary, but deep down, I know I'm using "necessary" as a shield. A shield against what? Against the possibility that there might be something more significant waiting for me?I'm reminded that being occupied isn't the same as being fulfilled. Those fishermen weren't lazy. They were skilled, hardworking. But when confronted with something deeper, they had the courage to let go. Do I have that courage?What would it look like to be "caught" by something greater than my current routine? Not to abandon my responsibilities, but to transform how I see them? To see my work not as a cage, but as a potential space for something more meaningful?I'm tired of making excuses. "No time," "Too busy"—these have become my default responses. But to what? What am I really saying no to?The invitation feels personal today. Not abstract, not something that happened two thousand years ago, but something happening right now. In this moment. In my life.What nets am I still clinging to? What might I need to leave behind to truly listen?No answers today. Just questions. And perhaps, just perhaps, the beginning of a different kind of attention.Until tomorrowChaplain Mark

Ctrl+Alt+Meaning

Diggin-deeper Christian Counseling

Welcome to Diggin-deeper Christian Counseling
Our Ministry
Located in Sparta, Michigan, Diggin-deeper Christian Counseling stands as a sanctuary for those seeking spiritual renewal and personal transformation. Our ministry is built on the foundation of faith-based guidance, offering a haven where individuals can freely explore their relationship with God while addressing life's challenges.

We believe that true healing and growth happen when spiritual wisdom meets professional counseling. Through our Christ-centered approach, we help clients:

Discover deeper meaning in their faith journey
Build stronger relationships
Navigate life's challenges with Biblical wisdom
Foster emotional and spiritual well-being
Find practical solutions to personal struggles
Meet Chaplain Mark

As the founder of Diggin-deeper Christian Counseling, Chaplain Mark brings both professional expertise and heartfelt dedication to his role as your Community Chaplain. With a Master's degree in Christian counseling, he combines academic knowledge with genuine compassion to provide comprehensive spiritual support.

His Approach
Chaplain Mark's counseling style is rooted in:

Compassionate listening
Biblical wisdom
Professional expertise
Practical guidance
Spiritual encouragement
He specializes in helping individuals through:

Relationship challenges
Anxiety and depression
Faith exploration and growth
Personal development
Life transitions
His Mission
Chaplain Mark is dedicated to creating a welcoming space where you can:

Share your struggles without judgment
Explore your faith journey openly
Receive professional guidance
Develop practical coping tools
Strengthen your relationship with God
Discover your divine purpose
Our Promise to You
At Diggin-deeper, we understand that seeking counseling is a significant step. We promise to provide:

A safe, confidential environment
Christ-centered guidance
Professional expertise
Practical solutions
Ongoing support
Genuine compassion
Your journey toward healing and wholeness begins here. Let us walk alongside you as you discover God's purpose for your life and experience the transformative power of faith-based counseling.

 
Located in Sparta, Michigan, Diggin-deeper Christian Counseling welcomes all who seek spiritual guidance and personal growth through Christ-centered counseling.

Contact us today to begin your journey toward spiritual and emotional well-being.

Daily Grace Notes

Beyond Self-Care: When Morning Watch Becomes Morning Shar...

Freedom for the Broken

Finding Light in the Darkness

Two Cheeks, Higher Ground

Unpacking My Invisible Luggage

Ctrl+Alt+Meaning