Blog

<figure id="figure-3xezxnvksm1qio509"><img id="3xezxnvksm1qio509" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/170DWEPZty6peL9aKXZNc8VcD7ChiMfm21DisHZ7qyT7rYQZvdULT3RcVL66fAfx.jpg" alt="photo of brown church" title="photo of brown church" 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" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/170DWEPZty6peL9aKXZNc8VcD7ChiMfm21DisHZ7qyT7rYQZvdULT3RcVL66fAfx.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Dear reader, &nbsp; Had a mind-bending Bible study session today. Dove into Romans 5:19 and 1 Corinthians 15:45, 47. These passages paint a picture I've never seen before - it's like all of humanity is divided into just two camps. &nbsp; On one side, there's Adam. Not just the guy from Eden, but he represents all of us in our natural state. Created by God, sure, but missing that divine spark. It's like we're all born into "Team Adam" by default. &nbsp; Then there's Christ. The game-changer. He's called the "last Adam," which is wild to think about. It's not just that He's better than Adam; He's a whole new prototype of humanity. God and man fused together in a way that rewrites the rules. &nbsp; This idea is messing with my head in the best way possible. It's making me rethink everything I thought I knew about human nature and potential. Where do I fit in this cosmic drama? Am I still playing for Team Adam, or have I switched jerseys to Team Christ? &nbsp; The verse that's really sticking with me is Romans 5:19. It's like Adam and Christ are these cosmic representatives, and their actions ripple out to affect all of us. Adam's misstep made us all sinners, but Christ's obedience offers us a shot at true righteousness. It's not about trying harder to be good; it's about tapping into a whole new source of life. &nbsp; I'm seeing my daily interactions differently now. When I get annoyed at the slow cashier or feel the urge to gossip, is that my "Adam nature" showing? And those moments when I feel a surge of compassion or find the strength to forgive - is that a glimpse of the "Christ nature"? &nbsp; This isn't just theological navel-gazing. It's a whole new lens to view life through. I want to dig deeper into this. Maybe I'll start a study group at church to unpack this idea. Or keep a "Two Adams" journal to track moments when I feel pulled between these two natures. &nbsp; For now, I'm sitting with this quote: "The first man is out of the earth, earthy; the second man is out of heaven." It's like we have the potential to be more than just advanced animals. We could be walking, talking connections between heaven and earth. &nbsp; Tomorrow's challenge: Try to approach each interaction as if I'm representing "Team Christ" rather than "Team Adam." This could change everything. &nbsp; Until next time &nbsp; Chaplain Mark

Adam 2.0: Upgrading My Spiritual Operating System

<figure id="figure-5lyargemerm1qie5q7"><img id="5lyargemerm1qie5q7" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1nfCLoec6BNz9BZiMaqlBkBAwln0WMUXrNCd0eOqXX01x6hfSeBFXIZeMlMbKolY.jpg" alt="sliced of bread beside goblet" title="sliced of bread beside goblet" 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 –&nbsp; &nbsp; Scribbling thoughts on Romans 5:21 today. Wild how Paul frames it - sin used to wear the crown, ruling through death. But now? Grace is the new monarch, reigning through righteousness. All because of Jesus. &nbsp; It's like we've crossed a border into a whole new country. Used to live in the land of death, sin calling all the shots. Now we're citizens of life, with grace running the show. &nbsp; Christ's death flipped the script. His blood - our get-out-of-jail-free card. God's righteousness? Our golden ticket to claim Him as our own. &nbsp; This grace thing - it's not something we've earned. Can't buy it, can't work for it. The price tag's too high. God just... gives Himself to us. Freely. Through righteousness. &nbsp; And this "eternal life" Paul mentions? It's not just some far-off promise. It's here, now. Not talking about living forever in happy-land. It's about tapping into God's own life - divine, eternal, uncreated. Today. &nbsp; Feels like I'm just scratching the surface here. But man, what a trip - from sin's puppet to grace's heir. New king, new kingdom, new me. &nbsp; Gotta let this sink in more... &nbsp; Until next time &nbsp; Chaplain Mark

From Sin's Shackles to Grace's Gravy Train

<figure id="figure-fgy1rl32fm1robcv6"><img id="fgy1rl32fm1robcv6" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/20xYLjHKExdY8VOrBF2u8knf64RX37zfxOgkkb6gERUoUnvlKAVYRIvXbdkUtDnh.jpg" alt="two person's arms" title="two person's arms" 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" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/20xYLjHKExdY8VOrBF2u8knf64RX37zfxOgkkb6gERUoUnvlKAVYRIvXbdkUtDnh.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Dear Reader,Today my mind kept circling back to the resurrection of Christ. It's funny how something so familiar can suddenly hit you in a new way. I've heard the Easter story a thousand times, but today it felt different.I found myself imagining what it must have been like in that tomb. The cold stone, the darkness, the finality of it all. And then... life. It's almost too much to wrap my head around.What really got me thinking was how this one event changed everything. It wasn't just about Jesus coming back to life (which is crazy enough on its own), but it was like a reset button for all of creation.I wonder how the disciples felt when they saw Him. Shocked? Scared? Overjoyed? Probably all of the above. I try to put myself in their shoes, but it's hard to even imagine.This idea that we're part of a "new creation" because of the resurrection is rattling around in my brain. What does that even mean for me, right here and now? Am I living like someone who's part of this new reality? Honestly, most days it doesn't feel like it.And then there's the church. I've always thought of it as just a place we go on Sundays, but the idea that we're somehow the "body" of the resurrected Christ... that's heavy. Are we living up to that? Am I?I've got so many questions now, and I'm not sure where to find the answers. Maybe I need to dust off my Bible and really dig into this. There's clearly a lot more to the resurrection than I've been thinking about.I hope I can hold onto this feeling of awe and wonder. It's easy to let the familiar become mundane, but there's nothing mundane about conquering death.Note to self: Look up some of Paul's writings about the resurrection tomorrow. I've got a feeling he'll have a lot to say about this.Until next timeChaplain Mark

Tomb Raiders: My Mind-Blowing Adventure with the Original Escape Artist

<figure id="figure-aqi03trr7m1rol7go" class=""><img id="aqi03trr7m1rol7go" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/20k2CHWuFqbCjm66haYyTlHY273m2aqXQefP6D7Usmbkun6KJqb6PM018agOibeY.jpg" alt="person holding white ceramic mug" title="person holding white ceramic mug" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 15%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="15%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/20k2CHWuFqbCjm66haYyTlHY273m2aqXQefP6D7Usmbkun6KJqb6PM018agOibeY.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 15%;"></figure>Dear reader,Today, I found myself reflecting on how I handle stress and worry. I came across this beautiful piece of wisdom: "Don't let worry consume you. Instead, for every concern, present your needs to God through prayer, supplication, and grateful acknowledgment."It really got me thinking about how I've been dealing with my anxieties lately. I realized I've been collecting worries like some people collect stamps - one after another, until I'm weighed down by the whole lot of them.This made me remember a scene I saw at a construction site a while back. There were these guys passing roof tiles up a ladder, and it struck me how smoothly they worked together. But then I imagined what would happen if one of them stopped passing the tiles along - it would be a disaster!That's when it hit me - I've been doing the same thing with my worries. Instead of passing them along to a higher power, I've been holding onto them, and boy, does it wear me out.I'm going to try something different from now on. Every time a worry pops up, I'm going to imagine myself passing it up that ladder, straight to God. No more stockpiling anxieties for me!It's comforting to think that I don't have to handle everything on my own. There's a way to find joy and peace, even when life gets hectic. I just need to remember to share my burdens through prayer and trust that they're being taken care of.Here's to lighter shoulders and a more peaceful mind!Until next time,Chaplain Mark

Anxiety Elevator: Going Up

<figure id="figure-gg96fja33m1rouc9w"><img id="gg96fja33m1rouc9w" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/380A4efeOwzgGMi55XDKTpVChX1UUo7aQeU5q1rOyAzred7FkQDxOjGmLtcSG0Rm.jpg" alt="man and woman holding hands on street" title="man and woman holding hands on street" 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" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/380A4efeOwzgGMi55XDKTpVChX1UUo7aQeU5q1rOyAzred7FkQDxOjGmLtcSG0Rm.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Dear reader,This morning’s watch I read in 1 Corinthians 1:18-24, and it's really making me think about how counter-cultural the message of Christ truly is.The idea that the cross - a symbol of shame and defeat - could actually be the source of God's power and wisdom is mind-blowing. It goes against everything our world values. We're always chasing after the next big thing, whether it's miraculous experiences or intellectual breakthroughs. But here's Paul, saying that true power and wisdom are found in Christ crucified.I'm struck by how Jesus willingly embraced rejection and humiliation. He could have avoided the cross, but He chose it. When people mocked Him and challenged Him to save Himself, He stayed silent. It's so different from how I often react when faced with criticism or challenges.It's humbling to realize that what looks like weakness to the world can actually be the channel for God's strength. I wonder how this applies to my own life. Are there areas where I'm trying to appear strong or wise in the world's eyes, instead of embracing the "foolishness" of faith?The passage mentions that this message is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it's the power of God. I want to be in that second group - to see and experience God's power through what the world considers foolish.I'm challenged to reconsider my own values and priorities. Am I chasing after signs and wonders, or worldly wisdom? Or am I willing to embrace the seemingly paradoxical way of the cross?Lord, help me to understand and live out this profound truth more fully. May I find Your power in what looks like weakness, and Your wisdom in what the world calls foolish.Until next timeChaplain Mark

Cross-Examined: Where Folly Meets Divine Wisdom

<figure id="figure-eeje6wibvbm1rpv4to"><img id="eeje6wibvbm1rpv4to" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/21UILUxiEa4yJXoGhHpajiZQDlSAYajWc6nQEDv9O1WBljnXPJwGD007ADsFgtGU.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 30%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="30%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/21UILUxiEa4yJXoGhHpajiZQDlSAYajWc6nQEDv9O1WBljnXPJwGD007ADsFgtGU.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 30%;"></figure>Dear Reader,Today in my morning watch I spent time reflecting on Romans 5:3 and 5. It's funny how these verses hit differently now that I'm going through some tough times.You know, it's easy to feel discouraged when life keeps throwing curveballs. Lately, I've caught myself wondering, "Why does everything seem so hard? Is this really what following Jesus is supposed to be like?" But even in the midst of these doubts, I can't deny this warmth in my heart - this certainty that God loves me.I remember the day I first prayed to Jesus. It was like something shifted inside me. Now I understand - that was God's love being poured into my heart through the Holy Spirit. It's like having a constant whisper of encouragement, reminding me that God's got my back, even when I don't understand what's happening.Sometimes I try to imagine Jesus on the cross, choosing to die for me when I was still a mess. That kind of love... it's overwhelming. If God loved me enough to send Jesus, surely, He's not out to hurt me now, right?I'm trying to remember that God sees the big picture. He knows what I need, even when I don't. Everything that happens - the good and the bad - He's allowed it for a reason.So today, I'm making a choice. Instead of questioning everything, I'm going to pray: "God, I trust You. Whatever You want for me, that's what I want too. I'm putting it all in Your hands."It's not easy but knowing that God loves me this much... it changes things. These trials don't feel quite so heavy when I remember they're shaped by a loving Father's hands.Here's to growing stronger through the struggles, and never forgetting the love that carries me through.Until next timeChaplain Mark

Blessed Mess: Finding Grace in Life's Chaos

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

Adam 2.0: Upgrading My Spiritual Operating System

From Sin's Shackles to Grace's Gravy Train

Tomb Raiders: My Mind-Blowing Adventure with the Original...

Anxiety Elevator: Going Up

Cross-Examined: Where Folly Meets Divine Wisdom

Blessed Mess: Finding Grace in Life's Chaos