Focused, clarified thinking

I hope an expression of love is typical

Surprising! You are God material, after all!

I get to love people for a living.

Well Played Grandma Quincy

My mom’s mother, Grace Quincy, was a soft-spoken woman who was a deeply devoted Christian.

When I was a young boy she said, on several occasions, “I think Danny will be a minister someday.”

For some reason that bothered me. I think part of what bothered me was the idea that someone could in some way predict the direction of my life to that degree. In fact, there was a part of me that thought: “Just because she predicts I will be a minister I definitely will make sure that I will not be a minister.”

I was not against God. I was not against ministers. I just did not like the idea of someone making that type of prediction regarding my life.

Another reason this bothered me was—I hate to say it, but this was my opinion way back then—I thought of being a minister as something very bland. As a young boy I did not know what I would do when I grew up but I dreamed it would be something exciting. Something fun. Even something full of action packed adventure. Like… say… being a ninja… or something along those lines.

Hey, what can I tell you? That’s probably what lots of little boys hope and dream will happen.

And, in my thinking, being a minister was not a life of action packed adventure.

I never told Grandma Quincy I would not be a minister. In my mind, that would have been disrespectful and I never would have done such a thing. But I determined that I would not be a minister.

In the meantime, Grandma Quincy just took the matter to God in prayer.

You already see where this is going… don’t you?

At the age of 35, after working in the business world for a number of years, I became a pastor of a church. For a number of reasons I won’t go into in this post, this was a somewhat unlikely scenario. (Some would say I’m not really “minister material.”)

The little boy, now grown up, who said he would definitely make sure he would not be a minister is a pastor of church.

Every now and then when I’m sitting in my office, here at the church, I think about the story I’ve written here for your reading enjoyment and I think, “Well played, Grandma Quincy. Well played.”

I Am God's Friend

We sang a song in our services yesterday titled “I Am A Friend of God.”

I am familiar with the song. We have sung it in our services in the past and I have heard it on the radio a number of times. It’s a nice song and I’ve always liked it.

Yesterday, however, the truth which this song conveys gripped my heart in a way which has not occurred before. It’s sort of weird because I am a Christian pastor. The idea that God thinks of me as His friend is a biblical concept with which I am familiar. This is not a new idea to me.

But sometimes a truth we know becomes conscious to us and relevant to us in a profound new way and we come to “know” it in a manner we have not previously known it. I sat playing this song over and over on my computer last night and my heart was rejoicing.

It is empowering, uplifting, encouraging… it is extraordinary. I write this with no sense of bravado or pride. I write it with tremendous love, peace and gratitude in my heart. I am God’s friend.

Thank You Curt and Lorrine Nielsen

As I was looking through old photo albums at the church to prepare for our 50^th anniversary at the Oak Lawn location I came across this picture of Rev. Curt Nielsen and his wife, Lorrine.

Curt was the pastor at the First Church of God in Oak Lawn from 1974 until 1991. Curt is a wonderful man of God. He was a terrific pastor and mentor to me. It is impossible to even describe the deep, profound and, yes, eternal impact Curt and his family have had on my life and the life of my family.

I thank God for this man and his family.

Thank you Curt and Lorrine for faithfully serving God, my life has been changed because of the way God worked through you.

Pastor Offers Free Media Training To Phil Robertson

Even Phil Robertson’s own family admits that the way he expressed himself in the infamous GQ interview was a bit coarse.  If only Phil knew how to boldly, confidently state his Christian faith in a kinder, gentler way.  Right?

Fortunately, after years of trial and error, after falling down and picking myself up time and time again, I have discovered some very simple but effective secrets to expressing the honest, uncompromised, biblically-accurate teachings of Christianity in such a way that they are entirely inoffensive to everyone.

You say, “Hold on.  Are you talking about maintaining a strict adherence to the truth?”

Yes, I am.  But the good news is that I’m talking about doing so in a way that ensures kindness, respect and hearty slaps-on-the-back from everyone.

If a person will simply use these straightforward, easy-to-master techniques he or she can be a bold witness for Christ—being “salt and light” in this world—and yet still be loved by everyone.

So, I am hereby, officially, offering to teach Phil these techniques free of charge.

He or his representatives can feel free to reach me at any time and I will gladly, cheerfully help out.

In fact, I’m even willing to offer Phil a special “Media Training Intensive” which provides additional insights, skills and techniques for dealing with tough, secular media types.

Sadly, all of this fuss could have been avoided. 

But there doesn’t have to be a next time, huh?

I’m standing by and ready to help.  Give me a call.

Pastor Dan Marler

Oak Lawn, IL

Some Pastoral Advice For Target In Handling Their Crisis

By now most folks know that Target retailers have had a serious security breach that could affect as many as 45 million customers.

Target is a business and therefore their handling of this situation will involve certain business and economic responsibilities on their part.  That is understandable.

However, the credit card security of millions of their customers is at stake in this situation and that means there are not just business and economic concerns at play in this matter.  There are moral concerns.  In other words, “right” and “wrong” are involved.

I realize this can come across sounding “preachy” and that’s not really my intent.  My intent is to point out that right and wrong still matter, even for a business, in situations like this.  There are reports in the media suggesting that many customers are upset with the ineffective manner in which Target is handling the situation.  There are complaints of trouble contacting the company through its website and call centers.

It is important for Target to do everything possible to assist these customers who have been affected by this crisis.  Even if though it will involve some financial pain.  This is difficult because it could, obviously, be argued that Target has been victimized, as well.  But Target has the most to gain and the most to lose in this matter and so they must be the leader. 

Clearly, this is not pleasant for the retailer, however, difficulties of this nature are an opportunity for a company to demonstrate that they really are unique and special.  It is not an enjoyable opportunity but it is an opportunity, nevertheless, for them to demonstrate that they really care about their relationship with their customers.  (Most businesses will claim that this is a key concern.  Target has an unusual opportunity to show that this is true.)

This could, actually, in the long run be beneficial to Target’s brand perception—if they handle it properly.

If it sounds like I’m against Target in this matter, please know that I’m not.  I hope they come through this crisis effectively and successfully.  But that means they must do the right thing even though it will probably mean some short-term financial difficulty.

Pastor Dan Marler

Oak Lawn, IL

Celebrating Spiritual Victory!

We’re getting the tank ready for lots of baptisms tomorrow.  Occasionally there are people—who shall remain nameless—suggesting that we fill the tank with other liquids, besides water.  Practical jokers, they are.  But I always say, “No way, you punks!!!  We’re sticking with water!”  (A good pastor is protective about his people.)

God’s activity in our church is very encouraging.  The Spirit is at work here.  Tomorrow we celebrate Spiritual Victory!  Whoo hoo!!