Author Archives: Mark Cole

About Mark Cole

Jesus follower, Husband, Father, Worship Leader, Writer, Pastor, Church Consultant, Founding Arranger for Praisecharts.com, squash & tennis player, blogger & outdoor enthusiast.. (biking, hiking, skiing). Twitter: @MarkMCole Facebook: mmcole

Investing In Worship: Following David’s Model

Posted on August 23, 2024 by Mark Cole

How much is your church investing in it’s worship ministry? Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church, God, Music, Worship | Tagged 10%, budget, church, church budget, Davidic worship, investment, lighting, musical instruments, musicians, sound systems | Leave a comment

The Unbreakable Church

Posted on August 20, 2024 by Mark Cole

In a world that often feels increasingly chaotic, where ideologies rise and fall like the tides, the church—the Body of Christ, His Bride—stands as a beacon of enduring hope and truth. It is not just a building or an organization; it is a living, breathing organism, composed of believers who have been called out of darkness into the marvelous light of Christ. The church has withstood the test of time, and it will continue to grow and endure, not by human effort alone, but by the divine power that sustains it. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church, Family, God, Jesus, Leadership, Wisdom | Tagged believers, Body of Christ, Christ's bride, enduring, God's Word, Gospel, grow, His hands, His love, history, love, message, mission, purposes of God | Leave a comment

Is Music a Spiritual Gift?

Posted on August 19, 2024 by Mark Cole

In the life of the church, few things have the power to unite, inspire, and move hearts like music. Whether through the beautiful melodies of a hymn, the uplifting chords of a worship song, or the reflective tones of a spiritual ballad, music has been a cornerstone of Christian worship for centuries. But as we delve into the New Testament’s teachings on spiritual gifts, an interesting question arises: Is music and songwriting a spiritual gift? Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church, God, Music, Worship | Tagged compose, crafting, encourage, encouraging, exhort, gift, harp, Holy Spirit, hymn, Music, musical, perform, prophesy, skilled, spiritual, talents, teaching, Worship | Leave a comment

The Good News and Its Blessings

Posted on August 15, 2024 by Mark Cole

The Apostle Paul’s words to the Corinthians, “I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings” (1 Corinthians 9:23, NLT), encapsulate a mission that has echoed throughout the centuries—a mission that has become the heartbeat of Christian faith. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, God, Jesus | Tagged blessings, community, destiny, eternal life, faith, fellowship, forgiveness, freedom, gift, Good News, hope, identity, inspired, Jesus Christ, life, lives, love, message, mission, new creation, peace, promise, storms, transformation, truth | Leave a comment

Spiritual Fitness: Why Discipline and Self-Control Matter in Our Faith Journey

Posted on August 14, 2024 by Mark Cole

In 1 Corinthians 9:27, the Apostle Paul writes, “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” This verse powerfully encapsulates the Christian call to discipline and self-control, reminding us that our spiritual journey requires the same intentionality and rigor as an athlete’s physical training.
Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Exercise, God, Health, Wisdom | Tagged discipline, fasting, finish well, fitness, gift, Holy Spirit, humility, kindness, love, patience, prayer, resist, scripture, self-control, spiritual, spiritual journey, study, temptations, training | Leave a comment

God Uses Imperfect People For Impossible Tasks

Posted on August 14, 2024 by Mark Cole

Throughout the Bible, we encounter characters who are far from perfect. Their stories reveal the raw and real struggles of humanity—flaws, failures, and sins. Yet, despite their imperfections, God chose to use these individuals in extraordinary ways. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, God, Leadership | Tagged divine purposes, failures, flaws, forgave, God's plan, grace, insecurities, kill, lied, murder, perfect in weakness, power of grace, self-doubt, shortcomings, sins, stole, unworthy, used by Him | Leave a comment

Asaph: The Unsung Hero of Worship in the Bible

Posted on August 13, 2024 by Mark Cole

As Christian musicians, we often find inspiration in the lives of those who have gone before us, especially those whose lives were dedicated to the service of God through music. One such figure is Asaph, a Levite musician, seer, and psalmist in the Bible. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Family, God, Leadership, Music, Worship | Tagged authenticity, chief musician, creativity, dedication, honesty, influence, leading, scripture, sovereignty | Leave a comment

The Journey to Knowing God

Posted on August 12, 2024 by Mark Cole

Knowing God is not merely an intellectual pursuit but a deeply personal and transformative journey. It’s about experiencing His presence, understanding His character, and aligning our lives with His will. The Bible, God’s Word, serves as our guide on this journey, revealing who He is and how we can draw closer to Him. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church, God, Jesus, Wisdom, Worship | Tagged All your heart, faithfulness, fellowship, God's Word, His will, holiness, Holy Spirit, honor God, Jesus, journey, know Jesus, Love God, obey, personal, pray, prayer, reward, seek God, way truth life | Leave a comment

God’s Goodness: A Reflection on His Blessings in Our Lives

Posted on August 10, 2024 by Mark Cole

In the midst of our busy lives, it’s easy to overlook the countless ways that God demonstrates His goodness to us. However, when we pause to reflect, we can see His hand in every aspect of our existence. Here are some of the many ways that God’s goodness is evident, supported by the truth of His Word: Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church, Family, God, God Adventures, Health, Jesus, Wisdom | Tagged blessings, calling, community, eternal life, forgiveness, gift, God, God's Word, goodness, grace, gratitude, guidance, life, love, majesty, masterpiece, needs, peace, praise, provision, purpose, redemption, relationships, wisdom | Leave a comment

God Always Comes to Prepared Places

Posted on August 6, 2024 by Mark Cole

In our journey of faith, we often seek divine intervention, hoping for God’s presence in our lives, our homes, our communities, and our churches. We long for His guidance, comfort, and blessings. But have we ever stopped to ponder this simple yet profound truth: God always comes to prepared places? Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church, Family, God, Jesus, Leadership, Wisdom, Worship | Tagged blessings, comfort, divine, God's presence, guidance, heart, love, make room, peace, prayer, unity, Worship | 2 Comments