Author Archives: Markus

Weakness = Strength

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Recently I saw a video which showed a view of different people and how they were capable of more then anyone would think they are. It showed some people with a talent in sport even they had a handicap. It was amazing to see how each of them probably believed in who they are and didn’t let themselves be limited by how others said they cant do it.

It reminded me of people we talked about in the last few months like Peter or Paul. Both of them experienced things that seemed impossible, but God used them in power and changed the world through them. When we look at those different men from the bible we notice something different so. They did not necessarily believe in their own ability, but they trusted in God showing up. Paul talks about that when he is weak Christ is strong in him. He admitted openly that it was not by his might, but by Gods power that he did the things he did. So Jesus said that he will be with us till the end of time with that meaning He is with us like with Paul and Peter and he can show up miraculously when we are weak. So when you feel you don’t have the strength or ways to do something greater than you would be able to achieve, welcome to good company. Most people in the bible experienced something like that, but then in there weakness God showed up strong.

We want to encourage you this week to let God be strong in your weakness through your life!

Hey our friend

We had a wonderful Time at our annual Staff Retreat where all the ywam staff form the bay area comes together to learn and encourage each other. It was a refreshing time for everyone that came. Jen had a meeting for the neighborhood watch group which was encouraging for her since she had a big group there! It’s wonderful how the neighborhood watch brought so many people together and gave us so many new relationships.

We wish you a blessed week and remember its ok to feel weak, because in those times god is even stronger through you!!

God bless you

Markus and Jen

Ruth or putting your full trust in him

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Recently I was reading the book of Ruth. Ruth is an interesting book that teaches us a lot about family and about trust. Enjoy the video blog about it!

Hey our friend

We had a wonderful week here in San Francisco. We had an old friend from Germany come out for a visit which was awesome. We also had our normal things going on which were really fun. On Saturday our friend could experience one of our neighbor brunches which was awesome. It so easy to do, but so much fun to connect with neighbor friends through it. Jen and I had also some really fun dates in this last month. A friend of ours lend us there car and we were able to visit a water park which was awesome. And with that we were able to experience a real summer. We hope you enjoy yours too!

Now have a wonderful week and don’t forget to address the areas in your life where you still have to put your trust in Him!

God bless you

Markus and Jen

Peter

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Over the last few months we looked at different people from the bible from time to time. Today we want to write about Peter, the friend of Jesus.

Peter used to be a fisherman before Jesus called him to be a disciple. A fisherman was a normal job but when Jesus called him to be a disciple that was a huge honor and upgrade for him. So first of all Jesus honored Peter by offering him that position. During their time together Peter grew in his faith also through stepping out in it and failing. One time he walked on the water, but then second guessed himself and what Jesus said, and began to sink, but Jesus pulled him out. But after all he took a step of faith in that situation and that takes a lot of courage. Later on he called Jesus the son of God which earned him credit from Jesus and also showed how he hears clearly from God. But just one chapter later he gets rebuked by Jesus because he did not listen to God. Again Peter was a normal guy with issues like all of us.

When we come towards the end of Jesus life Jesus told Peter how he would deny him in front of the people before the rooster would crow, but Peter strongly disagreed. But Jesus was right as soon as he was caught Peter denied him. But that moment changed something in Peters life. He broke down crying. Probably he realized even more that without trusting in Gods ability and not his own he would be lost. After Jesus rose from the dead, him and Peter had a conversation, in which Jesus spoke out his full trust in Peter. He said it 3 times that he trusts him and that he would build his Community (in the Jewish bible its called community not church) on him. Jesus rebuilds something in Peter by speaking out his full support to him not based on Peters achievements but based on how Jesus believed in him.

When we read further in the New Testament we see how that word came true and how he build his church on him. When we look at the church today we notice that all of us in the church are a bit like Peter ourselves. We are not perfect people; we have our problems and issues like Peter. But God still decided to choose us to build his Kingdom. He chooses imperfect people to bring change to an imperfect world. He takes us by the hand and walks with us like Jesus walked with Peter. He believes in us and wants to help us grow and succeed. So let us all take the hand of Jesus and let him guide us in our journey.

Hey our friend

What’s new in your life? Are you enjoying your summer?

Last week i (Markus) celebrated my 41st birthday and it was awesome!! Jen took me a to toy train museum the sunday before. On the day off, we went on a hike with the encouragment group and i got blessed with some amazing picninc food. At night we went out for a meat dinner which was amazing!! I made a little album if you want to see some pictures click on this link:

We also had some wonderful times with our neighbor friends. God really blessed us with friends that just live across the street! Its amazing!! Let him gift you with the same thing! Trust me its a blessing!!

Let the example of Peter show you in all our strength and weaknesses, in all our failures and successes, God wants to work with us!

God bless you

Markus and Jen

Restored by Him so He can restore others through us

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This blog is Part 2 of our last Blog and its about letting ourselves be healed from Jesus so that he can heal others through us. Be encouraged!

Hey our friend

Summer is just a great time!! Make sure you enjoy every sunny day and thank god for each one of them!  We had a great week here in San Francisco. Our church had a picnic in our big city park and invited others that were there to join. It was a wonderful time to love on visitors of the park and also eat food together. It was an encouraging time. We also had all the usual things going on which was wonderful too!! We want to encourage you to brainstorm this week on how to show love to people that you already know.

Remember this week to let him restore you so he can restore others through you!

God bless you

Markus and Jen

Jesus does full restorations

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Jesus doesn’t just want to partially restore us, no he wants to do it in every way. Be encouraged through this weeks video blog!

Hey our friend

We hope you had a wonderful week!! Last week we had our bay area meeting with all the leaders of the different ywam works in this area. It was encouraging and refreshing.  Jen also was a part of 2 book clubs this week of which the members became true friends over the years. Its amazing how many friendships can happen if you connect with the things that are happening in your community. And the great thing is we can all do it!

Remember this week that Jesus doesn’t do halfway things he wants to fully restore!

God bless you

Markus and Jen