Marcus Redding Gets An Offer He Can Refuse

“Marcus, can you come a little early to services tonight? Ed and I want to talk to you about doing some preaching. We still can’t get a hold of James and we’re in a bind.”

Mr. Walt called him at 3:00 on Sunday afternoon. Mr. Walt was one of the two elders at the little church in Rayville. Ever since Marcus gave an impromptu sermon the night the preacher resigned, he kind of expected this. He was ready to say no, but he agreed to talk with the elders, “Sure, Mr. Walt. See you at 5:30.”

When Marcus told Lauren why they’d have to leave early, she jumped on the idea. “Marcus, you’d be so good at this!” Marcus shook his head, “I serve behind the scenes.” Lauren urged him, “Marcus, don’t blow this off. I know you. I know your heart and you know scripture. You could really do a good job. You could really help this church. And you are young and that might attract more young people. I’d be so proud of you.” She kept up like this while they got Micah into his car seat. And for the entire 15 minute drive into Rayville Marcus gave reasons why he didn’t want to be an “interim” preacher, and Lauren countered with reasons why he should give it a shot. She was really laying it on. And though he didn’t say it, her words made him hesitate.

When they pulled up to the church building, they saw the elders’ two cars already there. Lauren looked at Marcus and sighed a talking-to-a-brick-wall sigh. She got out of the car and opened the back door to get Micah out of his car seat. Lauren was strong-willed and persuasive, but she knew for Marcus’s sake and for the Lord’s sake she had to be supportive. So as the three of them walked into the church building Lauren squeezed his hand and said, “I’m with you. Whatever you decide.” That made Marcus feel better. He gave them both a kiss before he slipped into the office to talk to the elders.

If Marcus thought Lauren was working on him, he didn’t know what was coming. At first they just asked Marcus if he had considered preaching. Marcus just said, “No, it’s not my gift.” Then they built their case. They knew his background. They knew his repentance. They knew his family. They were impressed by what they heard the other night. They suggested maybe his gift was speaking. But the more they talked, the more Marcus was persuaded not to accept their offer. And the more they talked, the more Romans 12:6-7 crystallized in his mind.

When they finished, Marcus said, “Guys, I appreciate the offer. I was glad to help out the other night. But I don’t need to preach in order to serve God.” Mr. Walt came back with, “Maybe the church needs you to preach in order to serve God.” Marcus was getting a little uncomfortable now. Why was everyone putting the heat on him?

Mr. Walt nodded to Mr. Ed, the other elder, and they brought out the big guns. “We could support you a little. $100 for every lesson.” If there was ever any possibility Marcus would accept their offer it disappeared instantly at the mention of money. Marcus quietly opened his Bible to Romans 12 and read out loud, “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving.”

He closed the Bible and told them about building Mrs. Hampel’s barn, about fixing Mrs. Louia’s sink, about repairing Mr. Silves’s lawnmower, about giving folks a ride to the airport, about setting a good example on the job, about doing personal evangelism, about spending time with his wife and his son.

“’If service, in our serving.’ That’s my gift. Preaching is important. But I don’t need to preach in order to serve God. It’s better to have a church full of servants than a church full of preachers, don’t you think?”

Mr. Walt chuckled, “That’s a sermon in itself.” He stood up and shook Marcus’s hand, “We appreciate you Marcus. Maybe you’d take turns preaching with some of the rest of us? Once a month or once every six weeks?” Marcus nodded, “I think that would be good.”

More about Marcus Redding’s journey of faith next week.

Marcus Redding is Attacked by a Lion

Marcus was feeling pretty good about himself. After months out of a job now he lived and worked on Mr. Johnson’s ranch. He was back to 100% after his heat stroke. He helped out at church when they needed an emergency sermon and he did a good job. Everything was going well with him and his family. Things were good. So Monday afternoon when he stopped by the in-store bank to deposit his paycheck, his guard was down.

After his business at the bank he walked across the front of the store, past the rows of checkstands. It was about three in the afternoon. A few lines were open. Mostly older people picking up a few items. Or so he thought. He saw a pile of newspapers and stopped to look at the headlines for a bit. Then he heard a familiar voice call his name, “Marcus!” and someone hugged him from behind. He knew who it was. He knew from her perfume and her voice. It was Kelly. This was not good.

In the years since he had repented and straightened out his life he had gained control over his drinking. One day at a time. Every now and then he was tempted, but he didn’t drink anymore. He could handle that. In the years since he had repented he had gained control over his temper. There was that time he lost his cool at work but that was resolved pretty quickly, and it didn’t happen again. By God’s grace he had made a lot of progress. These struggles were always in the back of his mind. So he was on guard. But this chance meeting with an old girlfriend caught him by surprise. And it threw him into the middle of a battle between the Spirit and the flesh.

And it was a battle. A flood of thoughts competed for his attention. On one hand: late nights and early mornings doing things with Kelly that he should not have done. On the other hand: scriptures, spiritual songs, and a heightened awareness of his cell phone, which he could pull out at any time to call Lauren and say he was on his way home and walk out of the store and leave Kelly and his past behind him. An image of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife ran through his mind. All within the span of about two seconds. How was he going to get out of this?

He turned around. He didn’t want to look at her. But she didn’t cooperate. She held his arm and looked closely at it. Then she looked up at him, “I remember when you got this tattoo.” She smiled and swished back her long black hair. She was still holding his arm. Marcus pulled back so he could put down the newspaper. Something told him to leave but something else told him to be polite. Kelly looked down at six plastic grocery sacks at her feet. “Can you help me carry this stuff?” She looked back up at him, “I haven’t seen you for three years. Where have you been?”

Marcus was thrown off. He stammered something about his new job as he picked up the grocery bags and walked with her out of the store. Two voices shouted back and forth in his mind. One said, “Put down the groceries and walk away!” The other said, “Be polite, maybe you can help her!” Marcus asked about one of their mutual friends and Kelly started talking about other people they used to know. The voices got louder. Kelly walked a little ahead of him. Marcus was trying not to look at her. She got to her car and opened the back door. Marcus put in the groceries. She took out her cell phone and said, “Give me your number so we can catch up. I didn’t know how much I missed you until I saw you.”

Marcus shut the door and there they stood. She had her cell phone out. Ready to punch in his number. She was pretty, but she was bad news. The shouting match hurt his ears: “Walk away!” versus “You can help her!” But he remembered a fragment of a scripture, “the way of escape.” It was a piece of 1 Corinthians 10:13. He remembered his cell phone. He got it out and called Lauren and told her he was on his way home and he turned around and walked away and left Kelly and his past behind him.

More about Marcus Redding’s journey of faith next week.

Marcus Redding Fills In

His folks came out to the ranch Saturday evening. David and Abigail wanted to help out with Micah a little bit. So for the first time in—they couldn’t remember how long—at least six months Marcus and Lauren got to spend an evening together. But just as they were about to leave Lauren stopped at the door. An invisible force field blocked her exit. It took at least five minutes for Marcus and his parents to persuade Lauren that Micah would be okay. Abigail said, “Sweetheart, we’ve got eighteen years of experience. You two just go and relax and have a good time.” Marcus halfway pulled her through the force field and they were off to Olive Garden.

David and Abigail watched Micah all that night so Marcus and Lauren could get some rest. They all got up and went to services together in the morning. The class was good. The services were fine. The sermon was about Abraham on his journey of faith. They visited some after services and went back out to the ranch to eat lunch and rest all afternoon. At 5:30 they headed back in to Rayville for evening services.

After a prayer and two songs the preacher got up to give his lesson. Or that’s what they thought would happen. Instead everyone got a surprise. As soon as he stepped into the pulpit, the preacher announced he was stepping down. And he did. Literally. Got down from the pulpit, walked up the aisle, met his wife in the foyer, and they walked out to the parking lot, got in their car, and drove away.

The sixty or so members of the congregation sat stunned, looking at each other like, “Did that really just happen?” After some long and awkward moments, the two elders of the church went to the front and spoke privately. Finally they went to the pulpit. One of them grabbed the microphone and cleared his throat and said, “Well, folks, umm, this is a surprise. We didn’t know of any problems with James and Kathy. I guess we’ll try to get a hold of him and see what’s wrong. If you know what’s going on, please let us know after services.” He looked nervously at the other elder, “Well, Walt, in the meantime we have a worship service here.”

Walt was already talking to Marcus’s dad, who filled in preaching every now and then. David nodded and was about to step into the aisle when Marcus put his hand on his dad’s shoulder. David turned around and looked at Marcus, “Dad, let me do it. Mr. Walt, would you mind if I gave a short message on John 16:33?” Walt gestured to the front of the auditorium.

This was the second shock of the evening. Marcus never spoke in church. Never commented in class. Never led prayers. Never even helped out with the Lord’s Supper. He was always involved but always behind the scenes.

He took his Bible to the pulpit. He opened to John 16:33 and read, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” What followed was a fifteen minute sermon in which Marcus used his own journey of faith to illustrate the saving power of Jesus Christ. He finished with words of calm and comfort to the church and issued a simple invitation. Marcus returned to his seat. His family, and most of the church, stared at him in wonder.

After services were over they piled into his truck. His folks sat in the back with Micah in the car seat between them. Lauren got in the passenger seat. As soon as the doors were shut, Lauren said, “Marcus, that was so good. I’m so proud of you.” Marcus shrugged, “I just had something to say from God’s word.”

Marcus glanced into the rearview mirror. His dad smiled. His mom patted his shoulder. Lauren squeezed his hand. Micah burped.

They drove home.

More about Marcus Redding's journey of faith next week.

Marcus Redding Settles Into A Routine

He had just thrown the last bag of V-28 Rangemaster Beef Feed into the back of his truck when his cell phone rang. Well, it didn’t actually “ring” but he heard his ringtone sound out loud, “I know I am loved by the King and it makes my heart want to sing.” He tapped the screen and said “Hello” as he jumped in the truck. “Hey, it’s me,” Lauren was calling to check on him, “Are you taking it easy?” She was worried he would push himself after his heat stroke episode last month. The macho side of him was a little annoyed that she was checking on him, but deep down he knew she only called because she cared. “Yeah, I am. I’m just coming back from the feed store right now. I’ll be in at 5:00.” Lauren said, “I’ve got fresh squash, purple hull peas, and porkchops tonight, sound good?” Marcus smiled, “Sounds great. Did you get the price on that PVC pipe to Mr. Johnson?” Lauren was on top of it, “Got it taken care of this morning. See you in a little bit.”

They were settling into a routine. Finally. They were all unpacked and moved in to their new place. Micah slept a little more during the night. Marcus had recovered from heat stroke and built up his endurance a little bit. Lauren started working a few hours with Lisa, learning how to keep the books and the website while Micah took a nap or bounced in his swing. It wasn’t every day they could count on a regular schedule, but more often than not he got in at 5:00 and they could have dinner and Bible study and spend the evening together.

Marcus rolled in at 5:02. He could smell the porkchops from the driveway. He kicked off his boots and opened the door and gave Lauren and Micah a kiss before he went to clean up. A few minutes later they sat down to eat and talked about their day. When they were done Marcus brought the dishes to Lauren and said, “That was delicious. Thank you for making dinner.” She said, “You’re welcome. Did you like the squash?” Marcus said, “Sure, I like everything you make, you are a good cook.” Lauren said, “I can do the dishes, go sit down with Micah.” Marcus thought that sounded good so he took Micah out of his little swing. Micah responded by spitting up on his dad’s shirt and laughing about it.

Ten minutes later the dishes and the shirts and the baby were cleaned up. Lauren got her Bible and sat down on the couch. Marcus said, “Go ahead and read John 16.” Marcus told Lauren he wanted them to have Bible study every night after dinner. They had been reading the gospel of John, a few chapters a night. Lauren opened her Bible and was about to begin reading when she looked up and saw Marcus holding Micah.

Maybe it was her still-unsettled hormones or maybe it was the negative memories of her own father that prompted her, but she laid the Bible down on the couch and walked over to Marcus and kissed him on the forehead and gave him a hug. Then she stood next to them, with one hand on Marcus’s shoulder and the other hand stroking Micah’s nearly bald head. Marcus didn’t say anything. After a while Lauren said, “I’m proud of you.” He kept looking at Micah and said, “Are you proud of me or him?” Lauren playfully slapped him on the shoulder, “I’m proud of you, silly.” She looked down at the tattoos that covered his arms: the flames, the crosses, the halcyon bird. “You’ve come a long way.”

Marcus kept looking at Micah, “The Lord has brought me a long way.” Lauren kept up the compliment, “He has. And you let him. I’m proud of you. And you’ve… umm…you’ve stepped up.” That was unexpected. Marcus looked up at her, “What do you mean?” Lauren kissed him on the forehead again and went back to the couch, “You made a tough call for us to move out here. And it’s worked out. You rolled the TV into the closet. You insisted we have Bible study every night. You’ve stepped up.”

Marcus looked down at Micah but spoke to Lauren, “Read John 16:33.” She turned the page and read the verse out loud.

Marcus kept looking at Micah but he was really looking at his past…and his future. He smiled a quiet smile, “Jesus has overcome the world.”

More about Marcus Redding’s journey of faith next week.

Marcus Redding on HDTV

When the nurse came in with discharge instructions, she spoke as one who had authority, “Stay out of the sun. Stay out of the heat. Stay in air conditioned rooms for 48 hours. No more Mr. Tough Guy. Something worse could happen if you push yourself. Do you understand?” Marcus was surprised at how adamant she was. “Yes, ma’am. I understand.” Lauren stood next to his hospital bed, holding Micah in one arm and holding Marcus’s hand in the other. She reassured the nurse, “I will restrain him if I have to.” She gave his hand a squeeze.

When Lauren got him to the ER they washed arms and torso with cool wet rags and put two fans on him to cool him down. They started an IV and replaced the icepacks under his armpits. His temperature came down and his mind cleared up. He was going to be all right. But they kept him overnight to make sure.

They got home around four o’clock the next day. There was a note on the door from Lisa, the office manager. It said, “I saw you leave and came by to see if everything was okay. I turned off the stove.” A few minutes later Mr. Johnson came by to check on Marcus. “I’ve got my own discharge orders,” the old man said. “You are staying out of the heat until Monday week. It will take you that long to get your strength back. Heat stroke is bad that way. Don’t push yourself, you hear?” Marcus said, “Yes, sir. But I hate being laid up for a week. I like to be busy.” Mr. Johnson was one step ahead of him, “I’m giving you a project you can work on inside. I want you and Lauren to work together to redesign the guest cabins. The ones we got now are too old. I’m tearing them down. I want y’all to draw up the plans for three new cabins, interior design, materials, cost, everything. Show me what you come up with next Monday morning and that will be your ticket to come back to work.”

Marcus knew a little about building houses. Lauren knew a lot about computers. So they worked together on the project every morning from nine to noon. In the afternoon Marcus watched Micah so Lauren could catch up on some rest. Monday afternoon he sat down on the couch to watch TV when he noticed the remote was sitting on top of his Bible. He paused. He looked down at Micah. Then he looked at the TV.

He remembered how Lauren told him about the day her mom came in from work and found little Lauren and Eddie watching The Simpsons. To their amazement Ruth opened the front door, unplugged the television, lugged the thing out to the sidewalk, and dropped it with a crash on the pavement. She marched back inside and told her wide-eyed children she was “tired of having the devil in their living room.” Lauren and Eddie whined and complained for three days straight. Then they learned to read books, play games, and play outside. They never missed the television again.

Marcus made a decision. The television was a on a cart with wheels so he just rolled it down the hall and pushed it into a closet and shut the door. He called the cable company and discontinued service. He found a pen and got out a yellow legal pad. He sat down at the table and composed the “Redding Family Television Policy.”

Lauren woke up from her nap and came into the living room. She sat down on the couch to feed Micah and looked at the empty space across from her, “Umm, Marcus, where is the television?” Marcus was ready, “I got tired of having the devil in my living room.” Lauren wondered if the heat stroke had affected his brain. He handed her the legal pad with the television policy. She read it and looked up at him. “What’s gotten into you, Mr. ESPN?”

Marcus said, “Your mom was right. But I’m not throwing the TV out. We can watch up to six hours a week. And we’ll make room for special events. But there are better things we can be doing with our time.” Then he got out his Bible and said, “I was reading something in John I wanted to talk to you about.”

He opened to John 8:31 and they talked about God’s word for the next half hour.

More about Marcus Redding’s journey of faith next week.