Mark, the eighth of nine children born to Reuben and Henrietta Meeks—dedicated church planters with nearly 30 congregations established across California’s Central Valley—is a preacher's kid who grew up immersed in faith and service. With over forty years of experience teaching, discipling, and ministering to communities, including the hospitalized and incarcerated, Mark responded to God's call to pastoral ministry. He holds degrees in civil engineering and public administration, as well as a Master’s in Theology from Fuller Seminary, equipping him to serve with both practical insight and spiritual depth.
The older I get, the more I realize—well, I’m just getting older. Aches, pains and the occasional involuntary groan have become part of my daily soundtrack. But growing older has its gifts too. One of them is a deepening appreciation for what I like to call the spiritual golden oldies. Don’t […]
A few years ago, my wife shared a phrase with me that someone had once passed along to her about the care and nurturing of responsibility: “Everybody can’t hold the baby.” At first, it sounded simple—even cute. But she and I both grasped its deeper meaning. Something tender, vulnerable and […]
The phrase “Never let a good crisis go to waste” is often attributed to Winston Churchill, believed to have been spoken during World War II, possibly around the time of the United Nations’ formation. It reflects his recognition that crises, while challenging, can also present opportunities for growth, reflection, and […]
“May you live in interesting times.” This phrase is often referred to as an ancient Chinese curse, though it is neither ancient nor Chinese. The apocryphal saying has come to carry a sense of ironic weight, a blend of curse and reflection, as if to suggest that times of peace, […]
Happy… New Year Here I go again, diving into the nuance of words and language, and reflecting on the inherent irony of colloquialisms. Take the phrase “Happy New Year!” What do we really mean when we say it? Is it a simple declaration shouted in unison as the clock strikes […]
Maybe it’s just me (ask my wife, and she’ll tell you it definitely is), but as I get older, I find myself focusing on things that others might consider obscure or even a little odd. One of these things is a growing appreciation for certain words— words that, to me, […]
Hap-py Thanks-giv-ing. Two words, five syllables. Today, they will be spoken—by us and to us—countless times. Happy Thanksgiving. On this fourth Thursday in November, the accumulation of years and recent experiences has given me a deeper perspective on thankfulness. Over half a century ago (yes, I’m that old), I recall […]
Some things are simply meant to be together: Cookies and milk. Apples and oranges. Peanut butter and jelly. Rainy nights and cozy blankets. Certain pairings just make sense. Surprisingly, life has shown me that disappointment and clarity can also be one of those pairs. Not the small disappointments—like missing a […]
Commercials tend to run the gamut from entertaining to forgettable, and maybe that’s just part of their nature. In just 15, 30, or 60 seconds, creatives try to grab our attention and make us respond—usually by making us aware of a need (like bad breath) and offering a solution (their […]
Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives. With those words, an announcer (somewhat hauntingly) welcomed viewers to the “Days of Our Lives” soap opera. A large hourglass appeared on the television screen and music played. The older I get, and with every glance in the […]
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