PastorMarkCast
Pastor Mark is a Christian Pastor, author, blogger, and sometimes background actor. He brings all of his years of life experience to ask spiritual questions about the ordinary events of life.
Political Assassinations are Evil

I am appalled by the shooting of Charlie Kirk and am venting about this.
My 911 Grief and Some Hard Questions

I had a friend die in the 911 attack. Why would the people who carried out those attacks be angry enough to do it?
We haven't learned anything from Anne Frank's diary
Have we learned anything from Anne Frank's diary? Sadly, I don't think so.
I wish I had the brain of a bird

Jesus talks about followers being trusting like birds. Why don't we do this?
Where is Ellis Island When We Need It?

Where is Ellis Island when we need it? How come Ellis Island had a much more efficient system of processing immigrants than we have now?
An American Family Reunion

My wife's family had a reunion. The family represents many ethnic groups, just like the modern America. It is great to be part of a truly representative family.
A generational roof rack

I have a roof rack that is not glamorous but has blessed many people. I try to be like that also, non-glamorous, but helpful to others.
A generational Roof Rack

I have a roof rack that has blessed people without any glamor. Do we live in such service without glamor.
Irish Myths

When I was young, my family told me many things about Ireland. When I traveled there, I discovered that none of what I was told was true. Things have changed.
Myths of Ireland

My family told me many things about Ireland that I found to be not true. Did they tell me false things or have things simply changed?
Pub Meetings

I met some wonderful folks outside a pub in Ireland
A caregiver gets cared for

What happens when a care giver needs to be cared for?
The big, beautiful, bill passed congress

The "big, beautiful, bill" passed congress. Does this make America great?
How many days will you live?

How many days will any of us live? Let us make each day count for the good.
We reap what we sow, Iran and the United States.

We are bombing Iran. Why does Iran hate us so much? A brief history of the United States and Iran.
An apology to the LGBTQIA Community

On behalf of Christian congregations, at the worship service for the Glen Rock Community Church, I apologized to the LGBTQIA community for the harsh treatment that they received from Christian groups.
Baptismal Vows

My grandson was baptized on Sunday. How do we best help his parents to raise him in faith?
Being there for the LGBTQIA Community

For too long, Churches have been hostile toward the LGBTQIA community. I have begun to stand with the community to try to reverse this trend.
Memorial Day: making up for the guilt that I feel

I feel guilty about my Godfather's death in 1980. Today I will be caring for veterans as a way of alleviating my guilt.
Blessed Pets are Good for us.

We blessed pets yesterday. They are good for mental health.
Selling my mother’s house a day after Mother’s Day

My mother bought a house as a retirement refuge. After I bought it from her it became a nightmare. Now I've sold my mother's house the day after Mother's Day.
A Healing Liturgy?

A healing liturgy in a mainline Protestant Congregation? Yes, one exists.
Pope Francis was a role model for all Christians

Some of the attributes of Pope Francis that it would be good for us to imitate.
Peter and Judas in Contrast on Resurrection Day

Peter denied Jesus and Judas betrayed him. Why was one reconciled with the Christian community and the other committed suicide?
A sword for Palm Sunday?

Some of Jesus' disciples carried swords. They thought that Jesus would have a violent revolution against Rome. No wonder they were disappointed during Holy Week.
Lenten Reflections on Child Abuse

How far does Jesus' redemptive work go? Does it apply to Child Abusers. Can such people be saved?
The sacredness of Ordinations

The Community Church of Glen Rock ordained and installed elders and deacons this past Sunday. There is something sacred about these. events. How can God call imperfect people to such sacred tasks?
Failure and Success, A Lenten journey?

What makes us succeed and what makes us fail? It begins with self-reflection. Perhaps this look at ourselves can be our Lenten journey.
Room at the dinner table

How do we make room at the dinner table for family and friends? Do we do this in our churches?
Ash Dash

We gave out Ashes to the community for Ash Wednesday. It is good to bring the church out of the sanctuary and into the world.
Prosperity meets Poverty in Hackensack

A church from a prosperous town cooked dinner and worshipped with economically stressed people and learned to be grateful.
1918 and 2025, Listening to Politicians or Physicians?

For medical issues, do we listen to politicians or medical professionals.
What kind of world will my new grandson live in?

I have a new grandson and the world seems to be in chaos now. How can we make the world a good place for this new generation?
Christian Worship and the Superbowl

I watched the Superbowl even though I didn't care much for either team. Should we not attend worship even if we don't care for the participants?
I am happy with the presidential inauguration

Whether or not we are happy with who is president, the inauguration happened without violence and was done properly. That is something to celebrate.
There aren't any ghosts in the Bible, right?

Do we listen to ghosts, fortune tells, and psychics, or trust God's providence.
We still need Dr. King's Dream

I am working toward fulfilling Dr. King's dream for the sake of my bi-racial grandson.
Suicide

In this podcast, I reflect on the harm that happens to others when a person does self harm. I urge all who might be considering self harm to get help so as not to hurt others.
It is sad when Christmas comes to an end.

Christmas decorations are coming down and a new season is beginning. It is sad, but I have learned to find the joy in every season.
The Music and Lights of Christmas are to Share

We enjoyed music and lights in our sanctuary at Christmas. Now it is time to bring them out of the sanctuary and into the world.