by Mark Opseth | Apr 10, 2026 | Gospel, Illustration, Pastoral Care
My life as a minister began in Albert Lea, MN, where I served as a youth director at First Presbyterian Church. I remember checking my answering machine for messages one day and I received a voicemail from a little girl. “My name is Amanda. I am all alone; can... 
by Mark Opseth | Apr 5, 2026 | Illustration, Love
Norwegians are not known for their expressions of love and affection. “I love you” was not a common phrase around our house. In high school I felt compelled to tell Dad (Stan Opseth) that I loved him, so on the way out the door to school I mustered up the courage to... 
by Mark Opseth | Apr 4, 2026 | Illustration, Spiritual Life, Wedding
I love the following script of a Men’s Wearhouse commercial: On your wedding day, it’s all about the bride…her dress, her flowers, her hair. But when everyone is looking at her, she’ll be looking at you. The world is watching the bride, the church. But while... 
by Mark Opseth | Apr 3, 2026 | Church Life
Finding a church home can be time-consuming and overwhelming. You must seek wisdom from the Lord and use spiritual discernment as you visit various worship services. Knowing what the Lord expects His Church to look like, as revealed in Scripture, will help you find... 
by Mark Opseth | Apr 3, 2026 | Pastoral Care
If you are contemplating leaving your current church to find another, for whatever reason, I pray this will help you leave right. THE LORD SCATTERS “On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered...