by Mark Opseth | Apr 13, 2026 | Illustration, Love
The whole family was over for my birthday dinner and I shared the story of how I met Michelle and the early days of our relationship. I ended with “and the rest is history.” Eli (11) said, “Don’t you mean chemistry?” 
by Mark Opseth | Apr 13, 2026 | Illustration, Spiritual Life
It was my senior year of high school and I had slammed down the phone after arguing with my girlfriend. I was steamed so I headed out to the large field next to our property in Afton. I spent a lot of time walking in that field, thinking and praying. It was a quiet... 
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... 
by Mark Opseth | Feb 16, 2025 | Illustration, Spiritual Life
Some time ago, our family was at a waterpark in the northern part of the Twin Cities. In the men’s bathroom was a liquor ad on the wall. It had a photo of a rough looking, biker-type dude, and on the back of his biker vest were these words: We have seen the... 
by Mark Opseth | Oct 5, 2023 | Church Life, Illustration, Wedding
We read in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep...
