In July of 2023, I was informed that the original dreams had died. To be more specific, the content of pastormarkrogers.com was deleted. And if I spend too much time thinking about the amount of time developing thoughts, exciting discoveries, or shared memories that are gone, it could be problematic. However, I do not believe that should be the focus. So what should the focus be?
So what happened?
Transparently (and possibly the shortest answer), I don’t know. I wish I did. The information was deleted (all of the content, to an extent even the domain name, was in jeopardy), and I was unaware until 40 days had passed. (The number of days is important at the time of this writing because anything before the 40 days has an opportunity for restoration…sometimes.)
At the end of the day…If anything, I will say that it is my fault. I should have paid more attention to the website. I should have checked in more; maybe this wouldn’t have happened.
So why dream?
But it did happen. Why do I dream? What keeps me motivated even to attempt a second go at this idea?
To me, the basic answer is that I think that it’s worth it. Yes, on the one hand, I am upset that some things are no longer available. Essentially, I’m only really upset about things others wrote, the article about my dad, and maybe one or two teaching pieces. However, Cristy, Ruthie, and others can write again. I printed the piece I wrote about my dad and gave it to him, which was the purpose (if I really wanted it, I could ask for a copy). And as far as teaching pieces, they feel similar to a sermon. And most of my sermons, I put in the energy and effort and then typically move on to the next one.
Why would I be upset only over a few items and not the rest? Because of you, the reader. Those writings are never a waste if they were able to serve their purpose. And what would be their purpose? It was for you, the reader. I hope that in that moment of help, encouragement, growth, or however God used that information, I pray for the impact. Possibly, I pray more for that than ever.
The other side
However, can I let you in on a secret? I am excited to start again. This exercise of trying to remember the different pieces has caused me to stir the part of my personality/being/soul about things I have written and the excitement of doing it again. And given the chance to write them again, would I write them the same? Probably not. I want to think I would make them better.
To Dream, I need your help.
Please read that again. To dream (again), I need your help. I can regain very few posts from the original site. (Those remaining pieces are primarily here due to not clicking the delete button after publishing.) Especially, please let me know if something I wrote from the original site meant a lot to you. I would love to talk to you about it. Maybe it would springboard a new idea. Or perhaps I need to revisit the concept and try to write it…again.
In the end, I look forward to the journey. I look forward to all of it and am excited that you are coming along on the journey with me.
– Pastor Mark
Head over to the contact page to connect with me. Again, I would love to hear from you.
Mark Rogers
Pastor Mark is the primary author and content creator of pastormarkrogers.com. Additionally, he serves as Pastor of Lighthouse Sylva. You can find out more by clicking the About Page.
