Practical Faith Academy - Episode 9 - Mark Trieglaff, From Hopelessness to Hope

The Practical Faith Academy Podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries presents guests who have important things to say about putting your faith into practice. Cecil interviews each guest to understand their life stories and their ideas for living a seven-day practical faith.

It’s not often that the podcast serves as a testimonial time, but the story of Mark Trieglaff justifies the format. Trieglaff walks through a life shaken by his parents’ divorce, his descent into addiction, his abandoned suicide attempt, his acceptance of Jesus, living a Christ-directed life, and his encounter with three terrible tragedies in a row, using his faith to get him through them. Along the way, you’ll learn the core elements of a seven-day practical faith and how they provided a foundation of hope that would not be shaken in the worst of times.

Highlights of the podcast:  

1:04    When Mark discovered his family wasn’t what he thought it was

2:55     How he sought stress relief during his parents’ divorce

4:47     How Mark reached a point of hopelessness that led to a suicidal event

8:02     A co-worker at a zoo led Mark to Christ

11:16   Even after salvation, Mark was lost on how to proceed as a Christian but finally developed his faith

15:10   Mark experienced a quick succession of three family tragedies but leaned on hope instead of hopelessness

20:16   Mark spoke of hope at his daughter’s funeral

22:46   The third tragedy: losing his wife

25:36   How Mark’s wife Joy became an organ donor

27:35   Scripture that has sustained Mark in tragic times: John 16:33, Romans 8:28, Revelation 21:4-5

30:23   Mark’s reaction to being approached about turning his story into a book and a movie

32:56   Mark’s profession in disability enablement and how he puts his faith into practice

During the podcast, Trieglaff references several organizations with which he’s involved or recommends:

• https://joniandfriends.org/ - Christian disability ministry
• https://www.agapeukraine.com/en/about-us/ - Agape Ukraine is the location for a future building to address the needs of disabled Ukranian soldiers.
• https://giftofhope.org/ - Organ donation website
• https://www.eversightvision.org/ - Eye bank featuring cornea donation

Cecil Taylor is an author, speaker, podcaster, blogger, and provider of Instant Content to churches and small groups. You can learn more about Cecil and what he offers at https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com, at https://www.facebook.com/ceciltaylorministries ,  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceciltaylor/ , and the Cecil Taylor Ministries YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHP_khu3r77ubl5jvHsf5-w .

SPEAKER ALERT! You can hear Cecil speak at a free seminar on Sept. 15 at 4:00 p.m. at Creekwood United Methodist Church in Allen, Texas. The seminar is entitled “Proactive and Reactive Parenting,” based on his new book, “Unison Parenting.” Childcare is provided, and a book signing and an ice cream social will follow. More speaking events are being scheduled, such as in San Antonio, Texas, so please check this space with every podcast or check CecilTaylorMinistries.com.

Cecil is now a Chicken Soup for the Soul author! He is a contributor to “Tales of Christmas,” a Chicken Soup for the Soul book available on Oct. 15.

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For more free content from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content.

Cecil’s books and video studies can be found and purchased through https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com. Every video study’s first lesson can be seen for free via the Free Content link above by clicking on “Sample Lessons.”

Cecil’s Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes:

- “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone: How Jesus Urges Us to Take Leaps of Faith for His Kingdom” (book, six-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide). Cecil explores a dozen Bible studies of Jesus inviting people out of their comfort zones into their trust zones and how to apply these stories to our lives today. You’ll uncover your own comfort zones and learn how to deepen your faith by getting uncomfortable for Jesus.

- “The Next Thing: A Christian Model for Dealing with Crisis in Personal Life” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide). “The Next Thing” supplies a four-part model for dealing with crisis. You’ll find the model to be flexible and applicable to many crises.

- “Live Like You’re Loved: Living in the Freedom and Immediacy of God’s Love” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant’s Guide). “Live Like You’re Loved” affirms that God loves you, forgives you, sends you, and walks with you in eternal relationship. You’ll learn how to embed each of these scriptural truths into your daily life.

- NEW: “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice” (book available now from Store.CecilTaylorMinistries.com and available in Sep. 2024 at booksellers online and in stores; workbook available in Sep. 2024; first video study available in early 2025).