What is The Ark of Mark?

It's a Christian humor column. The format and level of seriousness varies widely. It started as a weekly newsletter for a church group, progressed to an email format to friends and family, continued to grow, and is now online. The next obvious step is a major motion picture with action figures at fast-food restaurants.

What is the purpose of this?

Most simply, to provide entertainment within a Christian context. More importantly, to present Christianity in a light not often seen by those who assume one cannot be a Christian and have fun. Finally, putting these thoughts in writing seems to placate the voices in my head. The voices must be placated.

Are these real questions or did you make them up?

Technically, a question I ask myself is a real question.

Why the name "The Ark of Mark?" Are you actually comparing yourself to Noah, the Biblical hero?

The biggest similarity between the Biblical hero Noah and myself is the number of letters in our names. I don't even own a boat and have but a single dog. In "The Purpose Driven Life," author Rick Warren discusses how Noah set out to build the Ark without fully understanding what God was going to do. I believe God wants me to do something with my writing but I don't know what. I readily admit this may not be what God intended for me to do, and if so I pray he stops me quickly. This endeavor reminds me a little of Noah's beginning of the Ark. Plus, the words "ark" and "Mark" rhyme.

Is it possible that your friends who encouraged you to do more writing were only trying to be nice, and you really have no business doing this, and you are blindly ignoring all the signs God is sending you as He desperately tries to make you stop before you embarrass yourself and your family?

I am completely, one-hundred percent secure in my decision to try this. I think.

Are you the same Mark A. Stuart as the lead-singer of the excellent Christian rock band "Audio Adrenaline"?

No. We spell our names the same, are approximately the same age, and unbelievably share the same hometown (Owensboro, KY). The similarities end there. One of us is a dynamic entertainer with a great voice and near-hypnotic stage presence. The other guy is a singer.