You may recall the blog I wrote last week that talked about my experience with the 12 dozen donuts and how it played in to our first church service. I also shared how our church was looking at the opportunity to purchase a building and our attempt at raising 1.5 million dollars in 8 days time. You can read the blog here and the website here
Here's the update- we're a bit shy of the 1.5. Actually, we're about 1.498 shy of the 1.5. The well laid plan appears by all measures to have failed miserably. Or has it?
The hope of 88000 donors has manifest itself with about a solid 30 or so. To me, that says, that there are at least 30 people who strongly believe that this plan could work, and that they believe that it shall.
Its quite encouraging actually. We've gotten donations from people whom we don't even know for a project they believe has value. It pretty great.
Why am I telling you this? Well, I think its important that I am honest with you about what happened last week. I also think that its important to also share with you that we're not giving up on this yet. Have you ever heard that phrase 'there is more than one way to skin a cat'?. That phrase means that you can get to a goal a bunch of different ways.
I'm not exactly sure where we're going to go from here or how its going to happen. Just because this hasn't worked at the speed at which I had hoped, doesn't mean that its over. It is still completely possible for this to happen. I'm not sure if you know this about me, but I usually don't give up that easily.
Maybe you're not a part of what we're doing and that's okay. Here's the nugget for you to chew on- don't give up easily. Just because you try something for a week or a month and you don't get the desired results doesn't mean that its not going to happen. Sometimes some of the greatest accomplishments of our lives are wrought with repeated episodes of tragic failure. You accomplish nothing if you give up every time an attempt doesn't go your way.
Keep trying. Keep moving forward. Keep praying. The God of this universe loves you and has created you with unlimited abilities to be able to affect this world for him. Don't give up easily.
I'm going to prayer. I'm going ask for some direction and see where we go from here. I'm open to suggestions or feedback.
Be blessed
matt
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
I Was Stationed At Fort Hood as a Mental Health Counselor
I'm not sure if you saw the news yesterday. There was a shooting at Fort Hood. A guy opened fire on post, and killed 12 people, and wounded 30+ others. Scary stuff. I was a mental health counselor in the Army, and this guy was a psychiatrist. He was at Ft. Hood, I was at Fort Hood. I was stationed there for 3 years. I know exactly where all of that stuff went down.
There are tons of layers to this story. Lots to talk about. Tons to wonder about, and very many questions.
At first glance, its easy to draw a connection to this man's religion and job and wonder where did both of those systems go wrong? Some may say he was crazy, and acted impulsively, but news reports state that he gave away a lot of stuff that morning to people in his apartment complex. What am I saying? Regardless of his job, his religion or his motives. He didn't trip and fall with a gun in his hand. He planned it.
At some point either yesterday or sometime before he planned on going down to the Army post, guns in hands and taking out his fellows soldier with whom he had served.
I'm in a tough spot here. He's a Muslim mental health professional who swore to defend all enemies both foreign and domestic. Put in charge of leading soldiers, caring for their emotions, and serving his country. How can I assimilate all of this info, and be true to the Lord, my country and myself?
It's not easy that's for sure. Here's what I can come up with- hurting people hurt people. Whether its bullets or words, people who are in emotional pain lash out and hurt people. You do it, and I do it. We hurt people. The difference is that we don't load up the minivan with Glocks and ammo and head out to the workplace.
I can't unravel his motives or his intentions. I don't know him. I wasn't there. I can guess and Monday morning quarterback the thing, but I can't say with any degree of certainty what was exactly going on.
I'm going to pray for the families of the fallen soldiers today. I'm going to pray for the shooters family. I'm lastly going to pray for him. I'm going to pray that the Lord will help me to forgive him, as He has forgiven me.
What do you think? Post some comments.
Be blessed.
matt
There are tons of layers to this story. Lots to talk about. Tons to wonder about, and very many questions.
At first glance, its easy to draw a connection to this man's religion and job and wonder where did both of those systems go wrong? Some may say he was crazy, and acted impulsively, but news reports state that he gave away a lot of stuff that morning to people in his apartment complex. What am I saying? Regardless of his job, his religion or his motives. He didn't trip and fall with a gun in his hand. He planned it.
At some point either yesterday or sometime before he planned on going down to the Army post, guns in hands and taking out his fellows soldier with whom he had served.
I'm in a tough spot here. He's a Muslim mental health professional who swore to defend all enemies both foreign and domestic. Put in charge of leading soldiers, caring for their emotions, and serving his country. How can I assimilate all of this info, and be true to the Lord, my country and myself?
It's not easy that's for sure. Here's what I can come up with- hurting people hurt people. Whether its bullets or words, people who are in emotional pain lash out and hurt people. You do it, and I do it. We hurt people. The difference is that we don't load up the minivan with Glocks and ammo and head out to the workplace.
I can't unravel his motives or his intentions. I don't know him. I wasn't there. I can guess and Monday morning quarterback the thing, but I can't say with any degree of certainty what was exactly going on.
I'm going to pray for the families of the fallen soldiers today. I'm going to pray for the shooters family. I'm lastly going to pray for him. I'm going to pray that the Lord will help me to forgive him, as He has forgiven me.
What do you think? Post some comments.
Be blessed.
matt
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Its Never Too Late To Do It.
I got a call from a friend of mine from High School yesterday. We weren't the closest of friends in High School, but we knew each other well, and spent some time together while in school.
We lost touch after high school, and didn't reconnect until the Facebook craze hit a few years ago.
Its been nice getting re-acquainted on FB, and seeing each others families and staying in touch. Earlier this year, we were able to connect at a Mariners game because we were both face booking while we were on FB, on our phones. How fun is that?
I got a call from them yesterday. They wanted to share with me that they had been baptised at their church, and given their life to Jesus.
It was the greatest honor that they had called me from Spokane to share with me what had happened. I was so encouraged by the call. It was great to hear what had happened, and what an impact it is having on their life.
"you finally understand why everyone thought I was a weirdo in High School now don't you?" I said, over the phone.
"Yeah, the peace I have right now is indescribable." They said. " I guess its one of those things that until you experience it, you can't understand it or explain it".
I was in tears. To see a Friend of mine that I have known since high school grow spiritually is an exciting thing, and here is why- most adults don't open themselves up to the things of God. Any church statistic guy will tell you that if you don't impact them by High School, there is little hope for change.
I, on the other hand disagree. God is still in the business of changing lives. He still moves the hearts of many, and saves the souls of all who would accept his free gift.
If you've got someone in your life that you're hoping to come to Christ, keep praying. If you don't know God at this point, don't be afraid to find out what its all about.
He still moves.
Be blessed
matt
We lost touch after high school, and didn't reconnect until the Facebook craze hit a few years ago.
Its been nice getting re-acquainted on FB, and seeing each others families and staying in touch. Earlier this year, we were able to connect at a Mariners game because we were both face booking while we were on FB, on our phones. How fun is that?
I got a call from them yesterday. They wanted to share with me that they had been baptised at their church, and given their life to Jesus.
It was the greatest honor that they had called me from Spokane to share with me what had happened. I was so encouraged by the call. It was great to hear what had happened, and what an impact it is having on their life.
"you finally understand why everyone thought I was a weirdo in High School now don't you?" I said, over the phone.
"Yeah, the peace I have right now is indescribable." They said. " I guess its one of those things that until you experience it, you can't understand it or explain it".
I was in tears. To see a Friend of mine that I have known since high school grow spiritually is an exciting thing, and here is why- most adults don't open themselves up to the things of God. Any church statistic guy will tell you that if you don't impact them by High School, there is little hope for change.
I, on the other hand disagree. God is still in the business of changing lives. He still moves the hearts of many, and saves the souls of all who would accept his free gift.
If you've got someone in your life that you're hoping to come to Christ, keep praying. If you don't know God at this point, don't be afraid to find out what its all about.
He still moves.
Be blessed
matt
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Did I Ever Tell You About The Dozen Donuts?
I'm sure a few of you have heard this story before, but to prove a point, I'll tell it again.
6.5 years ago when we started our church, we had big dreams. There were only 6 adults that came together to start the church, but we believed that the Lord was in it, and wanted us to do it.
As the day for our first service was rapidly approaching, we went around the neighborhood and passed out fliers. We sent out emails. We invited everyone we knew. We had rented a school, and were ready for day one.
Personally, I was expecting a miracle. Much like going to to the lake to feed the birds, when you throw out the seed, they come from everywhere to eat what you're throwing out. We bought 12 dozen donuts and made 100 cups of coffee for our first service. We set up 100 chairs. We got there early to make sure that parking wouldn't be an issue for the masses that were about to descend on our worship service.
I was pumped. My faith was high. I was excited to see God move in a powerful way. I figured that we could make a huge impact in our community. I had a strong spirit of expectancy.
No one showed up for our first service. No one. Well, if you count the Janitor we had to pay from the school district to be there at the school, we had one person. But they were sitting in their office playing solitaire or something.
I don't remember what we did with those 12 dozen donuts. I'm sure I ate a few of them. I do remember this though- even though the initial response wasn't what I had expected, I rested on the fact that God had called us, and we were walking in his will.
What's the application?
For you- there may be times in your life when you attempt great things that they don't immediately manifest themselves in the way that you had hoped. Do not lose faith in these times. God is faithful. He will do what He said he would do. These are times to build your faith.
For me- right now I'm in one of those times. The unconventional uncommon building fund is moving and growing, but not at the pace that I had expected. The donations are coming in. We're moving in the right direction. I know that God is going to bring it to pass.
I have learned over the past few years that even though God may not move on my timeline, he always shows himself faithful. Every single time. I praise Him and thank Him for it. Just because the fund isn't where I (emphasis on I), expected, doesn't mean its not happening. We're on His timeline.
Be blessed today. Believe God for big things.
Matt
6.5 years ago when we started our church, we had big dreams. There were only 6 adults that came together to start the church, but we believed that the Lord was in it, and wanted us to do it.
As the day for our first service was rapidly approaching, we went around the neighborhood and passed out fliers. We sent out emails. We invited everyone we knew. We had rented a school, and were ready for day one.
Personally, I was expecting a miracle. Much like going to to the lake to feed the birds, when you throw out the seed, they come from everywhere to eat what you're throwing out. We bought 12 dozen donuts and made 100 cups of coffee for our first service. We set up 100 chairs. We got there early to make sure that parking wouldn't be an issue for the masses that were about to descend on our worship service.
I was pumped. My faith was high. I was excited to see God move in a powerful way. I figured that we could make a huge impact in our community. I had a strong spirit of expectancy.
No one showed up for our first service. No one. Well, if you count the Janitor we had to pay from the school district to be there at the school, we had one person. But they were sitting in their office playing solitaire or something.
I don't remember what we did with those 12 dozen donuts. I'm sure I ate a few of them. I do remember this though- even though the initial response wasn't what I had expected, I rested on the fact that God had called us, and we were walking in his will.
What's the application?
For you- there may be times in your life when you attempt great things that they don't immediately manifest themselves in the way that you had hoped. Do not lose faith in these times. God is faithful. He will do what He said he would do. These are times to build your faith.
For me- right now I'm in one of those times. The unconventional uncommon building fund is moving and growing, but not at the pace that I had expected. The donations are coming in. We're moving in the right direction. I know that God is going to bring it to pass.
I have learned over the past few years that even though God may not move on my timeline, he always shows himself faithful. Every single time. I praise Him and thank Him for it. Just because the fund isn't where I (emphasis on I), expected, doesn't mean its not happening. We're on His timeline.
Be blessed today. Believe God for big things.
Matt
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
This Might Be The Craziest Thing I've Done
Some people think I'm a little bit different. I don't really classify myself as a guy who marches the the beat of a different drum. I would probably classify myself as more of a person who is not afraid to do something that other people wouldn't do over the fear of looking stupid.
Why is that? I'm not exactly sure, but I think it probably rests somewhere in my mind between the adrenaline rush of doing something different, and the fear of long-term regret for not doing something.
Let's look at the facts- I joined the US army without discussing it with people. I met and married my wife of 11 years in 5 months time. She and I and 2 families started a church in a school 6 years ago. I quit a job where I was making six figures to go full time in the ministry.
I've been doing the crazy thing for a while.
Here's the quickest way I can describe what I'm currently doing- as of Sunday, I have asked four people to donate $18 dollars to go towards a 1.2 Million dollar building that our church wants to buy. I also asked them to find 4 more people to give $18 who will ask four more and so on. This will go down to the 8th level and raise 1.5 million dollars in 8 days.
I know. Its crazy. Its not normal, but like most other things in my life, if I've prayed about it, I feel the Lord is prompting me to do it, I'm going to do it and not worry about it.
Crazy eh? You can check out the whole thing on our website- here. It outlines how it works, and why we're doing it.
As of last night, the goal was to be at $320 dollars. We were at $320.03. If the daily goal indicator is a sign of the process working, it appears as though it may be moving the right direction. Awesome.
Why am I sharing this with you my blog readers? Of course it is always to prove a point from scripture that can bless you in some way.
At the top of that web page you'll see a scripture. 2 Cor 5:13 If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God. I think its a great scripture for this endeavor. And for you also. What's the application? You can do crazy things that are of God, and not of God. You can do things that are out of the ordinary that bless no one, or don't even get close to honoring God.
But if you are doing something for the sake of the Gospel, and people perceive that you are out of your mind, its okay. God will honor you for putting yourself out there and bless you for it.
Most people think you're out there anyway. Just do something for the Lord and really throw them for a loop.
Be blessed.
Matt
ps. If you want to be a 'crazy person' with this, send me an email and I'll share with you how it works.
Why is that? I'm not exactly sure, but I think it probably rests somewhere in my mind between the adrenaline rush of doing something different, and the fear of long-term regret for not doing something.
Let's look at the facts- I joined the US army without discussing it with people. I met and married my wife of 11 years in 5 months time. She and I and 2 families started a church in a school 6 years ago. I quit a job where I was making six figures to go full time in the ministry.
I've been doing the crazy thing for a while.
Here's the quickest way I can describe what I'm currently doing- as of Sunday, I have asked four people to donate $18 dollars to go towards a 1.2 Million dollar building that our church wants to buy. I also asked them to find 4 more people to give $18 who will ask four more and so on. This will go down to the 8th level and raise 1.5 million dollars in 8 days.
I know. Its crazy. Its not normal, but like most other things in my life, if I've prayed about it, I feel the Lord is prompting me to do it, I'm going to do it and not worry about it.
Crazy eh? You can check out the whole thing on our website- here. It outlines how it works, and why we're doing it.
As of last night, the goal was to be at $320 dollars. We were at $320.03. If the daily goal indicator is a sign of the process working, it appears as though it may be moving the right direction. Awesome.
Why am I sharing this with you my blog readers? Of course it is always to prove a point from scripture that can bless you in some way.
At the top of that web page you'll see a scripture. 2 Cor 5:13 If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God. I think its a great scripture for this endeavor. And for you also. What's the application? You can do crazy things that are of God, and not of God. You can do things that are out of the ordinary that bless no one, or don't even get close to honoring God.
But if you are doing something for the sake of the Gospel, and people perceive that you are out of your mind, its okay. God will honor you for putting yourself out there and bless you for it.
Most people think you're out there anyway. Just do something for the Lord and really throw them for a loop.
Be blessed.
Matt
ps. If you want to be a 'crazy person' with this, send me an email and I'll share with you how it works.
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