I'm doing this blog from my blackberry today. Crystal is driving while I'm doing this. I was up late last night and had to get up early for a breakfast, so I wasn't able to sit down and do it from home. But I made a commitment to do this blog, so I'm finding a way.
Did you know its like that for most things in your life? If you really want to do something you can find a way to do it. It may not be easy or conveinient but if you really want to do it you'll find a way.
Don't let circumstance or apathy keep you from doing what you know needs to be done. Make a commitment. Find a way. Make it happen.
Blessings
Matt
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Mirror Mirror On The Wall
Yesterday was Ash Wednesday. Its a day for Christians that marks the beginning of Lent, which is the 40 days (not including Sundays) before Easter Sunday.
I understand that there are people who read this blog that aren't overly "churchy". I get that. But I thought you would benefit from knowing something about this Lent season.
A important part of Lent is having a mindset of reflection. A spirit that looks inward and asks "where am I at right now?". It reflects on the past year and looks at ourselves and where we are at spiritually.
I don't think people spend enough time reflecting. I think most people grind through their days doing what needs to be done and not spending time looking back. Of course there is a danger in reflecting, in that if you spend all of your time dwelling on the past, you can never get to your future. But what I am advocating here is simply taking some time to look back and gleam some sort of insight that could help you in the future.
When you look back at the past you can see patterns in your thoughts and actions. You can see victories and defeats. Hopefully you can decide to make some changes and do things differently.
Spend some time reflecting over the next 40 days. Think a bit about where you've been. See what areas you did well and where you could improve. You never know what God could reveal to you during those times. It will help you grow.
Happy Reflecting!
Matt
I understand that there are people who read this blog that aren't overly "churchy". I get that. But I thought you would benefit from knowing something about this Lent season.
A important part of Lent is having a mindset of reflection. A spirit that looks inward and asks "where am I at right now?". It reflects on the past year and looks at ourselves and where we are at spiritually.
I don't think people spend enough time reflecting. I think most people grind through their days doing what needs to be done and not spending time looking back. Of course there is a danger in reflecting, in that if you spend all of your time dwelling on the past, you can never get to your future. But what I am advocating here is simply taking some time to look back and gleam some sort of insight that could help you in the future.
When you look back at the past you can see patterns in your thoughts and actions. You can see victories and defeats. Hopefully you can decide to make some changes and do things differently.
Spend some time reflecting over the next 40 days. Think a bit about where you've been. See what areas you did well and where you could improve. You never know what God could reveal to you during those times. It will help you grow.
Happy Reflecting!
Matt
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Fairness- The Art of Even
Kids are interesting. At least, my kids are. I'm sure that if you have kids that yours are interesting in their own way. Do you know what I am recently noticing about kids? They seem to always want things to be fair.
What is fairness? I think to most people that fairness means that things are equal. To my kids it means equally distributed. As in, "he has more cereal that I do" or "she is getting to take a longer shower than I am" or "why does she get to watch 2 more minutes of TV than I do". Basically it appears to me as more of a mental score card of who is getting what. Of course if one is getting more than the other, then its not fair.
I'm curious where this notion comes from. Do they teach this at school? Have we ingrained this in our children? Is it an innate trait to want to see fairness in this world?
Sometimes, things just aren't fair and there isn't much you can do about it.
Its funny, my daughter has this saying: "you get what you get and you don't throw a fit". I think she learned it from school. She usually says it to my son when He gets slighted. She shares it with him to let him understand that sometimes its the way that it is.
I'm sure there are areas in your life that you think are not fair. Let me encourage you with this today- Matt 5:45 He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Meaning, that sometimes things in this life are not seemingly fair, and there is not really a great explanation for why. God blesses the righteous and the unrighteous.
Don't compare yourself to others today. Don't worry about their situation or why you don't have the same possessions or life that they do. You live your life and enjoy it. Don't worry if the guy across the street is making .25 cents more an hour than you.
Let me be clear today- I'm not talking about racial equality. I'm not talking about social injustice. I'm not talking about repealing the Americans With Disabilities Act. I'm talking about the thought of fairness that is found in the seemingly benign areas of our lives- "why did the waiter go to their table first" or "why didn't I get the extra piece of chicken".
I'm not advocating social inequality in any way as much as I'm declaring that we can be satisfied where we are at and not mad at God because we didn't get what we wanted.
God is blessing you where you are at. Thank Him for it.
Be blessed
matt
What is fairness? I think to most people that fairness means that things are equal. To my kids it means equally distributed. As in, "he has more cereal that I do" or "she is getting to take a longer shower than I am" or "why does she get to watch 2 more minutes of TV than I do". Basically it appears to me as more of a mental score card of who is getting what. Of course if one is getting more than the other, then its not fair.
I'm curious where this notion comes from. Do they teach this at school? Have we ingrained this in our children? Is it an innate trait to want to see fairness in this world?
Sometimes, things just aren't fair and there isn't much you can do about it.
Its funny, my daughter has this saying: "you get what you get and you don't throw a fit". I think she learned it from school. She usually says it to my son when He gets slighted. She shares it with him to let him understand that sometimes its the way that it is.
I'm sure there are areas in your life that you think are not fair. Let me encourage you with this today- Matt 5:45 He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Meaning, that sometimes things in this life are not seemingly fair, and there is not really a great explanation for why. God blesses the righteous and the unrighteous.
Don't compare yourself to others today. Don't worry about their situation or why you don't have the same possessions or life that they do. You live your life and enjoy it. Don't worry if the guy across the street is making .25 cents more an hour than you.
Let me be clear today- I'm not talking about racial equality. I'm not talking about social injustice. I'm not talking about repealing the Americans With Disabilities Act. I'm talking about the thought of fairness that is found in the seemingly benign areas of our lives- "why did the waiter go to their table first" or "why didn't I get the extra piece of chicken".
I'm not advocating social inequality in any way as much as I'm declaring that we can be satisfied where we are at and not mad at God because we didn't get what we wanted.
God is blessing you where you are at. Thank Him for it.
Be blessed
matt
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Are You Scared Of The Economy Yet?
Its been a rough couple of months for Uncle Sam's economy hasn't it? I'm only 34 years old, so this is the first time I've been through something like this, so I don't really have anything to compare it to, but it seems a bit rough to me.
Stocks yesterday hit a low that brought us back to the year 1997. The year I graduated from college. Macy's, Office Depot, and Target reported double digit losses last quarter. People are losing jobs, no one is getting raises and most of us have seen our equity in our homes either seriously dip, or be gone all together.
Its a rough time. No doubt. But do you know what? I'm not worried. I refuse to be worried, because worrying isn't going to change one thing about this economy. Its not going to make anyone better off, or improve any one's situation. The only thing it will do is make my life more miserable because I'm the one who is worried.
There are a few scriptures that continue to comfort me right now that I want to share with you.
Psalm 37:24-25 though he stumble, he will not fall,for the LORD upholds him with his hand. I was young and now I am old,yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread
Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
I'm sure you know the Lord's prayer. That part that says "give us this day our daily bread"- To me that means that God provides for us daily. Our DAILY bread. I cannot see into the future about what will happen next year, but I know that right now. Today, there is food in the cupboard, gas in the tank, and the bills are paid.
This economy will turn around. It always does. Its a rough time right now, but we don't need to be scared. He knows where were at, what we're doing, what we're going through, and He's going to see us through this. I know He will. He always does.
Be blessed today.
Pastor Matt
Stocks yesterday hit a low that brought us back to the year 1997. The year I graduated from college. Macy's, Office Depot, and Target reported double digit losses last quarter. People are losing jobs, no one is getting raises and most of us have seen our equity in our homes either seriously dip, or be gone all together.
Its a rough time. No doubt. But do you know what? I'm not worried. I refuse to be worried, because worrying isn't going to change one thing about this economy. Its not going to make anyone better off, or improve any one's situation. The only thing it will do is make my life more miserable because I'm the one who is worried.
There are a few scriptures that continue to comfort me right now that I want to share with you.
Psalm 37:24-25 though he stumble, he will not fall,for the LORD upholds him with his hand. I was young and now I am old,yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread
Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
I'm sure you know the Lord's prayer. That part that says "give us this day our daily bread"- To me that means that God provides for us daily. Our DAILY bread. I cannot see into the future about what will happen next year, but I know that right now. Today, there is food in the cupboard, gas in the tank, and the bills are paid.
This economy will turn around. It always does. Its a rough time right now, but we don't need to be scared. He knows where were at, what we're doing, what we're going through, and He's going to see us through this. I know He will. He always does.
Be blessed today.
Pastor Matt
Monday, February 23, 2009
Move Past Threshold
Threshold. The dictionary defines it as " the point at which a physiological or psychological effect begins to be produced ", basically the point at which you start to get things done.
Most people only start to get things done when they reach this point. The pants don't fit, the house is a mess, the job is too hard, whatever. We've all done it, its the point at which we've had enough.
Did you know you don't have to live your life this way? Only responding when you are at the point of pain? The way to do it is to have a lifestyle change that gets you to make decisions that are going to be positive for your life, and not just a response to when things are going really bad.
How do we do that? I preached a message about this yesterday from the book of Joshua.
1. Decide- You have to decide that you want to change something about your life. Write it down, speak it out, tell someone about it. Decide that you're going to change something.
2. Plan. The Bible calls this "counting the cost". Make sure you have a plan on how you are going to get this 'life change' into your life.
3. Do it. Sounds simple, but this is where most people stop. Its hard to take that leap of faith and actually do what you know you need to do. Of course you may fail, but that's okay. God doesn't want you to fail, so step out knowing that He is going to help you.
Do you know what I found in the 24th chapter of Joshua? When the people of Israel finally decided and stepped out in faith, they all received their inheritance- the great things that God had prepared for them in the promise land.
Do you want an inheritance today? Step out in faith and do that which you know you need to do and watch how the Lord will bless you in it.
Be blessed.
pastor matt
Most people only start to get things done when they reach this point. The pants don't fit, the house is a mess, the job is too hard, whatever. We've all done it, its the point at which we've had enough.
Did you know you don't have to live your life this way? Only responding when you are at the point of pain? The way to do it is to have a lifestyle change that gets you to make decisions that are going to be positive for your life, and not just a response to when things are going really bad.
How do we do that? I preached a message about this yesterday from the book of Joshua.
1. Decide- You have to decide that you want to change something about your life. Write it down, speak it out, tell someone about it. Decide that you're going to change something.
2. Plan. The Bible calls this "counting the cost". Make sure you have a plan on how you are going to get this 'life change' into your life.
3. Do it. Sounds simple, but this is where most people stop. Its hard to take that leap of faith and actually do what you know you need to do. Of course you may fail, but that's okay. God doesn't want you to fail, so step out knowing that He is going to help you.
Do you know what I found in the 24th chapter of Joshua? When the people of Israel finally decided and stepped out in faith, they all received their inheritance- the great things that God had prepared for them in the promise land.
Do you want an inheritance today? Step out in faith and do that which you know you need to do and watch how the Lord will bless you in it.
Be blessed.
pastor matt
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