I'm going to visit someone in the Hospital today. They have cancer and had surgery last night. I'm a pastor. This is what Pastors do. They go and visit people when they are in the hospital. Its not my favorite part of my calling, but I feel privileged that I am able to do it.
I hate cancer. Its a disease that seems to be affecting more and more people's lives every year. I am sure that there is someone in your life that has been affected by cancer like I have been affected. I pray all the time that Cancer would be gone from the face of the earth. That it would stop stealing people's lives.
If you're anything like me, You probably have asked the cosmic question "why does God allow this"?. Here are the three most theological words someone can utter: I DON'T KNOW. I wish knew, but I don't. I can't explain it, theologize it, or understand it. What I do know is that it doesn't change the fact that there is still a God in heaven that loves me. This earth is what it is, but it is not my home. One day, I will leave this place, the means by which I do not know. Its not my journey to understand it all, or be able to explain it all. I know God knows, and for me, that's enough.
You may not have cancer, but I'm sure there is something in your life you wish wasn't the way it is. You may be able to change it, or not. But be encouraged in this- God has not forgot about you. You may be going through something, but He is walking with you. As the scripture says "yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death- thou are with me". It never said you wouldn't walk through anything, it says that as you walk through it, He would be there with you. Holding your hand. Guiding you.
Be blessed today
matt
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
What To Do About Regrets
Regrets. We all have them. Things we wish we would have either done or not done. I think its natural to have regrets, especially if you're a person that attempts to improve in an area of your life.
This is the first full week of 2009. More than likely you've spent some time over the past week or so reflecting on 2008 and discovering that you may have some regrets in your life from 2008. Here's the greatest advice I can give you in this area: GET OVER IT. Literally and figuratively. I know, its kind of thoughtless to say something like "get over it" but if you think about it, its what you exactly need to do. You cannot live your life dwelling on the past or spending eternity thinking about what could have been. Decide today to start anew and 'forget that which is behind you'.
You probably had some fitness goals you didn't meet, or some financially goals that you forgot about. Spiritual goals anyone? What did you set out to do in 2008 that you didn't accomplish? Choose today to forget about the failures of 2008 and decide that they will not hold you back for 2009.
Did you know that this year could be the best year of your life? That you can experience God, and accomplish what plans he has for your life in a way that you never dreamed of? Here's a clue- you have to let Him do it, and its impossible if you're constantly dwelling on something from your past that you cannot change. Ask Him to forgive you from your failures, and move on.
Regrets. They're a part of all of our lives, but we don't have to let them control us.
Here's to a great 2009!
matt
This is the first full week of 2009. More than likely you've spent some time over the past week or so reflecting on 2008 and discovering that you may have some regrets in your life from 2008. Here's the greatest advice I can give you in this area: GET OVER IT. Literally and figuratively. I know, its kind of thoughtless to say something like "get over it" but if you think about it, its what you exactly need to do. You cannot live your life dwelling on the past or spending eternity thinking about what could have been. Decide today to start anew and 'forget that which is behind you'.
You probably had some fitness goals you didn't meet, or some financially goals that you forgot about. Spiritual goals anyone? What did you set out to do in 2008 that you didn't accomplish? Choose today to forget about the failures of 2008 and decide that they will not hold you back for 2009.
Did you know that this year could be the best year of your life? That you can experience God, and accomplish what plans he has for your life in a way that you never dreamed of? Here's a clue- you have to let Him do it, and its impossible if you're constantly dwelling on something from your past that you cannot change. Ask Him to forgive you from your failures, and move on.
Regrets. They're a part of all of our lives, but we don't have to let them control us.
Here's to a great 2009!
matt
Monday, December 29, 2008
Hello from the white tundra!
So if you're anywehere near Seattle, you've probably been stuck at home in the snow like me. I realize that I have been remiss in doing any blog entries lately, but I've been busy, with cocoa and snow and kids! That line from that Christmas carol "mom and dad can hardly wait for school to start again" really rings true this year. Snow is great, but when the kids are inside all day every day it gets a bit old.
I want to let you know that I havent forgot about the blog. I've just been taking a break. I am going to be into fullforce blogging after the first of the year.
I do want to take a moment to remind you that now is the time to be making some decisions for what you are going to accomplish this year. Thursday is right around the corner.
More than likely, you're thinking this week about the year gone by and how you either did what you set out to do, or failed again. 2009 can be your year of victory! Set it in your mind now to get it done for 2009. there is no reason why you cant accomplish everything that you want to accomplish. Trust that God can do it through you.
I am interested to hear what your hopes are. Send me an email. I will pray and believe with you.
Here's to a great 2009!
matt
I want to let you know that I havent forgot about the blog. I've just been taking a break. I am going to be into fullforce blogging after the first of the year.
I do want to take a moment to remind you that now is the time to be making some decisions for what you are going to accomplish this year. Thursday is right around the corner.
More than likely, you're thinking this week about the year gone by and how you either did what you set out to do, or failed again. 2009 can be your year of victory! Set it in your mind now to get it done for 2009. there is no reason why you cant accomplish everything that you want to accomplish. Trust that God can do it through you.
I am interested to hear what your hopes are. Send me an email. I will pray and believe with you.
Here's to a great 2009!
matt
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Can I get a Hand?
Yesterday our church went to go an pick up the toys that we will be distributing for Toys for Tots. It was quite interesting. The pick up point was not very well organized from my perspective.
We got there and there were about 2 dozen people milling around waiting for their turn to get their presents. Basically, there was a loading dock, and a guy with a clipboard and a pallet jack. He'd call an organization name, and then they were supposed to pull up to the dock, and he would bring out their pallet or two of toys.
Seems simple, right? Wrong. People were at the dock that hadn't had their name called, people were trying to get their name farther up on the list, people were getting angry, and not really having a very festive spirit.
Let me remind you that it was about 24 degrees yesterday. So we're standing there watching all this happen and we decide to start helping some of these people load up their toys figuring it would help the process. It did, to a point. we were on that dock for more than an hour helping people load up. People that showed up thought we worked for the organization we were working so much.
The neatest thing happened in the midst of all that. People who did not know each other, who were not the from the same backgrounds began to help one another. Everyone started to pitch in. It was awesome to see!
Are you a helpful person? Do you pitch in when there is a need somewhere or do you stand around and let someone else do the work? The bible says that "faith without works is dead". Meaning, that even if you say you are a Christian, its not enough to just say it, you have to show it by your actions. Easier said that done, but one easy way to do it is to help out someone who needs help. Carry a box, mow a lawn, stay late or come early to help. All of us need a hand here or there, so if we can be that person to someone its a blessing.
Help someone out today. Be a helpful person and help someone who looks like they don't need it. You'll bless them in the process.
here's to helping
matt
We got there and there were about 2 dozen people milling around waiting for their turn to get their presents. Basically, there was a loading dock, and a guy with a clipboard and a pallet jack. He'd call an organization name, and then they were supposed to pull up to the dock, and he would bring out their pallet or two of toys.
Seems simple, right? Wrong. People were at the dock that hadn't had their name called, people were trying to get their name farther up on the list, people were getting angry, and not really having a very festive spirit.
Let me remind you that it was about 24 degrees yesterday. So we're standing there watching all this happen and we decide to start helping some of these people load up their toys figuring it would help the process. It did, to a point. we were on that dock for more than an hour helping people load up. People that showed up thought we worked for the organization we were working so much.
The neatest thing happened in the midst of all that. People who did not know each other, who were not the from the same backgrounds began to help one another. Everyone started to pitch in. It was awesome to see!
Are you a helpful person? Do you pitch in when there is a need somewhere or do you stand around and let someone else do the work? The bible says that "faith without works is dead". Meaning, that even if you say you are a Christian, its not enough to just say it, you have to show it by your actions. Easier said that done, but one easy way to do it is to help out someone who needs help. Carry a box, mow a lawn, stay late or come early to help. All of us need a hand here or there, so if we can be that person to someone its a blessing.
Help someone out today. Be a helpful person and help someone who looks like they don't need it. You'll bless them in the process.
here's to helping
matt
Monday, December 15, 2008
Four Things That Rob Us of Our Joy
The Bible teaches that the Joy of the Lord is our Strength. Meaning, that during tough times, we can still have Joy even though there may be things that are going on around us that are not that wonderful. During this Christmas, you may not be that joyful. Maybe you're not where you want to be, or you have bad memories about things from past Christmases. Its real easy to not have Joy during this time of year.
I want to share with you 4 things that can rob you of your joy.
1. Circumstances. Things just happen to go wrong. These are the things that you can't really change, but seem to happen inevitably. You lose a job, a relationship isn't going well, you just can't seem to get ahead etc. These circumstances have a way of stealing your joy. There was guy in the Bible named Paul who knew about circumstance, he was in prison and was beaten and tortured. But do you know what? He still served God. He still had joy in the midst of those times because he knew that the circumstance was temporary but his relationship with God was eternal.
2. People. For some reason other people have a way of stealing your joy. Family members, or co-workers or someone who cuts you off on the freeway. Whatever it is, somehow we allow other people to steal our joy. DON'T LET THEM! I love the expression "don't let people rent space in your head". Just because someone else is not well adjusted and chooses to take their pain out on you doesn't mean that you have to let them.
3. Things. 10 years ago I didn't have a cell phone, and do you know what? I got by just fine. But now, its become a necessity, or at least I've made it one. Whats the point? Things, that is the stuff we have that we don't really need, or the stuff we don't have that we don't really need, has a way of consuming our minds if we let it. Something breaks, something gets stolen, or we don't have the thing that we want. Things are just that: things. Let them stay that way. You can replace a thing you cant replace a person.
4. worry. And what do we worry about? circumstance, people and things. Jesus said we can't add even an hour to our lives by worry. He takes care of the birds of the fields, how much more will he take care of us? Give up worry today. Let the Lord take that burden and move on. Life is alot easier when you're not clinging to worrying about things you can't change.
Be blessed today. If you're in the Seattle area STAY WARM! Its cold out there today!
matt
I want to share with you 4 things that can rob you of your joy.
1. Circumstances. Things just happen to go wrong. These are the things that you can't really change, but seem to happen inevitably. You lose a job, a relationship isn't going well, you just can't seem to get ahead etc. These circumstances have a way of stealing your joy. There was guy in the Bible named Paul who knew about circumstance, he was in prison and was beaten and tortured. But do you know what? He still served God. He still had joy in the midst of those times because he knew that the circumstance was temporary but his relationship with God was eternal.
2. People. For some reason other people have a way of stealing your joy. Family members, or co-workers or someone who cuts you off on the freeway. Whatever it is, somehow we allow other people to steal our joy. DON'T LET THEM! I love the expression "don't let people rent space in your head". Just because someone else is not well adjusted and chooses to take their pain out on you doesn't mean that you have to let them.
3. Things. 10 years ago I didn't have a cell phone, and do you know what? I got by just fine. But now, its become a necessity, or at least I've made it one. Whats the point? Things, that is the stuff we have that we don't really need, or the stuff we don't have that we don't really need, has a way of consuming our minds if we let it. Something breaks, something gets stolen, or we don't have the thing that we want. Things are just that: things. Let them stay that way. You can replace a thing you cant replace a person.
4. worry. And what do we worry about? circumstance, people and things. Jesus said we can't add even an hour to our lives by worry. He takes care of the birds of the fields, how much more will he take care of us? Give up worry today. Let the Lord take that burden and move on. Life is alot easier when you're not clinging to worrying about things you can't change.
Be blessed today. If you're in the Seattle area STAY WARM! Its cold out there today!
matt
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