This is going to be a really quick post today. No editing. No re-reading, just whats going on in the noggin'.
Writing this blog everyday is a decision I made for the new year. Why? Because I really think that it has an opportunity to be a blessing to the people that read it. If you're like me you go online everyday, read some news or sports and then dont really know where to go from there... right? Well hopefully this can be something that you read daily to get you to maybe think a bit differently, or choose to do something a bit differently. To be encouraged to step out in faith and be who God wants you to be!
Here's the nugget for the day- Its 836am. 10 mins ago someone called me and wants to meet for breakfast at 900am. I dont know why, they're just reaching out and need someone to talk to. To be honest, I wasn't planning on this interupption. I just got back from my walk, and was about to do some more exercise and they called. I had a choice- not go and do what I wanted to go, or go and realize that God is going to bless me for being faithful. I'm choosing option two.
I want to share that with you for a reason. Its easy to not want to get interuppted by someone elses issues or wants, but that's not what we're supposed to do. Allow your self to get interuppted and watch how God will bless you.
Another thing- I couldnt do all of the exercise that I wanted, so you know what? I did it for 5 mins. its better than nothing.. isn't it?
839. Gotta go.
Be blessed... and interrupted.
matt
Friday, January 9, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Fight at Chuck E. Cheese
I'm floored. It seems as though common decency has gone the way of the do-do bird. I found this article today and was amazed. THESE ARE ADULTS!Not KIDS at a CHUCK E. CHEESE. Utterly amazing that it would come to this. I wish I could say that its a random event, but if you're in a metropolitan city, I'm sure you see stuff like this all the time.
What happened to please and thank you? What happened to the golden rule? What happened to can you use some help with that? Why don't people put away their shopping carts anymore? Am I the only person in America who thinks this way?
I saw a bumper sticker before, I'm sure you've seen it also- Practice Random Acts of Kindness. I'm changing that slogan starting today. The new slogan is "Practice A Deliberate Lifestyle of Kindness". Random acts apparently aren't working. People need to start making it a point to be deliberate in being kind to each other.
Its really no different than it was 2000 years ago. People back then were still mean and self-serving. You have a choice though. You don't have to be that way. You can break the cycle and choose to be kind and nice to other people. Here's a great thing about this change- You'll feel better and you'll be honoring God in the process. God shows His kindness to us, we should extend it to others also.
Here's to being kind-
Be blessed
matt
What happened to please and thank you? What happened to the golden rule? What happened to can you use some help with that? Why don't people put away their shopping carts anymore? Am I the only person in America who thinks this way?
I saw a bumper sticker before, I'm sure you've seen it also- Practice Random Acts of Kindness. I'm changing that slogan starting today. The new slogan is "Practice A Deliberate Lifestyle of Kindness". Random acts apparently aren't working. People need to start making it a point to be deliberate in being kind to each other.
Its really no different than it was 2000 years ago. People back then were still mean and self-serving. You have a choice though. You don't have to be that way. You can break the cycle and choose to be kind and nice to other people. Here's a great thing about this change- You'll feel better and you'll be honoring God in the process. God shows His kindness to us, we should extend it to others also.
Here's to being kind-
Be blessed
matt
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Don't be crippled by fear
I did something yesterday that I have been thinking about for a long time- I emailed my blog to a bunch of people after I posted it. Seems like an easy task, but for me, it really wasn't. It was for one reason: Fear.
Its fearful to put yourself out there. To not know what response you're going to get, or how people are going to respond. The unknown is fearful, and it is something that can cripple you or keep you from trying something new, or reaching out to someone. People that know me would probably be surprised to know that I even thought twice about emailing out my blog, but it really was a step of faith.
I think that this happens to alot of people in a lot of different situations. We think about doing something that could change our life, or someone Else's, we play out the scenarios in our heads and then decide to not do it. Usually, its because of fear. I like what the bible says about fear-For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Yesterday was amazing. I got positive responses from people about the blog and the earth did not fall off its axis.
What are you holding back on? What have you been thinking about doing that you need to do? Make that phone call, apply for that job, make a life change. The creator of the universe has given you everything you need for life, but if you're constantly gripped by the fear of the unknown, you're never going to experience the fullness of life.
Be Blessed today. Try something new. You'll like it.
blessings
matt
Its fearful to put yourself out there. To not know what response you're going to get, or how people are going to respond. The unknown is fearful, and it is something that can cripple you or keep you from trying something new, or reaching out to someone. People that know me would probably be surprised to know that I even thought twice about emailing out my blog, but it really was a step of faith.
I think that this happens to alot of people in a lot of different situations. We think about doing something that could change our life, or someone Else's, we play out the scenarios in our heads and then decide to not do it. Usually, its because of fear. I like what the bible says about fear-For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Yesterday was amazing. I got positive responses from people about the blog and the earth did not fall off its axis.
What are you holding back on? What have you been thinking about doing that you need to do? Make that phone call, apply for that job, make a life change. The creator of the universe has given you everything you need for life, but if you're constantly gripped by the fear of the unknown, you're never going to experience the fullness of life.
Be Blessed today. Try something new. You'll like it.
blessings
matt
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
I Hate Cancer
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
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
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
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