I'm No Superman

God is moving mightily. I have wanted to share for weeks…

My dad surrendered to the ministry and is going to be the Administrative Pastor at Crossgates...

I am going to be the new high school intern at Crossgates…

Neither of us sought out these jobs nor put out resumes; God just gave them to us in His divine power, timing, and wisdom…

It is going to be so great working with my dad doing ministry…

Oh yeah, if you haven’t figured it out yet…

We ARE NOT moving to Memphis!!

That’s pretty much it…

--Matt

Look, the winter is past, and the rains are over and gone. The flowers are springing up, the season of singing birds has come…--Song of Solomon 2:11-12a

Beauty of the Lord

In her eyes
The Beauty of the Lord
In her smile
The Beauty of the Lord
In her tears
The Beauty of the Lord
In her love
The Beauty of the Lord
In her heart
The Beauty of the Lord
In her life
She declares
The Beauty of the Lord

--MdB--April 27, 2008--

You are my purpose...You're everything...

In my C.S. Lewis class today, we were discussing sin. To put it in context, we were talking about the sin of lust--portrayed as a lizard--in this great work. Now I know that when it comes to sexual sin, we are supposed to run from it:

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. --1 Corinthians 6:18

But in class discussion, passing reference was made that we as Christians are to flee from all sin. I'm not so sure that this is the case for many reasons. For example, we are given the full armor of God in Ephesians 6:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. --Ephesians 6:10-18

Why in the world would God instruct us to "clothe ourselves" in this armor if we were just going to run from all of the trappings of this world? Yes, if I was fighting this fight against the world in my own strength, I had better run. I have nothing on my own accord that would allow me to win the victory over all of the crap that I face everyday. However, my Savior died on the cross, defeating all of my foes once and for all:

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. --2 Corinthians 12:9

Notice back in the verses in Ephesians that there is no mention of armor covering the back--we are supposed to stand and fight with Christ at our side. It is when we cease to surrender in our own strength that we can see victory in battles fought in His great power!


--Matt

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. --Romans 12:1

Top of My Lungs

Wash Me Away
by Brett Rush

Wash away all the sin that stains my life
Wash away the thousand lies that fill my mind
Cleanse me a new each day; my life Lord re-define.
Wash me in your river one more time

Wash me away, Wash me away
Wash me away, Wash me away
'til only you remain
Wash me away

Wash away all the pride that's in my life
Wash away the wounded faith that blinds my eyes
Cleanse me anew each day in grace and love divine
Wash me in your river one more time

More of you and less of me; saturate my life
Wash me in your river one more time

Cleanse me God, make me new. Remove everything in me that doesn’t look like you. Let people worship You because of Your Light that shines through my eyes. Wash me in your river, one more time.

--Matt

They only were hearing it said, "He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." And they glorified God because of me.—Galatians 1:23-24

Golf Isn't My Sport

The future is bearing down on me…

I have only an idea about what it holds for me…

No specific plans…

And I’ve never been more excited than I am right now!

God has me in a place that I have been in very little in my life, a place of waiting. I’m earnestly praying and seeking His face, patiently awaiting the day He decides to reveal the place and kind of ministry He has for me. But for now, I’m right here, with lots of ministry to do…

--As a College Student
--As a Resident Assistant
--As a 6^th Grade Guys Sunday School Teacher
--As a Mentor to a Handful of Younger Guys that I love

Keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I seek God’s will for my life. Also, as you seek what God has for you, don’t forget to look where you’re already standing. Sometimes the most fulfilling ministry will be right in your desk at work or at your table at Applebee’s or in line at Wal-Mart or wherever. I heard someone say this last night, and I hope she doesn’t mind if I quote it: Your life is your ministry. Keep that in mind as you mull through your routine—ask God for opportunities to be a witness and I promise you, He’ll provide—just be obedient.

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. –Galatians 1:10

--Matt