Joel 2: 12-13
That is why the LORD says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.
God wants us to come back to Him. But he doesn’t want our outward expressions of grief and repentance, our mere words. He wants our hearts torn with grief—grief for our sin.
2 Corinthians 7:10
For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.
It doesn’t do us ANY good to just say we’re sorry for the things we’ve done wrong. It doesn't do ANY good to just wallow around in our guilt and shame. We have to truly see our sin as God does and let it break our hearts, like David did.
Psalm 51: 1-4a
Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight.
David realized the gravity of his sin, acknowledging that he had sinned against God, and God alone. Our sins are against the Father. Period. The sooner you and I realize this, the sooner we move towards Biblical repentance. That means living a lifestyle of continually asking God to show us our shortcomings and a striving for all things that will make us more like Him.
Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.
--Matt
Monday, October 5, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
South Africa Day 4
God is in Africa too.
Really.
I just spent about nine days in Pretoria, South Africa, where God used our team to do some amazing things. For each of the next several days, I’m going to post my journal entries from the trip, starting with the first day, and ending with the last, excluding travel time. I hope the Lord uses these to touch your life like he did mine. Enjoy.
Fourth Day: May 21
Today it was my half of the team’s turn to go out in the community while the other half got to experience the labor side of things. I’m not going to lie—it was really funny to think about Marshall, Pete, and my sister doing manual labor. But they did a good job.
Anyway, I ended up paired with Katie Reno for the biggest part of the day. In one of our first visits, we went to see a lady who was well-known in the community; her house was in the very center and she was stricken with high blood pressure. Katie felt led to give her Bible to the woman, even though her understanding of English was minimal. We then prayed for her to be healed of her ailment, read Psalm 23 over her, and asked the Lord to give her clear understanding of His word. Katie felt like if that woman was healed and received Christ, the whole community would be led to the Lord because of the location of her house and the word of her testimony. When you see the picture, it is her “house”, remember it in prayer.
After visiting with several more houses, we went across the street to a shopping center where we ate lunch. It was one of the things that hurt me the most about South Africa. We could literally cross a street and go from extreme poverty to extreme normality. So many unmet needs contrasted with so many luxuries. Unbelievable. But God reminded me: it happens at home too. We have so much we take for granted.
Every day.
Following ministry, we went into Johannesburg and ate at a restaurant called Carnivore’s. It was amazing! They just kept bringing us meat—everything from chicken to crocodile to kudu. Most of the guys loved it, most of the girls were tolerant of it.
Anna, Katie, Jenna, and I are teaching the 4th grade tomorrow while the rest of the team works with pre-schoolers. It should be interesting/fun. We practiced and went over both the doctor skit and the sin-chair human video—they should go over well in the school assembly before we break off into classrooms.
I am exhausted.
Prayer for tomorrow: Patience, gentleness, kindness, discernment
Really.
I just spent about nine days in Pretoria, South Africa, where God used our team to do some amazing things. For each of the next several days, I’m going to post my journal entries from the trip, starting with the first day, and ending with the last, excluding travel time. I hope the Lord uses these to touch your life like he did mine. Enjoy.
Fourth Day: May 21
Today it was my half of the team’s turn to go out in the community while the other half got to experience the labor side of things. I’m not going to lie—it was really funny to think about Marshall, Pete, and my sister doing manual labor. But they did a good job.
Anyway, I ended up paired with Katie Reno for the biggest part of the day. In one of our first visits, we went to see a lady who was well-known in the community; her house was in the very center and she was stricken with high blood pressure. Katie felt led to give her Bible to the woman, even though her understanding of English was minimal. We then prayed for her to be healed of her ailment, read Psalm 23 over her, and asked the Lord to give her clear understanding of His word. Katie felt like if that woman was healed and received Christ, the whole community would be led to the Lord because of the location of her house and the word of her testimony. When you see the picture, it is her “house”, remember it in prayer.
After visiting with several more houses, we went across the street to a shopping center where we ate lunch. It was one of the things that hurt me the most about South Africa. We could literally cross a street and go from extreme poverty to extreme normality. So many unmet needs contrasted with so many luxuries. Unbelievable. But God reminded me: it happens at home too. We have so much we take for granted.
Every day.
Following ministry, we went into Johannesburg and ate at a restaurant called Carnivore’s. It was amazing! They just kept bringing us meat—everything from chicken to crocodile to kudu. Most of the guys loved it, most of the girls were tolerant of it.
Anna, Katie, Jenna, and I are teaching the 4th grade tomorrow while the rest of the team works with pre-schoolers. It should be interesting/fun. We practiced and went over both the doctor skit and the sin-chair human video—they should go over well in the school assembly before we break off into classrooms.
I am exhausted.
Prayer for tomorrow: Patience, gentleness, kindness, discernment
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
South Africa Day 3
God is in Africa too.
Really.
I just spent about nine days in Pretoria, South Africa, where God used our team to do some amazing things. For each of the next several days, I’m going to post my journal entries from the trip, starting with the first day, and ending with the last, excluding travel time. I hope the Lord uses these to touch your life like he did mine. Enjoy.
Third Day: May 19
There wasn't much spiritual about what we did today. Basically, my half of the group did hard labor today: clearing a field, shoveling gravel and sand, playing with machetes, etc. Don't get me wrong, we had to get this stuff done and it helped the community out greatly. However, as I was sitting on a trailer that recently carried pig slop, pulled behind an old Massey-Ferguson tractor, being beaten to death by the rough roads, I realized something.
I wasn't created to do this kind of job.
Really.
I just spent about nine days in Pretoria, South Africa, where God used our team to do some amazing things. For each of the next several days, I’m going to post my journal entries from the trip, starting with the first day, and ending with the last, excluding travel time. I hope the Lord uses these to touch your life like he did mine. Enjoy.
Third Day: May 19
There wasn't much spiritual about what we did today. Basically, my half of the group did hard labor today: clearing a field, shoveling gravel and sand, playing with machetes, etc. Don't get me wrong, we had to get this stuff done and it helped the community out greatly. However, as I was sitting on a trailer that recently carried pig slop, pulled behind an old Massey-Ferguson tractor, being beaten to death by the rough roads, I realized something.
I wasn't created to do this kind of job.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
South Africa Day 2
God is in Africa too.
Really.
I just spent about nine days in Pretoria, South Africa, where God used our team to do some amazing things. For each of the next several days, I’m going to post my journal entries from the trip, starting with the first day, and ending with the last, excluding travel time. I hope the Lord uses these to touch your life like he did mine. Enjoy.
Second Day: May 18
2 Samuel 24:24—Psalm 74
Admittedly, I was a little anxious about the work we were doing this morning. The overwhelming responsibility of speaking healing over people’s lives wigged me out—a little. But then God reminded me it was His responsibility and His power, not mine. Got a real peace as we split up into groups and played with the kids—we were like rock stars—that’s because God answered our prayers and prepared their hearts for our arrival. First, we prayed for a guy whose family had some tragedy that had emotionally scarred him. Then, we prayed for a lady with epilepsy. So we held her hands to steady her as we prayed. There was a spirit of heaviness all around her. As we began praying together, she screamed and fell to the ground, still tightly gripping my hand. That’s when we knew we were dealing with a demonic presence. We prayed and cast out the demon—hoping that she knows it was Jesus who healed her. We prayed for two people who were dying—a little girl and an old lady. The little girl had full-blown AIDS—she was 5 and looked about 3, full of sores, it was so sad. But God reminded me that her greatest need isn’t being healed from AIDS—it is Jesus.
It's mine too.
We ate spaghetti for dinner and talked with Mariet about her 80-day mission trip all over the eastern hemisphere. It was cool to hear her passion and her accent. Kyle then told us to listen and sit across the table from God and ask Him specific questions. I did. No answers…yet. Tomorrow, we’re halving our group up—some doing construction and half doing what we did today.
Prayer for Tomorrow: Flexibility, listening ears, loving beyond circumstances.
P.S.: Marshall and Nathan say ‘hey’.
Really.
I just spent about nine days in Pretoria, South Africa, where God used our team to do some amazing things. For each of the next several days, I’m going to post my journal entries from the trip, starting with the first day, and ending with the last, excluding travel time. I hope the Lord uses these to touch your life like he did mine. Enjoy.
Second Day: May 18
2 Samuel 24:24—Psalm 74
Admittedly, I was a little anxious about the work we were doing this morning. The overwhelming responsibility of speaking healing over people’s lives wigged me out—a little. But then God reminded me it was His responsibility and His power, not mine. Got a real peace as we split up into groups and played with the kids—we were like rock stars—that’s because God answered our prayers and prepared their hearts for our arrival. First, we prayed for a guy whose family had some tragedy that had emotionally scarred him. Then, we prayed for a lady with epilepsy. So we held her hands to steady her as we prayed. There was a spirit of heaviness all around her. As we began praying together, she screamed and fell to the ground, still tightly gripping my hand. That’s when we knew we were dealing with a demonic presence. We prayed and cast out the demon—hoping that she knows it was Jesus who healed her. We prayed for two people who were dying—a little girl and an old lady. The little girl had full-blown AIDS—she was 5 and looked about 3, full of sores, it was so sad. But God reminded me that her greatest need isn’t being healed from AIDS—it is Jesus.
It's mine too.
We ate spaghetti for dinner and talked with Mariet about her 80-day mission trip all over the eastern hemisphere. It was cool to hear her passion and her accent. Kyle then told us to listen and sit across the table from God and ask Him specific questions. I did. No answers…yet. Tomorrow, we’re halving our group up—some doing construction and half doing what we did today.
Prayer for Tomorrow: Flexibility, listening ears, loving beyond circumstances.
P.S.: Marshall and Nathan say ‘hey’.
Monday, May 25, 2009
South Africa Day 1
God is in Africa too.
Really.
I just spent about nine days in Pretoria, South Africa, where God used our team to do some amazing things. For each of the next several days, I’m going to post my journal entries from the trip, starting with the first day, and ending with the last, excluding travel time. I hope the Lord uses these to touch your life like he did mine. Enjoy.
First Full Day: May 17
Job 29—Luke 4:18—2 Samuel 9—James 1:27
Know who you’re talking to
--Know God, Know His power
Healing Hands
--Same power
--Child healed at Church
--Noise
See people past circumstances, see them as God’s children
Door already open in Heaven—Revelation 3
This place is incredible. The people here are most definitely kindred spirits with us. God is doing the same stuff here that He is back home. He’s way bigger than Brandon. We worshipped at the church plant here this morning with a freedom and simplicity I haven’t seen in a while. They prayed over our team—such a blessing. We then experienced a wonderful South African tradition, a Brie, which is similar to BBQ back at home. Little Viele, the son of one of the missionaries living there, brought Kyle an orange to peel for him—but then tried to take it back, not wanting him to finish peeling it…just like me. I need help and sure, initially I’ll give things to the Lord. But when I realize what I’ve done, realizing I’ve lost control, I’ll ask for those things back, or worse, never hand them off. Later that day we hiked up to an observation deck overlooking the area we would be serving in, a beautiful place in its own way. We enjoyed a light dinner followed by a time of worship, led by Nathan and Pete. The time in God’s presence was incredible each and every time we pulled our chairs up to His table. As the Lord was preparing us for the next day of door-to-door work in the community, Leigh Ann was prompted to ask for healing hands for the people we would encounter. It then hit me that my lack of faith could keep someone from being healed or set free. Asking the Lord for faith, no doubt, healing hands.
Prayer for Tomorrow: Discernment, wisdom, healing hands as we split up and visit orphan homes. Soft hearts, see Jesus, not us.
Really.
I just spent about nine days in Pretoria, South Africa, where God used our team to do some amazing things. For each of the next several days, I’m going to post my journal entries from the trip, starting with the first day, and ending with the last, excluding travel time. I hope the Lord uses these to touch your life like he did mine. Enjoy.
First Full Day: May 17
Job 29—Luke 4:18—2 Samuel 9—James 1:27
Know who you’re talking to
--Know God, Know His power
Healing Hands
--Same power
--Child healed at Church
--Noise
See people past circumstances, see them as God’s children
Door already open in Heaven—Revelation 3
This place is incredible. The people here are most definitely kindred spirits with us. God is doing the same stuff here that He is back home. He’s way bigger than Brandon. We worshipped at the church plant here this morning with a freedom and simplicity I haven’t seen in a while. They prayed over our team—such a blessing. We then experienced a wonderful South African tradition, a Brie, which is similar to BBQ back at home. Little Viele, the son of one of the missionaries living there, brought Kyle an orange to peel for him—but then tried to take it back, not wanting him to finish peeling it…just like me. I need help and sure, initially I’ll give things to the Lord. But when I realize what I’ve done, realizing I’ve lost control, I’ll ask for those things back, or worse, never hand them off. Later that day we hiked up to an observation deck overlooking the area we would be serving in, a beautiful place in its own way. We enjoyed a light dinner followed by a time of worship, led by Nathan and Pete. The time in God’s presence was incredible each and every time we pulled our chairs up to His table. As the Lord was preparing us for the next day of door-to-door work in the community, Leigh Ann was prompted to ask for healing hands for the people we would encounter. It then hit me that my lack of faith could keep someone from being healed or set free. Asking the Lord for faith, no doubt, healing hands.
Prayer for Tomorrow: Discernment, wisdom, healing hands as we split up and visit orphan homes. Soft hearts, see Jesus, not us.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Life After Scrubs
Cue nostalgic, cheesy pre-graduation post...
In many ways my last night here has been a lot like my first: a lot of packing and a little anxiety. But not the bad anxiety, the good kind—the kind that spurs you on to bigger, better things—or maybe just different things. When I walked across the stage at Thalia Mara hall and graduated high school, I had a lot of things that I thought would happen, had many of my own plans for the course of my life. Four years ago today, I would have never thought I’d be where I am: single, at Mississippi College, and surrendered to full-time ministry, likely with middle schoolers somewhere. And even though I didn’t expect any of this, you couldn’t pay me to be anywhere else doing anything else. And I can’t imagine not having the relationships I have now, or imagine them going away. But after high school, I would have said the same exact thing, that I didn’t want any of my friendships or circles to change.
I hate to say it, but that’s probably what the next step is going to look like too. I’m going to lose relationships, lose touch, lose lots of things. But I know that, just like He has before, God will provide me new Aarons, new Miriams, to walk beside me, to hold my arms up when I can’t go on. That’s just how life works, relationships come in, relationships disappear. I just have to cherish the ones I have now, never knowing what the future has in store. That doesn’t mean I won’t try to keep the good ones and discard the bad ones, not at all. It just means that I’m content to have you guys in my life now, that’s all.
Don't Holler at Me!!
--Matt
In many ways my last night here has been a lot like my first: a lot of packing and a little anxiety. But not the bad anxiety, the good kind—the kind that spurs you on to bigger, better things—or maybe just different things. When I walked across the stage at Thalia Mara hall and graduated high school, I had a lot of things that I thought would happen, had many of my own plans for the course of my life. Four years ago today, I would have never thought I’d be where I am: single, at Mississippi College, and surrendered to full-time ministry, likely with middle schoolers somewhere. And even though I didn’t expect any of this, you couldn’t pay me to be anywhere else doing anything else. And I can’t imagine not having the relationships I have now, or imagine them going away. But after high school, I would have said the same exact thing, that I didn’t want any of my friendships or circles to change.
I hate to say it, but that’s probably what the next step is going to look like too. I’m going to lose relationships, lose touch, lose lots of things. But I know that, just like He has before, God will provide me new Aarons, new Miriams, to walk beside me, to hold my arms up when I can’t go on. That’s just how life works, relationships come in, relationships disappear. I just have to cherish the ones I have now, never knowing what the future has in store. That doesn’t mean I won’t try to keep the good ones and discard the bad ones, not at all. It just means that I’m content to have you guys in my life now, that’s all.
Don't Holler at Me!!
--Matt
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Heavenly Perspectives
Sometimes I wonder what God says to Himself when He looks down and sees me. Here are some thoughts:
-What in the world is he doing this time?
-He just totally missed something awesome I had for him.
-I’ve told him a thousand times not to do that.
-Not again.
-He doesn’t understand how much I love him.
-He just made a fool of himself in front of the children.
-Matt is missing the joy I desire in relationship with him.
-Why is he ignoring me?
-I am so proud of him.
The last one of those, at least in my mind, occurs the least. I can’t believe God would ever be proud of me—all I have done and will do that screams everything but “Jesus”. What I often forget is that God’s love isn’t finite and conditional like mine. He loves me in spite of myself, in spite of my screw ups. Even though I know that is true and find peace in that principle, it’s not where I want to wallow. I want to live my life to make His name Great. When God looks down on me and is having a chat with George Washington, I want His part of the conversation to go something like it did that day He was talking to Satan about Job.
And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?" >>Job 1:8
When God says someone’s doing a good job, there’s no denying it. I want God to look down at me, take a sip of His sweet tea, and smile.
--Matt
-What in the world is he doing this time?
-He just totally missed something awesome I had for him.
-I’ve told him a thousand times not to do that.
-Not again.
-He doesn’t understand how much I love him.
-He just made a fool of himself in front of the children.
-Matt is missing the joy I desire in relationship with him.
-Why is he ignoring me?
-I am so proud of him.
The last one of those, at least in my mind, occurs the least. I can’t believe God would ever be proud of me—all I have done and will do that screams everything but “Jesus”. What I often forget is that God’s love isn’t finite and conditional like mine. He loves me in spite of myself, in spite of my screw ups. Even though I know that is true and find peace in that principle, it’s not where I want to wallow. I want to live my life to make His name Great. When God looks down on me and is having a chat with George Washington, I want His part of the conversation to go something like it did that day He was talking to Satan about Job.
And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?" >>Job 1:8
When God says someone’s doing a good job, there’s no denying it. I want God to look down at me, take a sip of His sweet tea, and smile.
--Matt
Friday, February 20, 2009
Crazyboutya
Things that have happened since I last blogged:
-Mission Tour: Houston, TX
-A in a Business Minor Class
-Wednesday Night Cheese Stix Tradition
-Crossgates Hired a College Pastor
-Rob went out on a date
-Washington D.C. trip with the gang
-Movement College Worship on Thursday Nights
-The U.S. elected a new president & MS elected Gregg Harper
-A-Rod steroids scandal
-I beat Jay Davis at Pool
-Road Trip: Dallas
-Jay Davis beat me at tennis, basketball, and paper football
-Dustin & Joel got girlfriends
Things that HAVE NOT happened since I last blogged:
-A decision on where to go for Seminary
-A decision on what to pursue in ministry specifically
-A date
-A traffic ticket
-Read a whole book
-Tampa Bay Rays World Series/ Arizona Cardinals Super Bowl
-Smarter Children
-Worldwide muting of the song “All the Single Ladies”: It’s AWFUL!
I think that about catches you up on the major highlights of the last 6 plus months. Be looking for more frequent updates in the NEAR future.
--Matt
You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. –1 Peter 1:8
-Mission Tour: Houston, TX
-A in a Business Minor Class
-Wednesday Night Cheese Stix Tradition
-Crossgates Hired a College Pastor
-Rob went out on a date
-Washington D.C. trip with the gang
-Movement College Worship on Thursday Nights
-The U.S. elected a new president & MS elected Gregg Harper
-A-Rod steroids scandal
-I beat Jay Davis at Pool
-Road Trip: Dallas
-Jay Davis beat me at tennis, basketball, and paper football
-Dustin & Joel got girlfriends
Things that HAVE NOT happened since I last blogged:
-A decision on where to go for Seminary
-A decision on what to pursue in ministry specifically
-A date
-A traffic ticket
-Read a whole book
-Tampa Bay Rays World Series/ Arizona Cardinals Super Bowl
-Smarter Children
-Worldwide muting of the song “All the Single Ladies”: It’s AWFUL!
I think that about catches you up on the major highlights of the last 6 plus months. Be looking for more frequent updates in the NEAR future.
--Matt
You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. –1 Peter 1:8
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