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.

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

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

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

Greater Things

I haven’t written anything since May 7. Needless to say, I have been pretty busy. But I don’t believe that the three readers of this blog really care too much about that. That being said, life as a youth intern is grand. Sure it has long hours, lots of pizza, little alone time, and a bit less sleep than I’m used to. I love the students; however, I’m not sure I love the parents or the politics quite that much. Despite its ups and downs, I wouldn’t trade what I am doing right now for anything. I’m learning so much that will be so valuable in whatever God has for me. I’m really not sure if student ministry is going to be for me, but it is most definitely for me now…

Spiritually, I feel like I have not been doing so hot. I have been so focused on doing good, maybe even “godly” things that I haven’t spent enough time focusing on the One I’m really doing them for. I know this is kind of a cliché thing to say for someone in or involved in ministry in any way, but it is exactly how I feel, and it happens to so many who have good intentions. Satan doesn’t wear a red cape and carry a pitchfork; he shows up where you are most vulnerable, looking stunning, like something you cannot refuse. And that something may not necessarily be a bad thing, but it may distract our attention from where our focus really should be. My goal for this week is to spend some one on one time with the Creator of the Universe—away from the noise, away from the thorns, away from the students, away from everyone. That’s just where I am. I want to crawl up in my Dad’s lap and be so close to Him that every breath I take, every time my heart beats, every time my lips move, they line up directly with His heartbeat, His breath, His words. I’m ready…

As of last weekend, I have officially been single for an entire year. Academically, spiritually, and relationally, it has been one of the best years of my entire life. Not that the years before that, in a relationship or not, weren’t fun or good or fulfilling, but this one stands alone. It has taken being single for me to realize a lot of things God has for me and who He wants me to be—and I feel like I still have a healthy dose of it ahead of me. I am definitely not terribly excited about it, but definitely content in it…

--Matt

Lead Me to the Cross

God always knows just what I need when I need it. Whether it’s encouragement, a friend, or a free Mr. Pibb from the Coke machine, He’s always right on time.

Thank you Jesus for being big enough to move the mountains in my life and for caring about the small things too. I don’t think I’ll ever get over the Creator of the Universe caring about the miniscule details of my life. Thank you Jesus. I love you. Help me to share more about who You are: not the guy with a big stick waiting for them to mess up, but as a loving father waiting for them to run and jump into His arms. Let them realize that they cannot encounter You without being changed; don’t let them be caught up in religion anymore, let them be caught up in You. Let me be caught up in you. Thank you for chasing me when all I’m doing is running from You. Forgive me where I fail You. In Jesus name, Amen.

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by You?
Would you tell me, how could it be any better than this?
You’re everything.

--Matt

But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship Him that way.—John 4:23

Lost in Your Eyes

As May begins and school comes to a close, I find myself above all other things, thankful:

Thankful for carrying me through another year of college.

Thankful for great new friends made this year.

Thankful for the new calling on my life.

Thankful for my amazing family, especially my parents and sister.

Thankful for my new ministry at Crossgates.

Thankful for each new day of life.

Thankful.

In the midst of whatever stress and busyness you have going on in your life right now, I encourage you to stop for a moment. Take a look at the things in life you have been taking for granted and thank Jesus for them. Hey, even thank Him for the bad things. Sometimes they are only there because He loves us.

Right now, in the good times and bad,

You are on Your Throne

You are God Alone.

--Matt

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. –1 Chronicles 16:8