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

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