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

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--