Pastor Matt - St. Luke's Southwest

Unforgiveable Sin

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Matt) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 05:37:00 +0000

MARK 3:28-29
[28] “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; [29] but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin" --

I wonder what the general thoughts are from everyday people, such as ourselves, as to what the sin is that never has forgiveness?

Next week I will give the "scholarly" answer as I have been taught.

Walking in the shadow of the cross,
Pastor Matt

Failing Forward

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Matt) — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 00:55:00 +0000

That is not a typo - I really intend to talk about "Failing Forward" sort of like having momentum out of a failure to keep on moving. I have been thinking a great deal about this idea of how we allow ourselves to fail but continue to move forward to ultimate success. I really do not like the term "success" because I do not think God really calls us to be "successful" but more so "faithful." I will save that for another entry.

When I look at the relationships Jesus had with the disciples and what the scripture tells me Jesus said to them, I cannot help but wonder if he thought he had failed with them, even if just in the short-term. Jesus told them they would betray him, even after he poured himself in to their lives. He asked them to "keep watch" with him and pray while he was in the garden at Gethsemane and yet they all fell asleep. One by one, they all did run and betray him. He commented that his heart was filled with sadness even to the point of death.

Even though Jesus watched his human relationships walk out on him, and even give him up to be crucified, he still called Judas, "friend." I know that is the nature of Christ but it is still puzzling to me. My interpretation is his heart was filled such such sorrow because the 12 he chose just were not getting the connection Jesus was trying to make with them, and in fact they betrayed him, but he still endured himself to them as "friend."

Don't get me wrong; I see the analogy in our faith and salvation and praise God he still calls me friend even when I run. However, as I try to equate this to human relationships I struggle. What do you tell a person struggling with their marriage? How do you explain grace in the midst of infidelity? What does it mean to call a person friend even as they betray you?

Blessings,
Pastor Matt

Holy Communion

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Matt) — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 02:07:00 +0000

Here is a writing from John Wesley reagrding his view of Holy Communion.

http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/101/

Blessings,
Pastor Matt

Forgiveness vs Accountability

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Matt) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 02:29:00 +0000

A few months ago I was admonished for no longer wishing to associate with someone because of an extreme injustice they acted against a family member. My reasoning was, and still is, this person has done nothing to repent and reconcile and furthermore they continue to perpetuate the injustice. I have forgiven the person for what they did, and in fact continue to do. But for some people it seems that because I am a Christian, and as was pointed out "a minister," I am supposed to embrace this person and act as if nothing ever happened. I find no Biblical precedence for such behavior. In fact, even Jesus talks about, and acted out, discipline for wrong actions. He rebuked and scourged wrong-doers. Does he still love them? Of course he does. Does he accept them back into the family? When they repent and seek reconciliation. What does he do when he attempts to form a relationship and people refuse him? He shakes the dust from his feet and moves on.

I have done wrong in my life. Some I would consider personal, horrible offenses against individuals. I am fairly certain I have asked all of them to forgive me and sought reconciliation. Do I expect them to receive me with open arms. Of course not. Our relationship may never be the same. However, I did my part to bridge the gap. How others choose to respond I cannot control and I have to live with the consequences of my actions.

So, the question is, should I extend a hand of reconciliation to those who refuse to be held accountable for their actions? Should I submit myself to known harm when someone refuses to change their ways and continue to act unjustly? I think not. I would say I offer them more than one chance before I put up my defenses. I do understand and believe in grace. But at some point, I step back so I do not have to keep turning the other cheek. Certainly I remain open to reconciliation but only when the other person is ready to make some changes. I remain ready to work on the relationship when they make the reciprocal choice. Until then, I pray for them; I hope for their salvation; and I ask for God's blessing upon them.

Pastor Matt

Who are we? or Who we are.

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Matt) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:32:00 +0000

The simple arrangement of words or punctuation change everything in the human language. This is especially true in the English language. The arrangement of our life is also true. Especially for Christians. What do we want to communicate to others? I am a staunch advocate for living a "normal" life as a Christian. I make no excuses for how I live my life but yet I want my life to reflect Jesus living in and through me. Where is the balance? I think it comes down to the order, or arrangement, our how we live. Do I skip church to play golf 3 out of 4 Sundays a month or do I skip golf to attend church 3 out of 4 Sundays a month? Do I ignore my faith to seek the world or do I ignore the world to seek my faith? Do I spend more time at work or do I spend more time with my family? What do I fill my calendar with and what does my checkbook register tell about me? Do I occasionally indulge in what my flesh desires or do I occasionally indulge in what the Spirit desires?

I do not live the perfect Christian life. None of us do. However, I am asking myself how I am striving for it although I will never fully achieve it. I hope you ask yourself the same question AND search for the answer.

Striving for Life!
Pastor Matt

Global Christianity

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Matt) — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 03:41:00 +0000

This past week I was confronted with the question of how to introduce Christianity into parts of the world so different from our own. One specific example was an African nation which is believes in polygamy as has for centuries. Try to distance yourself from Texas news clips about the polygamist sect as seen on CNN and try to be open minded for just a moment. After several days on studying this point I decided on this response. I almost feel as if I am talking out of the side of my mouth with my here and it makes me realize that God is much bigger than I can comprehend.

My first thought is to walk the hard line and say that polygamy is unacceptable. Biblically, I understand (big emphasis on "my understanding") a marriage covenant to include an individual man and an individual woman. However, that is our culture. At least the social norm up until the past two decades, but I won’t get into that here. How can I force that concept upon a culture that has held polygamy as a part of their lives for so long? How would it be possible to redeem and reconcile my loving God to a people who I would be telling their families they had to break up because of what I thought was sinful? What do I think would happen to those children’s view of my “loving” God? Now, if I want to try to influence a culture over a very long period of time, then I start with the leadership. While I would not encourage condemnation, because which sin will we start with in that case; I would encourage an attempt at a paradigm shift towards the view of polygamy with the Biblical perspective I know.

What does it mean for God to exist among us? That is the ultimate question here. How can people be brought into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ? What will it take? If a person is fully faithful to the Biblical teachings of Christ and yet they smoke peyote as a part of faith should we condemn them? What if they are equally faithful and yet practice polygamy? How about if they are faithful to Christ above all else and yet break any one of the Ten Commandments? The point for me is to move past what we see and get to who we are. We are not just human beings having a spiritual experience. That is limiting God. We are spiritual beings, since we are created in His image, having a human experience. We are limiting ourselves by trying to make are humanness all the same when the reality is it is our spiritualness that is all the same and that's where we should aim our focus.

I am very interested in your thoughts!

Christianity: The Religion of Haves

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Matt) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:21:00 +0000

Philip Jenkins in his book, The Next Christendom, stated that in the Western world that Christianity is “a religion of haves.” He meant that Christianity is a religion for the affluent and those who really have no needs. This of course is in relation to the rest of the world and causes those of us living in the US and Europe. Those of us who “have” are now so removed from those who have not that we are unable to relate. This is causing the decline of the Christian church, according to Jenkins, in the US and Europe but also causing the explosion of the Christian church in the third-world and war torn countries.

So my question is what are we doing to shift the work of the church to reaching others and not asking them to come to us? When asking people to come join us, we are isolating ourselves. When trying to reach the rest of the world in way that has no relationship to their current plight in life, we seem trite. What is the answer and when are we going to start seeking it?

Where Do We Stand?

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Matt) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:08:00 +0000

As I was running today on the treadmill I watched a story and children participating in "MMA" or "Mixed Martial Arts." This is where moves such as kick-boxing and hand to hand fighting are combined. No helmets are worn and full body contact is the name of the game. You might be saying, "So what?!" These kids were as young as three years old with the majority between 5 and 13. They were literally being taught how to beat the snot out of one another. There was very little regulation by referees and the name of the game was "submission." You fight until one is knocked down and then the other jumps on top and begins punching them hard amd fast until they cannot take it anymore. Head injuries, bone breaks and fractures, bloody lips, noses and eyes were par for the activity. The sad, and horrifying, part of this for me was the fact that parents are lining up to enroll their children in this insanity. Veteran Martial Arts instructors who were shown video footage of such training and competitions were even shocked and outraged.

This is not martial arts. This is structured child abuse. There is no national or state regulation for competition. There is no licensing regulation for instructors or referees. There are no standardized guidelines for anything. The only thing guaranteed is that children are going to be injured and possibly seriously with growth-plate damage, brain damage, or worse: paralysis. I can't even begin to image the emotional damage for some of these children. What sane parent puts their toddler into a circle to fight and/or defend themselves against physical violence?

My whole point is to say that we as the church should be standing up and speaking out against such issues. We are called to protect the innocent, oppressed and those who cannot protect themselves. If a parent cannot critically think through this and not subject their prepubescent children to such physical harm, then the church should be helping them think.

Where in the Kingdom is the church?

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Matt) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 04:19:00 +0000

Instead of asking, "Where in the world is the church," I am asking, "Where in the kingdom is the church?" Of course by "kingdom" I mean God's kingdom. There is a difference between the 'church' and the 'kingdom.' I see that the kingdom of God exists in many areas, or on many planes, or in multiple spheres. Even Jesus said that the kingdom of God had come during his time and in other instances he said the kingdom of God was near. Jesus even talked about a future kingdom and a present kingdom. I believe both included a heavenly and earthy existence. So the method of realizing God's kingdom can be both gradual and instantaneous, even if solely on different levels of understanding and reality. By that I mean we can gradual see the coming of the kingdom as we ourselves are transformed though our relationship with Christ; we see others gradual transformed through their relationship with Christ and through our relationships with each other; and we will see it instantaneously when we are transformed from this life unto eternity upon death or Christ’s triumphal promised return.

So, where is the church in all of this? We are called to transform the world, among many other callings, through our testimony (AKA: Teachings) and our witness (AKA: Actions). It is not enough for the church to simply "convert" a person to Christianity and have them be "born-again." I admit that is the primary mission of the church as it is made up of the people of God. But, let us not forget the fact that once we are transformed, we should be transforming the world around us, which may or may not become a part of our faith in Jesus Christ. What I mean is that
my influence me might not transform everyone into “born-again Christians,” but their transformed actions would be considered “christian.” Is that a victory for God's kingdom?

I probably will fail at some point to convince someone of a non-Christian faith to become a Christian. However, if I can convince them to help feed the hungry, house the homeless, provide for the widows and orphans then is that a victory for God's kingdom? Admitedly, I will not stop teaching that Jesus Christ is the only way to God the Father, but I also will do all I can to alleviate suffering in the world.

My question for you as a part of God's church, where do you fit into God's Kingdom? Are you waiting for it to arrive in the unknown future or are you living in the revelation of what is now a part of that Kingdom, even if not yet fully revealed? If you are not a part of God's church then I ask you as a part of the human race the same question: where do you fit in?

Pastor Matt

Talent?

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Matt) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 04:40:00 +0000

Today, I distributed "talents" (aka: money) to about 120 people as I kicked off our summer stewardship series at church. Before it is over with about 180 people will be involved in this teaching/learning experience. Each person, adults and children alike, must 'invest' their talents to produce a return for the Kingdom of God. The return might be monetary or it might be a changed life for Christ because of the investment. The goal is to move people from a conversation of faith to a movement of faith. Hopefully, no one will bury their talents and yield no return on God's investment with them.

As my wife and I distributed the talents today I asked myself, "What am I doing to produce a return on God's investment in me?" Is being in full-time ministry enough? Is being a full-time husband and dad enough? Is being a seminary student enough? Is hosting a faith-based radio show on a secular station enough? Is helping to lead a local mission project next month enough? Is teaching my daughter about God's word enough? Is being a living example for Jesus Christ enough? Are our Christian actions of faith ever enough? In it all, am I called to more? It hardly seems possible, but then again Jesus did say we would do even more than he, himself.

God is calling you and the questions of "who, what, when, where and how" must be asked and answered in order for God to be served. The answers do not always make sense, but they do make us move!

This week, seek first the Kingdom of God!
Pastor Matt

Kingdom View or World View

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Matt) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:40:00 +0000

I have been spending time thinking about how we are supposed to be a part of God's Kingdom and what that really means. Along with that, I have been hearing about how we should all have a "world view" not simply live in our own shells. As a Christian there is a real difference.

Having a "world view" just means I am concerned about global issues. Having a "Kingdom view" means I am concerned about God's people and his economy here on earth. Jesus spoke about the "Kingdom of God" numerous times in his ministry. The problem in relating to anything called a "kingdom" is we think a kingdom is a place or piece of land. But a King’s ‘kingdom’ extends to wherever the King can exercise his power. In other words, God's Kingdom has has no fixed boundaries and in fact any boundaries are continually changing. God is everywhere.

So what does it mean to be concerned about God's people and his economy here on earth? It means we follow Jesus' commandments to care for the poor, the hungry, the homeless, the marginalized in society. Jesus was extremely concerned with them. It means we look after children without fathers and mothers. It means we care for single parent families. It means we seek justice for those who are oppressed. It means we give up our own comforts in order to comfort others. Here are some quick, practical ways you can start today:

Buy extra cans of food when you grocery shop, or clean out your own pantry, and donate them to a food bank or shelter.
If you have children, they have toys they no longer play with. Use this opportunity to teach them about giving of themselves and let them donate their toys to an organization or family.
Go to a "dollar store" and buy hygiene products and give them to a women's shelter.
Spend and hour of your time helping at a clothes closet or food bank.
Volunteer for an advocacy group or agency for children.

No matter how you do it, the key is to actively get involved. When you do, be sure you don't take personal credit but tell the people that you are there because of Jesus. Help AND be a witness for Christ! I promise, they need Jesus more than anything else.

I pray you are shoved from your comfort zone and God blesses your efforts!
Pastor Matt

Disciples being made

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Matt) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 01:09:00 +0000

I am going to partially respond to my own blog..fairly narcissistic I am certain. While attending our Annual Conference I started hearing what the church (church universal) is doing to make disciples. Lives are being touched and changed for Jesus Christ. Here at the camp/conference center there are hundreds of teenagers learning more about their faith in Christ as well as enjoy the fellowship of others. They are not just here for themselves, they brought friends! There are also hundreds of adults are talking about how they can return to their home churches and do more work for the Kingdom! I watched leaders, even a Bishop, drawn to tears as they witnessed the change in lives of those touched by Christ. The Northwest Texas Conference not only committed to starting new faith communities but also put their money where their mouth is by pledging over $3 million dollars towards the effort. I had my doubts it could be done in this economy but God reminded me the human economy is not an economy embraced by His kingdom. Amen to that!

On some level I will always struggle with excess administration and excess financial expenditures of any organization, church or denomination. There is waste in everywhere and not always intentional. So should we abandon great work because of some issues that are not so great? I think not. In fact, it makes me want to dig in more and work harder to make United Methodism better and stronger for Jesus Christ because we are are making disciples for Him in order to transform the world.

I plan on doing my part! How about you?

Pastor Matt

Are we making disciples?

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Matt) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 02:43:00 +0000

This past week I was asked if this blog was only to bring out the negative side of everything. My response: absolutely not! The reason I spend time in this arena is to make people think and ask the tough questions. I know my point of view is sometimes skewed, not always agreed with and often it is not the only one. Many times I find out I was either wrong or maybe I can be enlightened and persuaded to adopt a new point of view. On the other hand, maybe your point of view is not the only one, your wrong or you might be persuaded to adopt a different view. The point of communication is just that: to communicate. Let's talk, debate and respect one another.

Part of this week I am attending the meeting of our Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Last month was the global meeting of the United Methodist Church where delegates met for two weeks to discuss issues and "legislation" of the denomination by representative from all over the world . The pre-meeting estimated cost of that huge gathering was about 6 million dollars. I have no idea what the total cost of out Annual Conference meeting will be but it will be in the thousands. When I think of the staggering amount of money expended for such meetings I begin to ask myself questions. For example - There were representatives from the Congo at this meeting. They had to spend a good deal of money to travel to and from this meeting on international flights. Lets also remember hotels and food, not to mention the passports and visa costs. In the last four years my home church has raised money to help build and/or repair church roofs in the Congo, because as well all know they are a very poor nation, but yet we are requiring them to attend this meeting? I scratch my head and ask how does this help make disciples for Jesus Christ? To be fair, the attendees of the meeting also donated close to $500,000 to help fight malaria by purchasing and distributing mosquito nets in African countries. Praise God for that.

As I look at the movement within the denominations of Christianity vs the movement of independent organizations (which by the way or sort of a denominational group themselves) I wonder if we are trying the preserve the system or are we trying to use our resources to make disciples for Jesus Christ? I am not pointing fingers because I ask myself this question all of the time in regards to my personal involvement in ministry: "Am I working and directing others to work at making disciples or am I just trying to preserve myself and my church?" A co-pastor in ministry with me says we need to always be "missional" in what we do. While that is absolutely the truth, I think we have to define our mission. We should all be working to bring others in to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ; teaching them the scriptural basis for our faith; encouraging them to a deeper personal relationship with God; and to have them carry forward the very work which brought them to the church.

If the church, the denominations, or the ministers are not being effective in this mission then maybe we should be accepting of the idea that someone else can do it better and either change our ways or step aside. I hope and pray that I am open enough to accept the call for change in my own life and know if it is me that needs to change or step aside. How about you?

Until next week - examine yourself; ask the difficult questions; hear the answers; and respond!

Pastor Matt

Bush Presidential Library - Separation of Church and State?

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Matt) — Thu, 22 May 2008 19:11:00 +0000

I have been asked a few times this past week if I support Southern Methodist University as the location for the George W. Bush Presidential Library. My answer is, YES. Most arguments against it stem from the disagreement with presidential politics and the current war efforts. Most arguments paint a fairly negative picture of our President. Do I agree with all of his decisions? Not hardly. However, that is true for every president. Surely the views of protestors are not so myopic they believe other Presidents were better or worse.

Clinton –Moving Prisoners to other countries for torture and interrogation and don’t forget the sexual affair in the oval office.

George H.W. Bush – Huge national debt and remember, “No New Taxes!”

Reagan - Iran-Contra Affair.

Carter – Disastrous economy and weak, appeasement-oriented foreign policy.

Ford – Pardoned Nixon and could not keep US out of economic recession.

Nixon –Involved in so many wars I can’t waste the time and Watergate Scandal.

Johnson – Vietnam.

Kennedy – Bay of Pigs.

This does not even begin to scratch the surface in regards to all the good they did, not just for the people of the United States, but for people around the world. Why do I know they all did a pretty good job? We are still free. We are still the United States of America. We are still the one place everyone wants to live, work and raise a family.

Why wouldn’t I want the Presidential Library at SMU? It would draw thousands of people to a great Methodist University. It would generate revenue for a university that could be used to do more good in the world. It would bring more notoriety to Methodism and it will be a historic event for the denomination. Many people are screaming this would muddy the waters between the separation of church and state. The reality is they have no idea what that really means but it sounds good; like offering your brother-in-Law legal advice to get out of a speeding ticket.

If the people protesting the library and presidential politics spent half as much time proclaiming the gospel we wouldn't really need to worry about any of this. To sum up my thoughts I will coin a phrase from the South: “Let’s don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.”

Pastor Matt

What's the Point?

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Matt) — Tue, 20 May 2008 08:17:00 +0000

I am going to play the other side of the fence this week and be a bit antagonistic, so get ready…..Have you ever asked yourself this question? I mean, really asked the question: “What’s the point?” There is an old country and western song with these lyrics: “When you work your fingers to the bone, what-a-ya get? Boney fingers!” So if that’s the case, “What’s the point?” For some people, everything comes easy while for others everything is a struggle. I have recently heard this question more than once. In the world of clergy, it often seems there is little return on the investment from a “worldly” point of view. And after all, that is the default point of view for us all: “worldly.” We have to retrain our viewpoint to see in the heavenly realm. So when a person starts questioning the call on their life, how do you respond? This question takes place pre-commitment, current-commitment, and post commitment for just about everyone. When a computer programmer is tired of programming it is fairly easy to just go get another job. When an entrepreneur gets bored with the current project they can just sell it and start something new. Even when we are tired of looking at the color of our house, we paint it a different color. But what do you tell a pastor; late in their life, when all they have ever known is working in the church? What do you tell a young adult with the choices of a Masters degree in business vs. a Masters degree in divinity? How do you balance that with the fact not everyone is called to full-time ministry. It is perfectly good to be a business owner as well as a minister and witness for Christ outside the church?

Of course the easy answer is to say, “Pray and listen to God.” Easy answers stink for those hearing them. I have no easy answer, or a difficult answer for that matter. This question still remains, “What’s the point?” What’s your answer?

Until next week, seek the truth for the truth will set you free.
Pastor Matt

Why such Tragedy?

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Matt) — Tue, 13 May 2008 05:24:00 +0000

In the past ten days over 150,000 people have died from natural disasters and the number is still climbing. Why does this happen? Where is God? A little girl is having surgery tomorrow to remove 1/2 her brain to prevent seizures. A woman was diagnosed with a rare disease and only has a few months to live. Why does this happen? Where is God? Kids will endure their parents divorce today and someone will begin to put their life back together after being raped. Somewhere, someone is trying to figure out how to murder someone else for really no good reason. Why does this happen? Where is God?

When we, yes "we", disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden and ate the fruit of the Tree of Life, it broke God's heart. We He banished us from the Garden, the world and the humans who inhabit it became broken because of their disobedience. This too broke God's heart. Later, God came to save us in the form of Jesus Christ. While he was among us he said we would experience trouble of all types imaginable. He also said He would be with us and God would be waiting on us when death came. God defeats the death and takes us into eternity with Him, if we believe in His son, Jesus Christ.

You have to understand God doesn't cause everything to happen. This problematic and broken world was set into motion by our sin and "life" began to happen. Earthquakes, Typhoons, car accidents, sickness, crime, etc... All of this also breaks God's heart because he did not intend for it to be this way. Remember, He created everything perfect and asked us not to mess it up. But, we did. Where is God? Right there to help us pick up the pieces; to defeat death and usher us into eternity. Praise God he did not abandon us!

Truth or Dare?

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Matt) — Tue, 06 May 2008 18:40:00 +0000

In the past month this pastor has experienced some great moments of faith sharing. A few weeks ago there were about 20 children and adults who joined the church and/or were baptized. Family, friends and the congregation were all involved. Last week the vision for one particular campus of our church was shared. The worship and wonderful message of inspiration and hope were tremendous, if I do say so myself.

What was so great about these two events? What makes them stand out above all the rest? It is simply the fact that the “preachers” were not center stage and the people of the church led the way. I wish it were that way more often. You thought I was bragging on myself a few sentences back, didn’t you? Not that I am becoming lazy or losing interest in my calling as a pastor, but in fact, the church is it’s people…not the preacher.

Over the past 100 years, “biblical” scholars and authors have been on the rise. We now rely more on systems to lead the church and the Christian faith instead of the Holy Spirit. Rick Warren, Beth Moore, and Rob Bell are doing an awesome job of creating a new perspective on biblical truths. However, they are no substitute for an individual’s true study of God’s original biblical narrative in the Holy Bible. From this pastor’s perspective, my teachings, along with all of those others, are only good to help a person sort out and shore up their own beliefs. For that to happen there has to be an initial belief system in place. I would argue it should be a true biblical belief system. As Christians we are supposed to be disciples of Jesus Christ, not disciples of Rick or Beth. The problem is there are others out there teaching the opposite of biblical truths; but since they are wrapped in a slick package they are easy to swallow.

When people blindly look for answers, and lead from ignorance, they are susceptible to stumbling onto the truth or maybe even daring to live a lie. When people search and lead from passion and truth, God shines through them and everyone is blessed. Yes, even the paid preacher.

Until next week,
Pastor Matt

Save the Radio

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Matt) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 05:36:00 +0000

I listen to a wide variety of music, both Christian and non-Christian. I am a child of the 80’s and MTV: long live U2. Growing up, if I could tune in a Christian station I was quite sure I was listening in the good company of little blue-haired ladies and men using a walker and wearing house-shoes. If I was lucky the music was upbeat gospel. Most usually it was such classics as “The Old Rugged Cross” or “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” played by an organist. Not that I don’t like these hymns, but they aren’t something that I would listen to at the gym.

So now here we are some 20 years later and Christian music is big business when it comes to record labels and a great broadcasting rival to pop-culture. I really like not worrying about the “F-Bomb” being heard by my 4 year-old or have some dehumanizing lyrics put into her head, or mine for that matter.

But, the Federal Communications Commission is considering proposals that would most likely put some Christian radio stations, as well as secular stations like NPR, out of business because of budget constraints. They just simply could not afford to do everything the FCC is considering. As much as I would enjoy Marilyn Manson music being censored from radio, or from the face of the earth for that matter, then I know someone could likewise censor me, or Chris Tomlin or songs written by Charles Wesley.

It is my responsibility to make sure my daughter knows what is healthy and unhealthy for her to listen to, not the FCC. It is not the job of the FCC to force a broadcaster to air opposing views or disallow faith-based programming on other stations. Can you imagine K-Love or Air1 having to broadcast an advertisement for Howard Stern? Can you imagine Howard Stern wanting to broadcast a faith talk by Louis Giglio? How ludicrous!

Take five minutes like I did and check out http://www.savechristianradio.com/ and submit your concerns to the FCC or your representative in Congress. If you don’t, the voice of radio could change forever, or maybe disappear.

Pastor Matt

Living with the Evil

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Matt) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 03:43:00 +0000

For a while now I have been pondering our relationships with evil in our lives. I started this about a year ago when I suddenly realized that within the Garden of Eden, based on scriptures in Genesis, that the "serpent" lived among Adam and Eve before the whole apple debacle. Think about it: A "garden" with vegetation, landscape, water to drink and food to eat. There are animals of all types and work to be done to tend the garden. It is a place of God's creation where one can walk and talk with God. And all along, in this same place, there is pure evil lurking about. God warns to stay away from the evil because it is tempting and it will hurt you. Adam and Eve had it made! They lived in perfect harmony with each other, nature and foremost, God. God even identified the only temptation they would seemingly ever experience. Who wouldn't want to have this life?

Now, fast forward to our lives. We live in a world with with vegetation, landscape, water to drink and food to eat. There are animals of all types and work to be done. It is a place of God's creation where one can walk and talk with God thanks to His Holy Spirit. All along, in this same place, there is pure evil lurking about. God warns to stay away from the evil because it is tempting and it will hurt you.

The difference is the evil has spread and there are more temptations. There is death because of sin. I keep asking myself why is it so hard to now live in the garden? Is it because of external forces causing us pain and suffering? Is it because we can't fight the temptation? Is it because of the sin of Adam and Eve we can't live a harmonious life with God until we die and join him in "final victory?"

The devil has always been in the scene since God created man. We know God is all powerful and Satan can't hold a candle to God. So what is it in our flesh that causes us to continue to bite the apple when in fact we now know the consequences?

Until next week, pray for wisdom and dicernment on your journey.
Pastor Matt

God uses all kinds of people

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Matt) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:23:00 +0000

Today, I started a new adventure...a faith based talk radio show. It is a hosted by a local radio station, KRFE AM 850, which has been around a long time. Buddy Holly actually cut his first record at this station. http://www.krfeam580.com/

The concept is a secular based talk radio station, filled with national, state and local politics in the morning and now faith is interjected into the big middle of it. The radio show host is a local man as well. He is my age, educated, a good christian, and a war veteran. We are aligned in many thoughts and ideologies. I knew we would hit it off when I noticed he had a permit to carry a handgun and displayed it proudly. He believes in God and he believes in his country.

Everyone is called to ministry and I am just a regular guy who happened to be called to pastoral ministry. Thank goodness not everyone is called to be a preacher. In fact, some preachers shouldn't be preachers. You know it's true because a name or a face just popped into your head. Those few give us all a bad name. But this regular guy has been afforded some tremendous opportunities. I grew up just a good 'ol boy in West Texas. I have a beautiful family. I have been able to travel to other parts of the world. I had an outstanding police career for ten years. I went to college for a political science and business degree. I have a great congregation to lead and a new church facility to build. The support I receive is second to none. Now I have been afforded the chance to effect even more lives via radio by offering a positive and faith based perspective on the news. God uses us all if we will just let him; Even a conservative, pistol-packing, preacher like me. Thank God, truly, for diversity.

Who is teaching who? - Addendum

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Matt) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:21:00 +0000

I last published without this intended thought:

I will admit, while the news is filled with the lack of parenting in our world, most the people around me have exhibited excellent parenting skills. Our church has committed to stop reading the latest NY Times best-seller and read THE best-seller: The Holy Bible. We have committed to learning and teaching Scriptures to our children. We have committed ourselves to building the proper foundation in our children, and in some cases our grand-children, while at the same time reinforcing our own foundations.

While we always need more volunteers in our church, I offer thanks and praise for those who currently volunteer. Parents ARE teaching their children. Parents ARE traveling on mission and choir trips. Parents ARE involved at St. Luke's. My prayer is that we realize where we fall short and ask for God to help us move forward and fill the gap.

Pastor Matt

Who is teaching who?

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Matt) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:21:00 +0000

Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

I realize that as a child I was not given a complete foundation. The book of Hebrews tells us we all need teachers to offer us at least the elementary truth of a Godly life. I had good teachers, but not until I was well into my teens and children need a solid foundation by age 6.

Now, it is already my turn to give my child a spiritual foundation. (I would swear I just graduated High School last year.) So, here is the dilemma: If my foundation is not as solid as I would like, how do quickly reinforce it in order to build my child's foundation?

Now that my generation is tasked with teaching the next, I am afraid we are raising spiritual dwarfs. We are afraid to commit our children to anything requiring work and study outside of school and all the other activities we have allowed them to participate in. Then there is the excuses blaming the church for the children's lack of involvement when in fact it is my job as a parent to get my child involved. Parents are too worried about making the child do what is the right course of action. Of course the parent's wouldn't be cool if they made their children go to church, Sunday school, read the Bible, memorize a little scripture or dare I say sign them up to go on a mission trip to help feed a starving world. We gasp at the notion the parent might actually model any of this.

How do I reinforce my foundation, I do what I ask my child to do: Read, study and learn. If we, as parents, do not take charge of our families and our children, then we should expect nothing short of the decline of the Christian faith and the complete moral bankruptcy of future generations. Personally, I don’t want it to be my fault my great-grand-children don’t know Jesus because I did not teach my own child.

Until next week, pray for holy guidance and direction.
Pastor Matt

You want to sit where?

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Matt) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 02:10:00 +0000

'"What is it you want?" he asked. "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom." ' Matthew 20:21

We make our lives difficult by taking our desires and making them unrealistic expectations or entitlements. When we force the same upon others it is worse. So many people are balancing on un-chosen pedestals these days you can scarcely find anyone grounded in reality. When their balance on this false pillar of hope is lost and they come crashing down, we all point fingers of blame and shame as they lay in ruins; which by the way was actually caused by those pointing the finger.

What right do we have to ask God to show us preference where we sit or to tell someone where they should sit? We do this to our spouses, children, friends and co-workers. We love it when someone crashes in flames and none of us are quick to right a wrong. I admit, I have been guilty myself more than I care to admit. What worries me more than anything is this: If we, the body of Christ, are going to hurt each other then why would we expect anyone to come be a part of us?

I give thanks to God for his hand in my life.
Pastor Matt

Who sinned, this man or his parents?

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Matt) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 02:57:00 +0000

I want to apologize to those who regularly track this blog for my unintentional absence. I did take off for Spring Break but I was unaware my previous entry was not posted due to technical issues of my own doing. I apologize and please read on…

In recent weeks we have been inundated with inappropriate comments made by the Rev. Wright, which in turn cultivated more inappropriate comments by others. Rev. Wright is intelligent, well educated and passionate. He confesses Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and praise God he has brought many to Jesus Christ. I bet he is a loving husband, dad and friend. I stanbd with him and others to declare war on injustice and prejudice of any type, but let’s make sure we know who the enemy is before we begin shooting.

The problems we have as a society can not be spread across the nation as a whole as Rev. Wright would like to do. I know there are an untold number of people who are not prejudice. Unfortunately those who are cause harm to us all. Similarly, Rev Wright has caused the church some harm because many people will associate every preacher with Rev. Wright’s hostile words. Hardly fair, but I will save that for another day. Rev. Wright ignores the fact that prejudices reside in all people, not just “white” people. Where I get offended by Rev. Wright is the fact that he is accusing me of being a part of the sins of others and even of our forefathers. I have no involvement or control over anyone other than myself, yet he is charging me along with those who most certainly are guilty. Rev. Wright accuses me of being prejudice simply because I am “white.” Is he not engaging in the same sinful prejudice that he is condemning? Jesus himself, being fully God and fully human, counted himself the same as everyone around him. He touched the lepers, healed the ‘unclean’ woman, ate with sinners, and the list goes on and on. He showed no prejudice yet he was certainly accused of it in many ways. Why did they do it then and why do we do it now?

What worries me more than the comments made by Rev. Wright is the picture and sounds of the hundreds, maybe thousands, of cheering people around him. Is there really that much hatred and bitterness in the African-American community towards me simply because I am “white?” Or, is all of that cheering and vocal agreement stirred up by the passion and oratory skills of Rev. Wright? Regardless, it takes me back to the biblical scene of the Roman Governor Pilate asking the crowd if he should release Jesus or Barabbas. Most of that crowd had no clue what was going on but got caught up in the frenzy of the moment and released a horrible criminal. Then the crowd began yelling for Jesus to be crucified. Here we are in 2008, still yelling for a crucifixion and yet we really don’t care who it is. We just want someone to pay.

I know how to fix all of our prejudices and ease the mind of Rev. Wright. It will start the moment we begin treating one another as human beings and not objects. It will start the moment we acknowledge we are all God’s children and see one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. It starts with me and I have made my choice to follow in the footsteps of Christ. How about you?

Until next week, pray for God to reveal himself in everyone around you.
Pastor Matt

Methodology or Message?

noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Matt) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:45:00 +0000

Recently I read an article in the March 5, 2008 Edition of the United Methodist Reporter written by Donald W. Haynes titled, “WESLEYAN WISDOM: Ostrich posture or eagle vision on itineracy?” http://www.umportal.org/article.asp?id=3210 Immediately, I was cheering in support of his thoughts. Mr. Hayes writes, “If United Methodism is defined by its methodology rather than its message, God help us.”

When you consider the downward trend of membership and attendance in the United Methodist Denomination, Hayes is correct. I think people are tired of the growing church government and bureaucracy which are crippling the local church. Conversely, when you look at growing interdenominational churches most of them have no structure outside their local church or outside a small group of local churches. Even thriving denominational churches have considerably streamlined their governmental bodies.

Why is it we have come to worry more about the methods of our structured government rather than the message of our God? It seems to me that when any organization begins to cower at the demands of special interest and dysfunctional systems within itself, the organization becomes overgrown and starts devouring itself. The bureaucracy of the United Methodist Church has done just that. If we would focus on “the message” and care for the people in our neighborhoods then we would grow the church, no matter what name it has. The reality is, hurting people who are searching for Jesus really do not care about church government, pensions, appointment, episcopacy, general conference, the book of discipline and apportionment’s. All they really want to know is how to deal with life and the church has the answer: A relationship with Jesus Christ.

Another contributing factor to the United Methodist denominational decline is evangelism is almost non-existent in many local churches. Sure we tell everyone to talk to their neighbors, friends and family about Christ, but most think a cute saying on our marquee in front of the church is an adequate substitute. How do I know evangelism reaches people? Guess which denomination grew larger than any other in the past 10 years? The Jehovah’s Witness. Can you hear me now?

Do I want to be United Methodist? You bet I do. Do I agree with everything we do within the bureaucracy of United Methodism? No. So, how do I reconcile this conflict within myself? First, I seek God with all of my heart. Second, I give my local church the best I have to offer in Christ. Finally, I get involved and let my concerns and thoughts be known as I prayerfully ask God for his guidance. After all, this is HIS church.

This week, seek first the kingdom of God!
Pastor Matt