Matthew’s thoughts on stuff

So I’m driving home from work and lo and behold who do I pass on my way home but the senior pastor at Rock Church! I could actually smell the new bike smell from my truck.

photo posted from my iPhone

When I woke up yesterday I turned on GMA as usual while I got ready for work. On the way to work I tuned in to NPR and by the time I arrived at the office I was well informed on all things depressing. I’ve never been one to quote Marilyn Manson but he once said,

“The media is just this campaign of fear, and consumption, and that’s what I think it’s all based on, the whole idea of ‘keep everyone afraid, and they’ll consume”

Before beginning Monday morning prayer with my favorite people, the Rock Church staff, I found myself weighed down with fear over the state of the world these days. As I began to talk to God I thought of the scripture I always think of when it comes to fear, “God hasn’t given us the spirit of fear but of power love and a sound mind.” Instead of just quoting it this time I decided to actually take the verse apart. So standing in the corner of the room with my face to the wall I pulled out my trusty prayer tool, my iPhone, and searched Websters Dictionary for the word “Sound.” It is most simply defined as “Deep and undisturbed.” That was all I needed to hear. 

God created us in His image with the ‘Sound’ mind of Christ. We were created to be beings who are deep rooted and undisturbed like a tree uneasily swayed. The info that floods our eyes and ears like a storm every day has the potential to drown us in fear. It is crucial that we as Christ-Followers remind ourselves constantly that God has never given us fear. The world gives us fear but God has already given us the counter part of a deep and undisturbed mind. The storms are coming. The world is looking for shelter. The shelter they run to will be one that is unshaken. Will we be ready?

“Thank you” seems so small Pastor Ron.

What an honor to witness this day!! Rock Church, we are well on our way to something HUGE. We’re right behind you Pastor Bryan.

Lisa Matthews had a profound comment on my last post written by Tim Stevens. Check this out:

You are right PM, I feel blessed that I have a second chance at this parenting thing. It allowed me to have an awakening. Our children are not perfect. We must always be on the alert. Once your child hits middle school you may as well not exist. As a parent we have to build a strong foundation, stuff in as many knowledge nuggets you can. God demands it. I made a few mistakes with my older two and I will or have made a few with the last three but they all know God and that is important. My eldest once told me she did not do something because she remembered a conversation we had about it and when this happened she HEARD my voice telling her how it might affect her. Always play with your children, always let them know they are more important than the phone, TV, or computer by spending quality time with them and yes…get out the toys and play in the dirt or on the floor but remember to play……because when they become tweens, if their friends are around, no matter how cool we think our children think we are, they will not want us to play anymore.

Thanks Lisa!

Hey, if you’re a parent check out this post by Tim Stevens. It’s quite staggering but sounds pretty accurate.

…which I must say is a pleasant alternative. I’m 2 weeks into married life now and loving it. I’m not trying to brag or anything but I’m pretty sure I married the best girl EVER!! If girls were fireworks, Jen would be the grand finale hands down. Yesterday I came to the break room at work, reached in the fridge, pulled out a tupperware container and for the first time in my life I got to say “My wife made me lunch!”

Leading up to marriage I found myself hearing more of “what to look out for” versus “what to look forward to.” While I know I am extremely green in this whole marriage thing, I’ve found that worrying about the inadequacies, the fears, and the what-if’s is nothing but a waste of time. After all it’s not like I can do anything about them. All I can do is enjoy life, enjoy my wife, and pray for strength when the hard times come. I should go now, I HAVE A WIFE WAITING FOR ME AT HOME!!

…to be 12 days away from the biggest day of your life.

It feels so strange to have an actual visible date on a calendar marking the day that your life will be changed forever; A countdown to the life-as-you-know-it coming to an end. I go through my everyday routine now thinking about each of the little things that will change in 12 days. “Will I ever have access to my bathroom sink again?” “What if I snore and no one’s ever told me?” “Where will I put my clothes?” “Will she be concerned that I sleep with a teddy bear named snuffles?” Just kidding about that last one… his name is actually giggles. I’ve learned that there are a few ways I can prepare for marriage and yet a world of ways I can’t. I’m seeing more and more God’s fingerprints all over this marriage thing in the sense that I can be wise and prepare as much as possible but at some point it’s time to just take a flying leap. I am overwhelmed that God went through 28 years of aligning two totally separate lives in completely different circumstances to meet in church on a Sunday morning only one seat apart. To think that He did all of that without my insight and my planning gives me hope that He has the next 28-plus years well thought out.

Any thoughts from you wise married folk? And single too?

These moments were captured by Millie Holloman, the greatest photographer known to man!

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