Monday, October 25, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Insights from Ministry
Have you ever seen a boxing match where one guy is in a corner, putting all of his effort into holding his gloves up? Where someone is certainly going to win the match in a matter of punches, and the defense-less boxer is overmatched in the corner?
I do. I was in Senegal and talking with a young man, lets call him Mamour. I was sharing the gospel with him, for probably the 5th or 6th time (certainly not punching him!) WE were talking and if it were a debate, I would've been getting points left and right. I asked him a question and logically, I had used his own assertions about Jesus against him. He had to either admit he was wrong in what he said, or he'd have to agree with me.
I asked him the question, and Mamour looked into the sky, and was silent. "What is he doing" I thought..."He's in a corner now, he has to agree with me that I am right." He simply said "That can not be right." He essentially suppressed the truth, and refused to answer the question.
This was a big insight into my time in Senegal. I saw that people in Senegal, in a largely Muslim country are what the Bible would call "spiritually blind" (2 Cor 4:4). Communicating the gospel was difficult in this culture, and I realized that it is because until God reveals it to them, they will be blind.
However, this got me thinking. What makes Mamour blind? And then the more stunning thought came to my mind, "What makes Matt able to see?" Why could I see the light of the gospel, but Mamour could not? Oh the humility hits hard now. God has been gracious and merciful to me to allow me to see. That is the most important thing.
Yet most of my time in my first few months on staff with CCC, I find myself seeking to box people into a corner, I mean, my job is help students encounter the living God. I am a minster of the gospel, and so I want to be good in the ministry, and serve God with all of my heart (because he has showed me great mercy and grace!). Is ministry success truly what God wants me to strive after and boast in?
I'm not sure it is. Luke 10:20. After the disciples perform miracles in Christ's name, they are jazzed about everything. They're thinking that, NOW they can really please Jesus. But Jesus warns them not to boast in their ministry,
"Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Jesus wants us to rest in his grace rather than his calling to do his work. His work is important, but if that is where I find my identity, my security in life, then I will forget about his grace, his gospel, which is "the power of God unto salvation." (Rom 1:16). His grace IS the power for ministry, and that is what he wants us to rest in.
I do. I was in Senegal and talking with a young man, lets call him Mamour. I was sharing the gospel with him, for probably the 5th or 6th time (certainly not punching him!) WE were talking and if it were a debate, I would've been getting points left and right. I asked him a question and logically, I had used his own assertions about Jesus against him. He had to either admit he was wrong in what he said, or he'd have to agree with me.
I asked him the question, and Mamour looked into the sky, and was silent. "What is he doing" I thought..."He's in a corner now, he has to agree with me that I am right." He simply said "That can not be right." He essentially suppressed the truth, and refused to answer the question.
This was a big insight into my time in Senegal. I saw that people in Senegal, in a largely Muslim country are what the Bible would call "spiritually blind" (2 Cor 4:4). Communicating the gospel was difficult in this culture, and I realized that it is because until God reveals it to them, they will be blind.
However, this got me thinking. What makes Mamour blind? And then the more stunning thought came to my mind, "What makes Matt able to see?" Why could I see the light of the gospel, but Mamour could not? Oh the humility hits hard now. God has been gracious and merciful to me to allow me to see. That is the most important thing.
Yet most of my time in my first few months on staff with CCC, I find myself seeking to box people into a corner, I mean, my job is help students encounter the living God. I am a minster of the gospel, and so I want to be good in the ministry, and serve God with all of my heart (because he has showed me great mercy and grace!). Is ministry success truly what God wants me to strive after and boast in?
I'm not sure it is. Luke 10:20. After the disciples perform miracles in Christ's name, they are jazzed about everything. They're thinking that, NOW they can really please Jesus. But Jesus warns them not to boast in their ministry,
"Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Jesus wants us to rest in his grace rather than his calling to do his work. His work is important, but if that is where I find my identity, my security in life, then I will forget about his grace, his gospel, which is "the power of God unto salvation." (Rom 1:16). His grace IS the power for ministry, and that is what he wants us to rest in.
Monday, September 6, 2010
NFL Predicitons
AFC East: New York Jets
AFC North: Cincinatti Bengals
AFC South: Indianapolis Colts
AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs
Wild Cards: Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans
NFC East: Dallas Cowboys
NFC North: Green Bay Packers
NFC South: New Orleans Saints
NFC West: San Fransisco 49ers
Wild Cards: Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants
I'll take the Colts over the Cowboys.
AFC North: Cincinatti Bengals
AFC South: Indianapolis Colts
AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs
Wild Cards: Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans
NFC East: Dallas Cowboys
NFC North: Green Bay Packers
NFC South: New Orleans Saints
NFC West: San Fransisco 49ers
Wild Cards: Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants
I'll take the Colts over the Cowboys.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Senegal (Part Un)
On Sunday I arrived with 26 other students and staff to Senegal for a summer project. If you're reading this, you might me a prayer partner, friend, stranger, creeper on facebook or something else. But I'm very happy to tell you about what I've learned thus far in Senegal.
!) Africa isn't just "the bush".
- When my Mom gave me a safari hat from REI, I don't think she realized that I was going to a university campus rather than a village. (sorry mom I don't wear it- yet). The campus our team goes to is much like an American university like UNC or NC State. There are over 60,000 students, all worried about classes, money, family and the future.
2) Senegalese students are very religious, but very open
- 95 percent of people in Senegal are Muslim, and 88 percent have never heard a clear gospel message. Yet, they are very open to listening to what we have to say. They are inviting to us, give us the best chair in their circle, just very hospitable and generous people. Though as a Christ follower, I have different beliefs than them in many ways, it does not keep us from friendship.
3) Conversations are spiritual and easy
- As Americans in a foreign country, we have an advantage that Christian Senegalese people don't have. Curiosity. The students want to know exactly why we are in Senegal. They are a very direct people. So we tell them, "We are here to talk to people about what the Bible says about Jesus." Bam. Conversation started. Pull up a chair, strap on your thinking cap and launch. In 3 days of ministry in Senegal, I've probably had more spiritual conversations than I have in my everyday life. The religious zeal of Islam provides an open door for us to open the door to what the Bible says about Jesus.
Right now I'm pretty wiped, and I will follow up with specific stories and pictures as they come in. Believe me, the stories are piling up. Please pray that I remember the names of people I meet, and that there would be more opportunities to make Jesus known here, and that he'd be more valuable and precious to me as I learn about him here!
!) Africa isn't just "the bush".
- When my Mom gave me a safari hat from REI, I don't think she realized that I was going to a university campus rather than a village. (sorry mom I don't wear it- yet). The campus our team goes to is much like an American university like UNC or NC State. There are over 60,000 students, all worried about classes, money, family and the future.
2) Senegalese students are very religious, but very open
- 95 percent of people in Senegal are Muslim, and 88 percent have never heard a clear gospel message. Yet, they are very open to listening to what we have to say. They are inviting to us, give us the best chair in their circle, just very hospitable and generous people. Though as a Christ follower, I have different beliefs than them in many ways, it does not keep us from friendship.
3) Conversations are spiritual and easy
- As Americans in a foreign country, we have an advantage that Christian Senegalese people don't have. Curiosity. The students want to know exactly why we are in Senegal. They are a very direct people. So we tell them, "We are here to talk to people about what the Bible says about Jesus." Bam. Conversation started. Pull up a chair, strap on your thinking cap and launch. In 3 days of ministry in Senegal, I've probably had more spiritual conversations than I have in my everyday life. The religious zeal of Islam provides an open door for us to open the door to what the Bible says about Jesus.
Right now I'm pretty wiped, and I will follow up with specific stories and pictures as they come in. Believe me, the stories are piling up. Please pray that I remember the names of people I meet, and that there would be more opportunities to make Jesus known here, and that he'd be more valuable and precious to me as I learn about him here!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Getting God v. Getting God's benefits
As I listened to a sermon recently, the pastor said something that made me think twice about it. He said, "My biggest fear is that I'm going to direct you to get swept up in something other than Jesus." He went on to talk about how as Christians, we love God for what he's done for us (certainly true), but sometimes we just love the benefits of God.
When I think about God, the times I can worship Him the best, is when I'm reflecting on what he's done for me (the finished work of the Cross, Eternal life, hope, love...)However, what if I didn't have Jesus but just his work?
This sounds confusing to me. However, I think this is what it means. Through the substitution of Christ's death in my place, and his righteousness (or his right standing for God), also in my place, I can have eternal life. Through deeper belief in this gospel, I can experience God in more full ways.
I guess the thought I have is, does my identity totally reflect this righteousness? What if everything was stripped away that I had, my job, money, friends, loving family, loving church, what if all I had was literally faith in Jesus (having Him)?
Typically, I enjoy God when I need Him, not because I want Him. When things are going well for me (when my personal ministry sees great results, or life is just flourishing in general), I'm not functionally trusting Christ as my righteousness (though it is still my profession).
The verse that's key is Philippians 3:10, where Paul shows that he wants Christ and nothing else. He considers the glory of earth as dung (v.8).
I want to get to this place, but I know it takes a continual dying to self, and believing the gospel deeper.
When I think about God, the times I can worship Him the best, is when I'm reflecting on what he's done for me (the finished work of the Cross, Eternal life, hope, love...)However, what if I didn't have Jesus but just his work?
This sounds confusing to me. However, I think this is what it means. Through the substitution of Christ's death in my place, and his righteousness (or his right standing for God), also in my place, I can have eternal life. Through deeper belief in this gospel, I can experience God in more full ways.
I guess the thought I have is, does my identity totally reflect this righteousness? What if everything was stripped away that I had, my job, money, friends, loving family, loving church, what if all I had was literally faith in Jesus (having Him)?
Typically, I enjoy God when I need Him, not because I want Him. When things are going well for me (when my personal ministry sees great results, or life is just flourishing in general), I'm not functionally trusting Christ as my righteousness (though it is still my profession).
The verse that's key is Philippians 3:10, where Paul shows that he wants Christ and nothing else. He considers the glory of earth as dung (v.8).
I want to get to this place, but I know it takes a continual dying to self, and believing the gospel deeper.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Playoffs?
Cleveland over Chicago in 5
Boston over Miami in 7
Orlando over Charlotte in 7
Atlanta over Milwaukee in 6
LA over OKC in 5
Utah over Denver in 7
Dallas over San Antonio in 7
Phoenix over Portland in 4
I still gotta go with Lakers/Cavs. I think its all about LeBron. I wouldn't be surprised if Dallas or Utah wins the west.
Boston over Miami in 7
Orlando over Charlotte in 7
Atlanta over Milwaukee in 6
LA over OKC in 5
Utah over Denver in 7
Dallas over San Antonio in 7
Phoenix over Portland in 4
I still gotta go with Lakers/Cavs. I think its all about LeBron. I wouldn't be surprised if Dallas or Utah wins the west.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
NBA Trades
Just a few quick comments on the trades...
I can't wait for this playoff season and off-season. It will be the most dramatic one. I know I predicted the Lakers to win again this pre-season, but with Kobe's injuries mounting and the Cavs picking up Antawn Jamison, I think it might be the Cavs year. But if the Lakers can get Kobe healthy for the playoffs, I'll still take the Lakers.
Everything depends on if the Cavs win the finals. If they win, they'll keep LeBron. If not, they won't, and he'll go to New York, who sold the farm to clear space for LeBron.
The best case scenario is really not depending on LeBron. What I would love to see, is D. WAde and Bosh make a 1-2 punch that can challenge LeBron for years to come. Whether its in Chicago or Miami makes no difference, the Cavs need a challenger, and as the Celtics get older, the Magic are losing composure, and the Hawks won't be able to keep their team together for much longer.
If Cavs win finals If Cavs lose finals
Lebron: Cavs Knicks
D.Wade: Miami Miami
C. Bosh: Chicago Knicks
J.Johnson: Chicago Chicago
Amare S: Miami Miami
I'm not a huge fan of the Bobcats trade for Ty Thomas. I like Flip Murray because he's our only bench scorer. I hate Diaw as much as anyone, but Thomas is a headcase, and not too much of a scorer. But then again, I've never liked any of the trades the Bobcats have made, but they've paid off so far.
I can't wait for this playoff season and off-season. It will be the most dramatic one. I know I predicted the Lakers to win again this pre-season, but with Kobe's injuries mounting and the Cavs picking up Antawn Jamison, I think it might be the Cavs year. But if the Lakers can get Kobe healthy for the playoffs, I'll still take the Lakers.
Everything depends on if the Cavs win the finals. If they win, they'll keep LeBron. If not, they won't, and he'll go to New York, who sold the farm to clear space for LeBron.
The best case scenario is really not depending on LeBron. What I would love to see, is D. WAde and Bosh make a 1-2 punch that can challenge LeBron for years to come. Whether its in Chicago or Miami makes no difference, the Cavs need a challenger, and as the Celtics get older, the Magic are losing composure, and the Hawks won't be able to keep their team together for much longer.
If Cavs win finals If Cavs lose finals
Lebron: Cavs Knicks
D.Wade: Miami Miami
C. Bosh: Chicago Knicks
J.Johnson: Chicago Chicago
Amare S: Miami Miami
I'm not a huge fan of the Bobcats trade for Ty Thomas. I like Flip Murray because he's our only bench scorer. I hate Diaw as much as anyone, but Thomas is a headcase, and not too much of a scorer. But then again, I've never liked any of the trades the Bobcats have made, but they've paid off so far.
I make a lot of stupid decisions. I stay up way too late; I don’t read the directions before cooking in the kitchen, and I continue to believe the Tar Heels will make an amazing comeback and redeem the season. My heart also covets, lusts, murders with my thoughts, worships things created like sports, television, and friendships more than the Creator over all of them.
Sure I make some good decisions sometimes, but the more I see how sinful and twisted my heart, the more I see that the good decisions are rarely from me. Jeremiah 17:9 says that “the hear is deceitful above all things and desperately sick.” The center or human emotion, intellect and decision making is sick. We call this “flesh.” The New Testament echoes this as well in the book of Romans, “All have turned aside, together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one” (Rom. 3:12).
Typically, this is the part I understand the most. I grew up in a God-fearing and mommy and daddy fearing family where obedience kept you from spankings and punishment. The second part of understanding that our flesh is sick, is that God has given the believer in Christ a new spirit (2 Cor. 5:17), and a new heart (Ez. 36:26). The Bible says that we have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5-11), and that we are capable through the Holy Spirit, of making godly and healthy choices.
The flesh and Spirit are directly opposed to one another (Galatians 5:16-17), and both reside in the believer. So what is the key to obedience to the Holy Spirit and freedom from making decisions from the sick heart? It’s surrender to the Holy Spirit. Jesus puts it this way, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).
One of my applications to this lesson is to have this be one of the first things I pray to repeat to myself before my day starts. If I don’t continually remind myself that I’ve been crucified with Christ, then my flesh will reign in my life, and I will not live a life with the realization that I am dead to sin and alive to Christ, that he has bought me with a price. My old heart still remains in me, but because of Christ, it does not rule in my life any longer. I am aware and conscious of sin, and therefore I need to run to my Savior to simply remember his work on the cross in my place.
(Prayer)
Jesus, thank you for redeeming me. Thank you for giving me a new heart and a new mind. Thank you for giving me the capacity to obey you today. Keep me far from evil, and obeying what will give “Matt” glory, but rather give glory to You, my redeemer and Savior.
References (Romans 5-8)
Sure I make some good decisions sometimes, but the more I see how sinful and twisted my heart, the more I see that the good decisions are rarely from me. Jeremiah 17:9 says that “the hear is deceitful above all things and desperately sick.” The center or human emotion, intellect and decision making is sick. We call this “flesh.” The New Testament echoes this as well in the book of Romans, “All have turned aside, together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one” (Rom. 3:12).
Typically, this is the part I understand the most. I grew up in a God-fearing and mommy and daddy fearing family where obedience kept you from spankings and punishment. The second part of understanding that our flesh is sick, is that God has given the believer in Christ a new spirit (2 Cor. 5:17), and a new heart (Ez. 36:26). The Bible says that we have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5-11), and that we are capable through the Holy Spirit, of making godly and healthy choices.
The flesh and Spirit are directly opposed to one another (Galatians 5:16-17), and both reside in the believer. So what is the key to obedience to the Holy Spirit and freedom from making decisions from the sick heart? It’s surrender to the Holy Spirit. Jesus puts it this way, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).
One of my applications to this lesson is to have this be one of the first things I pray to repeat to myself before my day starts. If I don’t continually remind myself that I’ve been crucified with Christ, then my flesh will reign in my life, and I will not live a life with the realization that I am dead to sin and alive to Christ, that he has bought me with a price. My old heart still remains in me, but because of Christ, it does not rule in my life any longer. I am aware and conscious of sin, and therefore I need to run to my Savior to simply remember his work on the cross in my place.
(Prayer)
Jesus, thank you for redeeming me. Thank you for giving me a new heart and a new mind. Thank you for giving me the capacity to obey you today. Keep me far from evil, and obeying what will give “Matt” glory, but rather give glory to You, my redeemer and Savior.
References (Romans 5-8)
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Wild Card Weekend
Boy this blog has really gone downhill hasn't it? Just boring predictions of NFL games that everybody else picks? Well, I need to keep record of this predictions. For the record, I will stick with my Super Bowl prediction of the Chargers/Saints.
Cinci/J-E-T-S: It's hard to like the Bengals in this game after watching them get humiliated last week in New York. Pros for the Jets; they've won 3 straight, had good luck in facing the 2nd teamers of the Colts and Bengals, and they have a shut down corner in Darelle Revis who can take out any receiver in the game. Cons; Mark Sanchez is the quarterback. I see a lot of last year's Atlanta/Arizona game in this game. Hot team w/rookie QB comes on the road (Matt Ryan, ATL) against struggling overachieving team (Arizona). Remember what happened? Arizona started their run in the playoffs. I like the Bengals by a field goal.
20-17 Bengals.
Dallas/Philly: I've been high on the Dallas bandwagon since the middle of the year. This year they win a playoff game, maybe two depending on who they play. If DeMarcus Ware doesn't play, this pick is voided and Philly wins.
Dallas 27-23.
Baltimore/New England; I have no clue on this one. I loved the Ravens last year in the playoffs, picked them to beat the Titans last year. But I like New England this year. Brady hasn't lost a home game since 2006. That's good enough for me, even if Wes Welker is out.
Pats 20-12.
Packers/Cardinals; I don't believe the Cardinals have the magic this year. I do think the Packers do. Rodgers will get all the headlines, but whe the Packers D has been able to pressure QB's, they win. Warner gets hit a lot in this one, and there is at least one defensive TD for the Packers.
Cheeseheads, 30-23
Cinci/J-E-T-S: It's hard to like the Bengals in this game after watching them get humiliated last week in New York. Pros for the Jets; they've won 3 straight, had good luck in facing the 2nd teamers of the Colts and Bengals, and they have a shut down corner in Darelle Revis who can take out any receiver in the game. Cons; Mark Sanchez is the quarterback. I see a lot of last year's Atlanta/Arizona game in this game. Hot team w/rookie QB comes on the road (Matt Ryan, ATL) against struggling overachieving team (Arizona). Remember what happened? Arizona started their run in the playoffs. I like the Bengals by a field goal.
20-17 Bengals.
Dallas/Philly: I've been high on the Dallas bandwagon since the middle of the year. This year they win a playoff game, maybe two depending on who they play. If DeMarcus Ware doesn't play, this pick is voided and Philly wins.
Dallas 27-23.
Baltimore/New England; I have no clue on this one. I loved the Ravens last year in the playoffs, picked them to beat the Titans last year. But I like New England this year. Brady hasn't lost a home game since 2006. That's good enough for me, even if Wes Welker is out.
Pats 20-12.
Packers/Cardinals; I don't believe the Cardinals have the magic this year. I do think the Packers do. Rodgers will get all the headlines, but whe the Packers D has been able to pressure QB's, they win. Warner gets hit a lot in this one, and there is at least one defensive TD for the Packers.
Cheeseheads, 30-23
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
