matt's thoughts

School has officially started

paint gun art and the church

this got me thinking about the church.  so often we function like the first picture.  each of us taking turns, or else just relying on one artist...the result is little effectiveness.  God called us to be be like a body, each with a specific job that he uniquely called us to, and when we work in concert in the power and direction of the holy spirit, the results will take your breath away. 

just goofin' around on our day off...

My dates tonight...

google forms

i'm in love with all things google...no seriously...i am.  if google ever went away that would be very bad for me.  they have recently released google forms.  i'm really loving this option.  we have started using google forms on our website...they have been incredible for providing an easy way to collect info on potential volunteers and for getting folks signed up for small groups. 

if you don't have a the dough for a web-designer and want a quick way to gather info...definitely check these out.  you can see our forms [here]

Saturday...

more thoughts from theological giants...

From Mark Driscoll's blog...a conversation with Wayne Grudem:

In my time with Dr. Grudem I asked him a few questions that I thought would be worth sharing. (I informed him that I would blog his answers to ensure that he was respected.) I asked him which doctrines he would encourage young Christian leaders to devote themselves to studying as they prepare for what potentially lies ahead theologically. He said that for such a weighty question he would prefer to thoughtfully craft an answer, but did give two recommendations in the moment:

1. Scripture — He said that every issue ultimately hinges on one’s view of the inerrancy, authority, and truthfulness of Scripture in every way. He encourages all young Christian leaders to make sure that deep within them is a love for and trust in every word of Scripture as God’s perfect revelation to us.

2. Authority — He said that he sees authority as a pervasive problem in our culture. As we talked, it became clear that what he meant is that people profess to be Christians yet refuse to submit to God’s authority, including Scripture, and people God has ordained to be in loving authority, such as godly parents and pastors.

I have really appreciated these conversations that Driscoll has been having with some leading evangelical theologians.  As a young leader teaching and leading 20 and 30 somethings I am hungry to hear what these men who have gone before me have to say.  I'm struck by Grudem's thoughts.  I have encountered so many people in my short tenure in ministry that follow Jesus, but simply don't read the Bible.  There are lots of reasons...I have struggled with this in my faith journey, but it seems that there could be no more important thing in following Jesus, than letting Him speak for Himself through His word. 

This issue of authority is challenging too.  I really see this in younger generations, and I think we have a unique challenge of teaching on biblical authority while not clobbering people in such a way that they don't hear a word we are saying. 

just downloaded this today!

love me some phil wickham!  i'm so psyched for this.  you can get it free here.

EDIT:  I'm listening to it right now...amazing.  Just Phil and guitar...and LOTS of congregational voices.  beautiful.

Fist pumpin' to the music even in her sleep! :)

my view from practice tonight

i'm so excited with the progress the band is making.  it has been hard not to lead, but my team has stepped up in a huge way lately and honestly don't need me...so great...so sad.