I had an opportunity to preach last Sunday. It was a little last minute (Kevin got sick) so, I preached on a topic I have felt strongly about for a very long time. The sermon's title was Stand.
I hope it is a blessing.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
A New Connection
I get to be a part of a connection group started recently by our Pastor, Kevin Clark. I have been a part of small groups before, but usually as a facilitator. This opportunity is great because I get to be just a guy. I like the men in our group.
Hans owns a citrus grove and packing house. Hans spends a large portion of his day navigating and submitting to the FDA and providing a workplace for those without a lot of other options in life. He is extraordinarily generous and his heart is as large as the acreage he has been blessed with.
John can be best described as a man's man. He owns his own lawn business and farms a bit too. His laugh is full and robust and if you look closely enough at his eyes you'd get more than a hint of the wild man that I think is at the core of who he is.
Al is the newest guy in our orbit of friends. Unpretentious, without the complicating fake layers that many men add to their persona. He is intrinsically honest in his dialogue and possesses a desire to help those a great deal less fortunate then he is.
James is my friend, intelligent, un-selfish, low-key and without hubris. James is the guy that has been helping me spiritually raise my younger girls and I trust him with that role. I can say few things more important than that with regards to him.
Kevin is a guy that I want to know the rest of my life. I am a fan of great communicators. I appreciate people that can take a thought and express it systematically in an oral or written form. Kevin is one of those guys. He is also kind of cheeky, but in a pious sort of way. Lately I have been poking fun at his squarish head and gigantor modeled torso and limbs, but each time I do...his retort always beats my initial insult. I am giving up on that...the day after tomorrow.
The meeting is early in the morning and I drive a half hour to get there. It is worth it, though. I am very pleased with the material Kevin has chosen - Experiencing God by Blackaby and King - the lessons are proving to be so fruitful. The great thing about the whole experience is the way the study and fellowship is providing me with new perspectives and ponderings.
I sense a new freshness in my life forming and I know now I have emerged from a recent valley. I am looking at a ridge above that will take weeks to reach, but from there I am confident I will better see a vista that excites me to the core. More to say about that as time goes by.
Peace.
Hans owns a citrus grove and packing house. Hans spends a large portion of his day navigating and submitting to the FDA and providing a workplace for those without a lot of other options in life. He is extraordinarily generous and his heart is as large as the acreage he has been blessed with.
John can be best described as a man's man. He owns his own lawn business and farms a bit too. His laugh is full and robust and if you look closely enough at his eyes you'd get more than a hint of the wild man that I think is at the core of who he is.
Al is the newest guy in our orbit of friends. Unpretentious, without the complicating fake layers that many men add to their persona. He is intrinsically honest in his dialogue and possesses a desire to help those a great deal less fortunate then he is.
James is my friend, intelligent, un-selfish, low-key and without hubris. James is the guy that has been helping me spiritually raise my younger girls and I trust him with that role. I can say few things more important than that with regards to him.
Kevin is a guy that I want to know the rest of my life. I am a fan of great communicators. I appreciate people that can take a thought and express it systematically in an oral or written form. Kevin is one of those guys. He is also kind of cheeky, but in a pious sort of way. Lately I have been poking fun at his squarish head and gigantor modeled torso and limbs, but each time I do...his retort always beats my initial insult. I am giving up on that...the day after tomorrow.
The meeting is early in the morning and I drive a half hour to get there. It is worth it, though. I am very pleased with the material Kevin has chosen - Experiencing God by Blackaby and King - the lessons are proving to be so fruitful. The great thing about the whole experience is the way the study and fellowship is providing me with new perspectives and ponderings.
I sense a new freshness in my life forming and I know now I have emerged from a recent valley. I am looking at a ridge above that will take weeks to reach, but from there I am confident I will better see a vista that excites me to the core. More to say about that as time goes by.
Peace.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Finish Strong
There once was a pastor who planted a church in Maine with his wife, Sandy. While he was accomplishing that momentous task, I was in bible college surrendering to full-time vocational service with my wife Karen. God put us together for awhile until He pulled Bill and Sandy south. Eventually God pulled Karen and me south too...by the way, everywhere is south from the tippy-top of Maine!
I had the privilege of helping this Pastor start a Christian School. As Bill has said to me before, "Boy, were we ever young!"...and we were. As events would unfold I came to realize what a great time we had up there. I did not know how much fun I was having at the time because my fingers and lips where perpetually blue ...just kidding.
As time goes by I think it is natural for us to look back and compare ministries, or homes, or cities, or groups of people we served with. Today, at forty-five years of age, I look back and think my first ministry with Bill was one of the best...hands down.
It's a blessing to me that Bill is still going strong and serving God. He is pastoring in Massachusetts and you can find the link to his blog on my page. Unfortunately, other men I have ministered with have not been able to continue. I got word this weekend that a giant in my life made a horrendous mistake and lost his ministry for immoral reasons. I am crushed for him and am praying that this man will find restoration and will make his way back in the game.
We visited my brother Mike's church in Port St. Lucie this last Sunday and as he tackled the temptation Jesus went through right before His earthly ministry began, I thought to myself, "Matt, you can't let sin mess up your life. By God's Grace...you absolutely need to keep your eye on the ball."
James and I spoke last night (he knows this man of God too) and the theme of our conversation was about finishing strong. God may move us around, He may give us good times and bad times, we may even have to say goodbye personally for awhile (like Bill and I did twenty-plus years ago), but as long as we stay in the game...it is all good.
I want to finish strong.
I had the privilege of helping this Pastor start a Christian School. As Bill has said to me before, "Boy, were we ever young!"...and we were. As events would unfold I came to realize what a great time we had up there. I did not know how much fun I was having at the time because my fingers and lips where perpetually blue ...just kidding.
As time goes by I think it is natural for us to look back and compare ministries, or homes, or cities, or groups of people we served with. Today, at forty-five years of age, I look back and think my first ministry with Bill was one of the best...hands down.
It's a blessing to me that Bill is still going strong and serving God. He is pastoring in Massachusetts and you can find the link to his blog on my page. Unfortunately, other men I have ministered with have not been able to continue. I got word this weekend that a giant in my life made a horrendous mistake and lost his ministry for immoral reasons. I am crushed for him and am praying that this man will find restoration and will make his way back in the game.
We visited my brother Mike's church in Port St. Lucie this last Sunday and as he tackled the temptation Jesus went through right before His earthly ministry began, I thought to myself, "Matt, you can't let sin mess up your life. By God's Grace...you absolutely need to keep your eye on the ball."
James and I spoke last night (he knows this man of God too) and the theme of our conversation was about finishing strong. God may move us around, He may give us good times and bad times, we may even have to say goodbye personally for awhile (like Bill and I did twenty-plus years ago), but as long as we stay in the game...it is all good.
I want to finish strong.
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