From the Desk of Pastor Matt . . . 

In my quiet moments I’ve been hearing God say, “Write. Write down what you are learning.”  I’ve tried once to write only to get snowballed by life, but I want to try again.  A mentor of mine, Elmer Towns, once told me, “ Reading makes one a broad man.  Writing makes one an exact man.”  I’d like to work at being a little more exact with everything that has been going on in my heart/head.

QUESTIONS I’M WRESTLING WITH . . .

I used to think I was a church-growth guy.  I may still be – I’m just not any good at it.  When you’re so programmed to think “production” it’s easy to let your mind think that’s what life is about.  How much can I produce for God?  What can I do for God?  It’s interesting how when something doesn’t seem right or isn’t going right, our natural tendency is to think: “What must I do to fix the problem?”

I’m not sure those are the right questions.  Let’s get real – how many books need to be written before we find the answer?  It seems to me every author has an answer that is a little better or a little different than the next.  I’m not sure another method is the answer. 

The more I reflect and talk with Christians engaging the conversation, the more I become convinced the greatest problems do not have to do with what we are or are not doing.  The problems are a bit deeper.

Jesus demanded that we not only do right, but that we must be right.  In one exchange He told some people that their righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees and teachers of the law (Matthew 5:20).  That’s what you would call an impossible task.  And I think that was His point.  The life Christ call us to is impossible.

There is a life that Christ calls us to live.  We just can’t do it on our own.  It must be lived through Him.

The invitation from Christ to us is simple.  Get to know me.  See if I can’t change you and change things through you.

For More Reflection read Jeremiah 9:23-24.