A Little Thank You

I really appreciate those that have been there for both Paige and I over the past 5-6 months. We have been through a lot. Paige shared a summary of what has taken place up to in her blog post.

Thank you to those that have taken Paige to various appointments when I was in class, working, doing homework, working on projects for school, etc. It means a lot that you would take time to help me out.

I pray that God will truly bless each of you that have volunteered, been praying for us, and sent cards. You all have been a big blessing to us! Please continue that God will provide for us and that He will heal Paige from head to toe.

Thanks again and God Bless!

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
(Matthew 25:40 ESV)

Ten Years After 9/11/01

 

9.11.2001 – What were you doing on this day? Where were you? I can remember being in band class in the 8th grade at Stanfield Elementary School. When we got word that there had been a terrorist attck and the first plane had hit one of the WTC towers, we went into one of the 1st or 2nd grade classrooms and turned in the TV to get news on what  events had just taken place (and to watch the unpredicted events that were still yet to occur).

I pray that the Lord will be with the families that were affected by the plane hijackings. Lord, bless those families that lost loved ones, be with the rescue personel that risked there lives to save others, bless our nation and help us to prevent something like this from ever happening again, and help our nation turn our eyes back to You O’ Lord. Our country was built on a biblical foundation, Lord help us not to forget that foundation; if we do, then our nation will crumble.

 

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all.

AMEN!

Forgiveness Is Where the Healing Begins

The Grace Card is an amazing movie that proves that forgiveness is where the healing truly begins.  Go see this movie, and it will teach you a lot about the situations that we face in life!

I promise to pray for you every day, ask your forgiveness, grant you the same, and be your friend always.


TheGraceCardmovie.com

God, Chisel Me

In our daily lives, we go through so much pain and struggle.  Through trials and tribulation, we forget how important we are to God, and we forget how much God loves us.  We put on the weight of the world more and more each day.  We let the what others say and think about us define who we are.  We neglect to remember who we realy are–who God MADE us to be.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” -Matthew11:29


REMEMBER: You ARE God’s original masterpeice.

“When God chisels the dead weight out of our lives it can be very painful.” -The Skit Guys

VBS 2010

Two Nights Down…Three to Go!

VBS 2010 has been a blast so far. I am excited to see what God is going to do in the last three nights. Pray that God will use this week to touch the children and their parents.

We are walking through the Bible and learning about the Life of Joseph in Egypt.  Joseph trust God through what he experienced. Following Joseph’s example, we learn how important it is to trust God and believe in God’s timing.

VBS info: http://philadelphiabaptist.com/announcements/111-2010-vacation-bible-school.html

Words For Each of You

The lyrics in the song “The Words I Would Say” are words that encourage me and remind me how much God has done for me and through me.  They also remind me of what potential God has!  I pray that theses words will also speak to you the way they have to me.  Stay strong in the Lord…never give up hope…God has an awesome plan over your life!

Three in the morning,
And I’m still awake,
So I picked up a pen and a page,
And I started writing,
Just what I’d say,
If we were face to face,
I’d tell you just what you mean to me,
I’d tell you these simple truths,

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You’re going to do great things,
I already know,
God’s got His hand on you so,
Don’t live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don’t forget why you’re here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,

Last time we spoke,
You said you were hurting,
And I felt your pain in my heart,
I want to tell you,
That I keep on praying,
Love will find you where you are,
I know cause I’ve already been there,
So please hear these simple truths,

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You’re going to do great things,
I already know,
God’s got His hand on you so,
Don’t live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don’t forget why you’re here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,

From one simple life to another,
I will say,
Come find peace in the Father,

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You’re going to do great things,
I already know,
God’s got His hand on you so,
Don’t live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don’t forget why you’re here,
Take your time and pray,
Thank God for each day,
His love will find a way,
These are the words I would say

-Sidewalk Prophets

Total Abandonment

I have a friend, Jon Harris, that is going to be going on an 11-month mission trip to 11 different countries. The mission trip is called The World race. In his blog post “A little Broken, A little Blessed “, Jon expresses “I’m scared. I’m afraid. I don’t know if I will get what I need for the race…I cry to God to help me. But I hear no answer. I cry out in tears to Jesus. But no answer. Just peace, encouragement, or simply it will be ok is all I need.” Many times we are called by God to do something for His Kingdom, but then it feels like God steps away and is no longer with us. We feel like Jon does; we feel “scared that through everything I will be left here with nothing, still broken and scared. ALONE” We start to break down within our spirit.

It is in the lowest, darkness times of our life that God is preparing us to do something great! He has to humble us before we surrender everything to Him.

This is what I told Jon, but it goes for everyone of us–no matter what you are going through.

Jon,

Just remember that God said that He would never leave us or forsake us. He will provide our every need. All we have to do is TRUST. We have to trust Him. Trusting means not worrying and not trying to “fix” the situation. Trusting is surrendering yourself and all that you are to God. Total Abandonment! Trusting means not doubting God. When you start doubting God, you start putting limits on what God will do. When you fully rely on God, you place no limits on God, and He is free to move as He KNOWS is right. God is all powerful, and He can do anything that He wants; but humans can limit the work that God does by doubting God.

Lord, I pray for my brother Jon. Lord thank you for the work that you have called him to do abroad. Thank you for saving him and giving him a testimony to share with others. Lord, surround Jon with love and comfort. Give him peace within. Let Him know that “every little thing is going to be alright” just as the song by Delirious says. Lord protect his heart. Help Jon to focus on the work that You have called him to and not on the financial aspect. I pray for funds to flood in for support. I pray that you will take care of the funding, and I trust that you will. I have seen you do it; what is stopping You from doing it again? NOTHING! God I ask that You rise up in power! Cast out any doubt, fear, and brokenness. This I pray in the mighty name of Jesus! ~Amen

Jon, Just keep fighting the good fight. Do not back down. Go after God like never before. Do not let a moment in time go by without worshiping God in Spirit and in Truth for His awesomeness! Just keep the faith man!

-matthew

When God seems to be silent and not moving is when He is moving and working the most. The power of God come in the stillness!

Trust God through it all. Divorce, separation, death of a loved one, financial struggles…..nothing it too BIG for God my friend! Only trust Him. Only Trust Him!

Here is the song that I mentioned to Jon:

Every Little Thing

Everything must change
Theres a mirror
showing me the ugly truth
These bones they ache with holy fire
But Ive got nothing to give, just a life to live
If your world is without colour
I will carry you, if you carry me

Every little things gonna be alright
Every little things gonna be alright [x2]

Theres no-one else to blame
I live my life between the fire and the flame
Ive built my house where the ocean meets the land
Its time to live again, pull my dreams out of the sand

Let your world be full of colour
I will carry you, if you carry me

When its all falling down on you
Youre crying out but youre breaking in two
When its all crashing down on you
When theres nothing you can do
There is someone who can carry you

God Bless you all!
-matthew

To Save A Life

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Can a movie change the world? No, but it can move the people who will.

To Save A Life is more than a movie. It’s the difference people can make when they use their influence and time for others — whether in their family, neighborhood, campus, community or world. To Save A Life dares — no, inspires — people to care.

To Save A Life is an indie movie about the real-life challenges of teens and the choices they face.

Ever since Jake Taylor was a kid, he was the type of guy you couldn’t help but like. For Jake, life is good. He has a ton of friends, a basketball scholarship, a hot girlfriend and a really bright future. Not much to get down about, right?

Enter Roger Dawson. He was Jake’s childhood best friend before Jake’s growing popularity pushed him out. Tired of not fitting in and having a place to belong, Roger walks onto campus and, with a gun in his pocket and pain in his heart, makes a tragic move.

Jake is devastated by what Roger has done, and something in him changes. In seeking answers in his own life, one question plagues him the most: Could I have saved him? He finds himself deeply compelled to reach out to kids on the fringe – kids who aren’t viewed as cool enough. But this decision among other things, threatens Jake’s world. He may lose his friends, his scholarship and even his reputation by asking “What do I want my life to be about?”

In select theaters nationwide January 22, 2010

© 2010 To Save A Life, New Song Pictures. All Rights Reserved.