happy new years everyone!! i hope this new year greets you well and ready to accomplish all that you’ve planned to:) i always get a kick out of new years resolutions… we all have them one way or the other… we look to a new year like a way to change those things that really bug us…about us!

i’m going to go ahead and let you in on a couple of my new years goals… 1) no staying up later than midnight to play video games:) (already broke that last night…) 2) join our staff and friends in a biggest loser competition for 20 weeks! goal is to lose 20 lbs… i weighed in yesterday at 187.3… how’s that for accountability! 3) work through the Bible in a year again (this is a discipline i do every couple of years…i’m going through this one this year, join me!).  4) to make it through the end of the world…it’s supposed to end this year right?!

those are a couple of my goals… what goals do you have for 2012?

this year, i’ve watched my kids really start to dive into Christmas…and not just the presents part;) they are super excited that we get to celebrate Jesus (and the presents from Santa:)). i find them randomly singing Christmas carols when they think no one is watching, wrapping presents for friends and family they bought with their own money, counting down the days on an advent calendar to the 25th, decorating cookies with the family… it’s been a ministry to my heart.

God has used those around me to spring a new appreciation for this holiday. i still hate the entitlement issues this holiday brings out in people, but i can’t let that influence my attitude. will you join me readjusting our attitude to show the peace and love of Christ. after all, isn’t that what Jesus came for? that we might look different than the crazy around us?

take some time to enjoy my favorite Christmas song:) gotta love Relient K

Merry Christmas Everyone!

can’t wait to see you all tonight!

Hey Gang,

Once again, it’s that time of the year when we thank all the moms. I don’t know about you, but I really enjoy cooking on mothers’ day; something about preparing food for someone always makes me feel good. But past the gifts, kisses, random necklace, or even food we get for mom there’s something deeper going on that is very important.

In Exodus 20, when God hands down the Ten Commandments, there is a command we tend to overlook. In verse twelve it says “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” If it can make it to the top ten of the things God wants us to work on, strive for, and remember; I’d say then its pretty important. Especially, with all the stuff that goes on in the life of an adult in the 21st century, managing a household has become an endless task for Moms and Dads.

Granted, the Bible doesn’t say that there should be a day called ‘Mothers’ Day,’ but there is more potential here than ever before. You see God also says that there should be a Sabbath – that word really means to Stop, or Rest from Work – and to rest in him, to in a sense half some quality time with our Father in Heaven. But even on this Sabbath day, Mom can be found in the kitchen making lunch or dinner for everyone, where is her rest?

For me, what makes this day so special is the idea that I’m not just giving mom a thank you card for go through 9months of birthing for me, but I’m giving her a day of rest. I’m assisting in her Sabbath, her day of just stopping, a day for my mom to be able to spend time with her Father and not worry about her kid(s). Not to mention be able to surprise her and make her say ‘Who are you? And what have you done with my children?!’ I always enjoy that word, or look, when her jaw drops for whatever reason on mothers’ Day! So Make Mom’s jaw drop, make the day her Sabbath; make a Happy Mothers’ Day!

Grace and Peace~
~Matt

it’s that time of year again… costume dodgeball time!!!!

we’ve been challenged again by Stonecrest Community Church to a duel to the death (maybe not the death…but it sounded way cooler than duel to the “you’re out”)! we’ll be starting up at 5:30pm @ LHC and going till about 8:30pm. there will be all sorts of different games and fun to enjoy. the cost is $5 to cover pizza and drinks, all extra $$ goes to the Alliance Youth Project. and as always, the better the costume, the better the dodgeball! come dressed ready to impress~~