A Socially Correct Christmas Greeting!

Best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral, winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most joyous traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, but with respect for the religious persuasion of others who choose to practice their own religion as well as those who choose not to practice a religion at all;


Additionally,a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the generally accepted calendar year 2010, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions have helped make our society great, without regard to the race, creed, color, or religious preferences of the wishes.

(Disclaimer: This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others and no responsibility for any unintended emotional stress these greetings may bring to those not caught up in the holiday spirit.)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hopefully that didn't offend anyone... it's pretty neutral. I find it so funny when I turn on the T.V. and someone is saying "Happy Holidays!"... ok.. what holiday are you celebrating? Isn't it Christmas? "Oh no no we can't say christmas.. it will offend people" ... to be perfectly honest.. and I'm not trying to be mean.. but if saying the name of the holiday offends you... you should probably keep away from buying presents for everyone in your family because if you just are saying "happy holidays" I think you will be very very poor.. because when easter rolls around.. it will make for more presents.. Saint Patty's day... presents.. the first day of summer... presents... flag day... Oooooh well that is such a cool holiday.. lets set up a tree... and have lots presents and have a "holiday turkey". Here is a headline for the world... "Stop getting so offended with everything"


So that is my little rant... I think people just need to get their heads screwed on right and realize the "holiday" that you are celebrating is the day that we choose to recognize when Jesus Christ came to earth to save all of our sinful butts from an eternity in hell. If you choose to follow Him or not.. is up to you.. but I definitely suggest that you do... your "holiday" will be much better!


So let me start this over correctly...... wait for it.... wait for it...




MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Not Happy Holidays!


Best wishes to you and yours :)


-Pastor Matt

The bible is boring?

Maybe you haven't heard but there is a really cool book out that is filled with sex, drinking, violence, fervid gore, death, curses, lust, and torture! It is so exciting.. you wouldn't be able to make it into a movie because it would be way too graphic for any age. But wait! That doesn't mean that you can't read it! It was actually a bunch of different books, all compiled into one huge book. It was written by a number of Christians believe it or not. 

It's called "The Bible"! 

Now before you sigh and click on the red X button on the top of your screen.. please just wait. Read the rest of what I have to say.. you may find it interesting. So many people say that the bible is boring, it's just so stuffy and old. But I would beg to differ.. you may think differently after I show you a few stories. So take a big breath, sit back with a blanket and read away.

I've got the top 9 coolest stories of the bible.

Enjoy!

#9. Exodus 2:11-12

"One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. Looking this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand."

#8. II Kings 2:23-24

"From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. “Get out of here, baldy!” they said. “Get out of here, baldy!” He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys."

#7. Genesis 19:24-26

"Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land. But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt." 

(What a way to die haha)

#6. Judges 3:16-23

"Now Ehud had made a double-edged sword about a cubit long, which he strapped to his right thigh under his clothing. He presented the tribute to Eglon king of Moab, who was a very fat man. After Ehud had presented the tribute, he sent on their way those who had carried it. But on reaching the stone images near Gilgal he himself went back to Eglon and said, “Your Majesty, I have a secret message for you.”

   The king said to his attendants, “Leave us!” And they all left.

 Ehud then approached him while he was sitting alone in the upper room of his palace and said, “I have a message from God for you.” As the king rose from his seat, Ehud reached with his left hand, drew the sword from his right thigh and plunged it into the king’s belly. Even the handle sank in after the blade, and his bowels discharged. Ehud did not pull the sword out, and the fat closed in over it. Then Ehud went out to the porch; he shut the doors of the upper room behind him and locked them."

#5. Numbers 16:23-24, 31-33

"Then the LORD said to Moses, “Say to the assembly, ‘Move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram."

As soon as he finished saying all this, the ground under them split apart and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, and all those associated with Korah, together with their possessions. They went down alive into the realm of the dead, with everything they owned; the earth closed over them, and they perished and were gone from the community."

#4. Deuteronomy 25:11-12

"If two men are fighting and the wife of one of them comes to rescue her husband from his assailant, and she reaches out and seizes him by his private parts, you shall cut off her hand. Show her no pity."

#3. 1 Kings 18:24, 38-40  

"Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by fire—he is God.”

Then all the people said, “What you say is good.”

Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The LORD—he is God! The LORD—he is God!”

Then Elijah commanded them, “Seize the prophets of Baal. Don’t let anyone get away!” They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there."

#2. Judges 15:15-16

"Finding a fresh jawbone of a donkey, he grabbed it and struck down a thousand men.

  Then Samson said,

   “With a ass’s jawbone

   I have made asses of them.

With a ass’s jawbone

   I have killed a thousand men.”

#1. 1 Samuel 18:25-27

"Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines.

 When the attendants told David these things, he was pleased to become the king’s son-in-law. So before the allotted time elapsed, David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage.

.........................

Well I hope you weren't eating when you read that last one.. my body actually hurt when I read it. So many people say that the bible is so boring.. well I'm sorry but I have to disagree with that statement. I think it is amazing.. much better than any book you can buy now. 

Have a good one and remember if you ever have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me at igtmatt@gmail.com.

--Pastor Matt

The Loveliest of all was the Unicorn

The Irish Rovers were crazy, most always drunk yet brilliant song writers and musicians.

They wrote songs that almost everyone can recognize if they heard them but my favorite is one about 

a very special animal. It's called "The unicorn song".... the chorus goes like this...

"There was green alligators and long-necked geese 

Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born
The loveliest of all was the unicorn."

Now you may be wondering if I've slipped off my cracker completely or not. 

Why would I want to blog about a Unicorn? I have an answer for you... they are so cool :) 

I know they aren't real, but I think we can look at them from a neat perspective. 

I will explain this with a question. 

If you could choose to be one animal, what one would you choose to be?

Every animal has a purpose. My beautifully perfect, amazing girlfriend Gabe has been

studying food webs lately. Now I don't really understand all of it but she

has told me that it goes like this for instance. Starfish eat mussels, if the starfish was extinct the mussel population would go crazy. So the starfish is a "Keystone Species", if it were to go away it would mess things up. Now you know what a starfish does.

God has set up this beautiful universe in such an amazing way, if one "Keystone species" is gone, it will change everything. This is so much like all of us. We all have jobs to do in the Kingdom of God.

You may see someone who is a "Unicorn" in society. They have everything going for them, they have the cool looks, everyone looking at them, they stand out in a crowd, everyone wants to be like them. (I'll get back to these people in a second)

You may look at yourself as one of the "cats, rats or elephants". You aren't popular,  you are 

not the prettiest person, too big, too small, not the smartest one... and you know the rest of the names you call yourself. But God sees you differently, He sees you as His child. He has given you a job to do in His kingdom. You may not know what it is right so ask Him to show it to you. 

You will be more effective then the Unicorns. 

Now I'll come back to the unicorns.

The sad thing about "Unicorn people" is they are all alone. 

They may look like they have everything in order, but really they don't. 

They are hurting on the inside, they don't know Christ most of the time and they eventually just drift away and nobody will notice they are gone. They have so much potential to work for God, but 

they are so consumed with themselves that they can't work for someone else. They have to work for themselves, to make them look better. That is not the Lord's will.

God is looking for everyone to come to their true calling. Each of you who are reading this are "Keystone Species", if one is missing.. none will be the same. You may be a "cat, rat or elephant" but 

God has called you. Don't let the Unicorns tell you what you can do and not do.

Now you may be a unicorn who wants to come and change your ways.

God always gives second, third, 14,903,384,238,32 and infinite chances when we mess up. 

If you want to come to Him, He will welcome you with open arms and work on you.

He will take you in, and make you into a Horse. Get rid of that horn that makes you feel better about your social standing. Become a dedicated horse who wants to work for God. 

So why do you think there are no unicorns? I personally think it's so we can learn a lesson.

Be set apart.. but be set apart for the right reason.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to write to me at igtmatt@gmail.com.

-Pastor Matt

Gotta be somebody

"So I'll be waiting for the real thing

I'll know it by the feeling

The moment when we're meeting will play out like a scene

Straight off the silver screen

So I'll be holding my own breath right up 'til the end

Until that moment when I find the one that I'll spend forever with

'Cause nobody wants to be the last one there

'Cause everyone wants to feel like someone cares

Someone to love with my life in their hands

There's gotta be somebody for me like that

-Nickelback "Gotta be somebody"

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Most of you have probably heard this song at one point in time whether it be on the bus, in school, your ipod, on the radio or just on youtube. A lot of you just grab onto your heart and look out and stare at the moon and dream "oh maybe someday that person will come and sweep me off of my feet". Admit it, everyone has a dream like that. Don't be ashamed.. you should look forward to being loved by someone of the opposite sex. It is a normal thing that God made possible by creating Eve for Adam. 

Love is an amazing thing because like the song says "everyone wants to feel like someone cares". Knowing that someone, other than your family, loves you.. is something special. 

I used to go through life, much like many others, just looking to be loved by someone else. This has landed me in some bad situations, that I regret deeply. Getting to "date" someone, isn't hard for anyone. You can go up to someone and go out on a date like nothing, but is that really what you want? Maybe you can actually go the next stage and call them your "boyfriend or girlfriend"... I can hear it now... "Oh well I'm in love, we love each other, we will be married forever because we went to the next level and changed our facebook relationship status!!".  Do you want to just go on a date with someone, or just go out with them or do you want to love someone and have something special? 

Going back to me, I have gone out with some pretty weird people.. just to date them.. just to hopefully fill that hole. But from each situation I have left wishing I had that time back. I have landed myself into some pretty bad places and I could have ruined my life. But thank God, I didn't. I was with a girl, who cut herself because I wanted to leave her, because she was drinking, having sex with people and doing drugs and I found out that she obviously didn't love me.

(That's not a good relationship by the way)

So how do you know that you are with someone who loves you... who doesn't just want to date... but actually loves you? Do you date them for a particular amount of time? Do you sleep with them? Do you live with them? Do you drink together? Are any of those options what you think is what true love is? If so.. get both hands.. put them over each ear.. really do this if you think that ok? Get both hands.. put them over each ear.. and then shake your head, because thats a bad idea.

So what is love? If love was a baseball card, what would the stats be on the back? Well an ancient book written thousands of years ago.. called the bible says this... It's found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------


So honestly I think that is a good idea on how to look at someone you "love". Do they match up to all of those things? 


I have been blessed to have my girlfriend Gabe in my life. I prayed her into my life. After I had decided I wasn't going to go out looking for a relationship, I started praying. You may roll your eyes and think that is a stupid idea. But really, the bible also says in Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." If you wait, and let God take care of your relationships, and live for Him.. He will give you what He thinks is right.


Back to Gabe. Don't get me wrong, just because God gave me a relationship, doesn't mean it's perfect. We still have disagreements. But that's because we are humans, but we do a very important thing... it is something you won't find in cosmo, or in the latest dating website... wanna hear it?... drumroll please... duh duh duh duh duh DUH!.... we forgive each other and move on. Wow.. it sounds simple.. sometimes it's not. But we make a conscious effort to move on and forgive each other. It's great. 


I pray that Gabe is in my life forever, it feels unlike anything I have ever felt before. I plan on marrying her in the next few years. I love her so much and think she is amazing. But there is someone I love more than even Gabe.. *record scratches*.. I love God.


He is the one who made all of the good things in my life happen, the rest is my fault because I'm a sinner. We need to look to God, He created us, and He lets us live. You probably heard the old line by Bill Cosby "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out"... that is true with God. He breathed into us, and gave us life... He holds our next breath in His hands and He can just end it if He wants to. We need to love Him above anything or anyone else. 


So here is a short check list of things to do and to ask yourself before getting in a relationship.


#1. Do they love God above anything else?
#2. Do they respect you?
#3. Are their morals good ones?
#4. Are they serious about a relationship?
#5. Pray and ask God what He thinks, then just wait and see what you feel?


So live your life in this way.. Love God, Love Others.... there we go.. simple eh? 


If you have any questions or just want someone to talk to about things... just drop me a line at igtmatt@gmail.com




-Pastor Matt

YouTube

Oh YouTube.. how I love you.. not as much as my God, girlfriend or family.. but you still have a warm place in my heart. You bring out the funniest, weirdest, coolest and most random videos that I have ever seen, you even put on parts of the King of Queens! (haha that rhymed). 


February 14th, 2005 was a day that changed the life of all computer nerds and people who love America's Funniest Home Video's. Because on that monumental day in history, all people with access to a computer could watch home videos as much as they want... for as long as they want... for free! YouTube was born.. and it is still going strong. 


But not all good things are great... YouTube has been used for bad as well.. people have added really bad stuff that you just don't need to see. Pornography, abuse, racism, slander, and blasphemy is all part of YouTube, luckily there is a report button and they are usually good at removing some bad stuff. 


So I was looking through YouTube and found this video... please watch it all the way through... it's pretty trippy..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPdAkDAg8ys&feature=rec-LGOUT-real_rev-rn-1r-8-HM


Here is what she said.. in a slower way so you can completely understand it...


"To be a survivor in this Amazing Race with the need for speed you need God’s Grace and if you're desperate like housewives watching days of our lives, you can’t cope without hope and that is not on a soap. If your looking to Oprah or Dr. Phil you can shop non-stop or pop a pill, but the void won’t fill and the pain won’t kill until you love the one that hung on a hill. Kicking back in your lazy boy easy chair watching Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, nah your not gonna find it there. No American Idol or Council Tribal has the final answer that will satisfy ya. C.S.I. ain’t got a clue. S.V.U. don’t know what to do. Not the ER or those seen on a CD, TV, DVD or MP3 can save you and me. CNN has got no Good News here’s a headline you must choose. It’s not a simple life Paris Hilton, It’s treading on thin ice living in sin. You can be an apprentice for Donald Trump or eat Fear Factor fast food from a dump you can be a heavy hitter or wheel of fortune winner or a Fox news no spin spinner or flat sinner but you better check this life that your livin’ and make sure your sins are forgiven. I bet ya 50 cent, Elvis done come and went, and eventually every Black eyed pea, Gwen Stefani, P-Diddy and Britney. Every wanna-be on MTV with their Icy Bling, every Dixie Chick that Sings, they all gonna see the King of Kings. I don’t care if your J-Lo, Leno or Bono. One thing you gotta know. Some day your gonna die, Bro. Then where are you gonna go. Hey, I’m not talking some punk junk that is irrelevant. Like your Grandma’s church from way back when. It’s not some preacher feature on TBN that you need to be liking or listening. The real superstar is Jesus Christ. He’s the way, the Truth and the Life. One day He’s gonna split the sky. He is the brightest light and the Highest high and so what I came to say and what I’m telling you is don’t buy that stupid stuff they be selling ya it’s all designed to fill your head and waste your space until your dead here’s the bottom line in my rhyme. Give your life to God while there is still time."


That whole thing was so cool I thought... but the last 10 words are the most important of all. "Give your life to God while there is still time". Just because you aren't 90 years old doesn't mean that your days are numbered. God has a time for everything just like it says in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

3:1  For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: 

3:2  A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3:3  A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up;
3:4  A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance;
3:5  A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones together; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
3:6  A time to seek, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to cast away;
3:7  A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;
3:8  A time to love, And a time to hate; A time for war, And a time for peace. 

God created all and knows all, and He is a merciful God and loves everyone. But everyone will die eventually, whether it is sooner or later. So what you need to do is give your life over to God, and actually live for Him. "Well when I was little I said the sinners prayer so I'm safe whatever I do.".... yes and no.. You need to have your sins forgiven and start your life over. If you are a christian, tell others about God's love and be in the word.

 If you have any questions about anything, just email me at igtmatt@gmail

    -Pastor Matt

When you're dead will your ears be itchy?

You all probably know the old superstition that if your ears are itchy someone is talking about you. I think that's a bit far fetched but I'll go with it and write this blog.

Where my Dad is a Pastor I have had the opportunity to attend a lot of weddings, but even more funerals. There is no one wedding that is the same, they are all unique... same thing goes with funerals.

When you are planning your wedding you are concerned about what people are going to say about you, how the wedding went, how your dress or suit looked, how the food tasted, if you have a creepy 70's wedding singer dressed up with the baby blue frilly suit or not, etc. People can get so consumed with their weddings that they just have an awful time, instead of enjoying the process they are stressed out about money and silly little things. People need to slow down and enjoy themselves.

So many people are so consumed with the little things in life that don't matter, that they miss out on the good things. They get so stressed out that they can't enjoy themselves, and then all of a sudden they wake up and look, and they are old and their life is coming to the end.

I want you to do something before you move on...think to yourself, "Hey what are little things in my life, that won't matter in 5 years that I am getting stressed out about?" ... really.. do that right now. Did you do it? Ok :)

Some funerals that I have gone to have had hundreds of people attending, some have a handful. Like I said earlier, every funeral is unique. But as I am sitting there I look around and sometimes I see family crying, sometimes they just don't care. That is when my brain starts "What kind of life did this person live", "What legacy did they leave", "Are they even going to remember them in a years time".

We need to make sure we leave a legacy for people to remember us by, we may not have our own day on the calender like Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but that doesn't mean we won't have a legacy. Nicole Nordeman penned a song a few years back called "Legacy" and the chorus goes like this...

--------------------------------------------------

I want to leave a legacy 
How will they remember me? 
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough 
To make a mark on things? 
I want to leave an offering 
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically 
And leave that kind of legacy


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbi4nSrhRxo

---------------------------------------------------

What will your Legacy be? What will they say about you when you are gone? Will you get consumed by the little things in life or actually live your life for God and have fun? It's completely up to you but I have chosen to try to leave a positive legacy.

James 4:14 says "How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog--it's here a little while, then it's gone."


Life is short, you may not live to be 143 like you want to.. so live each day building up your legacy and hopefully when you are dead.. your ears will be itchy :)

Jesus.. your new "What not to Wear" Fashion Expert

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." (1 Peter 3:3-4)

Ok ok ok...... ok.. This blog may get me on the bad side of some people who read my blog but it has to be said. Sometimes just because a piece of clothing is in your size, doesn't mean you should wear it! Yes, there is such a thing as "too" low cut, "too" tight, "too" small & "too" just plain old wrong. There is nothing wrong with dressing up or anything like that, but this verse is really meaning that we need to be more concerned with our insides rather than the outs.

I think so many times instead of just being ourselves, we are trying to fit in with the dudes, divas, movie stars and singers... so we will dress and act very inappropriately.

"Whoa whoa whoa, wait Pastor Matt... you said dudes and divas... I thought you were just talking about girls??"

Oh no, for a perfect (and funny) answer to this, I look to 2010's first internet sensation General Larry Platt who sings...

"Pants on the Ground, Lookin' like a fool
With your pants on the Ground
With the gold in your mouth
Hat turned sideways
Pants hit the ground"

Guys can fall into the same trap of not dressing modestly. I'm sorry but honestly guys we shouldn't have to see your butt or boxers, wear a belt or pull them up.

Our bodies (guys & girls) are the temples of God and we need to remember that. We need to do all things, yes even dress, like Jesus was standing right there. I don't think that you should have to wear head to toe coverings so we don't see you, but I also don't think that we should see how little we can wear without being naked. You need to find a good in between.. nobody can tell you how to dress, except for your parents, but I think you should take the first step yourself. You will find that you will feel better about yourself, and you will have more self confidence.

"The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (Taken from 1 Samuel 16:7)

To God, there is a complete acceptance of people regardless of what they wear or what they look like, and He will love you no matter what. But I think the Lord would be pleased with you if you dressed like He was standing there. I think we would all laugh and be embarrassed if I decided to start dressing in clothes that were too tight and very revealing, because I'm the Youth Pastor. But the same should go for you, you are part of the Body of God.

Many people spend countless hours each week maintaining their outward appearance; we should all do more to develop our inner character. While everyone can see your face, only you and God know what your heart really looks like.

If you ever need to talk about anything my email is igtmatt@gmail.com, gimme a shout!

-Pastor Matt