Goin bald???

Okay, so it has officially gotten HOT here in Florida, and although the beach is nice I unfortunately can't get down there every day to enjoy it... It was nice on Monday though. So with the heat I am thinking of shaving my head to keep me a bit cooler. I have done it before, and without facial hair I look like uncle fester...but since I have a wicked chin wig going on right now it would probably look not too bad. So what do you think? Here is a pic of what it looked like the first time I did it...
Considering going bald....
-Matt

All good things...

Well, as I expected it to do, all good things must come to an end. Today is the last day of escape for me. This afternoon I have to head a couple of hours north to Gainesville where I'll be until Saturday for our District Assembly (equivalent of District conference in the WC). It's not that I don't enjoy this event, it is just that I hate to leave what I have enjoyed so much for the last few days. It is bye bye Disney magic and hanging by the pool reading and back to business as usual. I guess this is all a part of life until someday when I may....I say may....be able to retire. Vacations are great though and I am so glad the Lord provided this opportunity to get away for a few days. So in an effort to make the most of it I am off to Epcot for awhile today, and then a quick stop to get a new shirt (I hadn't expected being here this extra week, but with grandma's death I decided to take a couple of extra days and so I really don't have the clothes I need for DA). Regardless I am going to make the most of this last day of freedom! Have a great day and I'll be sure to give you the lowdown tomorrow on Epcot and maybe muse a bit about District Assembly.

On my mind today...

So yesterday was a bit of a yuck day, it rained so a park was out of the question. Knowing this I hit the road and explored Orlando heading out and seeing the church where I did my mission trip 15 years ago and doing a little shopping at the Mall at Millenia. It was cool to see the church, not a whole lot has changed and I didn't get to see the pastor, but it was still cool to reminisce. I am in ministry today because of that trip and the only reason I went initially was so I could go to Disney for the first time in my life. Funny how the Lord uses things we intend for our glory for His.

After that I picked up a copy of Jeff Dunham's arguing with myself DVD @ Wally world. I highly recommend it if you like ventriloquists. It's not cheesy and it is hysterical, very well done. There is a little language in the video, but you can choose to watch it with "bleeps" or "without." I watched the unbleeped version and there isn't a whole lot of language, but I recommend watching the bleeped first if you get easily offended. Check it out though.

Last night Meg and I headed to Magic Kingdom. We got to do almost everything we wanted and topped the night off with Space Mountain, which still has to be one of the best coasters around. We "watched" the fireworks show "Wishes" as we were leaving and let me tell you, it was AMAZING...maybe it was the Disney "magic" mixed with an awesome soundtrack, but I believe it is one of the best shows I have every seen. There is just something about the fireworks going on with the backdrop of the castle. If you plan a trip to Disney...DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW!

This morning, I dropped Meg off and headed to Animal Kingdom for a few hours. I definitely recommend the new Expedition Everest. It is a great coaster once again mixed with the effects, there are times when you really feel like you are going to get hit by the Yeti...and the backwards portion of the coaster pulls some excellent G's. Any coaster buff won't want to miss this one. Then of course I had to hit "It's tough to be a bug," which is a great 4D attraction. I also recommend Dinosaur and the spinning coaster Primevil Whirl, although they can be a bit rough on the rides themselves. Animal Kingdom is definitely worth the time if you are planning a trip.

Well I am off to pick up Meg...and then we are off to Animal Kingdom for a run on Everest and anything else we can get in together. We are gonna end the night with dinner at Rainforrest Cafe which is one of the best ones I've ever seen. Well until next time...
Walkin and talkin with the animals...
-Matt

Everything I needed to know about church I learned at Disney...

Okay, so maybe I'm crazy, but I love Disney. Being back in Orlando this week until having to go to Gainesville for District Assembly on Thursday I have had the chance to hang out at the parks. I love going there, I can't describe it, but there is just something about them that makes me feel different. As I was walking around yesterday I began to think you know there are a few things we can learn from Disney that may help us as a church. First, they go all out when it comes to making you feel welcome. As you approach the parks you see elements that show you that you are about to enter into another "world." Everything is "fun," the parking attendants welcome you with a little "dance" as they direct you, are smiling as they point, and are approachable on any level to help make you feel welcome and that they are glad you are here. If there is one thing that concerns me it is the amount of people we are losing at our churches because they do not feel "welcome." I think it is time we start going out of our way to welcome people. The next thing I noticed is that they do everything 150%. Employees are not employees, they are "cast members" and a part of the grand scheme that is Disney. Everything they do affects the image of the company, and even the street sweepers seem glad to be there and willing to assist wherever they can. The parks look like the fantasy world you are in, the ride queues have theming, and you literally are made to be a part of the world that is "Disney." Even the cheesy dialogues and corny jokes are done well and you just feel like there is a pride in being "Disney." There is an identity there, if they can be this excited and go this all out for a theme park, what can we do as a church when we have an eternal message and no charge for admission (okay some of you might consider tithing an admission charge)? How many times have we settled for "status quo" Christianity" instead of going above and beyond with the message of Christ. Finally, Disney always seems to be thinking outside the box. As they grow, they are introducing new ideas and trying new things, and once again, you get to be a part of this. I am not saying go out and accept the syncretism and toleration that the world proclaims, but isn't it time we start thinking big since we serve a big God? These are just my thoughts and I could be wrong, but I know I feel different when I go to Disney. I just have to wonder if we couldn't do so much more for Christ if we would just apply some of these same concepts to our walks with Christ. What do you think? Are there more? Am I wrong? Let me know...
Living in a "small world" and serving a BIG God...
-Matt

Bird flu?

Given the ridiculously hokey movies that was on last night about bird flu-which I didn't even bother watching, I needed to pass this on to you all because I am a little concerned. Most of you know that we moved to Florida this last year and everything is great here...Until now. They have unfortunately discovered the first cases of bird flu here in Florida and I am pretty sure that this could be a bad thing. They have quarantined us and we are being closely watched. I have been trying to prevent this from being shown in the media, but I thought I would post a picture from the scene just so you know how desperate it is. Please pray for us and that this doesn't mutate and spread to all of us here...

Okay so obviously this was designed to give you a laugh, and I got an extra special kick out of it given the fact that our youth are doing a "flamingo" fundraiser right now. Have a great day, be blessed and laugh because life is too short not to have fun!

Saying goodbye to grandma...

It is with a heavy heart and sadness that I write today's blog. I had to say goodbye to my grandma this morning. I initially started to say goodbye to her 3 years ago when they diagnosed her with bone cancer, but she fought through it and made it through several milestones that I wanted her to be at such as my ordination and getting married. There were times that I thought she would pass, but each time she beat every obstacle and seemed to come back for more. I was beginning to think that she was invincible. A couple of weeks ago, she informed us that they wanted her to go on kidney dialysis, and she was not going to do it. At that point and time I knew it wouldn't be long. The funny thing was, I had had a dream that she died on our birthday the night before i found this information out (we share a birthday and this year would have been a milestone for both of us). She had decided that she was going to not do dialysis or chemo any longer because her quality of life was getting worse with each day. She was ready to go home and be with the Lord when it was time. The doctors had said though that things might not have been as bad as originally thought and she might be okay for a while longer. So even though I was preparing to say goodbye, I didn't quite think it would be this soon. She went into the hospital yesterday with trouble breathing and retaining fluid real bad. I didn't want to admit it, but I had a hunch this might be it. Knowing this I prayed that if she was going to suffer the Lord would just take her home. I guess He answered my prayers. Last night she was resting comfortably and went to sleep. She woke up long enough to talk a little bit to my Uncle who was by her side and then she went to sleep again...this time though she woke up with Jesus standing there arms wide open welcoming her home. It is hard to say goodbye, and I will miss her, but I know she is in Heaven with grandpa again worshipping God for eternity together. We had a great relationship, I wish I could have seen her face to face one last time, which wasn't possible since I am in Florida, but I got to talk to her right before all this happened and she said she was ready no matter what happened. She always knew what to say, when to say it and was always there when I needed her most. I'll miss you grandma and I'll see you one day when I get there.

Salt and Light?

Does the Bible not command us to be salt and light? Are we not supposed to make sure that we are doing everything in our power to make a difference in the world? The last time I checked, that was the case, but maybe I am wrong. I am not sure what some people read when they open Matthew 5:13-16, but I look at it and here is what I see in the latter part of those verses...
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify youth Father in Heaven."

Okay so maybe I am crazy, but those verses to me say that first I need to do my best to live my life above reproach, and then do whatever necessary through whatever means are provided to take the message of the gospel to a lost and dying world. Right? Am I off on this one? Evidently according to some people I am, here is the situation...I finally after much thinking and praying signed up for a myspace account. Most of you may be saying big deal, but obviously it has been getting a lot of flack recently about stuff that is online. I know this to be true, that is why I was so hesitant to sign up. However, I have found that teens will actually speak their mind there, open up about stuff they won't say in person and for once they take their masks off, because unfortunately we all still wear masks even at church (I'll be the first to admit it, I hate it, but sometimes as a pastor I have to wear a mask in order to keep my job...We can't be real).

So here is why I myspace....1. It allows me to keep in touch with my teens-it works as well if not better than a phone call. 2. It allows me to let them know of events coming up. 3. It helps me see what they are really thinking, and opens a door in a non-threatening way. 4. It may be a place where someone who sees me as a "friend" begins to ask some spiritual questions (I mention this because someone was upset that my pic was on a top 8 list next to a kid with a foul display name-I hate this, but I can't control where this kid puts my name. Obviously to him I am somewhat important, and imagine if someone looking comes along and sees my profile in the midst of the other stuff and clicks on it and then maybe starts asking spiritual questions. 5. It is out there, it is popular,and it can be used as a way of spreading light just as much as it can be used to spread darkness.

So I am going to continue to have a myspace...It has allowed me to be encouraged by former teens as well as catch up with people from my ministry since the beginning. It may not be the best avenue of spreading the gospel, but it is one more way to live out Matthew 5:14 in my book. Maybe I am wrong, what do you think?

-Matt

I'm a bad blogger...

Okay so as of late, I have been a bad blogger...I guess trying to finish up a master's will do that to you. If I can just get this class done only one more left!!! So since I haven't had the chance to put a real post on here recently, let me just offer some advice that I heard recently....HERE GOES....

"Never argue with and idiot...they'll only drag you down and beat you with experience!"

I'll try to be better-My class is done next week, and Meg is going to Orlando for 2 weeks of training for her soon to be promotion (YEAH GOD!) and I am going with her for a week. Since she will be in training all day I am planning on stayin close to the pool and catching up on some books I've been wanting to read, and I plan to post more often starting next week!

One final though for all you American Idol fans- Kellie Pickler is finally gone...YES! Now if Taylor Hicks can only pull it off, but there is some great competition yet to come. And for you survivor fans, I think Terry has got it in the bag, but we'll see.

By the way, and then I am finally done, for you myspacers...I have a site there now, my profile name is reverenddude

Until next week (or maybe a little earlier),

-Matt