quick post...

Here's a quick download from my head...no comment!

- Did two weddings this past weekend. Both went well...good time had by all. I'm starting to see repeat faces as friends and family of previous wedding couples start showing up...

- Heidi rocked the house singing this weekend. People love when she sings...I fully understand. You should hear her do "Twinkle, Twinkle"...bring a tear to my eye just thinking of it...

- finished reading The DaVinci Code. Not worth all the hubbub. I thought the writing was amature and the plot was fine, but not very well done. And the theology...I think it says a bit about the way we in the church teach that so many people are thrown off balance by what is proposed in the book. Maybe I'll come back to this a bit more later...and maybe not.

- Daddy Day...Had a great time with the kids yesterday. I love being a daddy!

- had dinner with some great friends in the area. They said we get the award for the least amount of lead-time in having dinner! We called at 430 and met them at Outback at 5...yeah, that's pretty short. But when you have kids, you never know what to expect. Shout out to the ultimately flexible McGarry clan!!

- Launched Men's Fraternity this morning...at 615 am! I was at the office at 5 am...not a happy time of day for me. But this study for/with men is so good it's worth it.

- heading into Tuesday morning staff meeting.

Peace,

M@

Furrs back together!

I had a good week getting a bunch of work done while Heidi and the kids were in busha-land (Bay City, MI). But as much fun as it was to work like that (I'm a little bit sick), I missed them and couldn't wait to see them all again.

My very cool father-in-law came home from work early and offered to drive my fam to London to meet me insteady of me coming all the way there to pick them up. So instead of driving last night after Catalyst worship gathering (getting there about 2am) and then driving all morning to get home in time for my meetings, I only had to get up early and drive a total of 6 hours. To avoid rush hour around a couple cities, I left about 530am -- that gave me some great time to prepare for Men's Fraternity, which begins next week, and get some reading done.

It's so awesome to have them home again. They are all pretty exhausted -- Libby chose to start waking up every couple hours again...fun. But they're home and back in my view...I love 'em all!!!

Busy weekend ahead...wedding tonight, wedding tomorrow, men's breakfast tomorrow, Heidi's on worship team Saturday night and Sunday, meeting on Sunday morning...all between now and noon on Sunday.

Later,

M@

here we go...

Tonight was the launch of a new series on Wednesday nights at church. We're using a large-group/small-group format, which means that after the teaching time, we all break down into discussion groups to process the teaching and get to know each other. For many, this is the beginning of building community and authenticity into their faith journey.

In years past, we've had about 100 on Wednesday nights. Tonight we doubled that! It's exciting for so many people to be stepping out and taking their growth so seriously.

I've just got to say that Stacia, my (relatively new) ministry assistant rocked the house on preparation for a huge night. Shout out to Stacia!!

I'm reading The DaVinci Code in my spare time (which isn't much but has been a little more plentiful with the kids gone this week). It's a fun book and the writing is decent...not great, but engaging enough. I haven't gotten to the controvertial parts, yet.

Tomorrow night begins the regular worship gatherings for Catalyst, which is an emerging community of young adults. I'm excited about it. I'll be teaching from the story of Nicodemus talking with Jesus late one night (John 3). It's a great story and lays out the message of Jesus so well...

Tomorrow night, after the worship gathering, I'll be heading to Michigan to pick up my family. I miss them and can't wait to see them all again. We'll drive back to Buffalo on Friday morning -- I have appointments, a wedding, and a wedding rehearsal in the afternoon...should be an interesting weekend.

That's the scoop. I'm going to check in with the DeVinci code for a bit, then jump into more message prep for Catalyst. I love staying up late working! Just doesn't fit with a family lifestyle, but my natural time for work is between 8pm and midnight.

Peace,

M@

get the run out...

Every so often, it's good for me to take a long car trip. I don't know why, it just seems to clear my mind a little. So this is the week for it...I took Heidi and the kids to Michigan on Sunday and drove back to Buffalo on Monday. Thursday night, I'll drive to Michigan again and then we'll all be back on Friday (in time for my meetings in the afternoon). The drive to Canada is a little boring, but hey, I'm getting my drive fix.

Heidi and the kids are having a great time in BABs-Land (grandma's house) in Bay City. Izak just ran around like a nut when we got there!

It's important for Heidi to get some time with her mom. And Linda loves to get a hit of grandbaby now and then!

That leaves me at home with the dog. It's a good week for me to have some extra room in my schedule. With the start-up of the ministry year, many things are happening in the life of our church and I'm supposed to be at many of them.

Last night, after I drove home, I did some painting at the house. I vow to never paint a ceiling again!! I used to think that hell was one move after another (pack, move, unpack, pack, move, unpack...). I know better now...hell is painting a ceiling...how did Michealangelo do it!?!?! I'm still not all the way done...just some touch-ups to do.

I also painted the laundry room. It's in the basement and needed some sprucing up. I tried my new Wagner paint spraying...it was great! Thanks, father-in-law (he always gives the best tools for Christmas presents).

Amidst the busy-ness, I also hope to get some quiet time just listening to God. No sense being a starving baker, if you know what I mean.

Peace,

M@

nothing profound...

I've got nothing today. For some of you who read the blog with any regularity, that may not be any news...

I guess some days are just days, aren't they. I get up, hang with my kids and wife a little bit. Go to work. Do my work. Go home. Play, eat, give baths, enjoy the quiet, go to bed. Some days are just days.

Here's a little something...

There was a little kid walking down the hallway at the church this morning. He was crying for his mom. Somehow, his heart was just breaking and he knew that Mom would help. There's just something in him that drew him towards him mom...justbeing there would make the world a better place for him.

As Greg and I were making note of that, I was struck by this: we were all created with something that tells us that God will make it okay. We might learn through life that we can't trust Him, but that's pretty much because people let us down and we learn that we can't trust much of anything. But God just doesn't let us down. He's always there with us and is eager for us to cry for him...like the little boy crying for Mom.

There is was, right in the middle of a regular old day...a reminder of God's love. I guess I just had to be open to seeing it.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

comedy and "croaky"

With some words, I seem very presidential...I can never quite pronouce "kareoke"...but whether I can say it or not, it's on tap for tonight at the Catalyst kick-off! We're bringing in a young comedian to headline the evening and then we'll check out the musical talent (or lack thereof). Should be a great time as we launch the new ministry year with young adults.

Last night was Vision Night for the whole church. Looking around, I was struck by how few young adults were there. They knew about the evening, but...for a couple reasons didn't show. One is that not too many young adults are considered leaders or see themselves as accepted leaders in the church. Also, I think there are different things that get us charged up, as young adults...listening to a few speakers talk about the strategic shift in leadership development doesn't do it.

It as a good night, but I think pretty "boomer" oriented. And since this is primarily a boomer church, we're right on track.

That's what Catalyst is all about. Raising up the next generation of Christ-followers in a style and language that is relevant and speaks to our worldview.

I'm sort of a bridge person in many areas of my life. This is one. I play nicely with boomers and more "modern" generations...I'm pretty effectively in leading in this arena. But on the other hand, I naturally lean toward a more postmodern mindset in ministry and relationships. So I stand in between.

I'm also a bridge person when it comes to the urban/suburban relationships being developed here. I'm on staff and live in the suburban context. I serve on the board and have many connections in the urban context. I bring urban issues to the suburban table and provide a suburban perspective at the urban table.

Since I was a kid, I found myself being comfortable in a variety of settings. I played cards over lunch with the "geeks" and was invited to the parties with the jocks. I sang in the chorale and ensemble (which was one of the more exclusive musical options) and spent a lot of time doing youth group stuff. I don't know that I'm a cameleon, but I tend to blend...and feel pretty natural doing it.

I hope God continues to use me as a bridge from Him to people who don't yet know Him. He's a great God and His love is so incredible...I just want people to know that.

Peace,

M@

weekend wrap-up...

It was a good weekend. Busy. Heidi was involved in a bunch of things...a wedding and a worship conference are the two main things. The wedding was at a huge old cathedral in the city -- she had a great time singing a more classical style of music in a place with such "live" accoustics.

I was on daddy duty most of the weekend, which was a great time.

Izak moved up to the 2-year old class on Sunday mornings. The first big lesson in Mr. Morton's class was sitting in a chair! He's awesome how he teaches these little kids! Mr. Morton is the teacher that all the parents want their kids to have. They also did finger painting...of course Izak painted himself more than the paper!

Libby is becoming such a personable little kid. She loves people and to snuggle with anyone who can handle the heat she puts out -- she's like a little personal radiator. She's also got big smiles for anyone who is willing to make goofy faces and noises.

Then there's the Bills...the Buffalo mantra is "Well, there's always next week." We say to try to help us all feel better.

Today is...you guessed it...family day. No big plans, just a nice time together for the day.

Peace,

M@

study day...

I'm spending today by myself. I'm an extrovert by birth, which means that a day like today is discipline for me. I need to work on a few messages that are coming up pretty quickly. I also need to time to pray and listen to God on some pretty big issues.

Seeking God's will can be a challenge. There are those moments when everything within you knows God's talking and you'd better listen. But then there are times when He really makes you strain to hear Him. I have to lean in, quiet myself and the noise around me, and almost feel His breath as I listen.

That's the season I'm in now. I'm straining to listen. And in the straining, I find myself a little closer to Him.

Hmmm...maybe that's the point...

M@

2-minute drill...

- Kat and Dave, Heidi's sister and bro-in-law, are in town for the weekend. It's great to have them here. Izak LOVES his Aunt Kat! BUBBLES!!!

- What internal mechanism allows a man to take school kids hostage? I don't get it? Could President Bush be correct when he calls something "evil?"

- Read an interesting article about the impact of Bush's tax cuts. Turns out that the top 20% of income-earners are actually footing more of the bill these days. Before Bush tax cuts, they paid 78% of the taxes. After, they carry over 81% of the burden. This was in an article in the Detroit Free Press last month. I'm sure it will stay burried. Another thing...more taxes are refundable, which means that the working poor will actually get money back -- it's a good policy because it rewards only those who work.

- Buffalo blizzards are looking pretty good...don't think I'm ready to move to Florida. It's sad to see homes destroyed. May God's people there shine in these difficult days.

- We're going golfing today. This will be the first time in about 2 years that Heidi's been on a golf course. FORE!!!! And that's just for my shot!

Those of you who labor, enjoy the day. As you return to your work tomorrow, do so with the knowledge that the hands you use are a gift from God. May you honor Him in your work.

Peace,

M@

eradicate socialism...

Here's my plan for all the conservatives who would love to see the end of socialism or socialist political ideas/ideals...

1) Elect governement officials who are fiscally conservative -- men and women who will cut taxes and spending.

2) At the same time, Christ-followers around the nation/world would will follow the example and teaching of Jesus is regards to the poor.

If these two things would happen, then socialism, as a political dynamic, would cease to be relevant and then probably exist.

Now, this is not a back-handed way to say that we should elect liberal/progressive/socialist leaders. Jesus had very strong perspectives on caring for the poor, justice for everyone, and supporting those who incapable of supporting themselves (handicapped, elderly, and in his day, the widows and orphans). But Jesus' agenda was not a political one. That's actually one of the reasons that he was betrayed -- Judas couldn't understand why Jesus' political aspirations were not yet realized.

Jesus' agenda was one of personal transformation and corporate action for those who would make up the community of his followers -- eventually known as the church.

If Christ-followers would absorb the priorities of Jesus, then we would care for those in need in ways that offer hope, opportunity, respect, love, and accountability. In that sort of environment, two things will happen:

1) Like I said earlier, the socialist political agenda will become irrelevant. Jesus cared for people so much more effectively and winsomely than any government could.

2) The Christian Church would regain her relevance that she is not losing because of her self-centeredness (which is not the case with all churches, but with too many). We talk a great deal about God's love. Taking Christ's lead, we will also show the world the kind of love he talked about. Who doesn't respect someone who is loving the unlovely and standing up for the oppressed? The end result is to bring honor to the name of Jesus!

3) I am transformed. By being in situations to respond with the spirit of Jesus, I actually become more like him in my soul. I am no longer just Matt...I'm Matt who is looking more and more like Jesus. I dig that!

Now, many who are familiar with church budgets will respond, "No way! We can barely afford to pay our current bills as it is, there's no way we can pick up the tab to feed the hungry, provide health care for those who need it, and send all these kids to schools." True...given the current set of priorites for most local churches.

Most local churches establish a set of priorities that revolve around the building called the church. Buildings aren't bad, hear me on this. It isn't wrong to have a building where people gather to worship and learn and grow and share life together. But I do see a problem with the incredible amounts of money spent on spectacular buildings, not to mention the money spent for upkeep. Then, not only is money spent on the buildings, the buildings often drive the programming that takes place within them. "No, we can't do that because it will make the carpet too dirty." and other conversations about the way the facility is used.

What would happen if the local church raised 3/5/10/15 million dollars over the course of three years to care for the poor? "But we can't sustain that kind of giving." Really? Yeah, people put off vacations and new cars and moving to bigger houses and expensive dinners and...during those three years to contribute to the building program. So people won't make the same sacrifices in order to care for the poor and bring justice to the oppressed? hmmm...

What would happen if the 3-year campaign slogans became a way of life? Shazam!

Just a thought...

Peace,

Matt