Seth Godin (a prolific blogger on remarkability in business) writes that there is a sign over the door from the kitchen in his favorite hotel that reminds wait staff:
"If you're not proud of it, don't serve it." [Note: the word "proud" in this blog does not mean arrogance...it's used to communite something that I feel great about being a part of.]
In the hustle of life and ministry, it can sometimes be easy to settle into a standard that is less than excellent. Get the project done and out the door and then move onto the next one.
So what is a good "standard of excellence"? It's Matt's version of excellent when I can say, "I'm proud of that."
Am I proud of the message I'm writing to give this weekend?
Am I proud of the elements of the service?
Am I proud of the time I gave to the person who stopped in because they needed to speak to a pastor?
Am I proud of the way I interacted with my staff today?
What about other arenas...
Am I proud of the time I spent with my kids?
Am I proud of the time I spent along with God?
Am I proud of the way I manage my life/time/money?
"Proud of" is not the same as perfect. There are rythms to life that impact my ability to do any of the above. But in light of reality, how do I feel about what I "serve" to the people around me and to God?
What about you?
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
unanswered prayers
This article from The Onion explains a lot:
Report: 32% Of Prayers Deflected Off Passing Satellites
March 19, 2008 | Issue 44•12
HOUSTON—According to an official NASA report released Saturday, nearly 32 percent of all prayers exiting Earth are deflected off satellites orbiting the planet—ultimately preventing the discharged requests for divine intervention from ever making it to the Gates of Heaven. "After impact with the satellite, these diverted prayers typically plummet back into the atmosphere, where they either burn up or eventually land, unanswered, in a body of water," the report read in part. "Of the remaining prayers, research confirms 64 percent fail to make it past the stratosphere because they aren't prayed hard enough, 94 percent of those with enough momentum are swallowed by a supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy, and 43 percent are eaten by birds." The report concluded that, of the 170 billion prayers issued last month, one made it to God, whose reply was intercepted by a hurricane and incorrectly delivered to a Nigerian man who reportedly did not know what to do with his brand-new Bowflex machine.
***************
I'm sure there are other explainations of unanswered prayers, but some days, doesn't it feel like this one fits?
Peace,
M@
Report: 32% Of Prayers Deflected Off Passing Satellites
March 19, 2008 | Issue 44•12
HOUSTON—According to an official NASA report released Saturday, nearly 32 percent of all prayers exiting Earth are deflected off satellites orbiting the planet—ultimately preventing the discharged requests for divine intervention from ever making it to the Gates of Heaven. "After impact with the satellite, these diverted prayers typically plummet back into the atmosphere, where they either burn up or eventually land, unanswered, in a body of water," the report read in part. "Of the remaining prayers, research confirms 64 percent fail to make it past the stratosphere because they aren't prayed hard enough, 94 percent of those with enough momentum are swallowed by a supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy, and 43 percent are eaten by birds." The report concluded that, of the 170 billion prayers issued last month, one made it to God, whose reply was intercepted by a hurricane and incorrectly delivered to a Nigerian man who reportedly did not know what to do with his brand-new Bowflex machine.
***************
I'm sure there are other explainations of unanswered prayers, but some days, doesn't it feel like this one fits?
Peace,
M@
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Son Rise
The windows in my office face east. I'm here really early for our first-of-the-day Easter service. I typically don't like early mornings. But the view from my window and the anticipation of a great morning are stirring me.
The sun is beginning to show itself behind the horizon of clouds. It's the tell-tale sign that the night is done and the morning is just about here.
Moment by moment it gets brighter.
Some people see only the laws of physics at work in the rotation of the earth. Today, I'm reminded of God's goodness in creating a daily reminder of a great spirital reality - the night will end and the Son will come.
Yup...it's a great day for a Son rise...
Happy Easter!
M@
The sun is beginning to show itself behind the horizon of clouds. It's the tell-tale sign that the night is done and the morning is just about here.
Moment by moment it gets brighter.
Some people see only the laws of physics at work in the rotation of the earth. Today, I'm reminded of God's goodness in creating a daily reminder of a great spirital reality - the night will end and the Son will come.
Yup...it's a great day for a Son rise...
Happy Easter!
M@
367
367...that's how many days I've been on staff at The Chapel (leap year and yesterday was the one year anniversary). I began this journey, together with my family, with an understanding of God's leadership, but no real idea what it would look like. I guess that's the essence of faith, isn't it?
After resigning from Northwest Christian Community, I didn't know what was next. The resignation was a step of faith, in itself. Heidi and I were prepared and even hoping that the next stop would be back in Buffalo, NY - not that we loved Buffalo, but we love many people there.
Even as we wondered about Buffalo, we both had a sense in our spirits that our work in IL was not done. Again, we didn't know what that would look like, but were working on trust.
This past year has been an amazing adventure. Very quickly, I connected with so many new friends - people from my campus as well as other staff. I've experienced daunting challenges. I've seen God navigate our way through those challenges. I've had hard as well as inspiring conversations with people. From the very outset, I experienced a bonding with my new church family - I was a bit startled by the intensity of that relationship.
Today, as I sit in my office, it feels like I've only been here a few days. Yet, at the same time, it feels like it's been years. I've experienced God's hand of faithfulness gently guiding through this past year. And I anticipate with excitement the same for the year to come.
Peace on the Journey,
Matt
After resigning from Northwest Christian Community, I didn't know what was next. The resignation was a step of faith, in itself. Heidi and I were prepared and even hoping that the next stop would be back in Buffalo, NY - not that we loved Buffalo, but we love many people there.
Even as we wondered about Buffalo, we both had a sense in our spirits that our work in IL was not done. Again, we didn't know what that would look like, but were working on trust.
This past year has been an amazing adventure. Very quickly, I connected with so many new friends - people from my campus as well as other staff. I've experienced daunting challenges. I've seen God navigate our way through those challenges. I've had hard as well as inspiring conversations with people. From the very outset, I experienced a bonding with my new church family - I was a bit startled by the intensity of that relationship.
Today, as I sit in my office, it feels like I've only been here a few days. Yet, at the same time, it feels like it's been years. I've experienced God's hand of faithfulness gently guiding through this past year. And I anticipate with excitement the same for the year to come.
Peace on the Journey,
Matt
Saturday, March 22, 2008
fire in the fireplace
Last night was a cold Friday night. Chicagoland won the snow lottery and we ended up with about a foot in our neck of the woods. After a busy day, preparing for and executing 3 Good Friday services at my campus, Heidi and I found ourselves in front of a roaring fire as the day came to a close.
During each service, I invited anyone who wanted to participate, to write down their sin(s) on a piece of paper and then nail them to large beams of wood on either side of the auditorium. After everyone had a chance to do so, the beams were assembled to make a cross, which was carried to the front and raised in silence. It was powerful... huge cross standing tall and bold at the front of the room, holding the written confessions of hundreds of people.
As the Campus Pastor, it was my honor to take home each of those slips of paper and dispose of them forever. Without reading any of them (but knowing each slip contained the source of guilt and shame for a person) I put handful after handful of the "sins" into the fireplace.
It was a hot fire. It was a large fire. It was a grace-filled fire. My fire only got rid of the paper. Christ on the cross got rid of the sin.
All in all...a great Friday to remember.
Peace,
Matt
During each service, I invited anyone who wanted to participate, to write down their sin(s) on a piece of paper and then nail them to large beams of wood on either side of the auditorium. After everyone had a chance to do so, the beams were assembled to make a cross, which was carried to the front and raised in silence. It was powerful... huge cross standing tall and bold at the front of the room, holding the written confessions of hundreds of people.
As the Campus Pastor, it was my honor to take home each of those slips of paper and dispose of them forever. Without reading any of them (but knowing each slip contained the source of guilt and shame for a person) I put handful after handful of the "sins" into the fireplace.
It was a hot fire. It was a large fire. It was a grace-filled fire. My fire only got rid of the paper. Christ on the cross got rid of the sin.
All in all...a great Friday to remember.
Peace,
Matt
Thursday, March 20, 2008
bracketology 2008
I really don't like basketball. I hope my kids don't pick it up as one of their sports. But if they do, I'll cheer.
But I'm a sucker for competition. So in March, I complete my brackets and trash-talk as if I've been watching all teams all year.
I got my bracket done just in time today. My final for are...
Louisville
Memphis
UCLA
Georgetown
I have a couple sleepers. And this year, I didn't have MSU going all the way - it pained me to drop them to Memphis in the Sweet 16. Sorry Coach Izzo...now watch, they win the whole dang thing!!
Share your final four if you want...
M@
But I'm a sucker for competition. So in March, I complete my brackets and trash-talk as if I've been watching all teams all year.
I got my bracket done just in time today. My final for are...
Louisville
Memphis
UCLA
Georgetown
I have a couple sleepers. And this year, I didn't have MSU going all the way - it pained me to drop them to Memphis in the Sweet 16. Sorry Coach Izzo...now watch, they win the whole dang thing!!
Share your final four if you want...
M@
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
NY, NY
"My name is David Paterson, and I'm the Governor of New York!" heard moments after taking the oath of office to replace Elliot Spitzer, who resigned because he hired hookers.
Moments later Governor Paterson told reporters that he had multiple extra-marital affairs while he and his wife were having a rough go at marriage. Apparently, she did, too.
What?!?! He didn't bring it up earlier in his political career because it didn't seem relevant. But now he doesn't want it to interfere with his governorship. Nice...
Is is too much for us to expect our leaders to be men and women of integrity? Is is possible for people to "climb the ladder" while maintaining the fabric of their character?
You know what? I actually think it's possible. I think it's possible to be a great leader without being a jerk or hypocrite. I think it's possible to lead movements while loving one's family well and cultivating healthy relationships with friends who aren't impressed with us.
It's possible. It's hard. But it's possible.
I'm grateful to be directly led by people who strive for this kind of leadership. I'm thankful that they will push me to be this kind of leader.
By God's grace...it's possible...
M@
Moments later Governor Paterson told reporters that he had multiple extra-marital affairs while he and his wife were having a rough go at marriage. Apparently, she did, too.
What?!?! He didn't bring it up earlier in his political career because it didn't seem relevant. But now he doesn't want it to interfere with his governorship. Nice...
Is is too much for us to expect our leaders to be men and women of integrity? Is is possible for people to "climb the ladder" while maintaining the fabric of their character?
You know what? I actually think it's possible. I think it's possible to be a great leader without being a jerk or hypocrite. I think it's possible to lead movements while loving one's family well and cultivating healthy relationships with friends who aren't impressed with us.
It's possible. It's hard. But it's possible.
I'm grateful to be directly led by people who strive for this kind of leadership. I'm thankful that they will push me to be this kind of leader.
By God's grace...it's possible...
M@
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Buffalo
Last week, I spent a few days in Buffalo, NY. It was great to spend some time with old friends and be with people who continue to mean a great deal to me.
This trip was unique from past trips...I had some new friends along with me. Scott and Jamie were with me. Along with having several great meetings planned, they were also eager for me to show them around my old world.
We drove around the city, where I had invested in several great ministry ventures. I drove them past our old house - a great little Civil War era cottage on two acres of land. We walked through the campus of Hamburg Wesleyan, getting a chance to meet so many people who are embedded deep in my heart.
It was my world...not theirs. I cannot overemphasize the gift it was to me that they cared so much about seeing a bit of my past. They listened as I told the stories. They waited patiently as I hugged and talked with a few friends. They met so many of the staff who are dear to me.
What a gift these men gave me. When I came on board, they talked about the desire to be a "band of brothers" in serving Christ. That hope has become a reality into which I have been invited. I am honored to lock arms with these men and follow Christ in faithful obedience.
M@
This trip was unique from past trips...I had some new friends along with me. Scott and Jamie were with me. Along with having several great meetings planned, they were also eager for me to show them around my old world.
We drove around the city, where I had invested in several great ministry ventures. I drove them past our old house - a great little Civil War era cottage on two acres of land. We walked through the campus of Hamburg Wesleyan, getting a chance to meet so many people who are embedded deep in my heart.
It was my world...not theirs. I cannot overemphasize the gift it was to me that they cared so much about seeing a bit of my past. They listened as I told the stories. They waited patiently as I hugged and talked with a few friends. They met so many of the staff who are dear to me.
What a gift these men gave me. When I came on board, they talked about the desire to be a "band of brothers" in serving Christ. That hope has become a reality into which I have been invited. I am honored to lock arms with these men and follow Christ in faithful obedience.
M@
Sue
Sue is my sister. And she hates being called "Sue". But...I'm her brother...her little brother...so I call her Sue. And she lets me!
She just recently had a big birthday. No, not 50...but not too far off from there...;-)
It's been amazing for me to see her grow as a woman, Christ-follower, mother, wife, and leader in the years I've known her.
Growing up, things were a bit more contentious, I'd say. I'm more than 5 years younger than she is...so you can imagine what a pain it was for her to have a brother like me! And she's as strong-willed as I am. So there were definitely some interesting times.
As she has neared the ripe old age of __0, she's applied her wisdom in so many ways. I see her invest in her boys with love and strength. I see her as a helper and encourager for her husband. And I see her invest in so many people.
I love you, Suzy...happy birthday!
M@
She just recently had a big birthday. No, not 50...but not too far off from there...;-)
It's been amazing for me to see her grow as a woman, Christ-follower, mother, wife, and leader in the years I've known her.
Growing up, things were a bit more contentious, I'd say. I'm more than 5 years younger than she is...so you can imagine what a pain it was for her to have a brother like me! And she's as strong-willed as I am. So there were definitely some interesting times.
As she has neared the ripe old age of __0, she's applied her wisdom in so many ways. I see her invest in her boys with love and strength. I see her as a helper and encourager for her husband. And I see her invest in so many people.
I love you, Suzy...happy birthday!
M@
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