Laziness: My Sin

I care...just not enough to act.


I belief...just not enough to create change in my actions.

These two sentences sum up what I have been struggling with the past month.  You may have noticed that I have not been on here much/at all.  The reasons are many and varying.  However, the root issue is pausing for self-examination.  I was quickly working to grow this blog into something special, but realized that with all the posts, I was not changing personally at all.

My wife gave birth to our first son 6 weeks ago, and I was confronted with major holes in my spiritual life that I didn't know existed.  Issues of patience, anger, know-it-all-ness, and many other issues.  I realized that for all the advice I give on spiritual issues, I am not putting much into practice in my life.

A week ago I told a youth that his biggest spiritual problem was laziness.  It hit me the next day:  I set that example for him.  I was lazy spiritually.  I love the learning, I love the excitement of spiritual moments, but I disappear when it comes time to set into the long haul of running the race of Christ with endurance.

So today I set back into this blog with a new goal.  I write not to share insight with you, but to seek sound biblical advice and practice for my life.  I will share things that are helping me in areas of my life, and I will ask for your advice as well.

I have new goals in my life, please allow me to share them.  They are all, in some way, spiritual in my mind.

1. Set to the daily task of praying both conversationally and intercession-ally.
2. Set aside a disciplined time of Scripture study, memorization, and reading.
3. Speaking kind and uplifting words without sarcasm.
4. Eliminate television and other media from my life that would not live up to my teaching standards.
5. Read more.
6. Seek ways to serve the community.

These are my goals.  I am not wanting to take baby steps.  I believe that God sent Christ to totally recreate me into what he always intended me to be, and so I am going to be sharing radical steps that I am taking in the next several days.  Laziness is no longer something I can tolerate of myself.

Will you pray for me?  Will you encourage me and give me advice as I seek it?   

My Glorious--Delirious

Looking Ahead: Renewing the Mind

Let's be honest:  I am not great at organizing this blog.  I get ideas of weekly themes, and I don't stick to them.  This year, I am trying again, but slightly different.

This year, for me, is all about being transformed by the renewing of my mind (Romans 12:2).  Therefore, this year I will spend my time reading, writing, and asking questions that are important to this goal.  Every Friday I will give a basic update on "What I'm Learning."  Outside of that, anything could happen.

What types of blog posts should you expect?  Well, here are a list of topics that are areas of my mind I am seeking to renew with God's goodness:

• Scriptural Authority, Inspiration, and Formation:  How did we get the Bible?  Why does the Bible matter?  How should we read the bible?
• Grace and Works:  This has been one of the central battles of my heart and mind for the past 4-5 years theologically.  I also believe it has been a battle in my life for much longer.  I need to seek renewal in this theologically and practically.
• Purity and Exemplified Marriage:  I am on a life-long quest for purity in my life.  This year I attack the mental aspects of that goal.  I also want to explore the question:  How can my marriage be a displayed example for those around me?
• Justice and Poverty:  What does it look like to care for the poor?  What does it mean to love?  What role should I take to make the world a better place?  What issues are most pressing?
• Science and Religion:  What should we expect from the Bible scientifically?
• Faith and Parenting:  What does it mean to walk my child toward God?  How can I create an environment where faith can flourish and last?

On top of these topics, I am hoping to have several guest posts from members of my youth group, friends, family, and fellow bloggers.  I will also be writing down children's stories that I plan to tell my child starting at his birth in February.

It is going to be a good year.  What is your goal?  Do you have a word, a verse, or a sentence that describes your goal?

Song 2: By Our Love (Chrisy Nockels)

My Last Post Until the New Year: A year in review

It has been an incredible year.  I am glad for all of you who have joined me here to make this a fun place to spend some time.  I am hoping to get more organized this next year with this, so that the content is more consistent, and honestly, better.  Until then, I want to end my posts for this year with this simple post, a set of small lists for your enjoyment:

Five Lessons Learned This Year:
1. I am responsible for fixing the problems I see in the world.
2. Sometimes going too big too fast is a recipe for failure.
3. Being in the same room as someone doesn't mean you are really with them.
4. Grace is more than an initial "cleaning" but is a constant lifeline and source of spiritual strength.
5. The greatest moments in life seem to happen quietly.

Five Books I Read That I Recommend:
1. Wierd by Craig Groeschel
2. Beyond Reason by Ravi Zacharias
3. The Old Man and the Sea by Hemingway (Favorite of All Time)
4. Erasing Hell by Francis Chan
5. Suprised by Hope by N. T. Wright

Most Interesting Stories of 2011:
1. The Royal Wedding!
2. Mavericks win the Finals!
3. Ron Paul...in general
4. The North Korean power exchange.
5. Duh! Winning!

My Goals for the Year 2012:
This one won't be exactly a list.  My goal this year is to focus on one thing (thanks Groeschel).  This one thing is a big thing in my life for so many reasons.  The goal:  Grow to maturity in regards to my mind.  Romans 12:2 tells us to not conform to the pattern of the world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  I have worked hard to get my conduct in a good place over the past several years, but my mind is light years from where I think Christ wants to take it.  I will be sharing much more about this in January, including a look at some of the specifics of the "renewing of my mind" and the mini-goals that will get me there.

My Next Few Books to Read:
1. A Hole in the Gospel
2. Some commentaries on Galatians
3. Hopefully Jesus+Nothing=Everything
4. This Momentary Marriage by John Piper
5. Something about Zwinglianism

Ok all, thanks for this year, I will see you next year!

The TV OFF

Yep, I'm turning it off!

Netflix--Off.

The Voice--Off.

All other pointless television--Off.

My wife and I agreed that we are taking a television break. More than likely this will only be a month or two break, but we are determined to do two things:

1. Be productive.

We want to use our waking hours as opportunities to do things. This is not productive just in the CEO-Bottom-Line mentality. This is more of the Jesus-came-give-life-to-the-full-so-darnit-we-are-going-to-take-him-at-his-word sort of way. We already have begun working at cleaning up our house--throwing away those broken and useless things, laughing and cherishing old memories.

For example--We get a calender every year from our wonderful Alma Mater, Milligan College. Well, cleaning our "office" room I found a calender from last year. I was about to throw it away, as 2010 is gone and never to return again, when my dear Ky snatches from me (as if snatching it from the flames). I was then informed of the great potential this calender possessed in the world of scrapbooking, and it was whisked away to another room where it can be kept for a few years then discarded!

2. This provides an opportunity to continue our marriage, just better. Last night, we colored. A kids book of colorless puppies, birds, and mushrooms became the backdrop for a wonderful night of being one. Being the holy We, that three pronged relationship between God, Kylie, and myself that displays God's radiant love for the church better than any other canvas on earth.

(Full Disclosure: I just read that last sentence and I'm not sure if it is acceptable English. However, I studied ancient Greek and happen to know that Paul uses sentences that are in no way grammatically correct and yet mean exactly what he intended. Therefore, I'm sticking with it.)

Anyway, I'll try to put up some pictures of the art we created last night. I am thinking of starting a page on here entirely devoted to pictures of Our journey in life.

Be praying, starting Tuesday I am going to begin a series of stories every Tuesday and Thursday that weave together to be my Testimony. I find it difficult to tell, so pray that the words would be true, powerful, and beautiful.

Until next time!

Matt

An Open Letter to Myself

Dear Matt,

We haven't talked recently (at least not publicly!) It has come to my attention that you are falling trap to the same lazy attitudes and habits that have plagued you for your entire life. You are a great goal setter. You set more goals than the national government! The problem is that your goals are unrealistic, not specific enough, and without accountability. I am proud of you for sticking with your reading list, but not in a legalistic sort of way. You have read some major books, but you have also been willing to adjust and reshape the list to fit you better as you go.

Other than that, though, you have not been focused. You have created and deleted 10 blogs this year! I am glad you have one here that you are trying to stick to--keep it up. If you write it they will come! Outside of your reading and writing, I want to give you some advice, not from outside, but as someone very close to you! Here goes:

• Don't try to do too much! You go through these peaks and valleys because when you peak, you try to make several life changes all at once--you burn yourself out dude! You need to get going on one thing at a time, make it a habit, then move on.
• Stop feeling sorry for yourself. You've gained weight, you have become lazy and sit in front of the television too much, you are the one who refuses to eat healthy--YOU! Stop your belly-aching and do something about it.
• I know you want joy that seems to be missing sometimes. Here is why: it is the homebody attitude. You know how much fun you have at the chiropractor and your bass lesson--it is because you are around people! You love people! Spend time with them, have them come over, share your life with them! That is what made college so good!
• Clean your house dude. It doesn't need to be perfect, but it is so cluttered with junk--memorials of younger days, clothing that is too old and doesn't fit! Free up your space!
• Love Kylie big time man. She has a great gift to share with the world--you have seen it. Cherish her, encourage her, help her to reach her goals (even if that means giving up your own!) You have never been the guy that needs to achieve to be happy, so serve in the shadows of her life.
• Slow down. Not in your actions (you lazy bum!) but in your mind. You allow yourself to take one word someone says and analyze it until you are convinced they are out to get you! Calm down! Relax--you don't always think through your words, so don't over think others words!
• Forget the critic, cherish those who encourage. Be thankful for the comments of encouragement from Zane and Megan.
• I do want to see you get in shape, but set some realistic goals there man. Don't try to go from nothing to Dwight Howard--you aren't that good.

Anyway, I love you man. You are great, and I think you are going to make it. Be a servant, be the joy-giver! Have fun while seeking God. Oh, and take some pictures more often--it is good to remember the little things!

Sincerely,

Yourself