Oct 31
I don’t have ADD. At least, I don’t officially have it. What I do officially have is this inability to just “be.” I always have to “do.” Sunday through Tuesday I’ll be doing a bit of teaching at a Conference held at a conference center in Middle of Nowhere, TX. I’ll have a good deal of down time and so I’m bringing the girls with me. I’ll teach for about an hour or so each day and the rest of it is pretty much free; free to hang out with the girls, read a book, have a campfire, whatever. Last night Lisa looked at me and said, “Are you going to be able to do this?” “Of course. 3 days with no meetings and no interruptions?! Absolutely.”
I was lying. She knows it.
There’s something in me that is always itching to have a project, work on something, write something and that keeps me from ever feeling okay with just sitting, relaxing, and “being” and not “doing.” I feel guilty when I just sit, even though I know that I need to; even though I know those I love need me to.
It’s something I pray about. It’s something that I know is really, at it’s heart, a pride issue for me. I think that the world needs my constant effort. Likewise, my sense of self-worth is tied to my ability to obsesssively achieve. Both are bad, narcissistic and sinful. (See, I’ve read enough of the scriptures to know how jacked I am.) Thank you for Jesus.
All that said, I really am looking forward to this weekend. Really, I am.
Oct 09
This week in “How to Lose Your Faith in 4 Easy Steps” we talked about the role of prayer in the life of a Christian. There are two primary reasons why people don’t pray. The first is simply ignorance. Many feel like they don’t know how. They wonder, “Am I saying the right things, folding the right things?” And not wanting to feel as if they’re doing it wrong, they just don’t do it at all.
The second reason is arrogance. And what I mean is that in 21st century, Western culture, we are a people that tend to pray only when we have a major crisis. You know, when disaster strikes or death is looming. And in our part of the world life is pretty comfortable, life is pretty good. And when we’re feeling successful we’re far less prone to call out for a Savior. So we don’t pray.
And yet if you were to poll 1,000 people and ask them if prayer should be a priority, I’d bet the remaining hair on my fast-balding-head that the majority would say “sure.” Below are links to some books and resources that I believe to be very helpful in cultivating a life of prayer. Some are teachings on prayer, others are devotional books that will help get your heart ready to pray and even provide you with the words to say. Enjoy.
- Pastor Matt
Prayer Resources:
Oct 02
This week in “How to Lose Your Faith in 4 Easy Steps” we talked about the centrality of Scripture in the life of a follower of Jesus. The truth is that many folks fail to study the Bible for one simple reason: they don’t know where to begin. Below you’ll find links and tips to making the study of Scripture a central part of your life - everything from class opportunities at here at CrossPoint to books and downloads. If you have tips, let’s share them in them in the comments section.
- Pastor Matt
First things first: Get a good Bible.
The key here is readability and accuracy. At CrossPoint we uphold two translations: the New International Version and the English Standard Version. There are other great ones, but these (especially the ESV) are the best. I highly suggest getting a “study” version of either translation as they come packed with helpful notes, maps and articles. As for recommendations I use the ESV Study Bible from Crossway. You can purchase one HERE. For a FANTASTIC Bible to read as a family with young children click HERE.
Second: Surround yourself with good people.
The Bible was never meant to be studied in solitude. Doing so generally leads to one of two things: frustration or heresy. Instead connect with a community of other Christians and study / read together and lean on one another’s collective wisdom and experience. At CrossPoint we offer a ton of Bible Studies, HomeTeams, and classes where you can encounter God’s Word with others. For a full list of classes happening right now click HERE.
Third: Get some great resources.
There an countless books and devotional guides that will assist you in studying the Bible, understanding it’s story, and then embodying it’s message in every day life. Here are several resources that I use personally and have taught to others.
Fourth: Surround yourself with great teachers.
God’s Word has power not only when it’s read or studied but primarily when it spoken and preached. I regularly listen to the sermons of several pastors as a way to keep myself immersed in the Bible and what it says. We live in a day and age of great accessibility to some of the world’s best teachers of the faith. Below are links to several men that I regularly listen to - and so should you. These are links to podcasts - if you don’t have iTunes simply Google their info and you’ll be able to access their church web-sites and download from there.
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