Free Bible App for iPhone and BlackBerry

Here's a sweet Bible app for your BlackBerry or iPhone. It's awesome! It looks great with it's super smooth interface and the options it gives you are REALLY cool! Gotta love what the brains of the dudes at You Version and LifeChurch.tv are doing to help nerds for Jesus, like myself!

Porpoise Driven Life

The new Christian fad sweeping the nation!

Wal-Mart Worker Killed

Stories like this make me angry! When someone DIES because Wrangler jeans are on sale for $8...yes, I get angry. What gets me is the part about how people, after learning that a man had been trampled to death, KEPT SHOPPING!!!

But this story is just another example of how destructive an obsession over the material things of this world can be.

Just another day at work...

Future of Forestry

Of course...Future of Forestry would make a Christmas EP...and yes it would be amazing. These guys are rad and I'm getting the word out. Don't be a Grinch...Click on this link and buy this EP.

As I Lay Dying

Reality...not religion

Today, I was reminded…
I was reminded that my faith isn’t something I DO, it’s WHO I AM. Yes, as simple as that sounds, actually living life in that truth alters everything for me.

I remembered that my faith isn’t a hobby...it's a HABIT.(in a good way, of course:)
I remembered it’s not about WHERE I am…

At church…
At home…
In the grocery store…
In the DMV…
At a wedding or at a funeral…
In a croud or in my room…
In the voting booth…
At dinner with my friends or family…
In the mountains or at the beach…

...my God isn’t my religion, He’s my Reality. WHERE I am doesn’t and never will determine WHO I am.
My reality is sealed. You can’t touch it. This world can’t touch it. It belongs to the One who bought it FOR GOOD…the Lord of my life, my Creator, my God! He alone gives my life meaning, purpose, and significance. Nothing else.

Don’t believe the same isn’t true for you!

Consider yourself reminded.

Free Music From JJ Heller!!!

I like free music and I like JJ's music. This is perfect.

Click on the picture or go to JJ's website and download her latest album, "Painted Red"....for FREE!!! Do it.

I Don't Need Your Prayer

A friend of mine is working through a tough situation right now and shared it with me. Honestly, it made me angry, frustrated, annoyed, perturbed, and just plain mad as I listened to what is taking place!
Unfortunately, it's a pretty common issue and can be extremely hurtful. I've been through this but never got the chance to blog about it. So, here's my chance...while I'm all worked up!

Ok, so here's the deal:

The next time you hear someone talking behind my back, questioning my integrity, or speaking poorly of my character...PLEASE DON'T TELL ME! I don't need to hear it from you, especially if it's wrapped in the, "I heard a few things...and...well, I'm praying for you Matt." package!
You may feel like you're helping me by saying that, but you're not. You're actually spreading a disgusting virus and poisoning me when you say you heard someone gossiping about me! I DON'T NEED TO KNOW THAT! If you care so much and really want to pray for me, start by praying for YOURSELF!!! Pray for the boldness to SPEAK UP and tell the person with the problem to come directly to me!

Truth is, I don't want your PRAYER...I want your PROTECTION!

Words are powerful. They can build. They can destroy. Scripture teaches that over and over. The most secular, left-winged liberal would agree with that!

Stop poisoning. Start protecting.

You're Such A Letdown!

We all experience letdowns in one way or another. Maybe it's the food you ordered that looked NOTHING like the picture on the menu...or the new cell phone that likes to freeze up and call people on its own! (PS: Do yourself a favor and never buy a phone with the name "Chocolate")

Or maybe it's your friend who says he's a Christian but is always gossiping and tearing others down...Or maybe you feel letdown by your pastor and church because you don't feel like they care.

Expectations can be a dangerous thing. When we have an expectation of what something should sound like, taste like, look like, or act like...we set ourselves up for potential disappointment. There will always be times when things fail to meet our expectations, and for most of us this will leave us upset, disappointed, and bitter.

So...If I don't want to be letdown, just don't EVER have ANY expectations??? Well, not entirely.

Expectations aren't wrong...just unrealistic ones.

Do you find yourself constantly frustrated with others?
Are your friends just failures at being there for you?
Have you let one person ruin your view God?

Chances are you may have unrealistic expectations. Remember, people are limited and flawed beings. The next time you find yourself letdown, ask yourself, "Are my expectations realistic?" They just might very well be...But by thinking this through, it will help us avoid unnecessary disappointment, hurt feelings, and bitterness.

Does anyone have an unfair expectation of you?

That Band Sucks!

Quick riddle for you: "What's the most amazing thing AND the worst thing...at the same time?
Take your time here.....this ones a bit of a mind bender...OK. Times up!

The answer: Every Worship Band....EVER! (baadoom-chhhht)

I just think it's funny listening to how many differing opinions can be said about one thing...especially when that thing is, in this case, a worship band. It's just interesting to think that 2 similar people, standing side by side, listening to the same band play the same song, singing the same lyrics to the same God could walk away with completely opposite experiences and opinions.

One person loved it. The other was over it.

How does that happen? Is it just a preference thing or is there a deeper issue? The truth is it's probably a little of both. We all have musical likes and dislikes, right? I mean, I'll be the first to admit that I'm extremely critical and usually turn into Simon Cowell and start counting everything the band does "wrong." And without fail, the band that was, in my eyes completely blowing it, was at the same time ministering to someone standing next to me! Same band. 2 people. 2 opinions.

It's just a fact. There will always be a million different opinions about what one person likes and about what this other person wants in a worship band. But here's ONE issue I have when it comes to our opinions of worship through music: We'll either end up treating our worship bands like rockstars, in which the focus is placed on them and not on Jesus...OR we'll critically analyze them to death and if they don't impress us, we'll say they suck and that we're over it. And now...the focus is on us...the unsatisfied consumer.
I have to confess...I've placed too much responsibility into the hands of musicians...expecting the cool harmonies, delay pedals, and catchy choruses to make "worship happen." I just had this mental picture of me telling God, "Hold on God...I'm waiting for them to play my favorite song! THEN....I'll worship you. Ok?" I know that sounds crazy, but I'm totally guilty of that.
Here's my point...
Opinions about bands, even worship bands, are not the bad thing here. What I need to guard against is my tendency to allow the OPINION to quench the worship God deserves. And He deserves so much more than my personal critique of the worship team with my 3 1/2 Star review...(which could've been 5 Stars but I docked them for wearing cargo shorts and using a capo on every song.)

Remember: Guitar solos, cool worship bands, and your favorite worship songs didn't knit you together in your mothers womb or die for your sins. God, the Creator and Savior did! HE'S THE AUDIENCE.

Leave the critiques and opinions to Simon. Let's Worship God!

Do YOU Have Windows?

A few weeks ago our office doors here at the church experienced a little make-over. I had been hearing rumors that we were going to be getting these windows installed in our office doors but I had no idea when, and to be honest, I didn't want no stinkin' window in my door! I liked my privacy. But that morning I showed up to work only to find the doors off their hinges, and the 'relaxing' sound of the screeching power saw destroying my privacy.
I have to admit, I was frustrated! Here's a sound clip of what I was thinking:

"I mean, come on! Do they not trust me?!? What's the "BIG" deal? It's gonna look lame! Well, can you at least install a little curtain too? Geeze!" (I know...what a whiner!)

So why was this so hard? Was it because what I do needs to take place behind closed doors with no window? No! Definitely not. I just really liked my privacy. And the thought of seeing faces, out of the corner of my eye, peek in at me kinda freaks me out! But thats a whole other issue...

The truth is...I was looking at this all wrong. My window wasn't installed to PATROL me...it was installed to PROTECT me.

It's called being "above reproach." It's being intentional about "avoiding the appearance of evil." My window is my friend. It says, "Go ahead...look in and see! No shenanigans in here!"
This is a principal I need to take with me everywhere. I need to intentionally install "windows" all around me. It's living above reproach, where no one can say, "Hmmm...I wonder what Matt's doing in there??? I believe that every aspect of my life needs a window...not to PATROL me...but PROTECT me! I just wasn't seeing it that way at first. But now, I wouldn't have it any other way!

How about you? Do you have "windows" installed in YOUR life? What are they?

Spirit Touches (s)pirit

"Worship is our response to the overtures of love from the heart of the Father. Its central reality is found in "spirit and truth." It is kindled within us only when the Spirit of God touches our human spirit. Forms and rituals do not produce worship, nor does the misuse of forms and rituals. We can use all the right techniques and methods...but we have not worshipped the Lord until Spirit touches spirit." -Richard Foster

Come worship THE Creator through the gift of music. May His Spirit touch ours!! I love that quote!
This Wednesday. 7-9pm. HSM room.

My Garage Band Philosophy

Do you ever have those moments where your passion for something runs face first into a wall? You know, those times where what’s in front of you seems impossible to climb, move, or go around, keeping you from reaching your goals?

I usually respond 1 of 2 ways when I'm faced with what seems like an impossible task.

1: I’ll tend to get frustrated and overwhelmed. I look at how much there is to do and more often then not, I get depressed and give up. Sound good?

2: My other response (which I wish I would "turn up") is to take on the Garage Band Philosophy.

Since I’m pretty sure we all know what Option #1 looks like, let me spend a few paragraphs unpacking Option 2. (Disclaimer: This analogy isn’t perfect…but I think you’ll get it.)

Think about the greatest, hugest, most legendary bands of all time…The bands that could fill any stadium any night of the week. (Is it weird if all I can picture in my mind is Enrique? Ok…sorry!)
The thing that is crazy to me as I think about these huge bands (like U2…is that better?) is that they ALL started somewhere. Maybe it was a garage or maybe it was in the bedroom, or maybe it was at a friend’s house that happened to have a drum set. Every bands beginning is different, but every band had a beginning…
It all started…one chord at a time. One melody. One catchy phrase. One verse…One chorus…One song at a time…One show at a time…One fan at a time…the greatest bands took over the world and worked their way to the top…one day at a time.

So here we are…you and I, sitting in the garage, filled with a passion to see Christ formed in the lives around us and to see Gods people discover their true worth in Him. Where do we even begin? There’s so much to do! So many “songs” to write, shows to play, albums to sell and we’re stuck here in this stinky garage getting claustrophobic!
That’s how ministry feels to me a lot. The thought of all the work that’s ahead sometimes tempts me to quit the band, pack up the guitar, and sell it on eBay!

But it’s when I remember that everything I’m passionate about and everything God has called me to be will take place “one chord at a time”. (I was gonna go as far as saying, “Jesus is the Lead Singer” but that may sound cheesy…actually, I kinda like it!)

My prayer is to not miss out on the songwriting process that God has me in right now. My desire is to learn His chord progressions and melodies, and to wait patiently for Him to take the Main Stage in my life and in the lives around me!

Zach's Creepy Clown Ringtone

Zach was playing this all morning at our rehersal and now this creepy riff has been stuck in my head ALL STINKIN DAY...and I can't get rid of it!!!!!! AHHHHHH!!!!! (It doesn't help that it's also set as my ringtone...)

So I thought I would just share this with you so we ALL can sing along!!!

The New iPod With 1,000,000,000 GB's!!!

Last Sunday "Rocked"!!!!!

I was so stoked about how the first week of our "iTunes" series went! Everything came together and there's no way it would've happened without the hard work and sacrifice of some awesome people who stepped up in crazy insane ways! So I just need to give a shout out to my peeps:

Avena- Those ipods are genius! I'm stoked that you're as O.C.D. as me! They look great!
Joey- Loved hearing you rock with the band! The song you wrote is seriously epic!
Seiji- My Beloved Intern... I love having you around!!! I was stoked that you were there working hard and the fact that you were extra 'willing' to help Avena with everything...hmmm...
Trevor and the Band-You guys are 100% Grade A Legitness!
David-My Musical Maestro ...The videos you brought "sealed the deal"!!!
Weston-You're a genius! You're dance moves set the stage! I don't know how you do it...but you do!

It's seriously pumps me up to see the people of God...His Body, the Church, being built up like this! It fires me up to see High School students full of passion to serve God give of themselves...their time, their gifts, their skills...and to see God work through them in such tangible ways!
And most importantly, God was doing business with one particular student during our worship service...and THAT makes it ALL worth it! The truth is, it doesn't matter how big and awesome the ipods are or how much the band rocks...God HAS to move. He's the one that changes the hearts!

Read this verse: Psalm 127:1 "Unless the Lord builds the house, it's builders labor in vain..."
Personal translation: "Unless the Lord builds the ipods, the builders labor for nothing..."

Let's be a people that "Labors" for God! Let's BUILD that stinkin house...let's make huge ipods! Lets unleash our God given creativity!...But may we not do it in vain! Jesus HAS to be the center. The foundation. He HAS to be the source of our strength. Otherwise, it's all pointless.

Here are some visuals. Enjoy.

The Evolution of a Robot

"Summer Promo Night" is a big deal around here and this year, we wanted to go all out!
This Summer, the theme at Hume Lake has a robotic flavor to it....so....why not build a robot?
Following Micah and Trevor's 2 hour mission, hunting in dumpsters all over Encinitas, they found enough junk to get this masterpiece started.

Here now, is the Evolution of a Robot...in pictures:

The time is 12:30am. Almost done but still nowhere near complete.

Trevor will paint your robot too for a nominal fee.
Who gave Micah a saw?
Arms!!! Every robot needs arms!
Awww...he has his mommies eyes...
Oooohhh Yessssss!!!!! He got his tattoo. There he stands in all his glory!!! Time: 2:24am

He likes me.
Our 1st family portrait...
And.............the following morning at 9:05am.
The End.

Last Night...I Kissed Dating Goodbye!!!

Yesterday, May 6th, at approximately 6:14pm..."someday" became "today". Paige said "YES" and made me the worlds happiest man!

American Idol Shouts to the Lord!!!

I know this is "Old News" to a lot of you...but I had to at least blog about it!



For a world and culture that seems to be doing all it can to remove God from the picture, this is awesome!

3 Awesome Girls Who Rock!

Mormons VS Gospel Gangsta

There's nothing better then a fair and balanced discussion...

Change Change Change: Part 2

It’s crazy! So many things all around me are in an accelerated season of change. People are coming. People are going. Some people feel blessed…others feel forgotten and overlooked. Some are receiving answers…others are asking questions.

When I’m in the midst of transition, in my personal life or corporately, I tend to get anxious. When the secure suddenly becomes the unknown, it freaks me out!

Confession: “I’m addicted to comfort.” It’s true. I like things safe. I like things to be predictable.

But the truth is God hasn’t promised me a “comfortable” life.

He hasn’t promised me a “safe” life.

I'm not called to an easy life...I'm called to live an obedient life.

And what this means for me is that I can't base my calling on the circumstances and situations around me. In my experience, those change all too often.

What I need to do is respond to what God has called me as a follower of Him to do...Minister His love and His Grace to the world around me. And that...will NEVER change.

Caution: That kind of life is highly UN-predictable!

Change Change Change: Part 1

Change freaks me out. Change makes me uncomfortable. It makes me doubt. It makes me question.

Change always thrust me into the realm of the unknown...it strips me of my security.

It robs my self-confidence...It separates me from loved ones...it makes me angry.

Yes, it can do all of that and yet...I truly believe, Change Is GOOD. Why?

Change causes me to pray.

Change brings me to my knees where I remember that God is in control. I remember to depend on Him. I remember to let Him be my confidence. In the midst of change, I NEED to hear from God. He HAS to show up.

And living in the realm of faith is where I'm called to be.

The Pastor Has A Limo!

I had two conversations take place yesterday...

Both loosely related things made me ask this question:

"Are we as followers of Christ living out what Jesus had in mind when He commissioned His followers to spread His teaching to every nation?"

Ok. So my first conversation took place after attending a worship experience at a "mega-church" here in San Diego. Following the service, after approximately 100 people responded to the invitation to receive Christ, a friend of mine mentioned how disgusted he was in the presentation of the Gospel...or lack there of.

He went on to say that everything from the lights, fog machines, cameras, and production...to the "diet-caffeine-free" version of the gospel made him sick. "There's just so much more to it than this!" he kept saying. (I gave him some of my Easter candy and calmed him down.)

The second conversation happened shortly after that. A friend of a friend of a friend said that she walked out of a service after hearing that the limo parked in the front of the church belonged to a pastor who was guest speaking that night. "It doesn't matter who you are...you DON'T come to church in a limo...especially if you're a pastor!" (There was no more candy to give away at this point.)

The truth is, there are people everywhere who are doing things differently. We may not agree with "how" they preach or what "strategies" they use to spread the Gospel. I know I could talk with you for a long time all about how I think churches should do things. (Yes, I can be a little opinionated.)

But instead of launching a full investigation into why and how a pastor decided to show up to church in a limo...and instead of questioning the use of fog machines during a worship set, I've been encouraged by someone special in my life to do what Paul did...try to think like he thought. Check this out:

18-21So how am I to respond? I've decided that I really don't care about their motives, whether mixed, bad, or indifferent. Every time one of them opens his mouth, Christ is proclaimed, so I just cheer them on!

Philippians 1:18 (The Message)

Also see what the NIV says.

It was just what I needed to hear. In these matters we run the risk of confusing principals with preferences. I know I have a difficult time sifting through the two.
And...I'm not saying it's a good idea to stick our heads in the sand when it comes to peoples doctrine. Don't do that.(Sand gets in your ears and is messy.)

Do this: Rejoice that Christ is being preached which equals...the Great Commission!

The Devils Music

Have you ever heard any one call a certain style of music "Devils Music"? I definitely have. It's usually used to describe music that has heavy and screeching guitar riffs, relentless double-bass drums, and overly feminine men screaming about who knows what...you know, the stuff Seiji listens to. (Love you Bro!)

"That sounds like the devils music!"...is a line I heard a lot growing up. And that was usually followed by me taking my tapes...yes TAPES (I'm old-school)out back and destroying them with my dads hammer! My parents would stand behind me and chant, "Take THAT Satan!!!" ...Ok, maybe they didn't do that.

The funny thing is, I always got caught. Every tape I had was discovered. I started wondering if my parents were recieving morse code from God telling them where my secret musical stash was! And then I would hear it. "Matt, we don't want that devil music in our house!" It's hammer time! No pun intended.

Let me get to my point.

First, a disclaimer: I'm not encouraging you to go behind your parents backs in any way. Whatever the rules of the house are...are the rules.

What I do want to ask is this...

If there really was a genre that we could call "Devils music", what would it be? What would it sound like?

I believe there is a lot of destructive messages in so much music today. But as I really think about it...as I read more about how Satan works, a different idea surfaces of what "Devil music" really is.

Satan will do whatever he can to kill, steal, and destroy what God creates and what ultimately glorifies our Lord.
I start to think that the Devils music isn't so much the music with the shredding solo that was written while the band was high on drugs... but more like worship music.

Not just worship music, but APATHETIC worship.

When we fail to give God the totality of who we are.

When instead of focusing on who He is and responding to what He's done...we remain unengaged and apathetic.

Satan knows if he can infiltrate our heart, mind, and souls, we will never be able to worship our God in spirit and in truth.

Worship through music...that to me is an important and often overlooked battleground.

And when our worship through music becomes apathetic, that's when it becomes "Devils Music".

What Ship Are You On?

Aren’t cruises the best! Five star dining, amazing buffets, great entertainment, full relaxation, and your every need met. Cruises allow us to enjoy ourselves, be catered to and experience those blissful, carefree moments. Did I mention the food yet?
There is a myriad of enticing options out there, all of which can provide us with ultimate comfort and indulgence.
What is scary and harmful is when this ‘philosophy of comfort’ makes its way into the church. When we think of the church as a cruise ship we stop doing what Christ called us to do: Serve.
The Church should look more like a battleship. Everyone working together, participating, getting each others backs, all working toward the same goal! Scripture is abundantly clear. We’re the Body of Christ. (1 Cor. 12, Eph. 4) We all play a role. As followers of Christ and as a part of His Body, the Church, it is our biblical mandate to serve so that the Body of Christ may be built up.
So, what ship are you on? WHERE are you serving? Where are you allowing God to use you to build up The Body?

The sooner we can shift our paradigm from the “cruise ship” mentality to a “battleship” mentality, the sooner we begin to become the church Jesus intended us to be.

McDevo's

For those of you who attended Bedside Baptist last Sunday and enjoyed the Charger game while we were worshipping God, I thought I would leave you with a "Cliff Notes" version of what we talked about in the HSM. I would hate for you to miss out on this! So here ya go...

Don't settle for the fast food devotional life.

You know you've done it. We've all been super hungry and instead of taking time to prepare a healthy meal for ourselves or wait for mom to prepare her nutritious casserole, we pull into the drive-thru, order and eat as fast as we can just so we won't feel the pain of starvation any longer. Are you feeling me?
Well, we all know there are healthier alternatives, right?

"But doesn't a Big Mac have lettuce? That's healthy, isn't it?"-Me

Truth is, we do the same thing when it comes to our spiritual appetites. We're hungry for a taste of God but lack the discipline it takes to cook something up from His Word. I'm guilty of this. I've caught myself reading A verse or throwing out a "shout out" to Jesus somewhere in between waking up and falling asleep. And then I'll feel discouraged, easily angered, and frustrated and I'll wonder why. Hmmm...

I'm convinced that if my devotional life is ever gonna grow, I'm gonna have to feed it the nutrition that only an unhurried time with God can provide. How about you?

People Disappoint Me

Do you ever have those moments where everyone disappoints you? Those times where it seems like there's a secret allegiance of people who have decided that it was their goal for their day to ruin yours? I don't know about you but I've definitely have felt this a lot.

If I'm really honest with myself, I know why. I can see exactly what's going on. What I know is that as soon as I stop seeking God and looking to Him to fill me, I've outsourced that need to those around me. Let me unwrap this.

We all have deep, inner needs, right? (Just say yes.)

We all crave meaning, joy, and fulfillment, don't we? (Well, I do!)

As soon as I stop looking to God to meet my needs, I place that responsibility in the laps of the people in my life.

No wonder I find myself over and over again being bummed out by the people I love.

No wonder I get left hanging...

No wonder I feel hurt by the littlest things.

I've placed an impossible task in the hands of limited people. That doesn't sound too fair! We will never be fully satisfied if we are placing the role of God in the hands of other people.

Let God be God and let people be people.