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...