Christiansburg

I've had an absolutely incredible time in Dubai and not for the reason you may think. I've been to Dubai nearly a dozen times, so it wasn't any new restaurant or club... It was the fact I was able to completely randomly and amazingly meet up with friends from high school all the way out here in Dubai.

We were talking about different people from high school and what they're doing now. I think it's remarkable all the things my friends and I from small little Christiansburg have been able to do over the years. If you could go back to 1995 and see us in high school, you'd probably think not much would come of these poor, blue-collar kids with not much intrinsic opportunity. That we wouldn't go out to see, experience and change the world. But we did. And we will. 

- Matt

Made well

The past week has been tough for me and for those I love. I'm not much for putting specifics on here, but it's been hard for lots of people in my life. It's especially hard being underway during events like these when there's only so much you can do from 8000 miles away. It makes me all the more appreciative of my amazing wife and kids:

Today's sermon was poignant. The punch line was Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Outside of God, these are my most true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable things.

I'm reminded about a sermon that I heard a couple years ago. It was about Jesus' healing at Bethesda. He said to man being healed, "Do you want to be made well?" For us to begin to be better than we are, physically or mentally, we first have to make the decision to be made well. To surround ourselves with things that are good, right, and noble.  

- Matt

Mother's Day

I had a good friend ask me this week what I was looking for in a woman when I met Amy. I had to think about it a bit, but after a second, I started to rattle off some things. Someone who challenges me. Intelligent. Witty. Someone who works out and stays in shape, but isn't over the top. Someone I'm sexually attracted to. ;) Someone who respects me and I respect them. Someone who can mend a shirt, a home. Someone who children like to be around. And, who likes to be around children. Appreciates nice things but isn't consumed by them.

That's by no means an inclusive list, but it's definitely a good start. As I rattled off what I was looking for, a couple things struck me: 1) the example set by my Mom was what I wanted to find in a wife and 2) that I didn't say is that "I love her". And it got me thinking; I am firm believer that love is a verb. It is an "action word" that is a daily decision. Love is what I do to her, for her. Not a feeling or trait about her. One phrase that's never sat well with me is to say that I'm "in love" with someone. Like it's a state of being. Or a place. Every day loving Amy is an act. It's a decision that she makes very easy for me.

About 12 years ago I met Amy; and she was exactly what I was looking for. Still is. She is the most amazing mother to our children I could ever imagine.

Because you're mine, I walk the line.

- Matt

Clarity

Wow.

Well, I sure didn't see that coming. So, the Chaplain onboard left yesterday to go to a conference. And, Friday night she asked if I'd be willing to give the sermon today in addition to playing the music.

I had a remarkably tough time coming up with an answer for her. Prepping each week for the music alone, in addition to my "actual job", is hard. Then, given a day's notice, to come up with a sermon, was daunting to say the least.

But, as the bulletin reads, I said yes. I said yes to everything. I felt like a circuit rider preacher today. I played the music (alternated between guitar and piano for each song) and gave the sermon. In addition to sweat, I'll tell you what this experience gave me: clarity.

It was one of the most blatant examples in my life where I was presented with a clear choice of 1) God or 2) other things. Hesitantly, I chose God.

Going back in my mind to Sunday School when I was 5, choosing God should be easy. It's always the correct answer, right? You can say "God" for almost any question in Sunday School and be right 90% of the time. For me, choosing God late Friday night was hard. Every day I feel like I am juggling 18 balls. And saying yes to this felt like adding 6 more balls.

But, I had a good friend throw a mantra back at me that I hold pretty dear in my life, "If not me, then who?" A phrase that holds a special place for me from the life and death of 1st Lt. Travis Manion. So, I did. And I'll tell you what; I enjoyed the process. I enjoyed the Service. I got clarity and satisfaction through the process of putting God and service to others ahead of my own priorities.

I don't think I'll be giving the sermon every Sunday, but today it felt right. I hope that those Sailors who were there were able to be with God and gain their own clarity.

I will say, I think I'm probably the only one who preached today with a dozen tattoos and closed out the day with a near-beer and a cigar on the fantail of a warship. I guess God can use anyone.

- Matt