The Way Matt Sees It

This world needs a solution.   Everyone knows it.   But no one agrees on what that solution is. One week ago (Saturday, 03/25/18), thousands across New Jersey and millions across the nation rallied together for the end of gun violence this past Saturday.   Inspired by the tragic events that happened in Florida just weeks ago, they pushed for our state to make NJ gun laws, which are among the toughest in the country, even tougher in an effort to end school gun violence once and for all.   Two days later, hundreds of gun rights activists held a demonstration of their own in NJ’s capital.   They argued that it’s not guns, but there are other things that contribute to gun violence.  This world needs a solution, but we can’t agree on what that solution is.   The thing is, this isn’t a new idea.   People have gathered together for change because they recognized that our world is broken all throughout history. Take the Civil Rig...

Lately, God has been growing me in my calling.  The past few weeks have been events, prayer times, class sessions, discussions, etc. that have all served as confirmations on the calling God has on my life.  It’s pretty cool how it’s been happening. This also comes with certain convictions as well.   I’ve been realizing just how incredibly selfish I am, in my relationships with people, the opportunities I have, the way I spend my money, and the list goes on.   While I feel like God has been confirming to me more and more what He wants me to do with my life, He’s also pointed out the great areas that need work in my life.   It’s just so, “ ME ” centered I see two versions of myself, in a manner of speaking. CRAPPY ME Living a ME-CENTERED lifestyle is the “crappy me.”   Although God may not be at the center, I can probably still live a relatively nice life.   Besides, there are plenty of people with seemingly “successful” ministries, ...

Most of us have heard about the magi, right?  The “ wise-men ” who came from miles away to see the newborn King Jesus.  A few things to cover right off the bat here: “We three kings of orient are…” couldn’t be farther from the truth.  The magi were not kings, although they were definitely distinguished men.  They came from “the east,” not “from orient.”  East could mean Babylonia, Persia, Mesopotamia, etc.; lands that were east of Israel.  There were probably much more than three of them, possibly even up to 100!  We often think of three because of the three gifts they gave (gold, frankincense and myrrh). Now this trip could have taken them up to a year!  Jesus was a Child by the time they arrived.  Imagine a caravan of up to 100 people traveling up to a year across the desert in Ancient Near Eastern times! Now the word used for “magi” can mean a few different things.  These guys were astrologers, meaning they s...