“Fear” and the Drama of Christmas
The first emotion with which we associate Christmas is pure unadulterated joy. And yet . . .
The first emotion with which we associate Christmas is pure unadulterated joy. And yet . . .
The great Apostle Peter once wrote, “Therefore, let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good” (1 Peter 4:19). Clearly Peter understood two very important things: when we do the will of God suffering may come (contrary to the whole health and wealth narrative), and God is faithful in the midst […]
As the Apostle Paul brings closure to his thoughts regarding love being supreme over and above the fleshly extremes of license and law, he raises a tension regarding how to ensure this love will prevail. Galatians 5:16 and following resolve this tension with profound clarity, and the resolution is the antithesis of self-effort. “Walk by the Spirit,” the apostle pens, […]
In the margin of my Bible, right next to Psalm 45, I have written the following words: take the lead, at the front, for causes bigger than you—don’t be shy. To the right of these words I have placed a star, scrawled in pencil, and to the left of these words an arrow pointing toward Psalm 45:4, which, with the […]
September 11, 2001, is a day that forever changed the shape of America. Like you, I will never forget it. Early that morning I had gone riding horses with a good friend, surveying the many things he was doing to develop his newly acquired ranch. Because I knew much of our morning would find us tucked deeply into an array […]
Over the past couple of years since we at Bethel Church in Fargo, North Dakota, experienced a brief but important sermon series entitled, “Crazy Sex: Embracing God’s Best in a World Gone Crazy,” people have been asking if I might amplify that series in book form. Well . . . the answer is yes. Crazy Sex: Embracing God’s Best in […]
“LORD, be merciful to us!”
Isaiah 33:2
When churches convey (explicitly or implicitly) that race & ethnicity are topics they'd rather not talk about, it communicates to ethnic minorities that a *huge* part of their daily lived experience is not welcome or meaningful to God.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a man who stood for Christ and against not just Hitler but also the Christendom of his day, penned this benediction from prison: “May God in his mercy lead us through these times; but above all, may he lead us to himself.”
#RedeemingPower
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Welcome to pastormatthew.net! Here you’ll find a variety of Pastor Matthew’s musings covering a wide-range of topics, compiled here for several years. Feel free to peruse what is here; perhaps you’ll find the Archives or Categories buttons to be helpful.
Remember, the whole purpose of this site is to help you move toward JESUS and take others with you. After all, it’s all about HIM!