February 23, 2008 by Matt.

While we may not often think about it, we all have moments in our lives that define who we are and who we are becoming. When we look back at these moments we tend to find that we were different after them. If you read yesterday’s post, then you know that I spent this week in California at the Purpose Driven Small Group conference. I am certain that when I look back on this week it will be a defining moment in my life. It is also my prayer that I will find it to be a defining moment in my ministry and in the life of my church. The goal of this conference was to teach us about small groups, how to start them, how to sustain them, how to keep them healthy, what the advantages of them are, etc… However, for me it became so much more then that. The speakers spoke directly to me, painfully so at times. While their intention was to teach about small groups, they taught me a few things about myself and through them God revealed some very important things to me and even answered some prayers. This conference will be repeated the end of April in Atlanta, GA. If you are a part of a church that has a small group ministry, have concidered starting a small group ministry, are curios what small groups are about, or simply want God to speak into your soul, then go to this conference. Be warned, however, that you will leave convicted if not completely broken. I know I was.

This week has absolutely been a defining moment for my life. Over the next few days I am going to post some of the stuff that God revealed to me during this conference. I will alos post some of the things that I got from the teaching and powerful preaching that was a part of the conference. So, if you want to hear more, stay tuned…….

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February 22, 2008 by Matt.

Ok for those that long for a word of inspiration from me and have wondered where I have been let me say I am sorry. I am mainly sorry that I am where you come tobe inspired, but I am also sorry because I went away without saying good-bye. So, where have I been? Well, I have been, and am currently, in sunny, warm southern California. Of course it has been cloudy and cold since we got here so I am kinda missing the hype.

Anyways, what am doing in California you ask…… go ahead ask……. oh yeah this is one way until I post it and open it up to comments. So, I have come to LA to pursue my acting career…Ok that’s not entirely, or even partly true. Actualy, I am here for a small group conference at Saddleback Church. This is why I have not posted in a few days. Infact I am posting now from my Treo. How cool is that!!!! Anyways, so I am here for the conference and let me tell you it has been amazing. In addition to learning a lot about small groups I have learned a lot about my self, and God has really spoken to me. We often talk about defining moments in our lives I think that this conference will be one of those moments.

We fly back this afternoon and I will post some more detailed information about the conference and my experience as soon as I can. But right now my fingers are starting to cramp from typing on this little keyboard. So, till next time…….

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February 16, 2008 by Matt.

Ok, so today is Saturday which means basketball day fro my son. So, we get up, we go to the school and he begins to practice. Time comes for the game and I start doing what all good dads do, I start giving me pointers on how to play. Then I am struck by something that a friend once said in his blog. He was coaching his daughter in basketball and after giving her instruction for quite some time decided to just give her support. So, I began to think by giving him constant instruction am I somehow sending the message that I don’t love him as he is? Or that he is somehow not good enough for me. Well, I am a man and as such, when I see something that is broken, I want to fix it. It is just how I am wired. So, when I see that my son’s team is not scoring very many points, I want to do what I can to help. In doing this am I actually breaking down my son’s self essteem? Next week I am going to try the encouragement thing, we will see how that works. I will keep you posted.

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