August 30, 2008 by Matt.

Ok, I know I just poseted part one, but I forgot something. If anyone is interested in coming to make fun of me, throw rotten fruit at me, listen to me preach and offer support (yeah that’s the ticket) then we do have a Saturday night service from 6-7. This is in addition to our 9:15 and 10:45 services on Sunday morning.

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August 30, 2008 by Matt.

Well, I knew that it was coming, but didn’t know it was coming this weekend. As I walked out to my truck Friday after work, I was alerted to a voice mail on my cell phone. It was from Pastor Mike. So, I called him back. Well, it turns out that a very dear friend of his is in the hospital and it doesn’t look as if she is going to make it. This couple considers Mike and Karen to be like their own children. So, Mike felt that he needed to go to Tennessee to be with this family.

So, I first ask you to pray for Mike and Karen as they travel and as they go through this difficult time.

Ok, so where does that leave me? Well, there is something I have neglected to announce on here. Last Sunday Mike announced to the congregation that I am coming on staff as a volunteer pastor. This is something that has been in the works for some time. Well, Last week Mike felt led to announce it to the church. So, I am now officially the Equipping Pastor for The Rock Church of Winter Haven. Understand that I have not avoided announcing this, it just has been a crazy week. I am very excited and I will share more about what this means for me and my ministry in a later post.

Sooooo, Since Mike felt he needed to go to Tennessee, he asked if I could preach this weekend. Well, I have to admit that there was a tightness in my chest for a couple minutes, then I became more and more excited. So, long story short… I need you guys to pray for me as I prepare to deliver this message.Fortunately, this is a message that God has been building in me for a year or more and I already have my outlined written.

I go into this with the understanding that it is not by my own power, but by the power of the Holy Spirit. So, I ask that you will pray that the Holy Spirit will work through me to deliver the message that God would have delivered, and that people would be moved.

Thanks, in advance.

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August 24, 2008 by Matt.

Mike delivered a powerful message this morning on faith. He kept referring to “Faith in action”. As I listened I was struck by how close that was to faith inaction, at least in that they sound the same. So similar in sound, but complete opposites in meaning. The differences are obvious.

So, I got to thinking which describes my life? Would my life be described as faith in action, or as faith inaction? If I am to be honest with myself I would have to say that parts of my life would be the first and, sadly, parts would be the second. So, I am publicly committing to living a life of faith IN ACTION, not faith INACTION.

So, now the challenge to you. Are you living a life of faith IN ACTION, or a life of faith INACTION? Take a look at your life and see which one describes you best. After all, the bible say, “everything that does not come from faith is sin.” Romans 14:23 (NIV)

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