Perspective on Priorities

(2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV) "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

In these past weeks, it is abundantly clear to me that people are less than humble before God and actually very focused on selfish issues. The "Mitchell Report", Major League Baseball’s illegal drug use investigation, cost $20 million dollars. Last time I checked, baseball was just a game and suspected use of illegal drugs was handled by the police. If you thought too much money was wasted on baseball investigations, the money spent around the "80th Annual Academy Awards" totaled around $400 million dollars.

Why do I bring attention to these atrocities of financial stewardship? We are a wasteful society, and God calls us not to be wasteful but rather good stewards and to care for those in need. If we took this wasted $420 million dollars between my two mentioned examples, that money would have funded the construction of 525,000 Habitat for Humanity homes in third world countries. In Texas alone, 14,000 Habitat homes could have been constructed. With $420 million dollars, just imagine the education, the job training, or the number of shelters for abused women and children that we could provide. Think about the shoes, coats, dental care and mental health screening that could be provided for the poor.

My fear, as western civilization as a whole, is that not only are we turning our noses up and away from 2 Chronicles 7:14, but we are also waving an obscene gesture at it as well. It is easy for me to lay blame, but I wonder how much I am also to blame if I am not willing to stand up and try to make a change? My prayer for all of us who recognize these issues and are saddened by such waste comes from Hebrews 12:1-2, "let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Until next week, strive for the joy of our Lord!
Pastor Matt

Pastor Matt has Joined the Blogsphere

One of my goals in 2008 is to stay more connected with the community beyond Sunday morning worship services. In making this connection, I want to also create avenues for cultivating relationships among the community. I know many of you very well, and we have wonderful discussions and debates on an individual level. My disappointment is that many of you do not know each other as well, and as a whole, we are all missing out on greater relationships through dialogue. So, I decided to start blogging to engage us all in greater conversations.

There are no limitations on topics here. We will discuss everything from movies and politics to raising children and biblical studies. Your suggestions and comments are welcome. What I ask of you is to always keep in mind that while spirited conversations and debates are encouraged, God reads and hears everything.

My hope and prayer is that something good comes from this endeavor. I do not want to waste your time in idle chit-chat because I know none of us has time for that. I want to transform lives, not computer screens.

My commitment to you is that I will post blogs by Monday of each week. This will offer some semblance of continuity in a world lacking it as well as give you the opportunity to respond throughout the week.

Until next week, seek the joy of Christ!
Pastor Matt