as it comes to me

Kids say the darndest things.

2009-01-21T10:24:00.000-08:00

I know its been a really long time, but I had to post this...

This is a schools assignment from a kid at Harvest named Emma. We're good friends with her parents. She was given an assignment to draw a picture and write a paragraph about it. This is what it says:

'Matt is my friend. We play together. We play with Leo, is his dog, he is older than me.'

I love it! I guess she thinks I have a really long neck and really short legs... ha ha!

O Holy Night

2008-11-25T13:23:00.000-08:00

Jesus is my friend....

2008-09-09T05:10:00.000-07:00

I'd love to hear your comments.... I'm still laughing

"I don't want to die without any scars." - Tyler Durden, Fight Club

2008-08-21T06:14:00.000-07:00

So there he is this morning... So here's the deal. For the next 10 days he's gotta wear that lamp shade and taking more meds than a 99 yr old woman. For the next 7 days hes on a special diet of canned dog food that cost $44 for 12 cans. The biggest struggle is that he can't run, jump, rough house, or be outside longer than the time it takes to go #1 and 2. But he's home... I knew I was attached to the little punk but I didn't realize until I picked him up yesterday. And it didnt hit me how serious the whole ordeal was unitl I saw this...

If I came home with a wound like that there's no way I'd be out of bed... Deb asked me yesterday morning what I thought it'd be like... I was all like 'oh it won't be bad just an inch or two.' I was totally unprepared for what I saw. He had a pretty major operation. The funny thing is that most of you know Leo and Deb have struggled to find the groove in their relationship mainly to do with the fact that Leo seems to find her stuff more attractive than mine. But last night everytime he made any kind of noise she came running to make sure he was ok... its going to be a long 10 days for her...

the weird/cool thing is they gave me the needle back...

Oh well, its been a weird wild week.

Leo's in the Hospital (not funny...yet)

2008-08-19T05:44:00.000-07:00

It may be too soon to post this because I know most of you will find the humor in the situation and I know I will too but I'm just not there yet.

If you've read my blog the last 8 month you know about Leo. I love that dog. It never gets old to come home and have act like he hasn't seen me in days. Its also nice to have something that doesn't hold a grudge. Last night get got some paper off the table and was chewing on it and popped him on the nose, then like 10 secs later he was wagging his tale at me wanting to play tug of war with his toy. Well last night we had a bit of a scare.

So yea... Leo swallowed a sewing needle last night. I was trying to "mend" one of his chew toys and I sat it down ti help Deb bring the groceries in. And when I came back in... well there's the xray.
So at 9:30 last night D and I were looking for 24hr vet and by 10 we were on the road. We get the vet and options we have are "less-invasive" surgery that might not work or invasive surgery that cost twice as much or we can do the 1st and if it doesn't work we'll do the other one and charge you for both or take your 8 month old puppy home and watch him more than likely die a slow and very painful death. Doesn't sound like much of a choice. So right now he's lying in a kennel with stitches and staples and he'll be there until tomorrow night.

I'm sitting here conflicted with a number of emotions. Relief that he'll be ok. But I'm mad at him for eating a stinking needle. Mad at myself because its my fault because he's a dog and doesn't understand what he did. And there is a logical emotionally disconnected part of me that says 'its just a dog' but that guy looses every time. Oh well, hopefully I will laugh about all this in the next few weeks.

What will I teach this dog to do next?

2008-08-14T13:00:00.000-07:00

Canine Castration

2008-06-17T13:35:00.001-07:00

This is Leo yesterday afternoon after his surgery... poor guy has to wear that for 5 days.... Pretty funny to see him run into stuff though...

I'm an uncle! and Leo update

2008-06-04T09:41:00.000-07:00

Aidan Thomas and Leah Nicole Smith entered the world today. Its weird, I'm not related to these kids at all but I have prayed for them and love them like they are. Ashley, you're already mom of the year. What you have endured to have these beautiful and perfect babies is amazing. You're man better take you out for a big steak. Matt, you're going to be a great dad... I'm so proud and happy for you both... its been a rough road but they are here!!!! Aidan and Leah, you have been prayed for more than you'll ever know.... You have some of the best parents in the whole world. Know that on the day you were born people who love you very much prayed that you would grow up strong and healthy with a love for God that can never be quinched. Welcome to the World! And I promise I wont be your "weird" uncle.

Here is a really funny pic of Leo.

I walked in the bedroom this morning and he was just sitting there like that... Made me laugh really hard... Look at his legs... ha ha! I love that pup. Although he destroyed his 1st article of any importance the other day. D's glasses.... not good for him... Can you go to jail for puppy abuse? If you can Deb would've been locked up that morning...

Here is a great vid of Leo playing with his favorite toy Verde (green in Spanish)
He makes me laugh really hard when he does this... Hes a great dog
Maybe when we get back from conference I shoot some of his tricks...

These are a few of my favorite things...

2008-05-16T05:21:00.000-07:00

This post is all about the crazy funny things that have happened to me over the last few weeks.

First of all, the most embarrassing moment of my life...

So as most of you know D and I moved into a new apt last weekend. Instead of renting a huge truck we borrowed and not so huge covered trailer from Deb's boss and his wife (Craig and Tammy Dunn) who also go to church with us and my boss Jim is Craig's brother (welcome to the Wesleyan Church Family Tree). Anyways, a good friend and fellow USC fan helped us move, so he went with me to pick up the trailer from Craig and Tammy's house last Friday morning. So I ring the doorbell and hear movement within the house but no one comes to the door. After a few moments we hear the garage door open so we walk over and Tammy walked out wearing a hoodies, sweat pants, and some flowery rain boots, much like the ones Deb bought the week before. So in an endeavor to make friendly conversation I looked Tammy in the eye and said "nice boots". She looked at me perplexed and crossed her arms and told me to shut up. Then I proceeded to tell her how Deborah had some similar. And again she looked at me bewildered. As the awkwardness builds I look at Jeff who bursts out laughing and Tammy is as red as tomato. She thought I said "nice boobs".... Then I turned red at a tomato... well maybe a burnt tomato... So my wife's boss' wife and fellow Harvest Leadership Team member thought I had made a completely inappropriate and sexually harassing comment to her and then made a "physical" comparison to she and D... Needless to say it was quite a blushing moment. By far the most embarrsing thing thats ever happened.... So everyone at church refers to us as "Boots" Tammy D... thanks for handling all this with such grace and poise, you are truly a Lady....

Now... Yesterday D took Leo to the Vet yesterday... 32.2lbs... Hes gained 8lbs in three weeks!

After we went to the Vet we passed by Barnes & Noble where they were having a book signing for a new Star Wars book... We had to stop by... and this is what we found...

Oh yea, thats dang funny!

Finally, Brian Charles turned me on to this kid on Youtube called DaxFlame... thought I'd post two my favorite posts... Is this kid for real...

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this post!

2008-05-12T08:21:00.000-07:00

Just some pics of Leo sleeping I wanted to post. Hopefully I will post the most embarrassing moment of my life tomorrow but I need to get permission 1st. Hope everyone has a great day.

politics...

2008-05-07T13:12:00.001-07:00

I'm going to be straight up with you. I do not keep up with politics very well. There are a couple things that I use to determine who I will vote for, I'll admit that isn't the most responsible way for a voter to make their choice but at this point it is what it is. Anyway Deb and I were watching TV last night and all the results from the primaries we on the bottom. And THIS is what we see.

Check out the bottom line

Irresponsible or not, I am not voting for a guy that is so married to the nickname "Big Dog" that he's ok with it plastered all over this type of arena. Whats really funny is that I would expect this somewhere in SC. There were a couple other funny ones. Another guy's name was "Big Al", and this other guy's was "Foxy"....

We didn't vote yesterday because we have not got all IN state stuff yet because of the move and I don't know if any of these yahoo were running in our district but I promise you I'm not voting for Big Dog....

politics...

TDK update

2008-05-05T12:27:00.001-07:00

Alright, its almost here... this is a screen shot from the final Dark Knight trailer. Its Harvey Dent face down in gasoline. There has been speculation for 2 years now how far the Dent story line would go in TDK, now its confirmed... we will see Two Face in this film! Yes, I'm a dork but I'm really excited about this movie.

In other news... We're moving this weekend. I hate moving, I've moved all my belongings at least 10 times in the last 6 years... Now I'm moving all my stuff and all Deb's stuff and all "our" stuff. Although, I am looking forward to the new place.

Deb, Leo, and I are headed home in two weeks for Kristie and Hank's wedding. I'm really looking forward to seeing the family (both sides). Also, looking forward to hiking with David, and ihop breakfast with Greg Hayes, and Lunch at Joe's in downtown Easley and Zaxby's for dinner. I really love it here, God affirms every week that we're exactly where we need to be, so I'm not homesick, I've known this was going to happen for more than 10 years now, but its nice to be going back for a few days... I miss my mom.

Also, missing the E1 crowd...

Anyways... thats a snip it of whats going down with us...

Brain Dump

2008-04-24T05:51:00.000-07:00

There is Leo, doing his thing.... playing with his dog... He's getting big, we are 90% house trained, we know sit, lay down, go get your toy, inside, outside, and get in your kennel, and the all important NO! So, we've made significant progress.

Otherwise things are going really well... The job is pretty hectic right now. I am helming YES Ministries 2009... And because of General Conference being right around the corner and Kory is slammed with that I have given the responsibility of all the design work for YES Ministries 2009. I have to say that this has intimidated me more than almost anything I've done in ministry. I guess knowing that my "artwork" (can i even call it that) will be sent all over the country for thousands to see is a little overwhelming. But I'm excited! So I just finished the artwork and I'm putting together a promo package to send out to a few camps this summer. I will post the artwork here once it goes public.
Deb and I are moving in two weeks. Bigger apt, closer to everything we do, so thats good news.

Finally, I want to give a big shout out to my boy T.J. He's getting married in Sept, and he asked me to be his best man. T and I have been boys since 4th period first day of our freshman year of HS. We have a million stories that still make us laugh that we can never tell anyone. So congrats my big eared friend, I am super excited for you and will be proud to stand behind you on the 13th of Sept... Love ya kid!
Peace...

Setapart Video

2008-03-11T12:00:00.001-07:00

Click above for a Setapart highlight video put together by Kory Pence.

Its A Boy!!///NFL Combine

2008-03-10T06:15:00.000-07:00

There is a new addition to the Rhodes' household.

Meet Leonidas our 8 week old Yellow Lab. D and I got him over the weekend!!! Look at that face!

This was him sleeping while we took care of the paper work.

This was him sleeping upside down in my armpit while I was watching TV. He sleeps a lot... He also pees a lot.

It really funny because D and I haven't agreed on a whole lot about dogs but when we saw him it was a no brainer... We can already tell that he's smart and he will a good dog for us.... he likes kids and plays well with the other dogs hes been around. Of course 1st on the list is house breaking, but we going to start working on sit and stay this week. Last night he slept the whole night through! Lets hope thats the deal from now on. Well any ways there's Leo I'm gonna try to get some video and post it...

send us some love!

NFL Combine and Friendly Visits

Had some friends up a couple weeks ago and Palmer and I went down to the NFL Combine and met Wade Phillips, Herm Edwards, saw Tony Dungy, and met Glen Dorsey... great Sunday!

Perspectives

2008-02-13T13:09:00.000-08:00

So one of the toughest things about living so far away from our parents and friends is that we are creating a life here that we can tell them about but thats it... And words just don't do it justice sometimes. So I decided to share moments of my day from last Saturday. From the time that I got up from the time I went to bed I took a picture of what I was looking at or doing at that time. Its still not a full image of our lives here in Indy but its better than just words.

10:20am
It was Saturday so we got to sleep in late... So I rolled over and this is what I saw... our bedroom window

11:20am
Again it was Sat. morning and I'm still in bed with my wife. I'll tell you its one of the best parts of marrige, just lying there talking about nothing.

12:20pm
So hunger finally drove me out of bed

1:20pm
Hook was on!! What a great movie... You know thats what Saturdays are good for... You can always find some random good movie on...

2:20pm
Deb and I had to start getting ready to go the Harvest set-up and worship practice.

3:20pm
Waiting on D... running late... watching hook... its when Pan finds his happy thought... it was his kids... Julia Roberts as Tink... genius

4:20pm
Harvest set-up and practice

I'm bored just typing this.... So you must really be bored... chalk this one up to bad idea blog post...

The Current Journey

2008-01-30T05:17:00.000-08:00

RELEVANT...
this the word that has been burned into my mind for the last several weeks. God has been taking me on a journey through was relevancy is. It's a Christian buzzword right now and I hate buzzwords... but I cannot escape the fact that people are attracted to things they can relate to. I am attracted to things that "get me", things that are relevant to me. So where are God and I on this journey... We're in the coffee shop stage. The place where we're just kinda sitting around talking about it... sharing our thoughts... Him telling me when I'm on the right track or way off base. I have to say this is my favorite place to be with God... to me its even more intimate than flat out worship... but its challenging because sometimes He just gives me the answers... "do this"... "don't do that"... "this is My will for you"... And in these situations He lets me talk it out and its more like nudges... Its harder but I feel closer to Him... He feels like a mentor...

Anyway, just a few thoughts on relevancy and then something funny.

1. Cool is not always relevant. - I used to equate the two... so I looked for whatever was cool at the time. Here's the thing about cool. Cool is relative almost down the each individual... Relevant is more about cultural engagement. Its about keep your finger on the pulse of the community not just parts that you can identify with.

2. Cultural Engagement - to engage the culture you must know your community and know your community you must be in the community... I don't mean live in the neighborhood either... IN the community... involvement, contribution, participation, getting dirty. two things about that...
a. the best way to learn from or about something is get your hands dirty and adsorb yourself in to
b. Creditability... (i know its cliche but...) people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care... There's a lot of truth to this...

3. The point of relevancy - finding the most effective avenues to get the gospel from the sanctuary to the streets...

let me go off on a tirade about this... and I'm not a "pastor" any more so I can say this... I'm just a regular church goer... Evangelism is the primary responsibility of the congregation not the pastor... His/her job is to equip and motivate you to reach the lost... Evangelism is not a Sunday morning activity... Evangelism should take place mon-sat in your home and workplace... where you eat... how you drive your car... the way for you cheer for your kids @ soccer games... the way you live your life should evangelize... give people a reason to want to learn what you know...

there's my tirade...

so here is a vid from the Family Force 5 concert at setapart... what was I thinking... hope you enjoy.

just a thought...

2008-01-18T06:11:00.000-08:00

John Mayer had a great post I read today....
You know I wasn't incredibly fond of the John and Jess relationship but I gotta give it to my my boy JM for having some integrity about it...

...free ipod touch... skeptisism peaked?

2008-01-18T05:18:00.000-08:00

d-will.... I have to say buddy I don't think the poddy touchy is going to be a freebie... just have to let ya know...

anyways, its been awhile so I wanted to update the "not so masses" about how thing are going here in "dang cold" Indy.

Setapart was incredible! The perspective on conventions is so different from where i sit now though. Not in a bad way just different. Its hard to explain but there was a disconnect from students, especially in the rallies because I sat backstage. And because @ logos5 I was a youth pastor and my job was to connect with students and now my job is to #1 support Scott and #2 connect and support youth pastors which was really really cool for me. I had coffee with Brad LeRoy yesterday (more on that later) and we were talking about where I am in life and with my job. I told him it was weird because there were some people at SA07, you know people I've known for awhile, people I went to school with that think that this position is... I don't know... up there... for instance one guy said "you're like the #2 guy"... I'm not... at all. Don't get me wrong Scott has been SOOOO awesome at letting me take ownership of stuff like YES Ministries and FUEL. And given me freedom to explore ideas of my own. But I am by no means #2. But I told Brad that I am at the bottom at the funnel... I am in the best possible place to glean off the best the Wesleyan Church has to offer. I feel so blessed that no other youth pastor (i don't care if i don't have a group right now... I'm still a yp... its who I am) has this opportunity. God is good to me.

Anyways, Brad Leroy is the pastor of Harvest Church, where we have decided to make our home. He and I had coffee yesterday and talked about our involvement with the church. Can I just say it is ultra-refreshing in sit down with a pastor and him ask me what I want to do and now what he wants me to do.... so nice... We talked about the areas of creativity and youth my favorite things to be involved in. So we'll see the journey God takes on with Harvest... the cool thing about Brad and our connection is that he was the last person to hold any semblance of my position here @ HQ... Although he was the #2 guy, after he left it went to a straight admin asst and now Scott is trying to get back to a Ministry Assistant... So its really cool to have his perspective and wisdom in that area... I respect him a lot... have since I first met him.

I guess going home and coming back here really made our lives here in Indy "real"and we've settled on a church and both have steady jobs and all that jazz.... so thats it we're here for awhile and this is our lives... we miss everyone in SC but God gives us affirmation everyday that led us here and here is where we belong until He does it all over again... now i just need a dog

A Taste of Indy (two for the price of one)

2007-12-14T07:10:00.000-08:00

I hope you enjoyed the pics and i only had one comment about the Aaliyah reference... i thought it was clever... (thanks tatehall)

Well I'm gonna give a double post today... more pics and two funny videos that I'm sure that will get me in trouble with Amanda Kinney.... (see what happens when you dont call me back!)

On we go!

A few weeks ago the SFD (Spiritual Formation Department {where I work}) did our annual Spring Life mailer that goes out to all our churches... we packed over 2000 DV cases with promo material and the actual cirriculum.... it was a long intresting day...

This is the new Lucas Oil Stadium where the Colts will play next year... I took Scott to the airport a couple weeks ago at the butt crack of dawn and I got lost on the way back and ended up driving around the site... its so big!

This pic should need no explination... if it does then at some point on Dec 24th or 25th just spend some time watching TNT... This was available for purchase but it would be easier to talk D into letting me get a 57 in HDTV... wonder if it would look good on my desk....

That's a huge remote! (3yr old to show scale... thanks Brooke!) I need a bigger recliner in order to lose that.

Riddle me this... who in their right mind would come to a craft festival and pass by this booth and think... "hey hey! I've got a hundred extra buck and my pearly whites are more like dingy eggshell, I think I'll let and unliscenced professional with non-medical commercial equipment shoot the blinding light at my teeth to spruce them up for the holidays... I can trust her, she must know what shes doing, shes wearing scrubs." Okay put all that aside... Who would have "dental" proceedure done whilst people were walking about... people are weird

to those of you who are wondering what I was doing at a craft fair... things change when you get married... Scott was there too, make fun of him... in fact he called me and asked if we wanted to go

Deb and I went to the Colts/Cheifs game... a lot of fun!

Blurry

OK... I'll admit that am oddly particular about my pooping space but I feel like this would make anyone uncomfortable. I mean really its either really poor design or a really cheap builder... I mean you know they had a meeting about this at some point and "outside the box thinker guy" was like: "hey! I got it... We'll just half doors on the poop stalls... yea, half doors! You're telling me theres not a guy in that meeting that says "whoa guys, half doors? really? So when I walk in to do my business I've gotta watch Joe Pooper doing his..." Listen I'm not comfortable with any strangers seeing my poop face.

What? You're not a stranger... ha ha this is @ my desk.

I don't care what anyone says this is one of the funniest things I've ever seem... Still kicking myself that I didn't buy it. It's a zip-up hoodie with Wyle E. Coyote (google it... thats how you spell it) Jacob found it @ TJ Maxx and put it on... priceless! Gotta love the eye holes... Kind of reminds me of a Looney Tunes KKK costume...

So we decorated the office for the holidays and this nativity set is in front of my desk (i've kicked the angel and the tallest wise man over numerous time) and Scott put baby Jesus on my desk... So I decided to make sure he was in the Christmas spirit and return the favor....

Well those are the pics for the Taste of Indy posts....

now for part duex.... (sorry Amandapants)

Poor kids.... it was so bad

This is prob my favorite Amanda thing ever... In front of Scott's house... yea thats hos Concord... the grocery getter

Its been a long time, shouldn'ta left you, without a dope beat to step to, step to step to...

2007-12-10T12:28:00.000-08:00

So its been eons since I've done a real blog post and if Heath Mullikn can blog pretty much everyday I can get back into the habit.

First of all let me begin by saying that I miss all of you back home. Life in Indy is great but at the risk of sounding cliche... there's no place like home. There is so much I could tell you about our time here so far but its a lot. I can sum it all up by saying that God has been super faithful to us and provided so much more than we need. We certainly aren't going hungry (although I haven't had Joe"s or Zaxby's in 2 months, does that not qualify as some type of hunger) and my boss and his wife (Scott and Kelsie) have been awesome to us. So were good to go. At the same time we are mucho excited to be coming home in a little over a week!

So for my re-entry into the blog world I want to give a:

"Taste of Out Time in Indy"For those of you who get this I hope you find it as funny I did... I made Scott Simmons walk half a block in the rain just to talk this pic. For you E1

This is Scott and Kelsie's middle child Emily... I just thought this was funny. We kept them for a few days while Simms and Kels were in Canada for a funeral... makes you want em and makes you want to leave em.... We had a great time

Deb And I were driving down to the mall and I saw this guy sleeping and it again made me laugh... it really has nothing to do with Indy other than the fact that we were in Indy when I snapped it.

this was in the window at the Sharper Image store at the mall. C'mon its a life size Superman... wait, can it really be life size? He not real... oh well, it made me think of Heath and thus home

Call me a dork or whatever you want to... I went to my first apple store and it was awesome... Made a few calls on a iphone... played with the new ipod touch (still thinking about it) and found the mouse i want for the mac mini... it was a cool store

Well the image upload app has locked up so I guess I'm done for the day.... Have tons more... guess it'll be a part duex... much love

Wanna see how totally awesome my mom is?

2007-10-25T10:47:00.000-07:00

http://www.newhopenc.org/2006/videos.asp?vidTitle=MattRhodes.wmv

this is a video that newhope Church put together for a series they did

MY MOM IS AWESOME!!!!

Quick update

2007-10-19T08:29:00.000-07:00

this are going really well up here and we're just trying to settle into a new life...

two post are coming as soon as i can get to them
1. pics of the new place and some Indy stuff
2. Ode to E1

Cleaning out the inbox...

2007-09-28T07:46:00.000-07:00

I was cleaning out the 600 emails that I have left in my inbox this morning and I found a few pics that made me laugh...

my boys nick and evan on a dare when and took some pics with random girls @ Falls Park in g-ville... these pics one them some ice cream sandwhiches... I love you guys.

This vid was taken at camp this year when on a dare Whitney Hayes ate a huge LIVE bug...

This was vid is from "The Great Handcuff Fiasco of 2007"
This is when I got them cut off in the Easley Sonic parking lot

I hope this brings laughter to your day...

I'm working on an Ode to E1 for next week

2007-09-19T07:07:00.000-07:00

today is an emotional day... my mind is whirling

people have been asking me how i feel about whats been going on the last few weeks and I have to say :bittersweet

BITTER
This is home... always has been (im actually typing through tears)
My mom is here.... and most of you know how awesome she is...
All my family (that i like) is close by
TABLE ROCK... and the SCWY... huge part of who i am
Joes.... downtown easley.... yummy
david, tj, jason, brian, and a cast of hundreds of people that i love seeing all the time.
plus a million other things

SWEET
God has made this clear that its what He wants us to do... and to be in the center... its good
I love indy...
To live in a new area excites me ... new possiblities new people.... yay!
To be working for someone who vision i can get behind and sink my teeth into and with someone that will encourage me to stretch and will allow me to use my gifts.... fun fun
to attend a church of my choosing... I LOVE E1!!! but its always nice to change things up a bit
D and I having our own place!!!!!!
and plus anywhere I can be with D is sweet!!!
I think the thing that excites me the most is this ministry is wide open.... so many options, so many choices.... im getting all jacked up

I know that this is a spastic post full of typos and misspellings but its where my heart is... its sputtering with anticipation of leaving behind things that WILL create a void and the anticipation of filling it back up again.... not replacing anything or anybody just making more room...

love you all!!!

"In God We Trust"

2007-09-17T08:42:00.000-07:00

So our lives have been a whirlwind the last two weeks... God has done some major things in our lives and sent us on a incedible journey that in three weeks will lead is here...

Deb and i are moving to Noblesville, Indiana (about 15 miles north of Indianapolis). The Lord has seen fit for me to have a position at Wesleyan World Headquarters in Fishers. Oh yeah, read it again I can hardly believe it myself. When I was in Orlando two weeks ago for convention steering meetings and FUEL Scott Simmons (see below) approached me about the position (Assistant to the Director of Youth Ministries) I was floored and humbled. I talked to D about it and all of sudden God flung open all the doors and next thing I know I'm in a rented Ford Tarus heading north to go meet with Scott and find an apartment.

And there it is... two bed room two bath with screened in porch and they will let us paint and HAVE A DOG!!!! (thats another post altogether.)

This is D with our check for the security deposit.... why is this moment so important? Because up until this point the only thing we had committed is time and prayer, writing that check was the point of no return, at that point we were all in. And we are very excited!!! (isn't my wife beautiful!!!)

Scott Simmons, Director of Youth Ministries for The Wesleyan Church

So thats my boss, a man known by many names... none of which i will mention here (you don't bite the hand that feeds you) but he is a leader of vision and leader that I am excited to get behind and support with what little gifts and talents I have to offer. I can truly say that my goal for however long God leaves me @ HQ is to fade into the background and make Scott and his ministry as successful as I can and that excites me. I believe in this guy... I have since I met him and count it a blessing to be involved in what God is doing in the youth of the Wesleyan Church... thanks Scott.

Anyways, I know thats a lot of info in a short blog and that may leave a lot of questions with some of you so just ask and I'll do what I can.... I'm sure that I'll be blogging about this a lot over the next few weeks since it will consume my life (i hate packing) for the next few weeks. Here's a question for ya... what kind of dog should D and I get?

I love you all!

Greetings from ORL

2007-08-28T12:15:00.000-07:00

So I'm in Orlando this week for convention meetings and youth pastors conference. We are staying in the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel and Resort.

Yeah, that one...

This is the view from the VIP Suite...

Yes, I said VIP Suite... mad props to your Director of Youth ministry, Scott Simmons for letting us use his pass while he's in meetings...

This is Heath and I's room... lots of pillows and flat panel TV

Oh yeah, this a 3 panel fridge FULL of ice cream... wish you were here D

And yes, Jesus served us dinner... He was a servant!!!

All in all, being here makes me so excited about this convention, God is going to move BIG time!!!!

frustrated...

2007-08-08T07:42:00.000-07:00

First of all, I was driving to work this morning and passed this...

What does this mean? I literally drove passed it read it and laughed as I usually do but then I got to thinking about it and got frustrated. I'm going to do my best and be optimistic about the reasoning behind this message but the way it reads sounds very "exclusive" to me. What about they people who "don't do" church? Aren't they the people who need church? Church and church people make no sense to me. I hate church signs, I feel like in most cases they confuse people about Jesus, or give people a reason to make fun of the church (I find myself doing the latter most of the time). But if I had one and had to put a message on it about our church, I would want it to say, "The church for people who are tired of church." or "The church for people who want to know who Jesus really is." But screw that (pardon me), I want to people of my church to be it's advertisement. I want they way that we live our lives to be a testament to the church I attend and even more that that the God that I serve. You know I think we are so quick to blame Satan, people's hard hearts, or unwillingness to give up a life of sin as reasons people "don't do" church, but I honestly believe that church people that are more willing to put a cheesy (ie. "Someone call 911 because this church is on fire for God." or "Walmart isn't the only saving place in town.") quotes on a sign than actually following Christ's example and getting out there and pouring into people and loving them with everything they have. I am interested in getting feedback on this issue.

And secondly, I was looking for some stuff on my old laptop and found this picture...

So I went to the doctor yesterday and he told I should lose a few... I used to be skinny, what happened? Ugh, this is depressing, I'm either going to be motivated to do something about it or I'm going to eat myself into a coma because I'm such an emotional eater... and as I read that last statement I realize that I am also a female for having said that.

Dare You To Move... 2nd Movement

2007-08-06T06:27:00.000-07:00

2nd Movement, Relationships

Tension:

In a world of impersonality could it be possible that the methods that God uses to take us to the next level be through personal interaction?

Self-examination:

Do you have people in your life you can turn to?

The desire to be in relationship is built within all of us.
Who is in you sphere of influence?

What God has to say:

What if relationships were designed to point us to Christ instead of lead us astray?

Peter's Denial and Restoration

17"You are not one of his disciples, are you?" the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, "I am not." 18It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.
John 18: 17-18

25 As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked , “ You are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.” 26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the olive grove?” 27 Again Peter denied and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
John 18: 25-27

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" “Yes, Lord," he said, "You know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." 16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." 17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.
John 21: 15-17

Peter damaged his relationship with Christ by denying Him in His greatest hour of need.
Have you damaged a relationship.
Have you been damaged?
Christ restored Peter completely for each offense
As a result of that restoration and the continued relationship Peter changed the world, Peter moved.

Self-application

1. Spend time with people who point you toward Christ.

Your (youth)pastor
Other Godly mentors

2. Reevaluate relationship that may lead you away from Christ

Its much easier to be lead away than to pull someone towards
Example: If you are standing in a chair its much easier for someone to pull you out of that chair than for you to pull them up.

Challenge:

What would your life look like if you built Christ centered relationships?
Could you take it to the next level if you built relationship that pointed you to Christ instead of away?

I Dare You to Move... 1st Movement

2007-07-24T08:13:00.000-07:00

After speaking at Family Camp last week a few people asked me to blog the challenges that were given. I decided to do a little more than that. You will find and abbreviated outline of all five messages over the next few days. I hope it will continue to challenge those of us that were in the services and maybe help others that weren't. (thanks Steven)

I find myself asking God whats next after I've reached a new spiritual level and He has been faithful to me by answering "Take it to the next level, I dare you to move". hopefully these 5 devotionals will help you with the "how".

1st Movement - Service

Tension:

The challenge to move the next level can be overwhelming, the first step should be that of practicality and simple application to a physical world.

Self-examination:

Ask yourself two questions.

"Can I see a need?"
"Have I been given the means to fulfil that need?"

What God has to say:

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.
Romans 13:8

Above all God has called us to love
Service is the physical application of love.

Self-application:

Make a commitment to reckognize needs

Listen for God
Obey Him when He calls

Challenge:

What would the world look like if we answered the call to serve?
What would our relationship with God look like if we obeyed Him when he called us?

I had to go there...

2007-06-22T12:24:00.000-07:00

There is a bulletin post floating around myspace today that tries to argue the "imbalance" on the views of racism. While I'll agree that the are some certain inconsistencies on all sides of the debate one thing I know for sure is that things like that post breeds hate on all sides. Furthermore I am having a hard time seeing this bulletin on people's myspace who claim to be Christ followers.... If that bulletin was all someone ever knew about you there is ABSOLUTELY nothing about it that would let them know that you even knew who Jesus was... Very disappointing... but if you read this or whatever and feel convicted take it down... make an apology.... To my dog that stepped to the plate... kings to do to day!! I'm proud of you!

... very disturbed

In repair (haven't I used this title before?)

2007-06-22T07:57:00.000-07:00

Guys I'm a terrible blogger... 3 big posts coming soon
1. a really funny example of lesson illustrations gone bad
2. Middle school camp (WOAH!)
3. High school camp (WOAH! x2)

thanks!!
Matt

based on experience

2007-06-12T08:07:00.000-07:00

So I haven't blogged in a really long time but based on last weeks events I felt the need.

I started a lesson series called "Prison Break" a couple weeks back and we were looking at the effects of sin of our lives. The first week was "Incarcerated" and we looked at the bondaged of sin. So to illustrate that fact I thought it would be good idea to handcuff myself... to myself and talk about the effects of sin. Well it went well, I thought the who night went well. So this past Wednesday I started the lesson in the handcuffs and I talked about being released from the bondage of sin, I was telling the guys about my story as I got to the part where I was released from my sin and I had Kristen come take the cuffs off... As she went to stick the key in we both realized the key was broke so with my mouth agape I stood their hand cuffed to myself.... Of course the room broke out in laughter and I lost all hope of control so I closed my bible and dismissed... what else was gonna do? So I am outside with my whole church hand cuffed like a criminal. Everyone laughed at me... The only other key I had was in my nightstand drawer 20 mins away in Central. So in order to keep my plans of going to eat with my guys I got the bright idea of going to the Easley police department and getting them to remove them. It was a bad good idea, good in theory, bad in practice. As the officer walked out he looked at me and then at my female youth sponsor that drove me and said "I don't want to know what you two were doing." One of the most akward moments of my life. Anyways, Big Poppa Officer Man could only get once cuff off. I was not happy at all. So here I am walking through the Sonic parking lot where every youth group in Easley decided to hang out that night with one hand cuff on. And yet again everyone laughed at me. Well there so happen to be a guy from our church there and he cut them off with a cordless grinder and it burned me and now I have a scar and a story.

btw

2007-05-24T07:03:00.000-07:00

This is the 1st release pic of Heath Ledger as The Joker for 2008's The Dark Knight.

The WB has launched three websites for the film...

thedarkknight.com

ibelieveinharveydent.com

ibelieveinharveydenttoo.com

(this last one says page not found but click on the page and then prest Ctrl A)

Scary as crap isn't he?

A break from the blog world

2007-05-24T05:41:00.000-07:00

So I have taken a break since "The Batman Incident of 2007". Things have been crazy busy. I've been spending a lot of time up at the camp trying to get ready. To be honest its been a really rough past few weeks. Most of it has to do with the fact that I am having to say goodbye to a couple of my best friends, Heafers and Smitty. This is taking much more of a toll on me than I realized until last Saturday when I went to Smitty's "roast". So to re-enter the blogging world I want to give a shout out to my guys.

Smitty, don't go... I am really happy that you are getting to live your dream to do a new thing for God in Gboro. Your friendship has meant more to me than you know. Its been nice to sit on the wake of someone that is so obviously anointed by God. Its been such a benefit for me to glean off the hard work you do for Welcome and the Flame. I appreciate the accountability and the tough conversations you've had with me that were always shared with love. I appreciate you and your wife hanging out with D and I. Many meals and many movies. You will still get texts from me on a daily basis and I will still be there to pray for you every week as you prepare for your ministry. In your absence I will work on my Hold 'em game so when you come back I'll be ready to wonder where you went because of my chip stack.

Heath, dude I don't even know where to begin with you... Who would have ever thought that ten years ago in Toronto, Canada when we met that you would have been such a huge part of my life, spiritual development, and leadership development. Thanks for stepping up and sticking around through all these years. When the youth of this district needed someone to break the mold and step out and persevere you did. When we needed stability and vision you were there and I more than most can understand what that means and appreciate it. You have arrived at a place where no one know what SCWY looks like without Heath Mullikin. That is a testament to all the hard work you have done for this district and its has not gone unnoticed and unappreciated. I hope it comforts you to know that you are leaving your legacy in the hands of people who have grown up under your ministry and care very much about seeing the vision that you laid before us carried out year after year. Personally, I can't tell you how much your friendship has meant to me over the last few years. It has meant more to me than I can express that you treated me as an equal from the second I started at Easley 1st and always listened to my ideas and guided me in grace for the last few years. I will miss the office chats, "The Big House Hold 'em Tournaments", "BCs","Cooper, Keeper, Kinnan", "Heavenly" and all the other fun stuff that we laugh at all the time. Dude I can't express to you how sad I am to see you and the family go but this i know for sure, there are some kids and young youth pastors that need you where ever you feet fall, you have completed your work here and are needed elsewhere but I make a promise to you as dear friend, and a student that you have always faithfully mentored that I will take care of what you left us here and I will do everything I can to make sure the district we build for the next generation will be worthy of the foundation you have laid. And when my time done here that I will have developed leadership that will do the same... love ya man.

You will not find two finer ministers anywhere...

Batman Returns

2007-05-01T06:36:00.000-07:00

So there I am the Palmetto Baptist Easley awaiting rabies profilaxsis (shots so I won't get rabies). At the end of my last post I told you that I had to get 6 shots over a month long period... oh how I wish that were true. When I left work on Friday to go for my 1st round of vaccinations I was planning on getting my three (3) shots and coming right back to work... plans... they have a funny way of changing... After the receptionist (who didn't look like she was old enough to drive alone after 8pm much less handle any medical information) laughed at me and asked me stupid questions I sat in the waiting room for awhile. Then I was called back... and then you know what I did... waited some more. Then things got better, a really nice nurse came in and handed me this very shiek gown that you see above. At this point I knew two things 1. I was going to be there awhile and 2. maybe I was in for a lot more than I had anticipated. After a while reading tv (thats what you do when the sound if off and the closed captioning is on) a ball-headed doctor came in... I noticed it was the same doctor that treated my mom when she had kidney stones (not to be confused with Kidney Stones aka Amanda Kinney). This is what good ol' Dr. O'Quinn says to me, "I've been doing this for 15 years and this is the first time I've seen this." Well doc, I am glad that I can contribute to your education... At this point I'm thinking that he should keep his lack of experience in this area to himself, but he was very nice so I guess it was ok. Well to keep this post semi-short, I soon discovered that I would not just be administered 3 shots (one a site if bite [left index finger], one in left shoulder and another in right shoulder) that I was told but that the amount of vaccine was determined by weight... GREAT!!! 215lbs, I thought for sure they would roll a 55 gallon drum into my room. All I know is that 10mins later I was lying face down on a hospital bed with my pants half way down my rump and two nameless ladies on either side of me counting down to when the would simultainously shove sharp metal cylinders into my butt muscle... 2 1/2 hrs later I left the hospital with nine (9) new holes (6 of which were on my hind quarters), 6 bandaids (4 for of which were on my hind quarters and both the nurses conversed about how much "fun" it would be to remove them) and 9 new bruises and a limp... at least they fed me... More to come later

And They Call Me "The Batman"

2007-04-27T05:58:00.000-07:00

So last night around 11:30 after I did some design work and was getting ready to go to bed and we here girls screaming at our door. And of course there was a bat in their room. Now if you have known me more than 5 seconds you know that i leap at chances like this. So I jubilantly went upstairs to be Mister Animal Catcher Guy. I walk into the room and there are TWO FREAKING BATS!!!! So I have is a pair of girls knit gloves a mesh back hat and a green towel. So I go after the first one that I finally wrangle into a trash can and as I grab it to put in a tupperware container, oh yeah it bites me on the finger.

Yeah, thats me getting bit on the finger by Bat # 1... Lets call him Bruce... Yes Bruce the (possibly rabid) Biting Bat. So I put him in his "FEMA" like transition home and went after his fiendish cohort... lets call him Wayne the (also possibly rabid) Winged Spawn of the Underworld.

Ah yes, there he is. So I tried to capture him with my net-hat and towel combo but failed miserably and finally resorted to brute force and slapped him with... He went down like a bat that got slapped mid air... (do they make bat-swatters? Sounds like my 1st million) So I reunited him with his eco-locating partner in crime.

One happy bug eating, girl terrorizing, blood sucking family. To make a long story short my time since their release has been spent trying to determine if I need to go get a FREAKING RABIES SHOT(S). And as I was typing this blog I found out the answeris... YES. 6 shots over a month long period. You know heres the funny thing, actually there are two funny things. 1- my mom always told I was going to end up with rabies from playing with all those animals and 2- Once I have been vaccinated I will be protected against rabies so I can continue my adventures with wildlife. I'm sure D will have something to say about that... Well there it is... fun times as the 1st Gentleman of Stu-Be.

WAR!!! - results of an altercation with Matt Rhodes

2007-04-24T09:27:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when people come at me with markers...

Just to let you know I had like 2 marks on me and good ol' Kidney Beans here looked like she fell into a vat of un-capped Sharpies. Very funny... Don't mess with me cracker!

Summer 2007 Movie Guide

2007-04-19T10:02:00.000-07:00

Matt Rhodes' must see movies of the summer of 07.

Spiderman 3

May 4th

This one has the potential to be the best in the series. This is why, Batman Begins took a risk by portraying a "superhero" in a dark manner. In SM3 they straying from the light Peter Parker and introducing one of my favorite characters and storylines from the series, Venom. So they are adding an element of darkness that worked well for Nolan/Bale the latest Bataman installment and two villians that I am excited. Here's the bad news... there is rumor floating around the net that this will be Toby Mcguire's last outing as the webcrawling crimefighter. Two problems: 1. You can't just replace him it would kill the franchise (i.e. Batman series - it took a series restart with new directors, actors, and studio to get that back on track) 2. It's just starting to get intersting, new characters/plot lines - the development of Venom and they eventually Carnage, which is my favorite... So all in all I am really excited. Mos def and 12am showing.

Shrek the Third

May 18th

Its just one of those deals where you have to go see it. I'll wait a few days or even a week but I'll go see it. Apparenntly Shrek it to be king... and I'm sure there'll be an"addition" the family. Same cast, which is good including Puss in Boots - that makes me happy.

Pirates of the Carribean: At World's End

May 25th

So Jack is back and is forming an alliance with all of the pirates of the seas including Barbosa againt Davey Jones and the East India Trading Company which has the Former Commendore Norrington as it's newest co-conspiritor. Sounds like they are going to tie up all the loose ends... hopefully ending this love triangle between Jack, Elizabeth, and William, I'm ready to put that whole issue to bed... I've seen some footage and it looks like they have pulled out the stops visually so I think its going to be awesome!

Ocean's Thirteen

June 8th
I love the "Ocean's" films! The casting director should get a raise, this has been one of the best cast series of all time. I'll be honest I am a little worried about this one though. No Julia Roberts, no Cathrine Zeta-Jones... But we get Al Pacino as the bad guy. And Terry Benidect (Andy Garcia) switches sides... It has potential, as long as Brad Pitt does as well as he has in the 1st two. His character (Rusty) has made the movies what they are.

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

June 15th

I'll be honest, didn't care for the first one and may wait for DVD on this one but it has me intrigued... I do know this, the visual effects look great.

Evan Almighty

June 22nd

Bruce was good, had a lot of Christian paralells so I'll go see it for those same reasons and Steve Carell is very funny. And plus the whole Noah concept could be really funny.

Live Free or Die Hard

June 27th

Ok heres the thing the Die Hard series is a staple of American action cinema so you I have to go see it. I'm going to rent all the others right before to catch up, it looks really good though.

Transformers

July 4th

I grew up in the 80' it law that i have to go see this movie. It looks like its going to be awesome! Plus it directed my Micheal Bay its going to be explosive!! Optimus Prime looks great!

The Bourne Ultimatum

August 3rd

This is another series where I am ready to get to the bottom of whatever is going on... I imagine that Julie Stiles is going ot have more of a role in the final installment. I hope this fights scenese are asd good as they were in the first one. We shall see.

A good summer for movies!!

Thanks John

2007-04-16T07:27:00.000-07:00

Lyrics from John Mayer songs that make me feel nice

"I loved you, grey sweat pants, no makeup, so perfect"

"Comfortable", Inside Wants Out

You should have seen that sunrise with your own eyes it brought me back to life. You'll be with me next time I go outside just no more 3x5's

"3x5", Room for Squares

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No it won't all go the way it should
But I know the heart of life is good

"The Heart of Life", John Mayer, Continuum

Working a few good posts this week.

Random thoughts from random pics

2007-04-11T08:06:00.000-07:00

going through my phone this morning and decided to share some pics and thoughts that they provoke...

These two just make me laugh... especially the storm trooper... I imagine that its Heath in the suit... ha ha

Mike Vanderpool (a former youth pastor of mine) sent me this a few days ago with the caption: "Look, they named a candy bar after you"

Theres nothing funny about racism Mr. Vanderpool... except this

This is my senior pastor... (wonder if he reads this)

About 10 weeks until camp 07 and I am so jacked up!!! Its going to be the best camp ever... I am working on the shirts this week... best ever I promise

Ok, thats all for now... leave me some comments... make me laugh and to the E1 Crew.... dont come alone tonight... I want 30 people there TONIGHT!!! Lets make it happen...

It all started with an burger from A&W on the way to a TFK/FF5/TobyMac show, which was amazing (ly loud)

2007-04-10T08:16:00.000-07:00

This is what has been keeping me functional for the last two weeks and especially the last two days. I had a root canal done on a couple of teeth (18 and 19 to be specifc) 6 years ago... never got them crowned (guess they weren't royalty) so when you get a root canal (and don't crown them) your teeth become very brittle and so over the years they chipped a few times but on the way to the aformentioned concert I had a big chip and lots of pain.... the following Monday morning it was so bad that I had to go the dentist... I was there for about 15 secs and he said they needed retreatment.... aka another root canal(s). So I have to go see an Endoditist... yea I still don't really know what that means... any way went in there he was all like yea we can do this yea yea.... so scheduled an appointment then they laid it on us.... the bill... not good... but God was faithful and provided the funds... so I went in yesterday and for 2 soild hours I held my mouth wide open and they drilled, and pulled, and scraped and drilled.... and drilled... and drilled... at one point I wanted to ask him if he'd struck oil yet.... but it had to be done because I had a lot of infection down there.... yea that was gross... blood and puss oozing from your gums is never good especially duing lunch... yuck.... so I get home and im pretty numb and tired so I lie down and watch Die Another Day.... then the novicaine wore off..... the second most amount of pain I had ever been in, in my life (Top 3: 1. Brusied Kidney... you do not want to go there 2. Double Root Canal 3. Broken Right pinky... and subsequent surgery and rehab) I thought to myself (because I wasnt doing much talking... an occasional grunt is all i could muster... ask D about it) it feels like some took a power drill to my jaw for a couple hours. Then it occured to me... thats exactly what happened... well i got my meds and I feek a lot better but I have a long way to go... thanks for the prayers

coming soon: some thoughts on something God hit me square in the face with last week

and if I can get a hold of some pics highlights from the kick butt game of flag football that was played Fri by the E1 Crew

in light of tonight's message

2007-03-28T05:56:00.000-07:00

Check out this post by Perry Noble (Pastor at Newspring Church). I welled up a little bit... and I don't well up....

LOVE....

Im justa luv addict
Matt<><

The Checklist

2007-03-26T11:34:00.000-07:00

I am starting my busiest time of year... summertime. Just typing that word excites me. Summertime is a time of great anticipation but also a time of paradox. I am spending an increasing amount of time planning for the biggest district event of the year (youth camp)... its the most fun thing we do and its the event with the most spiriual "return", so I am busting my hump to make it the best experience every year and I find that it can be one of the driest times I have for myself. Its hard enough to make time for God now but during the summer (esp @ camp) its next to impossible. Prayer is something that I have journeyed to understand... a personal mission, so within that mission I am going to make all aspects of my involvment with summertime activities a spiritual act. If its filling up water ballons on Wed, then I want it be a time that I am thanking God for fun and reflecting on ways I can use that time to reach/teach. If its leading a small group than its time for me to shut up and be a microphone for God. Whatever it is.... great or small I'm going to work unto the Lord.

Matt<><

A Good Day

2007-03-23T12:33:00.000-07:00

The beginning of the end of a journey is represented by this check... a long journey. Today D and I wrote this check and took it to the business office to pay off the balance of my school bill. This was the last thing standing in my way to go back to school and finish what I started a long time ago. God has called me to HIS ministry and HE has made a way for that to happen. Let me just say that I have to most amazing wife in the whole world. Its because of her sacrifice that this was possible. Babe, I love you so much and every life that God allows me to touch will be because you were faithful to Him. So today I praise Him... I am actually giddy!

Is there really a difference between ADD and ADHD... I call them KWNBD... Kids Who Need A Beat Down

2007-03-13T11:25:00.000-07:00

I know my posts have been kinda all over the place here lately and I didn't post anything for quite sometime. Here is why:

18 "Forget the former things;

do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the desert

and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:18-19

I think God is doing a new thing. The funny thing about the word thing is that its so obscure. What "thing" is God doing? That "thing" is happening to me and I don't know anything about the "thing". What I have learned about my relationship with God is I don't have to know, I have to obey. Thats what I am called to do, God doesn't benefit from my knowledge on a situation, He wants me to act on a situation. I haven't posted because I've been in a fuzzy place, a place of uncertainty. So what has changed, has the fog lifted? Nope I still have no clue what the "thing" is but I know God wants me to proclaim Him no matter if I have no clue what He's doing. Look out for a "mockers post" revisit... I think I have some issues I want to work out from that line of thought.

Also... D and I are going to Newport News, VA this weekend (whoop whoop!!) so after tomorrow I prob won't post but look for a post about what we did.

Matt<><

How do they put light in a can?

2007-03-12T12:19:00.000-07:00

Going to pick it up today! I am really excited, not because its a really sweet lighting system, not because I've put a lot of hours into research and stuff to get it approved. I am excited because even though its just a bunch of lights it represents the fact that God wants to do a new things at HIS youth camps this year, and the districts desire to change the culture.

"Turn your ear to Heaven and here the noise inside"

"O' Praise Him"

on a lighter note

2007-03-09T08:36:00.000-08:00

I know its been several days since I last posted but that last post was a big chunk of me and I feel really strongly about it. So I'd end this week with more funny pics.

Whenever I see something like this I can't help but to think of Bradford.

Ghetto in every sense of the word...

Ewwww...

Thats just shear desperation in anger.

I'm not ready to be a dad.

And that leads is to our:

"Where the heck our their parents" Section

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Matt<><

The Seat of The Mockers... Be Holy

2007-02-28T06:24:00.000-08:00

I think we get confused sometimes... I know I do. All the time we are hearing that we should do this and that for Christ, I find myself telling my teens all the time that they should do this and that but I know they walk out sometimes wanting to know how. Well today I hope to answer the how by telling to the how not to. Make sense?

We have been talking about sharing our faith with others a lot in the youth group and it usually manifests its self with an invitation to church. The result of that is we have seen an influx in attendance lately, which is great, keep it up guys. I need to re-emphasize the point of inviting people to church. Jesus... thats it, people knowing Jesus. Inviting people to church will provide them with an oppurtunity to meet or see Jesus (hopefully) but somtimes that doesn't stick. You know what will make it stick, them seeing Jesus lived out in you. Guys I can create the greatest "experiecnce" in world on Wednesday nights and people will be no closer to God if the don't see Him lived out in the lives of His followers.

Here's the thing... You cannot not trade your integrity or convictions for an oppurtunity to reach people. The fact is that we have to make sure our game is tight before we try to coach others. Our relationhip with God HAS to be priority NO. 1. Yes we must put ourselves last and serve others but not at the cost of our faith. I have heard people say things like if I go to a bar and have a drink every Friday night I can build a relationship with them and lead them to Christ. How can they see Christ through your beer bottle? I have heard people say thtat if they get a tatoo it will help them reach a group of people, a sub-culture that they never could've before. Don't use Jesus as and excuse to do what you want to. Thats all it boils down to, you want to do what you want to do and you feel like if you put some spiritual spin on it you can get the green light from God. The truth is people want to see something different, they don't want to see more people conforming.

Jesus was different, He met people where they were but He didn't compromise who He was. He went down to the well and met the Samaritan Woman but He didn't engage in adultry with her so He could better understand who she was and have an oppurtunity reach her. He treated her differently than she expected... He showed her love. Same thing with the woman who had been caught in adultry... he called out the Pharasiees and told her to go and sin no more. I don't know who reads this but I know that if there is some "liberal" young buck ministry major out there that has it figured out and is ready to get "tat-ed up" and have a few with his boys is saying that Jesus spent time with sinners, tax collecters, theives and such. But He never engaged their sin. He engaged their soul, lead them to a place of commitment which lead to a place of change... yes, God expects us to change.

Keep these verses in mind.

13Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

1 Peter 1:13-16

1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Psalm 1:1-3

Matt<><

How Great

2007-02-26T08:50:00.000-08:00

I'm so bored of little gods

While standing on the edge of something large

While standing here, so close to You

We could be consumed

-David Crowder Band

That's exactly how I feel today, I am so tired of things that truly do not matter retain so much of my energy. I mean of we can take a step back and honestly take a look at our lives objectively does the one true God get the number one spot all of the time? I know He doesn't in my life. I feel like I am standing at the door that leads into something so much bigger than me that I'll never be able to see the whole thing at once. Its placing a healthy perspective on things and it placing me where I belong... in the back. I feel like I could almost reach over and touch God because I feel His presence so close to me. This thought of consumption overwhelms me. The possibility of God completely covering and penetrating me scares and excites me.

A good friend of mine, David Hall makes a excellent point in his post about the Church, he talked about how a church needs the right people with the right leadership to be successful. This isn't an argument based on position, its based on the heart. Do the people have a heart do trust and follow their leadership, do they have a heart to grow closer and closer to God through the disciplines of study, prayer, and obedience, do they have a never dying passion to see lost people come into saving knowledge and a growing relationship with Christ? Does the leadership have the anointing of God and the ability to recognize it and the strength to follow it where ever it leads? I think that our church is asking ourselves those questions right now and that is a very exciting place to be.

Matt<><

Forgot one

2007-02-22T12:10:00.000-08:00

I need a laugh today

2007-02-22T07:30:00.000-08:00

I needed to laugh a little today so I looked all over the net for some funny pics... this is what I came up with.

What did that kid do to that bird?

1. Thats just funny

2. Look at dude's shorts

Whats funny about this one is that I have been to a wedding where this was the cake topper.

I saw this and thought of Bradford...

By the way this is like a upper high school math problem and the best he could to is to answer: No. there is an elephant in the way.

I don't care what anyone says this is one of the funniest pics I've ever seen. I have been laughing for hours.

Johnny M

2007-02-21T07:37:00.000-08:00

I was there! One of the best concerts I've ever been to.

I still smell smoke

2007-02-21T07:25:00.000-08:00

So last night we had a bonfire. I love bonfires, its so relaxing just to sit by the fire and hang out. Last night we had 26 people come! It was awesome, a lot of new faces. We ended our time together by praying over some issues in our lives and writing them down on a index card and them tossing them in the fire, a symbolic gesture that we are going to give those things to God and allow Him to do a work in our lives. Big props to Kev Deep and the Deepers who helped out with the stage design for the rest of the week. I am really excited to see how cool it looks finished. Pray for us the rest of this week as we share the Gospel with a bunch of new people (we hope).

A side note: D and I had to go to Gville to pick something up yesterday and I ran into a former principal of mine from high school. I would like to tell you that he didnt know me from Adam but the fact is he knew me very well and even after almost 9 years and about 70lbs. I have to say that the encounter was quite nice. I felt really awesome for number one introduce my wife to him and then for him to ask me what I was doing and for me to tell him that I am a youth pastor. I was in his office a lot and it was never because he wanted to remind me of what a great Christian I was being. It reminded me that God is big and He has the power to change lives, He changed mine and its nice when He has me cross paths with someone who knew me before the change and can really see the difference. Praise God for His grace.
Matt<><

Monday Night in Retro

2007-02-20T07:24:00.000-08:00

We started youth week off with a scavenger hunt. It was a lot of fun to see all the guys scurring about Easley trying to find and do random things. I had a funny revelation last night about competition with in a youth group. There is always that team that gets mad a complains that everyone else cheated (sometimes they are right) and they get all up in arms about it but that same team wouldn't have won anyway. Its funny. Anyways it was a great way to get the week started. Tonight we are having a bonfire which is always fun, pray that the rain holds off for a few hours.

Pray for D and I throughout this week, we are both fighting illness (she much more than I) and are not sleeping well. Pray for the rest of this week, that God will show up in a mighty way and all our lives will never be the same. Pray that God will use this week as a catalyst against atrophy. I am ready for e1 to expode! I feel a great rumbling within me... I its kind of like when you can smell the rain before a storm. Pray for the services starting Wed and going through Fri. Thanks

Matt<><

Part-time?

2007-02-16T07:35:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of things going on right now in the realm of Matt Rhodes. Several projects that I am working on that I want to share my thoughts on.

1. Youth Week – Man vs. Wild
Every year during February we have youth services all week long. It starts Monday and I am running around trying to make sure that everything on my end is taken care of. This weekend I need to revisit my messages and un pack them one more time but the plan is to bathe the week in prayer tomorrow during my study time. I have challenged my students to invite as many people as possible, they have responded really well. Pray for the Holy Spirit to go ahead of us and inhabit the final preparations and start melting hearts to the message of Christ.

2. Youth Camp – Hidden
Be careful what you wish for. The Lord has blessed me with creativity and a desire for excellence in ministry over the last few months, so when you get ideas you have to make them reality. I have bit off a good size chunk for our camps this year but it’s what I’ve always wanted so I am happy. I truly believe that our youth camps are one of our districts greatest strengths and untapped resource. God does amazing things through our camp, how much more will He do when he challenges us to change the way we do things to better suit a changed culture and to make a commitment to excellence. Pray for the executive staff as we plan, pray for counselors as they prepare for their students and pray that God will begin to impress a desire to attend or students all over the state.

3. Youth Convention – Setapart
I am way behind the eight ball on this deal but its not due to procrastination I am waiting to hear from several companies to move forward. But that really doesn’t matter as much as the fact that in ten months ten thousand students are going to gather to worships Christ all at the same time. I know it’s a long way out but pray for the convention.

4. Mission Trip – Puerto Rico
I got the apps, just need to get them out and back and begin the whole process. Pray for finances, it’s a lot of cash but I believe that God has ordained for our church to go so therefore money cannot be a factor. Pray that God will raise someone up that will give a large sum of money towards this trip.

5. Matt’s Secret Project – The BIG One
Oh, you want to know don’t you? Can’t right now but I can say this. God is moving in some areas that desperately need attention. This is what needs prayer the most of all the projects because if it happens it will be a God thing. Pray for my teens, that they will be able to handle the responsibility that comes a long with “the secret”. Pray for the church/church board, that they will have enough vision to step out and trust that God wants more of us. Pray that the will trust my leadership of the students.

So that’s what’s going on aside from normal day to day things. It’s a busy busy life it makes me happy to serving God in so many things.

Matt<><

1st Post

2007-02-15T08:19:00.000-08:00

I am tired of myspace blogging so I wanted to branch out to something that gave me a little more flexibility. You’ll find an assortment of subjects on this blog. Some serious some not so serious. But know that Jesus is #1 in my life. Check it out tomorrow.