Matt's External Brain
Deep Thoughts From Vacation #1: Cabela’s
Sunday, July 1st, 2007The first major stop on our way up north is always Cabela’s in Owatonna, MN. Probably the greatest outdoor outfitter shopping experience in existence. It’s the Apple store of sporting goods. The main problem? I could spend $25k there and still not feel “outfitted”.
(note: this includes the brand new $16k fishing […]
Purity of heart…
Monday, June 11th, 2007Was watching a fascinating interview with Steve Jobs and Bill Gates where they held a QA session. Mr. Gates made an interesting comment in while answering a question.
“I was smart enough to wait to get married because [software was my passion, my life].”
Essentially, it was his singular focus, which is a big […]
The North American Geek
Monday, June 4th, 2007I was interviewed extensively for this documentary put together by National Geographic, but my section was edited for time.
(Silly documentary writers and your lame reenactments. You can’t counter with a Dragon Whelp, that doesn’t even make sense! Only a creature that can be summoned as an instant or interrupt can be played as […]
Is Our Church Already Too Youth Focused?
Sunday, June 3rd, 2007This morning after our church gathering, we held a special lunch so that the pastors could share the vision and ideas behind some major internal restructuring that is happening in our church; restructuring that will help to strengthen and multiply our efforts to reach Ames and the ISU campus.
After the vision was shared (which I […]
The Journey’s End
Friday, May 11th, 2007Yesterday’s poem is the first part of a series. I’ll write the next part… when I get there.
I can look straight ahead for now and grip the sword because I know the ending. That song has already been written. United Live did an excellent job of capturing a piece of it, so […]
The Path
Wednesday, May 9th, 2007Thick, chill, night sky rumbles round me shakes the earth dark… midnight, clouds both shroud my view, in and out.
dull, weary, eyes beat back against the rain set straight ahead tired… soul, legs both flounder one more step, one then another
battered, flame-scorched, shield glistens in lamp-light sheds the water light… sword, lamp the same gives me sight grants me life
one more step, […]
enCOURAGEd
Thursday, May 3rd, 2007Overused word of the day: encourage.
en·cour·age (ĕn-kûr’ĭj, -kŭr’-) tr.v., -aged, -ag·ing, -ag·es.
To inspire with hope, courage, or confidence; hearten.
To give support to; foster: policies designed to encourage private investment.
To stimulate; spur: […]
Partial Birth Abortion Is Murder
Wednesday, April 25th, 2007And I am so glad the Supreme Court upheld it’s ban.
I am tired and emotional, and not quite sure what to say, but feel that I must say something. Elena was on the floor, playing, generally being adorable, Nancy was in the chair behind me, catching up with Facebook, and I was reading John […]
I Am A Powerpop Punk Rocker
Thursday, April 5th, 2007This is a profound realization for a man who spends a majority of his time playing “contemporary” “Chrisitian” “praise and worship” “music”.
I took a blogthing quiz “What Kind Of Rocker Are You” and it told me I’m an Emo Rocker. The heck I am!!
Metallica, Face to Face, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Foo Fighters, Rage Against […]
To The Christians - Who Do You Hang Out With?
Saturday, March 31st, 2007“Watch out! Beware the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”
Jesus of Nazareth, The Christ. (As recorded by John Mark, Peter’s companion)
Who do you spend your time with?
Why is it, when we talk about ways of “meeting ‘the lost’” do we always conceive of awkward, […]
A Parent’s Love as an Image of God’s Love
Thursday, March 29th, 2007This post is exceptionally long, and you probably won’t read it all. But it’s from my heart, and I hope you’ll take time to consider reading it.
Tonight as I was cleaning up the kitchen after dinner (something I do only once in a blue moon) and keeping an eye on Elena while Nancy was […]
No, They Did Not Find Jesus Christ’s Bones
Tuesday, February 27th, 2007Just so you all know, this hype (nonsense) that is being paraded all over television about Jesus bones having been found is National Enquirer style tripe.
I might not have a lot of credibility when it comes to this topic, if you are a skeptic, but Michael Spencer has an excellent writeup and links to resources […]
C.S. Lewis On Excellence
Sunday, January 28th, 2007Paul showed me this quote the other day. I think it captures the heart of why I am passionate about excellence in our ministry (our music, our Web site, our promotions, our speaking, everything…).
“‘Great works’ (of art) and ‘good works’ (of charity) had better also be good work. Let choirs sing […]
Best Buy Gift Cards: Oh The Dilemma
Monday, January 15th, 2007Finally coming up for air. I have a ton of posts, pictures, and videos to make about the move to our new house, but in the meantime, I have a dilemma that maybe you can help me solve.
I have a $20 gift card to Best Buy and I have absolutely no idea what to […]
Mark Driscoll on The Future Of Worship Music
Thursday, January 4th, 2007From the “850 Words” E-newsletter from Relevant Magazine.
Editor’s Note: In the latest issue of RELEVANT, we got the chance to ask seven leaders about seven big questions facing the Church. Here’s an excerpt from their responses. To read more, be sure to check out the January/February issue of the mag.
[…]
Is Jesus Coming Back in 2007?
Wednesday, January 3rd, 2007churchrelevance.com » Is Jesus Coming Back in 2007? According to an Associated Press-AOL News poll, 25% of people in the U.S. anticipate the second coming of Jesus Christ in 2007.
Is he coming back this year? Probably not. But he might. No one knows. I personally happen to believe […]
God Likes Anchovy Pizza
Wednesday, January 3rd, 2007Last night Nancy and I went to Pizza Hut. We were going to split a medium pizza, and I’m pretty sure God was telling me to get anchovies on my side, which was strange, because while I have a secret “thing” for anchovies, I very rarely order them in public.
I got counsel on whether […]
Merry Christmas 2006 part 1
Monday, December 25th, 2006How many Christmases can you remember taking your car through the car wash? I’ve had a hard time realizing Christmas was coming up because the weather is nice enough to continue to ride my bike around town (which is awesome for the gas bill). But here we are.
We have several days of Christmas […]
Discontentment or Spiritual Principle?
Thursday, November 16th, 2006I have a pretty sweet computer. It helps me do my job efficiently. It is sufficiently quick, powerful, and pretty. However, my new job is sending me a sweeter, faster, prettier one. Suddenly, I find myself discontented with my perfectly good current computer.
I was relating this to my wife’s […]
My Current Conspiracy Theory
Wednesday, November 8th, 2006Iowa State University head football coach Dan McCarney, and United States Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld both announce their resignation on the same day. Coincidence? I think not.
Technorati Tags: Donald Rumsfeld, Dan McCarney
