"By His Wounds..."

"By His wounds, by His wounds, we are healed"

Before I even get onto the topic at hand, let's just look at the significance of that one line. By the wounds of one man...one perfect, blameless, spotless man, we are healed. By the wounds of Christ, by the piercing of nails and the pain he suffered, we are healed. This concept used to blow my mind away since I always thought that a wound was something that damaged. Not something that would heal. But we look at it from a human perspective, where Christ was a man, but he was also the Son of God. Thus, the wounds caused by man to Christ healed our sins. It's complex at times, but I can't put into words how much I am thankful that Christ died for our sins

Now, last year I put into perspective Easter according to my thoughts. I looked at the perspective of the act and posted some nice imagery for those who couldn't understand how huge Christ saving us from our sins was. Well, this year I want to look more in depth at how significant Christ's love is for us. Mainly, I just wanted to dig more on the idea of how something so perfect, so amazing was beaten, tortured, and bruised with thorns....yet, He still told His father, our God, to forgive us all

Christ said as he slowly died, "forgive them..." To think of the torturing, bruising, and all the atrocities that happened to Jesus by men yet he told God to forgive us? I cannot begin to tell you how crazy that is to me sometimes. If someone were to punch you, would you pray for their forgiveness or would you fight back? Well, Jesus was tied to a cross, and forced to carry it while being whipped relentlessly. If you have something that may hurt your head, you take it off right? Jesus had a crown of thorns...let me repeat this...thorns...that were pushed into his skull till blood was drawn. And when Jesus was being nailed to the cross, as with everything that proceeded and followed, he could have easily stopped it all, killed his persecutors, and not even flinch

But Christ took this beating, this bruising, so we could have eternal life. I have been a Christian for years. Not quite as many as some of the people in my church, but I can bet that even those who are Christians for many years can grasp quite why Christ died for us. I stand amazed that Christ, the very son of God, came down to save us from our sins

I hope this can help to provide some reflection during this pivotal weekend. May you take in His word, and also listen to the song that contains that line I originally posted at the top of this blog

Song of the day: "By His Wounds"-Mac Powell and friends

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eui5WK-pkSA

A Small Disclaimer To All...

I am a lot of things....

• Stubborn
• Competitive
• Loyal
• Faithful
• Energetic

But, first and foremost, I am a family oriented guy. From my amazing parents I have the privilege and honor to be a big brother to one of the greatest individuals I know. I live for my family, even so much so that I had tattooed onto my left shoulder in an ancient script a symbol that means family. So, if you ever so happen to mess with my family, count yourself among swine, for you are low in my books. If you dare to mess with my sister, you are lower than anything in the world I can come up with. But if you dare make her cry, and stab her in the back as well, God help you and your soul....

Song of the night: "Soul Suckers"-Amos Lee

God of Wonders...

So, today was a great day. I was a little tired thanks to a lack of sleep but it was all good in the end!

I got to help out with the downtown campus of our church. I ran the ProPresenter and also helped to train one of the young guys on how to run everything. It was a different "feel" from St. Andrews campus since it was a lot smaller and only one service but I enjoyed it. It feels more of a mellowed out and kind of "chill" vibe. The band was acoustic style almost which I thoroughly enjoyed. But with communion being today, things got out of timing. But, I realize now, that God had timed it perfectly, and we just didn't know it

What I love about those situations is that even if you freak out for a second, you soon realize that there is a reason given by God to relax and know He is in control of everything. I've learned over years of working with technology in the church setting that when you freak out, things just get worse for you over time. But, keeping faith in the Lord and knowing that He plans out everything is awesome

For example, today instead of running a song as planned, we allowed for communion to run longer, and had a small prayer time. Was this planned? Not by the worship team or any of the people running the show. But God had it planned and He saw it fit for more prayer and more interaction with leaders and church members during communion

Overall, I'm just refreshed at how God is moving in this campus downtown. Is it as put together and "well oiled" as the St. Andrews one? No way! But you know what? I really think that God is doing something big through our church and it's campuses. I'm quite excited to see what happens in the near future

Song of the day: "Come Around"-Jimmy Needham

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2WvlP0Qh9A (lyrics video for the song)

"Living and loving life"

Lately I've been just loving everything that life has thrown at me....

• The weather has been amazing
• Work has gone well
• School has been good for me lately (well, minus Econ but that's a given considering our professor)
• I get to have fun playing pickup sports since the weather is getting nicer

Overall, spring has got to be one of my favorite seasons right now

Song of the day: "Carol of the Bells"-August Burns Red

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUId5f1-KbE

Time...

Time is a thing that moves ever so slowly these days for me. I can't complain since I love slow days but I also can't wait for this summer when I can just relax and not worry so much about school and such. But, it is volleyball season and I'm ready to play as much as I can with Ruby Tuesday people and get a good workout from it. Plus, it's another way to enjoy the AWESOME weather that we've been having. Just hope the rain doesn't ruin the day!

Song of the day: "Sittin' on the dock of the bay"-Sara Bareilles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If_BpSJehSw

"Foldin' laundry all day long, foldin' laundry an' singin' this song"

You know you gotta love that title!

I used to hate folding laundry but it's actually...dare I say it?.... therapeutic right now. Add the nice weather outside and it's AWESOME! I open the window, plug iPod in, and now I get to just enjoy the awesome weather that God has given us lately. I'm hoping it stays like this for a long time. But, it may get even more hot! Which I'm not arguing against, as long as it's just heat with no rain!

Today I get to go to work, make money, and have fun with the friends I've made at work. I'm really loving working at Ruby Tuesday right now. The best part is going out after work with everyone to Ale House and just being goofballs and having fun with everyone. But what was cool about last night was seeing people I used to work with at Fatz. The funniest thing is seeing old people like that and they first thing they say is "have you lost weight?!" I then explain to them that the place I work at now has a lot more healthy food and also how I walk everywhere on campus and run at least a mile or two a day to keep my "figure"

Song of the day: "The Silence"-Mayday Parade

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEXiXaYhw6E&feature=related

Bloggin' for the heck of it?!

Why yes I am! It's such a beautiful day outside and I've recently redone the layout of this whole deal so why not change it?!

Today, the weather is awesome. I went running this morning thinking it would be cool but it was nearly 60 when I walked out the door. I quickly retreated back inside, took off my hoodie, and then went and ran a few miles. I can't help but just love how much the weather has gotten better over the last few days here in Columbia. I just wish I could go play volleyball or something before work but nobody to play right now is a small problem haha

But the biggest thing out of today was going and touring a couple apartments. Mainly Stadium Suites and I took a tour of Woodlands. Personally, I'm thinking Stadium Suites or University Oaks but as of now, Stadium has a small lead over Oaks but we'll see what happens

Song of the day: "Geek in the Pink"-Jason Mraz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfi_PQEUQ-c

Just watch how much of a goober Jason Mraz is but it's still an awesome song

"I saw a leprechaun!"

Ok, so I maybe didn't see a leprechaun on the day that people use as a reason to drink Guinness, down lots of shots, and get stupid-face wasted. I did however, do this

• Almost slept through Economics until I decided to just record the professor and then go surf the web. I've studied the lecture so don't worry, I am studying
• Cleaned up my room
• Sat through some more speeches, a couple were good but one was great
• Checked out an apartment (University Oaks)
• Got my truck looked at...AGAIN
• Decided on place to fix my truck
• Hung with my friend and potential future roomie on his 21st....beverages were consumed yes

So, overall, a pretty decent day. Not a lot of "St. Patty's" around 5 Points last night because it was the middle of the week. Now, probably tonight-Saturday there will be more people but somebody *COUGHMECOUGH* has to work till close all three nights..... :(

But hey, I could use the money and I'm enjoying life so no worries! I do want to go back out again sometime in the next few days and enjoy some 5 Points. But mainly, I'm just glad to do laundry and have CLEAN CLOTHES! But, I'm also excited to be done with the truck ordeal and also to nail down where the heck I'll be living next fall. I'm thinking right now either

• Stadium Suites with a 3 or 4 bedroom package

OR

• University Oaks with a 3 or 4 bedroom package

But, we will see. So far it's just me and Ryan but I'm thinking my friend Trey is going to join us so we'll have enough for a 3br/3ba. I'd kinda like to get to a 4br/4ba but if we go with a 3 it won't be the end of the world for me

Song of the day: "Points of Authority"-Linkin Park (don't diss, it's a good "pump you up" song)

Word of the day?

So, another blogger wrote on a word and what it applied to their life. So, I've decided to try it myself. While the other one wrote on success, I've decided to write on a word that has meant a lot to me over the last few years, mainly since early 2008....strength

Many people look at me and think, "that's a big guy, bet he's strong"...pft, not as "strong" as he'd like to be would be more the word. I'm not the most physically gifted person in the world, but I make due with what I have. But, I think the "strength" that I have is rooted deeply in a God that loves me, a family that loves me, and friends that are a-mazing

First and foremost, I have strength in the fact that I have a God that sees my faults, and trust me people...there are many, and still loves me the same. I'm not going to go into a religious tangent but it's the truth. The love that is given by Him is so powerful it's almost like He's giving me power to do what I can and to never give up

Second, my family. I have a tattoo that says family in Sanskrit. If that's not enough indication how important my family is, you are blind and slightly "slow" my friends. I would take a bullet for everyone of my family. "Blood is thicker than water." Well folks, blood is thicker than anything. If you told me that someone is going to kill one of my family members unless I go jump off a bridge, my response would be, "ok, donde esta bridge-o?" (Bad Spanglish, I apologize) But, my family has been there, even when I didn't want God my family stuck to me and stayed with me till I've started to get my feet back up under me and standing on my own now. I'd especially like to thank my Dad. Now, a lot of people may not think he's the greatest ever, kinda mean. But it's necessary. Without him pushing me, prodding me, and also kicking (he tends to enjoy that) I would not be where I am today. He is like a small Winston Churchill in my mind, "we will never stop, we will never surrender."

My friends. They are few, and by few I mean I am VERY selective on who I let into my life. If you know pretty much everything there is to know about me, you are among the few in this world other than God Himself. But I cannot thank my friends enough that stick with me, and also those who push me to be who I am

So, am I "strong"? I would say I am since I have many that push my arms to move aside whatever stands in my path that may hinder me. I do not like obstacles, so I will take the strength given to me by those who are around me to push them out of the way and stand victorious

Song of the day: "Night Train"-Amos Lee

Change of plans...

So, I thought I was going to be in Conway by now but...things changed. Here's a small play by play of my morning

• Woke up to a text from Kirby (cousin for those who do not know) saying they (he and other cousin, Casey) won't be coming since someone hacked Casey's information and stole his $$. And it was a LOT of $$ taken. Poor Casey...
• Spent a lot of time on phone with insurance people after girl hit my truck yesterday. Fun stuff is, she hasn't called her insurance people yet to even file a claim. This is becoming more of a nuisance
• Oh, and not to mention, I'm not going to Conway for reason 1, part of reason 2, and mainly because of the weather...

But, I'm going to take this all and just try to close out my break as best as I can. Beating myself up and getting pissy will solve nothing at all. So, I will just enjoy my family a little more here in Irmo before going back to West Quad. There's always volleyball Friday!

Song of the day: "Have Faith In Me"-A Day To Remember

Trying to keep up!

So, I'm going to TRY (focus on the word try here folks) to make this back into a regularly scheduled deal. But, it would just be on Tuesdays and Thursdays with maybe a random post scattered every now and then. So far spring break has been exactly what the doctor ordered! I've really just enjoyed being able to sleep in my old bed and be able to just relax and let a lot of my cares just melt away. I'm going to be recharged for USC when I get back and I plan to hit the ground running and take my classes head on. Especially Stat and Econ since those are my two hardest classes

The biggest part of the break I am looking forward to is going to Conway tomorrow through Friday. I will be able to relax, hang out by the river, and see at least one of my cousins. Now, if one of the other ones show up, the more the merrier! If not, I'm perfectly fine with hanging out with Grandma who I love so much. But, as tradition states, I have to spend at least one sunrise on the dock listening to "Black River" by Amos Lee to kind of, "set the mood" if you want to go there. But mainly, it's my way to enjoy the scenery of the place that God has allowed to be my safe refuge for years

So, back to the blog thing! I will be making my best attempts to make this into a Tues-Thurs deal but I want COMMENTS! (not meaning to unleash the fury there, just kinda happened....perky for some odd reason this morning) Anyways....please leave some comments! That way I know people are reading and also I like feedback. And if I post anything from Sundays and yall see it and go, "Matt, that fits my life, thanks!", then my life will be complete just a little bit more

Song of the day: "Southern Girl"-Amos Lee

Watching Love Handles

Just enjoying The Love Handles practice some new stuff is pretty relaxing. It's also a blast to see all of the funny personalities the guys have. What's best is when somebody messes up and then everyone starts goofing off and laughing like it's nothing. Overall, it's something a tad therapeautic that I've been missing. It's really nice to have a Monday off to be able to hang out with these guys a bit. Plus, I'm getting a little sound tech training while I'm here

Plus, seeing two new band members practice is a plus as well. And it's always a riot to harass poor Joey haha

Song of the day: "You Had Me At Hello"-A Day To Remember