The Power of Journaling

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of journaling? For me, it’s all the fancy doodling that ladies are so much better at doing than men are. I think of the drawings and calligraphy surrounding the body of what someone writes. I hate to break it to you, but my journaling doesn’t look a thing like that. No doodling and lots of sloppy writing, but thoughts are therapeutically written on a page, and I find great joy and release as I pen these words. 

This is a challenging time for me. Let’s face it, many are facing challenges right now they never assumed they would face. When we should be supporting each other, we are more divided than ever. I never thought I would see the day when we were medically divided, but I digress.

Over the last few weeks, I have written about hard decisions I am facing. Frustrations with life and work. Joys of family and church. So much has filled these pages. Fear of the unknown coupled with excitement to step out and do some things that some may ridicule while I know God is opening some unique doors for me to help others while providing for my family. 

You may be like me and have a difficult time wording your thoughts to God during certain seasons of life. Right now, I am writing my prayers. I’m still praying, and my concentration during written prayer is so much better. Journaling has brought a depth to my walk with God right now that I have missed for a while.

Maybe it’s time you start writing your thoughts. You might find yourself with greater concentration. The beautiful part about this is that you can look back later and see different things God did and you may easily forget if you don’t record it. 

I encourage you to prayerfully consider journaling. I’m not recommending anything fancy. My “journal” currently consists of scrap paper. Don’t worry about the method. Just sit down and pour out your thoughts. If you do, let me know how it goes. If you already do this, drop a testimony in the comment section. Sending my love to you all!

6 Years!

I’ll never forget how things happened overnight in 2015. In June, I met my wife. In July, we began our courtship. On September 11, we were married. Remember the song by Bonnie Raitt “Let’s give ‘em something to talk about”? Jennifer and I got everyone’s curiosity up here in the Golden Corner of South Carolina. Today, we celebrate 6 years of marriage. 

These 6 years have not been without their challenges. In 6 years, we have had 3 babies and had to move out of our house due to circumstances beyond our control. Add to that the challenges of blending a family. It’s not for the faint of heart. I firmly believe our past hardships from our previous marriages helped us be able to weather these storms a little better. 

To Jennifer, I want to thank you for taking this journey with me. I warned you that I was still called to ministry, and the road would be bumpy. You were willing to sign up for the roller coaster. Thank you for riding the waves and handling the challenges with grace and faith! Here’s to getting old and wrinkly together😂!

Remembering Pastor Ken Fetuao

Approximately five years ago, I was reaching out in a Facebook pastors group for support. I knew I was still called to be a pastor, but not many churches would touch a divorced guy with a 39 1/2-foot pole. Several pastors commented with their platitudes, but I received a message from a guy who had been in the same boat. He wanted to talk on the phone, so we set up a time and had a good conversation that would open the door for periodic contact over the next several years. 

Many Facebook connections never get to meet face to face, but Ken and I met for lunch when he was in the area last September. He was looking for preaching opportunities in our area, so I connected him with a local denominational leader. It was the least I could do for a man who encouraged me. 

Around lunch time today, I found out Ken went into the presence of the Lord he faithfully preached. In this stage of his life, Ken had a heart for churches that were struggling. There was no price tag to ministry for him. Based on the posts I have seen so far on his Facebook page, my life was not the only one that was touched by his kindness. 

Please pray for those who have been touched by his life and ministry. I pray the Lord will give me the heart for souls that this dear brother had. Enter into your reward, Pastor Ken! Until we meet in glory!

Mail Carrier

I have never had a job with the postal service, but I’ve been a mail carrier all my life. So have you! You might say, “Matthew, I don’t get it!” Let me explain😀.

We all deliver a message. The content of the message varies. You might be the bearer of good news, bad news, facts, misinformation, gossip, or the gospel. Depending on the kind of mail we deliver, some may be excited to be in our presence, while others may be excited to see us take a walk. 

What kind of mail do you deliver? Are you delivering the right kind? If not, what kind of mail should you be delivering? God, help us deliver a message that brings life and blessing to others, even when the message might cut against our sinful nature. 

Ghosted!

“Ghosted” is a very popular term and something many of us experience. The New York Times defines it this way: “Ghosting — when someone cuts off all communication without explanation — extends to all things, it seems.” In my years of ministry, I have been ghosted multiple times. People who promise to join the church choir will ghost you if they have no intention of really joining. Those who don’t want to hurt your feelings will ghost you by avoiding your phone calls, texts, Facebook messages, and other forms of communication. Ghosting is quite common, and I wish I could say I’ve never ghosted anyone, but I’m very guilty.

Ghosting displays our lack of courage. We who seek to avoid conflict find it much easier to ghost someone than to tell them how we really feel. While it seems that social media has made lions out of mice in some respects, it is still the easier form of avoidance in our modern, spineless society.

I’m so glad God never ghosts us. He doesn’t go out of His way to avoid us. He lovingly corrects us when we need it and gently comes alongside us when we need His comfort. He promised to never leave us nor forsake us, and He has since “eternity past” delivered on all His promises. 

Are you tempted to ghost someone? Maybe you’re currently doing that. Consider how you would feel. Take the high road. Answer that phone call. Have that face-to-face conversation. Be the courageous person God called you to be. You’ll be glad you did!

Accepting Your Assignment

In the world of ministry, there is an element of pressure to be a certain thing. If you pastor a church, you need to have certain goals, attire, etc. My reality is that I haven’t fit the modern bill for a pastor. I’m an old soul. I’m the guy that most people didn’t realize was in the room until 30 minutes later if at all. Guess what?!? That’s okay!

God doesn’t go after a certain type that impresses Him. Who would impress the Almighty anyway? According to I Corinthians 1, He says “not many mighty and not many noble are called” so that no flesh should glory in His presence. God never called me to be someone’s expectations. He has given me a specific assignment. Any other pursuit is a demonic distraction.

Maybe you’re struggling with who you are in Christ and how God has wired you. That’s okay! Allow God to show you your true identity and give you the contentment to accept that!

Does Anyone Blog Anymore? (Are You Still Out There?)

It’s been quite some time since I posted on this account. I left blogging for a minute and let the paid domain go for this account. WordPress made me invisible for several months because the unpaid domain reappeared, so I started a brand new blog with only 10 percent of my initial audience.

I have been blessed to have over 1,600 followers on this site. Are you guys still blogging? What developments have risen in your life in the last few years? I value our connection and would love to hear what is happening with you. Let me hear from you in the comment section.

Zooming In When I Should Be Zooming Out

My wife and I rarely ride to church together. I like to arrive early, and she typically runs behind, so I drive separately. Because our van has been less than dependable, we rode in my car today. Anyone with several small children knows how a car ride with a mom, dad, and 3 small children 5 and under can be. Amazingly, Jennifer and I were able to have some quality conversation.

As we were making our 40-minute journey to church, I was reflecting on our current situation and upcoming changes (those I will share at a later date). I may be a pastor, but I made a really short-sighted comment in relation to what God might be doing with some of these changes. Jennifer, as any wife with a better perspective would do, points out my short-sighted view of God and challenges me to see a bigger picture of what God is doing. 

How many of us try to hurry through life and zoom the camera in rather than try to get the full view? It’s like rushing to the end of a movie to see the happy ending while skipping over the plot. I’m the guy who wants to skip over the plot of life, especially if it doesn’t fit my desired narrative.

May I remind you (as I am reminding myself) that God has your best interest at heart (mine too). That best interest may involve allowing things into our lives that will sharpen us. We would not choose these things, but God is more into developing our character than our comfort. 

As you go through life’s journey, take time to see the bigger picture of what God is doing. While it takes more time and effort, you’ll gain more appreciation and understanding of God’s greater plan. Let me let you in on something – He’s working all things together for the good of those who love Him.