For any of you that don't already know, Lori and I moved our family from sunny California to Virginia Beach, Virginia, so that Lori could attend Regent University for her master's.  Probably the SCARIEST thing we've ever had to do, but by far, the most rewarding.  A couple of times a year we always find ourselves reflecting on the given year God has brought us through.  2007 was the year to top them all.  I'm continually amazed at how God always seems to bring increase to the lives that serve Him, and that just when we begin to think it couldn't get any better . . . it does.  To be honest with you, I wouldn't know where to begin to tell you how good God has been to me and my family.

I really believe that when we finally realize that Jesus not only wants us to have a blessed, and awesome 2008, He also desires to see it multiply into 2009, and so on.  I love being able to ask in great anticipation, "How can it get any better?!", and knowing  . . . it will!

The decision to say yes to what ever God asks of you, is the greatest thing you will ever do.  Saying yes to Father, Son, & Holy Spirit, will be the opening of every promise God made, and He will be faithful in keeping His promises.  Start now . . . decide that this year will be lived out to the fullest in Christ.  Don't find yourself reflecting on a year gone past and feeling like "the same old same old".  It's time to do something!  Something supernatural!  To be a part of something bigger than yourself . . . something so amazing that the only explanation could be, "it's God!".

Probably for some of us it was a tough '07.  Heb. 13:21 says,"May He equip you with all you need for doing His will", and that's my prayer for you.  Let 2008 be the year you reflect on God's goodness, and find yourself saying, "How can it get any better?!"

God bless everybody, and remember, let your worship be a reflection of your heart!  Remember to praise Him during the tough times, as well as the good.

Love ya'll

Matt

When I was a child, I remember all the things I wanted to be when I grew up.  I wanted to be just like my Dad, then it went to being a fireman, a cowboy, an army man, rock star, a pro football player, nba all-star, pro skateboarder, and the list went on & on!  But until Christ came into my life, I never considered my true birthright, what I was born to do . . . to be a servant of God, and a true worshiper of him.

Whether we accept it or not, it's there, deep inside our souls, a silent cry or desire to worship.  I guess what's important here is to know that we were born to love God through our worship!  You see praise was genetically implanted into our hearts.  There is no way to remove it, if you don't worship the Lord, you will worship something else.  In Ephesians 2:10, there's a great description of the christian life, "for we are the poetry of God".  What a thought!  God expresses himself through us?!   We become his poem?!  And when I think about worship & praise, it truly is the greatest tool we have to express ourselves to Him.

You know, many believers have a blindness that the world doesn't have.  The world knows its need, they are constantly on a search for truth, peace, and perfection.  Just looking for something to call their "god".  But for many christians, once they are born again they gradually stop recognizing their need.  There is something about desperation.  And God recognizes this!  

I want to leave you with one last thought, and I know that I have only scratched the surface on this topic.  But I've done this so that we can all share our thoughts on this particular subject of worship.  Not only were we born into a life of worship and praise, but we were born into a war too.  There are no time outs, no vacations, no leaves of absence.  The safest place to be is in the center of God's will, which is the place of deep intimacy.  There is truly no greater way to be intimate with Christ than through worship.  

Let me know your thoughts on this.  If this just helps one that will be awesome, and I want your thoughts on this to help others too.  God bless you guys and raise the praise!

Matt