Quote of the Day - Mark Galli of Christianity Today

Whenever the Bible is read, a hush should come over us. We should be inching toward the edge of our seats, leaning forward, turning our best ear toward the speaker, fearful we'll miss a single word— the deeds and words and character of Almighty and Merciful God are being revealed! In a world of suffering and pain, of doubt and despair, of questions about the meaning and purpose of existence, we are about to hear of God's glory, forgiveness, mercy and love, of his intention for the world, of his promise to make it all good in the end, of the way to join his people, of the means to abide with him forever! And there we sit, tapping our feet, mentally telling the preacher to get on with it.

But if we take the trouble to listen, really listen, to that Word, we'll discover something else marvelous: that the One being revealed is as patient with us as we are impatient with his Word, and as enamored with us as we are bored with him. Ah yes, even more enamored.

Mark Galli is senior managing editor of Christianity Today and author of A Great and Terrible Love: A Spiritual Journey into the Attributes of God (Baker).

Full article: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/novemberweb-only/144-41.0.html

"What Are You Guarding?" - Sermon from November 1, 2009

We protect what we value, but what should we protect most of all?

I preached on this very question Sunday Nov. 1.

Check out and/or download my message: "What Are You Guarding?"

Also, I am looking for more constructive critique from my friends regarding my preaching. So if you feel comfortable giving me some honest feedback, it would be most appreciated. Feel free to email your comments or if you don't have my email, leave a comment with your email address and I will send it to you.

On a different note, I am one step closer to graduation. Monday afternoon Nov. 2, I successfully defended my theological beliefs before 2 professors at Denver Seminary (a requirement for all Master's of Divinity students). I was greatly humbled by this oral examination. They asked questions to which I had a difficult time answering and many that I simply did not know the answer. It was a great reminder that you can never stop learning. There is so much of the Bible I still have to learn.

Blessings to you!
-matt

How-ween

Here are some pics from the holiday Samuel refers to as "how-ween". He was Batman, if the picture isn't very clear (and is seen among a bunch of his super-hero friends!). Caleb just wore an orange little sleeper and bib that said "my first halloween". He did, however, smile for the camera for the first time. Very exciting! Also, there are some pics of Samuel painting our pumpkin and getting ready for church yesterday. He very much wanted to wear a tie just like his daddy.

Fun in the Snow

It has snowed over 20 inches in the last two days. Yesterday, we took Samuel outside and let him sled for the first time. The backside of Denver Seminary has some sweet hills. We're going to go back outside in just a bit to hit the slopes again. Maybe we'll take Caleb with us today??

Enjoy the show!

More quotables from the Sam-Man

This morning, Daddy was getting dressed. Since it is chilly and majorly snowy, he was putting on his long underwear. (We affectionately call them "fruity pants" in our family.) Once he got them on, Samuel took one look at them and said, "Cute!"

Moses

Samuel's latest amusing quote while looking at an illustration of Moses' mother putting him in a basket into the Nile River: "Moses' carseat??" Well, sort of. :)

A worthy calling - Ezekiel 44:23

"They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean." Ez. 44:23, ESV

What a great responsibility it is as parents, Christians, pastors, etc. to faithfully teach our children, friends, congregations, and one another the truths needed to live well, to live lives worthy of our Savior Jesus Christ.

The boys on family picture day . . .

We've been given a sneak peak of our photo shoot today, so we'll share with those who we love . . .

More hodge podge

Here are some recent photos of our crew. Caleb is sporting his cowboy outfit (the undershirt says "wanted") from Auntie Carmen. Samuel and his little buddy, Cole, are hanging out at the pumpkin patch at nearby Littleton Museum. It was impossible to get them both looking the same direction AND smiling! The last pic is one of the handsome, blue-eyed, Proctor men together.

The Coloring of the American Church - and why I like it!

A great line from a recent CNN article (http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/10/21/lia.browning.catholic.church/index.html): "Heaven on Earth is all kinds of people," Dowling says, "We don't have to wait 'til we get up there. It's all right here."

American churches, especially Catholic churches, are being rocked by the massive amount of immigrants. As such, historically predominant white churches are finding a bit more color among the pews. The quote above reflects exactly God's desire for the Church. We are to be a people that reflect every nation, tribe, and tongue. That's a key reason for Jesus' death (see below)!

^{Revelation5:6}Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. ⁷He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. ⁸And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. ⁹And they sang a new song:
"You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
¹⁰You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth."

ABC's and hi to Grandma Teddy

Here, Samuel shares his alphabet with you, as well as a hello to his great-grandma Teddy whose health has been failing the last few weeks.

We're going on a bear hunt!

Here is a picture of Samuel's latest pastime, arranging toys, blocks and books in rows. Here you see all of his farm animals lined up next to him. He plays like he is lining them up to have their picture taken. Once they are in position he exclaims, "Cheese!"

Also, here is Caleb just hanging out. He wasn't in the smiling mood this particular day, but he is still a cutie. (Not that we are biased at all...)

The video is a bedtime story read by father and son a few nights ago. Thanks for the book, Grandma Mary and Grandpa Steve!!

The boys show off their latest tricks

Samuel has been playing with his little brother. (Yes, you heard right. He said "Peek-a-doo.") He has also been helping me bake ("fuffins", as he calls them). And Caleb is smiling and chatting all the time, besides just being darn cute in his little sweater vest. :)

The boys

So Samuel's latest entertainment for his family includes the following conversation which took place at the dinner table:

Samuel: Dip, please.

(Daddy puts dip on Samuel's plate.)

Mommy: Tell Daddy, 'Thank you for the dip, Daddy.'

Samuel: Thank you, dip.

Kids really do say the funniest things...

Luther 95 Theses Rap - My Professor is Cool!

Today, Dr. Buschart, the professor who teaches my 16th Century Thought class at Denver Seminary, sent me this youtube video. You know you go to a great school when your professor is passing out youtube clips for educational purposes. If you want to see the lyrics to this video, click:
http://www.95thesesrap.com/lyrics/

Kern Family Foundation - http://www.kffdn.org/

I just spent the weekend with 38 students from 8 different seminaries who are all in their 3rd and final year in the Master's of Divinity program. We spent 3 days together at Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, WI.

We are all a part of the Kern Scholars Initiative. This is a scholarship program financed by Bob and Pat Kern, two generous octogenarians who have this stated goal: Bob and Pat Kern are committed to helping Kern Scholars realize their dreams of becoming pastors whose leadership positively transforms congregations and communities to the glory of God. They care deeply about the Kern Scholars’ spiritual development, educational program, and ministry experience. Bob and Pat have been blessed. They celebrate a shared sense of responsibility and gratitude as they seek to be good stewards of their resources.

I have been blessed to have the tuition for 3 years' of seminary to be fully paid for by the Kern family. They are kingdom-minded people who want to see God's kingdom manifest in this country who understand such endeavors require the leveraging of our time, talent, and treasure.

Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Kern. (not for just the $$, but for setting a good example of sacrificing for the kingdom!)

Go Cyclones!

Here are some pics from today of the Proctors boys. (Can you tell they are brothers??) The boys say, "Go Cyclones!!" Caleb's shirt, if you can't quite make it out, says "Cyclones fan since birth." We had Caleb's 2 month appointment yesterday and he is weighing in at 13 pounds, 3 ounces, and is 23 inches long. He had 5 shots (ouch!) but was quite the trooper. Samuel has a couple of 2-year molars coming through and is now speaking in full sentences...though the grammar isn't always stellar. Mommy laughs out loud every time he asks to have his brother on his lap by saying "Samuel hold it."