Archive for March, 2008

well its official!

Mar 31

Posted by matt in Weekend Review | 2 Comments

today I was announced officially at the Director of Worship at Harvest Bible Chapel York Region (a.k.a Markham – more to come later).

it has been such a privilege to serve alongside the people of this church for the past 8 months, and I am excited to see what God has in store for me as a worship leader and us as a church in the months to come. that said, it was a great service today. allen froese and his wife were on hand to be on the team which was great as in all the time i’ve worked with allen at Markham I have never lead alongside him.

here’s the way today went down:

CALL TO WORSHIP
Forever – G
Our God Saves – D
Your Name – Bb
The Heart of Worship – D

ANNOUNCEMENTS/OFFERING
Better is One Day – E

MESSAGE – Paul Whittingstall
“When Jesus Prays” – John 17

COMMUNION
Jesus Paid It All – B

RESPONSE
The Love of God – D

FAMILY CHAT

God worked in the people today. I left encouraged, I know others did as well. During the family chat, Paul mentioned that we were continuing to look for a new facility, and mentioned again that as we move, we will be changing the name from Harvest Markham to Harvest York Region (as we want to encompass a greater regional area than just markham).

Lord, more services like today. When worship is the only response to your greatness, and when it isn’t as much leading as it is stepping aside and letting the congregation sing Your praise.

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To London and Back

Mar 30

Posted by matt in Uncategorized | No Comments

On Thursday morning, Hailey and I took off to London, ON for 2 days to visit family and check out my brother-in-law’s new house.

It was a fun trip, filled with the usual adventures that can be expected when one spends any length of time with JT. There is never a dull moment. Highlights;

- retaining my supremacy at Madden

- jordan taking us on a 1 hour version of a 10 minute drive (i have never been so close to going insane…literally)

- getting to eat my mother-in-laws amazing lasagna and fruit-cocktail cake

- watching the movie enchanted…surprisingly entertaining

- working hard and playing hard…always worth every minute.

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Why I Don't REALLY Love Technology

Mar 28

Posted by matt in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

I really love technology. I love the feeling of getting a new program on my Mac and trying to figure out how to use it. But, just as much as I love technology, it lets me down time and time again. Whether it’s erasing my hard drive by accident (like I mentioned on a previous blog) or trying to configure my email accounts in Entourage (still working on that one), Technology takes patience.

It is so easy to get caught up in the STUFF of this world. New cars, new computers, new clothes and not get caught up in what’s important.

I have been convicted as of late to compare the time I spend on “other” things (like technology) in regards to how much time I spend reading and meditating on the word of God. It’s easy to talk the talk, but commitment is measured not in words, but in time.

I love technology, but not even close to as much as I love God and His word.

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What's in YOUR Pool?

Mar 25

Posted by matt in Business | No Comments

My new business endeavor is fully underway.

Able Pools
www.ablepools.ca

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What's so 'Good' about Friday.

Mar 21

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As I left the Good Friday service today, I was struck with the thought, “what is so good about that.” A day set aside to mourn the crucifixion of Christ, it’s not exactly a day of celebration by any stretch of the imagination. The service was a very tight, thoughtful service, and very intentional (I LOVE intentionality, songs that flow with each other and the themes of the day etc).

Later that afternoon, I was watching some t.v and heard several times people making jokes about the word ‘Good.’

“The best TGIF (thank goodness its friday) of the year”

“We should be pumped up (talking to the audience) it is GOOD FRIDAY!!”

It got me thinking…we have lost the meaning. I did some research and found out that the word “Good” was put in their because people weren’t enthused with the options offered in the original translations. Some translations called it “Holy Friday” or even “Mourning Friday.” The thought was that both focused to much on the underlying sadness of the cross, and brought out the negatives of the day with not focus on the upcoming Sunday.

That’s when I realized. Friday is a sad day. Don’t get me wrong, we know a secret…Sunday’s going to be sweet! It’s kind of like when you rewind the TiVo to watch a big play. You feel like you know this secret of the play to come…I guess that’s how God feels when He watches everything down here on earth unfold (minus the rewind). That said, we know a secret about the coming Sunday, but that shouldn’t change our opinion of Friday. It should keep us from being in utter despair and panic, but it should not compromise our mourning for the sacrifice on the cross.

Psalm 51:11-12

Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.

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Busy, Busy, Busy.

Mar 20

Posted by matt in life lessons | No Comments

Seems to be a theme. Everywhere I go, everyone I talk to, everyone is busy. I’m no exception. With 15-page papers surrounding me, services to plan and a business to run, things are CR-A-ZEE!

Psalm 46:9-11
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields [a] with fire.

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.

The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

I am so quick to answer one more email, or write one more paragraph, but so slow to stop, be still, and know that HE is God.

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Starfield

Mar 17

Posted by matt in Uncategorized | No Comments

Can’t wait for their CD to come out 1 week tomorrow.
I’m going to see them live in Cambridge in May.

Check Out Their Site

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Worthy of Our Praise

Mar 17

Posted by matt in life lessons, ministry | No Comments

As Easter approaches, I think of the magnitude of the upcoming celebration of our risen Lord.

This Easter marks a different sort of one for me. Last Easter I attended a “Launch Service” for Harvest Markham. This year, I will be leading worship at Harvest Markham as they welcome for the first official time their new Sr. Pastor Paul Whittingstall. This year as been one for the books for Harvest Markham. Staffing changes, Facility changes, integration of two groups, this church understands what it means to be committed to a work of God. I have had the opportunity to serve alongside these people for the past 7 months, and I look forward to my time ahead serving with them.

This is also a unique opportunity as I get to serve with Paul again (after a whole summer with him in his previous ministry Muskoka Bible Center). I deeply respect Paul, and believe in his gifting and his abilitiy to relate to people without compromising the truth of God’s word.

It is always a great testament to the faithfulness of God to look back on the past year and bless Him for is goodness and provision in my life.

Thank-you Lord.

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Love This Guy.

Mar 15

Posted by matt in Uncategorized | No Comments

Andy Samburg is hilarious

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Hard Drive Malfunction.

Mar 14

Posted by matt in life lessons | No Comments


“AAARRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!”

That’s what it sounded like yesterday when I deleted what I thought was a short-cut to my “Documents” folder….nope, wasn’t a short-cut. Wow! Picture This;

I’m in the middle of ISU/Large Paper Time, have just finished doing a whack-load of graphic design for the harvest markham website, and haven’t backed up any of my set lists or files for that matter since January 1…

okay so now that you are in the right mindset…you can understand my frustrations. i’m glad that God is soverign over even erased document folders. that said, I bought a program online that restored every file i’ve ever deleted and temporary file (internet buttons and icons included)…and rather than restoring them name & all, it numbers them and divides them by file type. 19.6 million files (literally, no exaggeration) later, I am here, with a folder that has more or less all the key files I needed, and only a little bit of extra work to get back to where I need to be.

thank-you Lord for giving me trials, and then giving me the tools to dig my way out, and for a great wife that held my hand while I cried.

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