Having trouble sleeping? Have a friend who is struggling with life? Here is the second of a handful of quiet meditations and prayers to listen to when falling asleep. You might find the words to be unrighteous! That is ok. God can handle it.

Having trouble sleeping? Have a friend who is struggling with life? Here is the first of a handful of quiet meditations and prayers to listen to when falling asleep. You might find the words to be unrighteous! That is ok. God can handle it.

Need some quiet reflection during a chaotic season? Slow down as we recenter our lives around God's saving actions.

"The Umbrella of Orthodoxy" is a thought-provoking podcast episode that invites Christians to explore the nuances of theology and the interpretive nature of the Bible. It acknowledges that while there is no single interpretation, Christians are also not free to adopt unlimited interpretations. Instead, the episode emphasizes the importance of grappling with the complexities of scripture while drawing insights from the rich tapestry of the Christian tradition. By engaging in thoughtful, prayerful, and respectful conversations with one another, grounded in mutual humility, Christians can navigate their faith with greater understanding and unity. Join us as we delve into this enlightening discussion on how to approach theology and biblical interpretation as followers of Christ.

This week, the events unfolding in the holy lands have led to an outpouring of anger, confusion, and further conflict. In this particular episode, Matt puts forward the argument that rejection lies at the core of such violence. To support his point, Matt refers to the story of Cain and Abel from Genesis 4. Ultimately, Matt urges the church to embrace radical acceptance, following Jesus' teachings, which include praying for our enemies and loving our neighbors. If you are seeking constructive actions to take during these challenging times, consider getting involved, offering comfort to those who are suffering, and listening to their stories while embracing their humanity, thus embodying the love of Christ. The exciting news is that you don't necessarily need to travel by plane to forge connections. Thanks to technology, we live in an incredible era where we can instantly connect with people from all over the world. Discover where and how to utilize these opportunities.

🎙️ New Episode Alert! 🎉 Join us on the latest episode of "Intersect" as Matt takes us on an incredible journey of hope and guidance in the face of adversity. 🙌💪 In "Against All Odds," Matt delves into the captivating story of Jacob wrestling with an angel in Genesis 32, discovering the power and importance of wrestling with life's challenges. 💪✨ Struggling to find good choices, Matt's relatable message, delivered during a difficult time in one of his churches, will gently affirm and inspire you. 🌟✨ Prepare to be blessed and discover the beauty of receiving a new name as Matt offers practical advice based on the scripture. 📖🙏 Tune in now and let this episode uplift your spirit, reminding us that even in our toughest moments, God's presence intersects with the world, offering us hope and strength. 🌍💫✨ #IntersectPodcast #AgainstAllOdds #FindingHopeInTimesOfStruggle #WrestlingWithLife #NewEpisodeAlert

In this episode, Matt interviews 3 Ukrainians who serve in the humanitarian aid field. Together, they talk about their work and personal stories. Lena and Edward serve with the United Nations, and Gregory serves with the International NGO Safety Organization. The purpose of this episode is to expose our audience to how individuals are experiencing war in their own country, and to invite the church to pray, reflect, and act. Matt has said in the past that there is pain, suffering, and heartache all around the world. Where does God call you? And how does Jesus lead you into the world to share God's love, grace, and salvation?

As Matt continues to visit Ukraine, he shares a Good Friday message that reviews some of the destruction in the city of Irpin, and wrestles with the question, "What is a Jesus Oriented Goal?" Matt argues that a Jesus oriented goal is one that works towards the shalom/peace/reconciliation/wholeness/safety/healing that is experienced in God's reign. To use a religious term--Shalom. On Good Friday, we celebrate that Jesus' death on the cross is the ultimate exclamation point on God's work to "reconcile the world to God in Christ," (2 Corinthians 5:19). To use a more accessible term to the masses--healing. Likewise, the prophet Isaiah writes, "But [Christ] was pierced for our transgressions,
 he was crushed for our iniquities;
 the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
 and by his wounds we are healed (MADE SHALOM)," (Isaiah 53:5). To learn more about the destruction and rebuilding efforts of Irpin, visit: https://irpinhelp.com

Matt should have started with this question! So, you may want to begin with this episode as you begin the series. In it, Matt: 1) Explores how God's mission and ministry are always growing, 2) Shares some examples of God-sized goals, & 3) Compares God-sized goals to typical church ministry He does this by explaining the historical and modern context of pain and suffering in Ukraine (and by extension, anywhere). At its core, this is a message which invites the church to get out into the world. https://holodomormuseum.org.ua/en/the-history-of-the-holodomor/ https://st-sophia.org.ua/en/home/ https://kyivguide.com.ua/park-of-eternal-glory/ https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Jones-James-Norton/dp/B089XVJB9S

This is the second episode of three in a series called, "God-sized and Jesus Oriented Goals." In it, Matt brings his message from Kyiv, Ukraine. He starts with a brief update about his time in Kyiv so far, and then offers several reasons why, and how we avoid setting God-sized and Jesus oriented goals in the church. At the end of the episode, Matt offers several practical steps local pastors and churches can take to help prepare their church to set healing and righteous goals that fit within the powerful mission of God in the world. In the final episode of the series, Matt will teach about how to set clear, concise, and focused goals which help lead the church forward.