Addition to my favorite places to visit!

Bindy says:
We make reference to things on youtube.com frequently here at Matt's Corner. He does warn you that we only condone the media he uploads not any that may be listed with it after he made the link. If you want to chase rabbits through a mine field thats your business, but you have my warning.

NPR"S GOP RADIO DEBASE, I MEAN DEBATE

I heard about the Republican radio debate today on the news and I was looking forward to hearing it after church. So I came home, downloaded the media file on Itunes and was once again blown away by Huckabee.
This was of course an NPR production, a democrat ran company. So the questions were slanted, obviously meant to trap the speakers in proving them ignorant or religious nuts. Like the one on global warming, Do you beleive that global warming is an issue and that it is caused by man? is a semi exact example from the debate. Now this is not a bad question in general. But when the moderator only wants a yes or no answer to this the steel bar of the trap is obvious.
My senior year in high school would have been amazing if my mom fell for those kind of questions. Hey mom do you love me, and can I buy a motorcycle? And Please just one answer for those if you can.
Much to the moderators apparent dismay no one would answer unless allowed 30 seconds to respond. Because there isnt one answer for both.
M. Huckabee not only handled these questions with granduer but he even found a way to answer the questions meant to trap him, in clear concise ways.
For instance his idea to for a government mandate on Bio fuels, the question generally wanted to know how he could support this when the result of using more bio based fuels would raise the cost of feed for livestock owners and crops at the produce market. He didnt dabble with a yes or a no he went straight for the questions juggular and explained what his real opinion was. Create the market within the government and find a way to lower the prices instead of raise them.- by the way IF we can do this it still wouldnt solve the lower mileage we get from ethanol based fuels-
The man isnt an artist, he doesnt use word tricks, he explains himself clearly, the way it was always meant to be.
Out of sheer stupidity on my part I listened to the commentary after the debate. The topic was Huckabee and our opinions on a preacher running for president. Personally i think President is a step below the calling, but since he is only southern Baptist I think i can make an exception. But after all that was talked about, after what I think was the greates show of Republican strength over a liberal moderator You would think that they would have something to talk about other then his way of thinking.
But it was the thesis for the whole editorial, how that perhaps his black and white style thinking could be hazardous, how his beliefs cause him to make quick and dramatic decisions without accepting the appeal of those around him. I could have been sick all over my key board I really could have. What we need in our country is a man, a man who is not afraid to stand up on his two feet, two feet that are touching the ground and not a pile of money. A man who will agree with what he knows to be the truth, and is not ashamed to say that he holds allegiance with it. Someone who is not afraid to share what he knows and couldnt care less about public image.
When Christ gave us the Great Commision He wanted us to do it with boldness and without fear, we should stand up for what God has taught us, including the way we are supposed to live.

Just a Little Fun

I understand the seriousness of the coming presidential election just as much as I back and fully support Mike Huckabee www.mikehuckabee.com if you haven't checked him out yet you should.
I appreciate a candidate that will have a little laugh from time to time. Honestly most campaign jokes involve the other party or candidates. This just helps me further appreciate the man even more then before.
That and I've seen Chuck Norris round house kick a Mcdonalds when they wouldn't serve him Breakfast, it turned into a Dennys.

Psalm 119

Has anyone been paying attention to all of the recalls coming from Chinese Manufacturers? Between the dog food, and Crafts made of GHB components its enough to make you wonder why we even do business with them. Sure we make and save money on the deal but where is that money going to come from once lead kills us off?
It's really got me more careful on what it is I buy in the store. But at the same time it gets me thinking about all the other things in life that could be poisoning me without my knowing.
The Chinese aren't suprised by the mistake, because of their Political choices they are losing money, and fast. It's cheaper to work this way, and lead is like cake to get pass customs, in fact I think they recognize cake way easier then they find lead made cups. They know its rubbish yet they feed it to us, in worship of the almighty buck.
The things we allow to occupy our time can be so much like this example. It's friday and there is nothing to do, so we reach for the remote, some check the news, or the ball game, most settle on a movie or sitcom. Or for those of a more bookish nature its a magazine or novel. When was the last time someone stopped to check the content of their television show, or book for spiritual poison?
As saved children of God we cannot lose our salvation, but if you allow me to use the analogy we can be put into spiritual comas, we are in every way like a dead person except we are still breathing. Not alive enough to be of any good, yet not dead enough to collect the insurance money.
Sin can drive us into a level of inactivity if we allow it. And the quickest way to get into the spritual coma ward is to allow this junk into our bodies.
We are not dead, if God hadnt extended mercy then maybe we would need an hour's worth of inuendo to bring happiness into our lives. But His hand has already reached out, there is no excuse for us to be watching or reading trash. If you were to take poison and give half to a living guy and the other half to the dead guy, its not going to kill the dead guy, it'll just make the living guy closer to the latter.
Most if not all the people who have become sick or dead, did not realize that the product they purchased was poison. But as Christians we do not have this excuse, God outlines whats poison and whats not, its common sense.
And of course there is the age old argument of there being nothing else to watch, there are no conservative Baptist channels in the Direct Tv package. Would you keep a cup made of lead based material just because it was your last one? Would you let your kids drink from it? Fortunately for us we make cups here in America too. Buy your hometown brand of entertainment, and by hometown I mean Heaven. The ball game is great, we need the news from time to time, But something about rushing home to watch "Desperate Housewives" just isnt right. Stick with the stuff that reminds you of Home, God's music, His word, and His people.
Lets return to the Book, the precious words we hung to as we prayed that prayer where God saved us. Love those things that love God, and we'll have no need for sinful entertainments.

Driving to work this morning I was listening to the news and heard something I couldn't bring myself to beleive, so I had to look it up.


NEW YORK (AP) -- Stephen Colbert has announced his candidacy for president on "The Colbert Report," tossing his satirical hat into the ring of an already crowded race.


Stephen Colbert looks like a formidable candidate.

"I shall seek the office of the president of the United States," Colbert said Tuesday on his Comedy Central show as red, white and blue balloons fell around him.

Colbert, 43, had recently satirized the coyness of would-be presidential candidates by refusing to disclose whether he would seek the country's highest office -- a refusal that often came without any prompting.

Shortly before making the announcement, Colbert appeared on "The Daily Show" (the show that spawned Colbert's spin-off) and played cagey, claiming he was only ready to consider a White House bid. He entered the studio set pulled by a bicycle pedaled by Uncle Sam and quickly pulled out a bale of hay and a bottle of beer to show that he was "an Average Joe." Watch Colbert talk about himself on "Larry King Live" »

Colbert said his final decision would be announced on a "more prestigious show," which turned out to be his own.

"After nearly 15 minutes of soul-searching, I have heard the call," said Colbert

This is the same joker that made fun of the President when he met with him last year! I'm not promoting we restrict who can run, but lets call this guy what he is. A complete joke. The report I heard this morning says that he has 13% of the votes already. 13%!
There is a golden lining to this cloud though, atleast the 30% dummy vote will be taken off of Hillary Clinton.

Hebrews 6:18-19

Another Fun Suprise

About a week ago I got a call from the Animal shelter where I adopted Bindy. They wanted me to show up yesterday so they can take pictures of her. I just figured that they wanted to post them on the internet as some recent success story that they often have up there.
So I open the car door, pull the back seat down, lay out Bindy's blanket, put dog in, return car seat to proper place, grab dog, pop seat up, put dog in back seat, lower seat, grab dog again, seat, duct tape dog into the back, lower seat leave.
We walk into the shelter and Bindy takes the oppertunity to use the bathroom on the newly mopped floor. Great!
We are taken outside where it is explained to me that no you arent here for the website, Bindy is going to be the cover and front story of their national news letter.
My hope is that she gets picked up by ALpo and she makes millions as a model. I think I could handle my new role as a manager for the oversized puppenstien.

I won my first game of Monopoly last night!!!
Bring it J.R. Bring it! Hoooah!

The New S-Chef Program

I'm here at work, oh so very busy again. I heard Rush Limbaugh talking on the radio on wednesday about how the use of personal chefs are on the rise. With the fall out of the SCHIP program it got me thinking...
Schools now a days provide breakfast and lunch, so we know the poor(family of 4 with parents making up to $80,000) kids are getting fed out there. But what happens when the kids go home? Where there are no government controls? Even more what of those kids that are rushed off to a government run activity, like agility ball or no touch, no win, no score football? If we allow Parents discression in what the children are fed once a day we might as well give them all three back. The odds are that hapless untrained not liberal parents will do exactly what they have done for years, they will feed them things like pizza, Mcdonald's or even worse, make them drink soda. We can not allow this to happen. I am urging, nay pleading, for the Government to join me in my efforts to institute a SCHEF program. Giving each needy family the sustanance they need without any need to trust undoctrinated baffoons, like parents.
These highly trained chefs will be up to date on all reports put out by scientists. We will not have to worry about foods with starch,carbs,fats,cholesterol, calories, sugar, salt. No red meat, or chicken hey not even fish, we haven't banned that as of yet, but you know what they say about an ounce of prevention.
We need to come together on this, together hand in hand we can put this in place, and remember, we're doing it for the kids, ( 2 days after birth-25, 38 if you are below poverty level)
Thank You,










S. CHEF

Bindy Photos

Last Friday I picked up my new puppy. Her name is Bindy, she's huge, playful and loves her penguin

Oh So Very Bored....

It's Saturday, mandatory "you can't miss work or we'll hurt you" day. And I know that somewhere out there right now church members are stretching out of bed, or reading the paper, all getting ready for visitation. And here I am, so very bored. They will be knocking on doors and telling the gospel to those that need it, and them that just dont want to hear it. I would give anything, even the delicious Kona Coffee I'm sipping right now, to join them.
I'd be picking out my clothes, sipping the coffee of course, I'd go out and maybe walk my new puppy, Bindy, scratch her ears and head out to my car. But no, here I am, no puppy, no decent clothes to be worn, being very bored. It's good of the company to let us play on the computers.

Doctor's Visits

I recently started going to a new Doctor. It had been about two years since I'd last been to one, (my last is still in prison). So I was a little leary about seeing another one. Not saying that every doctor is a snake, but seeing as my Orthodontist also went to jail for a crime of the same variety the same year, I wasn't very trusting.
I go in, we exchange pleasantries, the subject gets to what I'm studying in class. I should know better by now, I really should. Because answering that question instantly transforms the questioner into a theologeon. One who has all the knowledge of Elijah, yet the wisdom of Solomon all rolled up into a self worshiping life of sin. And honestly its not fair for me to transform someone's life in that way. It breaks your heart that so many people would try to define God in their own way, when the truth about our Creator is far more wonderful and takes far longer to learn then anything we can create. Perhaps it's easier to "see God, in your own special way" no guilt if you dont think you should. It's not sin if it makes you feel good. Either way it just goes to show you that the more lost people know, the more they love themselves, therefore the less you can possibly be able to tell them.
I am there for two minutes and before I know it the man pulls out his perscription pad and writes me, no not meds for bronchitus, no not for headaches, but books on psychological disorders. I'm then treated to his father's, the mighty lutheren pastor that gave up, life story. And how his life was full of people wanting to take advantage of him. Then the good doc claimed the same testimony for himself, people with personality disorders trying to talk him into things he is uncomfortable with. Alright maybe the guy was harboring some resentment towards these people that made his daddy cry at night.
But he did the same thing to me today when I went in for a follow up and some blood work. The same books mentioned, heroic tales of how his father overthrew the crazed people that tried to overthrow him. And then they poked me with needles.
If I beleived in pyschological disorders, and didnt have one going in. I'd have one now. Is he saying that I have one? Is that secret file with my name on it showing signs of drug seeking behavior? (doubtful) But what is it that makes him so readily talk about psych disorders with me? I understand the concepts, but I deffinately dont think he's asking for advice.
Honestly it makes me want to climb into a copy of Adams christian counseling manual and take a long look at myself, or my doctor's. Maybe next appointment I'll recomend that book, or better yet, I'll study up on derigibles or yellow throated new england warblers, and suggest he read pointless books on them. Atleast then we'll be on the same pointless page.
Should your doctor make you feel crazy?

Clear, concise and most importantly we don't have to guess what position he's pretending to hold. Honesty, we could use a little bit more of that in this country.

College and Career meeting or whatever you'd like to call it.

When Pastor mentioned it to us we thought it sounded like a great idea. Even though it meant not being a part of DBC anymore we were psyched for the first class. I figured there would be note taking, a little lecture, and then some fellowship.
It turns out that I was wrong. When Tom Cav. and I went into the church we weren't sure what to do. We both noticed some kids misbehaving in the Champion class and weren't sure if we were supposed to go up there and stop them. OF course it didnt matter because Bro. Webb took care of it before we could decide. We didn't feel authorotative anymore, or atleast I didn't. When we sang the songs, it was like we were in the clubs again, It felt just like the first time I sang them. Hallalu even seemed fun again.
Pastor dismissed all of the kids and before we knew it we were chasing Pastor over to the Parsonage. First order of business was getting everyone something to drink. Tom enjoyed the lemonade, I'm not sure what Danielle had, but I sipped the coffee.
As a side note it's a pity Mrs. Hugan doesn't drink the stuff, she makes a wonderful pot of coffee.
The books were dispensed, they consist of seperate sheets of paper in a handbook sized binder. $14 for the package, a steal for the use we're going to get out of them. They are notes for daily devotions. The first few pages are the daily prompts for the devotions. Every page after that lists days of the week, a place to fill in the prompt, a place to answer the prompt(prompts are in question form) and a spot for how you can apply it to your life.
We didnt get a lecture, it was a devotion that Pastor ended with discussion, which judging by are responses, we aren't use to. The prompt was on being a good employee and how to deal with unfavorable conditions at work. At the moment I needed that.
we finished it out with refills on our drinks, tortilla chips and some salsa. (the good stuff Bro. Lenz brings to men's fellowships).
It was a good idea, and I can already see the effects its going to have. It was good fun, good fellowship and good of the Hugans to invite us into their home. Parsonage or not it's still their home, and it made a comfortable place to have the meeting. It gave it a more relaxed sense about it.
I'm still psyched about it.

Psalm 27:1

The bronchitis has finally started to go away, I’m still having minor difficulties breathing but it’s much better then it was. It’s been a long run and I’ll be glad when its all done and over with. Thanks for the prayers and patience.
Classes have finally started again! Truth be told I’ve been waiting all summer for this. The classes are difficult, but well worth it. I’ve tried going away for college, but it’s not the same depth nor do I appreciate it as much as learning how to serve in my own church. I am sure that it’s the Lord’s will for me to get my training where the work gets done. I’m thankful that Pastor takes the time to study for and teach these classes. I know that they are much more of a drain on him then they are for me.
Not that I’m easily drained, especially now that my boss has moved me from full time to part time. He seems to think that the schedule for school and work that we’ve had in place for a year now won’t work anymore. I’ll be looking for a new job, one hopefully with benefits, and pay, lots of pay if possible.
Pray for me in this, with all the many things that are going on right now it will be easy to get discouraged. But I’m reminded of Psalm 139, my favorite out of the book. It’s a praise piece to God. While acknowledging God’s omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence it gives comfort in that those attributes are used to protect and comfort His children. I don’t know God’s will in this, but this I do know, the Lord has never hung me out to dry, never allowed a problem that I could not see His hand of mercy. It does not matter to me whether the great shepherd has slung a rock at this sheep to get me to behave, or if this obstacle must be hopped over to get to the greener pasture, either way the Lord will have His way. 2 Corinthians 5:9

What a day!

The morning that I traded my intellect for the swedish chef, The doctor said that i have bronchitis. So now I have lots of medication. Which made the Sunday school actitivity a lot more fun. The Scripture Scavanger Hunt worked out pretty well, definately doing it again.
It consisted of this. I chose a number of verses and book marked them in seperate Bible. There were a total of five verses for the three kids that showed up. (I know it isnt much but I foolishly planned it labor day weekend.)The Bibles were put in groups labeled with the number assigned to each team. The team member had to find the Bibles with their number on them, and open it to the book marked verse. If it was the next verse on their list they get a point, if not they lay the Bible down and move on to the next. Winner would be the one that found all of their verses, collected all of their book marks, and turned them in.
It was funny, even with broken wrists Chris Stapleton still won. He had lots of help, but it was still funny.
But that was this evening, earlier today I proved my ability to do the impossible. I hit myself with my own vehicle. I was making a delivery at work, walking in front of the truck. I then noticed that many of the people in the garage i was delivering to were giggling. Three large mechanics giggling is amazingly unsettling, but not as unsettling as turning around to see your own truck chasing after you. I was able to stop it with my body, nothing bruised but my ego.
I have to get going now, there are balloon rocket races, and I'm feeling competitive.

Tired

Due to hacking cough and a lack of brain function there will be no thought today. So for your entertainment I give you the swedish chef.

And we're off!

Good morning!
Thought I would take a few moments while the coffee brewed to test the internet connection. This means I will actually get to check blogs and e-mail on a more regular basis. Which is good because my inbox is at 347 thats a lot of garfield cartoons.
If you hadn't noticed my phone has been added to my great big pile of stuff that doesn't work anymore. I do have a new one, if you'd like it you know where to find me, it's to dangerous to put it up here, last time I did something like that the marketing people for "Grow your own Hair" wouldn't leave me alone.
Later sometime today I'll be updating the site here, if I can find a new picture I may throw it in.
HEY I'VE GOT COFFEE!

God bless,
MAtt

Currently the cord on my laptop is frayed. It either refuses to work, or it emits a set of really amusing sparks. Both are useless when it comes to seeing the files on the computer. So I have to choose whether or not to buckle down and purchase a new one, or try to manuever the old one and tape it into a working position. So please be patient with these postings.
However its getting to be about that time. That sweet and precious time of the year where it doesn't matter if everything I have breaks, or if the boss man is mad. It's camp time. A week of pointless games, two sermons a day, with a bit of abnormally good food peppered in. I can't wait. I remember going to camp as a boy. I would look forward to it all year, whenever classmates would bring up their summer plans they always seemed silly compared to what I was going to do.
Now that I'm somewhat older camp takes on a different meaning. I dont have children, or a wife. All of my friends and people I would like to speak to will be there with me. So the phone stays off, the computer though broken, is tucked away and waiting for me to come back and decide how to fix it. No radio, television, e-mail or cursing people to deliver parts to. For five solid days life is the way it should be, without worldly influences.
But the biggest change I think is the work. I used to look up to people like Bro. Lentz who would share a cabin with a bunch of boys, not of voice among us not cracking from our age, and would give lessons and devotions. He wouldnt just tell you to behave a certain way because thats the way the Bible said but he taught in a way that made you think that he wanted you to follow God because he loves God and you and that he only wanted the best for those under his voice. Obedience to the Lord was not only the smartest thing but its the only thing to do. The work Pastor and the many other workers would do, most of it when no one was looking. A kitchen full of women leave their homes and families to work in a stuffy and hot kitchen to serve a line of pushing hungry children, lined up according to cabin cleanliness. But its on this side of the fence that I've stop looking up to these people, and started to set them up as the example to follow. Often I still need encouragement from these people, but mostly I'm learning from them. not by their words so much but by their actions in how they teach. It's funny as I go into teaching a class, I'm looking at all the other teachers, hoping i could do atleast half as well with my lesson as I know they will. I want to serve the Lord with the same fervor and excellence that God allowed those He touched my life with.
I've slowly started to take 5 minute scripture breaks at work. I find that I'm growing fond of that time with the Lord. It's time away from the bickering and dirty jokes told when I'm not in sight so as not to harm my christian ears. So whenever I see someone head outside with their lighter in hand, i dig into my pocket and pull out the worn pocket KJV and have myself a break with the Lord. We need the time away from that poisen that the world spews out. That was always a bonus to camp. No poisen, and if someone tried to tell a dirty joke, or acted worldly it seemed out of place. It kind of makes you long for Heaven where there will be no sin, no discomfort or feeling outnumbered.
Its going to be a great week, I wonder what God will accomplish in that time. And I pray that some of that work may be done through me. What a blessing it is, when God chooses us from the dirty rags, to care for these children. Not our strength, not our glory, no happier way to spend your life.