Positive Attitude on Social Media

If you follow me on facebook or twitter, you may notice that I try my best to have humor in my posts. Why? I get tired of reading the negativity on my feeds, so I figure several of you do as well. As a response, I try and put something out there that may get a grin from a friend or follower.

I'm I a nut? Yes, my mind actually works this way. I have a unique sense of humor. And that's what makes Lydia so special. She's the only woman on this world that is able to live with me!!! I often throw in light-hearted comments in serious discussions, which often times drives her crazy. My poor kids have to deal with my puns and sarcastic humor as well.

I've occasionally posted some serious thoughts and gotten some good responses. But those are posts that I've actually put a great deal of time and thought before making. I don't just rush and put some random rant up. I guess I try and think of my posts as a reflection of me, and something that people hold me up to.

Unfortunately, many like to use social media to whine, rant, and play 'vaugebook'. Those who disagree with that assumption are more than likely the ones partaking in the drama. Just take a look at your feed. There are so many who just want to blast others or cause drama. And boy, it can get addictive. Plus, it's easy to get drawn in to comment.

Sure, I'm often tempted to join into the foray, but I'm reminded that it will mostly do more harm than good. That's what this blog is for... I can post my thoughts in a more complete form. I hope. :)

I often wish I could see more positive status posts instead of those that try and bring others down. There is no sense going on there and pointing to others "hey, you're attacking others with your negativity"... otherwise, I'd be doing the same thing. It's best just to post as myself.




So if you want some fun posts to read, follow me!

~Matt

When It Rains... It Pours.

Sadly it seems that when things get into a damper, it then cascades, leaving us soaked.

Okay, let me explain. When something bad happens, there seems to be more things that follow. This weekend has been a pain with our washing machine situation. If you follow my facebook or family blog that details what goes on in our life, you'll understand the story. (of course, all that has happened this week, won't be published until next week)

I don't fully understand why, and have to just go along for the ride. Some say we're to learn from these experiences that happen in life. Well, to me, some of them don't really have anything to teach. But boy, do they give a great story.

One thing is for sure.... my life isn't boring! Perhaps I need to write it all down and publish it in a book. :)

~Matt

Good Friday, the Resurrection, and Lewis

One of my favorite authors is CS Lewis. I enjoy the insights of his writings and thoughts on Scripture and Christianity.

Known by many for the Chronicles of Narnia, Lewis had a way of communicating thought without rebuke toward the reader. He made statements that got you to thinking without you feeling attacked. Humbling and effective. 

Since today is Good Friday, I found a blog post about Lewis comments on the Resurrection of Christ that I figured I'd share. Well worth reading! http://essentialcslewis.mymiddleearth.com/2014/04/18/lewis-on-the-incarnation-and-resurrection/

~Matt

Easter Is Coming!

One of the best parts about working for a Southern Gospel radio station is that our music shares the Gospel all year long. So when Easter gets close, we pull out the classic songs with the theme of the crucifixion and resurrection of our Savior. Some are solemn in tone, some with praise, and then you have the ones filled with excitement! They all speak to the heart!

As the holiday is approaching, I love pulling out the commentaries about the crucifixion and resurrection. So many things happened in scripture that I seem to learn something new each year. There are always those little facts that get overlooked, that if you grab just one, you have an entire month's Bible study in front of you!

One of the facts that had slipped by me was that the tomb was empty before sunrise on Sunday. How many times have you heard it mentioned that he rose at the rising the sun? Scripture says it was before the dawn (John 20:1). There is so much you can get from this idea. However, I found it best summed up in this song from 1998, the Dixie Melody Boys: "Before Sunrise The Son Rose".

Easter is coming!

~Matt

Trusting the HEART

Can you depend on your heart?

Now, I'm not talking about your physical blood-pumping muscle that keeps you alive. I'm talking about your spiritual heart... our soul.

I've heard it taught many times that we're to not trust in our heart. In fact, if you haven't already heard it from the pulpit, even a simple search on the internet can provide several articles from pastors that claim it's un-biblical. Why is that? Well, looking into the Scriptures, we find that the heart "is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked..." (Jeremiah 17:9)

So then, according to these Preachers, Evangelists, and Biblical speakers, how do we make our decisions if we can't use our heart? Simple, we are to put our sole trust in our pastors, as they are our "genuine God-given authority" over all things. They then continue with comments that we're not to question any in leadership or authority. If you disagree, then your heart is not right, and you have a rebellious spirit.

However, they tend to forget to put the verse in Jeremiah into full context. When you read verse 5 - "Cursed is the man who trusts in man". Now, move along to verse 7 - “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord."

Then look in Psalms 118:8 - "[It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man." Now, I'm not saying you can't trust pastor, especially if he is Scripturally sound in teaching and leadership. But even doing so is putting your heart behind man. That is were we have to be careful. (Psalm 118:8) As a Christian, it is up to ourselves to rightly discern Scripture. 2 Timothy 2:15 - "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Still the question remains... Can we depend our heart? Yes. We can only trust God through our HEART! Proverbs 3:5 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not to your own understanding."

We can't leave it with man... it is ours to guard!!! (Proverbs 4:23) When we accept Jesus into our heart, his blood has washed and cleaned us from sin! (1 John 1:9) It's a promise we can hold to, that this is for our life. Because He is faithful, we cannot help but rejoice and praise Him with our HEART... but not the old one. We are given a NEW heart! Ezekiel 36:26 - "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh." By the way, "an heart of flesh" means a "tender heart"! Talk about something to praise Him for!

I get excited when I'm reminded of Matthew 5:8 - "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God". Wow! What a promise. Since Christ lives within me, I can follow my heart. Psalm 73:26 - "My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."

There is one thing that Christians often fail to remember, we can't correct a heart of sin. Only God can, through the power of His saving Grace. A person can't have a change of heart until they have given God control. It seems that Christians want to 'correct' the world before the world can come to Christ. We see the push for preaching and teaching of judgment and rebuke, trying to "hit the lost over the head" with the truth of their sin. There's a feeling that we must blast the lost with their failures and show vengeance against them for their evil souls.

However, the Bible clearly states on what topic we should be preaching to the lost... THE GOSPEL - the Good News of Jesus our Savior. Christ commands it! (Mark 16:15) This good news is that he wants a relationship with us. His atonement frees our heart from the bonds of sin and wickedness! 

Remember, we are created in GOD's image. He is LOVE. Our heart is to be after His. Philippians 4:7 - "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

I'll end this post with this awesome verse... Psalm 27:4 - "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

~Matt

(Originally published on 04/16/2014)

Putting On That Thinking Cap

Have you noticed? There is a place that causes you to think. I don't know where your's might be, but mine is in the shower.

That's right... My mind tends to go into gear while in the shower. And it's not the best place to write down notes. I almost feel that I can solve most of the world's greatest problems while giving my head a scrub. Go figure.

The bad part is that once I grab that towel and step out of the shower, my brain get swiped of all those deep thoughts! Ugh...

If only I can make my iPhone waterproof. Ha!

~Matt

I'm Still Here!

Yup, I'm still here. In fact, I have several posts almost ready to be published. Whew... I thought I was writing a book. :)

Anyway, today is my BIRTHDAY! So I've decided to get back into the swing of things by linking to a past post.

As you may know, I enjoy research and facts. Well, with the Easter holiday and the Passover almost upon us, here is the meaning behind my last name:  http://mattpaasch.blogspot.com/2013/03/paasch-and-easter.html?q=easter

~Matt

Concert Fun

 

So many things happen at a Southern Gospel concert! 


Yes, I've been blessed to help with several concerts over the past few years, thanks to my employment at KWFC Radio. Besides doing most of the promotional material, I get to work "behind the scenes". It's pretty neat getting to eat and visit with the artists, watching and helping with set-up, and then helping deal with our listeners who come. Most of it is fun, sometimes stressful, and then there is some work.

These concerts are different in the fact that I enjoy them in a different way than those who come and just attend. I don't get to sit down and 'enjoy' the singing. I'm running around, helping make sure things run smoothly. During the admission, I'm trying to help answer questions and assist where needed. Many times, I'm also helping with the media.

Now, I'm not complaining. I really enjoy it. Plus, I do get to hear what's going on. And believe me, there is much that we get to experience....

At a concert a few years ago, an elderly gentleman was in the fifth row answered his cell phone. He hollered into it, "you'll have to talk louder, they're singing too loud for me to hear you!"

At every concert, I'll have several listeners approach me with "Hey! Good to see you! Remember me? I called you 3 months ago about a song..." or "Hi! I'm (insert name here), you know me! You should... I listen to you every afternoon".

Ha! Yes... a Southern Gospel concert is never boring, and this Friday is gonna be fantastic!!!

~Matt