It feels like I haven’t blogged in forever, so I thought I’d take advantage of some free time I had today and write a little something. The past few weeks have been crazy in ways–a lot of shifting taking place, both inwardly and outwardly.
Inwardly: The Lord has been intensively working on my heart and mind for the past few months. I won’t go into all the ins and outs of it right now, but I feel sanctification taking place inside of me, and I’m grateful that the God of the universe finds it to be a good thing to work out holiness in a wretch like myself. And I don’t say that so I sound humble— I mean it. I am a wretch. And so are you. But God loves His chosen wretches—and He will make something beautiful out of us, for the sake of His name and to the praise of His glorious grace. It’s reassuring to remember that God’s mercy on my life is not merely for my sake and benefit (although that very much is part of it), but primarily for the sake of His Name and His glory. Because God is working good in me, for me, and through me for His glory, I know He will stop at nothing. Nothing I do or don’t do will deter His purpose in bringing my salvation to a glorious completion on the day His Son returns to execute judgement on this world. My hope is fully set—or in the process of being fully set— on the grace that will be brought to me on that day. Christ is the only immovable and unshakable place for any of us to place our hope. I don’t want to find security in anything else.
Outwardly: I got a job in New Orleans this week. As I’ve said before, I have felt strongly that the Lord has called me to take my life to New Orleans and plant it there. For reasons I don’t know, I believe that this city is exactly where I am supposed to be at this point in my life—and the Lord confirmed that by providing me with a job doing exactly the same thing that I’ve been doing in Shreveport for nearly 5 years. I had planned on moving next Spring, but am now moving next month. Right now I am devoting as much time, thought and prayer to being prepared for this transition— I know that it is in times of instability and change that Satan harasses me most, so I want to be guarded. I need to stay focused on Christ and His will for me. I have to remember that I am not moving to New Orleans for the purpose of getting a good job or a change of scenery—I am moving to New Orleans for no other reason than spending my life away for the sake of the gospel. I don’t want to waste time or make excuses for not living a life that reflects the the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I’m excited to see what God has planned for the coming months. I will keep you all updated!
Love you Matt!!
Good luck with all that needs to be done in order to move to New Orleans
Good luck in your new adventure! God has you covered with His Love and will keep you safe! You are in my prayers!
GL n NO
Bless yer Matt, you have sure enough blessed me.
Thanks, Matt. I was wondering why you hadn’t blogged for a while. Glad to see how God is unfolding His purpose and plan for you! You are a blessing! Your are in my prayers! Press on!
Always inspiring and encouraging to see God moving in the lives and stories of His people. Prayers for an abundant new chapter in NOLA.
Thank ya’ll!
Good luck!
Maybe I missed something? What IS the job, EXACTLY? Otherwise, this post is too circumspect.
I have these friends, a couple that have been together 15 years. I’ve known one since before he met the other. They went to a very tough nursing college here in Los Angeles. One went first, than put the other through. They both worked in computer tech jobs before that.
One works in a NICU ( with premature and sick babies). The other in the ER.
As far as I can see, THAT’S doing God’s work, and I don’t think they even attend church.
They just DO what people really need, without changing their sexuality. They are two very funny, sweet guys.
I’m not catching much of that on these threads, sad to say. Although I’ve been looking for it.
I ALWAYS try to find the good first.
Seems like here, most people try to find the sin first.
But it’s hard to tell when nothing but Scripture, platitudes and religion is made a substitute for personal substance.
If I missed something, I’m still looking.
Gay dudes in the nursing field? How original…
Snark alert: Self loathing gay evangelicals….. how original.
Well said Regan… well said.
Vague in your shifting description. It’s hard to get excited about a move like this. How do you know God’s hand is behind this? Just because you’re staying employed in the same profession? Maybe God gives you the desires of your heart and doesn’t orchestrate every move?
That’s not a very encouraging comment.
I thought I was beginning to follow your blog as a tool or a reference into something I have been dealing with all of my life. I am somewhat confused. On one hand you say you are a gay man and then on the other you are now saved. So, getting to the core of the whole thing, now that you are “saved”, being born gay is wrong? It seems to me that either you were born gay or you are born straight. Sexual identity is woven into your chemistry. Yes, I can say I have been married to women. I have even fathered children. But, in my deepest inner being, did I know I was gay? of course I did. I personally have come to terms with who I am. God loves me no matter what. It is my own personal journey with God. You and no one else can tell me or live my life for me. Do I agree that the so called gay world is cold and meaningless at times, why yes I do. I fell personally that I do not fit in anywhere. The gays call me a breeder so they exclude me, and the straights call me a faggot and shun me as well.
But God, who wrapped himself in flesh and dwelled among us, who also became the greatest sacrafice to save all loves me and calls me his child.
So in the end, are you just another ex-gay, saved by Jesus “preacher” or a gay man willing to help others struggling with their own journeys. I can go to church and be condemned.
Possibly joining this blog is just another roadblock in my journey to the everlasting father.
There is no condemnation for this IN Christ. Christ may be in you, I don’t know, but are you IN Christ? Are you willing to die to self for the glory of God even it’s not what you want to do or feel like?
I fellowship with Christ every waking moment that I am given. But, I also understand who I am. Personally, while walking the park daily, my continuous words is that I must decrease in order for Him to increase. I did not get on here to have some kind of agenda. My main purpose in this life is to become like Jesus. When God flows through this vessel and touches another life, then just maybe I am learning to let go of self. It is that still small voice that guides me and not man. Judgement is from God alone. The world judges everyone, but I must let who is within me to cover with his wings and protect me. So, with you questioning whether Christ is in me or am I in Christ? well I am striving towards that mark of the most high calling in Christ Jesus.
Matt,
Be praying for you! God will be with you despite opposition and trails which Christ told us would face us. The world worships their sexual desires and other pleasures more than Christ so they will vent hate on anything that puts a doubt about their beliefs even under the banner of tolerance. Don’t forget that Paul was hated and despised by both religious and pagans for the Gospel but he found his greatest joy in knowing Christ. If I have learned anything in 25 years is that we must focus on loving and knowing Christ and he will bring us the ministry. It is most amazing adventure possible but also the most discouraging at times. We will fight the sin nature within, the world trying to confirm us to their standards and satan putting doubt and temptation every chance that he can to detour, discourage or just attempt to destroy us but greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. The gospel is the power of God and prayer is our warfare and our weapons are the scriptures which expose the lies of our world’s system ruled by satan who seeks to enslave us all to our sinful natures. Don’t lose faith even you feel that you have failed because Christ is our hope and He will never fail us even in the most difficult times. You are my brother and I will be praying for you because we serve the most same Lord and are waiting for the same hope.
Just noticed that I mistyped Trials as Trials and that I put We serve the most same Lord. Lack of sleep and false typing not a good mix resulting in typos. Take care Brother and I will be praying. God is good.
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