NEW SITE

Hello blogspot friends. This message is to let you know that I have transferred all my information over to www.matthewcostner.com. I hope that each of you will follow what I am doing over there. I will still post on this site occasionally, however the bulk of what I do will be there from now on. Love you all!

Matthew

MLK Day

January 18 is Martin Luther King day. I'm excited about it. I love to hear MLK's sermons. When I was at Vanderbilt University I took several classes related to him. It was so great to hear about his story, the cause that he believed in, the cause that he died for.

MLK acted in ways that were unpopular. He went against the status quo. He believed that justice would prevail even if he never saw it. He trusted in Jesus, even when times seemed hopeless.

I read a blog earlier today by my friend Matthew Paul Turner. You can read it here. He re-wrote MLK's "I have a Dream" speech. His blog really got me thinking, how am I acting? Not, acting as is my attitude great (although I need to be mindful of that), but are my actions speaking just as loudly as my words?

We all have dreams, but are we actively working to make those dreams come true? Even, are we dreaming selfishly, or for people and justice and God's will to be done? My own dreams seem to fluctuate, and yet at my core I dream for the redemption of East Nashville, and even greater, the World.

As I listen to MLK's last speech below, I am reminded of life. We all have difficult days ahead. Life is not easy. But the test is, are we going to continue pursuing the dream? As MLK said, "let's not let dogs and water hoses turn us around..." Like the Israelites, let's not let Giants keep us from the blessing that is promised us. We can overcome hard times. Our heart aches can be restored. Our transgressions can be redeemed. To God be the Glory.

2days 2 goals

I've been thinking a lot recently about my relationship with God. The truth is, it hasn't been what I've wanted it to be. I read my Scriptures and I pray, but life has been so busy lately. I've been pulled in so many different directions. I've heard so many people speaking into my life. I've watched a lot of television. I've listened to a lot of music. I could go on and on. But the one thing I haven't done is heard from God.

And so today in a way that I haven't done in a long time, I'm going to do nothing but pray and read. I need to hear from God. I need to rest in my Savior's arms like I haven't done in quite a while. I need to be reminded that I am a child of God, that I am His son, that I am loved. So, I've taken the day off. I've got my Bible in hand. I'm ready to read and listen.

My 2010 Resolutions

For 2010 I have come up with 7 resolutions, or goals, that I hope I can keep. The ALL CAPS is the category, and the rest is how I plan to improve in that area. Let me know what you think, and please offer any encouragement to keep them! :)

1) HEALTH - drink water at restaurants.

2) HEALTH - run a 1/2 marathon (Country Music Marathon with Powered By Hope!).

3) CHURCH - read three books on pastoral leadership (any suggestions?)

4) CHURCH - have 1 Sunday lunch per quarter with the senior adults.

5) MARRIAGE - one date a week (already planned them all)

6) MARRIAGE - pray together at least 5x per week

7) FRIENDSHIP - encourage one random friend through text message every day.