Matt Larson's Blog

King of the New Thing

newhopeflorida — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:09:33 +0000

I have always enjoyed being a part of something new. I have been drawn to church planting for that reason and also because I believe in the local church. Today I was challenged by God with this question: Do I like to start something new because it is new or do I like to start something new so I can be king? In leadership is it a call to lead that I follow or am I just trying to get my own way?

To know ask yourself: “Am I doing this new thing because the world needs it or do I just need something to do.” It scares me to consider that many things in ministry are done because the minister needs to do it rather than because people need it.

I love it when God reminds me of the heart behind the call!

Invisible Barrier

newhopeflorida — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:25:34 +0000

Monday evening I was sitting on my patio, enjoying the beautiful South Florida weather, when I looked up I saw our little dog Chewie. He had climbed up on the dining room table. Margot had several of her precious tea cups and tea pots sitting out. I was concerned that Chewie would knock one off and break it. I dashed into the house when….. smack… I ran full tilt into the window. I had missed the opening where the sliding glass door was open. Instead I crashed nose first into the window. My nose began to bleed right away. I am pretty sure there were also birds chirping as the flew circles around my head.

Its a couple of days later and the dizziness is beginning to clear. I don’t want to miss any learning opportunities, so I have been reflecting on this moment. I think it serves as a living illustration of how to get past barriers that arise in our lives. So here are some lessons.

First, getting over the embarrassment is sometimes the hardest part. Learning to not take myself so serious has helped when I have moments of klutziness. I posted a pic on Facebook and several people laughed with me and shared their own times of crashing face first into a window or screen. My nose will heal and so will my pride. When you hit a barrier, don’t take it too seriously.

There are some things that hold you back that will remain invisible until the point of contact. In the moment I could not see what was holding me back. Now we have left the imprint of my face on the glass for a reminder and a chuckle. You will not be able to foresee every obstacle. Don’t delay too much, at the same time moving too quickly can cause some pain. Balance is the key here. Move forward but keep your eyes open.

Third, getting past the barrier will take a little adjustment. The door way was just about three feet to the right. I missed it by that much. Sometimes we over react when we hit a barrier. We get hurt and turn 180 degrees. The truth is most of the time we just need to make a little adjustment to pass the barrier.

Finally you will heal. You don’t need to kick the dog. I have been dazed for a couple of days, but I am healing. It’s really funny! But my hurt is not a reason to kick the dog. We pushed the chairs in so he can’t climb up again. Many times when we get hurt we lash out at some creature. This doesn’t help. Once your eyes clear, and the bleeding stops you can focus on the answer to the problem. Remember people (and dogs) are not the problem. When you have been hurt you might find this hard to believe, but if you focus on a solution rather than the person (or dog) God will give you a way to correct the issue.

More lessons may come after the swelling goes down. For now I look forward to using the open door rather than crashing my way through life!

Fullback

newhopeflorida — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:58:08 +0000

I love watching football. One of the things I love to see is a well crafted running play when the full back goes into the hole first taking on the linebacker. A good fullback will blow up the linebacker and the running back follows often breaking into the clear for a big gainer or touch down.

I am challenged to be a full back type leader. Heading into the hole and taking on the opponent so another might be able to follow and have great success. There are great leaders around, and some of the greatest don;t get the accolades. They are they full backs. They are the ones who take on the opposition head first. They lay down their lives for the one who would follow.

I know it is the running back that gets the fame and the fortune, but it is the full back that is often the real leader.

“The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11b)

Just a thought as I was remembering years ago when the KC Chiefs had a pro football squad, but that’s another story.

Vision

newhopeflorida — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:26:45 +0000

You don’t go very far without vision. Vision is leadership 101. “Without a vision people are out of control.” Can God lead you without a vision?

Just over two years ago God began to speak to my heart about leaving a great church where I was happy and content to go to another place that was, well a bit of a mess honestly. I just had a ‘holy discontent’ to use a term coined by Bill Hybels. I packed up my family and we moved from the midwest to South Florida. There is a huge difference between the two. It is so different in South Florida that we have to go north 3 hours to hear people speak with a southern accent. Over the past two years God has been bringing people together at New Hope from many different cultures and backgrounds. We are being put together as His people for a purpose. But it wasn’t time to share a great vision because sometimes vision can be divisive. I asked God to give me vision so that we could accomplish something, but God said, not yet!

How can a leader lead without vision? Then I remembered Abraham. Abraham was told to go to the place that God would show him. He had to travel a little while before he got the vision. (Insert a hmmmmm here!) For two years I have been traveling looking for what God would show me. And I have seen a lot! And now God is beginning to give me vision for New Hope. I am excited for the vision, but I praise God for the journey beyond the vision. Over the last couple for years God has loved on me, led me challenged me, and people have been coming together.

Praise God Harvest Chapel in Sandwich is growing and doing great. Pastor Wes Bell has been a God send. I am so proud of his ministry and leadership.

New Hope has grown too and the best is yet to come. More and more people will be coming to a personal and active relationship with Jesus. We will see a A2 church in Southwest Broward.

I want to encourage anyone who may be journeying without a vision. Enjoy the trip. As long as you are responding to the voice of God you will come into the place of promise. You will see the vision in due season. Wait for God’s vision. Don’t try to make one up yourself. In time God will show you the stars just like he did Abraham.

I Dare You To Love Actively

newhopeflorida — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:16:23 +0000

I had a great time today on facebook. I posed a question and a wonderful conversation ensued. FYI Gina lives in Somonauk, IL, Colleene lives in Independence, Mo, Tamie lives in KCMO and Tara in South Florida. They all have been a part of different churches and I don’t think they have ever met each other. Check out the conversation.

Edit

Matt wonder’s how do you actively love God with all your heart mind soul and strength? 9:33am – Comment

Gina Ciesielczyk at 9:37am February 6

you have to be active…lol

Matt Larson at 9:40am February 6

i think so… I am not sure this means working out or anything… then again maybe it does?

Tara Burner at 10:01am February 6

simple…the same way one stands in faith daily and gives Him all the glory daily..you just DO! You give Him thanks constantly, do what He directs you to do and be obedient.

Matt Larson at 10:11am February 6

love = obedience?

Matt Larson at 10:12am February 6

if it is simple why do we resist?

Tamie Person at 10:20am February 6

our love for the Father is shown in how we love others.

Colleen Perryman at 10:21am February 6

because we have to step out of our comfort zone.

Tara Burner at 10:28am February 6

for same reason some dont stand in faith…they don’t have the desire or the strong enough desire to…standin in faith isn’t an option…and yes love=obedience..but we all fall short

Matt Larson at 10:30am February 6

Tamie I agree, are there other ways to tangibly demonstrate our love for God? like directly to God?

Matt Larson at 10:30am February 6

Colleen what are the heardest comfort zones to step out of?

Matt Larson at 10:31am February 6

Tara a guy said it takes God to love God. Does God give some more desire to love and or have faith than others?

Tamie Person at 10:34am February 6

how do our children make us feel their love?

Matt Larson at 10:36am February 6

good question… you got an answer?

Colleen Perryman at 10:36am February 6

Matt, when things aren’t “just like I” want them!

Tamie Person at 10:37am February 6

i think I feel best with my kids when I see them displaying the attributes that I have tried to instill in them. are they living what they have been taught to live? when an adult child does what is right and gives me the credit because I taught them to do what they did. God wants the same from us

Colleen Perryman at 10:38am February 6

Totally agree with Tamie,,,,,,,,our love for the Father is shown in how we love and treat others.

Matt Larson at 10:42am February 6

so love is demonstrated when we set aside our ‘desires’ or when our desires reflect the desire and character of the Father!?!?

Tara Burner at 10:42am February 6

as far as love for Father is shown how we love others..it has to be sincere love…I dont think God’ll want us to be fake, phoney and put on “love” for appearance sake and then talk nonsense behind that person’s back…

Tara Burner at 10:43am February 6

tangible things to do show God…tithe…give…be a blessing to others, bring more to Him

Colleen Perryman at 10:45am February 6

Yes, Matt you are soooooooooooo right! How did you get so smart?

People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care (read in a book somewhere)

Matt Larson at 10:46am February 6

Tara can you fake it til you make it? I mean can you lead your heart and show love even if you don’t feel like it without being a hypocrite?

Tara Burner at 10:48am February 6

as someone close to me explained about faith…some have a penny’s worth, some have a dime’s worth, some can have a dollar’s worth or a thousand dollars worth…everyone’s in different levels of faith. I have total faith except in one area of my life…did I have this same level of faith when I was a baby christian..NO..that’d be my penny’s worth back then…faith grows as we grow in Him. As far as loving others…yep that’d show God that we love Him..but yet I personally will not “love” someone who I don’t like, don’t agree with, think is phoney or two faced…though I’m sure God wants me to love that person..and that’s where I fall short…So, I’ll show my love for God by giving Him thanks daily continually, tithing, doing what He directs me to do in prayer/silent time/fasting and be a blessing to others…

and now I’ve gotta get moving here since we’re all heading for Revolve in a bit and I guess that means I should pack if I have to leave my place in ohh 20 mins!

Tara Burner at 10:50am February 6

Nope..I can’t fake it til I make it…I’m not fake..as YOU and most everyone knows….If it’s fake and not genuine that’d be too hypocritical for me and I’m not into that AT ALL…as everyone knows…I call it how I see it, say what I have to say..ya know let your nay be nay and your yea be yea…so “faking it” isn’t an option for me…

Tamie Person at 10:51am February 6

you chose to love, you chose to show love. sometimes it is a hard choice, but still a choice.

Gina Ciesielczyk at 10:52am February 6

What an interesting question and comments .Actively to me means “continual movement …action ” every day this could be different . One day it may be quieting your self enough to hear Him , another it may be something crazy like going and doing something that you would never expect to have done in your life . Either way you are “actively ” engaged with Him , and giving Him everything that you have .

Thanks everyone for the great thoughts!

Sunday we will be continuing the conversation!

“I love it when a plan comes together.”

newhopeflorida — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:32:21 +0000

Remember the A Team? You know with Mr T, Face, and Hanibal… Then there were the bullets that flew around but never hit anyone. Well there was a famous quote from the series: “I love it when a plan comes together.”

I echo that statement today. I try to follow the plans that God has. As we put together our series, and plan events. I want to walk in the plans that the Lord has for me. And I certainly want New Hope to walk in those plans. We have been in a series called becoming. The emphasis on who God is making us become. We talked about contemplative practices and communal practices. Yesterday we were to launch into the missional stage. We are formed by God when we walk in the mission that He has called us to be a part of. What was wonderful was to see how that was spoken without being preached. Our “announcement time” included plans to feed the homeless, support for missionaries to Taiwan and a thank you for care given to a couple. As I watched it come together I was so aware that the Holy Spirit is really leading. And His plan is going to “come together.” New Hope is “getting it.”

I love it when a plan comes together. Let the plans of the Lord that are so much higher and wiser than mine come together at New Hope more and more.

becoming: communal

newhopeflorida — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:35:22 +0000

We have been working through a series at New Hope called becoming. I borrowed the theme and the graphic from friends at The Orchard. There are so many great things that are found when you just begin to journey through the thoughts of what God is working on making us to become. This weekends talk at New Hope may use some of the things from Scott’s talk, but I am not sure. So I am posting a link to this message. I encourage everyone to listen to this. Scott says some things that I don’t know if I have time to get to, but you need to hear them. I think it will help your approach to services, or gatherings. Here is the link. http://www.orchardvalleyonline.com/Audio/09.06.08Becoming_Communal.mp3

Thanks Scott Hodge for sharing. Everyone should send a huge offering to Orchard Valley to help. Or purchase a Starbucks gift card and send it to Scott directly.

Wisdom Calls

newhopeflorida — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:58:40 +0000

I love the Proverb that talks about wisdom crying forth from the streets. There is wisdom to gain everywhere. But it starts with ‘fearing the Lord’. The key is to be teachable. I am asking God to continue to give me a teachable heart.

Years ago I was a young twenty something. I met a distinguished english gentleman in his eighties. He was full of wisdom and grace. What impressed me most however was when he asked me a question. I saw the man learn. Not that I was an expert or anything. His wisdom was far greater than mine. But I saw the man look to gain understanding. I asked the Lord that day to keep me teachable throughout my life.

In a world where we all can have an audience through blogs or you tube perhaps we have lost our way a little. Perhaps we need to seek to learn. To learn means one must be humble. Humble enough to admit I need more perspective.

The great promise of God is that He will grant wisdom to anyone who asks for it.

So today I ask for wisdom. I ask for the Spirit to give me a teachable heart, because wisdom calls,

Courageous Leadership

newhopeflorida — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 03:46:24 +0000

Bill Hybels wrote a book on the topic of courageous leadership. The only thing I remember of it is the title. No offense Bill.
I am recognizing the importance of leading courageously. Many times when someone receives direction for the first time they resist. I am finding that a leader must not take it personal. People need a chance to see something work. When vision is set forth people will give various reasons why the vision will or will not succeed. But I think true vision should not be judged based upon the same success quotient as others. Godly leaders will cast a vision that flies in the face of the culture. This is perhaps the most important vision to cast. But the leader must recognize the present culture will resist. But culture changing vision must be expressed boldly and then patiently worked towards achieving.
In working for the vision of changing the culture the godly leader will still lead with love. Though God may instill a vision for what the culture must become, the leader must not be at war as it were with the people of the present culture. They can and must be led into that fresh approach. This is what it means to be salt and light. People will respond to leadership. But they may be reluctant at first. This reluctance sometimes is a result of past failures in leadership. Disillusioned people have troubles responding to vision. Even more difficult perhaps is when people have been a part of something that they perceived to be successful. Why change if something worked? These people may feel like the model they were a part of was so successful that it is ‘the way’ to do things. The leader must be bold to proclaim the vision that God has given him or her and then the leader must trust God to help others follow. Credibility will come to the leader who leads courageously and with love. But stay power is a must for this leader.
I love what God has called me to be a part of. I love where we are going at New Hope. I love the challenge of leading a “cross cultural” revolution. I pray for God’s grace to love and to lead courageously.

New Years Reflection

newhopeflorida — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:11:00 +0000

This has been a great and busy holiday season. Sandy and Kevin Berge, dear friends from Illinois, traveled to Florida to surprise Margot. It was so fun to see Margot’s response when her best friend showed up at her door. We have enjoyed the Ft Lauderdale water taxi’s, Hollywood Beach, Bread Pudding, but most of all good friends. Thanks Sandy and Keving for making this season special.

Last night we shared some time together at NH (New Hope). A great time of worship and encouragement. Sofia, Mr Dwight, Stephen, Mikki, Gina, & Randy played the first set. I love the song “Turn It Around”. The second set was played by the youth worship team. They are doing so well. LEvi (my son) played bass and sang. He even danced a little. I didn’t know he had it in him. The third set was in Espanol. And then Pastor Raul shared and encouragement to enter the year with faith. “Will the Lord find faith on the earth when He comes?” Then we shared a little more worship. I love spending time with friends and Jesus at New Hope. It was special.

Then I shared a dream that I had this past week. The thrust of the dream was to lift my vision from what God wanted to do for NH to what He wants for Broward County. This county needs God. So I am ready to start the year…

As Jonathon said to his armorbearer… “Perhaps God will act on our behalf.” I love the perhaps opportunities of God’s victory.