My cohort and comrade Justin Simmons and I were both born in September. This year, we're throwing a different kind of birthday party. And you are invited...
Join the party at mycharitywater.org/mattandjustin. To learn more about charity:water and the Born in September campaign, check out their story here. We are inspired by this organization and the journey of founder Scott Harrison. Their work is marked by passion and refreshing creativity. Not to mention real, life-changing impact.
We found our worship band for our church. What do you think?
Bobby Knight looks like he almost blew out a knee on that slide. And he calls it 'The' Guitar Hero, in vintage old guy style. Classic. Another reason to love college basketball.
This is a special day around here. It's not Christmas in Carolina, but it's pretty close. You can taste excitement, breathe anticipation.
With the gravitational pull of a Death Star tractor beam, 'The Game' locks onto every conversation, every train of thought, and drags it in.
It's classic. It's epic. It's Carolina-Duke. There is nothing like this in sports. Yeah, I said it. Nothing. A national rivalry between neighboring giants.
To prepare for tonight, do yourself a favor and watch this video. Consider this clip your pre-game warmup. Like layup lines for the soul. It captures the moment and meaning in image and word. It's written by Fred Kiger, a teacher from my high school, and one of my new favorite writers. His passion for the game, especially 'The Game', is pure and poetic. You can almost smell the Carolina pines in his voice.
So, suit up in your favorite shade of blue. Sip a little Cheerwine or your momma's sweet tea. And soak up the best that basketball has to give us.
Tomorrow we are starting an open Bible Study through the book of John. We're calling it 'the story: a journey in the life of Jesus.' We'll meet every Tuesday night at 7, upstairs McAlister's Deli on Franklin.
Why Franklin Street? Because it is one of the coolest places on earth. And it also happens to be the historic heart of Chapel Hill. A crossroads of culture where eclectic masses merge. People ask if we have a target audience. Nope. But we have a target place. Give us Franklin Street.
Why a restaurant? Because there is something about a shared meal and a table. The early Church broke bread together frequently and intentionally. Nothing like a little sweet tea to grease the wheels of curiosity and conversation.
Why a Bible study? Because discipleship is about following Jesus. Being rescued by his love and shaped into his image. Our goal is to orient our community, from its earliest days, in the story of Jesus. And explore what it means to live and love like Him.
Pray for us tomorrow night. We want to tell the Story, and help Chapel Hill find her place in it.
We're often told we should remember the past, so we won't repeat it. True. But we should also remember the past so we will repeat it. Recalling people of courage, love, justice and mercy. Memories that carve out a better way, and teach us how to walk well in our own time. Today's a good day to remember.
A quick list to catch you up on life since landing in NC a week ago.
1. Last Friday I finished up a week at Indiana South District camp. To all my new friends there: remember who you are in the eyes of the Father, be baptized into the new pattern of life pioneered by Jesus, and stay filled with the Holy Spirit. Peace up, A-town down. 2. I came home from camp on Friday. We loaded up the u-haul that night. We moved to NC on Saturday morning. 3. Sarah’s parents, David and Mary Ann Presher, helped us move out of Wilmore, and move in on this end. They are awesome. Thanks so much for all of your help and support. 4. Sarah’s dad led the way in assembling in our new furniture, from a store that shall remain unnamed. Let’s just say that if Dave hadn’t been there, I probably would have searched out the nearest Swede and punched him in the face. 5. We now have new phone numbers. If you need it, email me at matt@lovechapelhill.com. (While in the store, we saw Carolina basketball player Danny Green. Pretty cool). 6. We had NC East District Conference this week. Still feeling incredibly encouraged by the moving support and love shown to the four church plant / mission projects. 7. We have pretty much settled into our new place. Here’s a brief video tour. The film is not exactly Sundance material, but she'll do. Come and visit us soon. Much love.
