Pastor's Thoughts

What Are You Hiding?

A recent survey revealed that ‎76% of parents with teens on Facebook have “friended” their kids. 29% of teens say they would “unfriend” their parents if they could get away with it, and they are twice as likely to want to “unfriend” Mom than Dad. One young lady I saw interviewed on television said, “I don’t... [Read more]

Number Our Days

My dear wife and I both celebrated yet another birthday this summer. With the passing of time one is supposed to gain wisdom and maturity. Some question whether or not that is truly the case, often times as it applies to me. After all, I still run around and play with little children. At the end of our Vacation Bible School this year, to rejoice over... [Read more]

How Can I Keep From Singing

I attended a convention of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League in June under the theme “The Melody of God’s Love.” This organization is all about letting more people know about our Lord Jesus and what He has done so that everyone can have the forgiveness of sins and the certainty of eternal life. They adopted mission grants... [Read more]

Thanks, DD

DD Pappas has stepped down from her position as Children’s Minister here at Grace.  We are truly grateful to her for all that she has done for our congregation, and thank God for the blessings she has been. She wants to share the following with the congregation: I would like to tell the members of Grace what a privilege it was serving on staff... [Read more]

Be Faithful

A lady at the airport struck up a conversation with me – let’s call her Laura. It started because Laura and I observed a young lady who walked past us wearing six-inch spike heels. She was trying to get somewhere in a hurry, which isn’t easy to do when you are in an airport and wearing six-inch heels. We agreed that had to be terribly... [Read more]

Take it to the Bank

My youngest daughter – Leah – is finishing up her student teaching and will soon graduate from college. (Her parents are both rejoicing!) She has been working and learning in a classroom full of second-graders. Recently she called to share with us something one of her students said. His mother asked if he thought Leah was doing a good job.... [Read more]

What Do You Know?

Think about Mary going to the tomb on Easter and what she “knew.” She knew that Jesus was dead. She knew where He was buried. She knew she had to wait until the Sabbath was over to tend to the dead body of her friend. She knew that He would be in the tomb when she got there on Sunday morning. So what went through her mind when she arrived and saw... [Read more]

If God Kept Score

If God kept score, we’d be in a tough situation. That’s a gross understatement. If God kept score, we’d all be in Hell. I include myself in that. If God kept score, I would have no chance.  If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared (Psalm 130:3-4) This week we... [Read more]

Conflict

This time of year can be conflicted. It is almost time for spring and “Spring Break,” and yet the weather is anything but spring-like here in North Texas. You know it is coming, but it has not yet arrived. We have to wait a bit longer. We also find ourselves in the season of Lent, which presents a different kind of  conflict. We spend time reflecting... [Read more]

Snow

White stuff falling from the sky again in North Texas! What do you think about that? If memory serves, this is the fourth time this winter that we’ve had enough of that fluffy, frozen precipitation to cover my lawn with a gleaming, clean looking coat. Not enough to play in or build forts or men, but it does alter the way things appear. When I looked... [Read more]

Enemies?

I had someone get very upset with me one time because of something I said in a sermon. I spoke about some people being “enemies of God,” and this individual thought I was being uncaring and insensitive.  First of all, the Bible clearly identifies some as being enemies of God.  James 4:4  You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship... [Read more]

The Safest Place to Be

Someone recently sent me this helpful information:   Avoid riding in automobiles because they are responsible for 20% of all fatal accidents. Do not stay home because 17% of all fatal accidents occur in the home. Avoid walking on streets or sidewalks because 14% of all accidents occur to pedestrians. Avoid traveling by air, rail, or water because... [Read more]

A Christmas Welcome

A family was experiencing hard times one Christmas. The father was out of work and the mother had a low-paying job. But they were determined to have a happy Christmas, so that was what they did. They got out all their usual decorations and even managed to scrape together enough to purchase a few small gifts. The day after Christmas, father went job... [Read more]

He Came to Be Near You

Over one hundred years ago, a shipwrecked crew washed up on Rodrigues Island, a tiny speck of land in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and Australia. They developed an illness called Java River fever. However, one of the officers determined that it was instead Yellow Fever, which was terribly feared in the southern seas. Upon being found, a French... [Read more]

I Don’t Remember

Jack was praying to God, confessing his sins and asking to be forgiven for Jesus’ sake. As he was praying, he remembered a man named Frank who had wronged him.  Frank was a member of the same church Jack attended. Jack figured that Frank would also talk to God and confess his sins, so it occurred to him to ask God a question. Jack said, “God, I... [Read more]

Being Neighborly

I read an article about the warm reception a man named Bruce received upon moving to a new neighborhood. One neighbor in particular, Gene, went out of his way to be neighborly. He even insisted on getting up at 5:00 a.m. to take Bruce to the airport for a 6:00 a.m. flight. A few days later, Gene came by and announced that he and his wife decided they... [Read more]

A Note From Pastor Mattil

The Holidays. The way they are being extended, it won’t be too long before July 4 becomes the beginning of the “Holiday Season.” It is part of the bigger, newer, better, faster, flashier everything mentality that has overtaken our society. During this time known as “The Holidays,” we invite you to take some time for quiet... [Read more]

The Sky Is Falling

Do you remember the story of Chicken Little? An acorn hits her on the head, setting off on a hysterical rant telling everyone “The sky is falling!” That phrase is used today to describe a situation where people jump to conclusions with little evidence, following mistaken notions and overreacting to the situation. I’ve thought of that often over... [Read more]

Trust the Lord

I trust in you, O LORD: I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands…  Psalm 31:14-15   I have had many occasions to share those words with people, often when there is a lot of anxiety in their lives. I think our current economic situation in this country would fall into that category. The reason I like to share these words with people... [Read more]

How To Show Love

Isaiah 43:18 says Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. In Philippians Paul writes about forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead (3:13). The message seems to be, “Don’t look back. Forget the past.” Like the runner in a race is cautioned not to look over his shoulder, so we are told to keep looking forward. But... [Read more]

How Deep The Father’s Love For Us

My second daughter got married last weekend. Two down, one to go! I was in the fortunate  and somewhat unique position of being both the father of the bride and the officiating minister. When it was time to walk her down the aisle, I went into the room where she was getting ready. As soon as I saw her, I started to cry. I get kind of emotional. That... [Read more]

The Best Gift

Another Christmas come and gone. How was it for you? Are you glad it is all over? Or is it? For some, the parties and gift exchanges and busyness continue right up through the New Year and beyond. I know that is true in my household. With three church workers in my immediate family, our family gift exchange usually takes place several days after Christmas.... [Read more]

Are You Getting Ready

The day after Thanksgiving I had planned to sleep in. My wife and I, along with our youngest daughter and a friend she brought home for the holiday, would be heading to Ft. Worth that afternoon to help with a once-every-three-years Youth Gathering for High School students from all over Texas.   A 3:00 a.m. phone call changed my plans. The phone call... [Read more]

Gratitude

A hot, freshly brewed cup of coffee while visiting with a friend… A day on the lake whether the fish are biting or not… The growth I’ve experienced through hardship and trials… A clear, bubbling mountain stream on a crisp summer morning… Living in a nation where we enjoy prosperity and freedom… A God who loves me enough to let His Son die... [Read more]

Be In The Word

This is the time of year when some folks think about the Reformation, when the Church returned her focus to the Bible as the source for our information about God and the standard that controls all our teachings about Him. We discover in the Word that fantastic message of God’s love for us in Christ that has accomplished our forgiveness and salvation.... [Read more]

Jury Duty

Last week I served on a jury. I’ll admit that I was less than thrilled to get the summons. Monday is supposed to be my day off, and it seems that I always get summoned to appear on a Monday. I was selected to serve and the trial started that same afternoon. We were released around 5 p.m. and told to return at 8:30 on Tuesday morning, which meant missing... [Read more]

Rules for Holy Living

In my personal Bible reading recently, I went through the book of Colossians. In this brief letter, Paul gives thanks for those believers in Colossae and reminds them of what Christ accomplished for them through his death and resurrection. He then goes on to describe the kind of life they should live and the kind of life they should not live, all in... [Read more]

What Do You Have Plenty Of?

I recently came across a story about some friends hunting in northern Canada. One was an Engineer. One was a Psychologist. And one was a Theologian. As they were hunting, a bad winter storm came up and they found a little isolated cabin. No one answered when they knocked, and the door was unlocked, so they went in. It was nothing fancy – just two... [Read more]

Oxymorons

Oxymorons: Words that people put together that really shouldn’t be put together. Oxymorons are words that contradict each other, yet used in the same breath, right next to each other. For example, when you try something on in a store, you might say, “It’s a little big.” We do this all the time: freezer burn Jumbo Shrimp Live Recording Same difference Tight... [Read more]

A Different Kind of Funeral

A few years back, I got a call from Bob, the husband of a former member who had died. His son-in-law had now died and he asked if I would conduct a graveside service for him. I agreed to do so, and met him at the cemetery the next day. It was a small private cemetery out near the community of Locust. When I arrived, it was just me and Bob. I asked him... [Read more]

Vacation Bible School

I’ve seen the signs all over Sherman and Denison. Some have brightly colored streamers to attract even more attention. Banners in church yards and Ads in the newspaper promise fun and activities and games and music. It is the time of year that churches are holding Vacation Bible School!   When I see the signs and activity, I am always taken back.... [Read more]

Apnea

I suffer from an affliction known as Sleep Apnea. Many of you know what that means. If a person stops breathing, that is known as “APNEA.” If a person has periods during sleep when he or she stops breathing, it is known as Sleep Apnea. The body is deprived of oxygen, so you wake up repeatedly during the night. The end result is that you... [Read more]

Dealing With Tragedy

It breaks your heart when you hear the news. A sudden spike in the number of people being killed in automobile accidents in this area. A teenager dying on the lake. Another child despairing to the point of suicide. An accidental shooting in which a young man kills his best friend. An apparently unintentional prescription drug overdose resulting in death.... [Read more]

Ignorance is…?

“Did you hear Uncle Bill passed away?” “No, I didn’t know!” “Frank is in the hospital with cancer.” “I didn’t know he was ill!” “Why didn’t you clean up your room before the company came over?” “I didn’t know I was supposed to!” “I didn’t know” is used in many situations, but most often that phrase is an admission... [Read more]

What a Ride!

What a Ride! I heard about a 4-year-old at a wedding ceremony. He was fussin’ and fidgetin’ and just about to explode. A family member thought perhaps she could calm him down if she gave him something to play with. She reached in her purse and handed him the first thing she could find – her rosary. It was the kind that had a crucifix... [Read more]

Keep Your Fork

There was a woman who had been diagnosed with cancer and was told she only had three months to live. Her doctor advised her to start making preparations to die. She contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like... [Read more]

Forget The Past

Isaiah 43:18 says Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. In Philippians Paul writes about forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead (3:13). The message seems to be, “Don’t look back. Forget the past.” Like the runner in a race is cautioned not to look over his shoulder, so we are told to keep looking forward. But... [Read more]

It’s Not the End of the World

First I watched as the Dallas Mavericks had a phenomenal year, only to be eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. And now the Cowboys come off a spectacular season and continue their playoff losing streak that is over a decade long. Both of those were big disappointments for me. I remember commiserating with someone shortly after the Giants had... [Read more]

Approach God With Confidence

Happy New Year! I’m sure many of you are ready to put “the holidays” behind you, but not me. Not yet. I think there is something refreshing about hearing and saying “Happy New Year”, even a week or so into the year! Those words give you the feeling that you can start over or begin something new! That is the idea behind New Year’s Resolutions.... [Read more]

Give Thanks

“O, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good and His mercy endures forever” is the way many of us learned to return thanks after a good meal. Based on a common refrain in the book of Psalms (106, 107, 118, 136), that was the after meal prayer used in my home as I was growing up and my wife and I still use that prayer regularly in our home today. Giving... [Read more]

Do You Care?

A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package. The mouse wondered what treasure or food might be inside. He was horrified when he saw the contents: a mousetrap! He ran out to the farmyard and proclaimed the warning: “There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!” The chicken clucked... [Read more]

Strong and Courageous

I receive dozens of stories each week in my email. I don’t know how many of them are real or true, but some of them have great life applications. The following is one such story.   Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth’s rite of passage? His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves him alone. He is required... [Read more]

What Would You Do?

I have a daughter that lives in Tucson. Recently, a friend of hers booked a flight from Dallas to Tucson to go see her. She was traveling with two children, one three years old, the other three months old. Her husband had just returned to Iraq after a brief furlough, so she needed to get away and be around a friend. Because of the airline she chose,... [Read more]

Men and Women of God

Sunday evening I was able to attend the fiftieth wedding anniversary celebration of some former members who now live in the Frisco area. As part of the celebration, there was a worship service at which the couple renewed their vows. It was wonderful to hear different people offer tributes and memories and testimonies about this couple. Their sons offered... [Read more]

Jesus Saves

The hard drive on my computer crashed last week. This little adventure in my life reminded me of a story I heard a while back.   Jesus and Satan were having an ongoing argument about who was better at using a computer. They had been going at it for days, and God the Father was tired of hearing all the bickering. Finally, the Father said, “We’re... [Read more]