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Tuesday, December 18, 2007
The goal of faithfulness is not that we will do work for God, but that He will be free to do His work through us. God calls us to His service and places tremendous responsibilities on us. He expects no complaining on our part and offers no explanation on His part. God wants to use us as He used His own Son.
.: posted by Eric
on 8:40 PM
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
The first thing God does is get us grounded on strong reality and truth. He does this until our cares for ourselves individually have been brought into submission to His way for the purpose of His redemption. Why shouldn't we experience heartbreak? Through those doorways God is opening up ways of fellowship with His Son. Most of us collapse at the first grip of pain. We sit down at the door of God's purpose and enter a slow death through self-pity. And all the so-called Christian sympathy of others helps us to our deathbed. But God will not. He comes with the grip of the pierced hand of His Son, as if to say, "Enter into fellowship with Me; arise and shine." If God can accomplish His purposes in this world through a broken heart, then why not thank Him for breaking yours?
Chambers
.: posted by Eric
on 8:43 PM
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Smokey in Oceanside today. Crazy fires. Trying to be patient and helpful. Jesus, please guide us.
.: posted by Kevyn
on 3:40 PM
Monday, September 11, 2006
Our church did some community service this last weekend. Inspired and led by Chara Cote, we all gave blood, and several of us were put on the National Bone Marrow list. Maybe a little painful, but it was fun doing this together. The workers at the blood bank kept saying, "What a great thing for your group to be doing: saving lives." Interesting concept--saving lives--when it doesn't feel like much. BLUE ARMS UNITE.
.: posted by Kevyn
on 6:27 AM
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
This Sunday July 2nd we will gather for Connection and a special baby dedication. Dave and Shari want to dedicate themselves to be God-honoring parents for Carson, and they would like us to share this with them before the leave.
Please join us.
Sunday July 2nd
Harbor Beach Firepits
4:00 - 6:00 FOOD
6:00 DEDICATION
Also, check out Dave and Shari's blog. They are planning to keep us informed in their ongoing journey.
http://www.matthewshouse.com/wilhiteblog.html
.: posted by Kevyn
on 6:54 AM
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Hey Friends,
Well it's that time again--the meeting of the house churches.
Connection will be on Sunday, June 4, 4:00 p.m. @ Rick & Wendy's place.
The pool & spa are done so bring a suit & towel if you wish to indulge.
We are looking forward to hear what God is doing in your life!
See you then.
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=1169+Newcastle+Ct.&csz=92056&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=
Phone: 940-8626
.: posted by Cheryl
on 7:26 PM
Thursday, May 25, 2006
So, This is the summary of the past year of my life:
School, school, school, teach for free, and work.
During this time, especially the last couple months I've had some pretty cool breakthroughs in faith. I would like to say that these breakthroughs are the result of my vigilant pursuit of God, however the reality is quite different. The busyness of my life has kept me pretty well distracted from God over the last few months. But now, with hiring season approaching for the teaching profession, I've gotten pretty buddy-buddy with him. The mere possibility that I won't have a job next year is terrifying (so is the possibility of having one, though). I've done my best to portray a professional attitude to all prospective employers and that is exhausting to do on a constant basis, but its a little easier if God helps out. His help is precisely the reason I'm writing this blog.
About to embark on my first interview at Rancho Buena Vista High School, the school I did my student teaching at, I was more than terrified. I was freaking out. I had spent the night before pouring over possible interview questions and pillaging my closet for a decent outfit to wear. Feeling unsatisfied in both departments called friends and family asking for advice and prayers as I went into my interview, which at the time seemed like my only chance to get a job. "the only way you'll get in to a good school is by getting hired at the school you student taught at, but no pressure" I was told by one administrator. Yeah sure, no pressure, I'm perfectly calm now thanks.
So as I called around several people consoled me and offered their suggestions. About my lack of attire, my mom suggested I hit up the thrift store before the interview. I laughed. The thrift stores in Oceanside are just about as ghetto as they come I doubted I'd find something worth while there. But, my mom was right (God has a point with that 'honor thy father and mother ' stuff). In the hour that I squeezed in to look for suits I found one at the first store I went to. The only full suit they had. It was a sweet looking, grey pinstripe suit which, as later took it into the fitting room and discovered, was perfectly my size. It is near impossible to find suit to fit my lanky arms and small waist, but there it was almost shimmering in the fluorescent glow, perfectly pressed and smelling stale cardboard (like everything at a thrift sore does). This, however, is not the best part of the story. As I swaggered up to the register, with my new digs in hand, I handed it to the woman behind the counter and she said, "$12.89 is your total." That's right, less than thriteen dollars. I was stoked. Now God is on my side, for sure I'll get the job.
Later on that evening I walked out the interview panel supremely confident of my rocking interview skills, and God-ordained success. It wasn't a week later that I found out a colleague got the job instead. But I wasn't as upset as I thought I'd be. I had already moved on and applied at other districts. I knew that God, if he could provide me with a sweet grey pinstripe suit, he could take care of the bigger stuff as well. In fact my faith was even more increased in the failure of not getting a job. I was forced to again acknowledge that God has a design and that my goals and his are often not aligned. I spent several more days at the beach trying to discern his plan and what I should do next.
That's where I was until this last week when God worked his pinstripe magic again.
Stay tuned for that update.
.: posted by matt
on 12:44 PM
Saturday, April 29, 2006
I have recently read a new book by Jake Colsen (a pseudonym) and asked our church if they would be interested in reading it. They agreed. It is titled, "So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore." The title may sound antagonistic, but the content is more about the journey of a guy trying to listen to the voice of Father. It's approach is similar to McClaren's "A New Kind of Christian" but the tone is joyful and the point is clear. It is not a literary masterpiece, nor a solid argument of a theological position. But it is a refreshing story, full of questions, and rife with grace and freedom. I highly recommend it. Especially if you are struggling to respond to the question, "So why does your church meet in a house?"
I have extra copies of the book if you are interested.
http://www.jakecolsen.com
p.s. Thanks Barry for sending this book my way. You Rock!
.: posted by Kevyn
on 10:05 PM
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Connection is this Sunday, April 2 at Val & Ron's new place at 5:00 p.m.
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=435+Almond+Rd&csz=San+Marcos%2C+Ca+92078&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=
Park: Carpool if possible, limited parking. Park on Whitebrook (inside gate) or on Village (outside gate)
Val's Cell: 619-884-2721
.: posted by Cheryl
on 9:43 AM
Friday, March 03, 2006
Time to connect again. Connection will be on Sunday, March 12 this month @ Matt & Jess' new place. We'll meet at 5:30 for dinner, worship and sharing. Be sure to bring somthing to share about what God's doing in your life!
http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=1165+Oak&csz=Vista%2C+CA+92084&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=
.: posted by Cheryl
on 5:43 PM
Thursday, February 09, 2006
This is just a reminder that we will be gathering at UpperCrust Pizza this Sunday Feb 12th at 5:30 pm to connect with each other. I don't know about you, but I really enjoy hearing the stories about what God is doing in our lives. Join us.
.: posted by Kevyn
on 6:48 AM
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Connection is Sunday, January 8 at Rick & Wendy's new house at 5:30.
Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=1169+Newcastle+Ct.&csz=92056&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=
See you there.
.: posted by Cheryl
on 9:42 AM
Friday, December 23, 2005
Last night, Nathan really wanted to share at house church. He & Bailey both got out their Bibles and searched for the Christmas story. While looking, Nate found five things that he wanted to share, and when it was time, he did. The memory for me was a phrase that he read giving a simple explaination why Jesus came the "way" he did; stinky stable, manger, shepherds and sheep. It said, "He came humbly because he is humble." As Nate read, I could barely hold back the tears, realizing that, at this moment, Jesus was coming to Nate humbly. No big drama. Not even lights, candles, or soft music. Jesus was connecting with Nathan's heart (and mine too) in a humble and glorious way. Jesus suprised me last night. I shall not soon forget it.
.: posted by Kevyn
on 4:55 AM
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Sunday, November 6
5:00pm for dinner, worship and sharing meeting @ Kevyn & Cheryl Horton's House
http://www.matthewshouse.com/churches/chenchante.htm
Bring something to share about what God is doing in your life & House Church.
.: posted by Kevyn
on 2:31 PM
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Wendy came home the other day with one of my all time favorite movies. It reminded me of the day I saw it in the theater - I was stunned. Now that I am getting ready to watch it again I wanted to share with you how the Holy Spirit spoke to me. As Oswald Chambers reflected on 21 August, "In the Christian life, godly influence is never conscious of itself. If we are conscious of our influence, it ceases to have genuine loveliness which is characteristic of the touch of Jesus."
Written opening weekend. Today our family and some friends ventured out to see the movie,, Because of Winn Dixie. It turned out to be one of the greatest pictures of church I have ever seen. I was moved. I wanted to write the producer and thank him from the bottom of my heart for reminding me of what it is that Jesus has called me to. The little girl in this movie, named Opal, said to me, "Follow me as I follow Jesus." "Every moment of everyday give your life to the things that matter to Jesus," she shouted with her life. I cried, and then I prayed. I prayed that the world would see the church living like Opal and Winn Dixie; full of grace and truth, simple and pure with NO motive but Jesus. I prayed that every gathering would be a party where joy and laughter along with pain and sorrow can be carried for everyone. A party where the Guest of Honor is always Jesus.
For the Church at Matthew's House this was what we WERE called to in the beginning and this is what we ARE being called to moment by moment. Simply love God and love people like Jesus loved people. At this point we are committing ourselves again to Christ centered living and not religion. At this point we will not present a formula for another to follow. At this point we are not paying anyone to remind us of these truths because we are confident in what the Holy Spirit is doing in each of us. For us the song says it well, "In Christ alone we place our trust and we glory in the shadow of the cross (and the empty tomb). In every victory let it be said of us we put our hope, we put our trust in Christ alone."
.: posted by rick
on 8:04 PM
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