Have You Ever Been Alone With God?

May this be an encouragement to you in your own way.
-Matt


When they were alone, He explained all things to His deciples

Mark 4:34

Our Solitude with Him. Jesus doesn’t take us aside and explain things to us all the time; He explains things to us as we are able to understand them. The lives of others are examples for us, but God requires us to examine our own souls. It is slow work— so slow that it takes God all of time and eternity to make a man or woman conform to His purpose. We can only be used by God after we allow Him to show us the deep, hidden areas of our own character. It is astounding how ignorant we are about ourselves! We don’t even recognize the envy, laziness, or pride within us when we see it. But Jesus will reveal to us everything we have held within ourselves before His grace began to work. How many of us have learned to look inwardly with courage?

We have to get rid of the idea that we understand ourselves. That is always the last bit of pride to go. The only One who understands us is God. The greatest curse in our spiritual life is pride. If we have ever had a glimpse of what we are like in the sight of God, we will never say, "Oh, I’m so unworthy." We will understand that this goes without saying. But as long as there is any doubt that we are unworthy, God will continue to close us in until He gets us alone. Whenever there is any element of pride or conceit remaining, Jesus can’t teach us anything. He will allow us to experience heartbreak or the disappointment we feel when our intellectual pride is wounded. He will reveal numerous misplaced affections or desires— things over which we never thought He would have to get us alone. Many things are shown to us, often without effect. But when God gets us alone over them, they will be clear.

Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest January 12

Job 112

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"The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised."

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My View of the College Experience

So far I like college.
I don't regret going to a community college, not at all. It's just that it is lacking a huge part of college, even though it has it in the title: Community.

The people here are all nice, and don't have any of the prejudices or assumptions that high school is notoriously known for. But every one is doing the same thing... Come to class, do the work that needs to be done, and leave. I'm as guilty as the next person, I park in the same spot every day and walk the same hallways at the same times. It would just be nice to have real friends here, new people that were interested in genuine friendships with other NCC students.

I think the hardest part for me is the distance I have to drive everyday for two hours of class. And drive here (I'm writing this from the Copp Student Center) twice on Thursdays for my night class. Without having a job, I've watched my money go from comfortable to nerve-wracking. I applied at BestBuy and GeekSquad, and they called me back two days later. I wasn't able to talk with them, they left a message telling me I could interview on a Saturday in which I was out of town; I haven't heard from them since, even after leaving multiple messages.

Frustrating? Yes, I think so.

So I don't have a job, seemingly can't get one, won't ask my parents for money, and haven't been charging for computer help. Awesome. Topping it off, I 'work' more at church now then I did when I was actually employed.

On the brighter side, I don't have anything left to buy. I have a ZuneHD, Digital Camera, Laptop and Cellphone. That's good news, and I'm blessed beyond belief to have all that.

Saving money will be hard. Finding a job? I know of one that is a possibility, but not sure how it will work around my school schedule. Maybe if my stupid computer would sell, then I could drive for another month without sweating every time I fill up.

Church is going alright... There is a retreat this weekend and I'm super excited for it! Tons of kids signed up, and more leaders then we've had. Great news, and a good chance for me to lead a cabin of freshman gentlemen (little twerps! :P).

Alas! Night class approaches, and I'm running out of blog material to write.

Hope your life is less stressful then mine.

Find someone special and go out and have fun together, make sure they know how much you appreciate them!

Keep your stick on the ice.

< Mattie B

My Final Two Weeks Without Loans

I'm pretty excited to start college. Even though I'm only going to Normandale Community, I'm still pretty dang pumped!

I think the biggest thing I am excited for is IV, Campus Crusade or things of the like. I love getting involved with people who I don't know previously. Not that I don't like the people I already know, but I love to meet new people in new situations. I'm looking forward to the 'Student Life' aspect of college the most. My classes are currently pointing me in the direction of a 2year AA degree, but I shall see where I end up going in the coming semesters.

My job at Erik's Bike Shop is officially over. They don't really tell you that though, they just stop giving you hours. My manager walked up to me after hours and said, "Well, it's been nice!" and that was it. Walked out, never to receive paid hours from the bike man in the foreseeable future again. NBD, I'll find another job. I'm not too worried about it. Perhaps Grace Church could become more of a steady job.

Speaking of Grace, I am starting a ministry there in the up coming week or so, called 'The Gadget Guys.' J.R. and myself are going to be the Geek Squad™ for Grace, fixing and repairing the compys for people who don't know who to trust. I'm super excited, and word is seemingly already going around! =P

Alas, my energy drinks are wearing off, time to snooze

--Mattie B.

I'm a maniac, maniac!

I've found out that I do much better (all around) when I'm busy.
Working two jobs definitely fits that category!

Erik's bike shop is pretty nice, for the most part. I work really long, constant days when I work there. Grab a bike, fix it, repeat. But the hardest part is the randomness of the repair. A simple 20 minute repair could end up taking me a hour and a half because of a crappy bike. AND being the new guy I still don't really have a clue of what to do, which I can barely tolerate.

Interning at church is wonderful! It's such a great insight to the part of youth ministry that you don't get to see from being in it. With my passion being for the church, it's a chance to take advantage of the free knowledge I have access to, or people that I can be with/observe.

Although being busy with work isn't always ideal, it is nice to have something to do. Grace isn't very stress inducing, so that doesn't always feel like work. The free time I do have, I enjoy so much more. It's nice to meet with people I normally wouldn't, catch up with old friends I haven't or just have a chance to meet with God when I need it the most. What ever I might be doing, it's a refreshing time amidst the work.

I may be busy, but never to busy for an e-mail or text! Feel free to say hello from time to time.

In the words of JD Obrien, which are the words of Red Green:
Keep your stick on the ice
Matthew B.

Don't Learn Calculus or Spanish, Learn Life

My life has been turned upside down in every aspect.

I have learned so much about myself, it's amazing.

I have learned so much about the way I need to treat others:
Family, Close Friends, Distant Friends and even 'Relationships'

I have learned so much about the way I need to rely on God for everything
Strength, Provision, Understanding, Trust, Pride (or lack of) Strength (again)

I have learned life skills.
The importance of listening versus hearing.
The importance of genuine care versus caring with motives.
Sometimes I need to be there even if I don't know why.
Opening up isn't a sign of weakness, regardless of how manly I may think I am
for not doing it.

I have learned so much more then what I can express here, I know there are things that I've left out or forgotten to mention.


I hope that you have opportunities to learn in life. Not learning things like calculus, or a new language, but the things that really count. Learn to read people and care for them when they need it, even people you don't like. Learn things that don't necessarily get you ahead in life, but get you a hold on life. Every situation is a learning one, don't let it pass you by and miss the chance to grow.

Come and talk with me. I'd love the opportunity.

Keep your stick on the ice.

Matthew Brice

The Many Joys Of Spring

With spring right around the corner, if not already here, I've had the chance to go Disk Golfing already with my buddy Markus. I forgot how enjoyable that truly is. The chance to get out and walk in fresh air, and throw Frisbees around with a competitive drive is great. The weather warming up reminds me even more how much I enjoy being outside. I get so bogged down in the winter on my computer, that I forget how nice a game of frolf, or a bike ride with my lovely girlfriend can be!

Don't forget to remember the simple things in life. So many times, I can get upset over the things I don't have, or can't get. Take a minute, step back, enjoy the sun on your face, and stop complaining.

Go play outside.