Pictures of the Nephew

The weather is magnificent in West Michigan these days, and the newborn nephew's as cute as can be. Click on the pic to see a few more.

My Sister is Having a Baby

While I type my little sister, Farrah, is going through labor to bring her first child, my first nephew into the world. Weird.
And exciting.

Jen and I are flying up to see the little drooly thing next week, and change some of his first chocolate-y diapers. But tonight, I'm surprised at myself. My dna is rejoicing, and I feel almost giddy. It's ridiculous, yet foolishly perfect...holy.

I've never been a baby person. I've always marveled at friends and relatives who become dads, how quickly they become different people. I thought maybe I was programmed differently, after meeting my niece this past year (Jen's sister, Sarah, had Savannah Belle in Jan '06). Savannah's a doll and all, but I didn't feel any special googliness around her...but, thinking of my sister pushing out that little boy-thing...

I'm programmed just like everybody else. God did something to our dna. We want to see it replicated at some deep sub-conscious level. It's a knowledge that resides in the body, not the mind, not the brain. It makes me feel animal, but it also gives me an appreciation for the love of God-the self-giving love of God. God knows His own goodness, and longs to see it replicated. He marked us with that goodness, and even though we've marred it, we still know the longing to replicate it.

Breathe, Farrah, Breathe!

Sermons Online

We have a few sermons recorded from churches we've spoken at over the years. I just uploaded the first one to the web. You can check it out!

http://www.archive.org/details/ChiAlphaWindowAndChooseLifeSermon

this second one is from 2005: http://www.archive.org/details/BeingAGodlyFriend

I just found this one: http://www.archive.org/details/MattDeGierGodlyFriends
This is the same message as the 2005 one, but preached later. I can't remember where this one was, but it's shorter, because I preach it alone, rather than as a tag-team with Jen like the first time.

Summer Time Prayers

It's hot, hot, hot in New Orleans these days, and the heat is up in our hearts as we are praying up, and planning through for a great fall kick-off.

In about 6 weeks, we will begin welcoming a few thousand new students to New Orleans. Please pray with us, as we strategically plan and prepare to meet as many of them as possible.

* Pray that our student leaders are full of faith and vision, as they are key in meeting the new students, introducing them to Chi Alpha, and to Jesus.

* Pray that I persevere in raising the necessary monthly financial support Jen and I need to continue full-time ministry unhindered (approx $300/mo.).

* Pray that area churches catch the vision for reaching university students, and partner with us in our kick-off events with time, resources, and prayers.