Sing to the Lord

Feb 20

Posted by matrill in music | No Comments


I like leading congregational music.

This is not so much a statement of revelation, as it is a personal reminder. For years, I have enjoyed being a part of an awesome choir that genuinely loves to sing as a ministry. I occasionally sing with a quartet, an ensemble, or my family (which I especially treasure). However, at various times I have the opportunity to stand in front of our church and lead the singing. There is nothing quite like encouraging a congregation to sing with passion, especially when the song is actually in my vocal range. While our hearts and songs are focused on heaven, the sea of voices directed toward the front of the auditorium make the congregation sound like one magnificent choir. Corporate worship is a wonderful sound that is difficult to replicate elsewhere. God is exalted and we are heartened through corporate praise from a grateful church.

While I am on the subject, I love great hymns. Songs of testimony like “It Is Well With My Soul” give this redeemed soul the opportunity to “say so.” The great hymn of praise “How Great Thou Art”directs my attention to the only One who truly deserves it. “Wonderful Grace of Jesus” is a musical treat (especially for basses) that proclaims the good news of salvation to anyone who will listen. A recent addition to my favorites, “In Christ Alone” is a song of assurance that traces the Gospel from death to resurrection. It even reminds us of the blessed hope of Christ’s return. What more could we ask of a hymn?

Hymns are not the sole musical form in my spiritual catalog. In fact, I am listening to Sons of Korah sing Psalm 121 as I write this. However, hymns are uniquely designed to fulfill a spiritual need in our Christian walk. I cannot imagine leaving them out of my musical world or ever wanting to.

Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

The best laid plans…

Jan 18

Posted by matrill in preaching | No Comments

I had it all planned out. With a evangelist visiting this weekend, I structured my to do list around a little extra time at the end of this week. Extra reading from premarital counseling book…check. Finish 8 page contextual analysis of Romans 12:1-2…check. Article for church newsletter…check. Keswick girls’ basketball game on Saturday…check. Dinner with evangelist and family…check.

Then came the unexpected phone call on Friday. Medical emergencies will not allow the evangelist to be with us on Sunday. The crumpling sound you heard was my “to do” list.
I started a new one with urgency. Complete two sermons for Sunday…check. Everything else…we’ll see when I get around to it.

I experienced the natural emotions of frustration and concern. I’ve never been fond of the curve balls that life seems to throw at us. I don’t mind change as long as I have time to prepare for it. Yet a part of me likes the challenge of a deadline.

Once again, God showed Himself faithful. I was able to work efficiently and with clarity of thought. Before I went to bed last night, I had my sermon material completed.

Today I was contemplating why things happen as they do. We have been praying and preparing for this next week for some time. God already had begun to work in the hearts of many people. Last week two more responded to the invitation of salvation. Others have been seeking a renewal of God’s work in their lives. Must we postpone this?

Tonight a different feeling came over me. I’m excited about tomorrow. Part of that is because I really love to preach. (I’m a little lost on Sundays when we have a guest speaker.) But more than that I can’t wait to see what God has in store. He’s changed our plans, so I know He has a better one. He is still the God who can do that which is beyond what we can ask or think.

As I write this there is still the matter of an 8 page contextual analysis that is due tomorrow night. God is still good.

Memories of Ayrshire

Jan 15

Posted by matrill in internet, missions, TMI | 5 Comments

In 1980 I spent almost three months with a team of teenagers just outside Catrine, Scotland. Our work included building a block & brick kitchen and dining facility for Teen Missions at Daldorch Estate (which is today a home for autistic children). I have often wondered if our dining hall is still there and being used. It was a great experience that I repeated by traveling to Italy in 1983. Throughout the years, my wife and I have led many teams to various parts of the world to work alongside some of God’s greatest servants and our greatest heroes – missionaries.

I celebrated my 14th birthday in Scotland and learned a great deal about the Lord, the world, and life in general. I have determined that in some ways my first Teen Missions experience was a rite of passage for me. As a team member I became accountable – to carry supplies, to wash my clothes, to dig a trench, to lay blocks. I was responsible for myself and others. 28 1/2 years ago I had my friends write their names and addresses in a small book so that we could “keep in touch” when we returned home.

While cleaning recently I found that book and fondly flipped through the pages of names and numbers. Yesterday converting some slides to digital format I tried remembering names and faces. A quick internet search turned up a few interesting leads…and then a Google hit read “Deb Pugh/Heather Duffy.” This was no coincidence or mistaken identity. In my mind these names could only be connected in one way – Scotland 1980. A link and a jump later, I received the confirmation I expected – including a photo.

The challenge has begun. A few more names led to a few more leads. We’ll see what the wonders of the internet hold for reaching back and connecting with a bygone day. To my teammates from Scotland Dining 1980 I say “Thanks for the memories.”

Blog Resolution

Jan 15

Posted by matrill in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Two weeks after the new year I am now resolving to be more consistent in posting to this blog. I regularly think of concepts that seem like good foundations for notes or articles, but rarely jot them down, develop them, or post them to this site. Perhaps I will begin to record the simple ideas rather than wait for them to grow into their ripe potential. I write a brief article for our monthly newsletter at church and have recently been privileged to write an article for families in the Gulf Coast Family magazine . Those seem to take forever to complete as I am never quite satisfied with the article until a deadline looms large.
And so, I will be more spontaneous and less exacting about what I post here in the hopes of posting more often. We’ll see how long this lasts.

Ready to Fish

May 14

Posted by matrill in fishing, witnessing | No Comments

This week I updated my tackle box. I discarded rusty swivels, corroded hooks, and rigs tangled beyond repair. I put sharp hooks on lures that have many more casts left in them. I peeled away plastic worms that adhered to everything they touched as they became sticky with age and the heat of the Suncoast. (My wife was probably less-than-thrilled that I chose the family room for this task.) I sorted saltwater tackle from freshwater and placed it all neatly into my new tackle box (actually a Christmas present I hadn’t used yet).

It’s evident that I’m really looking forward to Friday’s fishing outing, but there are many things that remain for me to do. I haven’t decided yet which hat to wear – the ball cap with a tarpon on the front or the olive drab hat with a full brim and retaining strap. I’ve planned a trip to the grocery to get what is needed for everyone’s sandwiches. Then I’ll ice down the sodas, seal the hole in my bait bucket, check the tide chart…

After all that, I hope to find time to replace some of the ancient line on a couple of my reels. I am expecting at least one really big fish and need all the help I can get.

“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” With those simple words Jesus called Simon Peter and his brother Andrew to become His disciples. They left their nets, boats, and family to follow the Savior (Matthew 4:18-20). With that same invitation the Lord demonstrated that a major component of discipleship is evangelism. As believers, we must never forget our inherent responsibility to be soul winners. There is no way to genuinely follow Him and ignore lost people.

When convicted we say, “Lord, if you’ll bring someone my way I’ll witness to them.” That sure doesn’t sound much like my preparation for this weekend’s fishing trip. Where is my anxious anticipation? Where is the strategic planning? Where is my thoughtful and diligent effort?

The truth is that even when God directly answers this prayer, we forget our promise. He regularly brings people into our daily lives that need to hear the Gospel message. However, because of our business, selfishness, and timidity we say nothing to them.
I’m looking forward to an awesome time of exciting results at our fishing excursion. May God likewise give us hearts that are sincerely burdened for the lost.

Every Christian a Preacher

Mar 21

Posted by matrill in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Each week I find myself looking forward to Sunday. I consider it a great privilege to be able to proclaim that Jesus is our risen Savior, especially on a day that marks the resurrection. It’s exciting to think that someone may hear the Gospel and respond for the first time in his life. I am blessed to be able to stand in front of a congregation and preach the same Gospel that the Apostle preached centuries ago.

But Paul Dwight Moody, the son of famous evangelist Dwight L. Moody, reminds us of a truth in the Easter sermon that he preached in 1910:

“All Christians should be preachers of the resurrection, for it is at the very core of our faith. If Christ rose not, then preaching and faith are alike vain, and of all men are we the most miserable. And though we may not be called upon to herald it in great cathedrals or crowded churches, still by life and word we are to declare that the Lord has risen.”

It is indeed our privilege to present the resurrection of Christ to those around us. But it is more than just an opportunity, it is our responsibility. Moody goes on to say:

“Every man or woman who takes upon himself the name of Christ honestly, subscribes to the belief that He rose from the grave and thereby witnesses to that belief. And this we must preach. And if the resurrection is real to us, we will. We must declare that the Lord is risen – that we have seen the Lord. And if we have, we will; for every true vision contains in it that which makes its beholder an evangelist. For the person fresh from contact with the living Lord there is only one thing to do: tell about it. Tell about it he will; the very light on his face would reveal that he had seen the Lord if his lips were dumb.”

If we believe it, we must preach it. Let someone hear your testimony this week. Demonstrate the love of God to someone in need. Invite a friend to attend church services with you this weekend. Allow your Christian witness to be seen and heard by those at work, at school, or in your family. We must all be preachers of the Good News!

What’s Wrong with America: Economics

Jun 30

Posted by matrill in Uncategorized | No Comments

I love technology. However, no matter how cool, convenient or revolutionary it may turn out to be, no phone is worthy of the following statement:

“I’m gambling with next month’s rent, but it’s worth it.” Jerry Taylor, 54, San Francisco, who waited in line more than 24 hours for his iphone.