Author Archives: Matthew Winters

I’m sitting in my living room on a Friday morning. I had great hopes to sleep in today, but I just couldn’t. I thought that maybe I could go upstairs and begin to work on one of my many dreams, but I found myself stuck. As some of you know, I turned 40 on OctoberContinue reading “I’m Stuck: Thoughts on Aspirations”

I wish I could say I am bilingual or more. Unfortunately, I only speak English, and I fight daily the temptation of allowing Southern slang to intertwine with the English language. I did take French in high school, graduated with the highest GPA in the class, and still remember very little. In life, everyone speaksContinue reading “What Language Do You Speak?”

Prayer is a widely discussed topic among Christians. You can easily find a book on prayer in a bookstore or online. Almost every pastor who is well-known for writing has written a book on the subject. I am not posting this to tell you how to pray, but I do want to share with youContinue reading “Changing the Way You Pray”

Too good not to reblog! Thanks, Olivia, for this helpful post! You’re probably reading this title, like Olivia why would I want to show grace to people who are unkind? Well, research shows that there are several … 4 Ways To Deal With Unkind People Gracefully

Imagine getting a new car. If you are like most people, you want to care for it the best way possible. Who wants it to fall apart soon after you buy it, right? You get scheduled oil changes and other suggested maintenance so, that when the day comes and you’re pushing 200,000 miles, you couldContinue reading “A Pastor and An Oil Change: Preventive Maintenance”

Last week, I began watching and listening to sermons preached by Pastor Tony Evans. The one I have listened to for the last few days in segments (normally between visiting hospice patients and on the car ride home) is based on the story of Esther. If a believer can quote a verse from the bookContinue reading “For Such a Time as THAT”

Who are some of the first Christian leaders you remember? Many of you who are at least my age would probably say Billy Graham. The one who sticks out in my mind is Charles Stanley, a man who has remained true to his calling. Charles Stanley sticks out in my mind for many reasons. MyContinue reading “Unwavering to the Call”

On Sunday night, my wife gave birth to our newest addition in…our…home. That’s right! Inside our house. She did not want the hospital experience this time. I was torn up about the thought of it and was apprehensive until the baby came out. My wife had her crew present to soothe and coach. Worship musicContinue reading “My Natural Birthing Experience”

If you were to write a script for your life, what would it look like? Would it have conflict? Drama? Problems? Or would it be more like a fairy tale with the traditional “happily ever after” ending? To be completely honest with you, I would choose the fairy tale. If you know my story, youContinue reading “My Disasters and God’s Plans”

The month of August is historically a month of transition for me. My first August transition was bittersweet. It was in 2003 when I left Emmanuel Baptist Church in Hartsville, SC to step into the unknown, which would soon carry me to Southside Baptist Church in Hazlehurst, GA, where I would once again leave inContinue reading “The Month of August and God’s Grace in Transition”