Life can be hard. People can be cruel. It hurts even when we expect it, but cruelty from those you thought loved you is an even harder pill to swallow. We all have had someone lie about us, but some of those lies have been quite damaging to our reputation. Over a year ago, IContinue reading “To Those Who Have Been Lied About”
Author Archives: Matthew Winters
An Appointment with God
Around 2:00 pm yesterday, I was awaiting deliveries to come through. They were few and far between. The inactivity was driving me insane, so I took a drive to the church. I know I can pray anywhere, but I feel a certain freedom in there when the building is empty. I got there and beganContinue reading “An Appointment with God”
Ordering Delivery
At the beginning of this year, I made a decision to join the gig economy and deliver for one of the popular food delivery services. I can assure you that the decision was not made so I could take in the big bucks. Quite the contrary! Because I pastor a church and have kids whoContinue reading “Ordering Delivery”
Duty or Delight
I have always been a “check off the boxes” kind of guy. Manly men do not pass go and collect $200. They do what has to be done with no small talk or pleasantries along the way, right? I’m not calling myself the epitome of a manly man here, but I am saying that thereContinue reading “Duty or Delight”
Mama Said There’d Be Days Like This!
It’s crazy how a blog post begins with a simple thought that gets creative fast! The title was not the original intent, but it seems rather fitting for Mother’s Day weekend. Days like this…crazy, broken, insane, hostile days when objective truth is hated and we embrace whatever we make up from minute to minute. DaysContinue reading “Mama Said There’d Be Days Like This!”
National Day of Prayer
The first Thursday of May always sticks out in my mind. This day has been set aside as the National Day of Prayer since at least the 1990s. I remember a small ensemble from our high school choir singing at City Hall in Portsmouth, Virginia where I grew up. Ever since then, this day hasContinue reading “National Day of Prayer”
Anniversaries
Anniversaries can be a good or bad thing. For a few years, there were some anniversaries I dreaded. When I realized the date, some painful memories came along. This is not the case with May 4. Twenty-five years ago today, I surrendered to the call to preach. It continues to be one of the happiestContinue reading “Anniversaries”
Social Media Etiquette
Picture it. Hazlehurst, Georgia. 2006. A man sitting at a computer, attempting to use a new social media account called “MySpace.” Okay. Enough of the Golden Girls attempt at storytelling! We quickly dumped MySpace for Facebook, and one thing was apparent – people had no restraint. Facebook posts rapidly went from innocent posts and picturesContinue reading “Social Media Etiquette”
Monday, Monday
This blog is called “honest thoughts from a pastor”, and it’s probably easier to give you some pretty honest thoughts on a Monday morning. Our church had its relaunch service yesterday, then I spent roughly 4 hours on the road and got back in time for a high school choral concert. Needless to say, I’mContinue reading “Monday, Monday”
Blogging from the Middle of the Highway
Here I am, sitting in the middle of a popular 2-lane highway in South Carolina. I took this road to avoid the hectic traffic of the interstate, and here I am sitting still. I am in the middle of nowhere, so my GPS almost had a hernia as it attempted to reroute. I find itContinue reading “Blogging from the Middle of the Highway”
Honest Thoughts from a Pastor 