My last year living in Chicago I worked on the far north side of the city and lived on the far south side. This meant that I had 45 to 90 minutes in the car each morning and evening. This drive was not fun. By no means is an hour in traffic fun, but it…
Tag: God
An Experience of a Life Time
In 1998, I was pursuing my Masters in Christian Education at ITC/Johnson C. Theological Seminary in Atlanta, GA. For summer break I went home to Congo-Kinshasa to visit my family. The trip went well and I was very happy to see my family and friends for two months. Nevertheless, the worst happened at the end…
God’s Family
For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. Ephesians 2:14 When I read this scripture, I want to believe that it is true of us as a church family, a community, a country and a…
CONNECTIVITY of Technology
A while back, several years maybe, I had a conversation with a person who was probably 50 something. I had heard that in years past, this individual had been very active in the church, here every time the doors were open. This person said, “I feel so disconnected now—we’re gone so much—parents have been sick,…
My Happy Heart
While I always enjoy church-wide Art Night and church-wide Game Night, I’ve been craving a church-wide event that deepens our connections with God, our connections with one another and is meaningful for all involved. Therefore, you must know that my heart was SO happy on Sunday evening at Let Us Pray. I loved watching children,…
No Agenda
Sometimes I get an idea, and I can’t let it go, and it ends up with me doing things like requesting to be friends with everyone on Facebook who has the same name that I do. There are about 20 of us Matt/Matthew/Mateo Ybañeze’s on Facebook. It’s my own name and I still don’t know…
I’m Not Wishing You a Happy New Year
My son blessed me last night. Not in the typical, motherly, “Oh my child is such a blessing,” way. He literally blessed me. After he crawled into bed, he said, “Mommy, I want to give you a blessing.” He took my hand, made the sign of a cross on it and said, “Mommy, you are…
Doubt or Belief?
Luke 1:11-21 is the story of the priest, Zechariah, and his visit from the angel Gabriel. The angel comes to give Zechariah the good news that his wife, Elizabeth, will bear a son, whom they should name John. Because of his and Elizabeth’s advanced ages, Zechariah doubts the news that Gabriel has given him. Gabriel…
“The Star” – Movie Review
Watching the preview for The Star movie, I thought “Finally! A new animated movie with an all-star cast about the birth of Jesus. How exciting!” I was even more excited to hear about the variety of well-known musical talents who recorded the soundtrack. I was hopeful that this was going to be a successful movie…
Thoughts and Prayers
Another week. Another tragedy. That has been the refrain many of us have been repeating for a while now. Another week. Another tragedy. Another day. Another news story that we just don’t want to see. And yet, the news does not stop for us. Life does not stop. As Aaron Burr sings in the musical…
Books
There are two books on the bookshelves in my office that I’ve had longer than any others. One of them is the Life Application Study Bible that my mom bought for me to read and use at youth group. The other is The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook. The corners and pages of this book are…
Sacred Chaos
In addition to the regular routine of getting everyone out the door, this morning also included getting a baby gift wrapped, a fruit tray put together for my son’s Halloween party at school, treats together for his teachers, and getting to work on time to get ready for a meeting and handout Halloween treats to…
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