Category: Faith

Faith

Your Church May Be More Diverse Than You Think

Rebekah Matt2 Comments

When diversity is already all around you in your church, do you take note of it, embrace it, and learn from it?

The phrase “diversity in the church” usually refers to racial or ethnic diversity, with many churches striving, often unsuccessfully, to attract a more fully integrated, racially balanced congregation. Some churches fret about not being able to achieve this, believing that they can’t possibly reflect the whole kingdom of God without demonstrating racial diversity, while others consider it a worthy pursuit but acknowledge that they’re not likely to have complete success in this area for various reasons.

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Faith

The Case Against “Do the Next Right Thing”

Rebekah Matt4 Comments

Why adding one word changes everything—and not in a good way.

I first heard it in a Disney movie a few years ago, in a song from Frozen 2: “Do the next right thing.” More recently I’ve seen this phrase on posters, t-shirts, and used by addiction recovery groups.

In Frozen 2, “Do the next right thing” is sung by a character in despair over her bleak future: she is trapped in a cave and has just lost a good friend. I was empathetic to her plight … but when she sang that line, my mind instantly rebelled.

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Faith · Parenting

Light of the World, or 120 Watts of Jesus

Rebekah Matt5 Comments

Originally posted on Dec. 22, 2020

When each of my children was around 5 years old, we did a “Names of Jesus” unit together during our Advent homeschool time. Each day we would focus on a different name that Jesus is called in the Bible, such as shepherd, king, Alpha and Omega, or light of the world. Each lesson had an activity, craft, or lesson associated with it, most of which I’ve forgotten now … except for the object lesson I used for “Light of the World.”

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Faith

What Does God Want of Me?

Rebekah Matt8 Comments

Three questions to ask the next time you’re faced with a difficult situation in life.

Several years ago, my husband and I were facing a tough situation in our lives. I don’t remember the details—who was involved, what it was about, or what the outcome was. I don’t remember if it was a minor issue that we solved in a few hours or if it was a lingering problem that went on for weeks with no resolution. I don’t even remember if it was exclusively my problem (or his) or if we faced it together.

But what I do remember are the three questions that came out of this difficulty, questions that my husband raised in the midst of this trial to help provide us with direction and guidance. These questions have stayed with me ever since, and have given me clarity and lessened my burden in a wide variety of situations: problems with children or other family members, issues in my marriage, dilemmas in church, personal trials, and more.

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