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Perspective Archives - Page 2 of 3 - mjreed.com

Matt 0
7
#Influence
September 25, 2014

Of Cows and Cattle

There's been something I've been requesting from God for some time. I won't personally divulge this request's identity, but I do consider it a rather large favor. I've been specific. I've been persistent. I've been expectant. Still I seemingly have not seen an answer. Then yesterday on my way to film a school assembly on Highway 252 I had a revelation.…
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Matt 1
11
#Influence
May 5, 2014

Growth

Last year early one morning, I ventured out of our room to peek into Elliot's room and found him curled up on the floor with his favorite blanket. It had been one of his first nights in a twin bed. Apparently the floor felt more like his crib. As I picked him up and put him back in his new bed, I couldn't help but think,…
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Matt 2
11
#Influence
May 1, 2014

A Blessing for the Meek

"Let's be honest" tends to be a convenient precursor to rudeness, negativity and gossip rather than life-giving direction or affirmation. Those who abuse "honesty" have owned that word for far too long. It's time for the meek to take it back. A pastor once told me that meekness isn't weakness; it's power withheld or power under control. In other words,…
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Matt 0
11
#Influence
April 30, 2014

In His Image

The essence of who we are begins and ends in Christ. The Bible makes it clear that purpose and destiny are wired into human beings from the earliest stages of life. Even though we are born into separation precipitated by sin, God's fingerprints and the evidence of His design are all over us. The love of God expressed in Creation and epitomized…
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Jill 0
9
#Life
April 19, 2014

Forgive and Forget

I guess I don't live according to God's form of forgiveness. I mean to, but I don't. (more…)
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Matt 0
2
#Film#Influence
April 16, 2014

You Can’t Change the World

It turns out we've been using the incorrect pronouns all these years.  There's no one to blame. It's simply been lost in the maze of an individualistic culture and personal faith. While trumpeting the triumphs of the individual, we've failed to notice the accompanying orchestra, missing the forest for the trees, fixing our gaze on the "I's" instead of "We's".…
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Matt 2
11
#Influence
March 8, 2014

Our Calling

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post related to my calling (as a prelude to this post.) My experience really got me thinking about what we understand a calling to be. (more…)
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Matt 3
10
#Influence#Life
February 15, 2014

My Calling

There are moments in life long forgotten yet their impact is never-ending. It was just a few words, and I'm guessing the missionary who spoke them would hardly remember them today. (more…)
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Matt 1
9
#Influence
December 3, 2013

Hate, Love, God, Family, Ministry

I recently heard a message in a church on Luke 14:26 where Jesus uses the word "hate" in a unique way to illustrate the cost of being a disciple: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.." Most modern interpretations…
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Matt 2
5
#Influence
November 8, 2013

Beyond the Headline

Here's a challenge for you: Look beyond the headline of the day from your favorite news station, paper, or website and try to find the obscure stories. As part of my Twenty-Nine Bible reading endeavor, I try to find something that's happening from around the globe for a prayer focus once a week. I've been blown away how many times…
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Matt 0
3
#Influence
November 3, 2013

I Believe You

I follow it irregularly, usually watching the first and last few episodes of each season, but I'm a huge fan of The Voice. It's a show that has set itself apart from others in the same genre. It's original and genuine, much like its judges.  Their unscripted and spontaneous interactions make the show what it is. They are amicable with each…
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Jill 0
2
#Influence#Life
February 2, 2013

The Hilarity of Death

I sometimes imagine poor Death saying, "I can't be funny for the life of me!"  Don't underestimate death.  It can apparently be hilarious. (more…)
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Matt 0
3
#Influence
December 25, 2012

Wise Men Still Obey Him

Christmas is a time of wonder, reflection, and revelation. Every time the tale of the beginning of Christ's life is revisited, there are always new truths to discover. (more…)
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Matt 0
1
#Influence
November 6, 2012

Kingdom of Christ(ians)

You can search this site or my thousands of tweets and Facebook updates, but you'll have a hard time finding any posts on politics. (more…)
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Matt 0
1
#Influence
February 3, 2012

Hardened Hearts

As part of the First Steps Reading Plan for 2012, I just finished reading through the book of Exodus.  The storyline (maybe better known from The Ten Commandments or Prince of Egypt) tells the lot of Moses and his quest to free his people from slavery in Egypt.  Throughout ten plagues and an exit toward the Red Sea, I came…
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Matt 1
0
#Influence
January 17, 2012

I’m a ’93 Dodge Dakota

A few of you might remember our blue '93 Dodge Dakota that we owned for a few years.  It was a decent machine we picked up from a local dealership for around $3,000.  We have some fond memories of that truck, mostly involving youth group activities.  There was the time when teens were riding in the back with a thousand…
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Matt 0
0
#Influence#Life
January 13, 2012

Based on a True Story

This week I watched Moneyball again for the first time since seeing it in the theater.  If you haven't seen it yet and you love baseball I definitely recommend it.  It's an excellently crafted story based on the 2002 Oakland A's and their general manager, Billy Beane (Former Twin).  It's really a David versus Goliath tale that shows how low-payroll…
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Matt 0
7
#Influence
June 20, 2011

This is a Courtesy Honk

You're at a stop light while the light is red.  While you're waiting for it to turn green, you're buckled in, your car is running and you're anticipating the moment the light turns green. (more…)
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Matt 0
0
#Influence
June 11, 2011

My Place in Space

I'm sitting on the roof looking at Saturn just to the right of the moon and to the left of the Big Dipper while waiting for the space station to make its fourth visible appearance of this day.   The Twin Cities are fighting for my attention but are beaten by the furious blinking of the two television towers Jill…
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Matt 1
0
#Influence
June 1, 2011

Despicable Me

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.” Have you ever wondered what a wretch is?  I’ve always thought it sounded a little like a small bird or something in my toolbox. Doesn’t it seem strange to sing that?  The dictionary defines wretch as “a despicable, or vile person”.  Maybe for fun we should change it…
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Matt 0
0
#Influence#StuMin
April 26, 2010

Faith the size of a flower seed

We're in a series in youth group called "Schooled".  The whole premise of these 10 weeks is that God is real and at work in His creation.  To prove the point, we had each of our small groups fill a 2 foot planter with flower (annuals) seeds.  Flowers springing up from seeds is a small reminder that God is still…
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Matt 0
0
#Influence
April 11, 2010

Thank You Phil Mickelson

The devil is glorified when evil commands our attention.  We have endured months of Tiger Woods news... his affairs, rehab, the return to golf.  Thank you, Phil Mickelson, for making the world forget his story, even if it's just for a moment.  For now, we celebrate stars who quietly live decent and honorable lives.   For now, our fascination is on…
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