Tag: ministry
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Still Waters to Waves
On returning from my sabbatical this Sunday, I had the privilege to baptize a young woman. Those who know me know that my favorite part of ministry is walking people in baptism. I go out of my way to participate in this act of worship because it is the crossroads of devotion, the gospel, testimony,…
matthewcgillum
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Alchemy on an Airplane
I don’t enjoy random conversations with people on airplanes (way too close sitting in the seat next to me, but that’s my introvert neurosis), but I love listening to other people have weird conversations. The other day on a flight that I had strategically planned to have no one else on my row, I overheard…
matthewcgillum
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Bricks
A few weeks ago I had the chance to teach a seminary class at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Frightening, I know. But one of the cool things about when I return to the campus at SWBTS is seeing some of the legacy from my wife’s family there. Her father and grandfather both led the Physical…
matthewcgillum
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War and Peace
(Photo credit: Chris Barton) Having grown up in church, I’ve heard the passage from Luke 2 many times where Scripture shows us the announcement of the birth of Christ. We’re exposed to angels telling people not to fear, pronouncing good news, and singing of peace on earth and goodwill to men. In my mind, this…
matthewcgillum
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Pine needles are for kids
For Thanksgiving this year, our family stayed out in the woods outside of Arkadelphia, AR. It was a beautiful spot, secluded, quiet, and with a ton of trees. My three year old (like any reasonable three year old) upon seeing the trees and the hills and the lake below, decided he’d take off at a…
matthewcgillum
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Family Photos
This time of year is notable in the Gillum family as the time when we take family photos. As wonderful as family photos are, my main experience of trying to take family photos is a waking nightmare. Dealing with wanderers, boogers, tears, M&Ms and the chocolate stains thereof, wearing particularly uncomfortable sweaters when it’s 80…
matthewcgillum
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Low Battery
Ever have one of those mornings where you forget to charge your phone? I’ve had a few (OK, several) of those mornings lately. It’s always kind of demoralizing to break through the fog of sleep and fatigue to wrench yourself from bed, to wage war against getting the kids out the door, fighting the insufferable…
matthewcgillum
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Windmills and Survival Techniques
This past weekend, I had the privilege of leading a group of men to go climb Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in the state of Texas. It was a wonderful hike and a great adventure. But if you’re familiar with the true mountains in Texas, it takes a reeeealllly long time to drive out there.…
matthewcgillum
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You Are Not Data
I like to read about trends and world events, but in my studies I’ve found a thing that irks me: our obsession with data. You might read that and think I’m anti-science. That’s definitely not true. I think science and faith live and thrive together. Where I actually grow intensely irritable is actually when Christians…
matthewcgillum
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Fog
This morning as I was driving to church, we had to travel through intense fog. Being close to a lake, this happens everytime the weather cools, and it makes a windy drive a lot more interesting not being able to see 10 feet in front of you. In the midst of this journey through the…
matthewcgillum
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And yet, and yet... 