Matt Pearson

True North Series Resources: Technology

Books Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now by Jaron Lanier Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology by Neil Postman The Shallows: How the Internet is Changing the Way we Think, Read, and Remember by Nicholas Carr Competing Spectacles: Treasuring Christ in a Media Age by Tony Reinke Plugged In: Connecting Your Faith with What You Watch, Read, and Play by Daniel Strange 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You by Tony Reinke The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in its...

True North Series Resources: Sexuality

BOOKS Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion by Rebecca MacLaughlin Is God Anti-Gay? by Sam Allberry What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality? by Kevin DeYoung People to Be Loved: Why Homosexuality is More than Just an Issue by Preston Sprinkle Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality by Matthew Vines Two Views on Homosexuality, the Church, and the Bible ARTICLES “I Never Became Straight. Perhaps That Was Never God’s Goal” by Rachel Gilson “Celebrate Sexual Ethics. Don’t Apologize For Them” by Andrea Palpant Dilley “Finding My ‘True Self’ as a Same-Sex...

A Little Extra

I received some tremendous advice this week. “Sunday, when you call you’re dad and tell him ‘Happy Father’s Day’ and that you love him, say a little extra to make it personal.” In other words, don’t just go through the motions and routine. Don’t just say what everyone says. Don’t just say what is expected. Make it personal. I love that. The gentlemen who gave me this wisdom lost his father years ago and – with tears in his eyes – said he misses him a little more each passing year. You know what he was saying? He was telling...

Is Jesus Really the Only Way?

“There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) All of my life I have heard, been taught, and been surrounded by people who adamantly believe Jesus is the only way to God, the only way to miss hell, the only way to ensure heaven after death. It is wonderfully true (see John 14:6) and I will forever be grateful for my upbringing. However. That’s where it stopped. It’s usually where it still stops. Jesus is the only way to get to God post...

Scripture Resources

Last Sunday (06.09.2019), we continued a 3-part series called “Outflow.” The purpose is to take three weeks discussing how to cultivate a relationship with Jesus so that Gospel Conversations are an “Outflow” of what is going on in our heart. The part two was about SCRIPTURE. You can watch or listen to the sermon here. Every day this week, West Franklin will be posting short videos, encouraging you with specifics in your prayer life. You can find them here. In addition, below are resources to help you grow in your daily time with Scripture. There are links to books, articles, and sites compiled...

Psalm 53

I love the Psalms. They give teeth to my thoughts. They let me know it’s okay to think what I’m thinking. They give me the assurance that I am not the only one. They give clarity to my emotions. It’s no wonder the Psalms were designed to be the prayer and songbook for the people of God. The Psalms let you know it’s okay and expected (encouraged!) to be raw. The Psalms remind you that God is big enough to handle your complaints. The Psalms help give shape to your unexplainable humanity. The Psalms let you be you, while reminding...

Prayer Resources

Last Sunday (06.02.2019), we began a 3-part series called “Outflow.” The purpose is to take three weeks discussing how to cultivate a relationship with Jesus so that Gospel Conversations are an “Outflow” of what is going on in our heart. The first part was about PRAYER. You can watch or listen to the sermon here. Every day this week, West Franklin will be posting short videos, encouraging you with specifics in your prayer life. You can find them here. In addition, below are resources to help you in your prayer journey. There are links to books, articles, and sites compiled...

Sounds a Pastor Hears on Sunday Morning

The following are actual phrases said to me over the past couple of Sundays. I love being a pastor. “Did you see the Kentucky Derby yesterday? Wasn’t that a crazy ending?” “Anything I can do for you today, pastor?” “I think we will close today with ‘Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine.’” “I am not recovering like I should be, pastor.” “My wife is at home this morning. She can’t walk from the couch to the kitchen without getting dizzy. I’m scared.” “My husband can’t be here. He’s worried. I’m worried. The surgery was a week ago and something just isn’t...

Greeting Cards

My hand hurts and my bank account is dangerously low. I have purchased and written in 14 greeting cards this week. I’m not kidding. May is a killer for my family. My wife’s birthday is May 13th and Mother’s Day is the 12th. This means a card from me for each (2x) and a card from the kids for each (2x). Total of 4 cards. My mom’s birthday is May 17th and Mother’s Day is the 12th. This means a card from me for each (2x) and a card from the grandkids for each (2x). Total of 4 cards. Being that it’s Mother’s Day,...

Pork Butts and Pastoring

Saturday. 5:30 am. My Big Green Egg is at the right temperature. I put the 10 lb pork butt I had prepared with seasoning the night before on the grill. Indirect heat. At least an hour per pound. Should be good to go around supper time. Thank you Jesus. Wednesday’s. 6:00 pm. Four former Catholics. A single young male. A married man whose wife attends choir practice during this time. A husband-wife team from out West. Book studies of their choice. A couple of weeks or months and they should be ready for baptism, membership, and perhaps a call into ministry. Thank...