The Labrador Retriever

Wonder Dog, Captain retrieves frisbees underwater

Captain Swimming the length of the pool

Leading the Pack

Today I want to talk about leadership.  I have read many devotions and had many thoughts this week that have lead to this post.  I also received my new copy of Christian Sportsman Magazine this week in which has many articles on leadership.


I want to start off by telling you that I was put on this earth to become a leader.  I am not bragging so please don't take that the wrong way.  Though I may not like it, I understand my calling.  I know why God put me here.  But there is something you need to know.  I just recently realized my calling and the many challenges that go with it.  I want to share a verse that I read this week that goes along with understanding your calling.  It comes from 2 Peter 1:10-11 and it reads like this in the ESV.


2 Peter 1:10-11
English Standard Version (ESV)
10 Therefore, brothers,[a] be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.


Peter is talking about your calling as a christian and stresses that we keep what we are taught and practice them. He is mainly talking about our calling to a relationship with Christ.  We should remember what we learn as Christians and grow on it, never forgetting it. This will make our lives, not necessarily easier (because God never told us it was going to be easy), but easier to deal with. I want to go a little further in saying that we are also called into a certain service to aid God in his plans. These services are mainly accomplished through our talents. We are all very different individuals and all have our own talents. My talents may or may not be the same as yours. We all have a purpose and a plan to fulfill while here on earth. I will go on to say that even people's mistakes, sins, and non believers are used in God's Plan. So many people go through life not understanding their calling. Some search and never find and others never even bother to look. I was one that searched and I thought I never would find my calling when in fact it was right in front of me. I just did not let the Lord lead me to it. I tried to find it on my own. Now, like I said above, I now know what my calling is. It is to be a leader. This is a very broad calling because I could be a leader in any situation or in any job. When I searched for my calling I focused to much on if I was in the right occupation. But what really mattered the most is that I am supposed to be a leader in everything that I am involved in. So this is why I want to talk about leadership. I feel like many of us are called to be leaders, especially in our families.  Some are not cut out to be leaders.  Leadership can be a small task such as raising your kids or it can be something larger such as being a leader at work, church, large organizations, and even government. That is why I say it is a broad subject. For me, it is a calling to be a leader in everything I do.


Let's talk about what it means to be a leader. In every issue of the Christian Sportsman Magazine (You can purchase a subscription by joining CSF at our website www.christiansportman.com), there is an article published by a great friend and mentor, Hank Hough. Hank is founder of Kingdom Dog Ministries. (You can find a link from this blog to his website). In this issue, he talks about leading the pack. Hank tells about a friend that explains sled dogs to him in an interesting way. Here is a little portion of the article.


"Hank, there is only one dog on an Alaskan sled team that actually gets a change of Scenery, and that is the LEAD DOG," He then said, "and do you know what the rest of them are looking at"? Now, it is difficult not to smile when you think of that, but what a potentially deceptive description about a leader. We in America tend to picture the lead dog on a leisurely slow run thru the country side. When in truth the lead dog is not enjoying the scenery he is on-guard for those that are behind him.  His eyes are consistently searching for perils, holes, drop offs, weak ice, slides, etc.  It is his legs that clear the path of vines for the others to follow.  It is his body that blocks the blinding snow for those behind him.  It is he that finds the trail, holds the trail, and faces the risk on the trail first.  It is a life that few are prepared for, or even really want.


This is a really simple way to look at leadership.  If you have ever watched a movie or saw pictures of a dog sled team, then you can picture this scenario.  I look at it as we are the dog team and the musher is God.  You see, that lead dog would be nothing more than a dog if it were not for the training and direction of the musher (Master).  With out the Musher, this lead dog has no purpose.  God is in control of our lives and he has a purpose for us.  Even those of us that are not lead dog material.  Lets take a moment to look at what Wikipedia says about dog sledding.


"Assembling a dog sled team involves picking leader dogs, point dogs, swing dogs, and wheel dogs. The lead dog is crucial so mushers take particular care of these dogs. Important too is to have powerful wheel dogs to pull the sled out from the snow. Point dogs (optional) are located behind the leader dogs, swing dogs between the point and wheel dogs, and team dogs are all other dogs in between the wheel and swing dogs and are selected for their endurance, strength and speed as part of the team".


Focus on one part of this explanation of the sled team.  "The lead dog is crucial so mushers take particular care of these dogs."  When you decided to be a lead dog for God, he will take care of you.  He will make sure that you have every provision.  Every blessing.  But, be prepared because as you read above, the lead dog position is not for the faint of heart.  Not everybody is cut out to be the lead dog but God can still use you too.  As you see the sled team is a team.  Every dog has it's own purpose.  We have our own purpose here on earth.  Each of us has that task to accomplish.  It is this team that fulfills the mission of the musher.  Let's go back to the lead dog because this team is nothing with out him.  He is nothing with out his team too.  The lead dog is a special kind of dog.  He is hand selected by the master for the purpose of leading his team.  Let's read a little further into the Article "Leading The Pack".


"Great leaders have multiple characteristics, but there is one common characteristic among them all.  They are always meek.  Isn't that a surprise? I thought it was the alpha, the dominant, the fastest, best athlete, most intelligent that got to lead.  No, it is the meek.  Now most leaders do have some to many of the above characteristics, but these characteristics alone, or by themselves produce terrible self serving leaders.  So what does the word meek mean?  It does not mean weak, mousy, frail, or afraid like America thinks it does.  The word meek is an ancient agricultural term that describes the condition of  a farm animal.  When a powerful animal such as a giant bull or large horse chooses to use his strengths to SERVE OTHERS he was said to have become MEEKED.  It is the greatest of the characteristics of a leader.  It is the use of his strengths, his talents, his abilities to serve (not himself) but others.


  Wow, I never knew that but it makes perfect since.  A great leader is willing to serve others.  Being a leader means making scarifies.  It means making sure your team is taken care of even if it means putting your body in harms way.  It means making sure your team's every need is taken care of before you rest.  It means giving every part of you to serve.  It even means knowing when to back down and letting someone else take the lead.  Hank goes on to say this "They are not so much independent as they are aware of what is going on around them, and contrary to popular belief they don't always have to lead.  They are excellent followers."  Folks, this is not for everybody.  It is a tough life.  It is physically and mentally challenging.  It takes character.  Hank says "Character must come from somewhere down in their hearts."  


I want to ask you one question in closing.  Are you up for the challenge
?  Are you lead dog material?  I think we are commanded to be lead dogs in certain situations.  Especially fathers.  You may not have what it takes to be a grandiose type of leader but you can lead in your home.  If you have kids, you have the most difficult job ever.  You can also lead in your church.  You don't have to be a Deacon or Elder or even a preacher.  Some one has to lead the many activities and daily life of the church.  A lot of this leadership is done behind the scenes.  You see there are many situations that your leadership is needed.  My challenge to you today, is to find your spot in the sled team.  The great musher needs you and everything you have to offer.  Don't hold back and always make sure that God is in the lead in your hearts.  With that that said, no task is to large.


God Bless, Jay


Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me.

Kingdom Dog Ministries Trailer # 2

Kingdom Dog Ministries Trailer # 1

CSF Alaska Wilderness Missions Testimonials

Christian Sportsmen's Fellowship Mission in Alaska.  Tirzah ARP Church will have a group going to Alaska this year in August.  If anyone is interested in attending with us, let me know.  Email me at bigdaddyjaymatthews80@gamil.com for more information.


Jay

Five Minutes to Say Good Bye

In the resent days of dealing with the lose of my uncle Jimmy, I have been thinking about how prepared I am.  The main thing is I need to be prepared to meet Jesus.  I need to make sure that everything I do on Earth glorifies God.  I need to make sure I take every opportunity to fill the great commission.  But beyond this, what else do I need to prepare for?  The normal things come to mind such as financial needs for my family, arrangement wishes, etc.  These are all the normal thoughts we have when we are asked "are we prepared" but there is one major thing that I have thought about more than anything.  My uncle left this world very unexpectedly and this could happen to any of us but what if we had five minutes to say good bye.  What would you say to those you love the most?  It would have to be quick so you would have to choose your words wisely.  I want to share what I think I would say.  Then if you would like, post a response of what you would say to those you love the most.  So here goes.


To my wife Sara - You are my best friend and there is no other person that could ever make me any happier than I am now.  I Love you with all of my heart.  Thank you for being a great wife and an awesome Mom.  God has truly blessed me.  Sara I have to go away now so please take care of my kids.  Teach them to be Godly men and women, teach them to be respectful to others and teach them to Love like you have loved me. I will see you again soon but until then, know that I love you.


To my Son CJ - Son you are my little warrior.  You are everything that I was.  Listen up son because I don't have much time.  I have to go away.  I want you to be strong and take care of your mom and sister.  You are the man of the house now.  Son always be respectful to others.  Help others and be kind.  Stand your ground and stand up for what you believe in but also know when to back down when you are wrong.  Be humble.  Most important of all, Love God with all your heart and soul.  Know that he sent his son to die for you and you will be able to come to heaven one day.  There, I will be waiting for you.  I love you and want you to know that it was your birth that changed my life forever.  See ya soon.


To my Daughter Madison - You are my heart.  You stole my heart the day you were born.  You will always be my little princess and will always be the most beautiful girl in the world.  Never let anyone tell you different.  Madison I have to go away.  I have instructed your brother to take care of you and mom.  He is the man of the house now so please respect that.  But don't let him run over you either.  You guys will have to work as a team.  Madison I don't have much time so I want you to pay attention.  Be respectful to others.  Be kind, and give the same love you give me to others.  Love your God with all your heart and soul.  You are special to me and I will be waiting for you in heaven.  Until then, I love you Princess.


To my family - I love you all.  Get along with each other and cherish ever moment with each other.  You see in most cases we don't get this five minutes to say good bye.  So make sure you tell your loved ones how you feel every moment.  Don't hold back.  Don't let silly little differences keep you from speaking to your loved ones.  Like Jimmy, they could be gone with out warning.  Can you live with that guilt on your heart for the rest of your life?  I know I couldn't so settle your differences and tell them you love them.  Also make sure you except Jesus in your heart so that you can one day come to heaven too.


If you would like, post your five minutes of good byes.  Like I said, you probably will not have a chance to when the time comes.


God Bless Jay Matthews

P-51D Mustang

Same type of plane my Grandfather flew in WWII. 

Kingdom Dog Ministires

Hey check out my Buddy Hank and his amazing dogs by clicking on the link above.  Hank has been my biggest mentor in bringing me closer to the Lord and his message is one of the most simple, straight forward ways of looking at your relationship with God.  I hope you enjoy.

Sad day brings interesting view of death

Friday, I received a very unexpected phone call.  My uncle Jimmy had suddenly passed away.  Jimmy was a picture of health and at 61 years old he too young to die.  This has really hit hard because I felt that I was close to Jimmy.  In fact, I had just talked with him Thursday.  This morning I got up to go to church.  I was installed as an Elder in my church today so I had to be there.  I really did not feel up to it but I knew that this was important.  Becoming an Elder is a big thing and I want to make sure I do my job no matter how hard life is.  As I sat down in my seat,  I checked my email on my phone and saw that my daily devotional, Sportsmen's Devotional, had come in.  I read this devotional everyday and I truly believe that God uses this platform to communicate to me.  This morning the verse came from Matthew 13:47-50.  It reads like this in the NIV bible;


"Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (NIV)

Even though this verse is talking about the end of days, my brain is able to see this verse in a different way.  We are all like fish and God is the great fisherman.  This fisherman probably fishes everyday.  He throws his net into the water and with one quick swoop he pulls in his catch.  Then he goes to the shore and goes through this process of filtering out the bad fish and throwing them back into the water.  Now, God goes through this process everyday and people are brought to heaven to be with him for eternity (If you really think about it he lets the net down every second but for the purpose of this thought, we will say everyday).  This is what happened with my uncle Jimmy.  He was caught in God's net.  Those of us here on earth were just left here until one day that net will catch us and we will go to heaven.  But you know, I was thinking and really picturing us as fish.  I mean I was really picturing us as fish (as in a mini Nemo movie playing in my head).  I know it sounds silly, but this is how my brain works.  I was swimming along and I saw this boat coming.  I saw the net and I saw my uncle Jimmy being lifted up out of the water.  Never once was I scared but as I looked around many of the other fish were swimming away, hiding from the net.  I also heard screaming from the net but it wasn't coming from Jimmy.  In fact it was coming from just a few of the fish (I imagine these were the fish that were not prepared and were soon to meet their fate of eternal damnation) .  Jimmy and the others were extremely excited about being gathered up in the net.  It was like they knew they were safe.  You know so many people in this world run from God.  They try to avoid having any kind of relationship with God.  Is it because they are scared of death or maybe it could be that they are afraid of what they will become.  Who knows?  Here's what I know, I know God and I wanted in that net.  As I was day dreaming I felt that hurt as I saw my uncle Jimmy being lifted up in the net.  I felt the pain of losing someone you love.  But then I felt a peace because I knew that the fisherman would be back.  One day it will be my day to be caught in that net.  I don't know when.  Maybe it will be the final day like this verse is talking about but I know that it is coming and I am ready.  I think what hurts so much when we lose someone is the fact they are in heaven and we are not.  We have to remain imperfect beings that live in pain and sadness everyday. 

    One thing I want to say before closing.  Don't be like those fish I saw swimming away.  You do not have to be afraid of the great fisherman.  As you can read for yourself, one day will be your last and you will be caught in that net.  You better be prepared by knowing God.  The screaming I heard from the net where souls that have been running away from God and they were caught by death.  Death in the body is permanent and it is inevitable.  Weather you want death to be permanent in Spirit is up to you.  All you have to do is to know God and except Jesus as your Savior.  It is that simple.  Knowing God,  guarantees your spot in heaven.  With the hope of that guarantee, you will live a better life the short time you are here on earth.  Don't wait until it is to late.  Your last second here on earth can be anytime.  My uncle Jimmy was prepared and I pray that you will be too.

God Bless, Jay

Jimmy you will be missed and never forgotten.  I will see you soon!!!

Welcome to my new Blog!!!

Hi, my name is Jay Matthews.  I am just an old country boy from South Carolina.  I have created this blog to share my daily thoughts with the world.  I am a Christian and often find myself coming up with some interesting ways to relate the Bible with everyday life situations.  I have been told by my peers that I should write these thoughts down and share them with others.  So this will be my attempt at that.  But there is a catch to this blog.  I am a Redneck and I like to do things with my hands.  I like hunting, fishing, building stuff, mud slinging and everything else a country boy loves.  I would like to share things about those things too but I don't want to make more than one blog.  So I came up with the idea for this blog.  This will be everything a country boy needs to survive in this world with the most important thing being God.  I want the world to know that Christians are normal too.  We also like to have fun so there is no need for you to run from God.  Remember, Adam was created in the wild and he was created in God's own image.  So with all of that said, welcome to my head and I hope you enjoy my thoughts. 

God Bless,
Jay Matthews