Guatemala 2012

February 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Here I go again.

I’ve been given the opportunity to go alongside of Hands and Feet Ministries this upcoming May 5, 2012 – May 12, 2012 to Guatemala!

We will be going to work alongside another ministry called Hope of Life International (http://hopeoflifeintl.org/)

I could sit here and try to explain what their ministry does, but I think this video sums it all up. (Be prepared to shed a few tears.)

You need to install or upgrade Flash Player to view this content, install or upgrade by clicking here.

Here is a list of items we will be doing while there.

–Construction – build a home – work on a hospital
–Mobile Medical Clinics
–Feeding centers
–Evangelism Outreach
–Programs – music, drama, gospel illusions, skits, teaching
–Preaching
–Jungle Outreach
–Sports Outreach
–Orphanage
–Rescue Center
–Elderly Home
–School Programs

In order to go on this trip, I have been asked to raise $1500 that will go towards the airplane ticket, building supplies, food, and any extra supplies that may be needed.

Donations can be sent directly to Hands and Feet Ministries:

Hands And Feet
300 Colonial Drive
Waynesburg, PA 15370

(If you would like to, you can turn in this Tax Document with it as well. Click Here)

OR:

You can pay online here: http://www.handsfeet.org/donate/

(Be sure to put my name: Matt Manes as the individual you would like to donate to.)

I can’t thank you enough for all of your support!

Filed Under: Trips.

It Couldn’t Just Happen

December 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It Couldn’t Just Happen: Knowing the Truth About God’s Awesome Creation
Lawrence O. Richards
Thomas Nelson
BookSneeze
Amazon

From Thomas Nelson Description:
This four-color, Gold Medallion Book Award winner is a perfect tool that offers solid, biblical answers to some of the tough questions kids ask about evolution and our world.
“Did Earth begin with a ‘Big Bang’ cosmic explosion?”
“Does science contradict the Bible?”
“What happened to dinosaurs?”
“Is there life on other planets?”
“Did we evolve from apes?”
“What makes my body work on its own?”
Kids are daily exposed to the theory of evolution by the media and public schools. It’s not safe to assume that your kids will reject that theory. It’s up to us as parents and Christian leaders to make sure our children know the truth about the creation of the world. With thousands of evidences to prove He created and sustains the universe, It Couldn’t Just Happen will fascinate kids with fun activities and examples of God’s marvelous works.

It feels great to be able to actually read for pleasure and not just what my professors have asked me to read for school. Not that I’m not enjoying those books, but it’s nice to chose the book that I wanted to read.

I began this book before going back to school this semester, and have just finally finished it.

The book was a great read. I got it mainly because there is a kid in my youth group who is really into studying creation and evolution, and I wanted to brush up on some of the topics a little so that I could at least hold my own in a conversation.

The author did a great job at just presenting facts and not really taking a stand, until the end of the book. I really appreciate that because some authors will display their bias from the beginning and then as a reader, you are stuck with that mindset for the rest of the read.

This book covers a huge array of topics from Heaven and Hell to Creation and Evolution and even to Dinosaurs.

Towards the end of the book, the author got in to a lot more of the Christian topics like Prophesy and Miracles performed by Jesus.

Here are two of my favorite quotes:

“Bible prophesy about Jesus could not have “just happened” to be fulfilled. God must have spoken through the prophets. And Jesus must be the Son of God, as the Bible says he is.”

“People who watched these miracles knew that what they just saw could not just happen. What they saw was something supernatural, not something that was natural.”

If you’re looking for an easy reading book that brings up topics that you can discuss with your teenage son or daughter, this is a great book for you.

Disclosure of Material Connection: BookSneeze sent me a free copy of this book as part of their bloggers book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Filed Under: Books.

I Don’t Know My Calculus

October 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

A couple of weeks ago, one of my professors contacted me to tell me about a Scholarship that was offered at my school and that she thought I would be a great candidate. The scholarship was created specifically for future math or science teachers.

One of the stipulations of the Scholarship is that I have to receive a B or better in both Calculus I and Calculus II. I took Calculus I this summer and received an A. So I’m good there. But, I’m currently in Calculus II, which is much much much harder.

With that being said, in order to receive a B in the class, I need to get above a 80%. My grade in there right now at the mid-term….81.2%.

I still have 2 tests and the final left to bring up my grade, but normally classes only get tougher as you get towards the end.

When I first learned my grade I was really worried. Can I bring this grade up? Am I going to get a C in this class and not be eligible for the Scholarship?

But then I was reminded of a verse in the book of Philippians. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:4-7

Would I like to have a 95% and be sitting safe? Yes. But by having a 81.2%, will that make me cast my anxieties on the Lord and trust Him to help me get the grades that I need? Yes.

Since this reminder, I have truly felt the peace of God guarding my hearts and my mind to not go down that path of anxiety and fear.

And for me, there’s no place that I’d rather be.

Filed Under: School.
« Older Posts