MattCast

Our relationship with God needs to get out of the kiddie pool. His presence is where we spill our soul, hold nothing back, love well, and be loved well in return.

Ad Music: “Bandits,” by Ketsa, from the album, “Unified Division,” 2021. Tracked shortened for dramatic purposes. Promoted by freemusicarchive.org. Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

In honor of Presidents’ Day, we take a look at the life and greatness of President Abraham Lincoln.

Soundtrack:

“Origin 1,” by Scott Holmes, from the album “Colossal Stillness.” 2014. Promoted by freemusicarchive.org. Licensed under Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY-4.0) (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode).

“Song Sparrow Serenade,” by Chad Crouch, from the album, “Field Report Vol. II: Reed Canyon (Instrumental),” 2019. Promoted by freemusicarchive.rog. Licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/legalcode).

“Sals Piano Solo,” by Blue Dot Sessions, from the album, “Duke Lake,” 2018. Promoted by freemusicarchive.org. Licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/legalcode).

“Ink,” by Chad Crouch, from the album, “Atmospheric Piano,” 2019. Promoted by freemusicarchive.org. Licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/legalcode).

“Arctic,” by Chad Crouch, from the album, “Delicate Felt Piano,” 2019. Promoted by freemusicarchive.org. Licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/legalcode).

“Never Miss a Moment,” by Scott Holmes Music, from the album, “Inspiring Background Music,” 2021. Promoted by freemusicarchive.org. Licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/legalcode).

We talk a good game about making the Lord first in our lives, but do we really do it? In deepening our love for God, we need to ask the Lord how specifically we can put Him first in specific ways in our life and our art.

“Dusty Hills,” by Ketsa (ketsamusic.com) from the album “Raising Frequency,” 2019. Track shortened for editorial purposes. Promoted by freemusicarchive.org. Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode)

We in the Church have become consumers of worship, rather than an instrument of conveying deep love for the Lord. It deepens our relationship with Him, especially as we make it a daily expression.

Ad Music:

“Dream Stroll,” by Ketsa, from the album, “Abundance,” 2021. Track shortened for time purposes. Promoted by freemusicarchive.org. Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

One way we can love the Lord more deeply is by knowing, appreciating, and telling our story in Christ. Matt tells his story and how crucial it is for Jesus to be seen as the center of it.

Ad Music:

“Better World,” by Ketsa, from the album, “Abundance,” 2021. Promoted by freemusicarchive.org. Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode).

Neither political side has the moral high ground. More than ever, believers must be deeply rooted in Christ’s love, so that we know how to be before knowing what to do.

Ad Music:

“Good Times,” by Scott Holmes Music, from the album, “Carefree Music 2020,” 2020. Promoted by freemusicarchive.org. Licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/legalcode).

The gospel is the good news - but we also need to understand the bad news we were living until the "good news" set us free. We can love the Lord deeply when we realized how ultimately loved we already are.

Matt talks about an over-arching mission for 2021 of following the two great commandments and how it directly affects our art.

Ad Music:

“Morning Mood,” by Edward Grieg, from “Peer Gynt - Suite No.1, Op. 46”, 1875.

“Early Morning Overdose,” by Bad Batch of Acid, from the album, “Contempt Media Vol. #02: Finite,” 2017. Promoted by freemusicarchive.org. Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode).

Matt walks through personal and creative goals for the next year, emphasizing that we won’t get there on our own. Only by joining with Jesus can we see real change in our lives.

Ad Music:

“Walking,” by Superconcrete, 2004. Distributed by tribeofnoise.com. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/legalcode)

Matt performs a dramatic reading of his short story, “Ruining Christmas”.

Soundtrack:

From the album, “Christmas Time,” by Borrtex, 2017. Promoted by freemusicarchive.org. Licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/legalcode).

“Love and Generosity”

“Buying presents”

“Happy Holidays”

From the album, “Christmas Time II,” by Borrtex, 2018. Promoted by freemusicarchive.org. Licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/legalcode).

“Telling Stories” - split into two segments

“Snowy Afternoon” - split into two segments

“Lights of Winter”

“Family Together” - split into two segments; layered & lengthened for time

“Children’s Joy”

“Sledging in Forest”

“Christmas Tree”

“In the Path of Totality,” by Soularflair, from the album, “Soundtrack Sampler 2 (Film/TV/Games),” 2018. Promoted by freemusicarchive.org. Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode). Used partial song.

“Tell the World,” by Caleb Etheridge, 2020. License available by request.