MATT THIEN: blog
Love Dare Timeout - April 5, 2009
Christie will be out of town for a week, so as to not miss out on the cool stuff, I'm putting the Love Dare on hold for one week. I will be back come Sunday of next week strong with Day 18 (cooking dinner for your spouse and asking 'getting to know you better' questions!
In the meantime make sure you are up to date on all my music - search Matt Thien on iTunes and you should be good. New music coming very soon - Matt Thien LIVE @ The Fireplace. Can't wait!
-MT838
In the meantime make sure you are up to date on all my music - search Matt Thien on iTunes and you should be good. New music coming very soon - Matt Thien LIVE @ The Fireplace. Can't wait!
-MT838
Day 17 - April 4, 2009
Love promotes sex...ooops I mean intimacy
Proverbs 17:9
The Dare
- Determine to guard your mate's secrets (unless they are dangerous to them or to you) and to pray for them. Talk with your spouse, and resolve to demonstrate love in spite of these issues. Really listen to them when they share personal thoughts and struggles with you. Make them feel safe.
Initial Thoughts
- I so want to ask Christie right now in a sarcastic tone, "Do I make you feel safe honey?" ha ha - she would laugh, I just may do it!
- I would like to think that Christie and I live in a 'free' place to share anything on our hearts. We're really open about a lot of things. Can't wait to talk with her about it!
Proverbs 17:9
The Dare
- Determine to guard your mate's secrets (unless they are dangerous to them or to you) and to pray for them. Talk with your spouse, and resolve to demonstrate love in spite of these issues. Really listen to them when they share personal thoughts and struggles with you. Make them feel safe.
Initial Thoughts
- I so want to ask Christie right now in a sarcastic tone, "Do I make you feel safe honey?" ha ha - she would laugh, I just may do it!
- I would like to think that Christie and I live in a 'free' place to share anything on our hearts. We're really open about a lot of things. Can't wait to talk with her about it!
Day 16 - April 3, 2009
Love intercedes
3 John 2
The Dare
- Begin praying today for your spouse's heart. Pray for three specific areas where you desire for God to work in your spouse's life and in your marriage.
1. Fall madly in love with Jesus. Even more than she already is.
2. Wisdom in being a mother. So much so that others would come to her and ask her how she does it.
3. Deep love for me, even when I fail her time and time again.
Prayer needs to be on my heart constantly and especially for Christie. I knew this day would come when I would be challenged to pray for her more than I do now. I'm going to commit to pray on my way to work and on my way home. Not the entire time, but some amount of time thinking and praying for her on my commute into and out of the city each day.
Join me!
3 John 2
The Dare
- Begin praying today for your spouse's heart. Pray for three specific areas where you desire for God to work in your spouse's life and in your marriage.
1. Fall madly in love with Jesus. Even more than she already is.
2. Wisdom in being a mother. So much so that others would come to her and ask her how she does it.
3. Deep love for me, even when I fail her time and time again.
Prayer needs to be on my heart constantly and especially for Christie. I knew this day would come when I would be challenged to pray for her more than I do now. I'm going to commit to pray on my way to work and on my way home. Not the entire time, but some amount of time thinking and praying for her on my commute into and out of the city each day.
Join me!
Day 15 - April 2, 2009
Love is honorable
1 Peter 3:7
The Dare
- Choose a way to show honor and respect to your spouse that is above your normal routine. It may be holding the door for her. It may be the way you listen and speak in your communication. Show your mate that he or she is highly esteemed in your eyes.
Initial thoughts
- I have none at this point in my morning. But came across this picture:
Guy - "Honey, I'm doing the dishes, what more do you want?"
Girl - "But you're drying them wrong!"
Guy - thinking to himself, "Woman, I can never do anything right. Dang you look hot in that dress though."
1 Peter 3:7
The Dare
- Choose a way to show honor and respect to your spouse that is above your normal routine. It may be holding the door for her. It may be the way you listen and speak in your communication. Show your mate that he or she is highly esteemed in your eyes.
Initial thoughts
- I have none at this point in my morning. But came across this picture:
Guy - "Honey, I'm doing the dishes, what more do you want?"
Girl - "But you're drying them wrong!"
Guy - thinking to himself, "Woman, I can never do anything right. Dang you look hot in that dress though."
Day 14 - April 1, 2009
Love takes delight
Ecclesiastes 9:9
The Dare
- Purposefully neglect an activity you would normally do so you can spend quality time with your spouse. Do something he or she would love to do or a project they'd really like to work on. Just be together.
How'd I do?
- Uggggh. On one hand I went straight to the selfish portion of my heart when I read today's dare. Then again, the funny thing is, without thinking about it, I already completed this task today.
- I was planning on going to the Rock For Justice show at Eddie's Attic tonight to hang with Garrett Moore and Aaron Shust. Christie called me early afternoon time frame and asked if I wanted to hang out with the Carleo's for dinner...without even thinking about it, or going to the show, I said sure! She asked me about the show and I just said, I would like to hang tonight.
- I went home and read the dare for today, and was like...daaaang this Love Dare thing must be getting to me making decisions like that. Now if the next days will be as easy...
Ecclesiastes 9:9
The Dare
- Purposefully neglect an activity you would normally do so you can spend quality time with your spouse. Do something he or she would love to do or a project they'd really like to work on. Just be together.
How'd I do?
- Uggggh. On one hand I went straight to the selfish portion of my heart when I read today's dare. Then again, the funny thing is, without thinking about it, I already completed this task today.
- I was planning on going to the Rock For Justice show at Eddie's Attic tonight to hang with Garrett Moore and Aaron Shust. Christie called me early afternoon time frame and asked if I wanted to hang out with the Carleo's for dinner...without even thinking about it, or going to the show, I said sure! She asked me about the show and I just said, I would like to hang tonight.
- I went home and read the dare for today, and was like...daaaang this Love Dare thing must be getting to me making decisions like that. Now if the next days will be as easy...
Day 13 - March 31, 2009
Love fights fair
Mark 3:25
The Dare
- Talk with you spouse about establishing healthy rules of engagement. If your mate is not ready for this, then write out your own personal rules to "fight" by. Resolve to abide by them when the next disagreement occurs.
Mark 3:25
The Dare
- Talk with you spouse about establishing healthy rules of engagement. If your mate is not ready for this, then write out your own personal rules to "fight" by. Resolve to abide by them when the next disagreement occurs.
Day 12 - March 30, 2009
Love lets the other win
Philippians 2:4
The Dare
- Demonstrate love by willingly choosing to give in to an area of disagreement between you and your spouse. Tell them you are putting their preference first.
How'd I do?
- We rarely disagree, this is the beauty of our relationship. We talk a lot and are VERY honest with how we feel. Plus, if we all admit, we know when we're doing something that our spouse doesn't like too much. I know I do for sure. Case in point, yesterday I spent all afternoon and night (didn't get home until 11:30pm) at the studio mixing the tracks from the LIVE recording with Paul Warner. I knew I was gonna be in the doghouse so I was up front and honest with her from the get go. "Honey, you're not gonna like this, but I've got to be here to mix these tracks with Paul. I know you've been alone with the kids ALL day and you're ready for a break. I'm taking tomorrow off to give you that much needed break." She was cool with that because I was up front with her. I'm not always going to get the answer I'm looking for, but I think this time it worked out pretty good. I don't know though, you might want to ask her!
Philippians 2:4
The Dare
- Demonstrate love by willingly choosing to give in to an area of disagreement between you and your spouse. Tell them you are putting their preference first.
How'd I do?
- We rarely disagree, this is the beauty of our relationship. We talk a lot and are VERY honest with how we feel. Plus, if we all admit, we know when we're doing something that our spouse doesn't like too much. I know I do for sure. Case in point, yesterday I spent all afternoon and night (didn't get home until 11:30pm) at the studio mixing the tracks from the LIVE recording with Paul Warner. I knew I was gonna be in the doghouse so I was up front and honest with her from the get go. "Honey, you're not gonna like this, but I've got to be here to mix these tracks with Paul. I know you've been alone with the kids ALL day and you're ready for a break. I'm taking tomorrow off to give you that much needed break." She was cool with that because I was up front with her. I'm not always going to get the answer I'm looking for, but I think this time it worked out pretty good. I don't know though, you might want to ask her!
Day 11 - March 29, 2009
Love cherishes
Ephesians 5:28
The Dare
- What need does your spouse have that you could meet today? Errands, foot massage, housework? Choose a gesture that says 'I cherish you.'
How'd I do?
- Well, I'm a day behind, but I can tell you, I'm gonna hook her up with a little foot massage action. Shhh...don't tell her.
Ephesians 5:28
The Dare
- What need does your spouse have that you could meet today? Errands, foot massage, housework? Choose a gesture that says 'I cherish you.'
How'd I do?
- Well, I'm a day behind, but I can tell you, I'm gonna hook her up with a little foot massage action. Shhh...don't tell her.
Day 10 - March 28, 2009
Love is unconditional
Romans 5:8
The Dare
- Do something out of the ordinary today for your spouse - something that proves (to you and to them) that your love is based on your choice and nothing else. Wash her car. Clean the kitchen. Buy her favorite dessert. Fold the laundry. Demonstrate love to them for the sheer joy of being their partner in marriage.
Initial Thoughts
- She would appreciate a car wash however, it has been raining for the last century here in GA. Maaaaan, I just cleaned the shower the other day. Can that count? HaHa. I'll think of something.
Romans 5:8
The Dare
- Do something out of the ordinary today for your spouse - something that proves (to you and to them) that your love is based on your choice and nothing else. Wash her car. Clean the kitchen. Buy her favorite dessert. Fold the laundry. Demonstrate love to them for the sheer joy of being their partner in marriage.
Initial Thoughts
- She would appreciate a car wash however, it has been raining for the last century here in GA. Maaaaan, I just cleaned the shower the other day. Can that count? HaHa. I'll think of something.
Day 9 - March 27, 2009
Love makes good impressions
1 Peter 5:14
The Dare
- Think of a specific way you'd like to greet your spouse today. Do it with a smile and with enthusiasm. Then determine to change your greeting to reflect your love for them.
How'd I do?
- Sometimes I come down the stairs in the morning singing and dancing. Sometimes I walk in the door after work and break into song as well. I always greet my family from the top down with a kiss: Christie's first, then Baylee Boo and then my little buddy Brayden.
- I don't need to change how I greet my family so therefore Day 9 is good to go.
Man, this Love Dare has got to start picking up....wait, I just read ahead a little and it does...Day 10 should be interesting.
Until tomorrow...
Anyone else doing the Love Dare that wants to give me an update, I would be flattered.
Submit any comments via my guestbook.
-MT838
1 Peter 5:14
The Dare
- Think of a specific way you'd like to greet your spouse today. Do it with a smile and with enthusiasm. Then determine to change your greeting to reflect your love for them.
How'd I do?
- Sometimes I come down the stairs in the morning singing and dancing. Sometimes I walk in the door after work and break into song as well. I always greet my family from the top down with a kiss: Christie's first, then Baylee Boo and then my little buddy Brayden.
- I don't need to change how I greet my family so therefore Day 9 is good to go.
Man, this Love Dare has got to start picking up....wait, I just read ahead a little and it does...Day 10 should be interesting.
Until tomorrow...
Anyone else doing the Love Dare that wants to give me an update, I would be flattered.
Submit any comments via my guestbook.
-MT838
Day 8 - March 26, 2009
Love is not jealous
Song of Solomon 8:6
The Dare
- Determine to become your spouse's biggest fan and to reject any thoughts of jealousy. To help you set your heart on your spouse and focus on their achievements, take yesterday's list of negative attributes and discreetly burn it. Then share with your spouse how glad you are about a success he or she recently enjoyed.
How'd I do?
- So my only real chance to legitimately play with fire and I leave the list at work. Boo for me I know. Expect video of negative list burning tomorrow evening.
- As for sharing in a success with Christie...let's see. 2 new pairs of sandals she ordered came in the mail today that fit perfectly! I asked her to see them without her first asking me, "Do you wanna see 'em?" That's sharing in a success of some sort!
-Agreed the burning of the negative list is going to be awesome. So much for 'discreetly burning' the list :)
More to follow...
Song of Solomon 8:6
The Dare
- Determine to become your spouse's biggest fan and to reject any thoughts of jealousy. To help you set your heart on your spouse and focus on their achievements, take yesterday's list of negative attributes and discreetly burn it. Then share with your spouse how glad you are about a success he or she recently enjoyed.
How'd I do?
- So my only real chance to legitimately play with fire and I leave the list at work. Boo for me I know. Expect video of negative list burning tomorrow evening.
- As for sharing in a success with Christie...let's see. 2 new pairs of sandals she ordered came in the mail today that fit perfectly! I asked her to see them without her first asking me, "Do you wanna see 'em?" That's sharing in a success of some sort!
-Agreed the burning of the negative list is going to be awesome. So much for 'discreetly burning' the list :)
More to follow...
Day 7 - March 25, 2009
Love believes the best
1 Corinthians 13:7
The Dare
- Get two sheets of paper. On the first one, spend a few minutes writing out positive things about your spouse (easy :). Then do the same with negative things on the second sheet (hard). Place both sheets in a secret place for another day. There is a different purpose and plan for each. At some point during the remainder of the day, pick a positive attribute from the first list and thank your spouse for having this characteristic.
How'd I do?
- Here's something funny. Before I even read today's Dare I had told her she was beautiful. Moreover I thought a million different positive things about her. Wonder if I told her everything positive I thought about her, if she would get tired of it? Probably not.
There aren't enough sheets of paper to write all the positive attributes about Christie. But, here are the first few that popped in my mind. (Yes, BEAutiful is up there twice :) Oh and I didn't write it but should have...she could be on Food Network because she's such a good cook.
POSITIVE LIST
-The negatives were much harder. I love everything about Christie and I'm not going to lie, I love that she's a little OCD when it comes to the house. I love that she bites her nails. I love that her only hobby is shopping. And quite frankly maybe I don't like to cuddle either. We make such a great pair don't we. I make the mess, she cleans it up. I make the money, she spends it. Totally kidding of course (I spend waaaay much more money than she does...remember my expensive hobbies).
NEGATIVE LIST
Bottom line is that Christie makes it so easy to LOVE her and compliment her. She starts to feel a little chubby (ha, I know right!) and she does something about it. She eats healthy, takes care of herself (and two awesome kids by the way) and treats me like a KING! I tell her all the time, "If you weren't in my life, I'd be dirty, hungry and poor." - and it's true, our house is an extension of her and she takes that seriously!
Day 8 here we come!
1 Corinthians 13:7
The Dare
- Get two sheets of paper. On the first one, spend a few minutes writing out positive things about your spouse (easy :). Then do the same with negative things on the second sheet (hard). Place both sheets in a secret place for another day. There is a different purpose and plan for each. At some point during the remainder of the day, pick a positive attribute from the first list and thank your spouse for having this characteristic.
How'd I do?
- Here's something funny. Before I even read today's Dare I had told her she was beautiful. Moreover I thought a million different positive things about her. Wonder if I told her everything positive I thought about her, if she would get tired of it? Probably not.
There aren't enough sheets of paper to write all the positive attributes about Christie. But, here are the first few that popped in my mind. (Yes, BEAutiful is up there twice :) Oh and I didn't write it but should have...she could be on Food Network because she's such a good cook.
POSITIVE LIST
-The negatives were much harder. I love everything about Christie and I'm not going to lie, I love that she's a little OCD when it comes to the house. I love that she bites her nails. I love that her only hobby is shopping. And quite frankly maybe I don't like to cuddle either. We make such a great pair don't we. I make the mess, she cleans it up. I make the money, she spends it. Totally kidding of course (I spend waaaay much more money than she does...remember my expensive hobbies).
NEGATIVE LIST
Bottom line is that Christie makes it so easy to LOVE her and compliment her. She starts to feel a little chubby (ha, I know right!) and she does something about it. She eats healthy, takes care of herself (and two awesome kids by the way) and treats me like a KING! I tell her all the time, "If you weren't in my life, I'd be dirty, hungry and poor." - and it's true, our house is an extension of her and she takes that seriously!
Day 8 here we come!
Day 6 - March 24, 2009
Love is not irritable
Proverbs 16:32
The Dare
- Choose today to react to tough circumstances in your marriage in loving ways instead of with irritation.
Begin by making a list of areas where you need to add margin (space) to your schedule. Then, list any wrong motivation that you need to release from you life.
My List
- Gigging (playing music)
- Worship leading (praise team)
- Youth (so not consistent)
- Volunteer work in the county (relay for life)
- Work
- Guitar Lessons
- Computer time
- Cell phone time
Wrong Motivations
- Does following a dream count as wrong motivation? Sometimes I feel guilty for wanting to pursue music. Not by my wife, but by what the world says. I agree 100% that family is first on this earth, but God gives us all desires and gifts and passion for us to wrestle with. I'm not content if I'm not using my gifts to their fullest extent.
Paying for the music stuff is where maybe a wrong motivation comes in with respects to making money. It seems that all of my activities are VERY expensive. I used to be heavy into golf (expensive) and now music, which is expensive. I think I need to examine what trees are producing fruit and which ones aren't and focus on the ones that are bearing fruit and cut down the ones that aren't.
Fruit Producing Trees
-The world needs to hear YOUR SONG series is going REALLY well. I don't focus enough time on it though. Every day I get an email about how a song I've done has touched someone's life. I really would like to pour more energy into this series.
Non-fruit producing trees
- Sometimes I wonder if playing at coffeehouse 'A' on a Friday night bears any fruit at all. I mean I'm giving up time with my family to what? Play music for a few strangers? It's hard to continue doing this music playing out when I can't even get full time support from friends/fans consistently. It makes me think...do I suck, does my show suck? Am I doing all of this for the wrong reasons? Do I just need to quit? Take a break? It's a hard road and sometimes VERY lonely road. I appreciate it so much when people say they're coming to a show AND ACTUALLY COME TO THE SHOW. If I could count how many times people have 'said' they're coming only to NOT come...It would be an embarrassing number. Makes me want to crawl in a hole and die sometimes.
- Internet is a necessary means to an end. I probably could limit it.
- Cell phone is a necessary means to an end. I have been trying to implement times in which I'm using it. Not a big issue, but one of concern.
Every once in a while (about 4 times a year) I'll get this feeling that I'm doing too much. Funny how I got this feeling about 2 weeks ago and I've been trying to simplify things ever since. How's it going? Not too well. However, April looks promising.
This ended up being LONG...sorry.
Honestly I don't get irritated with Christie at all. I do however get irritated with my daughter Baylee. I will apply today's dare in respects to Baylee and see how things get. Not that it's OK, but who doesn't have a short fuse when it comes to a 4 year old?
I am a busy dude...wow.
Proverbs 16:32
The Dare
- Choose today to react to tough circumstances in your marriage in loving ways instead of with irritation.
Begin by making a list of areas where you need to add margin (space) to your schedule. Then, list any wrong motivation that you need to release from you life.
My List
- Gigging (playing music)
- Worship leading (praise team)
- Youth (so not consistent)
- Volunteer work in the county (relay for life)
- Work
- Guitar Lessons
- Computer time
- Cell phone time
Wrong Motivations
- Does following a dream count as wrong motivation? Sometimes I feel guilty for wanting to pursue music. Not by my wife, but by what the world says. I agree 100% that family is first on this earth, but God gives us all desires and gifts and passion for us to wrestle with. I'm not content if I'm not using my gifts to their fullest extent.
Paying for the music stuff is where maybe a wrong motivation comes in with respects to making money. It seems that all of my activities are VERY expensive. I used to be heavy into golf (expensive) and now music, which is expensive. I think I need to examine what trees are producing fruit and which ones aren't and focus on the ones that are bearing fruit and cut down the ones that aren't.
Fruit Producing Trees
-The world needs to hear YOUR SONG series is going REALLY well. I don't focus enough time on it though. Every day I get an email about how a song I've done has touched someone's life. I really would like to pour more energy into this series.
Non-fruit producing trees
- Sometimes I wonder if playing at coffeehouse 'A' on a Friday night bears any fruit at all. I mean I'm giving up time with my family to what? Play music for a few strangers? It's hard to continue doing this music playing out when I can't even get full time support from friends/fans consistently. It makes me think...do I suck, does my show suck? Am I doing all of this for the wrong reasons? Do I just need to quit? Take a break? It's a hard road and sometimes VERY lonely road. I appreciate it so much when people say they're coming to a show AND ACTUALLY COME TO THE SHOW. If I could count how many times people have 'said' they're coming only to NOT come...It would be an embarrassing number. Makes me want to crawl in a hole and die sometimes.
- Internet is a necessary means to an end. I probably could limit it.
- Cell phone is a necessary means to an end. I have been trying to implement times in which I'm using it. Not a big issue, but one of concern.
Every once in a while (about 4 times a year) I'll get this feeling that I'm doing too much. Funny how I got this feeling about 2 weeks ago and I've been trying to simplify things ever since. How's it going? Not too well. However, April looks promising.
This ended up being LONG...sorry.
Honestly I don't get irritated with Christie at all. I do however get irritated with my daughter Baylee. I will apply today's dare in respects to Baylee and see how things get. Not that it's OK, but who doesn't have a short fuse when it comes to a 4 year old?
I am a busy dude...wow.
Day 5 - March 23, 2009
Love is not rude
Proverbs 27:14
The Dare
- Ask your spouse to tell you 3 things that cause him/her to be uncomfortable or irritated with you. You must do so without attacking them or justifying your behavior. This is from their perspective only. (Then try to improve in those areas).
So, here is Christie's response.
This is a hard one....you don't do anything that causes me to feel uncomfortable or irritated with you. Does picking your lip count? So petty! You are so sensitive to my reactions and needs that you don't do irritating things. I feel like we talk about so much all the time that we don't let things bother us. You know me so well and I know you so well that these aren't issues with us! Thanks for being willing to do the Love Dare challenge, some husbands wouldn't be willing to do it!
I love you!!
Proverbs 27:14
The Dare
- Ask your spouse to tell you 3 things that cause him/her to be uncomfortable or irritated with you. You must do so without attacking them or justifying your behavior. This is from their perspective only. (Then try to improve in those areas).
So, here is Christie's response.
This is a hard one....you don't do anything that causes me to feel uncomfortable or irritated with you. Does picking your lip count? So petty! You are so sensitive to my reactions and needs that you don't do irritating things. I feel like we talk about so much all the time that we don't let things bother us. You know me so well and I know you so well that these aren't issues with us! Thanks for being willing to do the Love Dare challenge, some husbands wouldn't be willing to do it!
I love you!!
Day 4 - March 22, 2009
Love is thoughtful
Psalm 139:17-18
The Dare
- Contact your spouse sometime during the business of the day. Have no agenda other than asking how he or she is doing and if there is anything you could do for them.
How'd I do?
- 100% A+, pass go, collect $200.
- I do this every day of my life anyway so this challenge was a piece of cake. Christie and I have always been good at what we call 'checking in' with each other. It's amazing how much more connected we feel when we text or talk or gmail chat or facebook chat during the day. I come home and sometimes it's like I never left.
- Sometimes we'll text back and forth all day, chat on line for a while, then talk my entire commute home. Now these types of days are not often, but, we've got this 'checking in' thing down really well!
- Side note really quick. I don't like talking on the phone that much and I've had to learn to not let my attitude portray that I want to get off of the phone with her. I've had to explain that it's not her that I don't want to talk to, it's just that I don't want to talk on the phone.
- Any other guy or gal relate to that? Can I get an amen, gotcha Matt or heck yeah? Something?
Anybody else doing The Love Dare? Comment via my guestbook please.
-MT838
Psalm 139:17-18
The Dare
- Contact your spouse sometime during the business of the day. Have no agenda other than asking how he or she is doing and if there is anything you could do for them.
How'd I do?
- 100% A+, pass go, collect $200.
- I do this every day of my life anyway so this challenge was a piece of cake. Christie and I have always been good at what we call 'checking in' with each other. It's amazing how much more connected we feel when we text or talk or gmail chat or facebook chat during the day. I come home and sometimes it's like I never left.
- Sometimes we'll text back and forth all day, chat on line for a while, then talk my entire commute home. Now these types of days are not often, but, we've got this 'checking in' thing down really well!
- Side note really quick. I don't like talking on the phone that much and I've had to learn to not let my attitude portray that I want to get off of the phone with her. I've had to explain that it's not her that I don't want to talk to, it's just that I don't want to talk on the phone.
- Any other guy or gal relate to that? Can I get an amen, gotcha Matt or heck yeah? Something?
Anybody else doing The Love Dare? Comment via my guestbook please.
-MT838
Day 3 - March 21, 2009
Love is not selfish
Romans 12:10
The Dare
- Buy your spouse something that says, "I was thinking of you today."
How'd I do?
- Well, not good. I've spent all day with the family and didn't even have a chance to read (in secret) today's dare until just now. I'll have to complete it tomorrow and report back. Man, it's only day 3 and I'm already messing up. I'm such a 'gary' :)
Anyone else up for 'The Love Dare' challenge?
-MT838
Romans 12:10
The Dare
- Buy your spouse something that says, "I was thinking of you today."
How'd I do?
- Well, not good. I've spent all day with the family and didn't even have a chance to read (in secret) today's dare until just now. I'll have to complete it tomorrow and report back. Man, it's only day 3 and I'm already messing up. I'm such a 'gary' :)
Anyone else up for 'The Love Dare' challenge?
-MT838
Day 2 - March 20, 2009
Love is kind
Ephesians 4:32
The Dare
- Do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness.
How'd I do?
- Let's see...I don't even think she noticed, but then again I do a lot of unexpected things for Christie throughout the day. Phone calls, notes, emails. But, I did choose to do something that I normally don't do.
- I had a gig, so I left the house for work early in the morning and stayed in Atlanta for the gig. I didn't see her all day and got home past midnight (thanks to a standstill on I-285 south)...I digress from the topic. It was a bad day for me to have to do something unexpected for her...but I did.
- When I got home, I noticed the coffee wasn't made for the morning (we set a timer) so I seized the opportunity to have coffee ready for her in the morning when she got up with Brayden. Victory in my mind, but I don't think she noticed.
- Also, since I really didn't get to do anything that unexpected, I cooked breakfast as well the next morning.
Bring on Day 3
-MT838
Ephesians 4:32
The Dare
- Do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness.
How'd I do?
- Let's see...I don't even think she noticed, but then again I do a lot of unexpected things for Christie throughout the day. Phone calls, notes, emails. But, I did choose to do something that I normally don't do.
- I had a gig, so I left the house for work early in the morning and stayed in Atlanta for the gig. I didn't see her all day and got home past midnight (thanks to a standstill on I-285 south)...I digress from the topic. It was a bad day for me to have to do something unexpected for her...but I did.
- When I got home, I noticed the coffee wasn't made for the morning (we set a timer) so I seized the opportunity to have coffee ready for her in the morning when she got up with Brayden. Victory in my mind, but I don't think she noticed.
- Also, since I really didn't get to do anything that unexpected, I cooked breakfast as well the next morning.
Bring on Day 3
-MT838
Day 1 - March 19, 2009
Love is patient
Ephesians 4:2
The Dare
- For the next day, resolve to demonstrate patience and to say nothing negative to your spouse at all.
How'd I do?
- I don't want to say I never feel anger towards Christie...but...I never do! This area is not a struggle in our first 8 years of marriage. I am a positive guy and get upset when I say anything negative/bad to anyone. EASY dare! Bring on day 2
Ephesians 4:2
The Dare
- For the next day, resolve to demonstrate patience and to say nothing negative to your spouse at all.
How'd I do?
- I don't want to say I never feel anger towards Christie...but...I never do! This area is not a struggle in our first 8 years of marriage. I am a positive guy and get upset when I say anything negative/bad to anyone. EASY dare! Bring on day 2
The Love Dare - March 19, 2009
If you haven't seen the movie Fireproof yet, you're completely not part of my life. No excuses! Go see it! It just might change your life.
I am starting 'The Love Dare' today which is a 40 day journey...
-MT838
I am starting 'The Love Dare' today which is a 40 day journey...
-MT838
Official Explanation of 838 - March 3, 2009
-MT838
Peaceful Acoustic POP
So if you've known me for long what is typed above is how I like to sign my emails, blogs, etc...
What's with this 838 thing Matt?
Back in college (What up Mars Hill) there was a time I saw 8:38am and 8:38pm everyday for over a month like clockwork (no lie, freaked me out too). I wouldn't hover over my watch or sleep with a clock between my eyes, I would just look up at random points during the day and there 8:38 would be. So I was like, "OK God, what is up with this. I keep looking up and 8:38 is there morning and night."
I decided after a week of seeing it twice a day that this would be a reminder to PRAY, LOVE and HUG for the rest of my life. I would pray for whatever was on my heart, tell everyone around me "love you" and hug anyone in sight when I saw 8:38. This continued on for 2 months until it was engrained in me and most of my close friends too :)
I wrote a song in college trying to express it, but it didn't have as much meaning as it does today (props to the guys of Gershom who played the original version of the song - Ben, Jim and Trey). I've since retired the old "8:38" song and have written a new one. Here are the lyrics:
I saw you twice a day
didn't quite have the simple words to say
Heard a voice I prayed OK
Continued on for months
could have happened only once
in a lifetime but it did not
I saw you for the first time
on a clock in late December
After Spring the next year
I started to remember
Chorus:
A time is just a time
A number's just the same
but 8:38 is a time to pray and a time to change
Love is all that matters
and hugs are just the same
8:38 is a time to love and a time to change
As you struck the clock
your numbers made me stop
and pray and tell everyone around me that I love you
I felt the warm embrace of a strangers love
in just one hug
a feeling you can't erase
Once every 12 hours
and twice every 24
I'm overcome by these
numbers I can't ignore
I am heading to http://www.sputniksound.com March 5th and 6th to record the studio version of this song, '838'.
Here is the official release of the new logo:
Matt Thien in exotic car commercial - March 2, 2009
My one second of fame - literally one second (0:14) don't blink
Click link below
It's in Vidfolio under Exotic Cars of Atlanta Commercial
Matt's 1 second of fame
My first commercial ever! Filmed at Exotic Cars of Atlanta sitting behind the wheel of an Aston Martin DB9 Volante Convertible.
Click link below
It's in Vidfolio under Exotic Cars of Atlanta Commercial
Matt's 1 second of fame
My first commercial ever! Filmed at Exotic Cars of Atlanta sitting behind the wheel of an Aston Martin DB9 Volante Convertible.
Coffee Talk w/ Me - February 26, 2009
So, I'm sitting in a coffee shop in Marietta, GA thinking about some stuff. Honestly, A LOT of stuff. Bear with.
Relationships.
Why do guys and girls think so differently on things. Por exemplo. A girl can tell a guy, "Hey, you're getting fat and honestly I'm becoming less and less attractive to you the bigger you get." BOOM! The guy is in the gym the next day shedding those pounds. Why? Because guys are straight up. We don't read between the lines, we don't 'get what you girls are trying to say' - we are straight up!
Now if a guy tells his girl the same exact thing, how do you think that goes down? Guys, NEVER under ANY circumstance tell your girl she's getting fat and that you're becoming less attracted to her as the days go on. Most girls can't handle that and they will retreat into the deepest, darkest hole you didn't even know existed!
Well, that's all you get right now. Some friends have arrived, must entertain!
Peace, Love and hairgrease (I'm letting my hair grow so that is relative now :)
MT
838.Pray.Love.Hug
Relationships.
Why do guys and girls think so differently on things. Por exemplo. A girl can tell a guy, "Hey, you're getting fat and honestly I'm becoming less and less attractive to you the bigger you get." BOOM! The guy is in the gym the next day shedding those pounds. Why? Because guys are straight up. We don't read between the lines, we don't 'get what you girls are trying to say' - we are straight up!
Now if a guy tells his girl the same exact thing, how do you think that goes down? Guys, NEVER under ANY circumstance tell your girl she's getting fat and that you're becoming less attracted to her as the days go on. Most girls can't handle that and they will retreat into the deepest, darkest hole you didn't even know existed!
Well, that's all you get right now. Some friends have arrived, must entertain!
Peace, Love and hairgrease (I'm letting my hair grow so that is relative now :)
MT
838.Pray.Love.Hug