[b]larry229 wrote:[/b] [quote]So I found [url=http://www.mypraize.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=214&func=view&id=428447&catid=2]this[/url] in my search. It's not a debate, but it's both hopeful and has a classic example of Matt humour in it. And [url=http://www.mypraize.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=214&func=view&id=428750&catid=2&limit=10&limitstart=0]here's[/url] a thread about the Sabbath, though rather a short one.[/quote] And [url=http://www.mypraize.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=214&func=view&id=416322&catid=2]the time he wanted to learn sax[/url] Haha. Matthew's love of [url=http://www.mypraize.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=214&func=view&id=415421&catid=2&limit=10&limitstart=0]old-school music[/url] [url=http://www.mypraize.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=214&func=view&id=410273&catid=2]The time we joined another forum [/url] >_< This is a long one, but good stuff and more what you asked for: [url]http://www.mypraize.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=214&func=view&id=408686&catid=2[/url]

He was pretty involved in this one: http://www.mypraize.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=214&func=view&id=161390&catid=2#161390 He was very proud of himself here: http://www.mypraize.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=214&func=view&id=429127&catid=2&limit=10&limitstart=0 He sure knew his stuff here: http://www.mypraize.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=214&func=view&id=175030&catid=8&limit=10&limitstart=10

[b]larry229 wrote:[/b] [quote][b]larry229 wrote:[/b] [quote]So I found [url=http://www.mypraize.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=214&func=view&id=428447&catid=2]this[/url] in my search. It's not a debate, but it's both hopeful and has a classic example of Matt humour in it. And [url=http://www.mypraize.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=214&func=view&id=428750&catid=2&limit=10&limitstart=0]here's[/url] a thread about the Sabbath, though rather a short one.[/quote] And [url=http://www.mypraize.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=214&func=view&id=416322&catid=2]the time he wanted to learn sax[/url] Haha. Matthew's love of [url=http://www.mypraize.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=214&func=view&id=415421&catid=2&limit=10&limitstart=0]old-school music[/url] [url=http://www.mypraize.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=214&func=view&id=410273&catid=2]The time we joined another forum [/url] >_< This is a long one, but good stuff and more what you asked for: [url]http://www.mypraize.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=214&func=view&id=408686&catid=2[/url][/quote] Hey, your mom's in this one! [url]http://www.mypraize.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=214&func=view&id=408662&catid=2[/url] lol. Whenever I tell my dad anything about anyone here, I have to describe them. Matthew's description is 'the weird awesome Jewish hippie', and here's why: [url]http://www.mypraize.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=214&func=view&id=403908&catid=2[/url]

And [url=http://www.mypraize.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=214&func=view&id=383932&catid=8&limit=10&limitstart=40]HERE[/url] is what really endeared your brother to me. This one's important.

Hollie left a message for you on Facebook, Chris.

I can't link to any exact posts right off hand as the search feature on the forums is a bit messed up, but I can share some memorable moments from Matthew that happened here on the forums. One instance was when the Males Only forum was regularly bombarded with preteens posting, "HELP! I really like this girl and I don't know how to talk to her what do I do?" or something similar to this. In a brilliant post, Matthew proceeded to aid every single one of these posts with the simple reply, "Your homework." Another time was when a not-so-popular member of the boards was constantly posting controversial topics, mostly that questioned Christianity or its principles. At the time, he was doing so relatively politely, and those of us who talked to this member one on one usually found him a likable guy. Anyways, this member was constantly being deleted without warning, and to respond to this, Matthew made it his mission to let everyone know that, although this user had different views than everyone, he was still a human and was capable of intelligent and (mostly) respectful debate. Almost overnight, Matthew and a few conspirators raised this user's rating from -10 or so to +10,000. It was definitely a classic moment of Matthew's iron will to let the little man have a voice.

Don't have the links handy at the moment. I do remember that he helped me greatly in the weekly parsha posts. I thought his advice to do "your homework" was worthy of being included in the 'sacred writ' of Opinions. :) :cheer:

No particular thread comes to mind, but I will just say that I've been thinking a lot about Matt since yesterday, and what kind of guy he was. Hardcore servant of God, that's what. I remember several discussions over the past year about him growing out his facial hair and not working on Saturdays, because that's what he said God told him to do. He never really complained and always did his VERY best to live 100 percent for God, even if it cost him his job. I admired him muchos. He is loved and missed. Praise God he's where he wanted to be for so long, and he now receives his reward in full :-)

Haha, the homework is a classic. Along with, 'Lies make the baby Jesus cry!' I always use that line now. I'm also pretty sure Matt is responsible for my rating too, but I've no idea how it was done >_> Haha and who remembers Latin lessons in Xat? That was awesome. Latin and Hebrew and Granddad music. Who's gonna keep te music playing now? :( Oh, here's the Opinion Matthew got into lol. On dating...1 Opinions 3:1-5 And the lovesick desperately seeking boyfriend and girlfriend advice came to the site and poured out their hearts and asked the most important question in the universe: What do I do? And those wise of heart responded, do your homework, worry not about boyfriends and girlfriends, focus on God, wait until you're ready for marriage, and gave other such words of wisdom. And the ones seeking affirmation of their desires to lead a sinful life stopped their ears and cried out, you don't understand! And behold, they felt disrespected and there was much weeping and gnashing of teeth. And another: On taking advice... 1 Opinions 25:14-17 And thou shalt not take the advice of those who say "do your homework". But thou shalt surely call such advice stupid. And thou shalt surely denounce those who presume to know what they speaketh about by tellin them to shut up. Verily, I say unto you, any of you who accept the words of these false teachers have no share in the world to come, in Paradise, amen. Aaand.. another, this time about how Matthew got here: On banishing debates...1 Opinions 40:1-81. And the administrator held forth and spoke to all the users and said, behold, these seven Truths shall not be mocked, debated or refuted. 2. And there came a man who hurled a question in the administrator's face: Why? Why is discussion and debate banned?3. And other users replied to his question only to find the thread deleted.4. And the thread would be resurrected and struck down again. Like the hydra that fought Hercules, as one head was cut off, two grew in its place.5. And the administrator had enough and man's profile was in fact banned.6. And grievious in the eyes of other users was this ban.7. For he often would hold forth with unpopular opinions. But his arguments were well reasoned and well written. And while he showed respect to those deserving of it, he bowed before no man.8. And indeed his posts were even a reason that others came to the site, including one with the surname SquarePants.

Hmm. Here's a post from another forum that kinda outlines what Matthew's beliefs. Sorry it's so long. [b]Matthew wrote[/b] [quote]Shalom, y'all! I hope nobody minds me jumping straight into such a controversial topic with my first post, but these issues are very close to my heart, and I cannot abide false information on such matters of critical importance. *sigh* but where to begin? Well before I say anything, I would advise everyone, as an admin on a similar Christian website, that anytime you quote extensively from someone else's work, you should always cite the work, and if you've not gotten permission from the author, you should be very careful that the length of your quotes falls within "fair use" limits. Wikipedia, using a Creative Commons license, is a different matter. How about this question of "What IS a Messianic (Jew)?" Firstly, it is important to recognize that not all calling themselves Messianics are Jewish, nor do they claim to be. Secondly, it really is the height of arrogance for one group to try to define the limits of another group. It's a little bit like a Lutheran telling a Wahabi that they're a bad Muslim. It's a pretty sure bet they won't care, because the Lutheran isn't even the same religion as him, and so what would he even know about how Muslims are supposed to act? So why is it Christians feel it is their place to tell Messianics or Jews that they aren't "really" the faith that hey claim to be? Why is it they think they can not only say that those who are Jewish by birth or conversion are NOT really Jewish, but in the same breath, claim that they who have never set foot in a shul, or celebrated any of the holidays actually IN the Bible, ARE the real Jews? You all may not think of it as anti-semitism, but it is. You may have heard it from a Christian teacher you respect, but that doesn't change the facts. Just look at "The Passion"... how many Christians went and paid good money to see that snuff film, despite all the press leting EVERYONE know that this was in fact, a play from the middle ages used specifically to stir up anti-Jewish sentiments, many of which did in fact lead to violent pogroms ? Unfortunately, in Christianity today, anything somebody can slap a Jesus sticker on seems A-OK. Not in my book. I've always found it ironic that even the most "conservative" Christians are really quite liberal by Jewish standards. They, like liberal or reconstructionist sects of Judaism, see the Torah as a burden, instead of a blessing; as legalism instead of the path to right living it was intended to be. But the Bible is clear- Israel was intended from the start to be a nation of priests; recipients and guardians of G-d's Holy Word, through whom all nations would be blessed; that whosoever blesses them will be blessed, and whoever curses Israel will be cursed. Does this mean Jews see themselves as being any better? No, not at all. In fact, quite the contrary, most synagogues discourage would-be converts three times from so doing, before allowing the person to proceed. But, friends and brethren, G-d is no racist. He does not lay down one standard for one group, and another standard for another group. That which is pleasing to the L-rd, is pleasing to Him whomever is doing it. I see talk here and elsewhere about "Jewish holidays" or "the Jewish calendar and holidays" but they're really "biblical laws" and "biblical holidays." But Messiah... He was most definitely Jewish. It's important to remember this, because He HAD to be, in order to fulfill the prophecies. It's also important to remember this, if we claim to follow Him. It's easy to say we do, but much more tricky to actually do as He did, speak as He spoke, act as He acted, eat as He ate, celebrate and love that which He celebrated and loved. There is no evidence in the Bible that Yeshua ever intended to create a new religion. Everything He corrected were the rules of men, not the rules of G-d. He preached against substituting the words of man for the Word of G-d, but He NEVER spoke against any part of G-d's Word. How could He? G-d is not a man that He should lie, nor the Son of Man, that He should change His mind. (Num 23:19) And what of this theology that says that the law is dead, to those living under grace? Well a simple chronological analysis disputes the theory- the age of grace came with Abraham (whose faith was counted to him as righteousness) and the law wasn't given until Moses. And any small example will serve to show how silly it is that G-d doesn't expect us to keep His Word, just because Messiah did. Jesus paid His taxes- does that mean we don't have to? He refrained from sexual immorality- does that mean it's okay for us to engage in it? Of course not. It would be silly to suggest such a thing. But Christians do suggest such things everyday. They're just a little more clever about it. They never suggest throwing ALL of G-d's laws away.... just the parts they don't like, that THEY feel are either outdated, or for another group of people entirely. So they pick and choose which laws they like, and which ones they congregants will stick around and keep, and throw out the rest. [/quote] Here's the thread it's from, Matthew's username is Mobius there: [url]http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/6622-im-jew.html[/url]