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Lately I have been rereading my mom’s book, Slammed: Overcoming Tragedy in the Wave of Grief, and the experience has led to grief-filled tears mingled with grateful memories.Traveling backward in time is impossible, except by thought alone. For people of faith, those periods of reflection can be a comfort as we see how our past events – the good and the bad – were all part of God’s purpose and plan. For my parents, that even meant the loss of a son.Something about that event struck me hard.....(Please go to PRESS on the left Navigation Bar--www.themattmaherstory.com--to see entire column)

The EU Movement had the great opportunity to interview Matt Maher recently. Matthew Maher grew up achieving in every area of his life. He was a role model, active in his community, excelled in academics and athletics, earned himself a full scholarship to Temple University, and eventually signed a professional contract as a soccer player. Matthew’s entire life was marked by good decision-making and thoughtful steps toward each of his goals. The early hours of Saturday, March 7th, 2009, when Matthew made the fatal decision to drive while under the influence of alcohol. Traveling at a high rate of speed on the Atlantic City Expressway, Matthew struck the vehicle of 55 year-old Hort Kap, a father of six children. Mr. Kap was pronounced dead at the scene and Matthew was arrested and subsequently charged with aggravated manslaughter. Matthew's poor decision to drink and drive would tragically change many lives. In January, 2010, Matthew was sentenced to 5 years 5 months in prison, of which he served 85 percent (55 months) and was released on August 3, 2014. Prior to his sentencing in 2010, a presentation was created by Matthew, alongside the South Jersey Traffic Safety Alliance, featuring his life story entitled, I’m That Guy. The story highlighted the notable label of how Matthew Maher was known as  “that guy” who excelled in everything to now being  labeled “that guy,” that drunk driver, that killed an innocent man. This presentation reached over 7,000 students in just 8 weeks with unfulfilled requests from every part of the state due to his upcoming sentencing to prison.  Matthew was raised in a strong Christian home and when everything around him began to crumble, he fell back on his strong foundation of faith in Jesus Christ. From the onset, he had dedicated himself to honoring the memory of his victim, Mr. Hort Kap, by continuing the call of finding purpose in this unspeakable tragedy and holding himself fully accountable. Matthew has experienced what it means to go from the height of success to the depths of sorrow. Thus, he began to share his prison journey by writing in a daily journal, which eventually was posted on a website created by family and friends. The result was astounding. In the course of just the first year 80,000 people visited the site in over 98 countries and 6 continents. It was apparent his transparent message of accountability, remorse, and overcoming adversity through real life faith in action --while imprisoned-- resonated with the readers. His message continues to spread hope to the hurting, and points readers to seek God’s help in hopeless situations.  Matthew is committed to demonstrate that greater purpose can prevail when we allow God to work in the midst of great tragedy.  His life calling is to encourage others to cling to their faith and look for heavens purpose in the midst of life’s difficulties. He has embraced this adversity as an opportunity to grow and these years in prison have sharpened him spiritually, mentally, and physically.There has been a great amount of buzz about the Matt Maher Story, which reached over 7,000 students in just 8 weeks, what is it?The 7,000 students in just under 8 weeks happened during the time frame right before my sentencing day (January 7th, 2010). With those weeks on the speaking circuit, it was compelling to the audience (and community) to know that I was speaking out about my tragedy so soon and even prior to my incarceration. With demands for the presentation still coming in during my absence, the website was created as a way to “display” the story to the masses who would not have had any other way of seeing it. To be honest and in hindsight, it was God beginning the redemptive process in my life. I believe the buzz back then, during, and now is all because of God making much of Himself through a broken vessel. A broken vessel is an open vessel. Since being out (August 3, 2014), I have spoken to close to 20,000 students with 50 speaking engagements in schools and colleges. And another 10,000 people with 20 more ministry speaking engagements in churches or Christian/Catholic schools.  I’ve been as far as California and Nebraska, and recently was the keynote speaker at a graduation ceremony. I remain completely humbled and overwhelmed by all that God has restored in my life; and it has been by His grace alone that I even have a voice today.What is the biggest lesson you learned from your time in prison?Wow! There has been so many lessons learned during that time, but the most crucial lesson has been the inspiration behind my first published book. And that’s how “we, believers, may be the only Bible somebody will ever read.” And, is what they are “reading” in our conduct legible? I realized in the darkness of prison that Jesus’ light needs our lives to be the reflection of His salvation. With so many souls lost and in despair—especially in prison--I realized that God had entrusted me with the responsibility of “being all things to all men.” Thus, I learned that our sole purpose on earth is to share the gospel to the unsaved by the way we live and love.If you could give yourself some advice during that time period before you made the decision to drink and drive what would it be?I would have reminded myself that the future of uncertainty (to me) is a future of certainty to God. I had just torn my ACL in a pro game and I felt as if my soccer career was over. I greatly mismanaged that emotional pain and ended up causing an insurmountable amount of more pain to so many lives.  I would have told myself how much more God had planned for me, and it wasn’t the end of anything, but in fact the beginning. I would have told myself to make the next decisions based on others, and not myself.How has God restored your life and redeemed your story?My entire life was counted out by so many. By mans standards, I should have never recovered, nor should I have been giving a platform or place back in society. But God’s ways are higher than mans, and He truly recycles our evil and makes good. He has allowed me the platform of speaking life and it touches all walks of life for His glory. He has granted me the favor and grace to be seen as admirable and honorable by so many (which is mindboggling) as oppose to being viewed as a villain. He has brought new life into my world and given me the best gift a man can ever receive, my wife Sarah. God has restored the years eaten by the locust and has made all things work together for good. The pain of what I have done still grieves me, but when given to Jesus, He turns it into passion to help others. I am nothing without Christ!At EU Movement we are all about seeing people act out of the work that God is doing inside of them. How can one step out for God if they simply do not know how?I encourage those seeking God’s will to find it in His Word. The Bible is God’s heart on paper, and when we take time to read that “paper”, His heart gets inside of us. In order to act out of the work God is doing inside a man or woman, the individual must be sensitive to hearing Gods voice. And often, we cannot hear Him speak because of the distractions that bombard us on a daily basis. My isolation in prison was the most clarity of spirit that I have ever had or known. I crave that spiritual place and truly know that I must find time to isolate myself (set myself apart) to hear God. Whether early in the AM or late in the PM, it is so important to find time alone with God. Even Jesus, the Son of God, knew the value of this discipline. So how much more do we need time alone with God to hear Him; and then we will be able to move out of the work He is doing inside of us.What has God been teaching you lately?He has been teaching me that His timing is so perfect. I want to move ahead in my own way and timing, but it always deems ineffective and exhausting. However, the verse that continually comes to my heart when I get anxious is “Be Still and Know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). He has a plan in every moment (the slow times and the fast times), and every experience is a developmental stage to mature us to the level of the responsibilities He has for us.--www.EUMOVEMENT.com--

It was around this time last year that I anxiously awaited my release from state prison. After serving four-and-a-half years, I had no idea what to expect beyond the walls that I had come to know so well. Countless inmates had told me to never get used to the dismal setting on the inside; but I realized early on that, like a diamond, I must accept the setting the jeweler chooses for me.I write figuratively in using a diamond and its setting to explain my motivation for accepting my imprisonment as the catalyst for my future freedom. The setting that “holds” you can very well be the setting that eventually displays you. A diamond with the right setting is a diamond that makes an impression.Last July was actually one of the hardest times, even though it was the closest month to my release, and all because of a prison break that put my entire unit on lockdown. It was the day before the Fourth of July, and a fellow inmate decided to take Independence Day to a whole new level.As a consequence of his fateful decision to declare physical freedom for himself, we were all subjected to 24-hour shakedowns and degrading strip-searches. In fact, I was strip-searched more times in that final month than in the entire four-and-a-half years. 

It was a very uneasy time due to everyone’s emotions and frustrations, which were running high. Prisoners and officials alike were caught up in the unstable tension. To be locked up is one type of animal, but to be on lockdown while locked up is an entirely different beast. I bring up this time in my life to encourage the individual who thinks his circumstances are hopeless, and the one who believes that no good can come from such bad; to uplift the person who imagines she is so close to the resolution, yet feels so far away. 

Consider my life and story to see how every setting and every setback can, in fact, be the setup that God desires to use for His glory. I cannot erase my past, but forgiveness has erased my guilt and shame. God specializes in recycling good from evil and creating beauty from ashes. I accepted my setting early on, and I still appreciate it even today.The shakedowns and strip-downs that I experienced in this month last year right before my release were nothing more than the necessary tests to make sure the diamond did not come loose. Using another appropriate analogy, the final pressurized month was simply the last phase of metamorphosis. After many days encapsulated in the tiny shell of the chrysalis, a butterfly is ready to emerge.  

God will use every bit of space in your situation to refine you and define Him.  He proves His love through our pain. He grants us purpose through our problems.  He will reveal Himself through the person who allows Him to do so. [Matthew Maher is a former professional athlete and author of the newly- released book “U MAY B THE ONLY BIBLE SOMEBODY READS: R U LEGIBLE?” His “Decisions Determine Destiny” assemblies are funded by State Farm and service youth in the tri-state area. He served four years and seven months in N.J. State prison and was released August 2014. You can learn more at www.themattmaherstory.com, where his blogs have been read by over 500,000 people in every state, 121 countries, and in 67 different languages. Follow him on Twitter @mattmaherstory and on Instagram @matthewmaher7]

Everybody has a platform, but not everyone knows it. A platform is a place of projection—that’s actually my definition.  When you think about where you stand, then you can think about what you stand for and how you project that stance.  You see, your place of projection is any place where your life takes on a reflection.  Thus, your platform is everywhere you go and everything you do.  It projects and reflects what is important to you: your priorities; your plans; your purpose.You may not look at your vocation or even your recreation as a platform, but that’s because you may not realize how every situation can be used as an opportunity for impact.  Whether it’s of the mundane or something birthed from pain, the platform under you is the plan God has given you.So the question remains, “How are you using your platform?"I often think about my platform and the messages that are projected on a daily basis. From social media to how I conduct myself in social settings, and from public performance to behavior done in private.  If we desire to have friends or followers, than we ought to take seriously the responsibility to be a friend and a leader.  Both positions involve projection. So the question remains, “How are you using your platform?”I once was a pro soccer player.  I, not too long ago, was also once a prisoner.  Now, however, I am an author and instigator and a Student Ministry Team leader.  Yet every single place I have been or will be is a platform that God has chosen for me, that I may be an influencer for Him. No matter your career choice, you can still choose to turn your career into your calling and be God’s agent in that workplace.  There are people around you who need to see what the reflection of hope looks like through your countenance.  There are co-workers watching you who need to see what the projection of faith does when the going gets tough.  Every place you stand and show face is a place where you can be the connection to help others understand grace (unearned favor by God).  That is the very point of every platform—to be the ambassadors of God’s kingdom on earth.So the question remains, “How are you using your God-given platform?” Matthew Maher is a former professional athlete and author of the newly released book U MAY B THE ONLY BIBLE SOMEBODY READS: R U LEGIBLE? His “Decisions Determine Destiny” assemblies are funded by State Farm and service youth in the tri-state area. He served four years and seven months in N.J. State prison and was released August 2014. You can learn more at www.themattmaherstory.com, where his blogs have been read by over 500,000 people in every state, 121 countries, and in 67 different languages. Follow him on Twitter @mattmaherstory and on Instagram @matthewmaher7

The latest shootings in Oregon got me thinking about being a Christian and what it takes to face persecution. I’m not talking about the way persecution is perceived in America, such as negative attacks, false stereotypes, intolerance or slander. While all of that can seem a bit daunting, it’s not life-ending.  In fact, it gives us an opportunity to show forth our faith and expose any misrepresentations about Christianity by the way we live, so the onus is on us. But, unfortunately, for many in the church, we dwell on those types of misdirected assaults because we have become weak and flabby. We crave comfort. We enjoy the social aspect of fellowship more than the spiritual dynamic that should follow biblical obedience.We like our gospel watered down, lest the truth force us to leave our comfort zone and start to swim against the tide. We fear uncomfortable pews more than we fear the fact that people are perishing and headed to an uncomfortable eternity.We are so complacent that our idea of what constitutes persecution pales in comparison to the experiences of other churches outside of America, in countries such as Nigeria, Iran, Pakistan, Egypt and Syria, where living out their faith in Christ puts entire families in daily risk of torture or death.So the latest shootings that took place at Umpqua Community College in Oregon have me thinking. It was reported that the shooter was deliberately targeting Christians; that when the students were asked if they were Christians, upon answering “yes” they were shot dead.The question is: Could this be a foreshadowing of an onslaught of religious persecution here in America?  I don’t know.  But I know this: Wherever persecution flourishes, the gospel flourishes more.  That alone gives me peace.I have no idea what it feels like to be under a gun or faced with a beheading because of my faith in Christ. However, I hope the depth of my conviction runs as deep as the brave souls whose lives were snuffed out in Oregon. Their heroic stance revealed their true colors, which ran red, just like the blood of our Savior who laid down His life for all of us.  It also revealed the omnipresent face of evil in our society.We Americanized Christians need to wake up. We cannot be sustained through the oncoming oppression and attacks without the conviction of who we are in Christ. What would you do if someone held a gun to your head and asked, “Are you a Christian?”Would you be willing to die for Jesus? I don’t ever want to forget that He died for me. Upward in prayer.  Forward by faith.  Confident with conviction. Matthew Maher is a former professional athlete and author of the newly released book U MAY B THE ONLY BIBLE SOMEBODY READS: R U LEGIBLE? His “Decisions Determine Destiny” assemblies are funded by State Farm and service youth in the tri-state area. He served four years and seven months in N.J. State prison and was released August 2014. You can learn more at www.themattmaherstory.com, where his blogs have been read by over 500,000 people in every state, 121 countries, and in 67 different languages. Follow him on Twitter @mattmaherstory and on Instagram @matthewmaher7