Matt's Anthology

My name is Matthew Gilstrap.  I say that because it is important to know people by their name.  I came to know Jesus Christ through the radio ministry of Dr. Tony Evans in 1993.   I have had the privilege to serve the ministry of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship (Dr. Tony Evans) and Gateway Church (Robert Morris).  My life has been guided by the word of God and I look for the Lord in every aspect of it.  I have a lovely wife, Emily, and we have been married over 15 years.  We have been in Dallas Texas since 2001.  She is an everyday example of the Grace of God.

I am the oldest of three boys.   My brothers, Mark and Mitchell, are the greatest.  Every year they send me text messages to remind me of birthdays (especially Mom’s).  I have always dabbled in writing but really had the desire after Nanny (Mom’s Mom) died.  She would journal in books and write thoughts which she made the family promise not to read until after she passed.  Of course we opened the books when she passed.  I was amazed at some of the thoughts and feelings she had written down.  I was reminded of the verse in 2Timothy1:5 when Paul is writing to Timothy and says, “I am reminded of the gift of your grandmother and your mother, which now resides in you.”  Thank you Nanny.

I like not being perfect.  It keeps everyone’s expectations from getting to high and keeps me from thinking more highly of myself than I ought.  But as imperfect as I am I have a faith in the Lord that His sacrifice on the cross is enough to cover over my sins.  I will one day look into the face of our Great God and His son Jesus and we will spend eternity together.  I hope you are there.

My greatest desire is that people will know that God is real.  God really loves you in-spite of you and He has a plan for your life.  Jesus died on the cross for your sins, He excepts you as you are, not as you think you ought to be.   Run to Him.  He is waiting with open arms.  “Confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and Believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead and you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”.