How Do You Read?

When you read a book, do you read it from cover to cover?
Or, do you start to read it and then come across something you don’t particularly agree with… and put it down?
Or perhaps you never read it at all, because you heard somewhere that it has some “questionable parts?”
Neither approach is ultimately right or [...]

Estrogen-based Divinity

I’m reading this book called, “Captivating: Unveiling The Mystery of a Woman’s Soul.”
Yes, yes, I know: “Why would you possibly be reading that book, Matt? You are a gem of a fool when it comes to topics such as that, so perhaps the reading would be educational… but you are also committed to healing [...]

Neighbors

We smile and nod our heads.
Occasionally we say, “Hello.”
We stop and talk over the top of picket fences.
“How are you all doing?”
“Good. How about y’all?”
Sound bites of sentences
Pieced together over months
Combining to make up a conversation.
“We really need to have you over to dinner.”
“We would love to. Give us a call.”
One day a sign shows [...]

Is it really just about eternity

“The thought of life in heaven is nice, but can you help me with life today?”
“You speak of Christmas and Easter, but can you tell me what to do with those months in between?”
“Where does all of that intersect with all of this?” he persists, motioning towards his tattered jeans and a worn backpack that [...]

Happy Birthday…

The other day, we were sitting at a stop light across from one of the biggest churches in Austin. They had one of those cool signs out front that scrolls stuff in bright red letters. In huge letters, it said, “Happy Birthday.” I waited in anticipation of what I thought was to [...]

U R Kidding Me

I have this spot in my back yard where nothing will grow. It’s only a one foot square at best, but it’s insanely annoying. I water. I fertilize. I loosen the soil. I get miffed at the mere thought of rounding the corner and seeing it there. Grass grows. [...]

Oh Ate

I did something radically new (for me) in 2008: I quit living in the rearview mirror. It was tres dificil at first — my eyes would often wonder to 2001, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. But all that did was wreck my ride in 2008. The day would collide with [...]

Big

“Can I ask one more question?” Roary’s boldness tonight was way out of character. John turned and nodded… “Do you really believe we’re good enough to hear God’s voice every day?”
“What a question!” John laughed as he stood up. “Of course not, Roary. None of us are that good. But I think you’re asking the [...]

Fair Warning

“Walk carefully because I have opened up my life to you and you are treading on my dreams” (W.B. Yeats).

The Walk

I knew a lot about you… but then I began to walk beside you… and that changed everything.  The facts I thought I knew were really rather irrelevant to the newfound relationship.  You were who I knew but yet had never imagined.  You and me became we… and it is joyous.  
< Decoded: >
I’m reading a [...]