Thoughts on a porch with a cheap beer…

•July 26, 2012 • Leave a Comment

Today has been a good day… Worked, got some stuff accomplished, participated in a rather intense discussion via Facebook and had some ideas challenged. No matter, I’m still a freedom of speech nut. The first thing any tyrant does is silence dissenting speech – however, I digress, pleasr forgive me.

Tonight I’m sitting on my porch (thanks to my new fan) drinking a cheap beer and listening to a quick mix on Pandora. It’s an interesting experience.

How? Well, I’m drinking a beer produced and consumed for the masses. A beer that’s rated 1 out of 10 on RateBeer.com.

Sometimes (at least, for the vast majority of people) we need a cheap beer. Something that will satisfy our thirst while not challenging us the least.

The problem arises when cheap beer is all we consume. We never learn to appreciate the hoppyness and depth of flavor found in a fine craft brew. We never move past the inane argument of “tastes great” vs “less filling”. We coast down the hill and find ourselves stuck with the croaking frogs unable to pull ourselves back up the hill because our minds are stuck in neutral.

Tonight, I had a cheap beer and challenging music. Tomorrow I believe I’ll attempt a craft brew with stimulating conversation.

So, I challenge you, as I must challenge myself, to find a craft brew or Marcel Proust or Tom Waits. Find something challenging to your comfort beer, book, music or ideology and try it out. We might just discover that the challenging is as satisfying, if not more, than the comfortable.

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Where the heck have I been?!

•June 10, 2012 • Leave a Comment

So I’ve been absent for a bit – as usual for this part time (more like freelance) blogger…

I’m in the midst of an adventure – in Aiken, SC. At the beginning of the year I was offered the opportunity to go work in Aiken on a project my company is building. Company provided apartment, per Diem and a bump in pay… How could I refuse?

I’ve been down here around 2 months now and I’m really enjoying it. I’ve met some new friends, driven more than I usually do (5 hours from home) rented
my house in Tennessee and began the process of getting plugged in to a church down here – including a small group and serving.

So it’s fun. It’s occasionally lonely but overall it’s been a nice change of pace… I’ve actually experienced the concept of “Sabbath” and gotten some true rest. Weekends away from just about everyone you know, coupled with a full Kindle will do that to you. Fortunately I’m not one to get bored easily.

I’ve been wondering for a little while why this opportunity was given to me… I think I’ve got an inkling now. I’ll share more once the inkling gains strength and moves to full-on confirmation.

In the meantime, I’ve got a spare bedroom and bathroom that are begging for some friends to come visit – consider this an invite – if you have my phone number, that is :)

Love you and miss everyone of you!

Matt

Where to start?!

•March 7, 2012 • Leave a Comment

May you live in interesting times – Ancient Chinese Curse

Wow… What a ride the past few months have been. Let’s do some catching up:

On our previous episode I was happy with life. I had my house almost done (it’s still almost done but now it’s functional) and I was ready to settle into my life of bachelorhood.

Then I got a call from a friend: another friend (or acquaintance, rather) and his fiancée had been kicked out of their house. Rather than be asked by my friend I willingly opened my door to this couple and invited them to move in. Which was fine – then they informed me of the two girls she had – still fine, just not as much as I have little zero kid living with me experience. Even so I still invited them to stay.

So I met the girls, the rest of his kids and we settled into a halfway decent routine. All seemed well until one night he got rip-roaring drunk.

So wasted he fell down the steps, cut his hand and then fell down in the kitchen and sat there bleeding. Refusing help. At this point she was at her second day at work so I sent the kids downstairs, called our mutual friend to talk to him and then spoke with the finacée. I ended up picking her up at work so she could deal with the situation. they fought, i was hit with some severe stress and heard words that made me immediately regret my generosity. These words came from the 12 year old

“I’ve seen this so many times….” –

I suddenly realize that his alcoholism was not as controlled as I was led to believe.

After a short night of little sleep and a long day at work coupled with a ton of prayer and thinking I arrived at an idea. He called and apologized and swore it would never happen again.

That night we sat down and hammered out a plan: He needed treatment and to attend CR at church. He was also to seek counseling for the underlying factors in his alcoholism. He was not to get drunk again, period. They were welcome to stay as they got back on their feet but any break in this agreement and I’d be forced to ask them to leave.

After about 30 minutes he left to take her to work and them came home. I began to notice a change in his voice and he began stumbling over his words. He then fell in the kitchen – again.

Needless to say, I was livid. This occurred not two hours after we had spoken and he had shaken my hand. I now understood how little they respected me.

He was forced to stay outside the remainder of that night and I again got little sleep. The next day I sought consul outside of immediate family and friends and spoke with many of my recovered alcoholic friends. I realized I was enabling them to ignore his problem and I had no choice but to ask them to leave. I asked them to be gone in three days.

After three days we met again, they’d apparently had no luck securing housing so, with the backing of my parents, I allowed them two weeks to find something, period. No extensions this time. They have to be out.

Today they have approximately 5 days left. They’ve apparently secured housing but are trying to come up with the necessary deposits. So that’s where that situation is at. I haven’t seen them in a few days other than “hi” and “bye” (on my part) due to other commitments.

I’m just ready for this stress to be gone.

—–

Now, on to other parts of life!

In April I am heading down to Aiken, SC for approximately 10 months – perhaps longer depending on how the project I’ll be working on unfolds. I’m excited as I am blessed with the gift of travel.

Aiken is about 2 hours away from two cities I’d dearly love to spend some time in – Savannah and Charleston. It’s also 2 hours from the ocean which promises decent seafood. I have been a seafood lover trapped in a land locked state. I also plan on spending a lot of time running around with my camera.

Bring on the adventure!

I have someone who’s going to rent the place – she and her friend have been looking at getting an apartment – so this will both save them money and me the worry of an unoccupied house.

Thankfulness Day 7

•November 8, 2011 • Leave a Comment

In keeping with the reality themed “Things I’m thankful for” this day’s thankfulness is for something I have yet to receive – my wife. I am thankful I am not married yet. I am thankful that one day she and I will be, unless I hear directly from God, walking down the aisle (with walkers, canes and AARP cards if need be) after exchanging our vows.

Why am I happy I’m single? Because I thought I was ready up to now. I thought I understood what marriage was – wine, roses, occasional arguments (followed by make-up… well, nookie) and a sense of togetherness that would make Snow White and Prince Charming jealous.

I know now that I’ll never be fully ready. It’s always going to be a challenge, full of moments that take my breath away and moments that make me wonder what the heck I was thinking. Moments that are perfect and moments that are far, far from perfect. Some days I’ll get it all right – I’ll notice the new haircut, the nails, the shoes and I’ll know there is no correct answer to ‘Does this make me look fat?’ and other days I’ll answer that question and sleep on the couch for the next few nights.

So I’m thankful that I’m single right now. Because it’s given me time to realize that I’ll never be ready – and only through prayer and hard work can I ever be remotely close.

- For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11

Thankfulness Day 6

•November 7, 2011 • Leave a Comment

It’s difficult to come up with something to be truly thankful for thirty times in a row… I could go generic but I’m trying to be a bit more real than that… So tonight I’m thankful that I live in a country where we have freedom of speech. This freedom is so, so important and fragile and must be preserved if this union is to last…

“I do not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” – Voltaire

Thankfulness Day 5

•November 6, 2011 • Leave a Comment

Today I’m thankful for my home church. Before I came here I was lost, sick, depressed and alone. Mom and Dad dragged me kicking and screaming (well, sulking) and one day I finally accepted Christ. Since then I haven’t looked back. God is good and I’m proud to call FP home.

Thankfulness Day 4

•November 5, 2011 • Leave a Comment

Today I’m thankful that I have the opportunity to use my God given talent to help meet the needs of many different ministries – including my home church and others.

Thankfulness Day 3

•November 4, 2011 • Leave a Comment

Today I’m thankful for the friends I’ve been blessed with – both old and new. Your love and support – even the “what are you thinking?!?!” supportive smack across the head – helps to keep the darkness that once consumed me at bay. Without you my life would be a sad and lonely place.

Thankfulness Day 2

•November 3, 2011 • Leave a Comment

Thankful today for my sister – Alecia, her daughter Morgan and her boyfriend Keith. There’s a family addition on the way and I know they’re all going to do awesome. I can’t wait to meet my nephew!

Thankfulness – Day 1

•November 2, 2011 • Leave a Comment

Thankful tonight for my parents, Phil and Jana. They spent years of their lives raising my sister and I and just when they could take it easy and spoil the grandkids – they took in a 3 year old who needs their love and guidance as much as I did. Mom, Dad, love you both and thank you for everything!