Hey friends,
Things have been fairly busy lately. I trust that you are well. Check out this video from the recent Michael W. Smith cruise to Alaska. Playing basketball against an NBA hall-of-famer was probably the highlight of my year.
Matt
Blogging during the summer is a difficult thing for me. I would rather be outside.
It has been an amazing couple of weeks of family fun since I got home from the world tour. Plenty of fun in the sun. I haven’t been this tanned (I am a few shades darker than pink) since I spent all of my summer playing cricket in the early 90′s.
Summer blogging is for the birds.
Anyway… I will be back at the computer consistently soon. I have some interesting thoughts regarding authentic Christian life running through my brain that I would like to work through with you all.
A lot changed for me while in Africa.
In particular, I have been rethinking my priorities in terms of finance.
For example… I’m not sure if I ever want to own a car that costs more than $3000. I also think that our 3 bedroom house in our hick part of town will suit us just fine for a long time to come.
There is plenty on my mind. I just need a rainy day to get this all on paper:)
Love,
Matt
4 Comments so far. Join the Conversation
- Can't wait to read what's stirring in your heart. Sounds very similar to where my family is at right ...
- You got a speeding ticket in a car that cost less than $3k?!! W
- Sounds like some interesting blogs are brewing ... I'm looking forward to them. But for now, enjoy your family time and ...
I stood before a judge this morning…
I had been clocked going a mere three miles an hour faster than what I could have got away with (whilst dropping a mate at the airport). It was an understandable, even charitable mistake. Three miles an hour is the speed at which humans walk. It was no big deal.
However, I stood in front of that well-mannered and educated man and I said,
“Guilty, your honour”.
Despite the fact that I was driving with no evil intentions in mind, I was as guilty as both the lady who didn’t strap her kids into their car seats and the guy who disrupted a funeral procession.
My profession of guilt was humbling and energizing all at the same time. It was freeing to admit my transgression to another human. The Catholics are right about that.
At my moment of confession, a lot of things about eternity snapped into sharp focus.
I believe that I will be in that same position again one day after I die. However, next time I’ll be betting the farm that Jesus died to save me from myself and my sin.
On that day I want to hear “Well done good and faithful servant”.
I don’t really feel that good or faithful most of the time. (The Calvinists are right about that total depravity stuff). BUT… I will be covered by grace… and I believe that that will be enough. I have no other hope of success. Grace will be my first and last chance on that day.
I was reminded about the reality of the coming judgment today. My $75 fine is the best spiritual investment I’ve made in a long time. This was a life lesson worth having.
Drive carefully,
matt
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- Glad we could be of assistance :)
- Well put Matt! I definitely share the sentiment of not feeling good or faithful many times.. and that's when the ...
- It's amazing the reverence that can be felt in a courtroom, isn't it, Matt. About 20 years ago, I ...
I am home! My family is amazing and we are partying like it’s 1999.
The best things about being home are:
1. Late night hangage with Mary
2. Wrestling with the three amigos
3. Not wearing any black clothes
4. Having my own washing machine
5. Being able to drink tap water
I probably won’t be super proactive with blogging for the next week or so as I reacquaint myself with those I love the most. However, there is so much to share… so please keep checking back.
In a nutshell… Africa changed me… and I will walk through those changes with you over the next little while.
In the meantime… here is a video of some shows that we played in South Africa that was shot and put together by Michael W. Smith’s daughter Anna.
Warning! You will see me without my shirt on. I am planning to lose 15-20 pounds before the October tour with Toby Mac and Third Day. Thanks Anna… you have spurred me to greatness!
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- Great seeing the SA footage, and yes, Africa sure does have a way of cutting through the outer fluff. ...
After another electric event in Aracaju, we boarded yet another plane and headed to Sao Paulo. The view from the workout room was breathtaking. I have never seen so many highrise apartments. This is a massive city which just keeps on going. Some people say that it has taken them 5hrs to get from one side to the other. (I can get half way to Disney World in the same amount of time!)
For mine, the Sao Paulo crowds were the loudest of tour. Something very special happened tonight. The words escape me. It was one of those nights where the crowd led us. If they weren’t finished singing… we weren’t finished playing!
The concert was sponsored by a music store… so all of the back line that we used came straight out of the box. It felt a bit like Christmas.
Speaking of music gear, it looks like insurance will cover all of our musical gear that was lost in the Nashville flood. Everyone has been busy getting pricing for replacement gear. We are working on endorsements and thinking through exactly what we need for the next phase of our musical journey.
I need to replace my bass amp and cabinet, my pedalboard and a few other little things. No big deal. We were very fortunate to escape with no real loss.
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