My name is Matt and this is my blog.

I'm designing a vocational program for adults with developmental disabilities at a non-profit in Plano and my wife teaches at a daycare in Las Colinas.

I enjoy reading, writing, and thinking.
I run. A lot. Like Forrest, only I shave.
I like bacon, coffee, and peanut butter.
I love Jesus, His Church and my wife.

  1.  
    Who has believed what he has heard from us?
    And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
    For he grew up before him like a young plant,
    and like a root out of dry ground;
    he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
    and no beauty that we should desire him.
    He was despised and rejected by men;
    a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
    and as one from whom men hide their faces
    he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
    Surely he has borne our griefs
    and carried our sorrows;
    yet we esteemed him stricken,
    smitten by God, and afflicted.
    But he was pierced for our transgressions;
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
    upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
    and with his wounds we are healed.
    All we like sheep have gone astray;
    we have turned—every one—to his own way;
    and the LORD has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all.
    He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
    yet he opened not his mouth;
    like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
    and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
    so he opened not his mouth.
    By oppression and judgment he was taken away;
    and as for his generation, who considered
    that he was cut off out of the land of the living,
    stricken for the transgression of my people?
    And they made his grave with the wicked
    and with a rich man in his death,
    although he had done no violence,
    and there was no deceit in his mouth.
    – Isaiah 53:1-9, ESV
  2.  

    3 AM Chat with a Cop

    PO: "What are you doing?"

    Me: "Running."

    PO: "At 3 AM?"

    Me: "Yes sir."

    PO: "Do you live out here?"

    Me: "No sir, I live over there (pointing to our street)."

    PO: "Okay, are you sure you're okay? It's raining."

    Me: "I couldn't sleep and love running in the rain, just making the best of it."

    PO: (Pauses for a moment) "Well, be careful."

    Not gonna lie, that pause had me a bit worried...

  3.  

    28 gifts…

    Today I turn 28 and during my run this morning, my mind was flooded with reminders of the gifts God has given me. Though way too many to number, I thought I’d make a list of 28 to share…

    1. He has given me the breath and heartbeat to make it 28 years
    2. He has given me the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, for salvation
    3. He has given me the priceless gift of adoption by two loving grandparents
    4. He has given me a beautiful, loving, and faithful wife
    5. He has given me a passion to serve Him “vocationally”
    6. He has provided for us a place to stay while our house sells in Arkansas
    7. He pas provided for us financially, even when the numbers simply don’t add up
    8. He has provided me with a job that I love, serving people I adore
    9. He has provided us with fuel efficient cars which help us financially, especially now
    10. He has provided me time and is teaching me to use it wisely
    11. He has given me the dearest friendship of Todd and Jennifer Mason
    12. He has given me a strong and faithful brother in Christ, Caleb Southerland
    13. He has given me the constant friendship and encouragement of Aaron and Karice Ledford, Cameron and Erin Newton, and others
    14. He has given us the friendship of Malcom and Becky Johnson, who introduced me to Rebecca
    15. He has given us lifelong friends at several churches like the Wilsons, Vineyards, McFarlands, Spriggs, Geeos, and many others which would be impossible to list
    16. He has transformed me from a 288 pound sedentary man into a 153 pound running machine
    17. He has and continues to transform my heart to love the things he loves and hate the things he hates
    18. He has given us a church to serve that is passionate about the gospel and the transformation of the city
    19. He has gifted me with the ability to write and make music
    20. He has gifted me with the desire to make Him known
    21. He has forgiven me
    22. He has adopted me
    23. He has redeemed me
    24. He has restored me
    25. He has given me the Advocate, Intercessor
    26. He gives me the strength to battle and fight for joy and against depression
    27. He has given me the strength to lead, protect, and provide for my dear wife
    28. He has given grace…grace upon grace, marvelous grace!

    “Soar back through all your own experiences. Think of how the Lord has led you in the wilderness and has fed and clothed you every day. How God has borne with your ill manners, and put up with all your murmurings and all your longings after the ‘sensual pleasures of Egypt!’ Think of how the Lord’s grace has been sufficient for you in all your troubles.”

    Charles H. Spurgeon