Unbound

Fill up a seat,
Fill up thy mind,
With Truth of the Word;
Find or make the time.
Commit thy heart
With the Father's will;
Steady thy feet
And cross over the hill.

Keep yourself unbound
From darkened ropes of earth,
From conventions of vanity,
And keep yourself in Christ first.

Photographs

Greetings,

the photos below are meaningful to me, since I walked or drived to take them. Two came from my Truck's windshield, one came from the window of Pizza Hut, and the others came sidewalks and streets and railroad tracks. Walking to me is a way to release any tension I might have from routines and repetitive environments, and by talking in my mind and aloud to God while on the romp, my thoughts eventually clear up. Our Creator can show us much if we slow down to see. We're all so hushily in the United States, so hasty and manicured for pleasure seeking, that we sometimes miss out on being obedient and faithful to God and His perfect plan for each of our lives. The plan involves us becoming less stuck on ourselves, which opens a huge door to love others and the Lord.

I'm not sure if these photos convey any sort of message which correlates with the words above, but if anything, they must convey something to each one who may see them. If anyone happens to check this site out at all, even once, then feel free to comment on anything you feel like--photos, the Bible, orangutans, tanning salons, or the Magna Carta.

Many blessings,

Matthew

Pioneer Avenue--This thrift store's clerk woman put me on the "honor system" by allowing me to take home a Ray Stevens 45, which includes on the A side "The Streak", because I didn't have any money. The record cost 49 cents. She told me that "I have faith that you will come back and pay the amount...This place is meant to help the poor, so you don't want to stand before God knowing that you once stole from the poor. All that trouble over a record!" I was so nervous that I would find a Russian mafia money collector at my door one day if I didn't pay the money back. The very next day I paid my debt, naturally.
 

Right: The lady at the thrift store, was shocked to see my two quarters... needless to say. 

North Meridian Avenue--A Look Through My Windshield at Dawn 

Puyallup--The hobo's view. 

Taken in Puyallup--One of the many pieces of local art done by local artists. There are some excellent pieces all around the parks and downtown district. And to see this one, which is either a portrayal of John Henry or some railroad worker, is quite funny when you see it from afar. You might say to your neighbor, "Hey, that thar's Mr. Henry. He's a streel-driving man, didn't you know?" Of course we did, crazy hillbilly man, of course. 

Jerry's Cafe--I simply enjoy neon signs. Plus, I love cafes. Big, greasy burgers, tantalizing plates of French dip, navy bean soup, chowder, coffee and apple pie can make your day. Good stuff.  

Feeling A Little Like Job

"Is there not a time of hard service for a man on earth? Are not his days also like the days of a hired man" (Job 7: 1).

Though I am not in the same situation as Job, that honorable man of Uz, who had lost a hair shy of everything he had, including his children and livestock to natural disasters and thieves, my heart relates to him in the way that all men might be able to. I simply struggle too. We all do. I especially do not mind struggling, for it brings change and strength to my maturity and understanding. He who increases knowledge of God increases his strength says Solomon in one pearl of Proverbs, and thus it is that I have learnt this very simple fact: God will show me a thing instead of telling me. "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter " (Proverbs 25: 2).

Coming home this morning felt so wonderful, like a revelation, a gift of good news being sent through my soul, to be given the chance to work and come home tired and ready for rest is a blessing unto itself. My feet ache and my skin feel the irritation of the fiberglass, which is always the usual feeling of working in the Pultrusion department of a window and door manufacturer on a twelve hour shift. Ah, so good!