Watsonopolis

The Watsons 4 are on the hunt...for a place to live.  For the past several months we've been looking on web at different houses, different neighborhoods, different prices.  And, we think we might be getting close.  Not sure if we've found the 'perfect' house, but we've got a few that we like well enough to toss out to the blogosphere and see what you all think.  

Now, we're not going to go into all the details of what we're looking for in a house.  If you know us and follow our family, you know our values and know a little at what we're looking for in a house - older homes, older neighborhoods, close to (or in) disadvantaged neighborhoods, in Midtown Memphis.  It's got to be big enough for a family of 4 with room for hospitality.  We average a guest per month staying with us, so need some room for friends and strangers that come to see us.  

With all that said, here's the top three.  

Overton Park House (click HERE to see the online listing)

This is a great house, old, beautiful inside.  Hardwood floors, big old fantastic crown molding.  Stained glass in a few places in the house.  2 fireplaces.  One is in the master bedroom.  Big house for a small price.  In midtown.  In a tucked away, tough neighborhood.

Near Binghampton (click HERE)

We've been thinking about moving into the Binghampton neighborhood for a while - a community that has lots of families that have moved in for ministry purposes.  This neighborhood is similar to the neighborhood we lived in in Fresno.  The neat thing about this house is it has a 2 story in-law unit in the back.  Still needs some work, but a good start.  Downside - the most expensive house of the three.

Montgomery (Street, not Georgia)  click HERE

This house, from my (matthew's) perspective isn't much to look at on the outside, but is an absolute gem on the inside.  The pics on the website do it no justice.  3 stories, over 3000 sq.ft.  huge lot.  In a middle class midtown neighborhood, but surrounded by some rougher areas.  Closer to downtown than we live now.  Upside is size (the largest of the three) and the price (the cheapest of the three).  Downside, a little farther west than we're used which is farther away from some of the friendships we've made.

So, let us know what you think.  It's not gonna dictate where we buy (or even if we buy), but we'd like to know your opinion.

June 25^th, 2009

From the overpass I can see the moon. 

A concluding metaphor for a day like today. 

Its just a thumbnail. 

And its red. 

Just enough light to see by. 

But the color’s all wrong. 

And it makes me angry and distrustful.

I round another overpass

Where I’m high enough to catch one last glimpse of the scarlet sliver

Before turning towards home.

But its gone.  

Those of you that have been tracking with the Watsons know that we spent several years in the heart of California's Central Valley, Fresno.  Recently, Lisa and the 3 Watson boys took a couple of trips back to a city that holds lots of fantastic memories and twice as many fantastic friends.  

Our two visits, one in May and another in June, both centered on weddings.  We spent our time visiting friends, eating some of the best Mexican food (Fajita Fiesta & Lola's) and tossing in some In 'n Out Burgers for good measure and otherwise celebrating our faces off.  

There are several stories from our visits that could be told, but I have to tell this one.

Hector Guzman is my barber.  I have had a lot of hair cuts in my life.  No one makes me look as good as Hector does.  And no one reminds me more often of God's love despite the difficulties of life like Hector.  I first met Hector and his wife nearly 8 years ago when they were on welfare but working really hard to get off and on their feet.  I was directing a mentoring program that matched people on gov't assistance with Christian mentors.  The goal was gainful employment and a deepened faith.  It wasn't long after I met Hector that he started cutting hair at a barber shop in central Fresno.  Slowly Hector built up his clientele.  Actually, it wasn't that slowly.  Reputation got around and Hector had a healthy base of customers.

On this last visit to Fresno, I intentionally let my hair grow so that Hector could 'do me right'.  When I got to World Hair Stylist Barber Shop I noticed that Hector was in the first chair, not his normal second chair.  I commented about Hector 'moving up'.  Turns out the owner of the shop, Lou, passed away last year.  A gentleman who will be missed.  Rather than find a new shop in which to rent a chair, Hector decided to buy the shop, keep the guys who were cutting with him and keep being a pillar in the community and an encouragement to anyone who asks his story.  

Before leaving Hector's, I told him how proud I was of him.  I told him several times.  And as I drove down Blackstone, I cried tears of pride and thanked God for him.  Hector is my hero.

Two weeks ago Lisa and the boys headed to western Maryland for a 2 1/2 week visit with her mom.  The first part of her visit I was away in Nicaragua, but for the past several days I was in Memphis flying solo.  I don't do solo very well.  So, rather than continue in my spiral of sorrow over missing my family, on Tuesday I woke up, bought a plane ticket, rented a car and made my way to Oakland, MD.  Before I left the house, I grabbed the video camera so I could chronicle the adventure.  Here's the short of it.  

Journey to Lisa from Matthew Watson on Vimeo.

There have been times in my past, when speaking to a group of pastors, or volunteers or missionaries that I'll refer to those dear ones as 'saints'.  And, certainly they are and at the time of my delivery I certainly meant it.  Last week however, I spent 3 days with one who is undeniably, while still living, cannonized in the halls of Saint-dom.  

If you've not yet heard of Dr. John Perkins, I don't know how to put this politely, but the price you're paying for that ignorance is a costly penalty.  

I first met Dr. Perkins in 2002 in Pasadena, Ca while attending my first CCDA conference.  His sermons amazed me.  Then I began to learn about his life and that amazed me even more deeply.  Born to a bootlegging, sharecropping family in Mississippi in the 20's, Dr. Perkins' life is a tale of redemption that radiates out from his life and washes over a city, state, nation and world.  Fleeing a racist South in the 50's, Dr. Perkins was introduced to Christ as a young husband and father while living in California.  Following his conversion, God called him back to the segregated Mississippi to which he swore he'd never return.   

Perkins' 50 years of faith in Mississippi has walked between the beautiful balance of evangelism and social action; fighting for civil rights and contending for spiritual awakening, ensuring access to healthcare and education for the poor and ensuring that there are ministries and churches dedicated to communicating a holistic gospel.  

Last week I spent 3 days with John Perkins and other members of his family.  I sat at his feet while he shared his stories of struggle and joy - stories that stretch back before I was born.  Back before my parents were born.  Stories of God moving in the racial integration of truck stops woven through other stories of God moving in the training of black pastors and other stories of God moving in the hearts of whites and blacks for reconciliation.  Stories of redemption and life that find their origins in the empty tomb of Christ.  

So much of how Lisa and I have lived our lives for the past 8 years has been shaped by the life and ministry of John Perkins.  Our desire to relocate into the broken places of Fresno, Nigeria and now Memphis was first given language by Dr. Perkins.  Our heart to see people reconciled to the Creator first and to one another second - especially as it relates to racial reconciliation - has always been better articulated by Perkins.  Our passion to see the lives of people of means intertwined with the lives of people who have been made poor continues to be encouraged (and challenged) by 'Grandpa Perkins'.  In essence, the way in which I pastor, lead and preach is indebted to Perkins.

Even now, as I lead and love the spunky little suburban congregation on the outskirts of Memphis, Perkins' life and themes continue to dominate my thinking.  And coming out of my 3 days in Jackson, MS, I can't stop thinking about how these issues of the gospel are to be animated at Living Hope.  For we cannot dismiss them as simply 'strategies' of ministry in a poor, black rural or urban context.  The Biblical themes and mandates on such issues will not allow.  

On more than one occasion, JP told me (and the 12 other 'emerging CCDA leaders' I was with) that the mantle is passing and has passed on to us.  We who are living out this message of Jesus in a holistic way among the poor, among others who follow the ways of Jesus.  

I pray that I will be found a faithful steward of that mantle.  More importantly, that I'm found a faithful steward of the gospel.  A gospel that stands for the poor and marginalized.  A gospel that calls to the lost and invites.  A gospel that loves the rich and invites them to use what they have for Kingdom causes.  A gospel that changed the life of John Perkins.  And changed my life too.  And continues changing me.