Author Archives: waynematthysse45@gmail.com

Becoming Cosmic Beings

We are born into stories—some whispered by parents, some sung in churches, some carried by nations. They shape us, but they do not define us. With time, we learn that truth is not fixed in the words of others, but … Continue reading

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Liberty in Chicago

In 1966, I was training at the Great Lakes Naval Base outside Chicago. I had enlisted in the Navy with the conviction that destiny was pulling me toward Vietnam, where I imagined myself serving as a Marine Corps medic. That … Continue reading

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The Lantern

This verse was just recently inspired by a long-time friend who still believes I have lost my way. I do not doubt that the concern is real; however, for them, to accept anything not in the Scriptures is to go … Continue reading

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The Novelist And The Book Of Life

Could it be that Life’s only purpose is to put all the pieces together? As a writer, I’ve often marveled at how characters take shape. At first, they are little more than names on a page. Yet as the story … Continue reading

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Peace Is A Flower

For many years, I have poured my heart into the work of peace — not as a distant ideal, but as a daily practice, a quiet commitment made and remade with each passing season. And yet, for much of that … Continue reading

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The Garden

For much of my life, I have had to deal with bullies and dishonest people who held positions over me. Most of the time, I have just walked away from the job or situation, frustrated, yes, but confident that the … Continue reading

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A Wooden Phallus

In the year 2000, I was working with an HIV and AIDS prevention organization in Cambodia. The epidemic was accelerating, and the solution seemed straightforward: distribute condoms and teach people how to use them. Teams fanned across the countryside with … Continue reading

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The Lord’s Wine

“There is a Wine that flows from the vineyards of the Lord,  Its sweetness aged in jars of clay, its price none can afford. And wise men say that he who tastes its sweetness on his tongue Will understand the … Continue reading

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Foolish Soul

As a species, we have repeatedly acted on inherited prejudices, convincing ourselves that certain groups are somehow less human, less deserving of dignity—or even of life itself. In doing so, we have committed atrocities while telling ourselves they were necessary, … Continue reading

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Finding Jesus

The questions came early.They first surfaced in Mr. Timmer’s Sunday School class at Olivet Reformed Church in Grandville. I didn’t intend to embarrass him by asking what he could not answer, but at that age, there was no one else … Continue reading

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