I'll Have The Curry.

Wait For It      Luke 24:44-53 June 1, 2025 For the people of First Baptist Church of Austin, Texas Rev. Carrie Houston Washington D.C. is a tourist’s dream city, especially if you like history.  There are so many museums, monuments, and fun attractions to visit, and so many of them are completely free. Even the Metro is an attraction in and of itself, especially to a Texan who did not grow up near a subway system. The train cars are clean and air conditioned, and the locals are mostly friendly when asked for directions, unless you break the cardinal sin of standing on the left side of the escalator, then you’re likely to be yelled at to move to avoid someone missing a train. Don’t be an escalefter. When you are traveling on the underground Metro in the city’s center, 32 stations have a unique “waffle” style ceiling designed by Harry Weese. You know you’re in DC when you see the waffles. The metro is the easiest way to get around and as a tourist, you rarely need a...

  Not a Mountaintop High In January of this year, I had the privilege of traveling to Ghost Ranch outside of Abiquiu, New Mexico for my Doctor of Ministry travel seminar. Before class began, a few of us stopped in Santa Fe first to experience the beauty, culture, and food in this part of the country. Luckily for us, we were guided by locals who knew the greatest and best Santa Fe had to offer. We had piñon pancakes, spicy hot chocolate at Kakawa Chocolate House, margarita flights, and everything else covered in hatch chilies. We walked around the art galleries of downtown, talked to artisans as they showed us their handcrafted jewelry, and rejuvenated our bodies in the legendary healing hot springs of Ojo Santa Fe. Those few days were truly awe-inspiring and the snow on the ground made it even more magical for a Texan who rarely sees the snow. It energized me and made me expectant of something truly life changing to happen when I got to Ghost Ranch. Ghost Ranch is an education an...

I saw a dust storm once, The winds whipped violently through the trees Howling through the voids  between glass that touched the clouds It picked up anything it could carry Only limited by its own strength,  like a novice gym goer  fulfilling an ambitious new year’s resolution Carelessly discarded paper  and plastic shopping bags brought in from cities without bans filled the blue sky, defying gravity as they float to litter another spot that didn’t ask for a new resident This wind was stronger, more powerful than I’ve ever seen on a sunny day like this.  So out of character for a wind this strong. A wind without it’s companion darkness Instead choosing grains of eroded hills and mountains from the past for the journey  It seemed angry, lashing out at me unpredictably Tossing my hair into tangles  Desperately trying to get my attention What did it want? Tears began to fall on my cheeks unexpectedly, my eyes protecting themse...