At the End of the Rainbow?

I took this photo a few weeks ago while driving on I-40, west of Santa Rosa, New Mexico.

San Francisco

I left my heart in San Francisco . . . well, no! It is a beautiful city, and probably the most cosmopolitan place I have ever visited, and full of history and striking architecture, but I can't imagine living there. I am way to simple and traditional in my outlook and manner of life to ever be at home in San Francisco.

Here are some more photos from my visit to the city by the Bay.

Observations

1. I am a lifelong and committed Dallas Cowboy fan, so let me say . . . "Go Titans!" My great hopes for this season are quickly dissipating. The Cowboys are "playing" like a group of overpaid and cocky athletes who seem to think a Super Bowl is an entitlement and not something they must earn on the playing field. Jeff Fisher's Titans seem to be the antithesis of this.


2. The San Francisco Bay area is a beautiful place filled with a lot of strange people! I am enjoying my time here, but this is as far away from my "Texas roots" as I have ever been.


3. I have found good Mexican food in northern California . . . Chevys is a great place to eat.


4. I am tired of hotel beds!!!


5. I absolutely love The Cosby Show . . . even when watching an episode for the 15th time. Why can't the Networks make TV like that again?


6. I met someone who knows Willie Mays yesterday. Now, that was a baseball player!


7. The Democrats controlling the Presidency and both houses of Congress??? I'm afraid that the next two years will result in the raising of taxes (and, yes, even on those making far less than 250k), the cramping down on free speech and dissent (the "Fairness Doctrine"), the socialization of medical care, the government takeover of the oil companies and other "Big" industries, the radicalization of the courts (to a further degree), the weakening of the military and our national safety . . . and the list continues.


8. Whatever happens in the election, the KING still rules!

Pics from the Pacific Coast Highway

I remain partial to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, but the coast of California is one of the most beautiful places I have been blessed to visit. These photos come from my journey up the Pacific Coast Highway from Cambria to Monterey.

Why I'm Voting Democrat

(Borrowed from an e-mail I received today.)

I'm voting Democrat, because I believe the government will do a better job of spending the money I earn than I would.

I'm voting Democrat, because freedom of speech is fine as long as nobody is offended by it.

I'm voting Democrat, because when we pull out of Iraq I trust that the bad guys will stop what they're doing because they now think we're good people.

I'm voting Democrat because, I believe that people who can't tell us if it will rain on Friday CAN tell us that the polar ice caps will melt away in ten years if I don't start driving a Prius.

I'm voting Democrat, because I'm not concerned about the rights of victims of crimes so long as we keep all death row inmates alive.

I'm voting Democrat, because I believe that business should not be allowed to make profits for themselves. They need to break even and give the rest away to the government for redistribution to the freeloaders.

I'm voting Democrat, because I believe liberal judges need to rewrite the Constitution every few days to suit some fringe wackos who would NEVER get their agendas past the voters.

I'm voting Democrat, because I believe that open borders and government give-a-ways to foreigners is a great way to grow a nation.

I'm voting Democrat, because I'm way too irresponsible to own a gun, and I know that my local police are all I need to protect me from murderers and thieves.

I'm voting Democrat, because I don’t believe a marriage is just between a man and a woman.

I'm voting Democrat, because I believe oil companies' profits of 4% on a gallon of gas are obscene but the government taxing the same gallon of gas at 15% isn't.

Troubling Times

I'm certainly on the left coast! This news story confirms I'm far from home. And, it confirms that our nation is traveling down some dark roads. (The story below was found on the Fox News website. The reporter was not named.)

If for no other reason, your vote on November 4 will determine what kind of judges are appointed to the federal bench. Judges in California "ordained" that same-sex marriage is "legal" in the state. Hopefully, the citizens of this state will vote for Prop 8, which defines marriage as between one man and one woman, affirming marriage as it has been recognized since God blessed Adam with Eve.

Fox News:

First-graders in San Francisco took a field trip to City Hall to celebrate the marriage of their lesbian teacher on Friday, but opponents of same-sex marriage in the state say the field trip was an attempt to “indoctrinate” the students, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

The field trip was suggested by a parent at the Creative Arts Charter School, and the school said the trip, where students tossed rose petals on their teacher and her wife as they left City Hall, was academically relevant.

"It really is what we call a teachable moment," said Liz Jaroslow, the school’s interim director, according to the newspaper. She said same-sex marriage had historic significance. "I think I'm well within the parameters."

California will vote on Nov. 4 on Proposition 8 which seeks to ban same-sex marriage in the state, and supporters of the measure say the field trip shows that allowing same-sex marriage will mean it’s taught to school children, the newspaper said.

"It's just utterly unreasonable that a public school field trip would be to a same-sex wedding," said Chip White, press secretary for the Yes on 8 campaign, told the Chronicle. "This is overt indoctrination of children who are too young to have an understanding of its purpose."

Now, That's a Rock!

I spent the day at Yosemite. What a beautiful place. Here's a photo I took of El Capitan. Yesterday, two guys from San Francisco scaled the 2,900 foot face of El Capitan in 2 1/2 hours! A new record. Wow! I showed some restraint, though, and didn't even attempt to challenge the record :-),

Lessons Learned On the Road

I began Friday in Lubbock, Texas. I ended Saturday in Turlock, California . . . 1,340 miles later! I spent Sunday speaking to churches in Turlock (AM) and Stockton (East Main-PM). I head to the coast, beautiful Monterrey Peninsula on Tuesday. Pebble Beach! Too bad my clubs are in New Mexico.

In my travels this year for Manuelito Navajo Children's Home, I have learned some things.

1. Motel rooms can be the loneliest places.
2. This is a beautiful country, even that long stretch west of Clovis, New Mexico.
3. Most people are genuinely friendly and good natured.
4. I love wireless Internet (greatest invention since ESPN?).
5. Driving west in the hour before sunset? Argh!
6. The Charlie Daniels Band is becoming a favorite.
7. Days Inn in Midland, Texas? Awful!
8. Costas Now is the only program on HBO worth watching. I've seen Costas's joint interview with Willie Mays and Hank Aaron 8 times now. That is Must See TV!
9. There's too many Obama signs, but I see Palin signs in some surprising places.
10. McDonald's makes a great pit stop, especially since it is Monopoly time. BTW, have you noticed how sophisticated the remodeled McD's look? I'm impressed. Just wish they'd upgrade the food!
11. The Cowboys really are America's Team. Even in central California. Blocked punt? Argh!!!
12. Cracker Barrel, Chick Fil A, and Rosa's . . . in that order--breakfast, lunch, and supper. Throw in a Braum's nightcap, and you've got the perfect roadtrip day . . . foodwise! Unfortunately, California doesn't seem to have any of them.
13. Rush never grows old! But, there are too many long stretches without Medved and Ramsey.
14. I miss preaching for a small church . . . but, I love talking about MNCH.
15. I MISS MY KIDS!

Leaving the Land of Rosa's

Go west, young man!

Well, I'm headed to the left coast tomorrow, my second visit to California this year. This time, I'm headed to the central valley and northern California, places I have never been. I spent part of my first year of life in San Diego (where my dad was stationed in the Navy), and I have returned to southern California a couple of times for visits (most recently, in May, to Pepperdine), but I have never been north of Oxnard. So, I am about to cover some new territory . . . I'm excited. This development trip for Manuelito Navajo Children's Home will be taking me all the way to Seattle, Washington. I'll return to Gallup on November 7.

BUT, I am having to leave the land of Rosa's behind. I have spent the past three weeks in Texas (with the exception of a few days in Arkansas), and I have certainly had my share of fajitas from Rosa's. Perhaps I can make it until November, when I come this way again!

Heard About the Poor in Church?

I am reading a great little book, Preaching on the Sermon on the Mount: The World It Imagines, editted by David Fleer and Dave Bland. It is a volume in their wonderful series of books on preaching (I've loved reading all of them). Richard Hughes offers a challenging quotation in his chapter. The quote is from Jim Wallis, and his book, God's Politics. The context is a discussion on what the Bible teaches about poverty, particularly a Christian's responsibility to the poor.

Wallis says, "We all sat in a circle to discuss how the subject (responsibility to the poor) had been treated in the various churches in which we had grown up. Astoundingly, but also tellingly, not one of us could remember even one sermon on the poor from the pulpit of our home churches. In the Bible, the poor were everywhere; yet the subject was not to be found in our churches."

Joining in this conversation, I'm racking my brain trying to remember a sermon I've heard on the poor. I know I've heard a lot of sermons on the general subject of benevolence; and, I've personally preached a lot of those. But, I must say, I don't remember a sermon that spoke particularly of the poor and the obligations to them from Christians and the church.

Jump in the conversation: Have you?

Four Dark Years

I try to remain optimistic, but I am afraid that we are about to enter four dark years. I will vote for John McCain, but I am not an eager supporter. He is certainly no second-coming of Ronald Reagan, or even another Teddy Roosevelt (his "hero"). He is more like a Gerald Ford redux. I love Sarah Palin, but who exactly does McCain inspire? His ONLY conservative issue is the war on terror, but even there he cannot clearly and forcefully articulate his vision and the great threat against us. And, on the great financial issues of the day, he is treading water.

Can we survive four years of an Obama-Pelosi junta? I'm worried that we're about to find out. Our nation survived LBJ, Carter, and Clinton, but the threats there were mild compared to the danger of Obama-Pelosi.

Let me be one of the first to say, Gingrich/Palin 2012!!! Too bad a successful write-in campaign for 2008 is beyond the realm of possibility.

Restraint?

Restraint? Perhaps that has something to do with the inner discipline of avoiding driving into every Rosa's parking lot that is passed. If so, I haven't yet learned the mastery of restraint. Two days spent in Lubbock: two trips to Rosa's! Ahh! The power of fajitas! (Oh, and I refuse to tabulate the visits to Rosa's during the five days I spent in Abilene recently. Okay, it was seven!) Of course, in my defense, I'm headed to California next week (for a 4-week PR and fundraising tour for the Home), and Rosa's will be a long way off (fajita withdrawal is coming!).

Has It Been 20 Years?

I attended my 20th year high school reunion tonight. Has it really been 20 years? I must be getting old!

I graduated from Lubbock Christian High School in May 1988. It was the culmination of 12 years of education spent within the Lubbock Christian Schools system (all but 1st grade, which was spent, in of all places, New Orleans, Lou.!). I am very appreciative of those years, especially of the many, many relationships that came in that time. I remain in contact with many of the students who I befriended in those years (friendships that are worth more than all the riches of the world), and I still see many of my teachers from time to time. It is always special to worship with the Green Lawn church and see several of those teachers.

I've spent the day thinking back the 20 years that have come and now gone since I was a proud L.C.H. Eagle. More than half a lifetime has passed! Wow! As I looked back, I remembered . . .

• Ronald Reagan was president on the day I graduated, and within a few months I would cast a vote in the Presidential election for the first time . . . a proud vote (then and now) for George the Elder.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series in that year long ago, and they haven't been back to the Series since. Although, with the whupping they're giving to the Cubs, they might just make it there this season! I'm a loyal Cardinal fan, so I love the Cubs getting beat.
• 1988 was the last summer I spent working as a pot washer at Camp Blue Haven. Boy, do I sure miss that place.
• I was working at the Brittany Restaurant here in the South Plains Mall in Lubbock during 1988. I loved that job, too.
• I would enroll as a student at Oklahoma Christian "College" in the Fall of 1988. I only spent one semester there, before I returned to L. C. U. If they'd only have let freshmen take Greek! Of course, when I got to L. C. U. and jumped into Greek class, I quickly discovered I wasn't yet disciplined enough to excel at it. Maybe it had something to do with M-F 7:30 a.m.
• A highlight of 1988: "miniature" golf in the Green Lawn church building with Danny Holmes and Tim Byars. What a great way to waste a couple of hours . . . except when I tried to "tee" the ball up two flights of steps, careening it off two walls . . . err fiberglass windows.
• A regret from 1988: not going with my family on a 3-week road-trip/vacation to the Northwest. Alas, I spent the time working at the Brittany.
• And, who could forget the 3-13 Cowboys? Of course, had I know that would be Tom Landry's final season, my interest would have been piqued.
• That was also the year my Oklahoma Sooners began to unravel.

I'm wondering who will be at the 30th reunion?

From Abilene

It has been a good day in Abilene, Texas. I am here at Abilene Christian University attending the lectureship. It has been a day filled with good contacts made for the Manuelito Navajo Children's Home and a day filled with personal reunions with friends I have not seen for many, many years.

I also got to hear a challenging message from Brian McLaren. I have read many of his books; it was a blessing to finally hear him in person. I appreciate ACU for having the willingness to give him a forum. I do NOT share his endorsement of Obama, but I appreciate his thoughts on theology and Christianity. His presentation today did not disappoint.

Dealing with Mistakes

Ed Hochuli is having a bad week. That's an understatement!

For the uninitiated, Hochuli is a NFL referee (one of the best) who blew a call in Sunday's Chargers at Broncos game that was instrumental in the Chargers defeat. Hochuli blew his whistle as Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler lost his grasp on the football, meaning the play was dead and thwarting the Chargers recovery of what was a fumbled ball. Hochuli thought the dropped ball was an incomplete pass, and so he blew his whistle. By rule, Hochuli had to reward the ball to the Broncos, who went on to score a touchdown and make good on a 2-point conversion play, giving the Broncos a 39-38 victory over their division rival. Had Hochuli allowed the fumbled play to work itself out, the Chargers would have recovered the ball, run out the clock, and returned to San Diego as 38-31 victors in a very crucial game.

Hochuli is now the toast of Denver, and the target of derision and scorn in San Diego. Can you imagine blowing it on a bigger stage than an NFL game with millions upon millions of spectators and viewers? Yet, even though I am a Bronco fan (#2 after the Cowboys--yes, I'm one of those twisted few), I'm pulling for Hochuli to resuscitate his reputation as one of the finest, if not best, NFL referees. I hope he is able to deal with this mistake and move forward.

I hope NFL fans will allow him the opportunity to move past it. We (speaking of humanity in general) can be awfully hard on people when they make mistakes. In our self-interests and self-pride, we are quick to ridicule and castigate others who seem to ruin our day. But, we all make mistakes, don't we? I know I have made my share. You'd think, knowing our own frailties, we would be a lot on easier on others when they mess up. Or, as someone once said, If you want some slack, you've got to be prepared to give it in return.

A Refreshing Break

It has been more than a month since I made a posting here. Hopefully, in the next few days I can get back into the swing of things and begin to offer some semi-intelligent observations and commentary. We'll see . . .

I have the spent the past 5 weeks at home in Gallup. It has been the longest break I have had from travelling since early January. The break has been good. The five weeks have been filled with activity, though. I've especially enjoyed the opportunity to do some preaching and teaching for the Gallup church. I like going out on the road and speaking on behalf of the Manuelito Navajo Children's Home, describing our ministry to churches, but I love being able to get back to regular preaching from time to time. And, this time off the road has given me that chance. And, I've had the chance to get back to my youth ministry roots, having the opportunity to direct a lock-in and teach some teen Bible classes during my break from travelling.

But, today, I have set out on the road again. I will be travelling for much of the next seven weeks (with a short 3-day layover in Gallup in the middle of this span). I am in Santa Fe tonight, and will be going to Lubbock tomorrow. Then, its off to Abilene Christian University and Harding University for the lectureships at these schools. I'll also be speaking at churches in Mineral Wells, Texas and Childress, Texas, and be spending a couple of nights in Louisiana and making visits to some churches there. Following my 3-day respite at home, I will be setting out for the left coast, spending four weeks in northern California and Oregon.

I've never been north of Ventura, California on the Pacific coast, so I'm looking forward to this trip with a lot of excitement. In addition to speaking to churches in Sacramento, Oakland, Fresno, and Portland, Oregon, and making several other visits, I hope to see the spectacular sights at Yosemite, the Sequoias, the giant Redwoods, San Francisco Bay, and perhaps most interesting to me, Fort Clatsop, west of Portland. Fort Clatsop is where the Lewis and Clark Expedition spent the winter in 1806 and was the western-most terminus of their historic journey.

In the days to come, I hope to begin posting some things much more serious and meaningful than my travelogues. Stay tuned.

Home . . . Almost

Home. If all goes as planned, I will be there on Wednesday. I can't wait!

Since the last week of April, I have spent all of 15 days at home in Gallup. Since then, I have driven 20,000 miles spanning from the beaches of Malibu to the Texas Gulf coast, from the Colorado Rockies and Utah canyon lands to the plains of Kansas an Oklahoma. Since then, I have spoken before 17 churches and visited dozens more. I've attended six lectureships/seminars. I've stayed in over 20 different hotels/motels. And, I'm currently in San Antonio for the third time in the past 8 weeks.

I'm ready for Home. It is only 998 miles away!

A Change of Jerseys

So, its a new shade of green for Brett Favre? This will certainly take some getting used to. But, as a Cowboys fanatic, I can't sy I'm torn up by all the angst this soap opera has caused the folks in Green Bay.


I did have a thought today, however. What if . . . a few months after announcing his retirement (way back in 1980), Roger Staubach changed his mind and came back as quarerback of the Kansas City Chiefs? So, in some small way, I can understand the feelings of the fans up north.


This "trade" of Favre reminds me of the drama in San Francisco a few years ago, when Joe Montana ended up as a Chief. The team management in both instances seemed to decide that their star, future Hall of Fame QB was well-passed their prime and that it was time for the "next generation." One important difference, however, Aaron Rodgers is no Steve Young.

Just a question: what happens when the Packers open the season 0 and 3?

Are you ready for some football? I am! Lombardi is headed back to Big D!!!

A Vote for Swing Vote

Some more movie reviews:

Step Brothers - F! I do not know what possessed me to watch this movie. Considering the cast of characters, I should have known better. What troubled me even more than the vulgarity and filth projected on screen was the demographic makeup of the audience that watched with me in the theater in Abilene, Texas. Besides myself, there were probably 4 or 5 other people over the age of 20. Everyone else (at least 50 others) were much younger; most in high school.

X-Files - B+. The ending seemed hurried and needed some more development, but the movie reminded me how much I liked the TV series. This was a solid movie. Hopefully, there will be more Mulder and Scully tales to be told on the big screen.

Swing Vote - A+. The best "political" movie I've seen (with the exception of perhaps "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," but that was a long time ago). This movie makes a great point about the powerful right and responsibility we have to vote and offers some great commentary on the electoral process (and the abuses that dishearten so many of us), without pandering to the right or left and without demonizing those who commit themselves to running for office. Both candidates are put forward as basically decent and moral men who (deep down) care about their country. The movie does cast political advisers as a somewhat sorry lot, however.

Every voter needs to see Swing Vote. There is a lot of offensive language, though, but a great line by Molly (the daughter of Kevin Costner's character) offers a great comeback!

A Return Home

I was blessed with the opportunity to speak to the Green Lawn church tonight. It was good being home.

Green Lawn Church of Christ in Lubbock, Texas is my home in many respects. I came to my own faith in Christ while growing up at Green Lawn and had my first opportunities in ministry there, serving stints as youth minister and campus minister. My parents are still a part of the Green Lawn congregation as are so many of my close friends and my "closest" relatives in Christ.

It had been over 13 years since I last spoke to the Green Lawn congregation. My first sermon was preached in that auditorium . . . I was a nervous 13 year old boy! And, for a few years I had some fairly regular opportunities to preach there. I hope tonight was not my final opportunity.

Green Lawn has had a great heritage of promoting youth ministry (it is in many ways the hallmark of the congregation) and missions. Much of who I am as a Christian man and much of my philosophy of ministry has been shaped by my experiences and associations as a part of the Green Lawn family.