F4S: June 2008

Monday, June 30, 2008

My blind friends are killing me with blind jokes.







I've only seen a couple fierce seeing-eye-dog fights break out in Dallas this week. There are over 2500 blind people in town right now. Joe (in the blue shirt, with the big smile ..without the hat on) is back in the Big D from Columbia in South Carolina. He really looks forward to this trip, so he can see all his old blind friends. He's my pal and he just loves it here. Yup, he returns to visit us annually ..even though it's summer time, when it's so hot out.

Immediately upon seeing him, he set forth a scenario to me saying: "Hilary, Obama, and McCain were all floating in a boat together, Kurt, but the boat sank!

Q: Kurt, guess who got saved?… He asked me.

A: ...The United States!" said Joe.

He had other "blind jokes" for me as well--lots of them (because ..after all, he is blind and loves to laugh at the inequities of life).

Man, I never knew there was so many jokes like that!

Joe had several true stories to relate to me of funny things that his blind friends (and he himself) have done, as well. He told me about one friend of his here--a person who actually went too far in the round revolving door to exit the building for some fresh outside air ....only to unwittingly reenter the building. The man returned to report to Joe, "Bummer it's the same temperature outside as it is inside" (but he actually remained indoors merely thinking he was testing the outside temperature). Joe has a serious side too tough. People don't know that he is a pretty successful businessman who owns more than one business where he lives. He also runs a home (it's one of his homes that he moved out of) that is now being utilized for addicts seeking to overcome they're sin-habits. He said that he has a lot of help with it from friends and workers from his church.

But his new passion of 2008 is to build an apartment complex where he can live and freely house some furlowing Christian missionaries when they are home visiting their churches in the States.


It's sad that one day at the dentist's office recently, (with Joe's new dentist) this doctor asked a relative who was accompanying Joe that day, if Joe was "retarded." Joe said, "Kurt, I hadn't even said anything smart or dumb to give this guy this idea."


Ouch! Some doctors can act so ignorant. They need to go back to school to learn some more... a different subject (subj: How not to shoot your own practice in the foot).

John (in the red polo shirt above) likes to hangout as if there is no tomorrow too. He and his friends feel totally free to simply take time for others instead of for technology etc. Sure they all love to surf the web, hear emails (all audio-wise with their cell phones) and talk to each other a lot. They feel too blessed to be stressed. John said, I don't really need anything from anybody, I just "enjoy listening and being here with you guys, because it's more interesting than being other places."

Ms. Enin (the African American lady in the light blue coat above) is also our friend. She is a very sweet Christian from Manhatan in New York. She's got street savy too. Her dog's name is "Lilly," but she never tells any downtown people in New York her dog's name when they ask her, because people then distract the dog from her important work of getting Enin around the city.

Some of these wonderful people have multiple health challenges and can only eat certain types of food. I met a 20 year man who was not overweight, who had no legs, and another who had diabetes on top of his lack of sight. Man, seeing them again and what they all go through each day, just to get around and get things done--it gives me renewed feelings of gratefulness for my own sight, my health and also for all my blind friends (new and old). Many were very happy people and would say Hallelujah out loud for the simplest things. And it makes a person think about vision, because there is a blindness that is worse than physical blindness that many other people don’t realize they have.

Jesus once told Nick at night (Nicodemus)--a spiritually blind Jewish teacher who didn’t even know that he was in such a state: "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God" (Jn. 3:3).

You remember how the Apostle Paul prayed to the Lord about the Christians in Ephesus--he didn't bring up their physical needs. Instead he requested of God that they would be able to see (though they still had functioning eyeballs in their heads). He knew that if God opened the eyes of their understanding, they would also be able to clearly understand the Lord’s truth as well (v. 1:18).

Paul earnestly asked God to give the Ephesian believers His heavenly type of wisdom and also spiritual discernment in some areas regarding: 1.) The hope to which they had been called, 2.) The riches of their spiritual inheritance, and 3.) The supernatural resurrection power that was to be theirs in Christ Jesus—yes that they were to experience daily firsthand as they lived above the circumstances of life (vv.18-20).

Hey those things are WAY SIGNIFICANT too! A platinum visa card won’t ever get you those things. Think about it, because the better we can see with the eyes of the Spirit (and I don't mean in some unbiblical charismaniac type of way) …into the invisible world around us, the better we will be able to see and act in the visible world around us.

You and I certainly want to be a good witness for Christ don't we. Then we’ve got to see things the way they really are, and not be dim about how to deal with these things in the right way. We must be practical and spiritually mature, understanding the hope that we posses—that living hope of life everlasting... that ability to grasp a hold of what our real wealth in Jesus is all about. That’s what it will take to enable us to keep a proper perspective of things on this sin-sick planet. That’s what will help us not to become hyper-focused on all the temporal, worthless stuff that the world has to offer.

Some people are totally blind and others (Christians) might have blind-spots due to neglect. Yes, they say that some real Christians and pastors can have some! I believe it. And when saints have blind-spots spiritually, they won't walk right. They will eventually stumble or fall. We don't want that to happen ever, because blindspots will ill-affect their representation of the Lord to others who need to know Jesus.

Man, I hope I don’t have any!

In truth, after meeting Christ in ’77, He removed so much that was hindering me, but now I want to walk right, represent Him properly and see a lot more!

Open our eyes Lord, to see the invisible things that cannot be observed with the naked eye. We want to see more with eyes of the heart to riches beyond the sky. I long to stay focused on You, so your love I will never deny! kVs

“As it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit” (1 Cor. 2:10, nkjv).

May I ask you: Can you ...or would you like to ..see clearly? Be born anew and neglect not so great a salvation in Jesus!

Saturday, June 28, 2008

A Plan For The Plain

Good day gang! As the world sleeps-in today (Saturday morning) ...at least on this side of the planet as the is sun is almost up, for some reason I got up early and I'm starting to get around alright I guess. I've got a big week ahead starting today.

I'm just one... an ordinary dude that is stirring ...and that of course could lead to "stirring-up trouble" ..without seeking to make trouble... ya know..shaking up the fruitbasket a bit. Hey, it happens. No worries. That's why I need to get alone and be still. God is love, He'll pour it in me and I'll let Him. But how 'bout you – how you feelin'? Are you awake yet?

Ever feel like there's no place for you to fit in?

Ever feel extra plain, ordinary and insignificant – totally un-useable by God? Remember that feelings lie.


“Sometimes we make the mistake of thinking God uses only ‘special’ people the strong, the intelligent, the beautiful. We don't think He has a place for the rest of us. We are so wrong!” — Chuck Smith

In all of our daily activity, the Lord is seeking to bring ordinary common folk into a close loving relationship with Himself through Jesus Christ. He wants us more than what we can do for Him, but He also have something for us to do.

The Lord desires the non-coerced, non-manipulated, free trust and grateful love of plain men, women, boys and girls. He really loves us! So He works through everyday down-to-earth type of believers who are in-touch with their extraordinary Father (God) to bring others in-touch …as they obey the Great Commandment (Matt. 22:37-38) and the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20) in the Spirit.

Build your life upon a relationship with the Jesus of the Bible today. He came out of that tomb—He is still alive and there for you. Why build it on anything else (See 1 Cor. 3:11-23)? It's through your life and mine… through our dedicated gifts, training and talents… through our personal witness as we live it and tell It… it’s through the united supernatural ministry of ordinary Christians, that the Lord is winning over the trust and obedience of irreligious people worldwide. What a HUGE honor and privilege to be co-laborers with Christ! It’s a HUGE responsibility to be ordinary but faithful stewards! (See 1 Cor. 4:2).

The planet's population continues to explode: from 1 billion in 1820, to 2 billion in 1930, 3 billion in 1960, 4 billion in 1974, 5 billion in 1988, 6 billion in 2000 and today the world's population is believed to be 6,704,845,726. Millions of ordinary souls haven't heard about God's loving Son yet, so we must witness where we are and tell them one by one. That’s His plan and He hasn’t chosen ordinary angels to take part in it. He wants you and me.

The Apostle Paul said, “This ‘foolish’ plan of God is far wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God's weakness is far stronger than the greatest of human strength. Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world's eyes, or powerful, or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them” (1 Cor. 1:25-28).

Feeling ordinary today? Feelin' powerless, weak, needy? You're probably despised by some people around you. Well, cheer up! God has a heart and a cool plan for ordinary people. You matter and He will use you as you call out to Him! Yes, look to Him to meet all your needs, not just some of them. Look to Him for those in your vicinity
too. If you are away from Him, lukewarm or distracted, come home before dark. —kurt

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

This Is Our Third Son Christian At Work

He is with his co-worker friend, Arianne, here. She has become a believer and our son Christian introduced her to one of his best (saved) friends there at Chilli's awhile back ..who has been dating her and taking her to church for some six months now.

Christian enjoys working there and he has a lot of golfing buddies at Chilli's that he spends many off-hours with.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Some People Have Inquired About How We’ve Voted.

In days gone by I might not have told anyone, but here's how: We simply try our best to vote "informed" ..as the Lord leads us.
This (below) is about as political as I get, really.
What can I say? My parents are decent conservatives; wonderful people living on the “Left Coast” where liberals are making things chaotic and where gay marriages are now legal. And my parents are looking to make a difference in their state practically, so they are putting together a humorous video-spoof to help people know how to vote wisely in the upcoming election.
People tell me that a picture is worth a thousand words ...so in my mind what's a straight-shooting video clip worth in an entertainment society that’s gone astray? Answer; a whole lot! Now, you know how I try never to alienate Christian liberals, non-Christians Liberals… or Conservatives or anyone else for that matter. I have other fish to fry. I want to serve the Lord and win people to Him primarily. You and I know how God loves Republicans, Democrats, Homosexuals, Jews, Moslems—yes, every one of us just the same! We’re all imperfect, but He still cares for us and hates all sin, because it could destroy us. He is SO FOR helping all people and so should we be …as we start by praying for them!
Hey blogs are supposed to be personal, so I will try to be personal here…and I don’t mind your personal feedback either.
Even though I of course want to look at each individual candidate case by case, and I would never want to tell you how to vote or who to vote for… I don’t mind giving you some…
…Basic Reasons Why Liney and I have Voted as Conservatives Instead of as Liberals:
- We are Pro-Life instead of pro-abortion-of-innocent-preborn-babies. Listen, don’t become inoculated or indifferent to this critical issue—IT IS STILL EXTREMEMLY IMPORTANT! Now the Bible does not specifically address the issue of abortion directly per se. However, there are numerous teachings in Scripture that make it abundantly clear what God’s view of abortion is. In Jeremiah 1:5, it tells us that God knows us individually before our birth—He knits us in the womb. See Psalm 139:13-16. It speaks of God’s active role in our creation and formation inside our mother’s womb. Exodus 21:22-25 prescribes the same penalty for someone who causes the death of a baby in the womb as the penalty for someone who commits murder. This clearly indicates that God considers a baby in the womb just as much of a human being as a full-grown adult. For a real Christian (and many who claim to be are not), abortion is not a matter of a woman’s right to choose. It is a matter of the life or death of a human being made in the very image of God’s (see Genesis 1:26-27; 9:6). Prior to the 1973 court decision that allowed abortion on demand, developing embryos were considered unborn persons. Today, even a fetus that could survive on its own outside its mother's womb could be aborted (murdered), under certain medical circumstances. Science teaches us that human life begins at the time of conception. Yes, from the moment fertilization takes place, the child's genetic makeup is already complete. Its gender has already been determined, along with its height… along with its hair, eye and skin color. The only thing the embryo needs to become a fully-functioning being is the time to grow and develop. More importantly, God reveals to us in His Word that not only does life begin at conception, but He knows about us even before that time (Jeremiah 1:5). King David said this about God's role in our conception: "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb....Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them" (Ps. 139:13, 16). Society continually seeks to devalue the lives of the unborn and elderly today, creating its own definitions of humanity based on distorted views of morality. But the undeniable fact is that life begins at creation, and a human is created as soon as it is conceived.
*Note: It’s interesting to me that most of the people that I talk to who are against all forms of Capital Punishment; are also the ones who are for abortion (even late term or even after the birthed baby has survived). They audaciously think that I am the one being contradictory in standing against abortion and yet being for Capital Punishment (in serious criminal cases) and think that they are the ones being non-contradictory in their opposite stance from mine. Hey, we all need to get back to the Bible to see what God has to say about these subjects, because both my opinions and theirs aren’t worth more than the next guy’s. God Word is authoritative and He should always have the last say in these matters. What’s interesting is that they want to see the very innocent people die (babies with an eternal soul), and want to protect the heinously guilty people who are deserving of expedited judgment… when I want to see the heinously guilty people—guilty of living for self, pleasure and convenience at the expense of others—properly judged (so that others will be both warned and protected from their homicidal habits)… and I want to see all the innocent people protected. Perhaps guilty people can relate well to the very guilty innately knowing that they too deserve God’s judgment (as I have also deserved it), when they should simply turn in repentance and faith to Jesus Christ, asking for His free forgiveness... and then act like the people who have recieved it should. Yes Christ already paid for it on the cross for all individuals (for all have sinned - see Rom. 3:23). They want me to speak out in defense for those on death row who can still speak out (and do in many ways), but my question is this: Who will speak out for those who cannot speak out… and never could? On average, there are 46,000,000 innocent babies who are killed worldwide each year. THIS MUST STOP! WE MUST DO SOMETHING …but never something foolishly wrong that would go against what the Scriptures teach ..as some have sadly done.
- We want less flawed Government rather than more flawed Government. Why have things bulky, cumbersome, awkward, ineffective and expensive to support in our land? We should learn from history. Haven’t you grown weary with all the empty promises as Big Liberal Government leans heavily upon the common workers to support these same leaders making those promises, and are benefited most by Big Government? Look at their track record. So many of these liberals who have led us in the past made a lot of horribly bad choices. Remember that it was a Liberal leader who vetoed drilling in Anwr and it was the Liberals in Congress who kept blocking the way towards doing that. Yet we still need this to happen more than ever. I wonder if the Liberals who blocked it should now be told to to ride their bikes to work? Think about it...they blocked all attempts to tap into one of our countries largest oil reserves so we could become less dependent upon other nations oil. (My dad just took the cell phone photo (above in San Clemente, California last Saturday)..
- We want less taxes. There area a lot of better things to give to, or spend God’s money on. Why should so many in the Western World hear the Gospel over and over again, when some people in the 10/40 window have never even heard it once? It's only Good News if it gets there on time... before they perish.
- Liney and I like to look at the character of the liberals, and those who buddy-up to them, all excited about the Liberal’s agenda. We want to listen to their words—their message in the light of the Scriptures. You know, what they say, really says a lot about their hearts—for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Yes, what’s most on the heart will be most on the lips. When there are so many morally corrupt and base Hollywood celebrities pushing the liberal's cause and backing their agenda to the hilt...it's gotta make one wonder if there is good in it at all. Birds of a feather flock together.
- We want more states rights, and less useless Federal intrusion.
- We want stronger border control. We want less illegals sneaking in with whatever they want to bring with them… taking advantage of the system here in the USA ..when the tax payers are working very hard to try and make ends meet.
- We have dear friends who are Moslems that we relate to everyday, who don't know what their book really says because they don't read it. But we want the people of this land to be strongly protected from Islamic terrorists and other deluded fools who are out to kill, maim and destroy others. When their book, the Koran, commands devout Moslems to literally kill all the infidels (the non-Moslems ...if they don't convert to Islam), that is exactly what it means ..so why (even though many so-called Christians here don’t read or apply what their Book says), should we be surprised when they do apply what they are studying and are avidly taught (Click here: to see the Quotes). Americans didn’t initiate the attack on 9-11, so why should we walk on eggshells and rely on endless "nice diplomatic talk” as so many want us to do… only to our country’s further hurt? Peace through strength doesn't mean that we have to arrogantly get involved in things that are none of our business in order to control other nations ...for our own profit. But there are some evil leaders of nations out there that intensely hate the Jews, Europeans and Americans ...and are determined to do something about it in Israel and in our cities.. on our soil. Having diplomatic talks with Iran and Syria (which are both allies of Hamas) at this stage, when they’ve already made their purpose very clear to the world, would be stupid. Yes, Iran has made it very clear that their top priority and their fierce determination is to blow Israel off the map.
- School choice. No busing to integrate schools. We want the children to be able to attend neighborhood schools or even a good private school—and there are still some out there for the parents to choose for their children.
- I feel that if you and I must mandatorily pass a drug test in order to obtain and then keep a job... then wouldn't it make sense that a person receiving welfare, food stamps, government assistance from our tax dollars… also have to pass the same drug tests in order to receive this aid.
- I am against financial aid from the Government being given to able-bodied but slothful people who have their eyes fixed on Government leaders for handouts… especially for an extended period of time. If a person loses a job and needs help for six months or so …to find another job (and they are actually out looking for a job)... fine, but not for years on end. And why should big Government be considered uber-wise in knowing who should get the assistance, when they can't even deal well with their own financial affairs in Washington now?
We live in a day when too many people aren’t looking to God to meet all their needs, but are expecting the Government to meet all their needs instead ...according to its riches and glory. We live in a day when too many Americans feel they are “victims” and need to blame others, or people that are "entitled." But it should be easy to figure out that when there are a lot more people that are riding along uphill in the radio-wagon so to speak… than there are actually helping you and I to pull this wagon …the wagon will simply become too heavy to pull and the whole thing could end up going backwards to the demise of more than just the riders.

Simple Warning: Please don’t be taken-in by their physical appearance... by their skilled oratory or lofty platitudes and exciting rhetoric …no matter who the candidate is! Check out what they are really all about, where they stand on the issues, and what their close friends are like—the ones they like to hang out with. Check out what their friends like to say and what they themselves like to listen to from these friends. Stop, think, pray, and do what God leads you to do ...in spite of what your emotions, the media, or the masses say to do.
Liney and I actually wish there were more candidates to choose from this go-around, but because they are not there, we must vote and do the best we can for the sake of the next generation. My wife Liney has probably a lot more reasons she could tell you about. She works hard and prayerfully follows the whole political process more than I do. We all need positively influence other people around us and I really appreciate seeing my friends and relatives get involved as change-agents for good (especially in sharing the Gospel of love—which is a far greater priority for all of us Christians). If we don’t do that, who will stand up and oppose all the widespread weirdness today?

What do you like?

What do ya do?

On the horizontal level, there are some thngs I really like:

- Liney—she still really intrigues me after almost 26 years being married (26 years on August 14th, '09).

- Our grown up kids who are all very creative.

- Our friends that like to write, call, drop in, or go get a bite to eat with Liney and I after church. We like our German and European friends (we love the Christians in the EU; the fresh-thinkers who are so earnest and fun to hang with)... as well as other friends from other countries like in South America too. We love sinners in these lands too.

- We like our dog Roxy (most of the time). She has an attitude that makes us laught a lot, and she is a bit spoiled.

- My brothers (Kevin in Hawaii and Kyle in Santa Monica) and parents (Kim and Betty) and relatives in California.

- The USA and my peeps here (Please pray for our churches and about our upcoming election. There is a lot at stake).

- To get heart-to-heart-honest in a talk with God—He cares about how we each feel, and what we really need. And He's never late in meeting their needs as they look to Him (even if it might seem like He is WAY late. See Matthew 6:33 in the Bible).

- The NKJV, the NLT and the Message Bibles..

- My home library ...including gobs of new and old non-secular music that rocks (my collection could be bigger…but it’s a great size for the amount of free reading/listening time I have).

- Expositional verse by verse, through the entire Bible teaching that is presented in a non-drab way—a way that is applicable and keeps me awake instead of making me feel like going to sleep in the pew.

- Hearing many different preachers from different backgrounds and their bold preaching (the ones who live the life, that minister God’s word from the heart as absolute truth and never apologize for it… the ones that are real and practical instead of religious sounding and puffed up). Charles Haddon Spurgeon said, “There must be light as well as fire.” Some preachers are all light and no fire, while others are all fire but no light.

- Here are a few people that I really enjoy listening to via Mp3 files: Chuck Swindoll (he consistantly imports and then exports pity stuff we can use. He's an expert with homiletically and hermeneutically sound "distilled truth," rather than in dishing out ill-prepared slop). I also enjoy hearing: Tony Evans, John MacArthur, Bob Coy, Jon Coursen, Skip Heitzig, Chuck Smith and Alister Begg (and you don't have to always agree with everything they teach regarding secondary doctrines..."In non-essentials, liberty").

- I also love to encourage people, and teach verse by verse for Christ and for decisions that last (I’m grateful that I had two opportunities this week). I enjoy listening to and discussing what the Bible says with the irreligious who want to. Paul told Tim not to be timid, but instead, “Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear” (2 Tim. 4:2-3, nlt). The King James Version translates that last sentence as “They will have ‘Itching ears,” or literally, “an itch for novelty.”

- Great American state and national parks... trees, waterfalls, rocky hills, islands, sandy beaches, valleys, big leaves, animals, rain drops, the beauty of nature ...and it's funny, because I'm not even buying into all the green madness.

- Almost all water sports, skateboarding and volleyball. .

- I enjoy the music and songs of Larry Norman, Glen Kaiser (of Rez Band), Keith Green and Chuck Girard (from his band that rocked the '60s and '70s called Love Song). I also love the fresh alternative sounds from Kutless, Miss Angie, Leeland, Lincoln Brewster, and P.O.D.

- Long road trips to mountainous areas in Colorado or in New Mexico; to regions where there are lakes or westward towards ocean water that I can swim or surf in. The native Texans here say this state has everything: mountains, ocean, lakes, rivers, plains etc… but I have yet to see real mountains here.

- Leather jackets and what scruffy hair that I have left (it gets kinda cold in Dallas in the winter time). I might have a bit of a sandbar that is trying to emerge for the wild tempest in the back, and I have a bit more beach now than wave breaking on the beach …if you know what I mean. Hey, it’s all good! Who wants to buy an artificial sea? Not me.

- Long walks, modern music without words a lot of the time, and sometimes ...pure silence.


- Café lattes …all coming from non-franchise shops that grind their own beans, don’t burn their beans and major on uniqueness and quality. Liney and I normally have only one coffee per day, but we also like:

.....white chocolate almond frappuccinos
.....raspberry frappuccinos
.....chocolate caramel cappuccino
.....malt madness lattes
.....espressos made at home
.....24 hour blend espressos
.....(We also go for normal coffee from Quick Trip gas station where they try to make it taste like a Latte (and where the gas currently costs $3.79 per gallon).

- Sugar free Blue Bell Popsicles or raspberry frozen sorbet. Yup, 'cause it's often real hot here (triple digits); so hot that when I talk with my Texas Baptist friends about "Hell," no one feel any fear).

Temporal Stuff I use...

- my Mp3 player that allow me to change my own battery. THANKS LORD!

- my one year old Treo cell phone that lets me surf the web when I’m stuck in a line at the store.

- my cheap Canon point and shoot (Idiot camera) with video capabilities inside.

- my two no-frills Japanese cars (a Toyota Pre-runner pickup truck and a Honda Civic) that get me from Point A to Point B. What more do I need? Nada!

Your Turn (Click Here)...
http://www.fish4souls.org/Contact.htm

Friday, June 20, 2008

I enjoy asking my friends...

..and really close buds: "Hey gang!—what is..."

  • ..the happiest time you’ve ever experienced (when, what, how or why)?
For me, it was...
1.) The day I accepted Christ in the home of Kathy Tuttle with a house full of sweet grey-haired ladies in the Newport Beach area. I'm WAY grateful!
Wer zur Quelle gehen kann, gehe nicht zum Wassertopf. Leonardo da Vinci
2.) The day I married the most beautiful woman—the greatest Christian in the whole wide world, Liney Renea, (August ’82 up in Northern Colorado).
3.) The time my whole family went snow skiing together at Mammoth Mountain in California.
4.) The moment following a Gospel appeal that I made to some hungry teenagers at a Lutheran youth retreat in Germany (Der Herr gab seine Ergebnisse als junge Menschen wandte sich Ihm zu. Wie Toll! Er fügte ihnen an Seine Gemende hinzu).
5.) Right as we hung upside down from a hundreds of feet up in the air, before dropping-in riding to the Titan ride (a gnarly roller coaster at Six Flags that my boys and some Christian teens visited).

  • ..the most embarrassing thing you ever did?
For me it was ..the day I exited the ocean at Salt Creek with my board under my right arm and leaped up onto a dry sand shelf (that was there due to large storm surf and the current low tide).. I was running over to meet my girlfriend, Judy Garden and her friends on the beach, but when I landed on that ledge it gave way and I landed on my face in the sand (they were all laughing).


  • ..the most scared you ever felt inside and why?
For me it was... the time my mom took us kids in the night and we all left my dad due to his intense drinking problem.

  • ..your favorite childhood memory?
For me it was …the day we found out that my dad got sober, was going to AA everyday and we could return home. So glad he made the right choice and gave his life to Christ!
  • ..the characteristic or positive aspect(s) that you like the most about your current best human friend(s)?
I like Liney’s consistent faithfulness. I like my other close friend’s patience.

  • ..your favorite non-spiritual activit(y/ies) or hobby that you like to do these days and why?
I like white chocolate almond frappuccino mocha coffees and espressos from low-key, non-franchise shops where they roast and grind their own beans. I like big beefy Sea-doo waverunners (to rent); I like the pool at the Cooper Spa (where Liney works and was given a family membership); I like my cheap Schwinn mountain bike from Wal-mart and sailing too. We have a dear friend that goes pretty often out to lake Texoma north of us and I do my best to persuade him that he really needs my help as an experienced deckhand.
  • ..the top character qualit(y/ies) that you desire to see developed in your life the most?
I want to see integrity, non-compromising steadiness, gentleness, and straightforwardness.

  • ..the creepiest attitude that you know you really can’t stand?
For me it’s that paternalistic, know-it-all, self-righteous, pharisaical, look-down-your-nose attitude of some so-called Christians and of other people too, who unwittingly never convey that weirdness …except for every time they open their mouths. Man, I really hope I’ve never done that ‘cause I know deep down that I have a whole lot to learn and am I’m not better …just better off than some (due to grace).
  • ..the one weakness you have or the thing, Christian, that can hinder you the most (if you let it..), as you grow and mature spiritually?
It’s is very easy for me to become too busy with horizontal living under the sun ...which would totally take away from any impact that I could potentially make horizontally. When I get too busy for time alone with Jesus ..or for time my family, then nothing excellent comes from such madness.
  • ..the one (or two or three) top reason(s), Mr./Ms. Non-born-again-Christian-friend, that prevents you from coming to Christ on His terms today?
OK, now you're my friend (that's fact, at least from my end of things), so please have at em.

Tajha... whaaat? You knew that I’d get around to personalizing them for you too didn't you? You knew I'd be asking at least a few questions that might be slightly sermonic in style, right? Well, why not? You and I know that you can handle it. Besides, Jesus said, "Come to me..." (Matt. 11:28, nlt). He cares about you and I'd really love to hear what you have to say to these questions.


With all due respect, I ask you these things only so that I can learn and find some common ground. So come on, be brave! I really appreciate the honesty. You can do it. Just email me and let me know to keep your answers confidental if that's your desire.