Saturday Vacation Chronicles

How was your Saturday? I am glad you asked. I hung around the house this morning and played with the kids, but this afternoon we went to the Kemah Boardwalk located on the Galveston Bay just Southeast of Houston. We rode a few rides and walked down the boardwalk. Afterward, we had some Mexican food and called it a day. The girls are getting baths for church tomorrow and I'm just chillin'. It's been a fun day.

Standard Investment Prospectus

"Past performance is no guarantee of future results."

The Lone Star State

Vacation has officially begun! We left last night (Thursday) at 10:30 PM. I drove all the way to Texarkana, Texas (8 and 1/2 hours later) before we switched drivers. I got there about 6:50 AM Friday morning. Our girls started getting up... yeah... they slept eight hours while I drove... and we stopped at Mickey D's for some breakfast. Jenny took over and finished up the remaining five hours while I got a couple hours of sleep. Here's a funny story... Jenny got pulled over by one of Texas' finest for doing 66 in a 55. She managed to sweet talk her way out of it and got by with a warning. Praise God for grace! We arrived in Houston around 12:15 PM. Today we have plans of hanging out with the family (Jenny's brother and his family). The girls are with their grandma and aunt at the pool right now. Me... I'm resting while checking messages. I'll keep you updated. Have a great week... I know I am.

Sheryl Crow

I took part of our students downtown tonight for a fundraiser. We worked with Central Parking selling tickets to park. It was an easy way to raise some serious cash. Sheryl Crow was in concert at the Sommet Center. We met a lot of interesting people. If you are looking for a cool gig... this is it. Ask me how!

Vacation is Coming!

Vacation is coming! I am so looking forward to spending time with my family and getting away. I'll keep you posted.

Fine Arts Camp

We are hosting a Fine Arts Camp at our church starting tomorrow through Wednesday. Greg Wilson (Greg Wilson Ministries) is the director of the camp. We look forward to working with him. He will be taking care of the day to day tasks of teaching and working with the students. He is a great brother. We are glad to have a small part in his ministry.

The Dark Knight

I just got back from seeing The Dark Knight. We had ten guys go and see the movie. It was great hanging out with the boys for a few hours. I would dare say they all enjoyed the movie. For me, I am still processing. Don't misunderstand me... I thought the movie was good, but I'm still processing the whole thing.

My thoughts, at this moment, take me to the tone of the movie. The movie was very dark. The Joker was true to his character. He was evil. He was not some comical character who told jokes and made funny faces. The Joker was a homicidal sociopath who got his kicks from killing people and reaping havoc in Gotham City. On a side note... this movie is definitely not for children. There were too many disturbing scenes for impressionable young minds. Why expose them to it when you don't have to? Anyway... I was never a big Batman comic book reader, but I hear they stayed true to the overall tone of the comics.

The movie made you think about the goodness of people. Are people good for reasons or are they really good? If the opportunity presented itself, would you betray who you are and what you know is right for something wrong or unethical? Would you save yourself over someone else? Answer that question and see how good you really are. I know One who didn't save Himself over you and me. He chose to give His life so you and I could live. There was no evil found in Him.

Once again... I'm just processing. I would love to read your comments. Please feel free to post. There are many more thoughts I have about the movie, but maybe you should see it for yourself and make your own call. Enter with caution. It will make you think.

Five Oaks

What a day! I got the privilege to play Five Oaks Golf Course in Lebanon today. Five Oaks is a beautiful golf course with incredible views.

One of our church folks is a member and invited Pastor and me to come out and play. Our fourth was a friend of his who is a retired full bird colonel in the United States Army. He served in Vietnam. I believe the correct term is... Medvac (typically refers to a team that is organized with the skills for the purpose of proper medical evacuation). If I'm wrong, please feel free to correct me on the comment. Anyway... he flew a helicopter into combat and picked up the wounded and got them out. According to our conversation... he has been shot down, as well as been shot. It was a joy to set and talk with him over lunch. Thank God for our veterans.

Our host was superb. He is a very giving man who loves his pastors. I was honored to drive him in the golf cart and spend the day flubbing shots and three-putting in front of him. He is a scratch golfer. Thanks my friend for your patience with us who are novices. It was a great day. I look forward to going again when the opportunity arises.

National Fine Arts Festival

National Fine Arts (FArts for short) is coming. August 3 is the launch date. Charlotte, North Carolina here we come.

We've been working on our Puppet Skit, as well as our Large Human Video Ensemble. We rewrote the beginning and the end of our human video. I call it tweaking, some might call it crazy. We went over and over the beginning today in practice. We have a lot of fine tuning to do. I am proud of our students and their dedication to make this year's piece happen with excellence. Rehearsal is where you take the opportunity to work out the kinks. If you wait until you get to the stage, it's too late. We have four rehearsals left (seven hours of practice). I know our students will give their best... they always do. So... if you are reading this (FArts Team), let's take advantage of every second we have in rehearsal.

Keep them in your prayers. We have our fingers crossed for a good showing.

Gary Wayne Binkley

My friend Wes preached his dad's funeral today. He did a masterful job. It was a beautiful funeral. I was privileged to be there. Remember the Binkley Family in your prayers.

Gary Wayne "Alvin" Binkley
November 18, 1957 - July 8, 2008
Rest In Peace