"Why, Soitenly!"

After 30 years of preaching (the final nearly-15 years with a wonderful church family in Long Beach), my wife and I moved from Long Beach to Temecula, CA … a growing city out in the desert of southern California … to work full-time with our son in a family-owned mortuary.

During the last 20 years or so, I’ve been given around 400 Three Stooges items and memorabilia … some of it worth a bit of money these days. I had them all displayed in my church office / study. These days, much of it is in the house thanks to a wonderful Wife.

I have a blessed family life having married my high school sweetheart over 35 years ago; and two adult children who, to this date, have never given us a moment of trouble. As of July 28, 2007, I am the grandfather of Jackson and on December 8, 2008, Jackson’s brother, Logan and sister, Lillian were born. After a month in Neo-natal ICU, they came home to join Jackson in charming us beyond imagination and further stealing this grandfather’s heart.

We have an incorrigible dog, Chipper. I prefer to refer to her as my Psycho Pup.

In my spare time I read, play guitar, banjo, drums, keyboard, mandolin (just learning), and clean things. Things I enjoy include coming home to Janice, walks with her and, for the most part, Chipper (psycho as she is), camping and hanging out with friends.

FAVORITE BOOKS: Bible. Westerns. Mysteries. Anything John Ortberg writes. Chuck Swindoll. Terry Rush. Historical. All of Philip Yancey’s books.

FAVORITE MOVIES: Robin Hood: Men in Tights. Clint Eastwood westerns. The Green Mile. Harrison Ford movies. The Princess Bride. Jim Carrey comedies. Shining Through. Mel Brooks comedies. Marley and Me. On a more serious note, We Were Soldiers (Hint: Watch this DVD movie with the director’s comments turned on) and Saving Private Ryan.

FAVORITE MUSIC: Chicago. Early Beatles. Stevie Ray Vaughn. Alison Kraus. John Denver. Contemporary Christian. Booker T and the MGs. Rich Mullins. Chris Tomlin. Chuck Mangione. Darlene Zschech. Emmylou Harris. Faith Hill. Jim Croce. Nickel Creek. Robin Mark. Santana. Twila Paris. Earl Scruggs Review. Kelly Pickler.

FAVORITE GUITAR / AMP: The next one I’d want to buy but can’t afford! Owning more guitars than any one person needs, and almost as many amps, it’s a tough call, but for most “gigs” I go back to my Gibson Les Paul and Crate Palomino V-32 Class-A all tube amp. As for acoustical guitars, I’ve never heard one I like any better than my 1975 vintage, handmade Alvarez Yairi D-78. Having owned or played numerous acoustical amps, the Roland AC-60 is still the best, though I recently gave mine to our nephew, Steven Walker, to use in glorifying God. Beat having the amp (and subwoofer) sitting unused in my closet for another 3 years.

IF I COULD BUY ANOTHER GUITAR: Taylor T5 Custom

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO ME IF I BOUGHT ONE: Death or Divorce! (Assuming, of course, the purchase was discovered!) After all, who has $2,800 sitting around just to buy another guitar? Anyone? Please?? And now they have a 12-string model as well! Anyone with about $6 grand to give away???

LEARNIN’: Psychology degree from David Lipscomb University (only it was just a college then). Master’s Degree in Education / Counseling. University of North Alabama. Graduate work at Harding Grad. School of Religion. Professionally certified (at one time) in clinical hypnosis. Training in Conflict Resolution / Mediation, Pepperdine University School of Law. (That just sounds impressive, doesn’t it?) Life in general raising two children and trying to train various dogs. Successful with children. Not so successful with dogs. Still trying to figure that out…. Licensed funeral director (FD# 2779), state of California. And as of June, 2007, full time funeral director for our own family mortuary!!!

As of late 2008, we began worshiping with Chorus Church, just about three blocks from our house. In August of 2010, I was asked to serve that church family as one of 7 elders. Though not a position I sought to have, I am honored that the elders and ministers there felt God’s hand upon them to offer me that invitation. Flawed as I am, I will try with all that is within me, and relying more than ever on the Holy Spirit, to bring glory to God as a shepherd of that spiritual family.