My wife and kids. I love 'em big!My kids in my church youth group and my art class . . . they're the best!My Men's small group. Great bunch of godly men! Fishing. . . don't get to do enough of it.Golf . . . I'm really bad at it, but I love it!Art . . . I don't do it enough, but it's probably my first talent.Teaching police officers.Traveling . . . US, Europe, Florida Keys. Cooking, especially Cajun and grilling dead stuff. (It's so hard to keep live stuff on the grill until they stop wigglin'.)As you can see in my pics section, we get to travel quite a bit, and a lot of it let's us get near, on, or in the water. We are basically beach freaks, but we love the mountains, too. This summer my daughter Mary and I had a dad and daughter get away to the Smokies while mamacita was in Europe. I loved having that time with her. We got a cabin and just goofed off for a few days.I have a strong interest in men's ministry, particularly in small groups for Bible study, accountability, support and fellowship. Todd Beamer's strength, preparation and spiritual awareness came in part from his involvement and dedication to a small group of godly men.
The Apostle Peter. I can relate to him. He loves the Lord but screws up now and then. He's passionate about Jesus but sometimes climbs on the ultimate spiritual roller coaster ride. And I really want to ask him what it was like climbing out of that boat!The apostle Paul . . . What was the road to Damascus encounter with Jesus like?Jesus . . . and I will!Isaac . . . how did he find the faith to lay still when his dad raised that knife?Norman Rockwell . . . how did you paint light and make it really shine?
Christian, Southern gospel, CLASSIC REAL country, classic rock, some light classical music. I play guitar a little, and I have actually played in a couple of bands over the years, but that was BC. Don't play much any more, but Mary is interested in learning fiddle and guitar, so that will probably get me back to playing some. I used to sing quite a bit, but I've lost a lot of vocal range as I've aged and since I've slowed down on the guitar playing. I'll probably answer big time for neglected talents!
Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Field of Dreams, The Notebook, National Lampoon Vacation, European Vacation Passion of the Christ, Walk the Line, The Green Berets (the movie was partially filmed at Fort Benning, Georgia while I was there in 1968. Little known fact: in many of the scenes depicting Viet Cong attacks, the VC were played by soldiers from the fort and Auburn students!)
Rockford Files, Andy Griffith, Everybody Loves Raymond, King of Queens, Crossing Jordan, Gaither Reunions, Reba, Still Standing, Braves and Cubs baseball
The Bible, Twelve Ordinary Men, Wild at Heart, The Left Behind Series, The Discipline of Grace, The Daryl Cox Story
My daughter Mary . . . she's worked hard and sought God, and she's growing strong and beautiful in the faith.My daughter Stephanie . . . she has grown into a beautiful woman of faith, and she has given me three terrific grandchildren.My wife, Tina, because she'll kill me in my sleep if I leave her out! Seriously, she holds our home together in so many ways. She puts up with me . . . that's pretty heroic!My Lord Jesus, He did for me what I could never do for myself. He saved my life . . . now and eternally.My father . . . the finest man I ever knew.My son Michael . . . who showed me the meaning of determination as he came out of his coma and regained a very meaningful life.My Vietnam veteran brothers . . . many who didn't return home with me, and many who have suffered since.Brother Jimmy Cantrell . . . my childhood pastor, the sweetest Christian soul I ever met.Mark Duncan . . . a good friend who showed me the real meaning of a man loving and standing by his wife,Scott Buzbee . . . who showed me the meaning of forgiving someone who has wronged you and hurt you deeply.Daryl Cox . . . who showed me how to win with a lousy hand, and how to live every day like it's my last.Todd Beamer (Flight 93). . . who showed all of us that we need to be spiritually prepared for warfare. We may never know where the battles lie until we're in them. LET'S ROLL !Ronald Reagan . . . I think that he was the greatest president of our time. You never had to wonder where he stood. He didn't waste words. He was genuine, and genuinely nice. I had the privilege of meeting him while he was president when he was campaigning for his second term. I was working on the local police dignitary protection team. (See my blog about this!)