I Remember Joe Turner

He was known as the grandfather of rock and roll. He was also known as the "Boss of the Blues." It was through his involvement in the Christian Church he attended that he developed his love for music. He was a tall heavy man who liked to wear a suit and tie. I remember him. There was a quality about him that had a certain magnetism. Obviously it was his talent for music. However, it went beyond that. He was a gentleman. He was respectful. He was kind. Yes, he had a powerful voice. But many do not realize that he also used that voice to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I remember some of his hits like: "The Chicken and the Hawk," "Flip Flop and Fly," and his biggest hit: "Shake Rattle and Roll." Yes, I remember Joe Turner. But the greatest thing he ever did was to tell people about Jesus. His music is remembered but his music is not eternal. He was a minister. He was a preacher. The Word that he preached? Now.....THAT is eternal. I could say a whole lot more about him. There are many stories to tell about his childhood beginnings in Kansas City, but, to me, it would all be anticlimactic. The most important part has already been mentioned.......He loved Jesus. And there is nothing more important than that. Nothing.

I Remember Johnny Ace

Around 15 years ago, I officiated a wedding. It was not necessarily a traditional wedding. The bride walked down the aisle to a song considered to be the biggest hit Johnny Ace ever recorded: "Pledging My Love." Johnny Ace died on Christmas of 1954. During that time, I was an 8th. grader at National City Junior High School. In one of my classes, I had a classmate named Robert Gonzalez. He sat behind me in the first row of Mrs. Lawson's "American Culture" class. It was actually US History. I knew a little about Johnny Ace. If I recall correctly, it was sometime in January of 55, that Robert told me: "Hey Bobby, Johnny Ace shot himself." Years passed, and I forgot about Johnny Ace. I had been told he killed himself playing Russian roulette at the City Auditorium in Houston, Texas. I left it at that. Just recently, upon reading an excerpt from a book entitled: "The Late Great Johnny Ace," I realized that it was not like that. Here is an actual quote from the book: "The Late Great Johnny Ace:

"It was widely reported that Johnny Ace killed himself playing Russian roulette. Big Mama Thornton's bass player Curtis Tillman, however, who witnessed the event,said 'I will tell you exactly what happened! Johnny Ace had been drinking and was waving this little gun around the table and someone said 'be careful with that thing'....and he said...'its' okay...guns' not loaded....see?' and pointed it at himself with a smile on his face and 'Bang!'...sad, sad thing. Big Mama ran outta that dressing room yelling...Johnny Ace just killed himself!"

On January 9, 1955, the funeral of Johnny Ace was held at the Clayborn Temple AME Church in Memphis, Tennessee. An estimated 5000 people attended. May he rest in peace. I remember Johnny Ace.

Religion VS. Sports

Today, David Brooks, from The New York Times wrote an article that appeared in the Editorial section of the U-T San Diego. He claims: "We've been accustomed to the faith-driven athlete and coach, from Billy Sunday to Tim Tebow. But we shouldn't forget how problematic this is. The moral ethos of sport is in tension with the moral ethos of faith, whether Jewish, Christian or Muslim. The moral universe of modern sport is oriented around victory and supremacy." There is much more he said that defends the position that faith does not belong in sports. I understand what he is trying to say. I just do not agree with him. To start with: I do not particularly like the term "religion." It tends to confuse things. I prefer to use the word "faith." Faith is a means, whereby religion is too often an end. Faith, as I see it, belongs in every aspect of our lives. I will get more specific: faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is God. Christian men and women, whether they are athletes or not, will continue to fight "the good fight." Let us also please remember that most Christian athletes are young. They do not have the maturity and experience of older, seasoned believers. It is clear that young Christian athletes struggle with the conflict of playing well for themselves and their teams, and playing 100% for God. Every believer struggles with something similar, whether he/she is an athlete or not. Brooks claims that the two universes "are not reconcilable." I disagree. Brooks does not understand working Christianity. A Christian is not a Monk. "Christian Monk" is an oxymoron. If a Christian is a recluse by choice, it should probably be for a short time and for a purpose. Christians need to go out and "mix it up" in this world. Unfortunately, too much is expected of them. Too often when they do not succeed in an athletic endeavor, they are severely lambasted. How soon the critics forget the great things that were done by that young man or woman of faith. Let us remember, that those times (victory or defeat) are also great opportunities to give God the glory. I think I know what the main problem is. Many people, among them, certain journalists, do not want to hear: "First I'd like to give the honor and glory to my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ," in an after-game interview. The mockers will say things like: "Hey, this ain't Church!" Or "STFU, Tebow!" The interviewee is just saying words, isn't he? It is still a free country isn't it? Incidently, does anyone remember what happened in Denver on January 8, 2012?

Tribe sues beer company

Whiteclay is a town in Nebraska that has 12 residents. In 2010, it sold nearly 5 million cans of beer. Whiteclay has four beer stores. Who did they sell the beer to? They sold the beer to Native Americans from the Oglala Sioux tribe of South Dakota, which is situated on South Dakota's Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. It is on the border of Whiteclay. The reservation does not allow any kind of liquor on its' premises. The tribe is demanding $500 million in damages for alcohol related health problems the tribe has suffered. The main targets of the lawsuit which has been filed in the US District Court of Nebraska are the four beer stores. One in 4 babies born on the reservation suffers from alcohol fetal syndrome. What can be done to resolve this problem?

Goodbye, John Gibbs, And Thanks

John Gibbs was very special to me. I realize that we were not the closest of friends, but nevertheless, we were friends. I went to his funeral yesterday. I will not soon forget him. We played Little League together. We played high school football and baseball together. We were in the Army Reserves together. John was a talented man. He was a good baseball coach. He was a teacher at Mar Vista High School for many years. He is responsible for getting me into coaching high school baseball. He assisted me. He encouraged me. He and his dear wife, Carolyn invited me to their home for dinner one night, during a time in my life when I was really hurting. I was going through a difficult time. I was a drunk. I was desperately trying to improve my life. It is amazing what a little act of kindness can do. John offered it. What a sense of humor that man had! Once, he made me laugh so much I thought I was going to choke from it. I thought I was going to expire. He loved to discuss sports, school, students, politics and practically anything else. Sometimes I made him laugh too. I really enjoyed that. There is more to tell. I'll save it for another day. John left his mark. I am going to miss him. At times, I will think of him. He will put a smile on my face, again. Thanks, John.

Do You Want To Be Busy?

Maybe not everyone agrees with that old saying that goes: "Busy hands are happy hands." I realize that making a living and just trying to survive takes up most of our time. Perhaps there are many adults out there who are being supported by their parents or the government. Some people just do not like to work. Some people are just lazy. Laziness is a serious problem. Laziness is a disease. Laziness is a sin. Please do not permit yourself to suffer such an affliction. Laziness is selfishness. Laziness is non-productive. If you have an income and you are self-indulgent and bored; then start helping someone. Volunteer at a hospital. Volunteer at a school or Church. Visit the shut-ins and/or the elderly. I am not suggesting that you take someone's job away. I am suggesting that you help somebody. I am suggesting that you do good. I am suggesting that you tutor children or help a child improve his/her ability to play a sport. I guarantee you, that if you are in the business of helping others: you will be busy. People need help everywhere. Volunteerism helped to make this nation the great nation that it is. Volunteering has great rewards. Go for it.