There sure has been a lot of death this month.
Farrah Fawcett : unfortunate.
Billy Mayes: unexpected.
Ed McMahon: unwanted.
And Michael Jackson: unavoidable.
But as the world mourns these people with much fanfare, Garvon Hisaw passed on without society’s notice.
Garvon was man greatly admired by my family and countless others.
On the outside, he worked over 30 years at A&P groceries in management.
But on the inside, he was a spiritual giant.
Here's a blast from my past, in honor of my Dad on Father's Day.
This year is an extraordinary situation: we are separated by an entire continent.
I'm on the west coast in Los Angeles.
He's on the east coast in Virginia.
Out competing on the Putt Putt circuit.
And this picture reminds me that, after all these years, we're still pool buddies.
Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there (and to mine too)!
Today I headed back out to Las Vegas once again for that annual trek to the National Association of Broadcasters show.
I had a unique view from a window seat on row 10 (right on the wing of Southwest flight 126).
This year I'm looking to pick up my second Apple certification in Final Cut Studio motion graphics and special effects. Over the weekend, I'll be taking an all-day class and then taking the exam on Tuesday (at a time yet to be determined).
For those of you keeping score at home (or for curious Mac heads), this will be my second time through the "cert process" (initially for DVD Studio Pro over a year ago).
We'll see how it goes...your prayers are appreciated.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. -- 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (KJV)
In the early morning hours of the 1st of April, my great uncle Tracy "Paw Paw" McCollister's soul went to be with the Lord in Heaven. From first hand accounts from those who were in the hospital room with him, he died so peacefully that he really seemed like he, "had just fallen asleep."
At the age of 91, he was the last of seven McCollister brothers to leave this world, and he did so after living a full life of service to his Savior, to his church, and to his family. And just as the Son of God triumphantly entered Jerusalem on that glorious Palm Sunday over 2000 years ago, Tracy McCollister had a front row view of the Almighty's throne room on the crystal sea as the sun arose on that same day in 2007.
My Dad spoke at the funeral of the Istrouma Icon (a nickname I have bestowed on him) who served at the church for over 50 years in whatever capacity was priority at the moment. He talked about Paw Paw's consistency and steadiness, how Uncle Tracy always seemed to "be there for him". My father's parents died when he was younger, so his uncle became a surrogate father-figure to him, and a surrogate grandfather to me.
Yes, we're gonna miss him. But for those of us who truly knew his heart, we know he would want us to carry on the great legacy he started of serving Jesus for over half a century.
For more on Tracy McCollister, I've included his full obituary
after the jump >>
Continue reading "In Loving Memory of Tracy McCollister (1915 - 2007)" »
Recently I met up with Irish Salsa's Brent Newberry for a "meeting of the bloggers". We attended the 7PM service of Discovery Church's Status service, where Rebecca Loveless spoke on "GOD - The Father" in the first installment of a sermon series called The Trilogy.
I've been friends with Brent ever since our freshman year at college, and it was really great to see him again.
Hopefully it won't take over three months to get together next time.
By the way, be sure to check out the newly redesigned Irish Salsa (the self-proclaimed "one-stop tonic for shortened attention spans and bouts of boredom).
When the Suitee Hearts showed up in Orlando on January 25th, they had their own personal valet (myself, above) waiting for them in the baggage claim. (Photo by Grace Thornton)
View more images from the Suitee Hearts cruise (Facebook members only)
