The Kingdom, The Kids, & The Cowboys

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Powerfully Present

October 22, 2025 / / 0 Comments

If we’re not careful, we can de-personalize our God. We can’t think about God in terms of an idea or a force or a doctrine. You can’t love an idea or a force, you can’t be in relationship with a doctrine. So, we effectively remove the command to love God and replace it with acknowledge God. Or respect God. Consider God. Defend God. Study God.

Those verbs require very little, if any, personal relationship.

But our God is a personal and relational God. We know this because he revealed himself to us in his very personal and relational Son. Jesus Christ gave up everything to live with us, to live among us, and to live like us.

The Gospels all record our Lord Jesus going out of his way to be relational and personal with the people he met along the way. Just in the Travel Narrative, that ten-chapter section in the middle of Luke that gives us the details of Jesus’ last journey from Galilee to Jerusalem, Jesus interacts with people very personally. Intimately. Our Lord is powerfully present.

Luke 10 – Jesus is at Mary and Martha’s house getting ready for a meal. Picture our Lord inside their house, sitting down at their table eating their food, with them. Teaching them. Blessing them.

Luke 11 – Jesus teaches personally teaches his followers how to pray. And then he teaches them about hospitality by telling them a story about a meal. At the end of the chapter, Jesus is inside a Pharisee’s house, reclining at his table, eating his food, with him. And he teaches with a parable about dirty dishes.

Luke 13 – Jesus is in the synagogue on the Sabbath. Jesus is not a monk. He is at church every time the doors are opened, with God’s people, as was his custom. There’s a woman at church who’s been crippled for 18 years. When Jesus saw her, the text says, he called her near. He spoke to her. The Bible says he touched her. And he healed her. In the parable at the end of the chapter, Jesus paints a picture of the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God by saying it’s like a huge meal: “People will come from east and west and north and south and will take their places at the feast in the Kingdom of God!”

Luke 14 – Jesus is at another Pharisee’s house eating supper. If you pay attention, you’ll notice that our Lord is always eating a meal, just finishing a meal, or on his way to a meal. Jesus teaches and heals and blesses around the table. Around the bread and the fish, the fruit and the wine, the conversation and the hospitality. There are more stories about food in this chapter. The great banquet and all the invited guests. The open invitation. All things are ready! Everybody is invited to eat with the King!

Luke 15 – Jesus is accused of eating meals with sinners, of getting too close and personal with people who are unclean. So he tells these stories about seeking and saving the lost. Friends and neighbors rejoicing together over lost coins and sheep that have been found. The celebratory feast with the fattened calf and the loud music and dancing when the prodigal son comes home. Jesus says, “You are always with me, and everything I have is yours.”

Luke 16 – Jesus tells a story about a poor man who longed to eat what fell from the rich man’s table.

Luke 17 – Another story about sitting down and eating.

Luke 18 – Jesus pulls little children up into his lap. Sticky-fingered, snotty-nosed little kids. “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them!” At the end of the chapter our Lord encounters a blind man at the Jericho city gates. Jesus brings the man near to him, the Gospel says. “What do you want me to do for you?” And he heals him.

Luke 19 – Jesus plucks a wee little man out of a Sycamore tree and says, “I must stay at your house today!”

The point is that Jesus went inside people’s houses. He went to people where they were. Around a table. In the kitchen. In the living room. Eating and sharing meals together.

Jesus never does anything halfway. When it comes to people, when it comes to the lost, our Savior goes all the way. He goes into people’s houses where it’s personal and close. He looks at their family pictures on the walls in the hallway. He reads the cartoons and the baby shower announcements held in place by flower magnets on the refrigerator. He sits down and shares meals. He passes the mashed potatoes. He compliments the cook. He laughs. He listens. And he shares.

Personal. Relational. Powerfully present.

Peace,
Allan

The Sins of My Youth

October 20, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Today is Tom Petty’s 75th birthday. I’ve been celebrating / remembering this American Rock and Roll icon all weekend by posting some of my thoughts and some of his songs. These are not my favorite Tom Petty songs of all time; these are songs that I believe capture the essence of what I love so much about his writing and singing. Tom and the Heartbreakers are not my all-time favorite band; I still claim Van Halen as my number one and Aerosmith a very close second. But I would never call Tom Petty a third. He holds a special place that defies those kinds of rankings.

Here’s the deal with Tom Petty and me. He has been my constant musical companion since my Junior High days until this very moment because he kept writing. He kept working. As Tom aged and matured, he kept writing and singing and recording the songs, and the songs kept growing and maturing along with me. His music kept speaking to me, reflecting me, giving voice to my heart and my thoughts in my current present right now context.

Some of my favorite music from some of my favorite bands is only really relevant to the ‘80s. And who I was in the ‘80s. It’s great. I still love it. But I’m not that guy anymore. That’s why Tom’s in a different place with me.

Tom Petty didn’t dwell in the past. Or try to keep re-creating the past. None of us can; none of us should.

The albums “Wildflowers” and “Into the Great Wide Open” would never contain songs like “Anything that’s Rock and Roll” or “Rockin’ Around with You.” His last several albums are packed with wistful and reflective songs, lyrics that speak to regret, mistakes made, broken promises, and a realistic or maybe even cynical view of the present. The lines from “Anything That’s Rock and Roll” are a whole lot different from the lines in “All You Can Carry.”

Now, don’t get me wrong. Every one of Tom’s albums contains a whole lot of what every one of his albums contains. You’re going to find some rebellion and some hard rock guitar riffs. And, yes, there’s plenty of cynicism, or realism, in those early records, too. The first lines of “American Girl” tell you right away that Tom Petty’s gonna call ‘em like he sees ‘em.

But his latest works over the past 30 years have grown up with me. Or I’ve grown up with them. It’s both. That might be the most meaningful, significant reason Tom’s music feels so different and special. At least, it does for me.

Please enjoy “Sins of My Youth” from Tom Petty’s last studio album, “Hypnotic Eye.”

Peace,
Allan

The Wild One, Forever

October 19, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Tom Petty would have been 75 tomorrow and I’m celebrating / remembering his greatness this whole weekend by posting some of my favorite songs. I’ve always really appreciated Tom Petty’s music. It’s always connected to me. Deeply. Profoundly. I’ve always loved it. But it’s not easy articulating how. Or why.

There’s a lot there.

It’s Tom’s unique and nasally voice, his slow southern accent, and his wry and dry sense of humor. It’s his laid-back style, his incredible versatility, and the way he made all of it look so easy, like he wasn’t even really trying. Part of it is the way Tom says “down” and “town.” I love that.

Mostly, though, it’s the lyrics. Tom’s not just a rock and roll legend, he is one of this country’s greatest ever songwriters. No one can paint a more vivid portrait or tell a more captivating story in just a three-minute song like Tom Petty–like he puts YOU in his song.

Take the opening lines of “The Wild One, Forever,” off Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ 1976 debut: “The moon sank and the wind blew and the streetlights slowly died.”

Man, you can SEE that. You know exactly what that street looks like, you can see the sky, what color it is, you can feel the wind. You can FEEL the whole scene.

You’re in it. You’re hooked. And you want to know what’s going to happen.

This is a deep cut. An unappreciated gem from their first album. I hope you enjoy it.

Peace,
Allan

Love is a Long Road

October 18, 2025 / / 0 Comments

This coming Monday marks the 75th anniversary of the birth of Tom Petty, one of my all time favorites. And we’re posting some of his music here every day this weekend to celebrate. For my tastes, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are the perfect combination of all the things we love about rock and roll: the melodic song structures of the Beatles that make everything a sing-along, the beautiful harmonies of the Byrds that add so much richness and depth, and the attitude of the Rolling Stones—the unmistakable confidence, I guess.

It’s fun, it’s catchy, it’s irresistible—but don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s not serious. These guys know what they’re doing. And all of their skills and passions come together perfectly in this number from “Full Moon Fever.” Enjoy.

Peace,
Allan

The Twins & Tom Petty’s Birthday

October 17, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Carrie-Anne, Whitney, and I are in Tulsa this weekend for our monthly trip to see the grandsons. And their parents. And it’s pretty great. At three-and-a-half-months-old, they make eye contact so much easier now. And when they do, it is awesome. So awesome. They’re really locking in and grinning at exactly the right times. And trying, really trying, to talk. Sammy has a sly little smile that melts your heart and Elliott smiles with his whole face, like he’s gut-laughing in silence. And it’s heaven to hold ’em.

We’re running errands together, decorating the yard for Halloween, and mainly just enjoying these precious gifts from our God.

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The great Tom Petty was born on October, 20 1950 in Gainesville, Florida, almost 75 years ago. To celebrate and to remember one of the greatest American singer/songwriters of all time, I’m posting below a live performance of King’s Highway from the Into the Great Wide Open album. To me, this song kinda captures everything I’ve always loved about Tom.

Tom Petty always communicated a realistic look at the problems all around us. His songs never hold back when it comes to pointing out faulty power structures, political corruption, senseless violence, and unfulfilled promises. And we love that about Tom. But what I love even more—and this may be what draws us to Tom Petty—is that he underscores most of everything he writes and sings with HOPE.

I wouldn’t carry this too far, but Tom’s work is like the Psalms in the Bible. In that sense, I mean: Here’s what’s going on in my life, here’s what’s happening in this world or in my country or in my relationships that feels wrong and broken and bad. And things look bad and they feel bad. But that’s not the end of the story. That’s not the last line.

There is something better for us right around the corner; “there’s something good, waitin’ down this road.” Even on “Hypnotic Eye,” in “American Dream Plan B,” the main character doesn’t have a chance, everything’s stacked against him, “But like a fool, I’m bettin’ on happiness.” The last lines Tom sings on his last album, he ends the song and, yes, his life catalogue, by expressing and renewing our hope: “Waiting for the sun to be straight overhead, til we ain’t got no shadow at all.”

That’s why I just love “King’s Highway.” The music, the tempo, the words—it’s about hope. It FEELS like hope. There IS something left for us to believe. This song, to me, reflects so much of the attitude that I think drove all of Tom Petty’s writing and singing and playing. It’s what kept him going so well. For so long.

From Tulsa. Have a really great weekend.

Peace,

Allan

Are You Being a Neighbor?

October 14, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Tony Romo played ten years as quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. Dak Prescott is in his tenth season. Romo’s record as a starter was 78-49. Today, Dak’s record is 78-49-1. Dak’s career passer rating is 98.3, while Romo’s is 97.1. They each have two Wild Card playoff victories and nothing more. The past ten years have been exactly like the ten years before that. Exactly. And it’s not either one of those quarterbacks’ fault.

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Jesus and the Jewish lawyer are debating God’s great command. The expert in the Scriptures tells Jesus the greatest command is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27). Jesus tells him he has answered correctly. The Greek word is orthos, as in orthodox. You have not only given the correct answer, Jesus is saying, you have given the only answer! Do this and you will live.

“And who is my neighbor?”

See, obeying this commandment is either going to be easy or hard depending on who my neighbor is. I’m either going to do this or not, depending on who we’re talking about. So, let’s define the terms. Who is my neighbor?

Luke tells us he’s wanting to justify himself. This biblical scholar wants to limit the scope of neighbor so he can say in front of this crowd following Jesus, “I’m doing it. I’m obeying that command.”

This religious leader is trying to create a distinction. The very question he asks suggests that some people are neighbors and some are not, so we’re required by God to love some people, but not all people. The question implies that God’s people are only called to love God’s people, and that we get to decide who God’s people are. The guy is saying some people are neighbors and some people are not neighbors based on geography or race or language or culture or skin color or citizenship status or socio-economic factors or something–some people are non-neighbors and God’s great command to love does not apply to them.

That’s what the expert in the Scriptures is saying. That’s what Jesus is responding to when he tells his story.

A man has been robbed. He has been attacked, stripped, beaten, and left for dead. A priest walks up and “saw” this victim, but he “passed” on the other side of the road and did nothing. A Levite happens up and also “saw” this man and also “passed” on the other side. He did nothing. Two religious leaders who’ve known and taught the command to love God and love neighbor for as long as they can remember–they “saw” and “passed.”

Then a Samaritan walks up and “saw” and “went” to the man. These verbs are important. Jesus says the Samaritan “saw” the man and he “went” to the man. He took care of the man’s wounds, he took the man to an inn, he paid for the man’s medical care, and promised to return and repay whatever was necessary.

Then, Jesus says, “Now, you define neighbor for me. Who’s the neighbor?”

Well, obviously, the one who showed mercy and acted in compassion and love.

And our Lord looks this expert right in the eye and gives him two more verbs: “Go and do likewise.”

Jesus is making his point crystal clear: Instead of worrying if someone’s my neighbor or not, Jesus says make sure you’re a neighbor!

Our job is never to evaluate the worthiness of others or to judge people as to whether they deserve compassion and love. Our job as children of God and followers of Christ is to demonstrate compassion and love It’s too make sure I’m being a neighbor and you’re being a neighbor to every person you see every day.

No more conversations or debates. No more questions and answers. No more religious loopholes, religious line-drawing, or religious double-talk. No more using God or the Word of God as a way to avoid or dismiss the very real hurting men and women we see all around us.

When we understand the story, we understand that something big is going on and I’m told I can get in on it. Actually, I’m told, “Go! Get in on it!”

Peace,
Allan

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