The Kingdom, The Kids, & The Cowboys

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The Video

August 24, 2026 / / 0 Comments

What a great start yesterday to our “Marriage Matters” series at GCR! We had great attendance, an uplifting song service, an inspiring time together around our Lord’s table, a beautiful moment of prayer for our marriages by one of our shepherds, and a brilliantly crafted and executed sermon.

But all anybody wants to talk about is the video!

Yes, the video. From Eddie’s speeding ticket to the Kincaides’ cabin and Bill’s toilet seat, the video featuring our own married couples was quite the hit. Our thanks to Bill & Deannie, Rob & Linda, Eddie & Carol, Herman & Patti, Chuck & Bonnie, and Alan & Dianne for their (mostly) willing participation. And our plea for their forgiveness for the five other videos that are in the works.

In case you missed it yesterday or in case you want to be mesmerized all over again by Chuck’s facial expressions, here it is:

The series continues this coming Sunday with “The Essence of Marriage.” And, yes, another video.

Peace,
Allan

We Are Viral

August 21, 2026 / / 0 Comments

 

Whitney and I were about twelve rows up from the on deck circle at Globe Life Field as we watched Jacob deGrom become the second fastest pitcher in Major League Baseball history to 2,000 career strikeouts. And, if you are a Rangers fan or even a casual sports fan, you’ve probably watched us watching that historic moment.

The Rangers Sports Network cameras caught us standing and applauding deGrom and, evidently, those three seconds were attached to the highlights shown by every sportscast in the country for the past 24 hours. I began receiving texts and screenshots from friends from Amarillo and Arkansas before the first inning had even concluded–friends who saw us live when it happened–and they have continued all day today. Click on that link below for the video:

deGrom2KStrikeout

I have a two-fold theory as to why Whitney and I were highlighted by the Rangers Sports Network. One, we had excellent seats, way down front, very close to the action and the cameras. The seats were affordable because it was the Nationals and it was a Thursday. Two, I think we were the only ones in our section who were paying attention. Not everyone around us realized deGrom was just two strikeouts short of the milestone, and he accomplished it by striking out the first two batters of the game. Most folks weren’t even in their seats yet when it happened. So, I think we might have been the first ones in that area of the stadium to stand and clap.


 

 

 

 

Our mugs have shown up on all the official recaps, tweets, posts, and videos by the Rangers, MLB, ESPN, Fox Sports,  NBC, and something called Sports Today. I’m getting texts about it from family and friends and friends of family. It’s been a weird little thing that’s happened, completely out of our control.

This is more authorized picture of us enjoying the closing moments of what was a riveting game. deGrom went six innings, struck out ten, and allowed only one base hit in the 2-0 win. Seager went deep in the third and Nicky Lopez added the cushion with a sac fly in the eighth, refusing to leave Zeke Duran stranded at third base for what would have been the fourth time. We also watched the out of town scoreboard with great delight as the Angels humiliated the Astros down in Houston 18-2. I hope L.A. got it out of their system; I hope they’re completely worn out from running around the bases all night and won’t have anything left for tonight’s weekend series opener in Arlington. Whitney and I making tonight’s game, too. But our seats will be a little farther up.

Just remember as you’re viewing these screenshots from last night, the camera adds about ten pounds. It looks like I had about three cameras on me.

Peace,
Allan

Prayerful. Watchful. Thankful.

August 19, 2026 / / 0 Comments

Rock and Roll has lost another legend and Texas music has lost another one of its sons. Frank Beard, the steady heartbeat of ZZ Top, passed away yesterday at his ranch in Richmond at 77 years of age. A founding member of that “little ol’ band from Texas,” Frank played drums for ZZ Top for 57 years–that ZZ Top boogie don’t woogie without Frank’s shuffling beat underneath. Five years after bassist Dusty Hill’s death, guitarist and lead singer Billy Gibbons is the last man of the famed Texas trio still standing. But he’s vowing that the show will go on. After taking three days off, Gibbons says ZZ Top will perform its scheduled concerts this Friday in Eagle Pass and Saturday and Sunday in Austin, before heading to Michigan and finishing their current tour through the end of November.

Is it still ZZ Top? Or is it just a Billy Gibbons show now? I’m sure Gibbons is wanting to honor Dusty and Frank and what they all started in 1969 by continuing to play as ZZ Top. And maybe it’s a way of stating that ZZ Top is bigger than the three of them. But I’m not sure that it is. It’s not the “same three guys, same three chords” anymore.

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“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” ~Colossians 4:2

In the middle of the sickness and disease and death, our God is healing and restoring and creating new life. Pray for it. Watch for it. And be thankful.

In the middle of all the division and discord, our God is reconciling and bringing more people together in Christ. Pray for it. Watch for it. And give him praise.

In the middle of all the violence and war and threats of war, our God is lavishing his love and mercy on all people. Pray for it. Watch for it. And exalt his name.

In the middle of all the uncertainty, in the middle of fake news and broken promises and broken trust, in the middle of the hypocrisy and lies, our God guarantees–by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus–redemption and the forgiveness of sin and eternal life for you and for all of us together. Pray for it. Watch for it. And be thankful.

Peace,
Allan

Under the Influence

August 18, 2026 / / 0 Comments

I’m posting an inspiring quote today from Mother Teresa. But first:

I just made good on my annual Silver Boot Series wager with Myles, a bet that I lose every single year, For the sixth straight season and the ninth time in ten years, his Astros took the Lone Star series over my Rangers by winning nine of the 13 games, including that demoralizing sweep a couple of weeks ago. The Whataburger burgers and shakes were on me. Again.

Texas begins a three game set against Washington tonight, three games under .500 and two back of Houston in the putrid AL West. If the winner of this division winds up with a .500 record and it’s NOT the Rangers, they should certainly blow up the whole team. At that point, we would need no further evidence that this version of our baseball team is not working.

And this:

Valerie sent us this picture over the weekend of Elliott and Sammy making their own breakfast. Or something. Somehow one of them pulled the bread off the counter and had it pretty much all over the kitchen floor before they were caught. Sam looks like he’s frozen, not knowing yet whether what they’ve done is good or bad, but certainly feeling the tension. Elliott looks like he’s extremely proud of himself and the whole scene.

Here’s the quote:

“Put yourself completely under the influence of Jesus, so that he may think his thoughts in your mind, do his work through your hands, for you will be all-powerful with him to strengthen you.” ~ from A Gift for God, by Mother Teresa

Peace,
Allan

Always Working

August 17, 2026 / / 0 Comments

I began yesterday’s sermon by talking about the beautiful sunrises and sunsets in Midland. With the land as flat as it is out here in West Texas, and not very many tall buildings, and no trees, the sky is just so big and the sunrises and sunsets are spectacular. Every day. The sunrise is inspiring. The morning clouds. The colors. The sunset is breathtaking. So huge. The power and the beauty. Every day.

I’m not sure I had seen sunrises and sunsets until we moved to Amarillo 15 years ago. It’s not because they don’t have them in Dallas–they do. Every day. But I don’t think I ever really saw one. There are too many tall buildings and trees in the way. The landscape, the hills, the houses and high-rises–all the clutter kept me from seeing what was always there every single day.

But in Amarillo and, now, even more so, in Midland, with most of the clutter removed, I can clearly see what’s always been there. And I can pay better attention to it. And marvel at it. And be thankful.

The point I eventually made is that our God is always at work. Always. Every day. He never stops forgiving and comforting and redeeming and restoring and encouraging and saving. He never stops. Always. Every day. We believe that when God’s Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the grave, he was given power and authority over all things. And this divine power and authority has already defeated sin and death and Satan and all the destructive forces of evil in the universe. So, that means there is nothing–nothing!–nothing wrong, nothing dark, nothing broken, nothing bad, nothing evil in your life that hasn’t already been defeated by our Lord. The almighty Creator and Savior of the world is at work in your life right now. He is. You know he is doing something holy and good and redemptive in your life.

But maybe you don’t see it.

Just because you don’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there. Maybe there are too many buildings and trees in the way. Maybe the ups and downs of the terrain are blocking your view. Can you identify the clutter in your life that’s keeping you from realizing the power and the beauty of God’s work in your life?

As soon as the sermon was over, before the benediction, Triston emailed me the gorgeous picture at the top of this post of a sunset from his front porch. And then Herman and Patti sent this one from their driveway. Wow. I wish I’d had those when I put the PowerPoint together on Friday. Thank you for these amazing pictures.

Every morning, the beautiful West Texas sunrise reminds me that the earth is still turning and the God who created it is still in charge. In the evening, the gorgeous West Texas sunset reminds me that God is still working, always working. He is working for what’s best for you and for me right now and for all eternity. He is working in my life and in the lives of all the people I love. He is at work in and through all the people in our church, all the people and circumstances in our city, and all the people and situations around the world. Our God is constantly redeeming and restoring and healing and saving.

Just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there.

Peace,
Allan

Every Opportunity

August 13, 2026 / / 0 Comments

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” ~Colossians 4:5

The older translations say “redeeming the time,” because, in the original Greek language, this is a commercial term. The verb means to buy it all out, like you know a good deal when you see one and you grab it. Like when you see Coconut Dr Pepper on the grocery store shelf, you buy all of them! You fill up your cart!

Like Black Friday, too, maybe. By the way, let’s be honest, Black Friday is decidedly not about Christmas shopping. The biggest Black Friday sales are on couches, mattresses, SUVs, and 300-inch TVs. You’re not buying that to give to Uncle Bill and Aunt Kay. But the idea is that I’ve got to buy this today. It’s about urgency. I’ve got to do this right now, or that price will be higher or those items will be gone. This is a pressing matter. Watch for the opportunity and then go for it.

I believe our God is moving in Midland, Texas. He is at work in your town, too. God is at work in the lives of your friends. He is doing something with your co-workers. God is drawing your next-door-neighbors closer to himself. God is pursuing everybody. He wants to be in holy community with everybody. Our God loves all people and he wants all people to be saved. And he is putting those people right in front of you. Pray for it. Watch for it. Make the most of it.

Anticipate these divine appointments with the people God is pursuing. Don’t be surprised by it. And don’t be scared. There’s nothing to be afraid of. God’s got this. He’s way ahead of you. When he puts somebody right in front of you, the absolute truth is that he’s been convincing them and drawing them and preparing them for your conversation for a while now. You don’t have to start anything. Just be alert to it and jump in.

Jesus just asked somebody for a drink of water at a well. Peter just knocked on the door at Cornelius’ house. Philip saw some guy reading his Bible and asked him if he wanted to talk. Paul asked his jailer about his grandkids. Watch for the opportunity and then make the most of it.

When God is in the middle of things, the holy potential is everywhere. So watch for it. And the make the most of every opportunity.

Peace,
Allan

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