“The real struggle is not with knowing the world beyond us,

but knowing the world within us”

Erwin McManus in Soul Cravings

Due to my line of work, I find myself visiting our local schools and hospitals frequently.  Whenever there is a security crisis in the news these establishments implement some new security procedure.  The sad thing is this, they think their new procedure is really doing something to increase security.  That somehow, because we are all wearing badges, signing some book, leaving our car keys, etc. that we are somehow more secure. 

I just left the Middle School and after signing in and getting my bright orange visitor sticker, I was instructed to leave my car keys.  I suppose this is meant to stop someone who might desire to do something sinister.  I did not rebel, I left my keys, but also informed the security person (that’s the school secretary) that my truck doesn’t use a key!  I just push a button. 

Don’t you think that evil people can see through that bright security procedure and have another key?  My only point in this diatribe is to vent my frustration at all these silly security procedures that do absolutely nothing to protect our kids and only frustrate law abiding volunteers.   It is nothing more than a security mirage.  It makes us all think we are doing something, when in reality it is doing nothing at all.

The only truly effective means of protecting our children is to keep evil people out of the building; that means stopping them before they get into the facility.  Why not have a single entry point with armed guards that check people out before they enter?  Schools could have multiple exits, but only one secured entrance.  Colleges and schools should have fences around them and operate as a closed campus.  It works at military bases. 

Wow!  Did I just hear myself?  Is that what our schools need to become….military fortresses?  What is wrong with our world?  What is really the answer?

I had a wonderful trip to Los Angeles last weekend, thanks to my dear brother Mark.  He flew me out to the city of Angeles in first class (that’s pretty impressive to a guy who drives a broken down pick-up truck!)  My nephew Dan is an art student at UCLA.  He gave us all (Mark, Matt, my other nephew and me) a first class tour of UCLA, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Santa Monica, etc.  One of the stops on the tour was the Getty.  The J Paul Getty Museum.  I’ve included some pictures below.  Wow!  I need at least one who day to take in this place.  The structure itself is a work of art!  I was able to view some of my favorite artists works, such as Van Gogh, Monet, etc.

 What an awesome view of downtown LA

Dan took us all to the premier sushi restaurant in all of California.  A place called Katsuyas http://www.sbeent.com/katsuya/  This was quite an experience.

You really need to look at the above link to get an impression of this place.  After we finished eating, we were standing out front waiting for our car (valet parking only) we found ourselves standing next to Robert Downing Jr. and Gwenth Patlrow.   That really means nothing to me, but my nephews thought that was pretty cool.  I thought the brand new Lambragini I saw was pretty impressive.

We also ate at Mel’s Diner in Beverly Hills

Some people are amazing to me in that they are super decision makers.  Every decsion they make turns into something wonderful.  Then there are people like me, who just get lucky!  Little did I know then how lucky I was when my sweetheart Vera said she would agree to hook up with the likes of me.  If it wasn’t for her long-suffering, wisdom, perseverance and most of all her faith in Jesus, the Lord only knows where we would be.  Every April 17th…I can’t begin to thank God enough for giving me another precious year with the best wife I could ever imagine!  I love you Vera Mae!

April 15, 2007 marks the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s debut in major league baseball.  In light of Don Imus’ most idiotic and ignorant remarks of last week, I thought it would be appropriate to honor a man of both great talent and courage on my humble blog this week.

There are many levels to this inspirational story.  I’d like to share just one aspect today.  Jackie faced opposition from many different directions.  It is hard to have the fans, the press, club owners, and opposing team players coming against you, but how do you hang in there when your own team members are against you?  There were some of Jackie’s own team members who said publicly they would not play if Jackie did. 

Fortunately, the Dodger’s management did not cave into public pressure or the immature tactics of several team members.  The management brought the team mutiny to a halt when they informed those divisive ball players they would either become team players or find somewhere else to play ball!  To their credit, they did change and became one of the best teams in baseball!

We need this kind of courageous leadership in all areas of life; in business, government, churches, families, etc.  Leaders who don’t allow the babies of this world to lead where the organization is going.  Leaders who lead on principle and not popular opinion.  Leaders who are courageous enough to confront agitators and, when the time comes, show them the door.  We need team players that see their wrongs and humble themselves for the sake of something bigger than themselves.  Team players who don’t insist on having everything their way or they take their toys and go home.  Team players who can follow the leader.

So, this April 15th, instead of being discouraged about paying taxes, take your hat off and salute men of integrity, men of principal, men of courage like Jackie Robinson and many of those in the Brooklyn Dodgers management of 1947.