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My dear friend Dr. Scott Bauer

Written by admin on . Posted in death, friends, heaven, Scott Bauer. 11 Comments on My dear friend Dr. Scott Bauer

Today marks the five year anniversary since my dear friend Dr. Scott Bauer went to be with the Lord Jesus. He was the Sr. Pastor of Church on the Way, husband to his sweet wife Rebecca, and father to three wonderful children…Brian, Kyle and Lindsey. Scott impacted my life in so many ways and it’s still difficult for me to believe that he is no longer with us. I know that as a Christian Pastor I’m supposed to have all of this figured out. But here I am five years later and still missing this godly man. Yes, he makes heaven all more real to me but I don’t ever want to forget this mighty warrior for Jesus and the influence he had on this valley. It is very important that we remember Scott by doing the things he taught us and by living out the Christlikeness he exemplified.

I know that if Scott were here today he would be leading the charge to protect marriage as a union between a man and a woman. He would be involved in intense prayer and intercession for our city.

Scott the Great… I love you my brother. The time will soon come to pass when we shall see you face to face. We’ll look for Jesus and then we’ll look at the person closest to Him, and I’m sure that will be you.

Kerri and the gang…

Written by admin on . Posted in basketball, children, friends, Kerri, sports. 2 Comments on Kerri and the gang…



It is one of the great joys of my life to have coached my two older children and now I am coaching my youngest… Kerri Brett Rutherford. She is number…. ahhhhhhh I will let you guess….. lol

The name of our team is the BRUINS!!!! God worked that one out… and to my knowledge all of these girls are Christians and one of them was actually baptized in the ocean last week.

Kerri is a reflection of her moma… the same spirit and demeanor.. I’m not sure she really likes basketball… I think she plays because she knows I like to coach.. hahahaha but she is a great girl who seems to bless all who come in contact with her.

I am a blessed man to have a daughter like her and to have so many of her close friends who serve and worship the Lord each week. Through in an occasional basketball game from time to time… what else could you ask for???????

Thank you Jesus!!!!

Larry Kern – Song of God’s Love

Written by admin on . Posted in FLC, friends, Larry Kern, music, Video. 1 Comment on Larry Kern – Song of God’s Love

I have a VERY dear friend in the church by the name of Larry Kern. Larry leads the worship in the Family Life Center on Sunday mornings at 8:30 am. I grew up singing the Hymns of old, and these are the songs that Larry leads in the FLC. I recently came across this video of Larry singing at an event out in Thousand Oaks, and I wanted you to hear him sing. This is a powerful song. Although the quality is a little blurred, you will see HOW WONDERFUL LARRY CAN SING. If you enjoy this video, why not start joining Larry on Sunday mornings at 8:30 am in the FLC?

Thank you, Larry, for being a friend and a MAN OF GOD and for using your gifts for the Lord here at Shepherd.

Oaks Christian STATE CHAMPIONS

Written by admin on . Posted in Elders, football, friends, Oaks Christian, sports. 2 Comments on Oaks Christian STATE CHAMPIONS


Oaks Christian won the first State Championship in almost 80 years today with a 27-20 win over Cardinal Newman High School. I’m not sure but I think Oaks Christian has won like 46 games in a row which is the 4th longest streak in the history of California High School football.

They have 11 players who will be playing Division I college football next year.
Their quarterback, Jimmy Clausen, is the number one rated quarterback in the United States and will be attending the University of Notre Dame next year. (Jimmy, you should have gone to UCLA… They have now beaten USC one year in a row :))

One of Oaks Christians BEST players is a young man named Chris Potter who happens to be a member of our church and one of my sons best friends. Chris is a phenomenal athlete and next year he is penciled in to be the starting quarterback for Oaks Christian.

Now Chris Potter’s father, Dana Potter, an Elder in our church, was considered one of the best High School players of all time, here in the San Fernando Valley and he went on to play for the University of Nebraska. Dana has also been a part of my Life Group for many years and I consider him a true pillar in our church. Dana is also one of the principle owners of Pinnacle Estate Properties.

This past year during the Oaks Christian season, Dana has been going over twice a week to lead the team in an extended time of prayer. He has been used by God to help lead these young men to a closer walk with God. Thanks Dana for mentoring these young men. The rewards of learning how to pray will have eternal value for each of these football players.

Chris, congratulations on a fine season and we’ll be anxious to see you play next year, and don’t forget to remind your dad that Oklahoma beat Nebraska this year…again!

One Year Ago… Pastor Tim’s Dad

Written by admin on . Posted in friends, funeral, Staff, Timbo. 2 Comments on One Year Ago… Pastor Tim’s Dad


One year ago today, Pastor Tim’s Dad went on to Glory. The picture up above is a picture of Tim and I and his mother Judy the day of his daddy’s funeral which was organized by Chevrah Lomdei Mishnah. I remember flying back to a little town back in Illinois for his funeral and I watched as Tim spoke to a room full of people that had known his dad. In front of family, friends, Christians and non-Christians I watched as God gave Pastor Tim the strength and words to address that audience. Every one of you would have been proud of Tim as he fought back tears and stood as a messenger of hope and preached a message of salvation to those who had come to pay their respects to his father. It is a moment I will never forget.

Yes.. the picture of the old house that I posted on my blog a few days ago was the house that Pastor Tim grew up in. Tim gave me a tour of the home and the area that he had grown up in. It was waaaaaaaaaaaaaay out in the country.

But we were there for Bill Winters funeral. Tim’s dad was a great man. A gentle man with a gentle spirit, a farmer, a teacher, a father, a friend. I rarely ever look at Pastor Tim, that I can’t help but think of his father Bill. The apple didn’t fall far from the tree. For Pastor Tim is also a very caring, loving, gentle man. A father, teacher and friend.

Will you do me a favor today? Will you pray for Pastor Tim today? And just ask God to strengthen and comfort him. It’s never an easy thing to come to a day like today and not struggle to some degree. Timbo… I love you and I thank God that you are the friend of all friends. May you continue to bless us the way your father blessed others.

Homecoming King, Queen…and the Jester

Written by admin on . Posted in friends, funny, Hillcrest, parenting. 2 Comments on Homecoming King, Queen…and the Jester

Homecoming King, Queen…and the Jester – Yes, I like to laugh and cut up from time to time… Last Saturday night was the Homecoming for Hillcrest Christian School. I had my picture taken with the King (Mitchell Ramos) and Queen (Alescia Penn). Do they look like movie stars or what????? I hate to reveal my age but I remember when both of them were babies and have watched them as they have become young adults. King Mitchell is wanting to be a minister and Queen Alescia has been active in our church her entire life.

Now as God would have it, two of my best friends in the whole world are their fathers… Marty Ramos (The King’s father) and Dale Penn ( the Queen’s father). Marty is my motorcycle buddy and he and I have ridden dirtbikes on almost every trail in Southern California. I do NOT know of a MAN in our church that has invited as many people to church as Marty has. Dale Penn has been in my LIFE group for 10 plus years and is currently serving as an Elder in our church. He has been a trusted advisor and spiritual counselor. I love both of these men for many reasons, but as I stood beside their children this past Saturday night at Homecoming I fully realized the extent of their Godliness. You see these children are mirrors of their parents. Marty and Christine Ramos and Dale and Karen Penn have faithfully raised their children in the ways of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). Good children do NOT just fall off the tree. It takes a lifetime of modeling Christ to raise a King and a Queen. My deepest respect goes out to moms and dads who instill Christian qualities in the lives of their children.

I want to thank Hillcrest Christian School (www.HillcrestChristianSchool.org) for coming alongside moms and dads, helping us as we educate and raise our children in the ways of the Lord. I also want to thank Marty and Dale for being men of God who, along with their wives, have left a royal legacy. Lastly, I want to encourage King Mitchell and Queen Alescia to follow in the ways of their parents for the rest of their lives…. And Lord willing I, the Jester, will get to smile and laugh as I see Marty and Dale become grandparents–and possibly great-grandparents–in the next 20 years… Man you guys are getting old…. hehehahahahahehahhaha