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Preach It! Eagles! Preach It!

Written by admin on . Posted in basketball, discipleship, Hillcrest. No Comments on Preach It! Eagles! Preach It!



Spent the month of January coaching the Hillcrest Middle School Boys basketball team. Most of them had never played basketball before and we had a rough start. Our first game we lost by 50 points! Yes, I said 50! Our second game we felt really good because we only lost by 30. Funny how your perspective changes when your expectations are tempered by reality. Our third game we only lost by 4! hahahahaha We’re 0-3 and are excited.

After losing several other games by just a few points we then went on a winning streak and “lo and behold” we made the playoffs. Seven teams in our league and we finished third. So yesterday we played the second place team and found ourselves down by 10 points early. But the Hillcrest boys rallied and ended up winning the game by 8 points which means today at 3:00 p.m. we play for the league championship! Who would have thought that was even possible?
What’s exciting for me though, far beyond the chance to be league champs is that for the past 6 weeks we have had a chance to mentor these young men spiritually. My assistant coach Mike Johnson, who coached on a D-1 level for 17 years, and I have made sure that at every opportunity we have talked about them becoming Men of God!
About half way through the season I talked to the 12 of them (yes, there are 12) about how Jesus had 12 disciples and that those disciples changed the entire world with the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They then started referring to themselves at “The 12 Disciples” and when we break the huddle after timeouts they like to holler in unison “PREACH IT!”
Yes, I hope we win the game today for a truly amazing basketball season for a bunch of boys who’ve never played before, but MORE IMPORTANTLY I hope that these 12 boys grow up to be 12 preachers who will help point the world to Jesus!
PREACH IT! Eagles PREACH IT!

Click link to view – Hillcrest Christian School Washington DC Trip Re-Edit

Written by admin on . Posted in Hillcrest, History, Kerri, Washington D.C.. No Comments on Click link to view – Hillcrest Christian School Washington DC Trip Re-Edit

Took a trip with the 8th grade class from Hillcrest Christian School and visited New York, Philly, D.C., and visited many of the sites from the Early American Revolution and then spoke at for chapel service afterwards and showed this video to the young people. Hillcrest is where all 3 of my children attended and I am so thankful for the Christian Education that they received. Click on link (ABOVE) to view video.

What a Team!!!

Written by admin on . Posted in basketball, children, Hillcrest, honoring God, Kerri. 1 Comment on What a Team!!!



I have been coaching Kerri’s middle school basketball team. It is comprised of 6th, 7th and 8th grade girls. They are a great bunch of kids. They all love to play and we are having a good season. I have not posted a picture of Kerri recently so I thought I’d post a few. Kerri doesn’t really like to play as much as my other two children but she runs up and down that court primarily because she knows I like it so much.
As her father, I’m a little torn because she does a pretty good job but I’m never sure if she really wants to be out there. It was interesting that when we begin stretching before practice that Kerri ( a 6th grader at Hillcrest Christian School) is always the first in line to LEAD the stretching. Usually and 8th grader would step up to lead but Kerri is always anxious to lead.
You see, I think she is anxious NOT because she LOVES the game of basketball… you can ask her… she doesn’t really enjoy it that much… but the reason she leads the stretching is because she is a LEADER. God placed that within her!! And God has placed different gifts within each of us… and when we use those gifts the Lord is glorified.
Not only is Kerri leading the stretching, she is always quick to say a prayer or lead a devotion. Yes, I am thankful that I get to hang out with her on the basketball court, but i’m most thankful that she has a heart for God.
We have a few games left…. I think we play L.A.B at Hillcrest Christian School on November 2nd at 3:15 pm. Come out and cheer us on if you’d like.

My good friend Joshua Kendrick

Written by admin on . Posted in basketball, Hillcrest, Joshua Kendrick, Police Officers. No Comments on My good friend Joshua Kendrick

I was able to squeeze in a lunch with my good friend Joshua Kendrick. We had been trying to get together for about 3 months and this week worked out for both of us.

Joshua is the Head Coach of the Varsity Boys basketball team at Hillcrest Christian School. For the last 7 years the Boys Varsity team has won their league and Josh is probably the main reason for this statistic. This year again Joshua probably did his best coaching job of his career winning the Heritage League title with a 13-12 record.

I have had the privelidge of helping Josh from time to time and he does an outstanding job bringing out the best in his players. I count him as one of my closest friends.

The thing about Joshua is that Coaching is his first love but currently his 2nd job, because you may or may not know Joshua is a police officer for the Burbank Police Departement. As we fellowshipped over lunch he told me about how difficult the job can be and how there have been several times were he has felt his life was in danger.

I just wanted to write and ask you to pray for all of our men and women who serve in the law enforcement agencies. We owe those who put their lives on the line each day a great deal of appreciation and respect. Thank you Joshua and thank all those who daily serve our city and our nation.

Hillcrest Eagles

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Last night, I went to watch the Hillcrest Christian Varsity Boys and Girls teams play basketball against Santa Clarita Christian, and the Hillcrest Eagles looked good in both games. Both games were highly competitive and great sportsmanship ruled the night.

The girls won 44 – 30 and were led by Jackie Habashy with 18 points.
Other scorers included Leila Meimandi with 13 points, Espinoza with 5 points, Veloz with 6 points, and Wagner with 2 points.

The boys won 61 -52 and were led by “Big Country” Nick Huber’s game high 20 points, along with Billy Corcoran’s 11 points. Billy is a long time friend of my son, Dallas, and he did a good job running the point. Other scorers included Michael Dacey with 10 points, Fattal with 9 points, Cullen with 8 points, and Garcia with 3 points.

You can go to the Hillcrest Christian School link in the right hand column and find the game schedule, if you’d like to come watch a game sometime.

These student athletes are some of the best children in the valley.

Don’t forget that Sunday, January 21, at 2:00 PM will be Shepherd of the Hills day at Cal State University, Northridge . Blake Ewing will be singing the National Anthem, and I will be the honorary coach. With the purchase of any regular priced ticket, your Shepherd of the Hills bulletin will get you a second ticket for free.

At halftime, I will be coaching my 9 and 10 year old girls basketball team. It will be a lot of fun.

See you this weekend. Church is going to be GOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!

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