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Carlos Whittaker “Ragamuffin Soul”

Written by admin on . Posted in LAX, mentoring, music, parenting. No Comments on Carlos Whittaker “Ragamuffin Soul”


Standing at baggage claim Sunday night at LAX, waiting for my 14-year-old daughter’s luggage, I overheard a man ask his wife, “Did you and the kids make it to church today?” And then I heard him say “Well, we will have to have church in the car then.” I thought, MY KIND OF DAD.

A man who had traveled across the country and his priority was making sure his family had a time with the Lord. We engaged in conversation while waiting for the luggage, and lo and behold I know this man’s father–a godly man named Fermin Whittaker was faithful to teach the ways of the Lord to his son, Carlos Whittaker, who I was now witnessing faithfully teaching his children the importance of worship and honor to the Lord Jesus.

I gave Carlos my card and he gave me the recently completed CD of his music called “Ragamuffin Soul.” (I came out ahead on that deal.) Well, come to find out, Carlos Whittaker is a man who travels the country leading worship and teaching people how to lead worship. I have listened to his music now several times through and this brother can lead you to God’s throne.

If you’re looking for some music that will move your soul, written and sung by a man who honestly leads his family in the ways of God, then you will be making a wise investment.

Carlos, it was a joy to meet you. Praying for your life and ministry to influence millions… And if that prayer and dream is never realized, please know that you influenced me to be a better man. And give your papa a “shout out” from Pastor Dudley and Shepherd of the Hills Church.

Marvelous Mollie

Written by admin on . Posted in babies, children, church members, parenting. No Comments on Marvelous Mollie


This is Mollie Chou. She is about as cute as they come, wouldn’t you agree?

She was born 6 weeks ago at 4 lbs., 10 oz. Today she is a whopping 7 lbs., healthy, adorable and wonderfully cared for by her parents, Eric and Katty Chou.

I met Katty at the post office and ended up performing her marriage ceremony in March of 2006. Eric is a heart surgeon and Katty serves as a medical personnel for a college. They both love the Lord dearly and have hopes and aspirations to raise little Mollie in the love and instruction of the Lord.

It is our prayer that through this little girl, God would make His love known to all.

Please keep little Mollie in your prayers, and lift Eric and Katty before the Lord that God might give them daily wisdom in the raising of this child.

My only concern for these proud parents are that they are a little confused about wanting this child to go to Pepperdine. Go Bruins!!!

A Challenge for Dallas

Written by admin on . Posted in basketball, children, Dallas, parenting, prayer. 4 Comments on A Challenge for Dallas


My son, “Sir Dallas James Rutherford,” had a tough day today. He is a junior at Campbell Hall High School in Studio City, and he’s been having some problems with his left knee. After getting some x-rays and an MRI, the doctor informed us that he has a fractured patella. He will be out of basketball for six to eight weeks.

Now for a young man who loves to play basketball, this was NOT good news. He will basically be missing most of his junior year, but hopefully he’ll be able to make it back towards the end of the season. I checked my phone during a break in the middle of my jury trial and it was heart wrenching listening to my son give me this news. Dallas is a fish out of water if he’s not on the court playing a little basketball.

We are doing our best to let him know that God has a plan and that there are a lot of good things that could come of this.

Please keep Dallas in your prayers. He is struggling to discern what God wants for his life. He has been trying his best to honor the Lord recently. God often shapes us through some difficult times and I’m praying that God would do just that. I’ve watched Dallas play basketball many, many times and you can see the joy in him as he runs and competes. I sometimes think of the OLD movie, Chariots of Fire, where God used Eric Liddell to compete in the 1924 Olympic games to honor God. There is such a memorable quote in that movie from Eric. He said, “I believe that God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.” I’m not sure Dallas has ever totally figured this out, but I do believe he’s at least thinking about it. So hopefully, this will be a time where he can reflect on how to honor God with his life.

I want to thank, in advance, those of you who will keep him in your prayers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

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