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Category: Allan’s Journey (Page 1 of 30)

The Sins of My Youth

October 20, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Today is Tom Petty’s 75th birthday. I’ve been celebrating / remembering this American Rock and Roll icon all weekend by posting some of my thoughts and some of his songs. These are not my favorite Tom Petty songs of all time; these are songs that I believe capture the essence of what I love so much about his writing and singing. Tom and the Heartbreakers are not my all-time favorite band; I still claim Van Halen as my number one and Aerosmith a very close second. But I would never call Tom Petty a third. He holds a special place that defies those kinds of rankings.

Here’s the deal with Tom Petty and me. He has been my constant musical companion since my Junior High days until this very moment because he kept writing. He kept working. As Tom aged and matured, he kept writing and singing and recording the songs, and the songs kept growing and maturing along with me. His music kept speaking to me, reflecting me, giving voice to my heart and my thoughts in my current present right now context.

Some of my favorite music from some of my favorite bands is only really relevant to the ‘80s. And who I was in the ‘80s. It’s great. I still love it. But I’m not that guy anymore. That’s why Tom’s in a different place with me.

Tom Petty didn’t dwell in the past. Or try to keep re-creating the past. None of us can; none of us should.

The albums “Wildflowers” and “Into the Great Wide Open” would never contain songs like “Anything that’s Rock and Roll” or “Rockin’ Around with You.” His last several albums are packed with wistful and reflective songs, lyrics that speak to regret, mistakes made, broken promises, and a realistic or maybe even cynical view of the present. The lines from “Anything That’s Rock and Roll” are a whole lot different from the lines in “All You Can Carry.”

Now, don’t get me wrong. Every one of Tom’s albums contains a whole lot of what every one of his albums contains. You’re going to find some rebellion and some hard rock guitar riffs. And, yes, there’s plenty of cynicism, or realism, in those early records, too. The first lines of “American Girl” tell you right away that Tom Petty’s gonna call ‘em like he sees ‘em.

But his latest works over the past 30 years have grown up with me. Or I’ve grown up with them. It’s both. That might be the most meaningful, significant reason Tom’s music feels so different and special. At least, it does for me.

Please enjoy “Sins of My Youth” from Tom Petty’s last studio album, “Hypnotic Eye.”

Peace,
Allan

The Wild One, Forever

October 19, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Tom Petty would have been 75 tomorrow and I’m celebrating / remembering his greatness this whole weekend by posting some of my favorite songs. I’ve always really appreciated Tom Petty’s music. It’s always connected to me. Deeply. Profoundly. I’ve always loved it. But it’s not easy articulating how. Or why.

There’s a lot there.

It’s Tom’s unique and nasally voice, his slow southern accent, and his wry and dry sense of humor. It’s his laid-back style, his incredible versatility, and the way he made all of it look so easy, like he wasn’t even really trying. Part of it is the way Tom says “down” and “town.” I love that.

Mostly, though, it’s the lyrics. Tom’s not just a rock and roll legend, he is one of this country’s greatest ever songwriters. No one can paint a more vivid portrait or tell a more captivating story in just a three-minute song like Tom Petty–like he puts YOU in his song.

Take the opening lines of “The Wild One, Forever,” off Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ 1976 debut: “The moon sank and the wind blew and the streetlights slowly died.”

Man, you can SEE that. You know exactly what that street looks like, you can see the sky, what color it is, you can feel the wind. You can FEEL the whole scene.

You’re in it. You’re hooked. And you want to know what’s going to happen.

This is a deep cut. An unappreciated gem from their first album. I hope you enjoy it.

Peace,
Allan

Love is a Long Road

October 18, 2025 / / 0 Comments

This coming Monday marks the 75th anniversary of the birth of Tom Petty, one of my all time favorites. And we’re posting some of his music here every day this weekend to celebrate. For my tastes, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are the perfect combination of all the things we love about rock and roll: the melodic song structures of the Beatles that make everything a sing-along, the beautiful harmonies of the Byrds that add so much richness and depth, and the attitude of the Rolling Stones—the unmistakable confidence, I guess.

It’s fun, it’s catchy, it’s irresistible—but don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s not serious. These guys know what they’re doing. And all of their skills and passions come together perfectly in this number from “Full Moon Fever.” Enjoy.

Peace,
Allan

The Twins & Tom Petty’s Birthday

October 17, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Carrie-Anne, Whitney, and I are in Tulsa this weekend for our monthly trip to see the grandsons. And their parents. And it’s pretty great. At three-and-a-half-months-old, they make eye contact so much easier now. And when they do, it is awesome. So awesome. They’re really locking in and grinning at exactly the right times. And trying, really trying, to talk. Sammy has a sly little smile that melts your heart and Elliott smiles with his whole face, like he’s gut-laughing in silence. And it’s heaven to hold ’em.

We’re running errands together, decorating the yard for Halloween, and mainly just enjoying these precious gifts from our God.

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The great Tom Petty was born on October, 20 1950 in Gainesville, Florida, almost 75 years ago. To celebrate and to remember one of the greatest American singer/songwriters of all time, I’m posting below a live performance of King’s Highway from the Into the Great Wide Open album. To me, this song kinda captures everything I’ve always loved about Tom.

Tom Petty always communicated a realistic look at the problems all around us. His songs never hold back when it comes to pointing out faulty power structures, political corruption, senseless violence, and unfulfilled promises. And we love that about Tom. But what I love even more—and this may be what draws us to Tom Petty—is that he underscores most of everything he writes and sings with HOPE.

I wouldn’t carry this too far, but Tom’s work is like the Psalms in the Bible. In that sense, I mean: Here’s what’s going on in my life, here’s what’s happening in this world or in my country or in my relationships that feels wrong and broken and bad. And things look bad and they feel bad. But that’s not the end of the story. That’s not the last line.

There is something better for us right around the corner; “there’s something good, waitin’ down this road.” Even on “Hypnotic Eye,” in “American Dream Plan B,” the main character doesn’t have a chance, everything’s stacked against him, “But like a fool, I’m bettin’ on happiness.” The last lines Tom sings on his last album, he ends the song and, yes, his life catalogue, by expressing and renewing our hope: “Waiting for the sun to be straight overhead, til we ain’t got no shadow at all.”

That’s why I just love “King’s Highway.” The music, the tempo, the words—it’s about hope. It FEELS like hope. There IS something left for us to believe. This song, to me, reflects so much of the attitude that I think drove all of Tom Petty’s writing and singing and playing. It’s what kept him going so well. For so long.

From Tulsa. Have a really great weekend.

Peace,

Allan

Buckling

October 13, 2025 / / 0 Comments

It’s funny that the Cowboys stood their ground during Micah Parsons’ revenge game but couldn’t handle the revenge game for Rico Dowdle.

After telling several former Cowboys teammates last week that he was going to run angry and violently, after warning the Cowboys they had “better buckle up,” and after his grandstanding cautions went public, Rico went off yesterday for 183 yards rushing, 56 more yards receiving, and a touchdown in Carolina’s victory over Jerry’s team. It seems that if an opponent makes those kinds of statements, you do everything in your power to keep it from happening. You let Bryce Young throw for 500 yards and five touchdowns before you let Dowdle make good on his claims. That’s what must be so terrifying for Cowboys fans: Rico called his shot and delivered. Easily. Rico knows how bad the Cowboys defense is, called it out, and then ran around, over, and through it in dominating fashion.

The Cowboys defense is digressing. And that’s saying something. Michael Irvin posted yesterday, “I’ve never seen an NFL defense with so many people running wide open!” The six quarterbacks who have played against Dallas this year are averaging 287 yards per game with a total of 15 TDs.

Rico said after the game that the Cowboys “were not buckled up.” No, sir. They are buckling.

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I’ve been getting about one text per week for the past two months from friends with no ties to Dallas Christian High School sending me screen shots of this Facebook post, asking me if I played on that 1985 football team. That team won the TAPPS State Championship, the first in school history, and the first of three straight state titles. This post / meme / graphic / whatever is evidently making the rounds as members of that team celebrate the 40th anniversary of their historic achievement. And as my friends see it, they shoot me a text. “Did you play on that team?” “Are you in this picture?”

No! I am not in that picture and I did not play on that football team!

I was the class of ’85, which means I graduated in the spring of 1985. That football team won the state championship in the fall of 1985, which means they won three straight championships as soon as I graduated. We lost in the state championship game my sophomore year, got bounced in the second round of both my junior and senior seasons, and then the boys behind us sealed the deal by earning those huge gold footballs over the next three straight campaigns.

They honored that 1985 team at last Friday’s game at DC, gathering up mostly the seniors, it seems, for a nice tribute at halftime. I did play with all the guys in this picture, all of them during the two years before their title, some of them in junior high and JV. More than that, in that little private school, I did life with every one of them, and I remember them fondly. Randy Hill’s outsized personality, his dead-on impersonations of Coach Richmond, and his ability to always make us laugh. Jeff “Low Budget” Majors’ loyalty and friendship and understated compassion and care for others. Mark Cawyer’s leadership and his awesome tenor singing voice. Kyle Douthit’s unmistakable good-natured grumpiness. Robbie Beene’s squirrely penchant for pranks. And our beloved Coach T (“Settle down, little bodies”), who is still driving the team bus today.

Congratulations to the 1985 Dallas Christian Chargers on the 40th anniversary of our school’s first ever state championship.

“Skitta Bop.”
Allan

Fulfilling the Law

August 18, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Here’s the last thing, I think, I’ll write about salvation and the law for a while. It’s a huge topic with lots of talking points, lots of opportunity to get into the weeds, and plenty of far-reaching ramifications. But I like to follow the lead of our Lord and boil it down to everything hanging on love. All the law and the prophets, everything God ever taught or ever thought, all of God’s plans for his people and his creation–it all hangs on love.

“Let no debt remain outstanding except the continuing debt to love one another, for the one who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not covet,’ and whatever other commandments there may be, are summed up in this one rule: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.” ~Romans 13:8-10

Here’s a bottom line deal for you. If you do not love everybody, then you have to deny all the most basic things all Christians believe. If I harshly criticize anybody, if I refuse to forgive anybody, if I discriminate in any way, if I ignore or neglect anybody, if I make any move to harm anyone for any reason, then I have to reject almost all the basic points of Christian belief.

We believe that all men and women are created by God in the image of God. All men and women. Period.

We believe our God loves all people. All people. Period.

We believe Jesus died on the cross because God wants all people to be forgiven and saved, including you and your neighbor, equally.

We believe in treating others the same way we want to be treated.

We believe our God calls us to show his divine love to all people everywhere–no exceptions.

Serving others in love keeps all the commands. Serving others in love makes all the beliefs real–not just something we know in our heads, but something we live with our lives, that changes us and fulfills the eternal will of our God.

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We were delighted to welcome Josh Ross to GCR Church this past weekend to train our adult Bible class teachers on “The Spirit Poured Out,” a twelve-week curriculum he wrote for us on the person, presence, and power of God’s Holy Spirit. Of course, it’s excellent. And I am beside myself with hope and anticipation for the conversations we’re going to have and God’s will we’re going to wrestle and the formation that’s going to happen in and through our congregation during the next three months.

I believe our church recognized in Josh what Carrie-Anne and I have known for years: his uncompromising commitment to our Lord and the ways of Christ and his unwavering love for God’s people. It’s infectious.

Carrie-Anne and I have known Josh and his family for more than 25 years. Josh’s dad, Rick, was the preacher at the Mesquite CofC when Carrie-Anne and I began worshiping and serving there in October 1999. Rick was the first preacher I really listened to, the first guy in a pulpit who connected the dots for me and, more than that, the first preacher whose life I noticed clearly reflected a commitment to Christlikeness. Josh’s mom, Beverly, became a mentor and friend for Carrie-Anne in ways that still profoundly resonate in Carrie-Anne’s walk with Jesus and in our marriage and family. Josh’s big sister Jenny and her husband David became very good friends of ours–I was driving to Houston with David to see the Astros and Giants on the morning of 9/11. Josh and his younger brother Jonathan were these two dynamic young men who had a fire for the Lord and a passion for discipleship and obvious gifts for speaking and leading in God’s Kingdom.  This was the setting–the time and place and people–God used to call me into congregational ministry.

The first time we went to the Tulsa Workshop, it was with Rick and Beverly and Jenny and David. And it was mind-blowing. Earth-shaking. Paradigm shattering. I started organizing  men’s retreats at Mesquite. I led a 24 Hours of Prayer at Mesquite. I taught that Room 201 Bible class. We sat behind Jason and Tiersa, next to Chris and Liz, in front of Brian and Terri. I led worship at Mesquite. We started that Second Saturday Servants. I rappelled out of a second-story air conditioning vent into the worship center for a VBS bit. The Four Horsemen made those vows to each other and our families and started those Wednesday night dinners and those Tuesday morning Bible studies. I started reading John Mark Hicks and C.S. Lewis. Those three years at that church were the most intensely formative times for Carrie-Anne and me in our discipleship to Jesus. That Mesquite church was a dysfunctional mess, but our gracious God used that church and those people at that time to transform me into a proclaimer of his Good News.

It’s not Josh’s fault, but in my mind and my heart he is forever connected to that time and place and people that still mean so much to me. So, I just absolutely love the guy. We had a blast hanging out together this weekend, and I know our church at GCR is going to be blessed for the next three months and beyond as we dive into his material on the Holy Spirit. As Josh told us several times, we don’t need a perfect understanding of the Holy Spirit, but we do need a working understanding.

I thank God for the gifts he’s given his servant Josh and for Josh’s eagerness to share those gifts with GCR this weekend. I thank God for the whole Ross family and the eternal impact they’ve had on me and my family. And I thank God for that Church of Christ in Mesquite.

Peace,

Allan

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