Crowne Plaza in Dallas

I checked in last night to the Crowne Plaza here in Dallas, Texas--not far from the Galleria, I'm told.


It's a beautiful hotel (as one might expect from a Crowne Plaza). Above is the lobby.


My room isn't huge but it's comfortable and beautiful.

Like most hotels of this ilk, however, they're stingy with their wifi, making free wifi available only in the lobby.

But I have my phone so they're not getting my money.

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Pinch Me Places: Petra

I honestly never really imagined I'd see Petra, the ancient rock city ("petra" is Greek for "rock") referred to in the Bible as "Sela" (Isaiah 16:1 and Obadiah 1-4). It just seemed so remote and inaccessible (which it kinda is!). It is located in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, on the slope of Mount Hor in a basin among the mountains which run from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba.

That's why it's on my list of "Pinch Me" sites, since the lovely Robin and I visited Petra in 2010. There's no way to describe the impact of walking through the siq (crevasse) and seeing the "Treasury" for the first time!




Not a treasury, but an elaborate mausoleum (which could also describe the whole place), it continues to yield new discoveries (six years ago, tombs six meters beneath the facade were discovered).
The area also provides a picturesque spot for a camel ride....which the lovely Robin laughed and screamed through). It's a one-of-a-kind spot on the face of the earth. And another place in which I felt like I had to pinch myself to make sure I was really there.

Cimarron Steakhouse

I had the pleasure of going today with six friends from the Oklahoma City ACW Conference to Cimarron Steakhouse for lunch.

Wow, what a happening place--and at lunch on a Saturday! The western decor was fun to take in. I counted thirty-five saddles hanging from the rafters all around the room!

And the Mesquite Steak Salad was terrific!

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Oklahoma City Digs

My digs last night thru Sunday morning are here at the Oklahoma City Airport La Quinta Inn on S. Meridian Avenue.

I don't just have a room. I have a suite. Overlooking the lobby.

It is spacious and comfortable.

The hotel is also the site of the ACW Conference at which I'm speaking today and tomorrow.

P.S. while my room was nice enough, I must add that spotty wireless service (very frustrating), filthy lobby restroom, and barely okay continental breakfasts make this a hotel I would rather not stay in again.

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Ohhhhhklahoma

I arrived safely--and right on time--in Oklahoma City this evening. True to its reputation, as I stepped off the plane, the jetway was rocked by crosswinds. Sweeping down the plain, apparently.


The airport here is named for Will Rogers.


It took no time at all to get from plane to terminal to curb. A pain-free arrival in a pleasant place.

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Pinch Me Places: Stratford Upon Avon

In 1995, the lovely Robin and I traveled with Aubrey and Aaron to that "green and pleasant land" that gave birth to the U.S., where we were hosted by our dear friends Nigel, Rachel, Samantha, Carlene, and Dathan Horridge for a tour of England. While there, of course (OF COURSE), we visited Stratford-Upon-Avon, the birthplace and hometown of William Shakespeare.

This is me (above...right in the center...no, really, that's me, the silly American in the trench coat with a camera hanging from his neck) exiting Shakespeare's birthplace and first home. The Bard grew up here and played here. He ate meals in the hall and slept and dreamed in those rooms. He spent the first five years of married life in this house with his new wife, Anne Hathaway.

Shakespeare's house. SHAKESPEARE'S HOUSE. Did I mention: SHAKESPEARE WAS HERE? THE Shakespeare?

Not only that, but previous visitors to this spot have included Charles Dickens, John Keats, Walter Scott, and Thomas Hardy. I didn't happen to recognize any of them while I was there, but neither did they recognize me, so I guess we're even.

And, of course, included in our day at Stratford-Upon-Avon (I just like saying that) was a visit to Anne Hathaway's cottage where, obviously (judging from the photo above) Aubrey was saying something utterly baffling to Nigel. Although his face always wears that look, so maybe not.

But did I happen to mention: SHAKESPEARE WAS HERE! And I was, too. Though it all seemed so hard to believe, I probably literally pinched myself.

Collierville First Assembly

I worshiped God this morning at Collierville (TN) First Assembly of God with my friends Reg and Eleonore.


As I entered, a crowd was making their way into the auditorium (nee gymnasium). I was welcomed repeatedly as I entered, and three times after I was seated.


Worship was capably led by a young man with a New Zealand accent and four other mic'd vocalists (though for the life of me, I couldn't tell if their mic'd were on; I heard no voice but his).


They were supported by three or four unmic'd singers along one wall, a grand piano, drums, bass, and trombone (though I never heard the bass and only occasionally heard confirmation that the others were playing). But it was a fine worship experience, as we sang all praise songs, ending with Revelation Song.

The pastor, Jason Murphy, got up to preach at 11:15 (the service started at 10:30) and did so enthusiastically and effectively. Unfortunately, I had to leave at 11:50 for the airport, just as the pastor was getting to some exposition, which I was sorry to miss.

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