During the year between my 50th and 51st birthdays I will be posting lists of various categories (most/least favorite, most/least important, places I'd like/not like to go, things I'd most like/least like to do, etc.). By October 15, 2011 I should have 50 lists. Stop by often to see how I'm doing.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

50 Favorite Movies


(In no particular order)
Apocalypse Now
The Godfather
The Godfather 2
Star Wars IV: A New Hope
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Seven Samurai
Raiders of the Lost Ark
It’s A Wonderful Life
The Professional
Alien
Back to the Future
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
2001: A Space Odyssey
Hero
The Elephant Man
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
The Great Escape
Annie Hall
Toy Story
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Groundhog Day
The Graduate
V for Vendetta
Good Will Hunting
The Princess Bride
Rocky
Children of Men
Rope
Reds
Monsters, Inc.
Life of Brian
Singing in the Rain
The Bourne Identity
Die Hard
Live Free and Die Hard
The Search for Red October
Patriot Games
That Thing You Do
Life of Brian
The Incredibles
A Bridge Too Far
The Longest Day
Blind Date
Speed
The Blues Brothers
A Hard Days Night
Xanadu
Golden Eye
Quantum of Solace
Thunderball

Monday, March 21, 2011

50 Favorite Novels (In No Particular Order)

Devices and Desires by PD James

Brendan by Fredrick Buechner

The Last of the Mohicans by James Fennimore Cooper

The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad

The Deerslayer by James Fennimore Cooper

David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin

The Body Farm by Patricia Cornwell

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

City of God by EL Doctorow

The Last Precinct by Patricia Cornwell

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by CS Lewis

The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

The Optimist’s Daughter by Eudora Welty

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling

The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien

Martha Peake: A Novel of the Revolution by Patrick McGrath

The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K LeGuin

The Farthest Shore by Ursula K LeGuin

The Pearl by John Steinbeck

Tehanu by Ursula K Leguin

To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf

Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K LeGuin

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

Death in Holy Orders by PD James

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

The Shadow of the Wind, Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by CS Lewis

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Tinker, Taylor, Solider, Spy by John Le Carre

Smiley’s People by John Le Carre

The Horse and His Boy by CS Lewis

The Two Towers by JRR Tolkien

The Return of the King by JRR Tolkien

The Firm by John Grisham

Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes

The Maytrees, by Annie Dillard

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Alexander Solzhenitsyn

The Dead Hour by Denise Mena

Blue Shoe by Anne Lamott

The Telling by Ursula K LeGuin

Saturday, March 5, 2011

My 50 Favorite Athletes Of All Time

(Alphabetized by sport)

Auto Racing
Al Unser

Baseball
Roberto Clemente
Torii Hunter
Reggie Jackson

Basketball
Bruce Bowen
Tim Duncan
Julius “Dr. J.” Erving
Larry Finch
George Gervin
Artis Gilmore
Manu Ginobili
Robert Horry
Michael Jordan
Larry Kenon
Steve Kerr
Hakeem Olajuwon
Tony Parker
Billy Paultz
Scottie Pippin
David Robinson

Boxing
Muhammad Ali
Sugar Ray Leonard

Football
Fred Biletnikoff
George Blanda
Earl Campbell
Eddie George
Kent Hull
Jim Kelly
Archie Manning
Peyton Manning
Steve McNair
Warren Moon
Walter Payton
William Perry
Jerry Rice
Barry Sanders
Mike Singletary
Ken Stabler
Steve Tasker
Thurmond Thomas

Hockey
Wayne Gretzky

Olympics
Peggy Flemming
Mary Lou Retton
Frank Shorter
Mark Spitz

Soccer
Mia Hamm

Tennis
Bjorn Borg
Chris Evert
Martina Navratilova

Multiple Sports
Bo Jackson

Friday, March 4, 2011

50 Presbyterian Churches That Have Played A Role In My Life

(PC stands for Presbyterian Church)

Steele Creek PC, Charlotte, North Carolina—the ancestral home of the Freeman family where my grandfather grew up and where several generations of my family are buried.

Southwood PC, Talladega, Alabama—the church my father was serving when I was born and where I was baptized on Jan. 1, 1961.

Third PC, Staunton, Virginia—my father’s second pastorate.

First PC, Memphis, Tennessee—my father’s third pastorate, and the church where I was confirmed as an active member.

Whitehaven PC, Memphis, Tennessee—the church my mother’s parents and aunt and uncle attended for years. I visited often while we were living in Memphis.

Fountain City PC, Knoxville, Tennessee—the church my Freeman grandparents attended after he retired from the ministry and where my grandfather’s funeral was held.

First PC, McAllen, Texas—my father’s fourth pastorate, and the last congregation of which I was an active member before I became a minister.

First PC, Greenwood, Mississippi—the final church my father served as an installed pastor. I was never a member there, but have visited often and preached there on at least two occasions.

First PC, Oxford, Mississippi—the church where my mother has been a member since my father’s retirement. I have attended there several times and we had one of the best crowds ever to see a performance of my play “Sanctuary (Psalm 84)” there.

First PC, San Antonio, Texas—I was a youth advisory delegate to a meeting of the Presbytery Del Salvador at this church, and later attended worship here occasionally while in college. The pastor at that time was a good friend of my parents.

Crestholm PC and
Highland Park PC, San Antonio, Texas—two churches I served as youth director and church secretary soon after I graduated from college.

Ginter Park PC, Richmond, VA—located very near the campus of Union Seminary. I attended worship there my first week as a student.

Amity PC, Charlotte, North Carolina—the church where I served as intern during my first summer in seminary. It was a very good summer.

Third PC, Petersburg, Virginia—a congregation which participated in the “adopt-a-student” program with Union Seminary. I was matched with them and had the chance to preach there.

First PC, Roanoke, Virginia—my aunt was a member of this congregation and I had the chance to preach there as part of a ministry team during my second year in seminary.

Montrose PC, Richmond, Virginia—I preached here about four Sundays the summer before Debbie and I were married.

First PC, Richmond, Virginia—the church I normally attended during seminary and where I had the opportunity to fulfill the requirements for my Intro to Pastoral Care class.

First PC, Dallas, Texas—Debbie’s brother Bill was pastor there for over 20 years and Debbie worked as interim youth director there the summer before we were married. I had the chance to visit a few times.

Good Shepherd PC, Bartlesville, Oklahoma—the church that Debbie’s dad organized and served for over 30 years and where she and I were married in 1988.

The Old Parish Church, Church of Scotland, East Kilbride, Scotland—the congregation that Debbie and I served during my intern year and our first year of marriage. She was actually ordained by then and the first woman to serve the church as a minister.

Buena Vista PC, Buena Vista, Virginia—Debbie had served as a summer intern there and when we returned from Scotland she became their interim pastor for about a year.

Fairfield PC, Fairfield, Virginia—located near Buena Vista. I served this congregation as temporary supply pastor near the end of my last year of seminary.

Berryville PC, Berryville, Virginia—a congregation with which Debbie and I had contact during my last year in seminary.

Central PC, Pine Bluff, Arkansas—the church Debbie and I served as co-pastors from 1990 until 1995. I was ordained there and our children were both baptized there as well. Later, in 2008, I returned to serve the congregation as interim pastor.

First PC, Morrilton, Arkansas—the church where Arkansas Presbytery met the day I was approved for ordination.

Faith PC, Pine Bluff, Arkansas—a predominately African-American congregation where Debbie and I have each preached a number of times and where I briefly served as moderator of the session.

Dollarway PC, Pine Bluff, Arkansas—a congregation that closed while Debbie and I were pastors of Central in Pine Bluff. Many of the members joined Central and are still integral to the life of the congregation today.

Westover Hills PC, Little Rock, Arkansas—the congregation that Debbie and I served next as co-pastors from 1995 until I left in 2008. She remained there until 2010 as pastor. Our daughter was ordained as a deacon there.

First PC, Helena, Arkansas—Debbie and I administered communion during a meeting of Arkansas Presbytery at this church.

First PC, Ft. Smith, Arkansas—Debbie and I preached a dialogue sermon at a meeting of presbytery at this church.

Black Mountain PC, Black Mountain, North Carolina—my grandmother Freeman was a member of this congregation late in her life and her funeral service was held here.

First PC, Batesville, Arkansas—my father served as interim pastor of this congregation and we had the opportunity to visit them there a number of times.

Woodlands PC, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas—I moderated an administrative commission of Arkansas Presbytery in relation to this congregation.

Westminster PC, Hot Springs, Arkansas—I moderated a meeting of Arkansas Presbytery in 2003 at this church. I later briefly moderated the session there.

First PC, Benton, Arkansas—I also moderated a special meeting of Arkansas Presbytery at this church.

John Calvin PC, Tulsa, Oklahoma—a congregation that my father-in-law served as interim and which I have attended a number of times.

Westminster PC, Tulsa, Oklahoma—a congregation that my father-in-law has served for several years as stated supply.

St. Andrew’s PC, Little Rock, Arkansas—another congregation that was closed. The majority of members came to Westover Hills while Debbie and I were there and helped to bolster that congregation at a crucial time.

Central PC, Ft. Smith, Arkansas—once upon a time Debbie and I interviewed with a committee from this congregation. It did not work out, but years later a group from Westover Hills performed by play, “Sanctuary (Psalm 84)” for their congregation, after which they staged the play themselves.

First PC, Conway, Arkansas—I’ve moderated the session and preached here. We also performed “Sanctuary” here on one of our tours.

Third PC, Rochester, New York—though I’ve never been there, members of the youth group performed a staged reading of my play “Sanctuary”.

Trinity PC, Starkville, Mississippi—also hosted a performance of “Sanctuary”.

Evergreen PC, Memphis, Tennessee—another host of a performance of “Sanctuary”. This during our second tour.

Second PC, Nashville, Tennessee—hosted a performance of “Sanctuary” on the same tour, but we had one of our worst crowds ever there.

First PC, Las Vegas, Nevada—the most successful performance of “Sanctuary” ever was held here. The cast and crew were from Little Rock.

Belair PC, Pine Bluff, Arkansas—yet again, a congregation that was closed but in this case actually merged with Central PC in Pine Bluff while I was the interim pastor there.

First PC, Pine Bluff, Arkansas—the second congregation I served as an interim pastor from 2009 to 2010. A very enjoyable time.

First PC, McGehee, Arkansas—I briefly served as moderator of the session of this congregation while serving as interim pastor in Pine Bluff.

First PC, Searcy, Arkansas—my third interim pastorate and the one I am serving at present. A very faithful congregation with good members and, I am certain, a bright future.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

My 50 Favorite Guitarists of All Time

Jimi Hendrix

Eric Clapton

Jimmy Page

Pete Townshend

Lindsey Buckingham

George Harrison

The Edge

Brian May

Angus Young

Chuck Berry

David Gilmour

Neil Young

Mick Jones

Joe Perry

Mark Knopfler

Peter Green

Carlos Santana

BB King

Jeff Beck

Mick Ronson

Billy Gibbons

Steve Howe

Robert Johnson

Andy Summers

Randy Rhodes

Eddie Van Halen

Alex Lifeson

Bo Diddley

Johnny Ramone

Kurt Cobain

Keith Richards

Duane Allman

Paul Simon

John Lennon

Steve Jones

Karla Bonoff

Steve Miller

Dave Davies

Jane Wiedlin

Rick Nielson

Keith Strickland

David LaMotte

Jimmy McCullouch

Peter Buck

Marco Pirroni

Prince

Joe Walsh

Joan Jett

George Thorougood

Tim Farriss

Al Stewart

Saturday, February 26, 2011

50 Things That Are NOT on My Bucket List

Skydiving

Cave Exploration

Cliff Diving

Space Travel

Tightrope Walking

Eating Rattlesnake Meat

Surfing

Freestyle Rock Climbing

Scuba Diving

Ski Jumping

Hang Gliding

Parasailing

Butchering Meat

Committing a Felony

Camping in the Amazon Basin

Competing in a Triathlon

Herding Cattle

Competitive Fishing

Yacht Racing

Attending the Masters Golf Tournament

Learning to Yodel

Going Through Basic Training

Attending an Autopsy

Selling Door to Door

Bull Riding

Taking Ballet

Serving as a Model for a Drawing Class

Competitive Eating

Working in a Mine

Lumberjacking

Embalming a Corpse

Scaling a Building

Visiting China

Bungy Jumping

Attending a NASCAR Race

Touring Napa Valley Wineries

Ghost Hunting

Pearl Diving

Hot Air Ballooning

Living on the Beach

Traveling to the North Pole

Traveling to the South Pole

Ocean Kayaking

Working on a Fishing Boat

Being Tazed

Fire Fighting

Attending the US Open Tennis Tournament

Taking Karate

Fly Fishing

Performing the National Anthem at a Sporting Event

Thursday, February 17, 2011

My 50 Favorite Sports Teams of All Time

1. San Antonio Spurs (ABA/NBA)—All-time favorite because of the small-town, hard-nosed work ethic. The way to do things!
2. Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans (NFL)—Who can forget Earl Campbell and Billy “White Shoes” Johnson? Or Warren Moon? Or Steve “Air” McNair? Or Eddie George? Or Chris Johnson? Obviously I can’t.
3. University of Tennessee Volunteers Football (NCAA)—Especially now that Lane Kiffin is gone.
4. San Antonio Gunslingers (USFL)—Rick Neuheisel was the starting QB.
5. Memphis Southmen (WFL)—Larry Csonka, Jim Kiick, Paul Warfield, Danny White: not bad for an upstart league.
6. Memphis Pros/Tams/Sound (ABA)—Would have become the Baltimore Claw if the ABA hadn’t merged with the NBA.
7. Trinity University (Texas) Tigers Football (NCAA Div. III)—Pulled off one of the great plays in football history—16 laterals to score on the last play of the game against Milsaps College in Mississippi.
8. University of Memphis Men’s Basketball (NCAA)—Were tied with Bill Walton and UCLA at halftime of the 1973 NCAA finals.
9. Memphis Grizzlies (NBA)
10. Chicago Bulls (NBA)—During the Jordan years mainly.
11. Memphis Showboats (USFL)—Coached by Pepper Rogers.
12. Houston Gamblers (USFL)—Jim Kelly was QB.
13. Buffalo Bills (NFL)—Kent Hull, starting center through the four Super Bowl losses is a really nice guy. Jim Kelly was QB here as well.
14. St. Louis Cardinals (MLB)
15. New Orleans Saints (NFL)—Archie Manning! And later Bum Philips coached Kenny “The Snake” Stabler and Earl Campbell there.
16. Pittsburg Stealers (NFL)—They weren’t always a favorite of mine, but then I married a fan and she convinced me to appreciate a great team when I saw one.
17. Indianapolis Colts (NFL)—They weren’t always a favorite, either, but I can’t root against Peyton Manning, I just can’t.
18. Arkansas Twisters/Diamonds (AF2/IFL)—Arena Football 2: fun sport to watch, sort of like human pinball.
19. McAllen (Texas) High School Bulldogs (High School Football)—My high school.
20. Little Rock (Arkansas) Central High School Tigers (High School Football)—My kids’ high school.
21. San Antonio Racquets (Domino’s Pizza Team Tennis)—No, honest. Look them up.
22. Charlotte Heat (Domino’s Pizza Team Tennis)—One of only two championships I’ve ever seen in any sport: San Antonio at Charlotte, summer of 1987. Charlotte won.
23. Tulsa University Football (NCAA)—Good team for a small school, though it is the largest Presbyterian-related university in the country.
24. Oakland A’s (MLB)—In the mid-70s this was a great team.
25. Houston Astros (MLB)—Rooted for them in the 90s.
26. McAllen Dusters (Independent Baseball)—played one, maybe two seasons. The big question was always which would be higher, the number of runs scored or the number of errors committed. Lots of fun to watch, though.
27. Green Bay Packers (NFL)—Got to love a team owned by a city.
28. Davidson (North Carolina) Wildcats Men’s Basketball (NCAA)—Their historic run in the NCAA’s was thrilling to watch. A Presbyterian-related school where my Dad went.
29. Philadelphia Stars (USFL)—Jim Mora coached them.
30. (Tie) Indiana Pacers, New Jersey Nets, Denver Nuggets (ABA/NBA)—Along with San Antonio, the only remaining former ABA teams, now merged with the NBA.
33. Arkansas Travelers (Minor League Baseball/Texas League)—An historic team with connections back to 1901.
34. Arkansas RimRockers (ABA)—Team began in 2004-05 with the revamped American Basketball League. They played for one year, won a league championship, and then left for the NBA’s Developmental League. One of only two league championships of any kind I’ve ever attended.
35. Tulsa Talons (AF2)—Arch rivals for a number of years of the Arkansas Twisters. I developed a grudging respect for the team.
36. Memphis Mad Dogs (CFL)—Part of the Canadian Football League’s effort to “invade” the US. Pepper Rogers coached the team in it’s only year of 1995. Gary Anderson played his last year of professional football for the team.
37. Hamilton Tiger-cats (CFL)—Our family attended a Hamilton game a couple of years ago (versus Toronto). Great atmosphere and wonderful folks seated in the “family section.” I became a fan for life.
38. Seattle Seahawks (NFL)—Their first few years as an expansion team were fun to watch. Jim Zorn at QB and Steve Largent at WR were among the highlights.
39. Glasgow Rangers (Scottish Football League)—That’s soccer to you and me.
40. Duzcespor (Turkish Football)—I spent a summer in Duzce as an exchange student and attended a match.
41. Arkansas Riverblades (ECHL)—One of two hockey teams to play in Little Rock at one time. This one played in much nicer Alltel Arena in North Little Rock.
42. Arkansas GlacierCats (WPHL)—The other hockey team to play in Little Rock at one time, playing their games at Barton Coliseum in Little Rock.
43. San Antonio Wings (WFL)—Saw them play once, against the Memphis Southmen in San Antonio. San Antonio won the game and the league went belly up the next week.
44. University of Arkansas Razorbacks Football (NCAA)—Proud tradition of great teams over the years.
45. Arkansas State University Red Wolves Football (NCAA)—Trying very hard to make Arkansas a two-team state.
46. New Jersey Devils (NHL)—For some reason I found myself rooting for this team for a year or two.
47. Philadelphia Bell (WFL)—What a wacky name for a pro football team! Got to love it.
48. Memphis Rogues (NASL)—Saw them play once against the Rochester Lancers. Thought they had a cool team name.
49. Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)—Now that Lebron James has bailed on them I’ll be rooting for them to win a title––someday.
50. New York Knights (AFL)—I saw the very first Arena Football game ever played in Madison Square Garden. This was one of the teams.