Glad you are well my amigo. One of our friends. Steve and Karen that we knew from our days growing up at Mayberry Elementary School in Echo Park area, moved to Paradise, CA many years ago. Linda Belle and I visited them with our 6 children on one of our vacations up to Northern California. We were pretty sure it was close to the real “Paradise”. However you know what happened there. The Campfire burned the town down, plus the suburb of Magalia, where another friend of ours Bill Dawson moved to, because he visited Steve and Karen and liked what he saw.

I knew both Steve and Bill from the world famous Jehu’s Car Club of Echo Park! Well the Campfire roared through there and completely burned down Magalia (and Bill Dawson’s place) and all but obliterated Paradise, CA. We were excited to learn that Steve and Karen’s home was one of the only ones left standing in Paradise. The business community all gone. The houses of worship gone as well! What a miracle for Steve and Karen we said! Not quite we learned. Steve told me that he almost wished that their home had burned down as well! He lost his neighbors on all four sides. He can’t sell the home, cause it’s not worth anything. All services are gone. He has to travel to Chico, CA for dental and medical needs and to shop. They have to go to the U.S Post Office and stand in line to collect their mail. All of his friends and neighbors have moved; I do hope that this will move Steve closer to God. Steve blames the Democrats for the fires there and in L.A. I had to tell my friend Steve that I called to see how he was and to check up on him; NOT to talk politics! I also told him that I was open to discussing the Gospel. He told me that he was glad I called and we talked a bit more. The good news is that God never left. Wishing for Paradise can be tricky – if it’s not the right one. Pastor Matthew Barnett at Angelus Temple this morning said in regards to all the displaced victims of these CA wildfires was that we don’t “Have to serve,” our neighbor, but rather “we Get to Serve!” Praying for you, your family and all of the victims of our fire ravaged communities in California, and that one day we will meet in Paradise. As two of our Black Brother Pastors used to say about this on radio program, “What a day, What a day that will be”!

Yes, What A Day! What a Day that will be!

I’m looking forward to seeing you there one day!

Blessings,

Brother Chuck

Just checking in to see if you are safe and sound.

What a crazy disaster in your state. I remember you visiting me on a set in Altadena and I know you live in the area.

I’ve got a few friends close to the evacuation zones and a few other friends who have lost everything.

Thoughts and prayers with you and your family.

Best regards,

David

Tom of Pasadena

Paul traveled throughout the ancient world, organizing churches from Ephesus to Rome after his conversion. God’s calling. We are indebted to his ministry, without his letters, how could we understand Christ?

Logan, doesn’t care about money. Bravo. We should all be so selfless and honest about humble. Isn’t that our calling?

I ask God to bless you and Jackie. I’m about to do it now, true enough. That’s my job and commitment to you as a friend and your family.

Be with my brother, Raoul in all his life and passions. Keep him healthy and happy and safe.

TGIF