Tag: Los Angeles High School

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From The Author

Where Do You Want To Be In Five Years?

Where Do You Want To Be In Five Years?

My friend David and I have known each other since we attended Los Angeles High School. Over the years, we have had a favorite question we would ask each other: “Where do you want to be in five years?”

I remember how we would encourage each other as we shared our dreams for the future.

Back then, David wanted to be an attorney. On one occasion, I remember our discussing the idea of his joining the military after law school and his becoming a Judge Advocate General. I vividly remember his long-term goal. He wanted to be a member of the United States Supreme Court. David was elected Chief Justice at L.A. High, and he served for two terms in student leadership.

Back then, I also wanted to be an attorney.

As life would have it, neither of us ended up getting law degrees. Rather, David became a successful political accountant, and I became a college professor.

Recently, we revisited our favorite question. I will say there was something comforting about us discussing our dreams after all these years.

What are your hopes and dreams for the next five years?

There is an expression that has been around a while, “I am not where I want to be, but I am not where I used to be.” This quotation can help us realize that life is a process. Be encouraged.

Your dreams for the future may change. But I suggest that every so often you ask a friend, “Where do you want to be in five years.” Be prepared to listen.

Hopefully, he or she will ask you the same question. Be prepared to share.

Tell me what you think below and please join me every day as we pray for wisdom by taking part in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.

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Accused

Accused!

Accused!

Have you ever been accused of doing something wrong?

It happened to me when I was taking a college English class.

One assignment called for defining words and terms related to a topic of my choosing. I immediately knew what I wanted to write about: the terms related to speech and debate.

Why? I attended the University of Kansas Summer Debate Institute between my junior and senior years of high school. By the time I graduated from Los Angeles High School, I had earned the National Forensic League’s Double Ruby designation for competitive speaking. It so happened I was also on the university’s speech team.

I turned in my paper, and left class confident I had done my best work.

A few class meetings later, the teacher handed back the papers. I had high expectations.

The teacher gave back my paper, and that is when I saw the red “F.” There was also a note about plagiarism.

I was stunned. I scheduled a time to meet with the teacher during her office hours.

Later that afternoon, I went to the speech team’s office and met the head speech coach, John Tagg. I told him what happened, and asked him to read my English paper.

Right then, he sat down and typed a letter explaining that I knew all of the terms I wrote about in my paper.

Within a few days, I met with my English teacher, and when I showed her the letter, she changed my grade to an “A.”

Been accused? Pray. God can make a way.

Tell me what you think below and please join me every day as we pray for wisdom by taking part in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.

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A Tribute Letter

A Tribute Letter to Florence Leona Conrad

A Tribute Letter to Florence Leona Conrad

In 1994, Dennis Rainey, of Family Life, wrote a book with David Boehi titled The Tribute: What Every Parent Longs to Hear… This book was the reason I decided to write a letter of tribute to each of my parents back in the 1990s before they passed away. My wife and I treated my parents to a special meal at an upscale restaurant. It was there that I read the letters to them.

Earlier today, when I rediscovered that Dennis Rainey book on my bookcase, it brought back a flood of memories. Imagine my surprise when I opened the book and discovered the original letters I had written and read to my parents before they passed away.

Thank You, Mother
Written to Florence Leona Conrad

The commandment is clear: “Honor your father and mother.”

In the New Testament, it says in Romans 12:10, “…Honor one another above yourselves.” Now, it is time to pay “tribute” to you, Mom.

I want to you to know I am grateful for so much. As I compiled this list, I got choked up thinking about these and all the selfless decisions you made in favor of our family. I am truly thankful…

For your waving to me as I boarded the bus on my way to elementary school.

For sowing the patches and arrows on my Cub Scout shirt.

For being baptized with me on Pentecost Sunday and supporting my attending Sunday School.

For gingerbread with whipped cream and for letting me lick the whipped cream from the blades of the blender.

For encouraging and putting up with my paraphernalia collecting.

For coming to see me speak at the Optimist Club and attending a special speech night at Los Angeles High School.

For showing concern when my bird, Michael, died.

For hanging plaques and displaying prominently various trophies and other honors. They never seem to tarnish while they resided where you place them.

For serenades you would sing while playing the organ.

For saving truckloads of my old toys and other memorabilia.

For driving me to the Dating Game show and trying to get the tape for so many years.

For going to graduation ceremonies.

For sanding so many pieces of furniture.

For conversations at the end of the day over a snack.

For loving me when I was bad.

I want to acknowledge and praise you for your patience with me. Thank you for forgiving me. You never stopped loving me. For all these things and so many more, I will be eternally grateful.

Love, Dennis.

Join me every day as we pray for wisdom by taking part in the Wisdom Prayer Challenge.