Author: Jeff Hampton

For Wilshire Baptist Church

Have you checked your permanent record lately? You know, the “permanent record” school teachers and principals told you about way back when?

Sunday morning while helping LeAnn get her Sunday school room ready for the pre-K class, I noticed a stack of manila folders with names on them, probably for the children who attend Wilshire’s weekday early childhood learning center. And the first thing I thought was, “Are these their permanent records?”

Continue reading “Permanent Record”

For Wilshire Baptist Church

When our Wilshire friend George G. fell ill and landed in the hospital, it wasn’t a surprise to see his large family of musicians and vocalists start to show up in growing numbers at his bedside. And then they organized themselves with online information groups and schedules as to when different ones would stay with him, what he needed and wanted and who would get it and just generally be there for him. 

As we met different people in person or online, some would say, “I’ve known George for ___ years.” It’s as if there was a need to claim ownership of George’s friendship; it almost felt competitive in a friendly kind of way. There’s nothing wrong with that, because George’s friendship is well worth claiming and boasting about.

Continue reading “Pals on the Journey”

For Wilshire Baptist Church

I was stuck. I had just walked out of Lowe’s with lightbulbs and wasp spray and there was the trap: A Boy Scout at a table with a sign that said, “Will You Help Fund My Adventure?“

I’m a pushover for the Scouts, having been one myself. We camped every month regardless of the season, trekked at Philmont Scout Ranch and hiked rim-to-rim at the Grand Canyon. So my silent answer to the sign was, “Yes, I will help.”

Continue reading “Adventures and Dreams”