Hello everyone, As we all return to our normal daily routines, here in these last few days, I have been

reflecting on our fallen classmates and the profound words gracefully shared by Grant Gassiott this past Saturday at our 20th reunion. Like many of you, I feel blessed to be part of this rare comradery we have in our 1993 graduating class. In a sense, everything that transpired here on Facebook and some of our conversations has impacted me in a unique way. I continue to consider his speech with thoughtfulness and care, and it has already caused a tremendous impact on my life. I also feel an unusual obligation to get out of my comfort zone to say something meaningful with purposeful intent. That being said, I am reluctantly compelled to share some spiritual moments with a few former classmates. As I write this, I was recently informed that a dear friend of mine, Donna Hightower, passed away early this week. She was a beautiful singer, an exceptionally outstanding cook, and just had a true heart of gold. It is because of this news and our past reunion event, that I remain constantly mindful of the Unforgettable photos and video. I am reminded of a couple of discussions I remember with our former classmates, Rob Coffin and Robert Esco. Death always seems to be one of those difficult topics that grabs you by the horns and slams you right in the face. Many times, it catches us all off guard, but is an ultimate reminder of the values we truly cherish and deem important in our lives. Please bear with me, as this is uneasy and Ive never written anything like this before. Not long after graduation, I got acquainted with Rob Coffin. Rob, Tony Callaway, Nathan Moczygemba and I used to all hang out and sometimes watch movies. Rob was an eccentric, peculiar kind of guy. He reminded me of a really laid back Mel Gibson who enjoyed lounging around and smoking a heckload of cigarettes. He definitely stuck out in my mind as the odd one of the bunch. He would always nonchalantly spout out these cut to the chase, serious questions out of the blue like, Do you guys fear death? Do you believe in heaven and hell? Are you guys saved? Then hed call me out and say, Bill, what do you think? It was extremely awkward, to say the very least. I remember refraining best I could from answering those questions publicly. It seemed this was pretty amusing to him, as he laughed hysterically about catching us all off guard while he smoked his cigarette, and then we moved on to watching movies. Most times we all cringed and felt uncomfortable when that happened, and then tried to change the subject quickly. I suppose those kind of questions are not usually very popular in group settings. However, when away from the crowd, I would say I grew up in church, believed in God and wed discuss things more openly in private, while he smoked away. Eventually, I somewhat began to enjoy talking to him though during those nights while looking at the stars, and I myself would question the validity of what I thought I believed at times. Of course, not long thereafter, we all eventually moved on with our lives, and then I never heard from him again. Around summer of 2009, we had an informal RRHS BBQ reunion. It was a comfortably small group, perhaps twenty or so, and not very many guys were present. Robert Esco was one of the few, so we began to engage in conversation about the football glory days at Round Rock, going to church, how he had been unemployed for a while, and how he was still intently searching for work. He would say, Brother, God is so good, I was so blessed this week at church, how he loved attending there, and how

much he needed that on an ongoing basis. It was always Brother this and brother that. I never talked to Robert much in high school, but also I never remembered him talking like this back then. However, I was glad to break into the conversation and reconnect with him that day. A short time later, he explained to me that he would be moving out of state for a job opportunity. We stayed in touch here and there through Facebook. I think he moved back to Round Rock a few months later, and then soon he informed me of his new ADT home security business. He convinced me to come install a security system at my home. So we set up a date, and he mentioned he would call me. On a Friday evening, I received that call. He left me a voice mail, as I was unable to answer it at the time. I did not check the message right then, but soon learned he passed away the very next day. After finding out the news, I then checked my messages, and listened to Roberts voice telling me he was ready to come over. I was deeply shocked, as hearing his voice on the phone severely disturbed me for a while, and all I could think about was how quickly we can be here and vanish in an instant moment. As I reflect on those photos of our past comrades, it also causes me to be somewhat vulnerable about my own life. Around 2001, I underwent a very difficult divorce. To make matters worse, I went through severe depression for almost a year, and self indulged into deep isolation, becoming a regular secluded bedroom hermit. I recall the many hours of tears and sobbing at night, and considering I did not want to be alive anymore. I contemplated countless times of grabbing a handgun to commit suicide. I remember all the crazy thoughts bombarding my mind constantly like, "You're no good, you're worthless, nobody loves you, you deserve to die, theres nothing else to live for. Over the years, I have come to understand that this kind of isolation is never a healthy thing. Fortunately for me, while moving back in with my parents, my mom was integral on helping me recover from the mental torment I had been coping with. Somehow she sort of discerned this, as she always seemed to check on me at the right times to ensure I wasn't going to do something stupid. Its pretty awkward to reveal those issues to you. But in a way, its also somewhat very sobering. Who knows, maybe I could have been another face on the photos as well. Maybe one of you could say the same. Perhaps you had a similar situation also. I say all that because all of these stories bring me to some of the same pressing questions that I find asking now, like Rob used to ask. Where do you go after you die, and do you fear death? Do you believe in heaven? Is there life after death? Are the most important questions in life put on the backburner, or are we just avoiding them altogether? I wonder what everyone here believes, are you a Christian, Atheist, Buddhist, etc.? Im curious about why or why you dont believe in something. It seems like Round Rock had a lot of Christian members that I was not aware of. Whether you are a Baptist, Catholic, Protestant, etc., how did you become involved in your church? Are you able to share your faith openly with others? Do you feel obligated to attend church for some reason like it was a family tradition, or is this just more of a historical social trend in America? Sometimes I wonder if God is really a top priority for us or just some sort of last resort, like only in crisis times such as 9/11 or hurricane devastation. Do we go to church with a practiced set of routines and rituals, and theres no real meaning after we leave? Perhaps we need to consider if were in the right church. Do you talk to your spouse or someone else regularly after service, feel like youre growing in any way, or make any real adjustments in your life?

Im not attacking anyone, Im also analyzing these questions for myself, as I havent arrived by any means, and I constantly want to learn and grow in this to make an impact. Ive made plenty of mistakes and needed forgiveness, some perhaps this week. At times, Ive seen myself being flippant towards things personally in my life. Where are we missing it? I also wonder how many people put on a facade of smiles and laughs amongst friends, but when alone are still carrying deep hurt and wounds on the inside. When no one else is around us, what occupies your mind? Are you dealing with fear, bitterness, or loneliness? I remember an old car bumper sticker that read, No God, no peace... Know God, know peace. I always thought that was sort of a catchy phrase, but I do personally believe that. Do you have peace when you lay down to rest, or are you troubled in your mind? Perhaps we try to rely on other people too much for our own happiness and security. However, a lot of times, this is rightfully so. We do all crave attention to a certain degree and need acknowledgement, praise, approval and support in our lives to feel like we are accepted and belong. Are we also properly expressing that to others, in the same way we desire those same feelings? Do we show goodness, gentleness, generosity, patience, and random acts of kindness, even to those we dont think deserve to receive it? Can you look that certain person in the eye, and honestly say, Its good to see you.? Sometimes, I used to wonder how people like Bryant Scurlock and Nathali Parker made it look so easy to be kind and friendly. Like some of you in school, I was mostly so timid and shy that I generally had a hard time looking you in the face, much less make eye contact. I can see now that some of this is an indicator of whats going on at home. Do our children have confidence and know we believe in them? Often, I wonder if our Christian belief system is somehow skewed and weve become so lacksadaisical. Have we lost our identity as a nation and what we value? I wonder when In God We Trust began to lose meaning, and started to become more of a clich phrase we look at and quickly forget. Its on every coin and form of currency we have, yet does it have any meaning when we see it anymore? Should we perhaps view this with original intent, and think with conviction to ourselves, Yes God, I do trust you. You are God, my God. I believe what you say is right and true.? Muslims may pray three to five times a day. Some groups of them are willing to die for their cause, and live committed and driven with purpose. Some may have believed that they are going to inherit multiple virgin brides when they commit suicide. They seem to live with a much higher degree of purpose than we do, and are also willing to die for it. Were seeing some events unfold at the White House in the last few days. Are we all serious enough about our faith and convictions? I believe that we as men have a responsibility, and as a whole are primarily the ones failing here. It seems that our media has degraded the male image to a Homer Simpson like mentality across the board. Usually, women are generally more open about attending church than men, as they seem to be the ones trying to drag us guys to church, while we gripe and complain all the way. But, were supposed to be the leaders, setting the standard and course for our family. Not dictators at home ordering them around, demanding dinner on the table, or this or that, but serving our wives and children for a strong family foundation. Maybe thats why things are a mess and we have such family turmoil. Its a tall order, but we should love our wives as Christ loved the church, serving and helping with love and commitment.

Perhaps you might be single, recently divorced, married but lonely because you feel your spouse has become just a roommate you pay the bills with, or perhaps youve lost a loved one. If you are single, and desire to be married, God has that right person for you. I believe its in the house of God, not in the bars or the clubs. Because if your spouse loves God more than they love you, they will have something to offer you, since God is love. Maybe you are dealing with fear, anger, anxiety, stress, mental torment, or depression. Maybe Ive gone much too far with all of this here in your eyes. But I believe you can be free of those issues and that only God can provide love, joy, peace, and a calm, well balanced mind. Did someone hurt you recently or many years ago that you have not been able to forgive? Are you harboring bitterness on the inside for a reason? Because those things ultimately only hurt you in the end. We must be willing to let those things go. I also believe some of these unresolved issues can even lead to certain ailments and disease. Think of it, dis-ease. Do you have dis-ease over something? You know, when we were all kids, we would all play together so freely. At some point, someone might hurt your feelings or make you mad, until you grabbed away your marbles and stormed off home. But then by tomorrow, you could easily forgive one another and play together again as friends the next day. I see this as the child like faith we see in the scriptures. Why does this sometimes become much harder when we become adults? My personal belief is that God loves you and me. He truly loves you. He wants fellowship and relationship with you, to talk with you, not audibly, but inside your heart (your inner man, your inward witness). He sent His son Jesus to die for you and I, to forgive and cleanse us of our sins, that we may have life forever. (John 3:16) He wants to remove the burdens and restore your mind, heal your broken heart, and give you strength, energy and purpose for living. Maybe you feel youve done too much wrong in your life to be forgiven yourself. I once spoke to an exmilitary officer, and he told me, I dont believe you can commit crimes, kill people and pull a bunch of BS in your life, and expect God isnt going to judge you for that. I didnt know what to say to that immediately. I didnt know what it was like for a soldier to kill. I sat for a moment, and then it came to me. I told Him, Well, when Jesus was nailed on the cross, there were also two thieves with Him. One thief mocked and ridiculed Him. The other claimed they had done much wrong rightfully deserving of death, but that Jesus had done nothing at all to deserve to die. Then he simply asked Jesus to remember him that day. Jesus replied, Truly today, you will be with me in Paradise. At the murderers final moments, God was still reaching out His mercy and love. The military officer stood silent for a moment with tears in his eyes, and I know it touched him as he told me thanks for sharing. One of the greatest examples of love and forgiveness I know personally in my life is my pastor. Pastor Johns father was brutally murdered in his Dallas community in the early 1980s. A time later, his brother Charles sought out that man in prison and shared the love of Jesus Christ. They forgave that man and prayed and won him over to the Lord. How can someone possibly do that? I believe its the love and kindness of God that leads us to repentance. Its not just acquired information with useless procedures, its this active, continuous love on the inside that we reveal to people everyday. Perhaps you have or havent heard this before. Some may think this is totally inappropriate and have stopped reading a while ago. Maybe you have been to a church, but got sidetracked and stopped going. Maybe some of you will never step into a church, and this is the only message of its kind you will ever

hear. Life here on earth is much too short. What if you or I should die today or tomorrow, whether it be a car crash, an illness, a shooting, or accident and be faced with all eternity? You dont have to be in fear of it, you can have peace. Were all here at the halfway point of our lives now, shouldnt we figure this out? Do you know for sure what happens? Is there peace and confidence that you would be ready to face the other side? The Bible refers to our life as but a vapor compared to all of eternity. Humanity can often make it difficult, but I believe there is simplicity in the Bible. Sometimes its our trained, sophisticated intellect that prevents us from believing, because our minds just cant comprehend it. But in its simplest form, I believe you can call out to God in your darkest hour of desperation, by simply saying, Jesus save me, I need Your help. Romans 10:13 says, whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. If you said that and mean it, I believe thats all it takes for your salvation. Perhaps you are ready for that now, its pretty simple. Romans 10:9 says, If you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved. So, a more formal approach is just to say, God, I come to you and ask Jesus to save me. Jesus, come into my heart and forgive me and cleanse me of my sins. I believe you died on the cross for me. Be my personal Lord and savior. Maybe you need to say it, just as a recommitment to God. If you really mean that with your heart, I believe you are saved and on your way to heaven. Or, maybe youre not ready for any of this yet, and thats totally understandable. Im not looking for approvals or likes or anything else here. If only one of you reads this in its entirety, let this fall where it may. But I believe Jesus truly loves you and wants to fellowship with you regularly in a relationship. If you were the only one alive, I believe He would have still died and shed His blood just for you. Thats the great nature of His love for us, something the mind simply cannot fathom. This is all a heartfelt experience. God loves people. Perhaps while you lay your head to sleep in the quiet stillness of the night, or while youre in the shower, or in a place away from distraction, youll begin to consider what you personally believe. Hopefully, Im not throwing this out to a pack of wolves. But, if nothing more, I pray these words will continually confront and challenge you, on your travels, at your job, your home, or your military site, and you will see evidence of God wherever you go. I hope you will consider and explore this for yourself, and thanks for reading.