Sounds like the making of a (great) joke.

By the time you read this, I should be well on my way down south for a little break.
I also had some posts I was going to write regarding some of the “resolutions” I'd like to make for 2015. But I left behind my iPad (which I use for 100% of my writing these days) when I went to visit my parents for the new year. Now it just seems silly to dedicate a whole post to what I want to accomplish this year.

On Inside the Actors Studio, the guests are asked 10 questions by host Lipton, one of them being: “What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?”

I've given a lot of thought to that question. Not because I don't like what I do, but because I'm curious: What else could I do?

I had aspirations in college to pursue psychology. But God got in the way of that.
I've had different dreams of professions throughout my life: writer; comic book/graphic novel author; astronaut; caveman; cartoonist; shoe expert; and so forth.

But during this phase of life, I like to think that if I wasn't a pastor, I'd be a comedian or a detective. Or attempt to be.
Stand-up comedy has always been fascinating to me — particularly when you're on the Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Richard Prior, Eddie Murphy, George Carlin level. People forking over a boat load of money to hear you… talk. About your experiences. And enjoying it. I love Seinfeld's new “show” Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. I just like to see how these comedians's minds work and operate and how they find humor in the mundane things or in the most painful moments in their lives.

Then there's the detective. And, I don't want to be any 'ole detective. I want to be a detective like those on TV — like Matthew McConaughey's character in True Detective. Or more accurately, I want to be like John Luther from Luther.

I like to do the dishes while watching random shows on Netflix. Often times I get so engrossed in what I'm watching, my wife complains that the dishes haven't been cleaned thoroughly. And “It's clean enough” is NOT the response she wants to hear.

I started watching Luther and couldn't stop. Idris Elba's Stringer Bell was one of my favorite characters on one of the best TV shows ever: The Wire. So I watched it on a whim because of Idris. And got hooked. After the series was done (only 3 seasons?!?), I found myself wanting to be a detective like him. I'd probably make a terrible detective, anyhow. Details aren't my strength — as you may have noticed in all the grammatical errors that are littered throughout my posts.

And as for a comedian, doesn't help when you think you're the funniest person you know. When you have to tell people you're funny, you can't be that funny. But trust me, I'm funny.

All that said, I find fulfillment and joy in the calling that God has placed in my life. I honestly can't tell you if I see myself in parish ministry for the rest of my life. But, why fret on such things at this point in my life? Who knows what path my life will take 5 years; 10 years; 20 years from now.

But right now, God has called me and placed me in beautiful Santa Barbara, where I am honored and proud to call myself the pastor of St. Mark UMC.

And as of this moment, I'm probably on the road somewhere enjoying a little time off.
I'll see y'all when we get back.

May your 2015 be filled with love, grace, and adventure!