Finding Direction: The Wind Vane Chronicles

As y'all know, my computer ate Bobby's interview last week as I was working on it, but he was gracious enough to re-do it and so we now have, according to Bobby, the new, improved version below.  Plus, he was anxious to keep up with Tamie, whose interview ran several weeks ago here, if you missed it.  

Besides Bobby being the Managing Editor of Christian Chronicle and Tamie being the Online Editor, they are the authors of the always funny "Bobby & Tamie's World Famous Blog" that we so enjoy reading.

So read Bobby's interview and see what you can learn about him interesting and that you might have in common.

Part 1 - Basic Interview Questions

1.  What's your favorite scripture?

One of my favorites is Esther 4:14: “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

Tamie and I felt led by God to go to work for The Christian Chronicle in 2005. While our jobs are certainly not “royal positions” (just check our pay stubs!), we do feel like we have been given an opportunity to influence the kingdom in an important and positive way.

2.  Vital Statistics:

I was born Nov. 5, 1967, at Laredo Air Force Base in Texas, just across from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.

3.  Names of Spouse & Children and birthdays:

Married to Tamie Dillard (5-25-70) on April 28, 1990. Braden Tyler was born 7-13-93; Keaton Chandler was born 5-23-97; Kendall Jade was born 7-9-99.

4.  What brought you to the location you are now?

Originally, I came here in 1986 to attend Oklahoma Christian University and earn my journalism degree. After a brief return to Texas after graduation, I moved back to Oklahoma (with my new bride) in the summer of 1990. We were here until 2002, when we left for a year in Nashville, Tenn., and two years in Dallas, Texas, when I worked for The Associated Press. We returned to Oklahoma in 2005 when I was offered the managing editor’s job at The Christian Chronicle.

5. Where all have you lived in your life and when?

Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, North Carolina, Missouri again, Tennessee, Missouri again, Texas again, Oklahoma, Texas again, Oklahoma again, Tennessee again, Texas again and Oklahoma one more time.

6.  What kind of work do you do?

As managing editor of The Christian Chronicle, I oversee the planning and development of news and editorial coverage. My reporting duties include covering national news and writing the monthly Inside Story column on Page 3. I get to travel to Churches of Christ across the nation and have reported from about 15-20 states since 2005.

7.  What do you love most about your work?

I love reporting and writing interesting stories. I love getting to meet Christians who are living out their faith in extraordinary ways and sharing their stories with our readers. I love traveling to churches all over the country.

8.  What do you like least about your work?

I don’t enjoy it when “Christians” behave in the most hateful ways as they try to tell me and others why their view of certain issues or topics is the right one. I never realized how many readers could determine where I will spend eternity based on some supposed motive they perceive in a story or column.

9.  Who has been the most influential person in your life?

My most influential person is two people: My mother and father. Both epitomize true, humble, servant Christianity, and I am who I am because of them.

10.  Any hidden talents:

I’m not sure I have any unhidden talents. Just kidding. I guess one hidden talent might be my ability to blog without saying anything at all.

11.  Little known fact about me:

I married my first real girlfriend. (And 17 years later, I love her more each day. Well, most days … )

Part 2 - Favorite Things:

 1.  Favorite Book:

Besides the Bible, I’d have to say most anything written by John Grisham. I’m a big Grisham fan, although I’m also cheap and will wait to buy the Innocent Man until it comes out in paperback.

2.  Favorite Movie:

“Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” “Top Gun” and “Sweet Home Alabama” are among the movies I generally watch at least once a year. And, of course, “Christmas Vacation.”

3.  Favorite food:

Dead cow. I like it in patties on buns. I like it in steak form with a baked potato. I like it sliced with BBQ on top. I like it on pizza. I think I’ll have some dead cow for lunch today, except I brought tune for lunch.

4.  Favorite Kind of Music:

Country, 1980s pop, adult contemporary, a bit of contemporary Christian (although I still feel a bit guilty about listening to any wholesome music with instrumental accompaniment.)

5.  Favorite musical group or performers:

Martina McBride, Sara Evans, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Madonna (just kidding, but I do still listen to some of her songs from the ‘80s).

6.  Favorite Song:

“Kokomo,” Beach Boys (Tamie and I loved this one when we dating). “Whiskey Lullaby,” Brad Paisley and Allison Kraus (this is country music at its best).  “I’m Moving On,” Rascal Flatts (there was a time in my life when I really identified with this song). I don’t really have a favorite song, but these were a few that came quickly to mind.

7.  Favorite Junk Food:

Cheese-flavored Munchies (snack mix with Doritos, Sun Chips, Cheetos and pretzels).

8.  Favorite childhood memory:

Going to Texas Rangers games, especially my first one, when it was Bat Day and Larry Parrish hit a grand slam in the first inning just after we sat down.

Part 3 - Thought Questions:

1.  What is the best meal you have ever eaten?

I don’t know that I could pinpoint one meal. As my weight can testify, I enjoy way too many best meals. Generally, they involve steak, burgers, pizza, Tex-Mex or other not-so-healthy combinations.

2.  Where would you most like to visit that you have never been before?

I’d love to visit Hawaii or perhaps Europe.

3.  What is your proudest moment?

When each of my three children was born. It was unbelievable each time. But now my question is: Can I send them back? (Just kidding ... I only want to send one or two of them back.)

4.  What do you most regret?  

Not appreciating college and education as much as I should have when I was in school. I’d love to go back to college knowing what I know now. But I guess that’s part of the point of education.

5.  If money, health, etc, were no concern, what would you do with your time?

My family and I would travel around the world, and I would write long, important stories and publish books and finally tell the perfect story.

6.  What is your favorite book in the Bible and why?

Tamie said in her interview: “Luke. I love the insight, the details, the picture he paints for us of Jesus’ life and ministry. I appreciate that he was also a people-watcher. He must have been an incredible intellectual, but I can’t help but think he had a dry wit (like my husband).” I’d have to agree. I love Luke’s account.

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