Life is so much faster than I ever imagined it would be and so much more than I ever dreamed it could be. My cup isn't half-full, it overflows.
- In High School a guy named Mark Zier walked into my life and lovingly led me to a life-changing decision to trust Jesus Messiah as my Lord and Redeemer; then he introduced me to a girl who eventually became my for-life companion.
- I have been blessed by that girl, Laura Cherrie, who became my wife (we were both 19), help-mate, mother of and for our children, my best friend and companion, for 46 years and counting!
- Neither of my parents were college grads and when the time came for me to enroll, my father died; one month after I graduated from high school. There was no money for higher education. God provided, first at Duke were I received my B.A. and then at Talbot Seminary where I earned an M.Div. all without student loans.
- God blessed us with two children. Erin and Joseph have made me so proud because of the people they have become; honest, engaging, generous, interesting good-hearted young adults. Our "second" son Matthew, and "second" daughter Miranda are amazing in every way. These four are our closest friends. We prayed from the time the children were born that God would bless them with stellar life-mates, He did.
- We have six grands, three boys and three girls. Our first-born, Braden leveled-up in June, 2016, after a sixteen-month battle with cancer. He was 14. He lived it well. We miss him so very much. We were never privileged to caress one of our little girls--we lost her to a miscarriage. Our hearts have been broken but not crushed. Kellen, Gabriella, Grayson, and Gwendolyn remain and our lives are full as we come alongside their parents to love them well. They have made us laugh, given us hope for the future, loved us in a special way unique to our role in their lives...and enjoy hanging out with us!
- I have enjoyed two modestly successful careers centered around helping people; for 26 years as their Pastor and, now, for the last 18, I'm that guy who takes the "scarey" out of the risks of everyday life as their State Farm Agent.
- Over the years I've witnessed lives change in long-term and very profound ways; I have played a part in that process as a tool in the Master's Hands; what a privilege those moments have been.
- While I have experienced disappointment in and betrayal by friends, my life has been rich beyond measure because of folks who've come alongside and embraced me (changed me) with their friendship.
- I have traveled with people through the most difficult intersections of their lives, prayed with them and waited; then watched God do what only He can do..." exceedingly, abundantly beyond anything we could ask or imagine."
- Laura has loved me and patiently waited for me to become the man she needed and so richly deserves.
- The roles (the work of my hands) I have chosen to invest my energy in, have been challenging and rewarding. Not once have I felt trapped in doing what has been my life's work. It's been and continues to be too much fun.
- My girlfriend's dad, (my future father-in-law) stepped into my life as the man I needed when at age 17, my father died--he continued to be a rock for me until his passing in 2014.
- Mentors have invested their lives in me. They've taught me, listened to me, cried with me and believed in me.
- Life has softened me. Tenderness comes easily today.
There has been the failure, good fortune and difficulty; pain, lost dreams, heartbreak and victory. But through it all runs a story, my story, of God's grace transforming me, using me, teaching me and most amazingly, loving me with an everlasting love.
I pray that when my run for the prize concludes, my legacy will be people I've touched along the way saying, "I love Jesus more."
Life is fast.
Liveitwell!
