In this book I have done my best to trace the major events, both good

and otherwise, and describe the people that God has used to shape my

life and made me into the person that I am. Since the people God has

used most in my life are my parents, I will start at the beginning and try

to trace the things that they taught me in my growing up years, through

my time in the Navy, the years of theological education afterward, and

the more than three decades of ministry that have followed. Along the

way I have been mentored by a small legion of pastors, Bible college and seminary professors, other leaders and authors beyond number. In many

respects, I am what I am today because of them.