Jennifer’s charm and character made her an unlikely match for me, nevertheless, as children we befriended, later dated and eventually married. I have known Jennifer for approximately the same amount of time that I have been able to tie my shoes yet she is new to me every day. She has that rare magic that some women have that makes ever man feel like a king just by being around her. Every moment of mature love I have ever experienced has held Jennifer as the object.

Under the heading of, “people who believed in me” Jennifer by far, takes the prize. She takes the prize because she has loved and supported me so consistently and because she has the most reason to discontinue her belief in me.

Since we began dating almost fifteen years ago Jennifer has watched me fail or abandon countless projects, jobs and ministries. She has been there when my zeal for an idea caused me to sacrifice everything to chase it and she has been there when I have wept over my inability to apprehend it.
Just in the eight years of our marriage I have earnestly sought so many dreams that I can’t even keep track of them. In all of this, I have never once shared a dream with Jennifer that she shot down.

Just to give you an idea of how deep the insanity runs notice the following projects that I have seriously pursued over the past few years:

• About a year ago I was seated in an US Army recruiters office, on my own initiative, discussing my options for enlisting.
• I had a phone conference with the admissions counselor at the Texas School for Hot Air Ballooning.
• I seriously considered buying an Ice Cream truck.
• I am writing a book – that may never be printed.
• I started recording an album two years ago that may never be printed.
• We’ve talked at length about moving to Greenland.

I have decided to limit this list to six items to preserve any respect you may still have for me. Please, though, hear what I am saying: There is no one on the planet who has given me the courage or influenced me more than Jennifer.

The fourth in this roll of hometown inspirations is a songster we’ll call James. Were not calling him James because it’s his name but to avoid prolonging his embarrassment. James was the first Christian I had ever met that I respected musically. He was an outstanding guitarist, vocalist and stage performer. I remember going to hear this guy play and being absolutely amazed at the caliber of music wafting from under his steeple.

After becoming a Christian I pursued a friendship with James hoping some of his skill and charisma would rub off on me. James took the opportunity to invite me into his life. He taught me music; he taught me Jesus and spent a ton of time with me. James became my Mr. Miyagi and I owe a lot of my passion for music and ministry to him.

Unlike Miyagi, James made some hideous moral choices that crushed those who loved him and undermined my confidence in the cloth. His choices landed him in prison and launched a domino effect of consequences that follow him to this day.

I remember standing in James’ driveway when he arrived home from his short stay in the big house. He was weeping regret on my shoulder and pleading with me to avoid the pitfalls that led him to our sorrowful meeting. The things James said to me that night both wrecked and saved my life.

So James is an important figure in my life not just because he took a chance on me but also because my proximity to his collapse educated me more about sin and faith than a reservoir of sermons and scriptures.

Hovey is a small man, a drycleaner by trade. He is the manager at “Rip’s”, an excellent choice for getting your trousers pressed in North Florida. I begged Mr. Creech for a job when I was a boy and he gave one though I wasn’t really qualified. I watched him do his thing for more than three years as I worked behind the scenes mopping the floor and tidying the store. He employed some of the most Palatka Florida’s most colorful people; not-so-punctual pressers, cursing counter help and bad-mannered baggers – enough to drive any boss to a career change.
Mr. Hovey was the first one to the store each day, and the last one to leave. He cleaned the mechanic’s Dickies with the same care as mayors suit, removing stains from each one by hand.

He is generous, serves his local church, he loves his family and he reminds me that spectacular success comes in all shapes and sizes.

Mr. Hovey taught me the value of hard work and serving those who serve you. I have never felt so appreciated I worked for the great Hovey.

I met Mrs. Sapp five days after becoming a Christian. She was a teacher at the local Christian high school that I decided to attend after my conversion. I met this woman (who could easily have been mistaken for the fifth Golden Girl) in my first period class my freshman year. She challenged me academically in a way I had never been challenged before and was effectively the first person that accepted the task helping me become a follower of Christ. During my high school career I spent countless nights in her home studying for a test that she would lay on me the following day. She was both my proctor and my tutor. She was the first person who caused me to believe that could succeed academically.

Later in my life, after graduating, I learned that she and her husband financed much of my education. She believed in me when my when I didn’t even believe in myself.

I remember once after class Mrs. Sapp asked me to stay around to talk with her. During our conversation she revealed that she knew that I had cheated on a recent exam. Instead of punishing me she told me that God was making me into a great man because he wanted to use me in great ways. She told me that my lack of integrity would make me unusable by God and pleaded with me to walk uprightly before Him.

In the past 15 years I have seen this woman honor God through some of life’s most difficult circumstances. She has taught me that obedience to Christ is the key to abundant life. She taught me the value of continued education and I tribute much of my perseverance through college and seminary to her.

I am sitting still on I-95 in DC traffic so it seems like a good time to get caught up on blogging.

• The 3 on 3 tournament is full and accepting no more teams.
• We are three days away from leaving for Indonesia. This will be the longest Jen and I will have ever spent away from our amazing kids.
• This week we did a kids club for some local children. We spent the whole week out in their community. Kids from at least 10 different nations were represented and last night more than 50 kids were in attendance. The best part of the whole thing was seeing our church talking and sharing about Jesus with the adults who were standing around.
• Tonight our 12 team members for Indonesia are having a party with our friends, family and church. We have a completely Indonesian menu! Yikes!
• During our trip two amazing guys from the congregation will be preaching. A Marine, Stu (soon to be televangelist) and a Coke man (turned church planter), Jon.

Before I leave I will be posting a series to publish during my trip to Indonesia. The series will be acknowledging the ten people who have most influenced me in ministry.