I was recently "tagged" on Facebook by three friends to write and share "25 Random Things About Me." The "25 Things" list has been circulating among Facebook friends. Mine aren't too interesting but since this is my personal blog, here they are.
1. I was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area.
2. I have taught theology on the under-graduate and graduate levels at Simpson College, a Christian and Missionary Alliance school … as well as other schools.
3. I was on the wrestling team in high school and once defeated the California state champion in the 165-pound class.
4. I hated history until I went to seminary and took Church history. Then I fell in love with it.
5. I have two baseballs from Giants games at Candlestick Park, one I caught on the fly with no glove.
6. My whole family eventually became Christians because my two sisters went to a little Baptist Sunday school in a garage with curtain dividers.
7. I had the best dad in the world. He's been gone for a long time and I am still trying to live up to his Godly example.
8. Though I have written hundreds of articles and 12 books, I do not find writing easy. Except for the occasional burst of inspiration, I usually find writing to be hard, hard work. And I find it almost impossible to do in the office.
9. I hate being picked to go on stage in shows. Once, in Branson, I was pulled on stage to be blindfolded and have knives thrown at me. (Peggy once had to wear a chicken costume on stage at the Silver Dollar Saloon in Silver Dollar City.)
10. I love to make people laugh.
11. I hosted a regular live two-and-a-half hour Christian television program. Peggy was occasionally my co-host.
12. I have been to about 70 countries but have missed many of the top tourist spots and landmarks in these countries, often spending my time in remote or out of the way places. Because of this I have been privileged to experience real life in these countries that most tourists miss.
13. I get sick on at least half of these trips.
14. Of all the various occupations I have had, my favorite was pastoring. Peggy and I pastored three churches and both loved it. This is what we have missed most since coming to Springfield.
15. My first pastorate was a home missions church that was predominantly Native American.
16. My wife and I are ailurophiles … cat lovers. We actually love all animals, including dogs, but have mostly had cats. A few months ago I rescued one that had been dumped on a trail I walk.
17. I have never been criticized as much as I have been since I came to TPE. Everything we print gets criticized by somebody. Sometimes they are not very nice. I have successfully utilized Proverbs 15:1 (“A soft answer turns away wrath”) hundreds of times.
18. For the last 12 years, we have averaged 7 salvation responses received in the TPE office every working day. For the last several months we have averaged about 12. All have been sent follow-up materials and connected to local churches.
19. I love fishing and the outdoors but have never hunted. I can't stand the thought of killing something. I fish with artificials and barbless hooks and release all my catches.
20. I sang in 2 quartets while in Bible college and am a founding member of HQ4, a quartet at AG HQ. We have sung in some national conferences, including General Council.
21. Our favorite place of all the places we have lived is Ashland, Oregon. The Rogue Valley is an incredible place to live.
22. In the 1980s, when Peggy and I were ministering in Iron Curtain countries I became seriously ill and had to fly home. I was sick and out of ministry for 4 years and felt incredibly blessed when I was strong enough to take the pastorate of another church … in Oregon. Since then, I understand suffering more and I think I have been far more compassionate. Occasionally, when the Holy Spirit prompts me, I share on this when I speak, including the severe depression I went through. I have been able to minister to many people who have gone through depression.
23. One of my favorite interviews of all time was with Dr. Bill Bright shortly before he died. What a man of God.
24. I was planning to be a CPA when I was called to full-time ministry.
25. I love photography and, though I am far from a real professional, have had photos published in travel guides and other secular publications. I have learned the secret to photography: Take tons of pictures. Digital photography can make anyone a great photographer. You don’t have to worry about wasting film. If you shoot hundreds of pictures you’re bound to come up with a good one once in a while.
