The people here have somehow impacted my spiritual growth in profound ways, through their lives and our interactions. Some of these were positive experiences; some negative, and still others bittersweet. I choose to remember these people and events because, in some way or another, they have become part of how I see the world. In searching for my spiritual ancestors, I found many, many cousins. Funny how one's spiritual family defies the biological classifications of what a "family" should be.
Anyway... here we go.
THANK YOU...
- St. Augustine, for telling me that God is one who changes the event but does not change the plan.
- Justin Martyr, for showing me the continuity of the Holy Spirit within the church across the ages.
- G. K. Chesterton, for showing me that the world is a supernatural place.
- Frederick Buechner, for telling me of life-changing grace in words that speak to the soul.
- C. S. Lewis, for showing me that Heaven is closer to Earth than I ever knew.
- Gandalf (the neighborhood stray cat), who provides a daily example of how the Holy Spirit works in our lives.
- John Wesley, for making me wonder why grace is so important.
- Jerry Savelle, for the epic quote: "Opportunity comes dresses in overalls and looks like work."
- Novalis, for the encouraging thought: "He who seeks God will find Him everywhere."
- William P. Young, for writing "The Shack."
- J. R. R. Tolkien, for penning the most magnificent portrayal of the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven.
- Garrett Quinn, for showing me that people matter.
- Tricia Archie, for living in the power of prayer.
- Brandon Shupp, for demonstrating the value of a vibrant mind. And for many hours of foosball.
- Steve Beresh, for showing me the value of living from the heart.
- Jeff Voth, for showing me the importance of seeking God where He may be found.
- Brent Sharpe, for the constant demonstration of the incarnational presence of Jesus.
- Josh Gerard, for being the very personification of a friend.
- The Celtic Church, for showing me that faith is not for fuddy-duddies.
- Emmanuel Earls, for showing me that God wants good things for his kids.
- Grammie and Gringa, for showing me the importance of love.
- Preston Sharpe, for helping me to see the importance of the crossroads between Christ and culture.
- Angels and Airwaves, for making me look for love in war zones.
- Nightcrawler, for showing me that one can be a superhero and a Christian at the same time.
- Aimee Raile, for helping me to understand God's love a little bit better.
- Carbon Leaf, for their beautiful portrayal of life.
- Julie Twilley and Shelli Chronister, for providing a definition of grace that was so astoundingly inadequate that I made up my mind to study it for the rest of my life.
- John Asher, for being the picture of spiritual passion.
- Pray As You Go, for showing me that spirituality happens everywhere.
- Jim Shelton, for showing me that there will be Catholics in Heaven.
- Jeff Lamp, for showing me that hippies aren't locked out of Heaven.
- Brad and Sue Smith, for living lives of hospitality.
- Arnie McCall, for helping to see that I have a place in community.
- Stuart Bents, for pulling me out of bed to seek God's face.
- Craig Garrison and Marc Harper, for showing me that pastors should know people's names.
- My Parents, for all that they've done - words cannot say.
- And to all who I did not mention, because I did not think of them or because words cannot do them justice. You have done far more than you know.
