There are many people in my life who believed in me long before I did. I am grateful to them more than they will ever know. They include:
Pastor Rudy Ulrich of First Baptist Church Windward who led me to Christ in Hawaii at the age of 8.
Pastor Jim Cook of the International Baptist Church of Honolulu who took me (and other young men) under his wings as his "preacher boys."
Pastor Robert Hakes and his wife Doris of the College Church of La Mirada who mentored Becky and me.
Peggy Russell, dean of financial aid at Biola who took me under her wings and acquired for me a full tuition academic scholarship.
Biola teachers Harry Sturz, Nick Kurtanek, Curtis Mitchell, and Bill Bynum who taught me as a young theology student.
Bo Reicke and Markus of Basel University who modeled for me what a New Testament scholar looks like.
And so many more.
These are people for whom I am eternally grateful, and I stand on their shoulders. Joshua had his Moses. Timothy had his Paul. Elisha had his Elijah. I have these people, all of whom have passed on. But I have magnificent memories of them and pages and pages of notes. You have never heard of them but they are individuals who taught me how to love the Lord our God. I give him praise for the memory of every one of them. They loved Jesus like you can't believe. They poured themselves into my life.
Who is building into your life? Who is teaching you how to love the Lord?
Give thanks for these people.
You are their legacy.
Carry it on.
Model it.
Speak of them to your children and grandchildren.
They were precious gifts of God to you.