My Short Autobiography
Hi. How are you doing? Thanks for visiting my Website! Perhaps as you learn a little more about me you will also learn a little more about yourself. We are all imperfect, but we can help each other as we journey through life together. If I have been some help for you in your journey, that would make me happy. May God bless you real good!
I’m a baby boomer from North Miami who was born in 1952. Being third-born and the only brother among six sisters, I learned the importance of compromise early in life. My birth order should have made me a diplomat, but I had to learn most of that later … much later. I also followed in my father's footsteps -- he was a master storyteller who made up fascinating stories and tried to "put an old head on young shoulders" through sharing his real-life experiences. When we were old enough, my sisters and I often walked to Sunday School. As a young child, I had positive experiences attending a Lutheran Vacation Bible School and Sunday School. As a teen, we attended a Christian Science Sunday School where two kind brothers -- both successful businessmen -- were my teachers.
I was blessed with a good mind and great teachers, enabling me to graduate as salutatorian in a class of one thousand at North Miami High. While attending high school, David, a classmate, stood out because he always carried a big Bible and liked to talk about Jesus. Naturally, I tried to avoid him; but, through God's providence, we became college roommates. David was a rarity among college students. He went to bed around 9 P.M. and woke up around 6 A.M. to read and meditate on the Bible, and to pray. David also borrowed the lay pastor's van to pick up children from trailer parks and take them to Sunday School at a Lion's Club. He wanted to be a minister and eventually became one. His life, evangelistic efforts, and prayers were instrumental in leading me to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
My education includes both a B.S. and an M.S. in mathematics/computer science from Florida Atlantic University. At twenty, I was born again while attending college and quickly became actively involved in the Great Commission. From 1984 to 1986, I attended Campbell University School of Law. During that time, I served as a summer intern for Concerned Women for America through a special program in Christian Statesmanship sponsored by Catholic businessman Thomas J. White. When I left law school, I was exhausted and needed a sabbatical year. I later applied to Regent University School of Law as a transfer student and was accepted, but I decided not to go. After that time, I met Marilyn who helped me put my life back together. In 1989, we were married at Boca Raton Community Church (Bibletown).
I became a Bible-believing Christian in college and have been an active member in a wide spectrum of Christian churches for over fifty years. I have served in a variety of roles, ministering to all age groups from two-year-olds to adults. I've served in a local church as a lay leader in college/career, men's, and prayer ministries. I also served as an officer in local chapters of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Baptist Campus Ministries, Christian Action Council, Christian Legal Society, and Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship International. Before my ministry involvement on Chess.com, I was an email coach with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Professionally, I taught math and computers for grades five through first year college while working at a secular private school, two Christian schools, a technical college, and a community college. I also taught driver education for two private companies and had careers as a software engineer and as an IT professional.
Since retiring as an IT professional and consultant for the Federal government, I became a part-time Christian author. QuillPen is my pen name taken from a character in one of my short stories for children. I use my pen name for fiction and my real name for nonfiction books. I also write devotionals, poems, jokes, short stories, songs, and theological forums, most of which have been posted in the Christian Youth Chess Team (CYCT), a club on Chess dot com where I have ministered for the past five years. Unfortunately, this club was recently shut down through circumstances not of my own making. My ministry to young people has focused on discipling and encouraging them through relationships, writing, and humor. The CYCT youth have also provided encouragement and feedback for earlier drafts of my books.
I have currently published three books: A Disciple's Journey: 26 Devotional Studies to Draw You Closer to Jesus (2020/2025); The Amazing Adventures of Poly, the Amazon Parrot (2021/2025); and Danny Boy: A Prodigal's Journey (2025). A Disciple's Journey is suitable for mature teens and adults. The Amazing Adventures of Poly, the Amazon Parrot is a great bedtime story for young children and is great for preteens and the young at heart of all ages. Danny Boy: A Prodigal's Journey is an entertaining and unpredictable coming-of-age novel especially suitable for teens and young adults. It was written to help young people find their way through the maze of today’s complex and morally confusing world to a productive and satisfying life.
Following Jesus is not always easy, but it is richly rewarding. True disciples know that their greatest treasure is their relationship with God through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Their future reward is not measured by fame or fortune, but it will be proportional to their faithfulness and love. Jesus will never leave you and wants to give you an abundant and meaningful life filled with His love, joy, peace, and enduring hope. When He returns, He will take you to a perfect place to live with Him forever in a new heaven and a new earth. To find out more, including how I became a Christian, please visit my Website at www.a-disciples-journey.com.
Thank you for taking the time to read my autobiography.
May God richly bless you!
