I grew up in what I describe as Norman Rockwell’s America. My Mom and Dad loved one another deeply and shared that love with their children, my brother, Sister and myself. We lived in the suburbs of Philadelphia, at that time an area surrounded by woods and farms. It was a wonderland where we could build forts in the woods or go fishing at the Wissahickon creek.
From an early age I was drawn toward music. I took piano lessons and drum lessons starting at age 11. I played in bands throughout my younger life and played for 20 some years on a worship team at New life Glenside.
My Dad died when I was 11 and it changed the trajectory of my life. We all had to grow up faster to support the family. I became a Carpenter as a natural progression of my home life. We had to learn how to build and fix things around the house because of my Dad’s absence.
Though I was raised in a Christian home, Christ created in me a longing to know his truth in a deeper way. I began to go to bible studies and broke away from the Catholic Church which caused hurt feelings that I wish were not so, but I believed that the relationship that was developing with Christ in me needed to take priority. Each decade of a life is like a chapter in a book. I am entering a new chapter here at New Life Dresher and pray that the skills and life experience that God has given me will serve the folks here. At nearly 70 I have learned that to grow in Christ is to die to self. He has to increase and I must decrease. That is where I find the peace that passes understanding.
