This is my first CD, so I am not sure where to begin. It has been a long and often wayward path I walked and I have deserved much worse than I got.

Let me start by thanking my Mom, (and Dad, who has passed on), for being Godly examples and for continuing to give their unconditional love, money, patience, faith and forgiveness to that selfish, self-absorbed young man that I was long ago. To all of the other people who helped me and had faith in me, even when I let them down—I am (and will always be)—humbled and grateful. Also, to my wife, who loved me, believed in me, supported me (and put up with me) through all of this—I love you and thank God for you every day.

Finally, and with all of my heart I thank you, my Lord and Savior, for everything you have given me. I will never boast about this music, because it is truly more than I am capable of creating on my own-and that you would use me is beyond my own understanding.

I pray that you would continue to mold and shape me into the disciple you would have me become, crucified in Christ,—“for I am yours, and you are mine, and this will be—for all time—in my heart, in my life, in Your Way”.

I want to thank these people for putting their heart and soul into this music:

Noel Leaman--who produced the preliminary arrangements of this music.

Glenn Brown-- the producer/engineer with the gentle soul , without whose keen sense of hearing, kindness, generosity, intuitiveness and extreme patience with me this album would not have been done. I want you to know, Glenn, how much I love and respect you- and I am honored to have worked with you.

Brian Brill-- the extraordinary arranger that Glenn sent me to. Brian is a man after God’s own heart, humble and gifted, whom-(I hope you don’t mind my saying this, Brian)-I love with all my heart. It is difficult to find the right words to express to all of you who read this how I felt when I first heard Brian’s arrangements, so I’ll just say this—it is as if he looked right into the desires of my heart for these songs and created what he saw there (I hope this doesn’t embarrass you too much, my friend). Brian also wrote the beautiful, haunting introductions to “Live to die” and “For unto us”--I am forever in your debt.

Donny Brown and Kay Rinker-O’neil-- who performed virtually all of the background vocals and are both truly gifted writers and musicians in their own right. This is starting to sound redundant, but I really love these two people, especially for their heart, joy and laughter, and their contributions to the vocal arrangements. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Daryl Hibbert-- who I love for his great-big-beautiful heart. Without even knowing me, and believing that God was calling him to help, Daryl put together the small gospel choir of Darlene Mans, Wendy Thompson, Suzanne Minter, Falon Frye, Daniel Hibbert, and Boris Williams for the song “True Love”-making it a very special song.

Bob Motyka and Bob Tye--(I guess you had to be named Bob to play guitar on this CD), the two guitarists who brought their extremely gifted playing and heart into the studio. The songs you two played on were truly made extra special by what you gave to them.

Diego Rivera, Kris Johnson, and Robert Stringer,--the brass section. Diego put this brass trio together and they put the icing on the cake for the songs they played on. My special thanks to Diego for his solos on “Do you not know?” and “In Your Way”.

Bill Vits-- percussionist extraordinaire-this guy is truly amazing. Listen to how he brought the groove up on “Joy!” and “Do you not know?”. Thank you so much, Bill.

Robert H. “Bubba” Grundner--Bob was (and is) a great drummer who had cancer and did not live to see the release of this CD. I am so glad that I asked Bob to play on “True Love” and “In Your Way”. The night I heard him I knew that I wanted him for this project—he is that special. I and many others prayed continually for the miracle of healing for Bob. Many who gave of their time and money in fund raising efforts in the music community are saddened by his losing battle with this terrible disease—we know that we will see him again one day—but this life will be for the worse without him. Bob, I wish I had known you better, but thank God you will always be here on this CD to make me smile-and cry.

Sue Spencer—did the absolutely stunning, hauntingly beautiful artwork for the CD. Sue was in a horrific accident in 1992 and had to relearn how to do literally everything. She began to do watercolors to develop her hand/eye coordination and has become a wonderfully talented artist. Her life and joy is in Christ and it shines through in her work and on her face. I am humbled by her courage and touched by her faith.