This book would have never been written and brought to the public if it had not been for three pastors who faithfully ministered to me over many years. Pastor David Zempel taught me how to look for Christ throughout the Bible. He also showed me that God could even use a farm boy who was shy and not very good at speaking. Pastor Alan Rudie influenced me a great deal during the time I was writing the bulk of this book. Many of the thoughts in this book were triggered by his wonderful sermons. In particular, the section regarding the city of Jericho in chapter 5 came from a sermon he preached. Finally, I would like to thank Pastor Bryan Bice who evaluated the manuscript, and who taught me that there is no greater love than to pursue holiness.
I also think of Al Dean, who taught Sunday school for many years, who has now gone to be with the Lord. He had a wonderful understanding and eloquent way of teaching the symbolism of the Bible. He also lived a Christ-like example of a life bearing the fruit of the Spirit. Also thanks to Jan Dean, my sister Janet Brill, and others who helped check the book. Thanks to Dr. Eric Forman for his amazing Sunday school lessons about the human body. Thanks to my mother, Alice Brill, whose love of writing must have rubbed off on me a little bit, and who lived in a way that showed me her love for the Lord while I was growing up. Thanks to my wife, Sue, for her patience and forgiveness when I fall short, and her encouragement to me. Thanks to the wonderful congregation at Faith Baptist Church in Sterling, Illinois who have encouraged me in thousands of ways since the time I was a tike. Thanks to all the guys in the tool room at Wahl Clipper Corp., especially Rick Stokes and Louie Murphy with whom I worked closely for so many years. They have shown me how a master craftsman works. I pray that all the people at Wahl would one day become apprentices of the great Master Craftsman. But most importantly of all, I would like to thank God for His patience with me as He worked with me over the years of my lifetime to shape me into a person who could write this book. To God be all the glory!
