Birthday wishes to two special people

No, I'm not one of them.

My birthday was Wednesday, it's true, but I don't feel particularly special in that particular regard.

I want to celebrate the birthdays of two very important people to me...one, a very longtime friend, and a key person in the development of my life, and the other a relatively new friend...who is special to me in ways he probably doesn't even realize.

The old friend is one Bruce Baloian, erstwhile personnel director for the Fresno/Madera Youth For Christ branch in the 1970s(when it was one of the nation's leading such branches), and for the past 25 years or so, a professor at Azusa Pacific University in Southern California. I met Bruce one summer day in 1975, a high school kid hurting for acceptance and meaning in his life, and despite being a relatively smart kid, I had no clue how to find the acceptance and meaning I so dearly craved.

Bruce worked in tandem with three or four other YFC staff members, spending time with me and discussing how important it was to have a proper relationship with Jesus Christ in life to achieve that contentment and meaning I was seeking. It's too bad that nowadays, too many kids that age don't have anyone like that they can call at all kinds of times of day or night, and find a friend that cares enough about them to tell them the truth about themselves, and what they need.

Bruce told me the truth, all right...constantly! Although it appeared that I could hold my own intellectually against his well thought out and careful reasoning about why Jesus Christ was so important, I realized one truth I could not argue against, or contradict.

Bruce and his young wife Karin were happy, pleasant, friendly, and building a family. I was none of those things, and they were everything I wanted to be. If my intellct was so great, why was I so envious of them and what they had?

To make a long story short, eventually, on the evening of October 19, 1975, I realized what I had to do to make my dreams of contentment and purpose come true...I had to get right with Jesus Christ. So, at 8:33 that evening, I did...and I've never looked back.

Am I happy? Well, pretty much...things could be better, but they're getting there! At least I know how to do what I need to do to get what I need! Am I content? Absolutely. There is NO better way to live than to be a willing disciple of Jesus Christ...and I joy in that contenment.

So thanks Bruce, for pointing the way. And now, almost 32 years later, Bruce is still one of my main role models. Whenever I have a major decision to make, I consult a select circle of people...and Bruce is always one of them. His wisdom is deep, and he backs up what he says in his own life and ways.

So, since May 18th is Bruce's birthday, I wanted to take the time to honor him here, in my humble corner of the web. Happy birthday, Bruce.

The other person I wanted to point out here is not only one of my newest friends, he reads this blog(at least I hope he still comes this way despite my silence here of late!)!

I've known of him for almost a year, but I did not meet him in person until the Great Western Southern Gospel Fan Festival held in Fresno last month. He is a singer with probably my favorite current quartet, the Liberty Quartet of Boise, Idaho...easily the outstanding gospel group in the Western United States at present, IMHO!

Those who have read previous entries of mine here where I have mentioned the Liberty Quartet will know why it is I admire them so much...it's in part because of their outstanding musical abilities,.particularly those of their manager and (outstanding)bass singer, Royce Mitchell(himself a good friend of mine now).

But more than that, each member of the quartet has a heart for Christ and their mission, and for each and every fan of theirs that passes by their record table, or writes them a letter, or with whomever they're in contact with for ANY reason. In that sense, they remind me of the old Couriers(also good personal friends of mine)...they sing well, they sing the truth, and they back up what they sing with committed lives.

And if I'm not mistaken(which I am on some occasions!), today, May 18th, is the birthday of their outstaniding and gracious young tenor, Keith Waggoner...who is one person I would point any young aspiring gospel singer to as a role model for how to be a truly successful gospel singer.

Keith is an outstanding man, and one whom I am proud to call "friend" although I have only known him for a relatively short time. Keith, take a happy birthday bow!:-)

One name I cannot omit in all this birthday celebration is Kat McVay of Salinas, someone I met as a result of fellowship on the southern gospel message boards, and is a true, dear friend who also means a great deal to me...Kat, if you're reading this, happy birthday to you! I haven't forgotten you!:-)

Anyway, just thought I'de celebrate some worthy people in my life on their special day! They all deserve it, and help make me what I am today in their own individual ways.

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