I'm presently married (21 years), living with my wife in Hot Springs, SD, and working (computer support) wherever I can find work.  I have four kids (two at home) and two granddaughters. 

I was born in Indianapolis, IN and lived there most of 27 years; then moved to Alaska--where I lived 20 years.  Hence, the nick, DisplacedAlaskan (you can call me D.A.).  I left Alaska in 1993 to pursue my career in computers and have been desiring to return ever since.

I was raised American Baptist and was generally found in church whenever the doors were open.  Of course, that was not really my choice—I went when my parents went.  I do distinctly remember, however, the instant I realized I was “saved.�?nbsp; I was nine, a visiting evangelistic was preaching Sunday night; I have absolutely no clue of anything he might have said, but I came under conviction sometime early in the evening and waited anxiously for him to hurry up and finish so I could "go forward" at the alter call--I was the first one down the aisle about two measures into the song.

Growing up Baptist has lots of advantages.  Almost every good Baptist boy knows all the books of the Bible, and has acquired a number of good memory verses and a pretty thorough understanding of Bible doctrine (ok, Baptist doctrine).  Unfortunately, growing up Baptist also has it's downside too--how many times can a nine year old get "saved" before he tires of it and slips out the back door?  My greatest criticism of most Baptist churches is that they deliver a great salvation message... but don’t usually know what to do with you after they save you (unless you’re old enough to drive a bus!).  I just didn't get much teaching on how to grow spiritually, I simply wore out my re-dedicator and by the time I was into high school I was acting about the same as my non-Christian friends.  The local church didn't know, didn't care, or didn't have a clue what to do about it.

I survived high school, floundered through three semesters of college, and wised up enough to drop out and join the Army--that's how I first got to Alaska.  I lived like hell in the Army, but occasionally went to church like I knew a good Baptist boy should.  I can remember once sitting in a topless bar drunk and arguing eternal progression and the nature of God with a Jack-Mormon friend who was also drunk.  At that instant I specifically realized that if Jesus returned I'd be raptured to be with him but most of my friends would go to hell.  I really felt like a guilty hypocrite (of course, that's exactly what I was).

When I ETS'd, I started attending another Baptist church with a high school buddy (mostly to meet girls).  There was a wife of our Sunday school teacher who for some reason (divine providence?) took special interest in me sufficient to accost me one day by bluntly asking, George, are you really saved?  Knowing I was once-saved-always-saved I immediately said yes.  Then why don’t you act like it?  Of course I had no rejoinder to that!  We became fast friends, and she began feeding me the first Christian literature I had ever seen apart from the Bible (God’s Smuggler, Cross and the Switchblade, and Prison to Praise).  She also introduced me to Contemporary Christian Music which changed my life.  I eventually opened a Contemporary Christian Music store and sold records, tapes, books and gifts, and rented videos.  I also toured with a Youth For Christ singing group mixing sound for them, and led worship music in my church (ironically another Baptist church).

I've attended many different denominations, and member of Assembly of God, Calvary Chapel, Christian Missionary Alliance, and several Baptist churchs--oh yes, let's not forget the occasional non-denominational denomination too!  I've been to charasmatic and fundamental, jump 'n' shout to cold and dead, bleeding heart liberal social Gospel to hard-cold Calvinistic; I've always found true Christians everywhere to fellowship with--although we sometimes got into heated debates!

I’ve knocked around quite a bit since, the road has not always been easy, and it’s taken twists and turns.  I’ve stumbled, I’ve made many dumb mistakes, and far too many deliberate, willful, knowingly sinful decisions—all of which have eventually come back to haunt me.  I'm opinionated and sarcastic, and of course I think I've got it figured out and so do you if you agree with me!  Overall, and through it all, I have grown closer to the Lord, I think I really do have a glimpse of his glory, and I know I’ve developed a much less casual attitude toward God than I have had earlier.  Obviously I still have a long way to go, but I’m thankful God elected me to eternal fellowship with him, and I’m excited about it.  Since a young boy I have consistently felt Christ would return in my lifetime, and as I see fulfilled prophecy happen before my eyes I'm convienced more than ever.  Come quickly, Lord Jesus.