I am blessed to be surrounded by friends and family who have become a team of which I am thrilled to be a part. If I can ever be perceived as a person who makes good and informed choices, it is only because of my reliance on the wise counsel of these people. Thank you all for your presence in my life.
To Polly, my wife and best friend: Thanks for your love, wit, patience, and happy spirit.
To Austin and Adam, our boys: You guys are the best. I am so proud of who you are becoming. Remember to smile while you talk!
To Robert D. Smith, my personal manager and champion: After thirty years together, you still amaze me every day. And it’s not just me—everyone thinks you are the best!
To Todd Rainsberger: your “story” advice is always appreciated. And fun!
To Scott Jeffrey: you are the Bear Bryant of “life coaches.”
To Duane Ward and the whole incredible gang at Premiere Speakers Bureau: you are not just partners; you are friends.
To Gail and Mike Hyatt, who gave life to my career as an author: I am honored to call you friends.
To Jennifer Stair, my editor, whose careful eye and quick mind made this a much better book: I very much appreciate your calm tact and great humor. To the dozens of people at Thomas Nelson who touched this book through marketing and sales.
To Matt Baugher, my publisher from Thomas Nelson: Thanks for your wise guidance and encouragement. In addition to being the best at what you do, you have become a great friend and definitely made “this author thing” a lot more fun.
To Kurt V. Beasley and Brent C. Gray, who handle the legal rights to all my intellectual property.
To Sandi Dorff, Paula Tebbe, and Susie White, who direct the daily parts of my life: without the effort, prayer, and attention to detail of you three ladies, my own efforts would not come to nearly so much.
To Nicholas Francis, Denny Swindle, and Zachary Smith: thank you for your Web mastery and simply making the Internet work. To Jared McDaniel and Kevin Burr: thanks for your sense of humor and unbelievable artistic ability—both in print and on the Web.
To Nate Bailey: many thanks for your organizational skills, happy demeanor, and “never say die” attitude. To Paul “Saul” Fries, Matt Lempert, Ben Mills, David Loy, and Will Hoekenga for their amazing behind-the-scenes work in the Nashville office. To Melinda and Christian Leake and Peggy Hoekenga for developing fantastic curriculum for this book and all the others.
To Mary Graham and all my buddies on the Women of Faith tour: thanks for your laughter and encouragement!
To authors Gloria Gaither, Jack Higgens, Andy Stanley, and others too numerous to mention: your influence on my style is probably apparent, but I wanted to say thanks anyway.
To Paul Krupin and George and Margaret Uribe for their masterful ability to get the word out to the masses. To Greg and Sara Travis for their unrivaled capability to communicate stories through video.
Special thanks to Shannon and John D. Smith for the use of their little yellow cottage. It was the perfect place to write!
Thanks to Tammy and Bo Cross for the use of their awesome beach house during the two weeks the Smith cottage was unavailable!
To Katrina and Jerry Anderson; Vicki and Brian Bakken; Erik Born; Don Brindley; Sunny Brownlee; Foncie and Joe Bullard; Brent and Pam Burns; Bailey Callaway; Myrth and Cliff Callaway; Kayla Carter; Jennifer R. Casebier; Julie and Doug Cassens; Gloria and Bill Gaither; Lillian and Edward Gilley; Gloria and Martin Gonzalez; Greta and Greg Good; Bill Gothard; Lynn and Mike Jakubik; Kent Kirby; Deb and Gilbert Little; Nancy Lopez; Mark Lowry; Melanie and Mike Martin; Karen and Alan McBride; Liz and Bob McEwen; Edna McLoyd; Mary and Jim Pace; Glenda and Kevin Perkins; Brenda and Todd Rainsberger; Sharon and Dave Ramsey; Becky and Ted Romano; Barbara Selvey; Claudia and Pat Simpson; Shannon and John D. Smith; Jean and Sandy Stimpson; Dr. Christopher Surek; Marla and Dan Toigo; Maryann and Jerry Tyler; Wade, Pat, Joey, and Elizabeth Ward; Mary Ann and Dave Winck; Kristi and Steve Woods; Kathy and Mike Wooley; and Sherry and Richard Wright: your influence in my life is undeniable, and your example is very much appreciated.