James McHann

I grew up in a home with loving parents. We lived in a beautiful home, surrounded by tall trees and lovely flower beds, in a pleasant and safe neighborhood across the street from a park with woods, walking trails, baseball fields, a community swimming pool, picnic tables and a play area for children. I went to new schools and had teachers who were able to teach me much more than I was willing to learn at the time. Towards the end of high school, I was drawn into a kind and nurturing church with a great pastor and youth director, and later I went to a wonderful Christian college near my home. In the decades since, I've had the opportunity to go to some elite graduate schools and work in interesting and meaningful jobs where it was possible to make a positive difference in the lives of others. There have been enormous difficulties, challenges, and sometimes profoundly evil attacks from scary, unsafe people. But, in spite of all that, at so many junctures I could have done better. God has blessed me in innumerable ways over the years, and He continues to do so. "Surely goodness and mercy" have followed me all the days of my life. God has invested so much in me. My capacity to appreciate all He has done and to be sufficiently grateful is sadly limited. My life has had its share of mistakes, shortcomings, disappointments, and failures. However, as the saying goes, "God is not finished with me yet." I don't know how the future will unfold, but I will continue to look to the One who is the "author and perfector of my faith" and “I know Whom I have believed, And am persuaded that He is able, To keep that which I’ve committed, Unto Him against that day.” My highest ambition is to become a "trophy of God's grace."