From Marcus Aurelius I learned the value of regarding your teachers and examples; for we are called to out do one another in showing honor.
From L. Davis Wilson, My brother in blood and in Christ, I learned how to analyze the art of music. This helped me build a palate for the genre of rock; to not only hear, but to listen to the guitar riff and it's rhythmic value along with the four/four drum beat that quenchingly provides a dominance and convinces a man that music is not for the effeminate.
From Jason Schiebe I learned to not weep or wail from the loss of an argument. From him I learned that very few men will give you an inch when in debate; I have seen the uselessness of the custom to cry for failure to back up one's positions. The victor will not take it personally, so what does it matter to him if the loser does?
Also, from Mr. Schiebe I learned that one does not need a college degree to be right. All that is required is the admittance that one is a fool and an honest desire to seek and find truth.
From Graeme Stanford Wilson, My brother in blood and in Christ, I learned the value of loving the unlovable, however irritating they may be. The world is full of those who are not desired as company, and there are few I have seen in my life, as far, love those people better than he.
From my sister, Michal Wilson, I learned confidence and to not take myself so seriously.
From Josh Gibbs I learned that one does not need to hold the correct opinion to be enjoyed by friends and others.
From Al Guyer I learned humility. Self-deprecation has an affect that right after application others may quickly honor you in turn at the sight of your humility; and that with the right kind of humility leaves no room to be prideful of it.
From Jon Hill and Norm Wall I learned that a cigar or a bowl of pipe tobacco with a friend is all that is needed to maintain a relationship; and also the wonders of tobacco and how it may focus the mind away from the malicious things in the world and brings opportunity to expound on your happy state of living. A jolly reminder of our freedom from persecution in whatever we do.
From Major Rick Storm I learned that the woes of this world have nothing to do with the peace and joyful heart we may receive from Christ, our Lord.
From Mr. Wes Calihan I learned that one does not need to attend a college institution to receive a grand education.
From John Buchan I learned the difference between a bad novel and a well written novel. I have gained the desire to read the next sentence of a novel not only for the plot, but for how he says it.
From C.S. Lewis I learned that Philosophy is not made up of big words and hard concepts, but stopping for five minutes to analyze the world we live in. The satisfaction of knowing a mans action before he does it is comparable to few other satisfactions. Having an explanation for others is appreciated by those in search for truth.
I also learned from Lewis the great lengths that man will go to so that he can hold on to his precious sin. Though, there will always be a blinking red light before us saying, "You fool".
From My Grandfather, Jim Wilson, I learned the importance of practical Christianity and how often it may be overlooked by Christians.
From My Mother, Leslie Wilson, I learned the value of an ordered and governed lifestyle. The small arrangements we make in our lives contribute a significant percentage of our personal peace and a smaller percentage of peace to those around us. She communicates the value of discipline in these things and her patience in living with those who lack this virtue.
From My Father, Evan B. Wilson, I learned gallantry, the Tao of Steve, and most importantly, being a gentleman. I have been taught the grand value of being in service to your social world. The social setting does not exist for only our benefit, but exists for us to benefit others.
From My Father I learned futility and he had learned it from King Solomon. Simply there is nothing man can do to preserve anything of this world; it is all chaos and only becomes weaker the harder we try to save it.
From My Father I have learned, but not yet mastered, the art of discussion. It is a splendid experience where in a group discussion everyone is eloquent, clairvoyant and concise; and a joke is well chosen and the non sequiter is no issue to be delt with. It may be compared with a dance routine where everyone steps in the right place.
From My Father I learned that I was pretentious; for a man must first fear God and admit to being a fool before he can receive wisdom.
And Lastly, to My Father, I owe my understanding of the world. This is not to say that I am strictly of the world, but a man who lives in the world should not remain ignorant of it.
From St. Paul and the author of Hebrews I learned that we are not under the Old Covenant but the New Covenant. I learned that we are saved by grace and there is nothing I can do to earn my salvation.
From James, the servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, I learned that faith without works is dead; for even the demons believe - and shudder.
From Jesus Christ, my Lord, Savior and God, I learned of my wickedness as a sinner. He made me aware of my pride of life and selfish desires and showing mercy towards my rebellion, cleansed me of my sins despite my being so undeserving. To Him I owe everything, though I cannot repay Him. He is my gracious and merciful God.
To all those that I have written of I say thank you with the utmost regard. I cannot imagine where I would be if I had not been taught by you.
