I'm Dave Harvey, yeah that's right. I was that kid who grew up in Riviera, a small neighborhood in Torrance, CA. I lived for playing baseball, surfing, hot rods and custom cars, girls, and my friends. I was not one to sit on the sidelines so I participated in most everything. I even ran for office in elementary school. I grew up with a passion for life and a love for all the things in it. I guess you could say I was a typical self-centered male where "I" was always at the forefront of my thoughts, even after I fell in love and got married to Betsy Johnson, the girl of my dreams. I had no religious teaching while growing up other than Mom told me there was a god and I believed it, but didn't understand it. I learned the Lord's Prayer when I went to church a couple times with my neighbors the McBurney's. I didn't understand the words, but it sounded godly, so whenever I had a need for some sort of counsel I said it. I talked to God only when I was in need and hoped he would hear me and help me (if in fact he really existed). I did a lot of this in boot camp while in the military right out of high school.

After performing my duty in the U.S. Air Force for four years we settled back in Torrance, CA. It was 1969 and we had a 1-year-old daughter. During that first year after the military I indulged in pornography, topless/bottomless bars, foul language, and many of the things I did when I was single. This was a heart wrenching period for my wife Betsy. About this time we heard from a couple we were good friends with in Germany while in the Air Force, Dave and Betty Knight. They told us how they knew Jesus Christ and had a relationship with him. It was good to hear from them, even though they were now religious fanatics. They lived in a commune called His House in Albuquerque, NM and received a vision that their old friend Dave Harvey was ready to receive the Lord. They prayed about it with their worship group and received confirmation they were to take a trip to CA and visit me. Of course if they'd told me that, I never would have invited them to visit. Anyway, they wrote saying they wanted to visit and we invited them, this was August 1970. I knew they had this new found religion and we would probably have to listen to their preaching and I decided I would be open-minded and listen to what they had to say, just as a courtesy to them and only if they brought it up.

On the third night of their visit they still hadn't said one word about religion and it was really bothering me, maybe because I was really curious to hear what they had to say. We were sitting on the couch in the living room talking about motorcycles (I had a Harley at the time). I decided to invite them to share their thing and said, "I know you're anxious to tell me all about this religion you got so I am going to open my mind and listen to what you have to say" (I couldn't believe what I just said) and I listened. They told me about Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation, the Holy Spirit, the Father, and Satan. All I needed to do was to believe, confess it, and ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Then the Father would give me the gift and I would know the truth. I believed with all my heart. Even though I knew everything they just told me was true, I still didn't have that really convincing feeling and I knew I was going to have to do something that would embarrass me, confess it with my mouth and ask Him into my life. It was a major decision, what if nothing happened, how embarrassing would that be? It took about 20 seconds and I dropped to my knees on the floor in front of the living room couch (my wife couldn't believe her eyes) and said, "I believe Jesus died for my sins and I accept Him as my personal savior and please God, send me the gift of the Holy Spirit". I no sooner got the words out of my mouth and a presence entered into my body and filled my with a joy I'd never known. With that filling came a personal knowledge and experiential meeting of God. I've known Him ever since and nothing has ever shaken my faith of the truth of God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the plan of salvation. I'm saved and know I'll always be saved no matter what.

What next? I read the Bible starting with the gospel of John. The Bible is the only true word of God and has everything you need to have a full relationship and understanding of Him, salvation, and the history of the earth. Also, you will find that the Christian life is a walk of many ups and downs and lots of adventures. God will never leave you and is always there for you when you fall.

Who am I? I'm Dave Harvey, Masters in Human Relations, Bachelors in Social Psychology and Anthropology, Associates in Aeronautics and General Education, Member "Alpha Kappa Delta" National Sociology Honor Society, numerous awards and decorations from outstanding work in the federal government, Commercial Pilot and Airframe and Powerplant licenses from the FAA, the proud father of two daughters and five grandchildren. "Who am I?" I am nothing. Even though I have done nothing in this world that counts in the eyes of God, He loves me enough to sacrifice His only Son so I can be with and have fellowship with Him. And so can you, just believe like a child and ask. It's His promise to us, He won't let you down.

--- written David Harvey