Rowdy Rob's photos of family

1975 Fort Walton Beach High School grad

Hello to any and all fellow FWB grads,oh and uh hi to the rest of everyone else:-)

Well,right now,December 21,2006 I am 49 years old ,January 4th I will be half a century. A lot of things have happened to me since I stood proudly clutching my High School Diploma at 18 years of age.

My father bet me 200 bucks I would not graduate when I was in my junior year and my mother told me if I graduated I could have their Toyota Corona! I was ungrateful and lazy ,stupid and an alchoholic so I hoped to prove dad wrong and indeed,with a 'C'minus average I was the proud owner of my first vehicle and 200 dollars richer upon graduation.I was so stoned graduation night I didn't even understand the signifigance of what I had acomplished.In this day and age with FCAT and all I may not have graduated.

Me and my buddy Joe went to the senior party at the 'Materhorn' (some of you FWB grads may remember that place ) which was close to Destin Florida and the next day,despite pounding heads from consuming more beer than the human body was ever meant to, we went on a road trip down to Palm Beach to visit my Grandparents. Tammy ,Joe's sweeheart waited behind for him. Joe went on to marry his sweetheart Tammy and they moved away. I lost touch with them. Hey Joe if you read this it was a hoot wasn't it? Hope you and Tammy are doing well.

Fellow FWB grad and roommate Walt Crumpler talked me into joining the military maybe to try to straighten me out.I was a real burnout.

I joined the US Army after I failed to join the US Air Force. You see,academic genius that I wasn't, I flunked their entrance exam. I bearly passed the US Army's exam !

I was so brilliant due to ADHD,late night partying and poor study habits during High school that I passed the Army test with a 'C' minus or poorer and was given only two options,Infantry or Field Artillery. I chose the latter over the former .

I tell you with loud rock music and Cannon firing, my ears still ring !--huh--what did ya say?

Just before I went to basic training my uncle,Dr. David D. Powers sent me a book by Hal Lindsay entitled Satan Is Alive And well And Living On Planet Earth which I tried to read it but I was too foggy headed due to my ADHD and substance abuse to understand it. Heck I thought it was talking about me,like I was satan or something ! I was a real burnout man!So I shrugged it off.

In Sept. 1975,I went to Ft. Jackson SC for Basic Training. Out of a whole company I was the only one to flunk hand grenade toss! Can you believe it,? I had to retake it ,one of my Drill Sergeants was not impressed to say the least! He acused me in a very vulgar and loud way of being the least intelligent person he had ever seen 'In This Man's Army!! Yet somehow I passed Basic Training.

So I went to Ft. Cill Ok. to be trained on 110 Howitzer Cannons it was a little easier than Basic Training but my Drill Seargant liked to say "Cruit' your sh** is flakey."yeah I bearly passed at that place too!

In Jan 1976,after Christmas leave and a two day drunk, I was then posted in Geissen Germany as a crewman loader on a 175 Howitzer.BOOM !!!huh what did ya say huh huh??? The beer and hash-hish was stronger than what I was used to and I got wasted every chance I could. I was always getting reprimanded for something. I was in formation standing at Attention during an inspection. The Chief of Smoke(1st Sgt.) asked me if I shined my boots with a hershey bar. The guys in formation roared with laughter at that and I got me a heap of guard duty for my trouble. Uh Beatle Bailey was the ultimate squared away soldier compared to the Rowdy One! Due to hash-hish induced paranoia I became very scared of everyone. The hash-hish that I smoked also made me super depressed.So I took a whole hit of LSD to show my buddies that I was cool.You see there were a few people who were said to have been thrown to thier deaths out of the barracks in foot lockers because they were narcs.The common expression was 'only rats eat cheese'. Since I was new, I was in my peers paranoid eyes a potential 'rat'. My attempt backfired the whole hit of black micro- dot magnified my fears and paranoia. It is a wonder I didn't have a nervous breakdown. One thing was sure I was not cut out for the military.

In July 1976 I was discharged with a general DC under Honorable Conditions. I did not deserve the Under Honorable conditions part. Failure to adapt to acceptable standards of military conduct . I was lucky to get that, I deserved a dishonorable DC someone was looking out for me.

Turning Point in my life

Back up to a few months before I was discharged God found me and I found Jesus:-) I felt safe only in the Rivers Barracks Christian Coffee House. In my paranoid mind I figured that Christians wouldn't kill me. There I saw movies ,listened to music and heard people talking about Jesus and the Bible. I really believe God was behind this. A soldier named Danny Potter unwittingly discipled me with patience and infectious joy,Danny if you read this thank you bro :-) In February 1976 I became a Born Again Christian but I was still too immature to cope with the kind of discipline the military called for and my drinking all that German beer didn't help.I gave up smoking 'hash' that and my new found faith in Jesus took the edge off of my deep paranoia. I suppose I could have used therapy as well but I didn't think so at the time. Months later I gave up drinking booze for God and for myself .Then the US Army discharged me.I love God because God brought me out of so much and was so patient with me,he still is by the way:-)

Once I was back home it was evident that I was clean from that stuff even free from the desire to drink , that was a miracle because not every recovering substance abuser loses the desire for what ever it is that holds them in bondage .

A young couple named Johnny and Teena Sullivan asked me to move in with them and discipled me. Kind of like Aquilla & Pricilla and Apollos in the book of Acts. Johnny taught me the importance of praying from the heart and Teena helped me see the importance of praise and worship. In their house I prayed through and was Baptized in the Holy Ghost. I got caugt up in the charismatic movement.

With Johnny & teena's prayer support I shared my faith story with my mother and she was born again sometime in 1977. I think she could see the change in me and it caused her to hunger for an experience with the one who really loves her and died for her on the cross 2000 years ago.Since my dad would loudly and vulgarly ridicule me because of my faith she became a 'closet christian ' untill 1979 while I was in Bible College.

A good friend of mine, Kit Carle and I drove up to Midwest Bible College in Bloomington Illinois.This was n 1978. For the first time in my life I actually applied myself to my studies!I wrote term papers and everthing.I even learned good study habits. It was non-credited college I recieved a Certificate type diploma saying I completed the two years of ministry classes in 1980.

Something hoped for but quite unexpected happened while I was studying to be a minister.

In November 1979 my father became a born-again Christian and quit drinking booze and quit smoking weed.He stepped into a Non Denominational Charismatic church and for the first time in his life he felt the love of Jesus. Before that it was hard to share my faith with my dad because he was very confused due to his own substance abuse. He couldn't see my good intentions and thought I was just a mixed-up, pesky, annoying zealot.

Today Mom & Dad are both Licesned Ministers and people of integrity.

Mom and dad minister in prisons and jails they are Spirit filled Non-denominational Christians. They both are Ordained with The Full Gospel Fellowship Of Churches and Ministers International.

In 1980 I moved to West Palm Beach Florida and worked at several kinds of costruction jobs until I found Sunny Land Irrigation. I also paid 50 dollars a week out of my own pocket to preach on WLIZ AM now WLVS am radio in Lake Worth Florida every Saturday for a half hour in the afternoon.I'm not sure if thast station is still there or not. My show went something like this: I played a Gospel Rock song from a tape and then preached an evangelical bible based message relating to the song I played.

Backsliding Blues

This is embarassing and painful, In 1981 I fell in lust and married out of God's timing and will,had premaritial sex with her even though I knew better. Lust is a powerfull driving force that if not controlled can cause any believer to fall into sin. So being a Christian I did the 'right thing',I married her. Don't get me wrong she wasn't pregnant. I justified my actions thinking I was rescuing her from a former boyfriend that liked to use her for a punching bag. Her ex boyfriend tried to attack me physically twice. I ran away each time ,yeah he always had a big knife and all I had was my still lingering paranoia and fear.Mr. Bunch if somehow you happen to read this I forgive you and Jesus loves you.Dude , I pray for you and I hope you will come to Christ some day. Despite my kindness to my ex and all,I was just not ready for marriage.I was a lousy protector and provider and not emotionally strong enough to support her.I still had remnants of paranoia that made me fear and mistrust others. Had I really cared to pray and seek God about it I probably would have known that it was not the right time to be in a relationship. 3 months later she divorced me on the grounds of irreconcilable differences. I am sad that I caused her emotional pain through a failed relationship. When ever I think of her I pray for her.

I was crushed because I really did want the marriage to work but it was for the best. We had no children together so for all practical purposes I was free. Ms. Neumon if you happen to read this I wish you well.

Unexpected blessing

In 1983 I met my sweet heart from Singapore Melanie Hui-Eng Seah. I was upset because I couldn't raise the funds I needed to go to the UK on a CFNI Summer ,6 week ministry trip. I was sitting down for lunch in the cafeteria on campus and accross from me was this gregarious ,smiling cute Chinese lady! We dated the week she was on campus during an International Seminar held by CFNI. She initiated the date by asking me if I was familiar with Dallas. Unlike the way I dated my ex,this time I behaved myself,we didn't even hold hands until the night before she went back to Singapore. The night before she left I gave her, her first kiss on top of Dallas Texas Reunion Tower. The whole week she was in Dallas at CFNI we went out for supper ,she paid for the food and she paid for gasolne for my car. yeah I know ,but she insisted:-) No wonder God didn't allow me the funds to go to the UK. God was showing me His grace and gave me hope for a new relationship.His forgveness is real it will comfort and heal a sin weary soul.

After she went back to Singapore we corresponded through the mail throughout my last year at CFNI.

In May 1984 I graduated from CFNI with an Associates Degree In Practical Theology.That degree was earned by 4 classes a day and 18 hours of ministry per semester. I ministered in Asian Outreach teaching Laotian refugees english and about Jesus love and Grace for one semester . I ministered in Drama ,which was fun, street drama with an evangelical flavor for the next three semesters and a summer session. I also deepened my prayer life and developed a habit of Bible study that I use to this day. In Methodism we call this means of grace.Means of grace are prayer,bible study,fasting,worshipping in church,receiving the sacrament of communion and outreach. All in all CFNI took 4 Semesters and a Summer Session.

Not sure of what God wanted me to do next ministry-wise I went back to West Palm Beach and was re-hired by Sunnyland Irrigation back to the trenches baby!

In August of 1984 Melanie flew to West Palm Beach Florida and we were married.That was what God wanted me to do next:-) My wife,Melanie is a tall ,(same height as me 5 ft7 ,) pretty Peranakan or Straights-Chinese lady.Peranakan is the culture of Chinese who migrated into the Straights of Malaka over a hundred years ago. Her culture is a mixture of Dialect Chinese and Malay. Being from Singapore she speaks english. Being a school teacher excelling in english she speaks better english than I. She taught elementry school in Singpore for 18 years until she met me. Then she flew to Florida to marry me. She has,over the years,learned American quisine and can cook western food just as well as she can traditional Malay-chinese fare. She also learned American humor which is inescapable in my house,I am such a smart aleck:-)She makes me laugh so hard when I need to explain the jokes ,we wind up both lauughing good and heartily.

I figured that God wanted me to esablish my family before going into full time ministry. I worked for Sunnyland Irrigation until 1987. The sun got to be too much for my fair ,freckled, irish-american skin so I needed a job out of the elements. With no doors opening for me to do anything full time for the Lord , in 1987 I became a Patient Care Technician. I found out that working for a hospital is both stressfull and rewarding.It can be back breaking too. This job has prepared me for ministry to a congregation like no other job. I have learned patience,kindness and my compassion for people has grown by leaps and bounds. It has helped me with paranoia ,the scriptre that says 'perfect love casts out all fear'is true. I can not be a successfull leader in any church unless I really care. How can I really care for people if I am afraid of them. I also learned how to be a servant because that is the main theme of my job. I am a servant to the patients.I am a servant to my colleagues.I am a servant to my superiors . Not bad for an ex-burnout!

In 1986 our first son Josiah David Doran was born by c-section.WOOOHOO I was a dad! Josiah is now 20 and 6 foot . He has Aspergers Syndrome which is High Functional Autism .He did real well with it in High School was on the A honor roll consistantly. He is not a burnout like I was. He graduated this year ,May 22 ,2004 with a 4.0 average in ESE as well as recieved employee of the year for his 3rd to 6th period custodial job on campus.Yep dat's mah boy!!!:-)

In 1990 YEEEEHAAAWW!!!our second son was born Judah Lincoln Doran again by c-section.My lovely wife had her tubes tied after Judah's birth.She was 41 years old so that was that kid wise. Judah has ADHD like I do but because of my wife and my christian life style he has a foundation that I never had to fall back on with all the temptations in life . He was on the A-B honor roll and has earned awards and trophys in reading and math throughout his elementry school years. In 2001 Judah played football for the Bronson 6th grade/Middle School Eagles. They won 3 out of 5 games ,two they won by shut out not bad huh? He played the line as defensive tackle and also defensive back.He has his mother's oriental eyes and on the line he could distort his face to a mask of fierceness.In spite of being the littlest guy on his team he gave as much as he got He could take a hit and keep on tickin!!! He is a little runt like I was but he is fast like I wasn't. Also one of his team-mates was a girl !! She was a short stalky heavy set girl . Coach had her on the line as offensive tackle. This year 11th grade is a lot more demanding homework-wise and Judah has been found to have General Anxiety Disorder so Judah is not doing any extra curricular sports,there is no time! Judah excells at Play station and computers and is an excellant artist.

I worked in Palm Beach Regional Hospital until we moved to Rural North Central Florida ,Bronson in 1993.

I now work 4 to 3 ,8 hour shift a week at North Central Florida Regional Medical Center I am a Licensed Part-tiome local Pastor .I will retire from Hospital work when I pass the Florida Confernce Board Of Ministry & recieve a full-time appointment.

A call and a new career!!!

That's right! I currently am about to change careers for the third time! Yeah!!! from Sprinklers to Hospitals to Church work.

Finally closer to full time ministry. This time I am actually,finally understanding and answering God's call by going into pastoral ministry ,for the United Methodist Church . Since June 16th ,2002 the 'Rowdy One' has been a pastor. From 2002 until July of 2004 Florahome United Methodist Church . Since 2004 Ellzey UMC in Otter Creek Florida.

Now as I am pastoring Ellzey United Methodist Church I am also working on getting a Full Time appointment . It boils down to writing intelligent --well uh ledgible answers typed and double spaced to various leadeship and theological quesions posed by The United Methodist Board of Ministry. Sending reference letters to work superiors and fellow christians. Videotaping a sermon for scrutiny. A physical exam. Notorized financial and character background checks. College transcripts and finally a big interview down in Leesburg. The United Methodist Church is carefull,prayerfull and quite thorough in it's screening process . I also have to satisfy any contingencies the district board imposes on me in order to grow in my calling and be recomended by them for full time licensed or ordained ministry.

Then continuing education. That means more schooling . Yep, roughly 10 years of it. While I am Pastoring ,sort of on the job training.

Once I finish my third year course of study two years from now then every summer ,I plan to take my family to Emory University's Chandler School of Theology to take the 6 week Minister's Course Of Study.I hope be done with that by 2012.

Beyond Licensed Local Pastor to be an Associate Member of the United Methodist Church Florida Conference,then I will have to take 5 more years Advanced Pastoral Studies.That would put me finishing at 2017 to 2018.I will be 60 to 61 years old. If I am not careful I may turn into a real Theologian type Scholar!Religious 'egghead' perhaps:-)

Well that's the long and short of it. Hope I didn't bore you :-) If for any reason you would like for my wife and I to pray for you e-mail us at Prayer 4 U

If any of you who read this would like to pray for me here are 15 prayer concerns

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Pray that I never lose sight of my personal sinfulness and the daily need for cleansing of my sin by Jesus Christ.

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Pray that I would realize my personal inadequacy to fulfill my tasks, and that I will always depend on God for knowledge, wisdom and the courage to do what is right.That I will be filled with the Holy Spirit on a daily basis.

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Pray that I will have the wisdom ,courage and tact to reject all counsel that violates spiritual principles of righteousness and holiness. That I do so in the spiritof forgiveness.

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Pray that I will resist those who would pressure me to violate my conscience in the messages I prepare or lessons I teach. Pray for me to be able do so with love and in the spirit of reconciliation.

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Pray that God gives me wisdom and courage to reverse the trends of worldliness and humanism wherever I am appointed to serve, both of which deify man rather than God.

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Pray that I would be ready to sacrifice my personal ambitions and career for the sake of this my calling, if yielding them would be in the best interest of the church.

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Pray that I will always rely upon prayer , the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit as the source of my daily strength, wisdom and courage.

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Pray that God gives me wisdom and discernment about the gifts and calling of the people in the congregations I serve in so that I can equip them for service .

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Pray that I will always be a good example in my conduct to the fathers, mothers, sons and daughters of the churches I am apointed to serve in.

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Pray that I will be reminded daily that I'm accountable to Almighty God for the decisions I make.

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Pray that I learn to be more and more sensitive to the move of the Holy Spirit in the churches I am appointd to serve in.

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Pray that God uses me to facilitate renewall in every church I'm apointed to serve in serve in.

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Pray that I continue to find favor with my superiors in the United Methodist Board of Ministry at the same time remain steadfast in my convictions.

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Pray for God to protect my famly from harsh sting of critisism that may come from any of the congregations I am appointed to serve in.

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Pray that I can keep everything in proper perspective as in never putting the ministry before my relationship with God and never putting the ministry before my obligations to care for my family.

How about you? Need prayer? Clik right Here to share prayer concerns with the Global Prayer Family,and also if you have any joys that witness God's love for you please share:-)