Against All Odds: My Story

DEDICATION

To Rachel Joy Scott

A courageous victim of the Columbine High School shooting in Littleton, Colorado. Facing death itself, Rachel refused to compromise her faith in God. This poem, written by her father, Darrell Scott, aptly describes the problems we face, and provides the answer, for those courageous enough to believe:

Your laws ignore our deepest needs,
Your words are empty air.
You've stripped our heritage,
You've outlawed simple prayer.
Now gunshots fill our classrooms,
And precious children die.
You seek for answers everywhere,
And ask the question, “Why?”
You regulate restrictive laws,
Through legislative creed,
And yet you fail to understand
That God is what we need!

I also dedicate this book to the two most influential women in my life—my mom, Wilma Knight, and my wife, Gena.

It is impossible to overestimate the tremendous impact Mom has had on me, modeling an unconditional love, coupled with tremendous faith in God. Thank you, Mom, for your spiritual guidance, for teaching me to look for the good in every person, and for living your life with such a positive attitude—despite the circumstances, against all odds.

And to Gena, my loving wife, my soul mate, the woman who helped me see afresh what really matters in life. This book would not exist had it not been for your faith, nor would our precious babies, and I know I would not be where I am with God without your love and encouragement.

Thank you! I love you!

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

1 A Wake-up Call

2 Mixed Motivators

3 Life in a Bottle

4 A Mother's Love

5 Life Choices

6 Cracking the Egg of Insecurity

7 Karate Kick-off

8 Becoming a Champion

9 When Warriors Collide

10 Humble Spirit; Warrior's Heart

11 Material Wins; Emotional Losses

12 True Friends

13 Hollywood Stars and Other High-profile Students

14 Power Under Control

15 The First Step Is the Toughest

16 Close Calls

17 Make a Wish

18 The Amazing Gracies

19 An Unexpected Advocate

20 Dangerous Moves

21 A Sin That Became a Blessing

22 Walker, Texas Ranger

23 The Total Gym Story

24 Soul Mates

25 Diamonds in the Rough

26 Miracle Babies

27 Spiritual Surprises

28 The President's Man

29 God Has Plans for You!

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

J
ust as filming a movie or a television series requires the assistance and expertise of numerous talented and dedicated individuals working together to accomplish a common goal, writing and publishing a book is a collaborative effort among many highly skilled and deeply committed people.

I am truly grateful to my wife, Gena, for encouraging me to write this book, and to Joe Hyams, for helping us with the first draft. A providential conversation with author Tim LaHaye led me to literary agent Mark Sweeney and writer Ken Abraham, two men who envisioned this book five years before we ever met! They not only helped me fulfill the vision of this book, but we have also become dear friends.

Special thanks to Ken Stephens, David Shepherd, Len Goss, Kim Overcash, Paul Mikos, and the tremendously enthusiastic sales representatives of Broadman & Holman Publishers. Thank you all for helping me to share my story.

Thanks, too, to my wonderful office staff—Marie, Kim, Laura, Howard, Bobby and Cynthia, Margurita, and Ilona—for their tireless efforts in keeping everything going, making my life easier, and allowing me the time to work on this book.

Thanks to the administrative staff and instructors of KICKSTART for their hard work and dedication. They are impacting thousands of young lives across America.

Thanks to our family members and friends, and to the many people who have touched my life, encouraging me to use my God-given talents in positive ways.

Most of all, I thank God for being the driving force in my life!