So how do you introduce yourself and a new blog to strangers and friends? Hello, my name is Harry Joiner. Actually, you are simply meeting the current version of Harry Joiner. It is much improved over older versions due to the ongoing work of redemption, and probably is not the best version, which I expect is yet to come as redemption continues. I am a person in process, thanks to the salvation and ongoing faithfulness of Jesus the Christ.

I gave my life to Christ when I was 20. That is, as of this writing, 48 years ago. I would like to say that all my worst mistakes were before I came to Christ, but I would be misleading you. I’ve made some real doozies since then. I have a natural talent for making mistakes, but Jesus has the greater gift of turning the mistakes around and using my learning and growing for my and others’ benefit. I want this blog to be about how Jesus can work and love on anyone. I hope never to mislead my readers into thinking that I am more than just someone who needs Jesus and has the amazing miracle of being in a relationship with God who came to earth to rescue people like me.

I am a retired teacher. I taught English and can make writing mistakes, which would make you wonder. I am loud and outgoing, as I was genetically disposed to be an extravert. That also means that I get into things and places where wiser people would have avoided. It gives me plenty of opportunity for humility and growth. My writing is likely to span from serious to silly, from thoughtful and thought provoking to cartoon type humor and anything in between.

My hope is that you will always find the writing encouraging. Proverbs says a righteous man falls seven times, but gets up again. The part about getting up is the tender hand of a loving God who puts you back on your feet. That is my hope for this blog, that you would see that tender hand.