rom the Bible about people who faced a sudden challenge and by a bold, quick wit and with God's help got success. Some were young (David the shepherd and Miriam the big sister), others old (Paul). Some were from Israel (King Saul the farmer), some were foreigners (Jael who lived in a tent). Boys and girls, men and women, strong and weak, all became heroes of faith and part of the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us. All children should know their stories, and all adults should be able to tell them to children -- and to themselves. William J Edgar grew up in the Bronx, on a farm in the Catskill Mountains, and in the Philadelphia suburb of Upper Darby after his father died in 1953. He was graduated from nearby Swarthmore College in 1968. In 1980 he received a Ph.D. in history from the University of Pennsylvania after living with his wife Gretchen and children in Cyprus 1970-74 and in Athens, Greece 1978-79. He pastored the Broomall Reformed Presbyterian (Covenanter) Church near Philadelphia for 34 years while also teaching high school mathematics in the West Chester public schools for 30 years. He then served as interim president of Geneva College. In retirement, he is writing books and helping take care of his 17 grandchildren. See williamedgar.org