I was born, Richard B. Garren, on July 3, 1941 in Enid, Oklahoma. Next to God and Jesus Christ, my parents Glen and Mary Garren were my most important influences. I graduated from Enid High School with the class of 1959. I receved a BS and M.Ed. from Phillips University in 1967 and 1969 and a doctorate degree in education (Ed.D.) from the University of Texas. I retired from the state of Oklahoma and most recently from Oklahoma Baptist University. I also taught at Ball State University. For years I have been a lay preacher and Sunday School teacher at Christian churchs in Shawnee and Choctaw, Oklahoma. I often use personal stories from my youth in Enid and Kansas City to show Gods grace and love. Over the years church members have encouraged me to put those stories in a book. "Our Life In HIS Hands" is the result of that encouragement.

I am a saved sinner, but this is NOT my achievement. It is a free gift from my Heavenly Father.