Our lives will only be grounded and focused when we realize that our full being should be centered around something greater than ourselves.

For me, the answer is clear. I am Christian. I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins, rose from the grave, offers forgiveness and grace to all, provides encouragement through His people and seeks to have fellowship with all that will call His name.

Some may say, it’s dangerous or even a little foolish to put our “faith” out there for all to see. After all, in our desire to be “tolerant” and “accepting”, we have to be careful not to offend anyone or to share to much of our “personal life”. But when I consider what information I want people to know about me and hopefully what shapes my character, my faith in God should not be something I only show people on Sunday morning.

I gave my life to the Lord when I was 15. Prior to that I had attended church off and on and even played drums in the church when I was 11. But it wasn’t until I was 15 and I met a youth leader by the name of Kelly Landenburger that I started to understand what it meant to follow God. It was through his example of a godly man and his willingness to invest in a skateboard riding teenager that begun my walk with God. It was him who encouraged me to go to college and there I met some amazing people who helped me understand that God can work through the most broken of vessels.

I wish I could say it has been life of bliss and harmony, but to be honest it has been tough. I have watched relationships fail, continued to struggle with outwardly sin, and have hurt more people than I care to admit. But through it all, God has remained faithful to me. He has blessed me with five wonderful children and a wife who somehow sees the best in me.

My story has had many chapters over the past years. Some better than others! Although I have struggled at times to see how God could use a guy like me, I have been blessed by what He has allowed me to be apart of. I don’t know where I would be without having my faith in God. But in the end it doesn’t matter because He is and always will be with me.

I pray as you look through these elements of who I am that you look at you who are and reflect on what plans God may have for you.