Who knew Sports Illustrated would challenge me?

I was reading a Peter King articlee on shamed wide receiver Donte Stallworth and it really got me thinking.  Here's a guy that about a year ago killed a guy while driving intoxicated.  All other details aside, that is horrific.  One would be easily justified saying "He's a bad guy." The point of the article was that Stallworth is back in the NFL and seeking to change his life around.  He's been given a seconf chance of sorts and he intends to use it.

I immediately tried to internalize that concept.  A murderer asking for a do over. Then I tried to make it even closer to myself. 

If I claim to love Christ.  If I walk through life saying Christ is my king, but have hatred, disdain or bitterness in my heart; am I doing it right?  I told I need to Love. It's my belief that Jesus came to redeem everyone. Everyone is an all encompassing word.  Who am I to hold judgement on anyone?  Who am I to withhold forgivenes??

This is something I need to get WAY better at.

My goals

I don't think Im going to write many lengthy posts, but I want to try to paint a picture of where I am and where I'd like to take this blog.


I grew up the son of a preacher. I grew up in a house where God's will was the most important factor in every decision (as it should be.) Being who I was, and who my parents were, I always assumed that "full time ministry" was my destiny. I never planned for anything different. I never saw any other options. I never wanted to.

"The plan" all came to a screeching to a halt early 2007 when my then Fiance (now Wife) and I conceived our daughter Addisyn. Suddenly the entire ball game changed. Suddenly I was tainted goods. Suddenly I wasn't good enough.

(My parents, Michele's Parents and our church stood with us every step of the way and we would not be where we are today with out any of them. For the record. :])

In one years time our reality changed drastically. Being newlyweds is a drastic enough change with out the addition of a prematurely born little girl and all the spirital and emotional baggage that comes with the way our marriage began.

Personally it was easier for me to "man up" and just "deal." I immediately owned my responsibilty and focused on working hard to provide for my family. At all costs. In May I will be married 3 years (WOAH!!!) and I have worked 2 jobs MOST of my marriage. I am not complaining. I love my Wife and kids with ALL my heart and would work a thrid job if that's what it took, though I do not see that as neccesary. What I am trying to convey is my family became my life, and rightfully so.

Recently God has been shifting outlook a bit. Though it may not have been the best of ways to get where I am, I am here.  I'm a husband.  I'm a father. Though this is, and has been, part of my identity, the Lord is showing me that the rabbit hole of fatherhood goes WAY deeped than I have appreciated. I have been entrusted mirror the Lord in a very practical visual way.  HE is my Father.  I am Addisyn's father!  I am Peyton's father! WOAH! 


THIS is what I want to explore. THIS is the wonderful calling I have.  THIS is huge.  THIS is one of the greatest things God can call a man to be.  THIS is overwhelming.  Luckily I have A perfect heavenly father and a wonderful earthly father that I can try to be like.  What an adventure!

Here I go again...

Here I go again.  This time is for real.  My wife Michele started blogging earlier this week, so I feel like I need to keep up :) 

I'm gonna start with this:

"I was in a big accident. Don't be upset at God. He always provides for his children even in hard times, I'm still praying that God will get me out but he may not but He will always take care of ya."

This was written by Dan Woolley as he was trapped in a hotel that had crumbled around him in the earthquake. Faced with death, this is what he wrote to his wife and kids.  Incredible.  ON a lighter note he also used his iPhone to treat his wounds.  Check out the story. Watch the video.

Earthquake Survivor Calls iPhone a Life Saver