My walk with Jesus.

I didn’t grow up in a home where God or Jesus were regularly talked about. My parents divorced early, and I carried wounds from that for many years, especially the pain of what felt like abandonment by my mom at a young age. She did her best, but that ache followed me into adulthood. I wrestled with identity and often became a chameleon, shifting who I was just to fit in. Even though I always believed Jesus was the Son of God, I didn’t understand what that really meant or what it looked like to walk with Him.

 

I remember going to church here and there as a kid, but the memories are fuzzy. The one constant in my spiritual life during those early years was my grandma on my mom’s side. She was a strong Christian woman and a quiet warrior of prayer who never stopped praying for us grandkids. Weekends with her planted seeds that wouldn’t take root until much later.

 

Before I surrendered to Christ, I chased everything the world said would make me happy, pleasure, possessions, performance. But peace always slipped through my fingers. I was restless and unsatisfied, living for myself but empty on the inside.

 

Everything changed in 1996, right after my son was born. I gave my life fully to Jesus, and for a while, I was on fire. But over time, my faith grew cold, and I drifted back into old habits and old patterns. Then in 2010, I was diagnosed with cancer. It shook me, but not enough. I beat it, but my heart wasn’t fully surrendered. It wasn’t until cancer returned in late 2019, this time threatening to take my right arm or possibly worse, that I finally let go. I surrendered everything to God, not just my health, but my life, my future, and my pride. I didn’t ask Him to heal me. I simply told Him I’d walk through whatever He allowed and give Him all the glory either way.

 

That moment was the turning point.

 

In the years since, God has done a complete renovation of my heart. A small group at church called Rooted, led by two dear friends Brent and Amy, helped re-establish my walk with Christ. From that group, I found real community, discipleship, and accountability. My faith was no longer something I practiced occasionally, it became who I am.

 

By God’s grace, I’ve broken free from the grip of pornography. I no longer drink alcohol not because I had a problem, but because I’ve been called to live clear-minded and set apart. I’ve learned to release judgment, surrender pride, and walk in humility. My passions have shifted from serving myself to serving others through whatever gifts and opportunities God gives me. Whether it’s through photography, writing, my podcast Brotherhood Forged, or just sitting down for coffee with another man, I now live to point others to Jesus.

 

Walking with Christ has become the most exciting, humbling, and powerful journey of my life. And I know I’m just getting started. I’ll keep showing up, speaking truth, and sharing hope, for as long as I have breath.

 

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13