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This journey has been a long one... Full of twists, turns, ups, downs, and difficult questions. I never understood the value of a hard question, until it led me to a deeper and more profound life. Difficult questions are just that, difficult. Yet, their results will ultimately last a lifetime. I look at all of these pictures and can easily see how they have impacted my life, and called me into examining my life. It has been a beautiful adventure so far, but it's not over - it's only just begun!

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It was in this article from August that our church was recognized via this General Council held in Orlando, Florida. It is amazing to see the faithfulness of God, as I live out my life. Six years ago, I wouldn't have seen this to be true; it wasn't until I asked the deep questions... Seeking, searching, long-ing, and examining the purpose of life. Actively seeking the answers to these questions has led to a phenomenal journey that has landed in the hands of close to 22,000 individuals at our General Council.

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Here is a quick look at the intro of my story within "Talk Now and Later".

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When I understood my purpose through careful examination of my life, I never thought I could attain the wildest dreams of my imagination. When talking and sharing my story with a great friend, he decided that it was my story he wanted to communicate. In this book, "Talk Now and Later", I have shared my story of what it was like to grow up in a home feeling as if no one cared. As I prepared my writing for this book, I reflected on my life. I remembered all of the hurts I went through, and the deep pains that were experienced. I was confronted with the choice of avoiding those deep hurts, but I made the choice to share those pains. I understood that if I did, it would help someone who was just like me, see the hope that is on the other side.

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It's Not "What" You Know, It's "Who" You Know

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It's Not "What" You Know, It's "Who" You Know

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I am very thankful for the mighty men who have taken me under their wing of leadership. I have had the privilege to serve under some excellent leaders whom have given me the opportunity to grow into the man I want to be. It is because of these people, I am able to see my life reach beyond the abilities within myself, but have an impact on a much greater scale.

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Thinking I had everything worked out, I took another shot at a University. I had all of the grades, potential credit, hopeful desires for scholarships, and good relationships with those in the administration office at South Western Assemblies of God. Once again, I was fully accepted and had high expectations of doing well... until finances came in that removed me from being able to attend. I was bound and determined, ready to move forward in formal education, and ultimately made the decision to come home and finish out with the Wolf Pack.

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To quote the performing artist Andy Mineo, "My biggest enemy is me, and even I can't stop me." The journey was long and intense. It took five years to get to this moment in my wife and I's life. Between schooling through our District, and various Internships, and holding two credentialing levels (Certification for one year, and License for two) we were finally eligible to walk and receive the highest honor within our Fellowship, Ordination. Had I not asked tough questions, and set my mind like that of Socrates, and so many great leaders throughout time, I would not have made it. I have learned truly, that I am my biggest enemy. If only I would examine myself, I would see greater things on the horizon.

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Going back to that moment on the sidewalk, I knew that my dream was to work full time at my church. In October of 2013, it finally happened. I made a lot of sacrifices, questioned my motives, and sought to be everything I believed I was created to be. To serve and love people for the rest of my life. Looking into the sky from our foyer, I understood it started at the cross, and ultimately, the skies are the limits. The dream has become a reality.

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A new question of who I had to be entered into the equation... Gone were the simple questions of "What's for dinner?" and in were "What does it mean to be a good husband? The latter much harder than the former, but I have discovered the answer is much more valuable than "What's for dinner?"

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In one year we went from the lowest of moments in our life to highest of highs. We went from discovering who we were, to actively pursuing who we knew we were to be.

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It was May 22nd of 2009 that we received the acceptance letter to Central Bible College, and it was May 22nd 2010 we were wed. Although this life has certainly had it's ups and downs, we had to know that a "No" wasn't a "Never", simply a "Not right now", so we discovered what "Was to be", and that was our special wedding day.

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An opportunity to make an impact.

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Here we are, sitting in the stadium at a Mississippi Braves game as they face off against the Biloxi Shuckers. Josiah's personality has come through, and is evident through this picture. Is he this way because it's "Who he is?" In the past year and a half, I have watched his life and examined it towards mine. Am I making an impact? Is he following in my footsteps?

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When Josiah entered the world on December 7th, 2015 at 6:58pm, I couldn't believe that my little six pound five ounce baby boy was here. Reality set in... "This is it... This is parenthood!" This is where my thoughts and philosophies of what parenthood were would become a reality, if only I was able to live up to it by my convictions.

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3D Photo's of my son.

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... and he looks just like me!

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When I saw this picture, the question and desire of "Who and what is my dad like?" became "What kind of dad am I going to be?" Thankfully, I had meditated on this thought for several years, but nothing prepared me for the life ahead.

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Another opportunity to make an impact.

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Another opportunity to make an impact.

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Understanding my purpose, much like Socrates, I have dedicated my life to helping others - ultimately helping develop other's to be the best they can be. This year I entered into my second "Camp Season" as a Camp Director for our Mississippi District Assemblies of God Kid's Camps. I had the honor to lead these amazing interns to accomplish major life goals.

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When I first found this photo, the only thing I could see in his face, was me. From his hair, to his smile, to the way he holds himself, they are all mannerisms that I have today. It's amazing how alike we as people can be when we have never met.

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On this Journey of self discovery, I had to go back to the person whom I came from - my Dad. I have never met him, nor have I ever heard his voice, but I have always wanted to connect.

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It was in this moment in the year in 2009 I had my first self examination: I had quit my job, left CoLin with nine hours to a degree, and was ready to go to Central Bible College - Christy (my then girlfriend) and I laid it all on the line, to only discover we couldn't go due to finances. This picture shows us internally asking the question "If not that, what were we created for?"

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One of my closest friends has encouraged me with this quote very often through my life. In my self-discovery

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Socrates living out the ultimate price for knowing who he was, and not compromising what he believed in his self discovery. This is the beginning of my journey, and how I took the task earlier in life to examine every detail of why I believe what I believe, and the purpose for my existence. Sit back, enjoy the pictures, laugh, cry, but most importantly, let this journey take you to a place where you can honestly ask the difficult questions: "Why am I here, and what am I going to do about it?"