I am currently applying for a volunteer opportunity FOR God and His Kingdom…
There was a question regarding my spiritual journey. RIGHT AWAY I realized that this was truly an IMPORTANT question and required “a little” more space than what was given on the application.
Moments later, this is what transpired (figured I'd let y'all see and KNOW as well…):
My Faith JOURNEY
My childhood regarding Faith and “religion” was quite convoluted.
My parents divorced at a young age (I do not have any memories of them being together).
As expected: this caused a lot of emotional and Spiritual turmoil and trauma.
My dad was raised in a family that practiced Catholicism intently.
He attempted to raise my sister and I by those methods and practices.
However, there was a misalignment in regards to religious affiliation within the household that I was raised.
Oftentimes, it would be half of the family going to Church.
Looking back now, I can see how it would be no small feat to fully transform a child’s live in regards to Religion and Spirituality without having a STRONG structure being present (we lived across the country from the original support structure that he came to know and cherish)
I do recall attending mass, but the teachings resonated minimally.
I DO applaud his efforts and intentionality, but when there are numerous and a variety of emotional and mental factors involved: I’m SURE the statistics are NOT in one’s favor…
That being said, I did go through Catechism and was able to receive communion.
In my teenage years, church was non-existent.
However, I ALWAYS knew of God’s presence and did not take His LOVE and overarching guidance lightly whatsoever!
Shortly after I graduated, I had a phone conversation with my friend’s dad about wanting to be Saved.
To this day (and I will NEVER forget) the smile that I had on my face when I heard that I had been Saved by Jesus.
The realization was POWERFUL. I felt LOVED and UNDERSTOOD for the first time EVER.
That moment NEVER leaves me and I OFTEN reflect on it.
I always seem to have the same exact smile and feeling of pure JOY in those moments as well.
After joining the military, I would go to mass on base.
Usually it was by myself, but when my girlfriend (who is now my wife) was visiting, she would come with me as well.
Eventually, she moved to the area and we began our lives together.
We found a church and were ALL IN!
We’d go nearly every week, we volunteered, we got baptized together (with our firstborn in her stomach), and were married by the Pastor (with an emphasis of God being the center of it ALL!)
After getting out of the military, we decided to move from the area and for the next decade we ended up moving to a different part of the country 5 times.
Our Faith never dwindled, but I must admit: The Holy Trinity was not at the forefront in my daily life.
Early in 2020, I got laid off of work because of covid…
It was in that moment, that I decided to intentionally pursue my Soulful PASSION of making music.
My life has NOT been the same since, nor will it EVER be!
As the music and writing progressed, I begin to realize the Spiritual magnitude of what was starting to ensue.
I vividly recall having a conversation with my wife about whether I should go further with this endeavor; informing her of the prevalent “conspiracies” regarding how the music industry was “said” to be EVIL and demonic in nature.
In that moment, we both agreed that if it was FOR God, then it was ABSOLUTELY worth it!
At the time, I did not know what would eventually ensue, but I have NO regrets regarding the decision that was made.
In late 2020, I started to receive death threats to myself and my family both digitally and physically.
But! Also during those times, our Faith and Spirituality grew EXPONENTIALLY!
We started to have passionate conversations that led to continuous growth.
We would both have visions separately, but when we could converse about those experiences we were QUICKLY alerted to the FACT that the visions coincided with each other.
The magnitude and weight of the Spiritual ramifications that we were experiencing began to reveal themselves DAILY, but it just led to more growth, development, motivation, and an underlying sense of PEACE.
5 years later: I still make music and have A LOT of songs that boldly proclaim of God’s Presence, Glory, Grace, Love, and Compassion. Songs that acknowledge Jesus and The Resurrection. I am consumed with gratitude to be able to have the opportunity to humbly serve God and His Kingdom while NEVER wavering from being a Witness to Jesus and His ministry!
Our day to day lives are FILLED with The Holy Trinity.
We have changed A LOT of things that we do, say, think, and feel; ALL with the goal of moving towards God and away from ALL things evil.
I get teary eyed when I hear my kids now mention the presence and acknowledgement of God and Jesus.
We continuously pray and have thorough conversations regarding His Word and the ever so present Spiritual Warfare that DOES exist in this fallen world.
We have endless dreams and visions of doing more for God, Jesus, and the Kingdom.
Although the gate is narrow, it is a path that I am NOT reluctant on traveling down.
I gain so much insight and strength from diving into the word, praying for guidance, and acknowledging our omnipresent God along with OUR Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
It is my Hope and MISSION to HELP save Souls while giving ALL glory and praise to God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit, and The Kingdom!
