"About"

Hi friends! With the launch the new version of my website, I've added an "about" section. Hope it encourages you:)

I could go on and tell you where I grew up (sunny San Diego – where the beach, mountains, desert, and an international boarder are all within a few hour's journey… mmmm… tacos). I could tell you what my first pet's first name was (Bart – a plump, black rat named after that mischievous Simpsons character… cowabunga dude indeed). I could tell you what my favorite type of pizza is (BBQ chicken – is there any other kind?). I could even let you in on my biggest secret (… shhh, don't tell anyone). But in the end, none of this would really matter.

I could inform you of my deepest fear (the fear of being rejected). I could enlighten you concerning my most prominent struggle (selfishness – though it takes on various forms). And I could even convey to you what has been the most traumatic experience and arduous obstacle of my life thus far to overcome (my father dying from a drug overdose when I was 9). But in the end, although they may be crucial components of my story, none of this would really matter either.

"'All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.' And this is the word that was preached to you." – 1 Peter 1:24-25

You see, what matters most is the hope-filled, love-inspired, ever true, never failing Gospel of Jesus Christ – that the only holy, righteous, perfect God of eternity would take on the form of humble man, live a perfect life, die a perfect, substitutionary death, and rise from the dead in order to demonstrate and declare His immeasurable love and justice and reconcile all who would believe in Him back to Himself. This Gospel always was, is, and will be the greatest message ever relayed.

One of many humbling aspects of the Gospel, however, is that through the Holy Spirit God Himself has equipped and empowered us to join with Him in furthering this transformational message amongst the nations as well as in our own lives. He has furnished each one of us with unique, significant gifts and takes great joy in us as we use them for His glory.

As for me, I believe God has given me a gift that He wants me to share for this very purpose. And I hope that by it you will be encouraged to look to Him, the Author and Perfector of our faith, in all seasons and situations.

I pray that when you are in the depths of the valley of darkness, a song of strength will fill your heart and lift you up to see the coming Light. I pray that when you are on the summit of all mountaintops, a tune of praise might radiate from your soul so boisterously that even the heavens can't help but join in. And I pray in all things "that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe" (Eph. 1:18-19).

It is my utmost desire that out of everything I've ever said or will say, ever sung or will sing, ever written or will write, what you remember most is Jesus Christ and His glorious Gospel. Because in the end, He is all that really matters.

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us – to Him who is able to keep [us] from stumbling, and to make [us] stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord to Him be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever, and be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen" (Jude 1:24-25; Eph. 3:20-21).