My Faith I WILL SHOW YOU MY FAITH BY MY WORKS

"But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:11-12

Faith is most often tested in adverse situations. We find ourselves reaching out to God the most when times are hard and hope seems fleeting. My story isn't much different. I've always been a believer since I was younger, but never had my faith tested. But once I reached college, I started to face a lot of adversity, and had areas of my life which I had placed most of my identity upon, stripped away from me. Feeling abandoned and weak, the one and only thing I could fall back on at this point was the Lord. I enveloped myself in His word and focused all my thoughts onto him. It was then that I felt his presence, it was a calming, a sense of bliss finally. I went from being tossed around in the waters of a storm of hopelessness, to navigating a sea of trials in which understanding and growth replaces frustration and despair.

After college, the NFL experience was more challenging than I had ever expected. As the challenges and adversities increased on and off the field again, I learned once again that the only stable, peaceful thing that I could ever put all of my hope into was Jesus Christ. 2008 was one of the most challenging years of my life. Everything I had been working for and planning for fell apart and it was too late for me to realize just how much of my identity I had placed in some of my relationships and my career. It was a long process, filled with many sleepless nights and prayers of despair, but God was slowly reshaping and rebuilding my heart and filling me with wisdom. While the building process was slow, it brought about a level of patience and obedience I had never experienced. As much as the Lord was repairing me, He was preparing me to serve His will for my life. Finally, the day came when I felt an incredible peace and joy in my life, unlike anything I had ever experienced in any moment of my life. God had called me to His will for my life, and I put all of my hope, identity and confidence in Him. No longer was my peace and joy dependent on anything or anyone of this world, But Jesus Christ. Through the healing process I learned God doesn't work with what should be, but what is. Regardless of the situation, by giving all the remaining pieces to God and trusting Him through prayer and obedience, He will mend every wound. As each day passes I fight for God's will in my life, serving as a Man of God, which I'm proud to say I need the Lord for strength in everything I do.

My Family Celebrate your family

I wouldn't be the man I am today without my family. I have loving parents, a younger sister I adore and and older brother whom I really admire. Family can so often be taken for granted until you grow older, realizing how important the relationship you have with them is. Being with the same people who have seen you fail, learn, grow and succeed all throughout your life is something truly special. As I go on to the next stage of my life, I want to do all I can to make there lives easier and more enjoyable, for they are the reason my life has been so blessed.

Friends
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly

Oh the memories. My friends ground me and remind me how great life can be. Whether it's my buddies I've grown up with, teammates, or those I shared my heart with, every friend in my life has left a marking on the canvas that is my personality. Laughing, sharing, crying, persevering, and growing it's incredible to see where the relationships in my life have taken me. With the friends I have, I will never feel alone.

Having Fun
Rejoice with them that do rejoice

There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, Ecclesiastes 2:24

I love to laugh, I love being creative, weird, quirky, odd, different, there's not enough of it in this world. I have a passion for video games, I grew up with them and will never get tired of them. I enjoy being enthusiastic and corny, realizing life is too short to spend it being too serious or trying to change your personality to fit in with people. I am who I am. I also enjoy golf, making funny videos with buddies, eating, cooking, and making people smile!