I have long enjoyed interacting in deep individual conversations with people, particularly around things of faith and application of the Gospel. As the Lord called me to Christian ministry many godly people in my life encouraged me to consider focusing on pastoral counseling in lieu of giftings they saw in me.  I have my own story of struggling with the effects of past wounds, fumbling through trusting in the grace of God offered in Christ, and learning to walk out faith and repentance. Being thankful for people who helped me grasp the heart of Christ and His Spirit’s process of change, I consider it the greatest honour to walk alongside others as they seek to grasp the Gospel and walk in faith and repentance amidst their very real sorrows, sufferings, and sin.

I enjoy giving people a space that is defined by the grace of God in Christ, where they might find truth spoken in love as they walk out faith and repentance with humility before God. I love opening up the Scriptures and seeing how the Holy Spirit works through the living and active Word of God as people wrestle with the Lord honestly and humbly.

I carefully steward my Sundays as Sabbaths for worship and rest. I also protect several other times in my week to spend time with my family and close brothers in play, accountability, and prayer. These intentional times for reflection and restoration have become crucial rhythms in my life that have helped me remain grounded, humble, grateful, and whole. I have also come to realize that my daily devotional life is of the utmost priority in keeping me close with God and serving Him, and His beloved, not out of my own strength, but in reliance upon Him for my strength.

I also try to steward some time for exercise and play each week. If I don’t get to move my body and laugh I find that I struggle. In addition to this I always have a novel to read before I go to bed and try not to use screens before I fall asleep. I find if I can read a novel for half an hour before I fall asleep I won’t fret about work or other stressors and can get a good night sleep. I have found that sleep, play, movement, laughter, and practicing gratitude are essential to my flourishing and resiliency.

I’ve had the privilege and honour of working with youth throughout my younger adulthood. I also have my own journey through “recovery” work from sexual purity challenges and worked for several years in a Christ-centered addiction recovery center. As such, I have a heart for those who have been caught up in besetting sin struggles and both personal and professional experience helping men find freedom from addictions in and through Christ. Perhaps my favorite people to work with though are young men who long for mentorship and struggle with really grasping the good news of the Gospel. I now what its like to be depressed and despairing because of my sin, and find no greater joy than walking alongside others as they come to find rest in Christ.

Anything and everything by David Powlison!!! He grasps the gospel in such a beautiful way and is able to communicate complex biblical truths clearly.

C.S. Lewis’ “Mere Christianity”, “The Screwtape Letters”, and “The Great Divorce” have also been significant books in my life of faith. “The Great Divorce” is hand’s down one of my top 5 reads. A.W. Tozer’s “The Pursuit of God”, particularly the prayers in it, have had a profound influence in my life. “Piercing Heaven: Prayers of the Puritans” has also become a constant daily companion to my devotional and prayer life and has been a rich blessing.

Dane Ortlund’s “Gentle & Lowly” is perhaps the best book I have ever read in communicating the heart of Christ and the good news of the Gospel. Martin Lloyd Jones’s “Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cures” is a profound book about the Gospel and how misunderstanding it can lead us to despair and discouragement.

I strongly recommend Joe Rigney’s “More than a Battle” and Heath Lambert’s “Finally Free” the most helpful books about pursuing sexual purity.  Ray Ortlund’s “The Death of Porn: Men of Integrity Building a World of Nobility” is also a profound book worth reading for all men. Voddie Baucham’s “Family Shepherds” is a great foundational book on being a man and father. John Piper’s “The Meaning of Marriage” offers clear and precise biblical perspective on God’s heart for marriage, as well as helpful direction regarding the practical implications of a Christ-honouring marriage.

Some of my favorite novels are “Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi, “Les Miserables” by Victor Hugo, “The Robe” by Lloyd Douglas, “Ben Hur” by Lew Wallace, “Shane” by Jack Schaefer, “The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien, and the “Wingfeather Saga” by Andrew Peterson.

Jesus is everything to me and is the center of my life. When I lose sight of Him, I find myself tempted to either arrogance (in my competency) or discouragement (in my limitations, incompetencies, or failures). I rejoice that he never leaves or forsakes me, that He is with me in my weeping, my rejoicing, my work, my play, in all things.  I have learned that I must stay in conversation with Jesus and return my heart and mind to His Word, continually, regardless of what I am doing.

I love shooting hoops and throwing a frisbee with friends. My wife and I love getting our boys out in nature for walks and exploring and taken up birdwatching. My favorite thing in all the world though is swimming in freshwater pools, waterfalls, rivers, and lakes. Finding a new swimming hole is a happy day. I also love good food and cooking. If I have a Slurpee it’s a great day! I also always have a novel on the go!

I grew up struggling to grasp the “good news” of the Gospel until something clicked for me when I turned 22 and finally comprehended, by the power of the Holy Spirit, precisely what righteousness by faith, union in Christ, meant. At that moment EVERYTHING changed in my heart and mind, though I am still learning the implications of the Gospel. This reminds me that our greatest need is to hear and grasp the glories of the Gospel in God’s Word, for when we do so everything gets unlocked. I believe that unless the Gospel ‘clicks’ in hearts and minds, we struggle to connect all of the dots between forgiveness in Christ and faith and repentance.

I also had a significant moment in my life in seeking help with my struggle with sexual sin, when I personally started pursuing “addiction recovery”.  I will never forget the first night I sat in a meeting and had to acknowledge to others the depths of my depravity. The grace I received then, and have received since, from the Lord and many godly people (including my wife), have shaped me profoundly in the way. I now consider it a privilege to extend Christ’s grace to others, walking alongside sufferers and sinners fumbling through faith and repentance with humility and hope, particularly those who are tempted hide and dwell in deep shame.

I remind myself of the truths of God’s Word. I have memorized several significant passages of Scripture that I recall and rehearse to myself to take thoughts captive. I try to allow myself some margins so that I can recenter on the truths of who I am in Christ, who God is, and His great and precious promises to me. I also let this lead me to prayer so that I can wrestle with God through that which is beyond me. So… I pray a lot.

I also have realized I need the body of Christ and have several trusted people and accountability brothers, including my wife, that I reach out to without hesitation for prayer and support. I find just voicing things and praying over them is powerful, even if I have to do that repeatedly to surrender my heart, and life, to Christ in faith.