Why I Believe

It is an interesting question to hear when someone asks me, “Why do you believe in God and Jesus Christ as your salvation?” I guess the default answer for some would be because the Bible says so or because “They move me!” However, while there is nothing wrong with those answers to me there is something more. People spend all this time writing books, articles, or filming reports trying to prove why God does not exist and it makes me think how often we just do not take the time to look around.

So why do I believe in Christ/God/Holy Spirit? It is about faith, but it is more than blind faith. It has been through faith and other people praying for me that I believe. I believe because despite all the abuse I went through as a child, I have been able to fight through all the scars that were left and write this today. I believe because God had his hand upon me when a car hit me head-on going 35 mph on a bike freshman year and I was in school the next day. I believe because when I ran from God and joined the Navy instead of following the call to go to college, He still blessed me and gave me life experiences that I will never forget. When my first marriage ended and my ex-wife left me, He held my hand even though suicide ran rampart in my heart and mind. He blessed me with a job, a church, and the right friends to help me live again. Now He has blessed me with a wife and best friend with whom I will be able to share my faith for all the days of my life. I believe because despite every character flaw and sin I commit, God still takes joy in my creation. Oh yeah, and I believe because the Bible tells me so.

I believe because I’ve seen people healed and marriages restored. I believe because I have seen Churches grow in places you never would have thought possible. I believe because I have seen hardened men who shook their fists at God for years bow their knees and confess Jesus Christ as Lord. I believe because every bright star that shines in the night sky serves as a reminder of how far the Hands of God extend. I believe because all of His creation sings His name even as we tend to ignore it or rationalize it as evolution or some other theory. I believe because the very depths of my heart proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord and I feel nothing but joy to know Him.

For all of these reasons…I believe.

Wedding Day

Well the day has come and gone and yes, I did the deed. I married my beautiful bride this past Saturday and began our new life together. It was a bit surreal for that day to finally come (I say finally because over the summer the days went by so slowly), but yet afterwards it was hard to believe that I had indeed made the iron-clad commitment to share my life with Jenn.

The day of the wedding was something else. Everything was hectic. Jenn’s hair appointment was at 8 a.m. and it should have been done in an hour or less. Instead it was done twenty minutes late. We had to rush to get our flowers out to the picnic shelter. We were supposed to meet up with Nanette Norris with our cake at the shelter, but we missed each other due to our being late. We had to rush back to get changed and we even arrived a couple minutes late at Cedar Falls! Basically we were late to our own wedding! Of course we had to take the short route down to the Falls as well. This meant climbing over rocks and avoiding dirt, but we had fun doing it. It was very cold down there but neither of us could really tell because we were both so pumped up. However, we got a full view of our friends freezing and we could not help but be thankful for the people that God had brought into our lives. That being said, it was also a moment to see what friends were not there. That made me a little sad. My family was also running late. Some of that is my fault because I failed to get them accurate directions the night before. I meant to tell them in would be a four and a half hour drive instead of a three and a half hour drive. We just did not have cell phone reception to let them know. However, everyone did make the reception, so that was nice.

As for the reception, it was cold! Jenn and I got there, helped get organized, took some pictures, and visited a bit before actually leaving the party to get changed because we were so cold. When we got back to the reception it became apparent we were not going to be able to sing as people were just too cold to stay. It does seem like people had fun even though it was cold and I am glad for that. I just wish it was warmer.

Some people deserve special mention: Roger Chang and his family were kind enough to allow Jenn to use their cabin Thursday night to sleep in so she would not have to pay for a place. Lance Webel was there at the wedding taking pictures just in case the photographer did not make it. He also provided me some gloves when I could no longer feel my hands. Jenn’s parents were amazing as was her brother and sister-in-law. They were there helping out as much as they could at the reception. It was definitely appreciated. Nanette was amazingly patient in her work as well. Thanks to everyone!

For everyone else that made it, thanks for braving the cold to help make our wedding day special. For those invited that did not or could not make it, you were sorely missed.

I truly look forward to spending my life with Jenn. Life is hard and marriage can be as well, but I am happy to walk through all challenges with Jenn. I love her deeply, and it grows every day I am with her.

Wedding FAQ – Everything You Need or Want to Know About Our Upcoming Wedding

1. When and where do the festivities begin?
The festivities begin at 11 in the morning on October 17th. 2009 at Cedar Falls in Hocking Hills State Park. We will have a barbeque following the ceremony at the Old Man’s Cave Picnic Shelter. If you feel that 11 in the morning is too early for you then you can feel free to join us at the shelter afterwards, but beware I will have my eye on you!

2. How do I get to Cedar Falls?
Once you enter the park it will be about two miles from the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center. You would just follow the signs through the park. When you reach the parking area for Cedar Falls there is a ½ mile long path leading down to the falls. While the Falls itself is beautiful it is recommended that you leave the nice clothes at home and come ready because while the falls look this:


The trail itself is often guarded by beastly foes such as this:


Or this:


Or perhaps this:


So dress casual and men be ready to protect your women and children!

3. How come I was not invited?
The Park is only allowing 50 people down to wedding site. So it’s mostly family and the closest friends. However, the truth is I wanted to invite the entire Ohio State Football team and therefore while planning to sneak them past the creatures listed above, none of them RSVP’d. So therefore, we actually have a few invitations left. I guess I should have chosen more friends instead. Doh! Anyone else want to come? There’s free food and pretty leaves!

4. How did Jenn and I meet?
She was stalking me…just kidding. Actually believe it or not, we met on Eharmony. I know I know…go ahead and laugh at the chunky Italian, but hey finding a girl that can deal with me is like expecting the Rams to win a football game: it’s a rarity. Anyways, she was the first person that I actually went out on a date with from Eharmony and I never went out on another one. It was not long before she had my heart.

5. Where did we go on our first date?
I took her down to Newport, Kentucky, which is just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. Yes, I made sure to take her there so she could not ditch me in the movies if she decided she did not like me.  But actually, we enjoyed a grossly expensive dinner at Johnny Rocket’s (What?), saw the movie “I Love You Man,” took her for some ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery, and we ate it together on the walkway leading over the Ohio River in the night lights. It was pretty romantic I must say. Guess what? I remembered that all by myself!

6. What kind of food are we serving for the wedding?
Ha! The jokes on you! We are serving whatever you bring!
Actually we are treating this like a party, not your normal wedding reception. It is a barbeque with hamburgers, hot dogs, and etc. We are providing for all of this though we are looking for volunteers to help out with the setup etc.

7. What kind of wedding cake is it and who is making it?
My supervisor at Chase, Nanette Norris, is actually making the cake. The top tier is lemon and crème and the bottom tier is spice and peanut butter. I was originally grossed out by the idea of peanut butter and spice cake, and then I tried it and all I can say is WOW sugar overload…and that it was yummy. So it is a little different and Jenn and I are about being a little different, though I do consider her the normal one.

8. What is not acceptable to wear at the wedding?
I mentioned earlier not to worry about dressing up. Come in jeans. It is a football Saturday so feel free to have your team colors on, unless you are a Michigan fan (Dani….). I do not want any men there in bright colored thongs like this guy:



That is…umm yeah.

9. Who is marrying us on our wedding day and who is serving as our mentors?
Gary Fowler, a pastor from C3 Church (and also pictured here the FAQ in a lame attempt at laughter), is marrying us. Gary also mentored me and was there for me as the Lord rebuilt me. I am forever thankful for Gary Fowler.

Bob and Bonnie Alstadt are mentoring us before and after the wedding. Bob is currently the pastor of the English speaking service at All Nations Congregation in Cincinnati.

10. Why is there a picture of Gary super-imposed on Borat?
I do not know. Gary has a man crush on Andy Stanley. I have a man crush on Gary Fowler…I know…your heads are all shaking now. Actually, Gary is the one person I know that enjoys being in on the joke.

So that’s a wrap. If you have any further questions, please post them below!

C3

When I decided to leave the Navy in 2006, I thought I had my life in control. God was not a priority though my heart longed for Him. I moved to Columbus, Ohio with hopes to finish my education, find a good job, and finally start a family. However, I found that finding a job in Columbus was harder than I thought. I grew depressed and withdrawn. Basically, I developed what is known as Separation Anxiety. For the first time in my adult life, I could not depend upon the military to take care of me. The direction I once felt in my life was now missing. I pushed my family away and dove into hobbies. I gained close to forty pounds and sat around the house playing video games online. We could not seem to find a church. I was lost and in the process of losing everything.

During this time we were looking for a church home. We went to numerous churches in the area but nothing seemed to fit. Some just did not fit us and others were more theatre than anything else. It seemed that there could be no home for us, but then my sister Melissa moved in with us to save money for school. She wanted to try a church in Pickerington, Ohio where she knew the pastor from her time in youth camp. We looked up the church on the internet and I chuckled at the name: C3 Church. I wondered where the weird name came from, but we gave it a try.

Our first service there, I walked in pessimistic. I was hearing the call of my master and just flat out miserable in life, but I was tired of church. I was tired of seeing judgment instead of love. I was tired of seeing a show instead of something real. Little did I know I was being sent there by God, and even less did I know why I was being sent there.
It was a good service. Everyone was friendly and relaxed. The church seemed real.
After the service, they held a brief meeting where new visitors were able to go back and meet the pastor, Konan Stephens. I can not tell you what struck me about Konan and his church except that it seemed authentic. I was curious.

A couple days after going to C3 for the first time, I emailed Konan and asked him to meet me for coffee. I wanted to know more about this church. I wanted to see what was going on with this man and find out his intentions for his church. What I found was a dreamer who was not content for C3 to sit still. I grilled him on all that I could think of and while I did not agree with everything he said, I could tell he was honest. He was sincere and I was onboard.

As my family began to go to C3, I started to move towards God again. As I did, the fog over my life began to lift and I noticed that my wife had grown distant. I slowly started to make changes in my life to try and become a better husband, but as it turns out, it was too late. She decided that she wanted out and I was left alone to find my way. It was at this point, I discovered why I had been sent to C3 Church. The people at C3 Church stepped in and helped to rebuild me. The leadership there, led by Konan Stephens and Gary Fowler, loved me and stuck by me even though I struggled as I fought to save a marriage and grow closer to God. The marriage ended and they were instrumental in rebuilding my wounded heart and in showing me what it is to be real. I can now say that if not for C3 and the people there, I do not know what would have happened to me.

The reason I write this is to both honor the men and women of C3 Church who have followed the call of God to love people and be real doing it, and to say goodbye to them. God has called me elsewhere, with second chance at marriage pending. When He calls, I answer. So thank you C3 for being there and loving me. Thank you for obeying God’s call upon you in the eastern Columbus area, and thank you for being God’s instruments for miracles of the heart. I live and breathe the name of Jesus today because there was a church willing to love like Jesus loved.