Happy Anniversary!!

So today is mine and Beth's seven year anniversary!!  I can't believe it! It seems like yesterday we were on Good Morning America kissing (true story) after my ship returned from combat operations related to September 11th!!  The past seven years have been the richest of my life and simply would not have been had it not been for my wife.  Her faith, passion, love for Jesus, and wise discernment have blessed me so much. Beth is my teammate, shipmate, and soulmate ... not only in marriage but in ministry as well.  God has given us the rare and unique privilege of starting a church together and also serving in it together. 

Our connection actually began in high school when we taught a Sunday School class together and later went to a dance where we didn't dance ... we talked about church!!!  Both of us are self-confessing "church nerds" and we have always prayed that our marriage would be used by God to grow His kingdom.  It's not always easy because ministry and marriage are both tough at times ... but they are both eternally worth it. 

I know my best days as a husband are when Beth sees Jesus in me.  I pray that those days increase just as John the Baptist said in John 3:30.  I'm blessed to be able to see Jesus in my wife more days than not.  I see Jesus when ...

• She encourages me to preach God's Word without apology and lead God's church without compromising the vision He gave us in January 2002.


• She teaches our students ... she teaches as "one who has authority." (Matthew 7:29)


• She loves me enough to tell me I'm wrong or that I need to rethink a decision I am pondering.


• She insists on quality time and having "date day" every week (You protect what you value!)


• She cries out in prayer for people to get the truths of God's Word and to meet Jesus.


• She asks me to be her "covering" ... to protect her heart and her walk with God.


• She says she can tell that I've been working out :)