Hard-fought story to tell
That song by Brandon Lake has served as my anthem over the last year as I struggled to bring this project to life. So many times I found myself being tested in the fire—times when I honestly wondered if I had what it took to finish this calling. Many times I found myself down for the count and each time I would play that song - sometimes over and over - searching and praying for the strength and will to continue.
Some might ask why I have included so many music videos in this presentation, but I would hope it's obvious why. They bring a level of depth and meaning and Spirit that I simply could not. When Jodie Foster's character in the movie "Contact" couldn't find the words to describe what she was witnessing, she whispered to herself, "they should have sent a poet." I felt the same way early into this venture. I knew that a bunch of pixels arranged in two dimensions might fall short of glorifying God as fully as I was hoping to.
So I brought in my own poets here, hoping that you might be moved by their music as much as I have been. I placed them where I believed they perfectly reflected the moment, including this page which was slated to be a lengthy tell-all of my journey. I wrote nearly twenty pages describing the trials and tribulations of the last year (even the last 23 years). Yet I scrapped them all when I realized they were perfectly and beautifully summed up in Brandon's Hard Fought Hallelujah.
I honestly only started listening to modern gospel music about two years ago. Like I stated earlier, the song "Lion" by Elevation Worship featuring Chris Brown and Brandon Lake, was my introduction. As you have seen, Brandon and Elevation Worship are featured several times throughout these pages. I know some may not share the same appreciation for this genre, but I personally believe it to be Spirit-led and biblically rooted. More than anything, it is inspirational on so many levels. We have known scientifically for at least 70 years that music is both a stimulator and modulator for human emotion. For me personally, that understanding reached new heights when I found a deepening of my faith through this music.
There are many artists and collectives whose music has been truly inspiring to me—too many in fact, to include them all here. Thank you Brandon Lake, your worship blended perfectly into this presentation! Thanks also to Chris Brown, Tiffany Hudson, Chandler Moore and the rest at Elevation Worship. Thank you David Crowder, We The Kingdom, Maverick City Music, and the Bethel Music Collective. Your music, and that of others not mentioned here, has moved me deeply along my journey, and I am so grateful to you all.
And He heard, and He answered.
There are at least quadrillions of reasons why you shouldn’t be here now, reading these words and contemplating this supposed miracle. So many variables over the last 2,000 years, and beyond, should have kept you from being here.
Yet ultimately, there is only One reason you are here—love. God is love, and if the cross within the matrix isn’t evidence of that unfailing love for all of us, what is?
I have to tell you this again—it bears repeating over and over— I did not believe in Christ when I discovered the cross within the matrix. I believed in God, but I had rejected Christianity as a young man. Yet how could I dismiss the evidence that was staring me straight in the face that cold winter morning in January of 2002.
Like the apostle Paul, I had figuratively “persecuted” Jesus for many years. I mocked Christians, even my grandmother, certain that I knew better. Paul was blinded by a light from Heaven on the road to Damascus.
“As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked.” Acts 9:3-5
Yet far from being blinded, the moment I saw the cross in the matrix, my eyes were wide open! I didn't need to ask "Who are you, Lord?"—I knew already. I remember thinking, “Oh my God! It’s true—He is real!” I pray that somewhere in this presentation you found yourself saying the same thing!
I have no doubt that Christians will see the discovery as the miracle that it is—though it may take a while to digest it all, and understandably so. While the discovery is not ‘proof’ of God, it serves as compelling evidence for those with open hearts, open minds and honest intellects. Faith is still required, despite the overwhelming implications.
Regardless of your current beliefs, let me remind you of another very important consideration. This cannot be overstated—I should have found nothing! By man's standards, by the standard of science, or mathematics or even theology, my unorthodox methods coupled with my stated objectives should have led to a complete dead-end.
Christians know what comes next: praise, gratitude, prayer, worship, sharing, and a challenging but necessary expansion of our understanding of God.
For those still uncertain, or perhaps still wondering, remember this: everything I’ve shared, everything you’ve seen, points to one undeniable truth: we are loved, and Christ is the embodiment of that love. And in the grand mystery of it all, there is hope and grace for all who seek Him.
Anchored
I have done my best to keep hope at the center of this entire presentation. I wanted you all to come away from it overwhelmed with wonder, joy and a renewed sense of collective meaning, all gifts from our Father in Heaven. I tried to create an experience, not a lecture. I wrapped the message in the beauty of Rembrandt, Caravaggio and other classical artists—while trying to keep it fresh and engaging for a modern audience.
I also sprinkled the entire presentation with Bible verses full of meaning and relevance hoping to add depth and context. Some fit seamlessly; others carried layers of meaning.
I'm sure many are probably wondering why it took 23 years to bring this discovery to the world. Honestly, it was never my decision to make, even when I may have thought it was. I wasn't spiritually ready, and I don't believe the world was ready either. Most of all I have no doubt that God was in full control of the timing here.
A part of my spiritual maturity over these years was recognizing that even amid the joy and wonder of discovery, there is a deeper reality to encounter—the weight and truth of Christ’s message, which calls for both reflection and faithful living.
As I conclude, and look at the world around us, I feel convicted to say a few more things—not because I want to, but because I believe it’s necessary. In John 16:33, Jesus said,
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
This reminder of both challenge and hope frames what I feel called to share. I do not presume to have any authority, just thoughts.
This world is described often in the New Testament. It is the “far country” of the Prodigal Son, a place where human brokenness and resistance to God’s ways are all too clear. Yet too often, life today is framed as if the story ended 2,000 years ago — as though Christ isn't really returning, or the struggle has passed. Reconnecting with the world as Jesus knew and described it should help us understand our place in it and the work still before us.
I believe the message at the center of this presentation is about awakening — an invitation from God to countless newcomers, and perhaps a reminder to the rest of us to refocus and revive Christ’s core messages.
Following Him calls us to a life that often runs counter to the comforts and ambitions of this world. It is a path that involves surrender, sacrifice, and vigilance, because the spiritual forces at work around us are very real. The New Testament speaks plainly of “rulers and authorities” and the unseen powers that influence our world—not as metaphors for human struggle, but as actual spiritual entities that oppose God’s purposes and seek to hinder His people. Jesus Himself affirmed their reality, warning His followers to remain alert, steadfast, and anchored in truth. Yet even in the midst of these challenges, the promise of Christ’s victory assures us that we are not powerless. The battle is ongoing, but it is a battle we are equipped to face through faith, prayer, and reliance on the Spirit, participating in a victory that has already been secured through Him.
He also reminds us that repentance and faith are inseparable; we cannot claim to follow Him while ignoring the call to turn from sin and align our hearts fully with God. Above all, He came as Savior to redeem us from this broken world, to restore what has been corrupted, and to prepare us for His return. Scripture warns that the world is full of values and systems opposed to God’s purposes, influenced by powers and authorities beyond what we see. We are called to live within this world, to engage with it, but never to be conformed by it — to be present, yet undistracted and undeceived, holding fast to the truth and the eternal hope we have in Christ.
Even as we wait and watch with hope for His return, we’re not called to retreat from the world, but to love one another within it. Jesus said the greatest commandments are to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind — and to love our neighbor as ourselves. In a world often defined by division, self-interest, and distraction, this call to love remains the clearest mark of true discipleship.
In closing
I could have spent another year adding to the content of this presentation—many things I want to share did not make it here, yet. So many Bible verses, stories and lessons worthy of even deeper discussion will hopefully be coming in the next months and years. And what about that four months I spent searching? I barely scratched the surface of my initial journey. God willing, and with your support, I hope to update the site regularly with the rest of the story, and all sorts of additional content.
Above all, I look so forward to seeing how God uses this miracle to anchor the world in a collective faith like we've never known before.
As I leave these words with you, my prayer is that you feel the same hope, wonder, and love that have carried me through this journey. May you be reminded that, no matter the struggles we face, God’s presence is unwavering, His love unfailing, and His promises true. Let this be an invitation to awaken, to love boldly, and to walk with faith—knowing the story is far from over, and the best is yet to come.
Menu
.faith
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7
This page will be my personal Testimony - starting with the Story of Paul's conversion. Like Paul, I was a non-believer and persecutor of Christianity, therefore Christ. And like Paul, I was blinded by the implications of, or the light of my discovery - it forced me to accept Christ as there was no other alternative given the enormity and miraculous nature of the matrix.
11:11 and the Frequency Illusion
Psalm 53:2 God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
Like Paul, I was once blind, but now I see. In Paul's case, Christ literally blinded him, so that he might stop persecuting Christians and go on to become the great Apostle we know him as. I, on the other hand, was blinded to the truth of Christ as a young man for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was my own vanity, with various other negative influencing.
Again like Paul, and as I explained earlier with the story of my grandmother, I was also a persecutor of Christ, at least intellectually. Looking back it is easy to see that my condemnation of Christianity was everything short of intellectual, based foremost in pride, but also in a very stereotypical misunderstanding of the Good News. To be sure, I shoulder the responsibility for my misunderstanding. I did not take the time to properly investigate the story of Christ then, especially with so many other options to explore.
"I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live."
Psalm 116:1-2
Hallelujah
Menu
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7
This page will be my personal Testimony - starting with the Story of Paul's conversion. Like Paul, I was a non-believer and persecutor of Christianity, therefore Christ. And like Paul, I was blinded by the implications of, or the light of my discovery - it forced me to accept Christ as there was no other alternative given the enormity and miraculous nature of the matrix.
11:11 and the Frequency Illusion
Psalm 53:2 God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
Like Paul, I was once blind, but now I see. In Paul's case, Christ literally blinded him, so that he might stop persecuting Christians and go on to become the great Apostle we know him as. I, on the other hand, was blinded to the truth of Christ as a young man for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was my own vanity, with various other negative influencing.
Again like Paul, and as I explained earlier with the story of my grandmother, I was also a persecutor of Christ, at least intellectually. Looking back it is easy to see that my condemnation of Christianity was everything short of intellectual, based foremost in pride, but also in a very stereotypical misunderstanding of the Good News. To be sure, I shoulder the responsibility for my misunderstanding. I did not take the time to properly investigate the story of Christ then, especially with so many other options to explore.
And He heard, and He answered.
There are at least quadrillions of reasons why you shouldn’t be here now, reading these words and contemplating this supposed miracle. So many variables over the last 2,000 years, and beyond, should have kept you from being here.
Yet ultimately, there is only One reason you are here—love. God is love, and if the cross within the matrix isn’t evidence of that unfailing love for all of us, what is?
I have to tell you this again—it bears repeating over and over— I did not believe in Christ when I discovered the cross within the matrix. I believed in God, but I had rejected Christianity as a young man. Yet how could I dismiss the evidence that was staring me straight in the face that cold winter morning in January of 2002.
Like the apostle Paul, I had figuratively “persecuted” Jesus for many years. I mocked Christians, even my grandmother, certain that I knew better. Paul was blinded by a light from Heaven on the road to Damascus.
“As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked.” Acts 9:3-5
Yet far from being blinded, the moment I saw the cross in the matrix, my eyes were wide open! I didn't need to ask "Who are you, Lord?"—I knew already. I remember thinking, “Oh my God! It’s true—He is real!” I pray that somewhere in this presentation you found yourself saying the same thing!
I have no doubt that Christians will see the discovery as the miracle that it is—though it may take a while to digest it all, and understandably so. While the discovery is not ‘proof’ of God, it serves as compelling evidence for those with open hearts, open minds and honest intellects. Faith is still required, despite the overwhelming implications.
Regardless of your current beliefs, let me remind you of another very important consideration. This cannot be overstated—I should have found nothing! By man's standards, by the standard of science, or mathematics or even theology, my unorthodox methods coupled with my stated objectives should have led to a complete dead-end.
Christians know what comes next: praise, gratitude, prayer, worship, sharing, and a challenging but necessary expansion of our understanding of God.
For those still uncertain, or perhaps still wondering, remember this: everything I’ve shared, everything you’ve seen, points to one undeniable truth: we are loved, and Christ is the embodiment of that love. And in the grand mystery of it all, there is hope and grace for all who seek Him.
Hard-fought
That song by Brandon Lake has served as my anthem over the last year as I struggled to bring this project to life. So many times I found myself being tested in the fire—times when I honestly wondered if I had what it took to finish this calling. Many times I found myself down for the count and each time I would play that song - sometimes over and over - searching and praying for the strength and will to continue.
Some might ask why I have included so many music videos in this presentation, but I would hope it's obvious why. They bring a level of depth and meaning and Spirit that I simply could not. When Jodie Foster's character in the movie "Contact" couldn't find the words to describe what she was witnessing, she whispered to herself, "they should have sent a poet." I felt the same way early into this venture. I knew that a bunch of pixels arranged in two dimensions might fall short of glorifying God as fully as I was hoping to.
So I brought in my own poets here, hoping that you might be moved by their music as much as I have been. I placed them where I believed they perfectly reflected the moment, including this page which was slated to be a lengthy tell-all of my journey. I wrote nearly twenty pages describing the trials and tribulations of the last year (even the last 23 years). Yet I scrapped them all when I realized they were perfectly and beautifully summed up in Brandon's Hard Fought Hallelujah.
I honestly only started listening to modern gospel music about two years ago. Like I stated earlier, the song "Lion" by Elevation Worship featuring Chris Brown and Brandon Lake, was my introduction. As you have seen, Brandon and Elevation Worship are featured several times throughout these pages. I know some may not share the same appreciation for this genre, but I personally believe it to be Spirit-led and biblically rooted. More than anything, it is inspirational on so many levels. We have known scientifically for at least 70 years that music is both a stimulator and modulator for human emotion. For me personally, that understanding reached new heights when I found a deepening of my faith through this music.
There are many artists and collectives whose music has been truly inspiring to me—too many in fact, to include them all here. Thank you Brandon Lake, your worship blended perfectly into this presentation! Thanks also to Chris Brown, Tiffany Hudson, Chandler Moore and the rest at Elevation Worship. Thank you David Crowder, We The Kingdom, Maverick City Music, and the Bethel Music Collective. Your music, and that of others not mentioned here, has moved me deeply along my journey, and I am so grateful to you all.
Anchored
I have done my best to keep hope at the center of this entire presentation. I wanted you all to come away from it overwhelmed with wonder, joy and a renewed sense of collective meaning, all gifts from our Father in Heaven. I tried to create an experience, not a lecture. I wrapped the message in the beauty of Rembrandt, Caravaggio and other classical artists—while trying to keep it fresh and engaging for a modern audience.
I also sprinkled the entire presentation with Bible verses full of meaning and relevance hoping to add depth and context. Some fit seamlessly; others carried layers of meaning.
I'm sure many are probably wondering why it took 23 years to bring this discovery to the world. Honestly, it was never my decision to make, even when I may have thought it was. I wasn't spiritually ready, and I don't believe the world was ready either. Most of all I have no doubt that God was in full control of the timing here.
A part of my spiritual maturity over these years was recognizing that even amid the joy and wonder of discovery, there is a deeper reality to encounter—the weight and truth of Christ’s message, which calls for both reflection and faithful living.
As I conclude, and look at the world around us, I feel convicted to say a few more things—not because I want to, but because I believe it’s necessary. In John 16:33, Jesus said,
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
This reminder of both challenge and hope frames what I feel called to share. I do not presume to have any authority, just thoughts.
This world is described often in the New Testament. It is the “far country” of the Prodigal Son, a place where human brokenness and resistance to God’s ways are all too clear. Yet too often, life today is framed as if the story ended 2,000 years ago — as though Christ isn't really returning, or the struggle has passed. Reconnecting with the world as Jesus knew and described it should help us understand our place in it and the work still before us.
I believe the message at the center of this presentation is about awakening — an invitation from God to countless newcomers, and perhaps a reminder to the rest of us to refocus and revive Christ’s core messages.
Following Him calls us to a life that often runs counter to the comforts and ambitions of this world. It is a path that involves surrender, sacrifice, and vigilance, because the spiritual forces at work around us are very real. The New Testament speaks plainly of “rulers and authorities” and the unseen powers that influence our world—not as metaphors for human struggle, but as actual spiritual entities that oppose God’s purposes and seek to hinder His people. Jesus Himself affirmed their reality, warning His followers to remain alert, steadfast, and anchored in truth. Yet even in the midst of these challenges, the promise of Christ’s victory assures us that we are not powerless. The battle is ongoing, but it is a battle we are equipped to face through faith, prayer, and reliance on the Spirit, participating in a victory that has already been secured through Him.
He also reminds us that repentance and faith are inseparable; we cannot claim to follow Him while ignoring the call to turn from sin and align our hearts fully with God. Above all, He came as Savior to redeem us from this broken world, to restore what has been corrupted, and to prepare us for His return. Scripture warns that the world is full of values and systems opposed to God’s purposes, influenced by powers and authorities beyond what we see. We are called to live within this world, to engage with it, but never to be conformed by it — to be present, yet undistracted and undeceived, holding fast to the truth and the eternal hope we have in Christ.
Even as we wait and watch with hope for His return, we’re not called to retreat from the world, but to love one another within it. Jesus said the greatest commandments are to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind — and to love our neighbor as ourselves. In a world often defined by division, self-interest, and distraction, this call to love remains the clearest mark of true discipleship.
In closing
I could have spent another year adding to the content of this presentation—many things I want to share did not make it here, yet. So many Bible verses, stories and lessons worthy of even deeper discussion will hopefully be coming in the next months and years. And what about that four months I spent searching? I barely scratched the surface of my initial journey. God willing, and with your support, I hope to update the site regularly with the rest of the story, and all sorts of additional content.
Above all, I look so forward to seeing how God uses this miracle to anchor the world in a collective faith like we've never known before.
As I leave these words with you, my prayer is that you feel the same hope, wonder, and love that have carried me through this journey. May you be reminded that, no matter the struggles we face, God’s presence is unwavering, His love unfailing, and His promises true. Let this be an invitation to awaken, to love boldly, and to walk with faith—knowing the story is far from over, and the best is yet to come.
Hallelujah
"I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live."
Psalm 116:1-2
Menu
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7
And He heard,
and He answered.
There are at least quadrillions of reasons why you shouldn’t be here now, reading these words and contemplating this supposed miracle. So many variables over the last 2,000 years, and beyond, should have kept you from being here.
Yet ultimately, there is only One reason you are here—love. God is love, and if the cross within the matrix isn’t evidence of that unfailing love for all of us, what is?
I have to tell you this again—it bears repeating over and over— I did not believe in Christ when I discovered the cross within the matrix. I believed in God, but I had rejected Christianity as a young man. Yet how could I dismiss the evidence that was staring me straight in the face that cold winter morning in January of 2002.
Like the apostle Paul, I had figuratively “persecuted” Jesus for many years. I mocked Christians, even my grandmother, certain that I knew better. Paul was blinded by a light from Heaven on the road to Damascus.
“As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked.”
Acts 9:3-5
Yet far from being blinded, the moment I saw the cross in the matrix, my eyes were wide open! I didn't need to ask "Who are you, Lord?"—I knew already. I remember thinking, “Oh my God! It’s true—He is real!” I pray that somewhere in this presentation you found yourself saying the same thing!
I have no doubt that Christians will see the discovery as the miracle that it is—though it may take a while to digest it all, and understandably so. While the discovery is not ‘proof’ of God, it serves as compelling evidence for those with open hearts, open minds and honest intellects. Faith is still required, despite the overwhelming implications.
Regardless of your current beliefs, let me remind you of another very important consideration. This cannot be overstated—I should have found nothing! By man's standards, by the standard of science, or mathematics or even theology, my unorthodox methods coupled with my stated objectives should have led to a complete dead-end.
Christians know what comes next: praise, gratitude, prayer, worship, sharing, and a challenging but necessary expansion of our understanding of God.
For those still uncertain, or perhaps still wondering, remember this: everything I’ve shared, everything you’ve seen, points to one undeniable truth: we are loved, and Christ is the embodiment of that love. And in the grand mystery of it all, there is hope and grace for all who seek Him.
Anchored
I have done my best to keep hope at the center of this entire presentation. I wanted you all to come away from it overwhelmed with wonder, joy and a renewed sense of collective meaning, all gifts from our Father in Heaven. I tried to create an experience, not a lecture. I wrapped the message in the beauty of Rembrandt, Caravaggio and other classical artists—while trying to keep it fresh and engaging for a modern audience.
I also sprinkled the entire presentation with Bible verses full of meaning and relevance hoping to add depth and context. Some fit seamlessly; others carried layers of meaning.
I'm sure many are probably wondering why it took 23 years to bring this discovery to the world. Honestly, it was never my decision to make, even when I may have thought it was. I wasn't spiritually ready, and I don't believe the world was ready either. Most of all I have no doubt that God was in full control of the timing here.
A part of my spiritual maturity over these years was recognizing that even amid the joy and wonder of discovery, there is a deeper reality to encounter—the weight and truth of Christ’s message, which calls for both reflection and faithful living.
As I conclude, and look at the world around us, I feel convicted to say a few more things—not because I want to, but because I believe it’s necessary. In John 16:33, Jesus said,
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
This reminder of both challenge and hope frames what I feel called to share. I do not presume to have any authority, just thoughts.
This world is described often in the New Testament. It is the “far country” of the Prodigal Son, a place where human brokenness and resistance to God’s ways are all too clear. Yet too often, life today is framed as if the story ended 2,000 years ago — as though Christ isn't really returning, or the struggle has passed. Reconnecting with the world as Jesus knew and described it should help us understand our place in it and the work still before us.
I believe the message at the center of this presentation is about awakening — an invitation from God to countless newcomers, and perhaps a reminder to the rest of us to refocus and revive Christ’s core messages.
Following Him calls us to a life that often runs counter to the comforts and ambitions of this world. It is a path that involves surrender, sacrifice, and vigilance, because the spiritual forces at work around us are very real. The New Testament speaks plainly of “rulers and authorities” and the unseen powers that influence our world—not as metaphors for human struggle, but as actual spiritual entities that oppose God’s purposes and seek to hinder His people. Jesus Himself affirmed their reality, warning His followers to remain alert, steadfast, and anchored in truth. Yet even in the midst of these challenges, the promise of Christ’s victory assures us that we are not powerless. The battle is ongoing, but it is a battle we are equipped to face through faith, prayer, and reliance on the Spirit, participating in a victory that has already been secured through Him.
He also reminds us that repentance and faith are inseparable; we cannot claim to follow Him while ignoring the call to turn from sin and align our hearts fully with God. Above all, He came as Savior to redeem us from this broken world, to restore what has been corrupted, and to prepare us for His return. Scripture warns that the world is full of values and systems opposed to God’s purposes, influenced by powers and authorities beyond what we see. We are called to live within this world, to engage with it, but never to be conformed by it — to be present, yet undistracted and undeceived, holding fast to the truth and the eternal hope we have in Christ.
Even as we wait and watch with hope for His return, we’re not called to retreat from the world, but to love one another within it. Jesus said the greatest commandments are to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind — and to love our neighbor as ourselves. In a world often defined by division, self-interest, and distraction, this call to love remains the clearest mark of true discipleship.
In closing
I could have spent another year adding to the content of this presentation—many things I want to share did not make it here, yet. So many Bible verses, stories and lessons worthy of even deeper discussion will hopefully be coming in the next months and years. And what about that four months I spent searching? I barely scratched the surface of my initial journey. God willing, and with your support, I hope to update the site regularly with the rest of the story, and all sorts of additional content.
Above all, I look so forward to seeing how God uses this miracle to anchor the world in a collective faith like we've never known before.
As I leave these words with you, my prayer is that you feel the same hope, wonder, and love that have carried me through this journey. May you be reminded that, no matter the struggles we face, God’s presence is unwavering, His love unfailing, and His promises true. Let this be an invitation to awaken, to love boldly, and to walk with faith—knowing the story is far from over, and the best is yet to come.
"I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live."
Psalm 116:1-2
Hallelujah
Hard-fought
That song by Brandon Lake has served as my anthem over the last year as I struggled to bring this project to life. So many times I found myself being tested in the fire—times when I honestly wondered if I had what it took to finish this calling. Many times I found myself down for the count and each time I would play that song - sometimes over and over - searching and praying for the strength and will to continue.
Some might ask why I have included so many music videos in this presentation, but I would hope it's obvious why. They bring a level of depth and meaning and Spirit that I simply could not. When Jodie Foster's character in the movie "Contact" couldn't find the words to describe what she was witnessing, she whispered to herself, "they should have sent a poet." I felt the same way early into this venture. I knew that a bunch of pixels arranged in two dimensions might fall short of glorifying God as fully as I was hoping to.
So I brought in my own poets here, hoping that you might be moved by their music as much as I have been. I placed them where I believed they perfectly reflected the moment, including this page which was slated to be a lengthy tell-all of my journey. I wrote nearly twenty pages describing the trials and tribulations of the last year (even the last 23 years). Yet I scrapped them all when I realized they were perfectly and beautifully summed up in Brandon's Hard Fought Hallelujah.
I honestly only started listening to modern gospel music about two years ago. Like I stated earlier, the song "Lion" by Elevation Worship featuring Chris Brown and Brandon Lake, was my introduction. As you have seen, Brandon and Elevation Worship are featured several times throughout these pages. I know some may not share the same appreciation for this genre, but I personally believe it to be Spirit-led and biblically rooted. More than anything, it is inspirational on so many levels. We have known scientifically for at least 70 years that music is both a stimulator and modulator for human emotion. For me personally, that understanding reached new heights when I discovered it's power in the music I now listen to.
There are many artists and collectives whose music has been truly inspiring to me—too many in fact, to include them all here. Thank you Brandon Lake, your worship blended perfectly into this presentation! Thanks also to Chris Brown, Tiffany Hudson, Chandler Moore and the rest at Elevation Worship. Thank you David Crowder, We The Kingdom, Maverick City Music, and the Bethel Music Collective. Your music, and that of others not mentioned here, has moved me deeply along my journey, and I am so grateful to you all.