Born and raised in Green Cove Springs, Florida. The youngest of six children. Grew up with an active imagination. Survived dress ups by my sisters and wedgies from my brother. Learned golf at an early age. Enjoyed school. Trusted Christ at age twelve. Sensed God’s call into ministry at age sixteen. Graduated from Clay High School in 1986. Attended Bible college in Alabama. Met my future wife—the daughter of an Army colonel…sister of two older brothers…feisty, intelligent, self-disciplined, beautiful. Graduated college in 1990. Married in 1991. Served as youth pastor in New Orleans for seven years. Graduated New Orleans Baptist Seminary in 1994. Lost a sister to cancer in 1996. Spent a year in Dallas at seminary. Interned at Fellowship Bible Church North. Arrived in New Jersey in 1998 as an associate pastor at Sayre Woods Bible Church. Welcomed four boys into the world in 1998, 2000, 2001, and 2005. Graduated from Biblical Theological Seminary in 2007. Moved back to Louisiana in 2010, taking the position of senior pastor at Community Bible Church.
Favorite things to do: Golf, taekwondo, fantasy football, and canasta (card game)
Impactful books in your life: Desiring God by John Piper, The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, The Prodigal God by Tim Keller
Favorite food: Cheeseburger (ketchup only)
Favorite dessert: Warm chocolate brownie with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on top
Favorite TV show: Golf majors and NFL football
Favorite Movie: Remember the Titans or Hoosiers
Favorite Verse or Quote: 2 Corinthians 4:7, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”
I’m amazed at how much we have in common – first, I’m a Christian also otherwise I don’t know if I can endure the other thing we have in common, a ruptured achilles. Second, I was born and raised in Florida as well, second of seven children of a baptist minister.
I am in the fourth week of a long recovery from tearing my achilles after falling while hiking in Colorado with my wife. I have never been so dependant on other people as I am now and I am so frustrated.
I am just now starting to read your blog and I know it is going help me through this time.
Thank you so much.
Dennis
Thanks for the encouragement, brother! If my experience and words can be a help, then praise God. It always amazes me how different people whom I may never meet somehow find my blog. It is also funny how an achilles rupture is the thing that often brings us together. I pray God’s blessings and strength on you as you recover. It can be a frustrating experience but I found it to be a very fruitful time in my life.
In Christ,
Steve
HI Steve,
Loved your commentary. Please send me future posts. Sending love to you and your family. Hi Liz! Hope all is well with all of you!
Clare Godleski
Really blessed by this site. Recently tore my achilles and have been anxiously waiting for life to get back to normal but I know in my heart that God is using this time as in a way, I almost prayed for this injury. I have more blessings than I could ever imagine but I am more bored and directionless than I have ever been.
I was especially reminded how weak I am during this time and how much in an instant life can change and I have no control over it.
My main struggle is how we can have this priceless treasure in Christ but be so sinful and torn in two. Either I am not a true believer or maybe this is what God desires for us to go through – this constant state of feeling alone and separated from him – stuck to our own devices.
Sorry for rambling but definitely blessed by you.
Thanks for the encouragement. I am glad that my blog has helped.
As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:7, “For we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”
That verse reminds me that we do have an incredible treasure–the indwelling Christ! But we have it in an earthen vessel–a weak body subject to doubt, confusion, sickness, dysfunction, and mortality.
I think the struggle is part of the process.
And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:21-22)
The struggle keeps us dependent on the Lord, day by day, moment by moment, and looking forward to our blessed hope.
Thank you… ruptured achilles nov 17, 2016…husband is also a senior pastor. At 12 weeks, i am today a bit down – patience is escaping me. But God is indeed good all the time. Thank you for sharing your experience and your faith!
Vicki
Thanks for sharing, Vicki. It is a frustrating recovery…but when you look back, I think you will see the many things that God taught you as you are forced to slow down. Glad you found my blog and that it encouraged you!
Hey, this was beautiful! The heel catcher- thank you for sharing
Just what I needed. God works in mysterious ways. I had Googled ‘ruptured Achilles tendon photos’ last night to see if I could find one that looked like mine. (Already diagnosed, just hoping the doctor was wrong lol). Anyway, I took a screenshot and came back to it this morning only to see the scripture at the bottom of the page. I am a lover and follower of Jesus Christ so I went back and read your story. Thank you so much for sharing. God is so funny and he loves me so much to do this ‘small thing’ for me. And everyone else too! My story is this: After 5 spine surgeries my legs were still in pain. Last Oct my rt leg gave out, causing me to fall. Broke 5th metatarsal bone (7cm gap). Had surgery, fell over on my scooter (the one for post surgery) 10 days later, had 2nd surgery, fell over on my scooter AGAIN, and ruptured my Achilles. I used to be an athlete, now I am +40lbs. Still, God is good. He has been my deliverer, my provider, my healer, my confidant, and my hiding place. And so much more. God bless you all and thank you for sharing.