A Little More...

I write novels, spiritual nonfiction, and reflections on learning to pay attention to what matters most. I've also been an ordained pastor for 20 years, certified coach and spiritual director, and run a couple businesses on the side.

Whether it’s writing crime fiction, essays about faith in a fractured world, hosting my podcast, giving a talk, preaching a sermon, or coaching writers, creatives, and leaders toward their own calling, everything I make is rooted in this belief:

Stories shape souls.

Paying attention changes lives.

Grace runs the whole thing.

I've lived in many seasons — from starting churches and businesses, to pastoring and publishing, and coaching to writing crime novels. I now call Los Angeles home again, and spend my days writing, teaching, pastoring, coaching, spiritual directing, and helping others discover the power of their own stories, and the grace moving the whole thing along.

I'd love to hear from you — seriously. One of my favorite things about writing online is that it becomes a lighthouse, a place where interesting people find each other. Feel free to email anytime.

The Longer Story

A Timeline

Here are a few big moments that shaped me. I loved this exercise of remembering seemingly mundane moments, and how these ordinary events (some bigger than others) cultivated the direction of my life:

• 1979: born in Long Beach, California into a family that loved books, music, and sports.

• 1986: played on my first basketball team.

• 1986: started learning how to fence (the sport). My grandfather bought me a 30 minute lesson for my seventh birthday, and I loved it.

• 1988: received an electric typewriter (remember those?) and wrote my first stories. The writing obsession was birthed.

• 1989: participated in the Junior Olympics (Chicago) in fencing, and placed seventh in the world.

• 1991: transferred from public school to a Christian school in sixth grade. This was a difficult time leaving many of my childhood friends from the neighborhood. Learned how to meet people, and make friends, and developed a sense of humor.

• 1991: went to my first concert, a Doobie Brothers reunion concert. My love for music, and live music has never stopped.

• 1991-1994: continued to play football, basketball, and baseball. Stopped fencing competitively (about age 14).

• 1994: went out for golf team and made varsity. A love for golf budding.

• 1995: won a CIF championship in high school football.

• 1995: my parents divorced, and I moved to Seal Beach with my dad. Hardest season of life, and instrumental in my coming to faith in Jesus.

• 1996: met my future wife senior year of high school.

• 1996: learned guitar, and attempted to sing in my first band Vicious Circle.

• 1997: won a league championship in golf, and played in the CIF championship. Graduated from Valley Christian High School.

• 1997-1999: played on the Cypress College golf team. Studied business.

• 1997: made profession of faith, and became a follower of Jesus.

• 1997-2001: worked at El Dorado Golf Course running the Pro Shop. Thought I'd run golf courses, and be a golf coach, and manager. God had other plans.

• 1999-2001: transferred to Biola University (graduated with a BA in Education)

• 1999: played in my second band, 24 Hour Power (worst name ever).

• 2001: got married to my high school sweetheart.

• 2001-2004: became Pastor of Youth and Family at The River Church. Continued to work at golf course, substitute teach, and had a side business while working at church.

• 2004-2007: went to seminary to study theology, which taught me how to ask better questions (and sit with unanswered ones). Taught me about the mysteries of God, our world, and grew a compassion for people.

• 2004: started my first blog around faith and culture. Discovered a dormant love of writing.

• 2005- 2007: planted our first church in Holland, Michigan.

• 2007: graduated seminary, moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, and had our first child.

• 2009: second child Samantha passed away shortly after birth. Didn't grieve well, and both my wife and I became depressed.

• 2009-2024: moved to Kansas City, Missouri to start our second church. Spent years as a pastor, learning to listen to stories underneath stories. Learned the skills to start a nonprofit, build it up, develop leaders, and run a healthy organization.

• 2011: attempted my first novel. Fell in love with writing — first with sermons, then novels, then everything.

• 2011: had our third child.

• 2011- 2025: wrote over 23 books across different genres.

• 2015: completed a certificate in coaching, speaking, and training through the John Maxwell Team. Built a coaching practice for creatives and spiritual seekers and leaders wanting to get unstuck.

• 2015: had our fourth child.

• 2017-present: started a wedding officiant business. Did over 100 weddings, and counseled dozens of couples.

• 2017-present: started a podcast for writers, now The Art of Paying Attention.

• 2018: started a independent publishing company Common Grace Publishing (now: Attention Books).

• 2018: had our fifth child.

• 2019-2024: started an AirBnb business.

• 2024: completed my doctorate in ministry with an emphasis on the Sacred Art of Writing.

• 2024: moved back to Los Angeles, to continue to pastor, write, coach, speak, and do spiritual direction for creatives.

• 2025: rebranded my publishing company to Attention Books to help other writers find and amplify their voices.

• 2025: celebrated 24 years of marriage.
  *updated April 2025.

What Drives Me?

My Incomplete Life Philosophy

I love new beginnings, starting and making things, and wondering how it will all turn out. I'm endlessly curious about humans, our world, cultures, art, God, faith, spirituality, and the mysterious cracks between, what we see, and what’s unseen. I'm drawn to mystery — both the crime story kind and the spiritual kind. I believe attention is one of the rarest, and most radical acts of love in the modern world. My best and only marriage and parenting advice: show up, and be present. Everyone has to start somewhere. Your beginning is not your ending. Readers are leaders (at least have the potential of leading). Once curiosity dies, so does empathy, relationships, faith, and everything. I believe our lives are gifts and we should live accordingly, and treat the other gifts on the planet accordingly. I believe the whole thing runs on grace.

My Creativity Philosophy

Start before you are ready. Make a little progress each day. Create more than you consume. Prolific does not equal poor quality. You don't need a map, just trust your gut. Celebrate small victories. Tell the truth, even when it's uncomfortable. Everyone feels like an imposter. Resistance comes for all; we must learn to dance with it. What makes your art unique is you; your voice, perspective, experiences, style, and point of view. Don't create for money, it will come as needed. Create for you first, worry about audience later. You were made by our Creator, to create. If we don't, we all lose something.

My Coaching Philosophy

I believe coaching isn’t about fixing people — it’s about helping them remember who they already are. I don’t believe in quick fixes or hype. I believe transformation comes in quiet space, deep listening, and practical tools to help you move forward with honesty, clarity, and hope. I believe you don’t need to be perfect to create something meaningful. I believe small beginnings, and incremental progress, matters more than you think. I believe the work you’re called to do already lives inside you — it just needs a little excavation. Progress isn’t always loud. Sometimes it feels like a whisper.

Mary Oliver

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one
wild and precious life?"f