Christian Living

Before I ever started a business, I had worked over 36 different jobs.

I wasn’t lazy. I was searching. Searching for direction. Trying to find something that would last. But year after year, I found myself starting over. Looking back now, I realize the real problem wasn’t effort—it was direction.

Years earlier, I had learned a lesson from Warren W. Wiersbe that stayed with me:
“Determination without direction leads to destruction.”
At the time, I didn’t fully grasp it—but looking back, that described my life perfectly. I had determination, but I lacked direction.

Before moving to Hollywood, I had even been accepted to Bob Jones University after researching several Bible colleges. I intended to complete my degree, but there was something I felt I had to do—I needed to pursue my goal of acting and get it out of my system.

I spent time preparing in different ways—doing catering work, performing magic shows for children, and even singing telegrams in a tuxedo, delivering balloons and birthday greetings. On one occasion, I portrayed Santa Claus at a corporate event. A former classmate was working there and never knew it was me—I never revealed my identity. I imagine some of the employees wondered if Santa had gone on a diet or taken up fitness training.

In 1994, I made the transition from Stockton to Hollywood, arriving two years later after preparation and determination. But I soon learned something important—determination alone is not enough. Without direction, it leads to frustration.

In Hollywood, I took on various roles—catering jobs, security work, and background acting. I appeared in films such as My Best Friend’s Wedding and The Bachelor, and worked security on productions like The Man from Elysian Fields. I even had a small speaking role in a film a friend of mine wrote and directed. But despite all of this activity, I still had not found direction.

In 2001, from a small Hollywood studio apartment, I restarted my junk removal business. This time, something changed. Within two years, my income increased by over 1,100%. It felt like everything was finally coming together.

For the first time, I could see a path toward financial independence.

But what I didn’t realize was how fragile that success was.

Then came 2008.

The housing market collapsed. The economy declined sharply. My income dropped, and I lost almost everything. It was humbling. It was painful. It forced me to reexamine everything I thought I understood about success.

At the time, it felt like disaster.

But looking back, I can now say with confidence—God was not destroying my future; He was redirecting it.

Around this time, I also made a decision that seemed simple but proved significant: I chose to honor my mother. A longtime friend of mine, John Vandervort, once told me, “God is going to bless you for taking care of your mother.” I remembered his words, but I did not yet understand their full meaning.

At one of the lowest points in my life, the Lord brought me my wife.

The Bible says:

“Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.” — Proverbs 18:22

That verse became real to me. I didn’t just find a wife—I obtained favor from the Lord. She became my partner in rebuilding life, in faith, and in moving forward with renewed purpose.

But our journey was not without sorrow.

During my wife’s initial pregnancy, we lost twins. That experience brought a level of grief that no financial loss could compare to. It reminded us how fragile life truly is.

Yet God, in His tender mercy, was not finished writing our story.

In 2017, the Lord blessed us with our daughter, Sarah.

That blessing meant more to me than anything financial. It changed my perspective. There are people who long for a spouse and do not have one. There are those who long for children and cannot have them. These realities taught me to be grateful.

It reminds me of the old hymn:

“Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done.”

And truly, the Lord has been merciful far beyond what I deserve.

After losing almost everything, I had to rebuild—not just financially, but mentally and spiritually.

One of the most important changes I made was committing myself to learning.

I began reading—seriously reading. At least one book per week. One year I read over 100 books, and over time I have read more than 254 books. When you read, you tap into another person’s experience, knowledge, and expertise.

Charlie Tremendous Jones is often quoted as saying:

“You’ll be the same person five years from now as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.”

That proved true in my life.

Learning changed my thinking.
Thinking changed my direction.
And direction changed my life.

As I rebuilt, I restarted my business, continued studying marketing, and worked to improve my communication skills. I also began to understand the importance of income-producing assets—how owning something that produces income can create long-term stability.

My wife and I eventually purchased another home and kept our first as a rental. Over time, those decisions helped us build financial stability.

Within ten years of getting married, starting with less than $20,000, my wife and I became millionaires. While part of that came through the appreciating housing market, I believe something deeper was at work.

The Bible says:

“The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” — Proverbs 10:22

What looked like failure was actually preparation.
What felt like loss was redirection.
God was shaping my life in ways I could not see at the time.

More importantly, I began to focus on the truths of Scripture—seeking to understand the gospel more clearly and to help others grow in their faith.

Life does not simply respond to need—it responds to what is planted. Discipline, learning, service, and faithfulness produce a harvest over time.

And I believe honoring my mother was one of those seeds God chose to bless.

Five years from now, each of us will arrive somewhere—not by accident, but by direction.

If a man who worked 36 jobs, lost nearly everything, and had to start over can experience God’s mercy and blessing, then there is hope for anyone.

I deserved nothing but judgment, yet God showed mercy.

He gave me direction when I was drifting.
He gave me a virtuous wife when I had little.
He gave me a daughter after a loss.
He provided when I could not see the way forward.

Give God the glory.

Change your direction.

Study His Word.

And trust in the Lord’s tender mercies—for they are greater than anything we could ever deserve.