A Journey of Faith, Calling, and Service

Chapter 1 of the Beacon Playbook, The Foundation of Beacon—Waiting on God, tells the story of a season in which expected doors in K–12 leadership closed while unexpected doors opened through educational consulting and service as a paid on-call firefighter with the City of Holland. It is not a story of having the future figured out, but of learning to wait, listen, and follow God at a Sacred Pace. Through Beacon, the fire service, and the relationships formed along the way, I am being reminded that calling is less about securing a particular position or title and more about faithfully serving wherever God opens the door. This page also includes a growing collection of devotionals shaped by recent time in the wilderness along Michigan’s Pine River, where Scripture, solitude, wildlife, and creation offered fresh reminders of God’s presence and direction. Family and friends are invited to read, reflect, and walk alongside me in this continuing journey of faith. You are welcome to read Chapter 1 of the Beacon Playbook if you want to know more.

A Pine River Wilderness Retreat in July 2026

The wilderness has always been one of God's classrooms. It was in the wilderness that Moses learned to shepherd before leading a nation. Elijah heard the gentle whisper after the wind, earthquake, and fire. John the Baptist prepared the way for Christ. Even Jesus withdrew to lonely places to pray and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness before beginning His public ministry.

I did not travel to the Pine River expecting dramatic answers or extraordinary experiences. I simply longed to step away from the constant noise of life and spend a few quiet days alone with God. With a heavy backpack of supplies, short hike, and a kayak trip to hule some firewood; I eventually reached a small peninsula where I would spend three days without cell service, surrounded only by the sound of the river, the wind through the cedars, and the occasional rumble of thunder.

God's creation became a beautiful backdrop for those days. A Sandhill Crane stood quietly along the riverbank as I drifted within a few feet of it. A fisher crossed a fallen tree spanning the river before playing on the hillside across from my campsite. On my final morning, a young velvet buck stood broadside only a few feet above the riverbank while a doe remained quietly hidden in the grass behind him. None of these moments felt hurried. They were simply quiet gifts that slowed me enough to notice the greater gift waiting in my lap—an open Bible.

As the pages unfolded, passages from Samuel, Chronicles, Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Isaiah, Hosea, Matthew, and John began speaking to one another in ways I had never noticed before. I was reminded again that God still speaks through His written Word, and that creation often provides the quiet place where our hearts are finally ready to listen.

These devotionals are not about wilderness survival or remarkable wildlife. They are about a faithful God who continues to meet those who seek Him. My hope is that these reflections encourage you to slow down, open God's Word, and discover for yourself that His promises are just as alive today as they were beside the Pine River.