“Many people may not be familiar with me and could be wondering about who I am. However, I feel honored and privileged that God has given me an opportunity to share a glimpse of my Christian journey with you today. Although my path has had its fair share of trials and shortcomings, I have witnessed the incredible transformative power of God’s grace. It’s important to note that I am no better than anyone else. We are all equal in the eyes of God.”
My journey began in second grade when I first felt the stirrings of conviction in my heart. Despite these nudges, I resisted accepting Christ as my Lord and Savior until the summer before junior high. I vividly recall the moment I stood up during the invitational hymn, unintentionally knocking down friends in my path. But as I walked down that aisle, a weight was lifted off me, and I knew I was no longer bound for Hell.
However, like many, I faced challenges in high school. I yearned for popularity, striving to fit in rather than embracing my identity as a Christian.
College allowed me to reset my priorities, but God wasn’t at the top of my list. Yet, despite these struggles, toward the end of earning my degree, God saw that I got my life straight again. I remained on track through marriage and into my forties. Yet, there came a point when I faltered. I allowed others to define me, losing sight of my true purpose. For several years, I found myself attending church physically but feeling disconnected spiritually. The hypocrisy I witnessed among some churchgoers troubled me deeply, leading me to a dark place around 2015. I realized that over the years, I had placed my trust in the wrong things, believing that those within the church would never betray or hurt me, and that was the farthest thing from the truth.
But in 2016, everything changed. I attended a men’s retreat that became a turning point in my life. Through that weekend, I found my way back to a close relationship with God. I realized my priorities needed to shift – putting God first, followed by my spouse, children, and work. It was a gradual process, but I began to see God reinventing me. What was once a passion for music evolved into a calling to teach and lead others.
Today, I stand before you, humbled by the journey God has taken me on. I lead a men’s Bible study, host workplace devotionals via conference calls, disciple others, co-teach a life group, and release weekly video devotionals. Each day, I strive to deepen my understanding of God’s Word and live out His purpose for my life.
In addition to the various ministries I’m involved in, I’d like to highlight one particular aspect of my Christian walk—the production of a weekly devotional video called “Monday Mornings with Michael.”
You see, based on my journey and the lessons I’ve learned, I realized the importance of starting each week and each day with a solid spiritual foundation. I understand the struggles we face in our daily lives – the doubts, the fears, the uncertainties. For me, sharing a short, encouraging message could make all the difference to start your week. When I started this on Facebook, I had grown tired of too many people being negative and criticizing each other. I will be the first to tell you I was terrible about that. I had no issue sharing my opinion on politics, football, and fishing. The sad reality was that I was more willing to talk about nonsense than I was about about Jesus Christ and what he had done for me.
The name “Monday Mornings with Michael” reflects my intention, which was an invitation to join me at the start of each week so that we could center our hearts and minds on God’s Word. As mornings set the tone for the rest of the day, I hoped these videos would set a positive tone for the week ahead.
Through these devotional videos, I aim to share insights, offer encouragement, and share practical wisdom scraped together from my own journey. Whether it’s a verse that spoke to me during my quiet time, a personal reflection, or a lesson learned through hardship, my goal is to inspire and uplift others in their walk with Christ.
My journey is a testament to God’s faithfulness and His ability to turn our struggles into strengths. Though I’ve stumbled along the way, I’ve learned that God’s grace is greater than my shortcomings. I hope my story encourages you to persevere in your own Christian walk, knowing that God is always with you, guiding you every step. I also hope this has given you a little insight into me and the person God continues to mold. Thanks for letting me share a little bit about myself.