San Diego Landscape Architect, Designer, Planner, Consultant

My Walk

Since I was young, I had a relationship with the Lord. I attended Catholic Elementary and High School, went to church and prayed with my mom each night. I was 11 when my parents divorced. I remember relying on Jesus to get me through the pain and circumstances of life. In 2000, my wife, kids, dogs and I moved from Buffalo, NY to San Diego, CA. We searched for five years for the right Catholic Church and came up empty handed.

In April, 2005, we attended our first service at the Rock Church and our lives changed. It was like nothing we have ever experienced. It is a Bible-based, non-denominational Christian church led by Pastor Miles McPherson. At that service I accepted salvation. The most important thing I've learned from God's word is that going to heaven does not come from doing good things on earth. Nobody is "good enough" to go to heaven. The only way to get to heaven is to acknowledge that you are not perfect. To realize the words, actions, and thoughts of "your flesh" separate you from God (sin), believe that the penalty of sin is death (eternal separation from God), believe that Jesus died in your place to pay that penalty, and believe that he was raised from the dead as a means to provide forgiveness and eternal life to all who believe. It took me 33 years to realize that this is what "the Gospel" means. Even though I always prayed and went to church, I missed the big picture of God's plan for me and for all mankind.

Since that moment, I have been living for God and my life has blossomed. God wants us to let go and trust him with all areas of life. I put him first in my marriage and he has blessed my marriage, first with our kids and he has blessed our kids, first in my career and he has blessed my career, first with my time and money and he has blessed both of them. He wants 100% of you, not to enslave you, but to set you free from the bondage of sin and to provide opportunities for you to trust in him every day. He will make your burden light and fill you with a peace that transcends all understanding regardless of the circumstances that surround you.

The more obedient and open my heart is to God, and the more I let go of the world and seek his will, the more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness and self control I receive from his Holy Spirit.

If you would like to ask Jesus for eternal salvation and to be the Lord of your life, please pray this prayer in the privacy of your heart:

"Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. I understand that the penalty of sin is death and eternal separation from you. I believe with my heart that you died for my sins and were raised from the dead so that I may have eternal life. I am truly sorry. Please forgive me. I invite you to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In your name I pray, Amen."

If you just prayed that prayer click here.

Congratulations on accepting God's free gift of eternal life. In order to draw closer to God and to know and live his will for your life, there are some important lifelong steps to take to grow spiritually:

1. Read the Bible.
The Bible is the Word of God, written by men through the power of God's Holy Spirit. It is a collection of the sacred, inerrant (without error), and authoritative writings comprised of the Old and New Testaments. It is the roadmap to eternal life and is the owner's manual for life on earth. Reading the Bible daily provides your spiritual nourishment. I encourage you to read at least one chapter, paragraph or at least one verse each and every day. If you are not familiar with the Bible, the book of John is a good place to begin reading.

2. Pray.
Prayer is communication with God. It is not only speaking with the creator of the universe, but also listening. A good model to organize your prayer is the AWCIPA model: Admire and thank God for everything in your life; Wait quietly before God and listen for his voice; Confess your sins until you cannot think of anymore; Intercede for others (pray for them); Petition for yourself (not only for what God can do for you, but what you can do to serve Him); and again Admire and thank God for all He does in your life.

3. Attend a Bible-based church.
This is where you can really grow in understanding the depth and message of God's Word, worship God in a group setting through song and prayer, take classes, and find ministries to serve the world as a service to the Lord. You will also be blessed by engaging in relationships with other brothers and sisters in Christ. I attend the Rock Church and it feels like home to me and my family. You can check it out at www.therocksandiego.org

4. Spend time with other believers.
By having other Christians in your life, it provides a means of accountability. God gives us all free will. Other believers in your life will keep you on your toes spiritually and provide an essential support system. You will also be that same blessing to others.

5. Obey.
To love the Lord is obey Him. He is going to speak to you through His word (the Bible), through people, through signs, and with a small, still voice right to your heart and mind. He may say "go over there and talk to that person" or "quit your job". Whatever it is, trust him. He will show you what's next after you take your first step of faith. He has been waiting for you to come to him with open arms and an open heart so you can fulfill your life's purpose that He created you for.

There is so much more than can be said here.
If you would like to talk, please do not hesitate to call me at 619-795-7603 or send an email to tim@insitelandarch.com.

In Christ's service,