Hi there, I’m Andy.
Husband. Father. Pastor. Writer.
I am a pastor in the suburbs of Kansas City, Kansas, but I’ve also worked in the professional photography industry with my wife, Kia. Along with Kia’s family we founded several businesses for photographers specializing in high school senior portraits. Currently, Kia owns and operates a portrait photography studio in Shawnee, Kansas.
Together, Andy and Kia are parents to 4 incredible children in the Kansas City area.
Andy writes on a regular basis about how you can understand the God of the Bible.
1. I know this about you.
Most people make knowing God too complicated.
I’ve come to this conclusion after spending the better part of the last 25 years in a professional ministry setting—working in the urban and suburban worlds, overseas, and around the US. Too often, we make God complicated and unknowable.
Can I be honest, it’s job security. We need the pastor, minister, priest to tell us what God wants us to know. I obviously believe there is a place for the “professional” minister, but you don’t NEED another person to know God.
To be clear, God is mysterious. I’ve spent 30 years seeking God, and I’ll spend the next 30 years deepening my faith, but there will be more I don’t know than what I do know. Yet God is relatable.
God is more than relatable in the sense that He can be known. God designed relationship. More than just allowing Himself to be known, God wants a relationship with you. He wants relationship more than He wants you do some grand act or to follow a set of rules.
2. You Can Know God
So, what does it take to know God? How can you begin a relationship with the Creator of the universe? Think about that…YOU can know the One who made the moon, stars, and sky! Here are the first three things you need to know about God: How to understand the Bible, how to hear God’s voice (yes, God wants to speak to you!), and how to walk with God.
You can do this. You can read (or listen to) and understand the Bible. God wants to speak to you personally, and you can hear Him. You can determine the purpose God has for your life. You can know God, and I can show you how. Over the course of the next few posts, I’ll show you:
I know, I know, I know. Libraries have been written on each of these subjects. You can go as deep as you want to go on these topics, and it can be simple, too. You can understand the Bible, hear God’s voice (He wants to talk to you), and know how to walk with God.
3. It starts with Jesus!
Let me end with this thought. One layer sits on top of everything regarding a relationship with God. It’s what really unlocks and speeds up the process of a relationship with God. All three steps are true without this layer, but you can make it easier with this simple truth.
Jesus.
The way to truly know God is through His Son, Jesus. God wants a Father/Child relationship with you. He accomplished this through Jesus. Jesus unlocked the door standing between you and God. Yes, you can know God without submitting to Jesus, but you’ll never have the relationship God desires without using God’s chosen mediator.
Jesus is the way to God.
I can’t wait to share with you!
4. Start your journey with God.
I’d love to walk with you as you begin or continue your journey with God. I have two tools to help you right now. First, a 30-day devotional to help you understand the Bible. Second, a weekly eNewsletter—great resources for getting to know God.
Husband to One
I married my high school sweetheart over 25 years ago, and I’ve been on an adventure ever since. We’ve lived in the urban, suburban and rural worlds together. We’ve traveled throughout the US and beyond. I can’t imagine life without her.
Pastor to Hundreds
I’ve been in professional, part-time, or volunteer ministry since I was 18 years old. Over that time, I’ve pastored hundreds (probably thousands of people). It’s given me an insight to the human heart, and I share those with you here on a regular basis.
Father of Four
Our four children range from their mid-20’s to their early teens. I’ve walked with them through bad dates, not making the team and winning goals. It’s taken nearly 20 years, but I have a specific philosophy to raising children into great adults.
Writer to Thousands
I began writing regularly 15 years ago. I’ve written about business, family, life, ministry and faith. I’ve come to find that I’m best at communicating deep principles in simple and understandable ways. Keep following me for more of these deep truth.
Drop me a line!
I’d love to connect with you personally. Feel free to shoot me an email, and let’s begin a conversation about how you can most effectively walk with God.