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A Message from the Heart: Faith, Purpose, and the Dash Between

Please stay with me for a few moments. I know attention spans are shorter these days—thanks to social media and the speed of information—but what I’m about to share comes from years of reflection, experience, and faith.

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Who I’m Speaking To

This message is for friends who’ve known me since childhood, family who’ve walked with me through life, fellow believers I’ve prayed and served alongside, and even my children—who’ve seen my posts and heard my stories.

I’m still the same person I was as a young adult—just a bit wiser now. Life has taught me through triumphs and mistakes, and I’m still learning. My journey with faith began in childhood, deepened in my twenties, and has weathered many ups and downs. Through it all, God never left me. He protected me through more near-death experiences than I can count.

If you’d like to hear my testimony in video form or learn more about my background, just reach out. But this post isn’t about me—it’s about all of us.

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Life Is a Vapor—Make the Dash Count

The Bible says life is but a vapor. We begin with a date, we end with a date, and in between is the dash. That dash is everything. It’s not about how many toys we collect or titles we earn—it’s about how many lives we touch and how much good we create.

Yes, I enjoy nice things and work hard for what I have. But the true measure of a life well-lived is impact. You can chase money, possessions, recognition—but all of it fades. In 100 years, most of us will be gone, and many forgotten. That’s not dark—it’s reality. And it’s why I strive to encourage, inspire, and make others laugh.

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Faith Through the Roller Coaster

Life is a roller coaster—whether you’re strong in faith or have none at all. But God is constant. I’ve had countless “Holy Spirit moments”—those divine nudges where a sermon, a conversation, or a message speaks directly to what I’m wrestling with. It doesn’t matter the denomination, appearance, or background of the messenger. What matters is biblical truth and wisdom.

I’ve seen churches preach man-made doctrine that wounds rather than heals. But I’ve also seen leaders speak truth in love—sometimes tough love—that inspires people to grow closer to Jesus, even if it’s one baby step at a time.

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Think Critically, Stay Grounded

If you don’t truly believe in something, you’ll fall for anything. If you believe the Bible is the Word of God, then trust it. Study it. Make sure what you hear from the pulpit aligns with it. And remember—pastors and leaders are human too. Don’t put them on pedestals.

I’ve spent decades in ministry, church leadership, seminary, missions, and Christian counseling. And I still have so much to learn. I make mistakes. You will too. What matters is that we learn, seek forgiveness, and follow scripture. Sometimes that means “dusting off your feet and moving on” (Matthew 10:14).

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You Matter—Eternally

God knows the truth. He speaks truth. And He loves you. Your possessions, titles, and status are temporary. Your soul is eternal. People may not remember your name—but they’ll remember how you made them feel.

One of my favorite verses is:

“But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.’” —1 Samuel 16:7

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Real Talk

I’m still rough around the edges. I grew up in a blue-collar town, trained in self-defense, and have little tolerance for arrogance or bullying. I’ve been hurt. I struggle with forgiveness. But by God’s grace, the Holy Spirit, and a Proverbs 31 woman in my life—I’m learning patience, grace, and restraint.

As Kenny Chesney sings in “You Save Me”:

“When I’m a bullet shot out of a gun… or when I’m a firecracker coming undone… or when I’m a fugitive ready to run… all wild-eyed and crazy… no matter where my reckless soul takes me… you save me.”

God saves me. Grace saves me. And I hope this message helps save someone else.

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What’s Next

If you’ve made it this far—thank you. I’ve written a short novel here, but the next post will kick off a series of wisdom I’m excited to share.

Let’s keep growing. Let’s keep seeking. Let’s keep loving.

Blessings and Shalom,
~ DW