The New Creation Story

“You’ll never have an adventure if you keep taking the same path.” This motto is etched

into my heart, guiding my life’s journey through its highs and lows. It’s a truth that has

shaped who I am today.

 

After the tragic events of 9/11, I felt a calling to serve and joined the Marine Corps, the

only branch willing to overlook my rocky academic past and youthful indiscretions. As a

wild-spirited young man, the Marines were a perfect fit. I enlisted as an Infantryman but

was soon recruited into the Reconnaissance Battalion. Waking up at 0400 for Force

Recon selection and indoctrination were one of the best decisions I ever made. My

untamable personality wouldn’t have thrived as a standard “Grunt.” As my mother once

quipped, “I thought I failed as a mother, but even the Marine Corps couldn’t fix you.” It’s

still the funniest thing I’ve ever heard.

 

Force Recon opened a new world for me. Growing up in a crowded two-bedroom, one-

bath home with six people, I could never have imagined a life of global travel, skydiving,

underwater demolition, Special Forces operations, and work in the intelligence

community. I thought I had it all, everything a man could want. But I learned the hard

way that a life without purpose and faith is no life at all.

 

The relentless pursuit of dopamine and fulfillment led me down a dark path. I fell into the

traps that often ensnare operators and intelligence operators, chasing fleeting highs that

were slowly destroying me. After a 17-year career, I was sent to a Traumatic Brain Injury

unit, expecting a six-week stay. Six weeks became three months, then six months. I left

the Marine Corps voluntarily, with no pension, no job, and no hope.

 

For the next two years, I took on defense contracting opportunities, but when I wasn’t

working, I drowned my pain in bars, burying my emotions. The only time I heard from

old teammates was for funerals, which seemed to happen every month or two. The

breaking point came when my closest friend died in a boating accident. That night, I hit

rock bottom and was arrested after trying to numb the pain at a bar.

 

While in custody for 23 hours, I had three visitors, each with their own cautionary

Tale, like a gritty version of A Christmas Carol. Through them, I saw the grim future

awaiting me if I continued down that path. My wife reached out to an old friend, who

connected me with Operation Wounded Warrior. Their holistic approach addressed the

scars I carried and the masks I wore to survive each day. Most importantly, they

introduced me to the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

 

Over the next year and a half, I began a journey of transformation, but it wasn’t until I

fully surrendered my old lifestyle that real change took hold. Like the free-fall operations I once trained for, there was no half-stepping or studder-stepping at the ramp. I humbled

myself and went all in. Guided by the Spirit, I undertook a water fast. I began at 8:30 p.m. on September 30, with no clear idea of what I was doing but an unwavering

commitment to change.

 

That leap of faith set me on a new path—one of healing, purpose, and redemption.

Today, I share my story to inspire others, knowing that true adventure begins when you

dare to take a different road.

 

During my fast, God revealed Himself to me. The days were long and painful, but His

glory rained down on me. For the first seven days, God was working on a new creation.

On day one, He separated the light from the darkness. It was painful, and I was weak,

but my old self was dying, and spiritual understanding grew. From days two through

five, He set up provisions that led me through repentance, rebuilding me anew. On day

six, when God created humans, He recreated me, salvaging my past for His purpose.

He revealed that I should start a business, though He didn’t yet give it a name. I had

more repenting and forgiving to do. Once I completed those prayers, He named it New

Creation Tea Company. On day seven, I purchased the company name, which was

miraculously 90% off—a blessing from the heavens. On day eight, He gave me

direction. That leap of faith set me on a new path. A new path with healing, purpose, and redemption. 

Today, through New Creation Tea Company, I share my story to inspire others, knowing that true adventure begins when you dare to take a different road.