Branches of Grace: Devotions From the Front Lines of Faith

I’ve spent my life in service—first in the United States Army as a combat engineer, I am a combat veteran due to operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and I worked for the post office from a carrier to a supervisor and retired as a manager. I worked as a pastor and all levels in a church from children, youth and adults and to lead pastor. Also, I became a chaplain, for fire departments and law enforcement agencies across Pennsylvania and Virginia. I’ve walked through war zones, fire scenes, and hospital rooms. I’ve prayed over fallen brothers and comforted families shattered by tragedy. And through it all, I’ve learned that ministry isn’t about having the right words, it’s about showing up.

My chaplaincy has grown into two branches. One reaches first responders and their families, those who run toward danger and carry trauma in silence. The other reaches the families affected by the calls, those who never expected their lives to change in a moment. Both branches are rooted in the same source: Jesus Christ. He is the living water that sustains me, the steady foundation beneath every step I take.

This devotional series was born from my own journey. I’ve battled PTSD, depression, and suicidal ideation. My wife and I lost our 17-year-old daughter to stage four brain cancer. That grief could have destroyed us but instead, it deepened our faith. My wife’s strength and her unwavering belief in Jesus and her prayers reminded me that healing doesn’t come from answers it comes from relationship.

Each devotion in this book is a reflection of that truth. They are written for the individual who feels burned out, for the spouse who doesn’t know how to help, for the grieving parent who wonders if God is still nearby. They are written for you.

Whether you’re reading this in a quiet moment, in the aftermath of a call, or in the stillness of your own grief, I pray these words meet you where you are. I pray they remind you that you are not alone. And I pray they point you toward the One who never leaves us, even in the fire Jesus.

Let’s walk through this journey together.