Author: Brad

Some of the sweetest conversations in my life are underwater

Underwater… where it’s so peaceful, so serene, where your mind, body and soul are suspended like you’re in outer space.

Underwater..so tranquil. Where silence is loud

Underwater..where your facial expression says more than words could say

Where time slows down and you mind is massaged thoroughly.

Underwater…where your whole body is suddenly weightless and the negative noise is instantly gone.

Yes, find me underwater, take me deep into vivacious blue

I feel so free to move and glide in motion underwater. Bubbles of joy and excitement tickle my soul. Currents of God’s love pour through me as I move like an underwater astronaut.

I’m so grateful for water to swim in..to exercise, to relieve stinking stress and dance and listen to my King.

“He leads me besides still waters, He restores my soul”

underwater conversations

When your day starts turning to despair or doubt
and your mind is stuck and you can’t get out…put on His love
When your hope is diverted and your focus is lost
consider my Savior and the blood that it cost.. Put on His love!

His Love Changes Everything!
His love set us free

His love turns our hearts to genuinely love you and me.

His love is so powerful

it’s beyond comprehension
His love goes way beyond human intention.

His love is always with us we can’t run away.. we can try to ignore it but this is what He’ll say… put on My love

Every so often at an unforeseen time,

Life throws a curveball with no reason or rhyme.

A tragic passing of a friend or family member, a sickness that seemingly will not surrender.

A job transition or a transfer of habitation; the impact is significant to our life situation.

One thing for sure is that change is always in motion. Sometimes for laughs and sometimes for commotion.

Change is seen in every part of life, whether we are young or old or have a family and wife.

Change, whether we like it or not, is built into creation and it reaches around the world to every tribe and Nation.

Just think…if change were not part of our lives, we’d most likely go stagnant and break into hives!

Change stretches our attitudes and hearts, it pushes us beyond just the “safe parts.”

Change invites us into humble dry lands where reliance on self moves more into His hands.

So if you’re in a season of change,

Allow the Good Lord to rearrange.

If you’re not careful you may just become a healthier soul. A growing learner who is becoming whole!

**dedicated to my mom on her birthday.

Happy birthday mom!


50 years of swimming, 50 years of “romance with the water.”
What an amazing journey and healthy discipline in my life. I am so grateful for the privilege of swimming in so many beautiful places in the world and especially meeting so many beautiful souls. Thank you Mom & Dad, you both supported me through all the years of early morning workouts and cheered for me through 3 Day Marathon swim meets. Thank you to my siblings Lance, Tanya, Jodi, Kirk & McKenna who continue to challenge me to be my best in and out of the water. You all have encouraged me throughout my journey. Thank you to all my coaches who inspired me and taught me more important things than speed in the water.

Thank you to all my ferocious competitors and all those swimmers I have coached that have sharpened me.

What an amazing deposit of life you all are to me. What great joy I still have from all those who learned to swim from me. I’ll never forget teaching my Compassion International kid (Adriano) in Brazil how to swim in a very dirty River in Itaparuna because the local pool would not let us in. I’ll never forget the life learning challenge of teaching a 55 year old blind lady(Virginia)how to swim at Northern Arizona University. Virginia… I’m glad you asked me to teach you swimming & not diving! What a treasure to coach part of the Brazilian national team at Minas Tennis Club in Belo Horizonte


and those amazing athletes and coaches at La Loma in San Luis Potosi.


What a privilege to be at Northern Arizona University with all the International swim teams coming to train at high altitude. I especially connected with the Japanese, Germans, New Zealanders, the Irish, and the USA team.


I want to thank Arizona State University swimmers and coaches,Mesa Swimmers (Arizona Thunder, Desert Thunder and Mesa Aquatics) for their investment in my life. I look forward to getting caught up to all of my Az family at Spring Masters Nationals in Mesa next year.



I am really grateful for my Masters SWYM team & Stanwood High School swim teams I coach now in Stanwood. You guys are a breath of fresh air! I’m especially grateful for my amazing wife Traci who I met in a swimming pool at Arizona State University in lifeguard training. She rescues me through Life’s storms. My heart overflows with gratefulness to keep swimming and enjoy life with my family and my Savior.. who walked on water!

Swimcerely Brad
** “Romance with Water” dedicated to my college coach Ron Johnson who connected me to Brazil and Mexico!!

Today I was invited to dine with a King. He asked me to come close to hear Him sing.
I heard His songs of joy and His heartbeat of Grace. He whispered in my ear come seek my face.

Come dine awhile with me fly with me and I will set you free. Come to the hilltop come to the Stream walk with me and see the Unseen. Watch out for diversions, distractions and such.. keep your eyes lifted up and you’ll not lose touch. Say yes to the invitation to go deeper with the Creator of all things..Ancient of Days and King of all Kings.

An open invitation of intimacy Way Beyond pleasure and fame something that puts this temporary world to shame.

I choose the King’s invitation
to dance
this is a new beginning of Holy Romance

Scratches and scrapes mark this old iron blade..

many uses, multiple battles and memories were made.

If you look real close there’s a story behind each flaw.

A lesson learned from a rescue or fall.

But this old iron blade still makes its mark.. it’s not all that beautiful, but it has serious heart.

Its blade is a bit dull and its skin has little shine.. but that old blade knows the divine.

So when the old blade is thrown, its path is intentional..that He would be known.

So there’s a call to all the shiny new blades. Overcome the evil one and be strong in the Lord. Learn from an old blade who is wiser and worn.

Choose the wisdom path early in your life. Avoid much pain and strife.

Seek the Victorious Warrior and battle with His two-edged sword. Be faithful to your call and you will receive eternal reward.

* dedicated to my warrior dad, my tender warrior mom, my amazing Warrior Brothers Lance and Kirk, and my beautiful tender Warrior sisters, Tanya Jodi and McKenna. Also to all the humble lion spiritual mentors I had.. and still have on this journey of wisdom & love.

First light,
first part of the day, this is what the Lord would say ..
Stand your ground!!
Take up the armor that comes out the mouth of God. Tell the evil one to depart from the Holy Ground you stand for.
Don’t be surprised when you find more Delight in the day.
Stand your ground and make His music through the day, don’t give heed to what the world has to say.
And as the day comes to an end bless His precious name your Savior and Friend.