In Chapter 8 of To Will and To Act, I face a looming Navy career deadline with no viable path to chaplaincy—until a last-minute phone call changes everything. This real-life narrative captures the tension of uncertainty, the lessons of patience, and the unmistakable fingerprints of divine timing. A must-read for anyone walking through their own waiting season.

In this chapter of "To Will and To Act," a I uncover the uncertain days following my decision to leave flight school for seminary. As military deadlines loom and recruiters remain silent, I had some intense study sessions, command interviews, and a few nudges—all while trying to keep my self focused on allowing things to work in God’s timing.

My journey toward seminary continues in this compelling chapter of To Will and To Act. After officially dropping from flight school, I meet with a beloved chaplain whose unexpected guidance offers a new path forward. Explore themes of calling, faith, surrender, and divine timing in this candid and reflective true story of transition from military life to ministry.

When God calls, sometimes it feels less like a clear command and more like tossing a beach ball into the wind. In this chapter of To Will and To Act, I take the official step to leave flight school—only to discover the process is far less straightforward than expected. Bureaucracy, uncertainty, and a whole lot of paperwork collide with faith and obedience in this honest, hopeful, and occasionally humorous look at what happens when you say “yes” without knowing what’s next. A must-read for anyone standing at the edge of big change.

Chapter Four of To Will and To Act, a heartfelt blog chronicling Tyler Simmons’ journey from military service to Lutheran seminary. After an unexpected open door to enrollment, Tyler faces the crushing reality of failure—three failed entrance exams shake his confidence and raise hard questions about faith, calling, and identity. This raw and honest chapter dives deep into spiritual self-doubt, perseverance, and the grace found in support from loved ones. A must-read for Christians discerning God's call through moments of weakness.

Chapter Three of “To Will and To Act” continues with the story of my journey from military service to ministry. In “The Door Cracks Open,” a call from a Concordia Seminary recruiter offers a rare, last-minute chance to apply for the upcoming seminary term—despite deadlines having passed. Read how God’s providence turned closed doors into opportunities, and follow the ongoing journey of calling, discernment, and God’s faithfulness.

In this second chapter of my journey from military service to pastoral ministry, I recount a turning point moment filled with prayer, uncertainty, and God’s timing. From a tense commute to Grace Lutheran Church in Pensacola, FL, to a near-miss with a state trooper, and finally to a pivotal call from Concordia Seminary, this story is a real-life testimony of how God guides us through life's chaos with clarity and grace. Learn how a faithful congregation, a wise pastor, and a perfectly timed phone call helped me discern what God was orchestrating in my life. If you’re navigating a season of change or discerning God’s purpose, this story offers hope, encouragement, and a reminder that God never leaves us even in the in-between moments.

Sitting in an oddly comfortable chair was the beginning of a journey for me, my journey from an 11 year military career to the office of holy ministry. I have felt it is time to begin to tell the story of how God directed me to leave the military in the middle of my career and begin the training to become a pastor. I am seeking to show the way God works in the lives of His people so they may “will and act according to His good purpose" (Philippians 2:13). This story is not designed to show my “strength of faith” but rather God’s faithfulness to me and my family amidst our weaknesses, to put us in the place He desired for us. I pray this helps to enrich your confidence that God certainly does work in the lives of His people to accomplish His good and perfect will.