By early 1999, Jared's collectibles business provided a nice part-time income and the desire to play music in public was dead. It was then that his mother in law recommended that he read a Christian-oriented novel titled "Left Behind." This fiction series describes the Rapture of the Christian church and End Times events in a manner that they will very likely transpire in reality.

Jared was avidly reading the first book of the series and it was about halfway into that book that he came to the realization of what this thing was that had been gently but firmly tugging at him over the past several years -- that "thing" was the Holy Spirit. Jared had been calling himself a Christian but in fact he hadn't been born again. It was then, while being immersed in the first Left Behind book, that Jared felt moved to confess that he was a sinner and to ask Jesus to be the his Savior and the Lord of his life. It all came together after years of gentle yet deliberate leading by the Holy Spirit. Jared now knew that there was one way, one truth, and one life, and it was through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jared now knew that God was not some cosmic puffball who stood by and watched the world turn. He now knew of the ultimate Holiness and power of our creator, the one God who exists in three parts: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jared's faith was now real and he slowly but deliberately over the weeks and months began to live it out. His interest in the End Times became keen and he began to see how events were lining up in the world around him.

In late September of 2000, Jared and Jocelyn's daughter Celine was born. Jocelyn's labor was nearly 24 hours long and Celine's arrival into this world was bumpy, being that she was "sunny side up" and eventually had to be berthed through emergency C-section after traditional methods failed. Celine was a beautiful baby who turned out normal, happy, and healthy. Celine had the face of an angel.

In August of 2001, Jared decided that his online collectibles business was generating enough money in sales that he could truly live the dream and do it as his living. Long gone was the desire to make it in the music business. He had made it big in not so many words, as he was now self-employed and very well known and highly respected and trusted in the sports memorabilia milieu. This was a blessing from the Lord for which Jared could not give enough thanks; and yet this was a very precarious manner in which to earn a living, as the economy and other factors would hold great sway over a business selling expensive gewgaws that are not necessary for survival.

Fast-forward to 2006. The sports collectibles business was still supporting Jared and he was the primary breadwinner of the family. Still, Jared had the sense that this business may have already scaled the heights and reached the pinnacle of its success. The business was not affected by the temporary economic letdown following the terror attacks of September 11th, 2001. The economy was doing well under George Bush, but the competition in the sports collectibles business was growing as high-income earners like doctors and lawyers were throwing their money in not as collectors but now as dealers themselves on a part-time basis -- just "for fun." The very same individuals who made Jared's business take off by being good customers were now becoming his competitors. It was just a game for these gentlemen and they had the greenbacks to play it well. But, what these new players lacked was Jared's product knowledge, honesty, integrity, and customer service. It was those assets that allowed Jared to remain competitive in an increasingly crowded sports collectibles field.

On a cold, cloudy day in October of 2006, Jared was typing his response to an e-mail received concerning a particular item listed for sale on his website. There was a bit of stress dogging him, as the pressures were growing in a business where there were now too many competitors, saturating the marketplace and dulling the demand for the product while at the same time increasing the cost at the wholesale level. Not everyone in this game was going to make it to the final gun. As Jared began to type his response to the query of the potential customer, a gentle but forceful voice that was not his own spoke in his soul and said...

"...You will make music again. You will do it for me and you will begin now!"

Jared was stunned. There was no mistaking the voice of the Holy Spirit. He was given a command by the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. Jared clicked "send" on the reply that he had been working on, and chances were good that his response was not completed!

Over in a back corner of his home office, leaning against the wall was the black soft-shell case containing his acoustic guitar, neglected like an old friend that for whatever reason we deliberately decide to cease contact with. We stop both taking his calls and making calls to him. Time moves on and we drift apart -- and it can be heart-wrenching when given a modicum of thought. Jared walked over to the case and opened it. He grabbed the neck of the six string and spoke to it as if it would understand: "C'mon out, old friend. We have a job to do."

As 2006 folded into 2007, the business still kept Jared busy, but not to the extent that it did just two years prior. The sales volume was diminishing and merchandise to sell was getting tougher to come by. But now there were recording sessions. Yes, it was true, a new CD was in the works from the formerly retired singer/songwriter who not long ago was quite sure that he would never make music again. Jared had been following through on what the Holy Spirit had inspired in him and had written songs that sing praise to the Lord and evangelize on His behalf. Jared and his friend and producer Randy Allen were playing all of the instruments on the tracks, with Jared of course handling the vocal duties. The sound would be familiar to anyone who had followed Jared's music in the past: Beatles and Cheap Trick influenced power-pop and rock. But, the lyrical style was different now. The lyrics existed to spread the good news of the Gospel and to ready people for the imminent return of Christ to take to Heaven His believers.

The CD "Tears of Joy" was released in October of 2007. Unlike his last musical release 11 years prior, Jared had the power of the internet to promote his music, and it led to loads of play in places like Russia, India, and the Philippines. A small number of Christian radio stations also gave the CD airtime. The message was simple and it was designed to save and it got beamed all over the globe. But, as is the fate of so many independent artists, the sales of the "Tears Of Joy" CD did not meet expectations, despite the worldwide internet play as well as over the air radio promotion. Still, it was a good record and gave Jared the confidence to keep moving forward.

If there was any doubt before, it was now official: Jared the singer, songwriter, and recording artist had un-retired!