Earlier this Fall, my brother and I checked off a bucket list item: going to our first Imagine Dragons concert. We road-tripped out to middle-of-nowhere Missouri with a plan for my brother to drive us through the night so I could make it back home in time to teach my 8am class the next morning. …
Category: Christian Life
The Gospel & Gaming: Xenoblade Chronicles
As a Christian, I’m wired to view things through the lens of the Gospel. Every book I read, every movie I watch, whatever content I engage with, I’m looking for the redemptive qualities—the Gospel Truths I believe—reflected in media. So it’s only natural that I do the same with video games, including one of my …
A Christian Writer’s Confession, Part 3: Worship and Delight
The final piece I need to confess regarding my writing: I have not worshiped the Lord through my writing in recent months, at least not often. This is the product of both pursuing the Kingdom of Self as well as idolizing publication as the end goal. I’m burning out on projects quickly. I’m only writing …
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A Christian Writer’s Confession, Part 2: Productivity or Stewarding Talents
I am a very self-driven, Type-A person. I do very little that isn’t practical. And right now, it’s choking my writing. Now, I believe Scripture is very clear that we are not to be lazy people and should work diligently, as unto the Lord, while also balancing that with our need for Sabbath rest. What …
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A Christian Writer’s Confession, Part 1: Kingdom of Self versus Kingdom of God
Confession is a lost rhythm of modern life. In modern American culture, we’re quick to ignore our own faults and shortcomings, justify vice or less-than-good behaviors, and not cast judgment on others’ mistakes—unless we disagree with something they stand for. I’m grateful to be a part of a church that regularly practices confession, and it …
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Thanksgiving 2023: Rejoicing in the Lord
My favorite holiday has returned, so it’s time for the annual Thanksgiving Blog Post! Entering into the holiday, I’m in need of some gratitude in my life. This year has been an odd battle of struggling with feelings of envy and comparing my life to others’. And nothing steals joy more than desiring what others …
The Powers & Perils of Nostalgia
Nostalgia is such an interesting emotion. It brings out longing for the past, but a very idealized version of the past. It makes us overlook flaws in books or other media from our childhood, tinging it with rose-colored glasses. Because it’s a powerful emotion, lately, marketing seems to be saturated with appeals to nostalgia. This …
Why I Love Medieval Literature
As an English Literature scholar-in-training, I’ve found a love for the earliest of the English language tales. Medieval literature (including and ESPECIALLY the Old English stuff) is becoming a fast favorite era of mine. And, to a degree, it has been for a while. Back in my undergraduate days at Baylor University, my favorite classes …
May 2023 Writing Update: A Finished Draft, A Started Sequel, and A Rut
Welcome to a rambly writing update! There’s a lot to cover, so let’s dive right in. A Finished Draft Finishing a draft is a quiet affair, though it feels like it shouldn’t be. While publishing is certainly a big deal, I almost feel like finishing the rough draft is more worthy of celebrating. Finishing a …
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My Top 10 Stories Of All Time
As a writer, I love good stories. There are some books, movies, and TV shows that continue to stick with me over the years, as well as excellent tales I’ve only recently discovered. Some I appreciate for their impact on my writing; others, I love simply because they excite me and move me. Trying to …
