The Loan That Opened a Door—And the System That Shut It for Others
In 1979, a $2,500 loan helped launch my college journey—and my love for journalism. Today, that same dream leaves many students buried in debt. Somewhere along the way, the door stayed open for a few but slammed shut for the rest.
Still Here, But Not Necessarily at Home
I used to feel proud to be a Texan and grateful to be American. These days, I feel like an exile in both. Still here—but no longer at home.
The Gift of the Spark
It’s hard to explain unless you’ve felt it—that moment when work aligns with purpose. When your voice and your soul are in sync. When you’re doing what you’re meant to do.
Do Many People Still Think Trump Is Good? I’m Afraid So.
How can so many people, especially those who call themselves Christians, continue to defend Donald Trump—not just as a political preference, but as some kind of moral savior?
The Quiet Gospel of ‘Pop’: Integrity Without a Megaphone
Gregg Popovich may never quote scripture, but he lives with a kind of quiet integrity that feels sacred. This reflection explores why his actions—not his words—remind me of the kind of faith I still believe in.
When Conquest Passes for Greatness
We often revere history’s great conquerors—people like Napoleon, Subutai, or Andrew Jackson—but rarely do we reckon with the human cost of their campaigns. Maybe it’s time we rethink what makes someone “great.”
The Red Clay Strays and the Complicated Joy of Discovering New Music
Discovering a new band is usually a simple joy. But these days, I find myself asking: who else is listening, and what does that say about the music — or about me? A reflection on The Red Clay Strays and the burden of cautious listening.
Not Your Formula: What a ‘Personal Relationship with Jesus’ Really Means
A “personal relationship with Jesus Christ” is meant to be intimate and unique—but too often, evangelical culture demands that it follow a formula. What if personal really means personal?
The Custodians Are Corrupt, and There’s No One Coming to Fix It
What happens when the people who are supposed to protect the Constitution are just henchmen for power? No accountability, no transparency, no hope for the system to correct itself.
Randomly Rudimentary Life Stuff 
Love is Not All—But It Better Be Something
The recent Kerr County floods remind us that “thoughts and prayers” aren’t enough. Edna St. Vincent Millay was right—love isn’t all. But if it’s real, it moves us to do something more than perform compassion for the cameras.