Today in church we spent time in Isaiah 11:1–10, and it really stuck with me. It’s one of those passages that feels ancient and brand new at the same time. It talks about a “shoot from the stump of Jesse” – a new branch growing out of something that looked dead and finished. For me,Continue reading “Hope From the Stump: Reflections on Isaiah 11:1–10”
Tag Archives: death
Work Ethic, Mental Health, and Working Beside My Stepdad
Growing up, my parents made one thing very clear: you work. It didn’t matter if it was a big job or a small one, a dream job or just something to pay the bills—what mattered was showing up, doing your best, and not quitting when it got hard. That work ethic was drilled into meContinue reading “Work Ethic, Mental Health, and Working Beside My Stepdad”
“Look for the Helpers”: A Mr. Rogers Quote for Hard Days
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”— Fred Rogers The world can feel pretty overwhelming some days. Bad news, violence, sickness, addiction, heartbreak— there are times it seems like theContinue reading ““Look for the Helpers”: A Mr. Rogers Quote for Hard Days”
Verse of the Day: God Is Close to the Brokenhearted
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”— Psalm 34:18 Some days, our hearts don’t just feel heavy—they feel shattered. Maybe it’s grief, addiction, guilt, family struggles, loneliness, or that quiet ache that shows up for no clear reason at all. On those days, it’s easy to believeContinue reading “Verse of the Day: God Is Close to the Brokenhearted”
You’re Not Alone: Why I Started Writing for People Who Are Struggling
I didn’t start writing because my life was perfect.I started writing because it almost ended. For a long time, I lived in a world where pain felt louder than hope. Alcohol was my escape, depression was my roommate, PTSD whispered lies in my ear, and loneliness wrapped around me like a heavy blanket. I’d lookContinue reading “You’re Not Alone: Why I Started Writing for People Who Are Struggling”
Depression Hits Different During the Holidays
The holidays are supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year,” right? That’s what the movies say. That’s what social media shows. That’s what the commercials keep telling us—big smiling families, matching pajamas, perfect dinners, kids ripping open gifts around a glowing tree. But for a lot of us, that’s not reality. AndContinue reading “Depression Hits Different During the Holidays”
Verse for the Day – 1 Corinthians 15:57
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 15:57 Some days, the word victory feels far away. We wake up tired, worn out, or already stressed before our feet even hit the floor. Old habits tug at us. Anxiety, depression, anger, or cravings try toContinue reading “Verse for the Day – 1 Corinthians 15:57”
When God Feels Silent but Isn’t
A snowy Sunday kept me home watching church on TV, but the message still hit deep—especially with Miss Twila bringing the service. She shared the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, reminding us that God hears our prayers, works in what feels impossible, and is never done writing our stories. This post is about holding onto hope, even when it feels like nothing is changing.
When Your Brain Says “Do More” and Your Soul Says “Please Stop”
There’s a battle a lot of us know too well. Your brain says: But deep down, your soul is whispering: That tension isn’t laziness. It’s exhaustion. It’s trauma. It’s burnout. It’s your inner life begging for mercy while your old wiring keeps yelling, “Try harder!” The Lie of “If I Do Enough, I’ll Finally FeelContinue reading “When Your Brain Says “Do More” and Your Soul Says “Please Stop””
Before I Couldn’t Even Buy Milk:How My Social Anxiety Is Finally Loosening Its Grip
There was a stretch of my life where a simple errand could wreck my whole day. I’m talking about something as small as going to the grocery store. I’d tell myself, “Just run in real quick, grab what you need, no big deal.”But the closer I got, the louder my brain got: By the timeContinue reading “Before I Couldn’t Even Buy Milk:How My Social Anxiety Is Finally Loosening Its Grip”
Thanksgiving: Grateful for a Second Chance at Life
Thanksgiving used to be just another day on the calendar for me—a blur of food, football, and trying to numb whatever I didn’t want to feel. This year is different. This year, I’m actually present for it. I can feel it. I can name what I’m thankful for without slurring my words or forgetting theContinue reading “Thanksgiving: Grateful for a Second Chance at Life”
Managing My Anger: Learning Not to Explode First
Anger has always been one of my hardest battles. I don’t just “get annoyed”—I can go from calm to ready-to-snap in about two seconds if I’m not careful. Sometimes it’s over big things, but if I’m honest, it’s often over little stuff: a text that sounds off, someone cutting me off in conversation, plans changingContinue reading “Managing My Anger: Learning Not to Explode First”
Learning to Sleep Again: How Rest Became Part of My Recovery
For a long time, I treated sleep like an optional suggestion. If I was exhausted, anxious, doom-scrolling my phone, or replaying old mistakes in my head, I’d just say, “I’ll be fine. I don’t need that much sleep anyway.” Then I’d drag myself through the next day on caffeine, sugar, and pure anxiety. Spoiler: IContinue reading “Learning to Sleep Again: How Rest Became Part of My Recovery”
Living with ADHD: How Medication and Therapy Help Me Show Up to My Own Life
I didn’t wake up one day and suddenly “get” ADHD. It’s been with me my whole life—long before I had a name for it. Looking back, I can see it in the half-finished projects, the “I’ll do it later” that turned into never, the report cards that said “smart, but doesn’t focus.” I always thoughtContinue reading “Living with ADHD: How Medication and Therapy Help Me Show Up to My Own Life”
Christ the King Sunday: Who Has My Allegiance?
Today’s service started like a lot of Sundays do—kids heading out with Miss Twila and the others, ushers coming forward, the offering plates moving up and down the rows. But underneath all the usual church motions, there was a theme that kept coming back around: Who really has my allegiance? Who is my King? AContinue reading “Christ the King Sunday: Who Has My Allegiance?”
God of Second Chances (and Third, and Twentieth)
There were so many nights I thought, Well, that’s it. I’ve blown it for good this time. You know those moments—the ones where you’ve messed up so badly that even you don’t want to look in the mirror. The ones where you’re sure God has finally had enough. Where you’re convinced you used up yourContinue reading “God of Second Chances (and Third, and Twentieth)”
Inner Peace and Love: Learning to Breathe Again
There’s a different kind of quiet than just “no noise.” It’s that calm that shows up in your chest when you finally stop fighting yourself. That’s inner peace. And most of the time, it’s built on one thing we forget to give ourselves: love. Not the movie kind of love. Not the fake social mediaContinue reading “Inner Peace and Love: Learning to Breathe Again”
If I Could Meet Anyone from History: Why I’d Choose 2Pac
If you could meet a historical figure, who would it be and why? Some people say presidents, inventors, or famous leaders. Me? I’d pick Tupac Amaru Shakur—2Pac. Not because he was perfect. Not because I agree with every lyric, every decision, or every headline attached to his name. I’d pick 2Pac because he was honestContinue reading “If I Could Meet Anyone from History: Why I’d Choose 2Pac”
Faith and Recovery – Why I Need Both
I used to think I had to pick one lane. Either I was going to be “the church guy” who just prayed harder…or “the recovery guy” who just went to meetings and did the steps. Now I know the truth:I need both.If I drop either one—my faith or my recovery—things start slipping fast. Church: RememberingContinue reading “Faith and Recovery – Why I Need Both”
Gratitude When Life Still Hurts
Holidays are funny.You see all the pictures online—matching pajamas, smiling kids, big family dinners—and it looks like everyone else is living inside a Christmas movie. Meanwhile, some of us are just trying to make it through the day without breaking down. If that’s you, I want you to know this: you’re not broken because gratitudeContinue reading “Gratitude When Life Still Hurts”
YOU {R} NOT ALONE YOU HAVE A VOICE! 