-
When the “Happy Life” Plan Falls Apart
I grew up in small-town Wisconsin in the ‘90s, with one foot in the analog world and the other just beginning to step into the digital age. Most of my early memories didn’t include the internet or social media — they were filled with basketball at the YMCA, playing yard games and sports outside, Boy Scouts, sledding in winter, and late-night console gaming with friends. I had a great group of people around me — good friends, supportive family, plenty of wholesome things to do. Life felt full, fun, and grounded. I wasn’t wrestling with big existential questions back then. I didn’t lie awake at night wondering about meaning or…
-
How God Reframed My Desire for Truth
For years, I devoured articles, podcasts, and books. I wasn’t just curious — I was driven. I read respected thinkers from economics, politics, psychology, and beyond. I wanted to understand how the world worked — to make sense of it all. And over time, I built what felt like a coherent worldview. I could trace arguments clearly. I could anticipate objections. I was confident that I “got it” — that I could see what others missed. But if I’m honest, I wasn’t pursuing truth purely for its own sake. I was chasing certainty — not just to feel grounded, but so I could be right. If I could grasp the…
-
Can We Afford to Live Differently?
A Reflection on Gospel Poverty, Sacrifice, and Trust Inspired by Thomas Dubay’s Happy Are You Poor There’s a moment in Happy Are You Poor where Fr. Thomas Dubay doesn’t just challenge our behavior — he questions our entire framework for decision-making. He writes that the single dominating value in American culture is economic — the pursuit of “the good life.” Everything else is subordinate to that goal: family life, religious life, and even education. Most universities, he says, don’t educate for truth or wisdom anymore — they “train for the job market.” And when we make the economy our master value, we tend to evaluate everything — even generosity —…
-
The Prayers of a Mother: A Reflection on Saint Monica and Hope for Wayward Children
Feast of Saint Monica: August 27Feast of Saint Augustine: August 28 Most people know Saint Monica as the mother of Saint Augustine. That alone says so much — not because she was defined by her son’s sainthood, but because without her, we may never have had one of the most influential saints and theologians in Christian history. But before there was a conversion, there were years of sorrow. Years of tears. Years of watching her son walk away from everything she had taught him about God. And she never gave up. To the Mothers Who Are Still Praying I’m writing this for every mother who knows the ache of watching…
-
Have We Forgotten the Greatness of God?
In the final episode of The House of David on Amazon Prime, there’s a moment that really struck me. Goliath stands before the army of Israel and shouts: “Today I defy your Israel! I defy the king of Israel! I defy the God of Israel!” And the army does nothing. But David — a young shepherd boy who just arrived at the camp — doesn’t shrink back.It isn’t that he doesn’t see the massive warrior — it’s that he remembers something everyone else is forgetting. Then he looks around and asks: “How many days have you all stood here listening to him?”“And not one of you will fight him?”(Soldier) “David.…
-
What is the Catholic Faith? A Simple Introduction for Anyone Curious
Whether you’ve wandered into a Catholic church, heard the Rosary prayed in public, or found yourself curious about what Catholics believe, this article offers a basic introduction to what the Catholic faith is — and what it isn’t. Catholicism is often misunderstood, but at its core, it’s surprisingly simple: it’s about Jesus Christ, and the life He invites us into through His Church. What Does “Catholic” Mean? The word Catholic means “universal.” It’s the name given to the Christian faith handed down from Jesus through the apostles, lived out across every continent, language, and culture. The Catholic Church isn’t just a building or a set of rules — it’s a…
-
To Embrace the Cross (Even the Small Ones)
There’s a striking image found in traditional Catholic devotion: Jesus, on the way to His crucifixion, not recoiling from the Cross, but embracing it. In some meditations, He even kisses it — not because He enjoys suffering, but because He knows what it will become: a doorway to redemption. That kind of love — the kind that doesn’t just accept the Cross but embraces it — is hard to wrap your head around. Especially when most of our own crosses are less dramatic and more just… annoying. And yet, we’re invited into the same posture. Not necessarily toward martyrdom, but toward daily discomfort. Toward choosing love in moments when everything…
-
Fish, Not Scorpions: A Reflection on Good Gifts and Imperfect Parenting
In Luke 11, Jesus offers one of His most memorable analogies: “What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish?Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children,how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him?”(Luke 11:11–13, NABRE) It’s a passage often cited to encourage trust in God’s provision. And rightly so — Jesus is pointing to the generosity of the Father. But lately, I’ve found myself lingering on the parenting angle of this moment. The quiet, implied truth…
-
Beginner Strength Training That Actually Works: The A/B Workout Plan
Build Real Strength Without Burning Out or Getting Lost in the Noise When you’re new to strength training—or getting back into it—it’s easy to get overwhelmed by choice. Every program promises results, every influencer has a “secret routine,” and somehow the simple act of working out gets buried under complexity. That’s why I like the A/B format. At its heart, an A/B workout program is a way to keep training simple, repeatable, and effective. You alternate between two different workouts—Workout A and Workout B—over the course of your week. That’s it. Each one targets your full body, balancing upper and lower body movements, while giving you the structure you need…
-
Start Here: A Simple, No-Nonsense Case for Strength Training
Reclaiming the Basics of a Strong Body, One Lift at a Time Fitness culture can be noisy—quick fixes, aesthetic goals, thirty-day transformations. But underneath all that, strength training remains one of the simplest, most effective ways to build a body that feels good and works well. You don’t need to become a powerlifter or spend hours in the gym. But if that’s your thing, great—I love seeing people push themselves with intention. Personally, I’ve found a lot of value in learning the foundational movements often emphasized in powerlifting—like squats, deadlifts, rows, and presses—and using them as a base to build from. This article isn’t a pitch for one “best” way…
