I was born. I grew up. Somehow I am still here. That is more often than not despite myself.
Career-wise I am a freelance writer, artificial intelligence instructor, and op-ed journalist who has composed for several publications including American Thinker and The Western Journal. I am also proficient in Adobe Premiere Pro and Photoshop and have worked on numerous projects involving those packages, along with many other productivity products including several for iOS devices. In addition I am a trained mental health professional who maintains certification with the state of South Carolina. I recently finished writing my first book.
Awright, enough with the resumé...
Far more important than any of those however, I like to believe that I am known, and will always be known, as a good friend and a true brother to those who I care about. I'm someone who has been blessed to have a lot of wonderful people in my life, and I hope that I will do them some honor on this blog. I am only here because of their prayers and encouragement across the years.
In 2016 I left my original hometown of Reidsville, North Carolina and embarked on a journey across America, accompanied by my miniature dachshund Tammy. I am now far from where I began, both in physical distance and personal growth. In so many ways the journey hasn't ended yet. I'm still "growing up" and learning new things. Something that I want to continue for as long as I live.
Politically, I am very hard to define. And I like it that way. I have been accused of being "conservative", "liberal", "libertarian", even "socialist" (?!). All I can really tell you is that I believe in a never-ceasing chasing-after of the truth, in whatever form that may ultimately be. It is a pursuit that has led to my growth and evolving as a writer of opinion, and I don't foresee that ceasing anytime soon. I believe in ideas as opposed to "ideologies". Mine are convictions, not political persuasions.
If anyone demands something less abstract, fine: I'm a believer in personal liberty with responsibility. I also believe in limited government, and that local communities are best suited to determining their needs and how to meet them. No matter where you're coming from, you are almost certain to find writings here that you will heartily agree with, or will honk you off, or sometimes both at once. And that's just how I like it!
But the single most defining aspect of me is that I am a Christian. I first turned to God in the fall of 1996 when I was a student at what is now Elon University. I have failed and fallen more often than not but He has always picked me back up again. I am not a legalist but I am also definitely not a liberal in my theology. My conviction is that every person is free to seek after and worship God as best he or she can understand Him. But that right ends where the rights of others to peacefully do so begins. Most will call me a "Christian". That's not precisely accurate. I prefer to think of myself as a "follower of Christ", who believes that one must choose to follow Him because he or she desires to, not because one is forced to. Yes, I am a Christian... but it's not a religion to me so much as it is a real relationship with God. One that I am also constantly growing in.
I guess to sum it all up, I'm just a guy doing what I can to be what God made me to be. My faith is the most important element of my life, and you will find that it's reflected here in these pages. Sometimes I fail in that as a writer. But I do strive to have a life that honors God, and doing what He would have me to do.
And I like to think that I run a pretty cool website.
So if any of that interests you, follow along and let's play!
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| Tammy and me San Diego, California Thanksgiving Day 2016 First time seeing the Pacific Ocean |
