A Word of Thanks and a Vow Kept

Jul 21, 2025

There are moments in life that stop you, not in panic, but in wonder. The kind of pause that comes not because you’re uncertain, but because you feel the tremble of something sacred brushing up against the ordinary. That’s how I felt recently when I discovered that several readers of my blog had pledged a monthly dollar amount to support me on Substack.

Humbled isn't quite the right word, but it’s close. The correct word might be some rare blend of astonishment and gratitude, a swelling awareness that something you quietly sent out into the world has rippled back, not just read but cherished enough to inspire generosity.

To those of you who have done this, who have offered even a single dollar a month, thank you. Your support is not just a financial contribution, but a testament to the impact of my words. It's a validation that the time I’ve taken to wrestle with thoughts, to follow the heroic path, to reach upward and inward and pour it onto the page, wasn’t in vain. You are an integral part of this journey.

But I must be equally honest about something I have long vowed: I never intended to monetize this blog. Not because I disdain money. Not because I’m too proud. But because these reflections, these letters of thought and spirit, these chronicles of a journey undertaken with Christ at the center, were always meant to be free.

Why? Because I’ve always felt that if anything I write helps someone navigate a tangled season in their life…

If anything I post stirs a more profound reflection, inspires a moment of courage, or helps someone mature in their walk with Jesus…

If these words have helped carry someone across a dark valley or reminded them that the light still shines…

Then how could I, in good conscience, place that behind a paywall?

What kind of man would I be if I withheld light because it wasn't lucrative enough?

I believe this with my whole heart: if you’re given the means and the voice and the burden to speak into the world, then your first duty is not to monetize it, but to honor it. To do your best to help your fellow man, especially now, in days like these, when so many are struggling to stay afloat.

My wife and I are blessed. Our perspective may differ from many, but that difference doesn't stem from a lack of abundance. It comes from awareness. We’ve been given much, not necessarily in dollars, but in grace, peace, and purpose. I know I’m already rewarded: in the joy of creation, in the hope that it reaches someone, and in eternity, where true riches lie.

So please don’t be offended if I don’t activate subscriptions on my blog. Your support is a gift, received in full the moment you read, reflect, and walk away a little lighter, a little stronger, a little more certain in your journey.

Image: 2010. My first-ever book signing. The Book Nook in West Plains, Missouri.

That said, if you do want to support what I do, I would be honored if you'd keep your eyes open for the works of fiction that are finding their way into the world. My father's and my novels, adventures forged in wonder, myth, and meaning, are inching closer to publication. Every reader who chooses to walk with us in those worlds offers a kind of support that money can’t quite quantify. You help stories live…and the money from these helps.

On that note, I’m still working on the next phase of The Princess of Tau: Eternal Edition. I’ve reached out to the artist who created the beautiful cover for The King's Man, and I’m hoping for a quote soon. In the meantime, I’m considering the design of a sci-fi-styled crest, something that would serve as a kind of visual anchor for the Tau’man Chronicles. With that emblem in hand, I could create consistent covers in Canva for the dozen half-finished stories waiting patiently on the hard drive.

Also, I plan to continue sharing my health journey, the changes I've made, and the lessons I've learned, as a testament to the responsibility I carry as a husband, a son, and a steward of the gifts I've been given.

And they will be finished. Why wouldn't I complete them now?

Every word is another stone in the road, every cover another banner raised. Every story is another act of completion, not just for me, but for the legacy I carry forward.

As I walk this road, I also want to be honest about the terrain beneath my feet. For about a decade, I’ve suspected I may have an autoimmune condition. The symptoms began when I was fourteen and have progressively worsened, and I’ve been quietly tracking them since. At my upcoming annual visit, I plan to discuss my concerns more openly with my primary care provider (whom I shared this with five years ago) and consider additional tests. Your empathy and support mean a lot to me.

I don’t share this for sympathy. But prayers are always welcome.

I share it because I want you to know why I care so deeply about what I eat, how I move, and the journey I’m on toward better health. Whole foods and intentional activity have become a kind of armor in this battle, not just for myself, but as a testimony to the responsibility I carry as a husband, father, writer, creator, and a steward of the gifts I’ve been given. I’m documenting all of it: my health journey, the changes I’ve made, and the lessons I’ve learned. I plan to share it here, freely, in time.