January 1, 2026

1) Releasing this excerpt, the first taste of EDC to go public, couldn't be more appropriate on this New Year's Day with America's 250th Independence Day on the horizon.

So, here are 1000 words still in rough draft (audio) form that have been rattling around in my mind for months but are decent enough to share. https://youtu.be/AulgHDoXq7M

A little bit of context - this comes towards the end of the book as somewhat of a bridge-builder/ olive branch statement from the protagonist. This is the most "political" statement in the whole book and EDC is not a political book at all.

As far as the rest of EDC goes, the rough draft is 90% complete and this year's goal is to have a finished manuscript ready for publishing.

2) One year ago today I set out with a resolution to spend the first thirty minutes of each day listening to the Bible on audio (ESV) during my morning routine and continue for however many days it took to hear it from cover to cover. At 2X speed, I finished Revelation 77 days later. Then I thought, why not aim for 365 consecutive days?

There were moments throughout last year of going through the morning motion out of bored duty. Other times of feeling wrongly that I wouldn't be a good Jesus-follower if I accidently missed a day in the app. There were countless moments of the Spirt stopping me still on a passage or verse, I'd jot it down, and revisit it later in the day in a physical Bible to ponder and contemplate on it deeper.

Today I end the resolution completed. Tomorrow I will not open the You Version app so the daily counter resets to zero. It has been a good habit and discipline to build and become consistent in but I never want reading the Bible to erode into a mindless religious practice of box-checking a task complete. Though religious practices are good, surrendering to and following Jesus is ultimately a personal relationship with the living God of the universe, and hearing from Him through His Word is top priority. To "Everyday Carry" His Word in my heart which must lead to actions of loving and serving others.

Happy New Year.