Getting Published in the Oilfield Journal!

I am very excited to announce that the latest article on this blog, Conviction vs. Guilt: Is there a difference? is going to be published in a local publication based out of west Texas called The Oilfield Journal.  This will be my personal first publication as a writer. I am extremely grateful for them and Susie Lindley--the...

Conviction vs. Guilt: Is there a difference?

Conviction and guilt often get placed into the same basket, along with shame. But do they belong together? I don't think they do. Guilt is a method of control, no matter what form it may take. It is used by people to convince or drive people into doing, being, or saying what they think is...

Normal Jesus. Strange People.

Normal Jesus. I've always been struck by the fact that Jesus is a normal guy, like me and you. He isn't always this shining, full of radiance and glory entity that many of us imagine him to be. In fact, I'm willing to say that more times than not, he's like a buddy watching the...

9 1/2 Tips to Creating a Semi-Successful Blog and Increasing Traffic

So I've been asked by a number of people to write a post on how to build a blog and make it "successful". I tell them that I'm not the best guy to ask, seeing as how this blog is only "semi-successful" traffic wise, at least. But to me, this blog has been extremely successful!...

What I Learned in Texas about being a Man: 7 Essential Items (humor)

***My apologies for yesterday morning. Apparently, only part of the page was showing. The problem has been solved and you can now enjoy all seven items 🙂 Thank you for your patience and for notifying me of the issue.*** My older brother, Andrew Gleason, and I were talking the other day about all the things...

Your Actual Identity Part V: Familiar (Mark Lake)

In this installment of the Identity Series, Mark Lake shares on how we are "familiar" with Jesus. I believe you will find this post to be very insightful and edifying. Mark is a great brother and loves the Lord so much. He has a way of sharing our Lord in very practical, yet very beautiful...

“Rick Warren’s Horrific Tragedy & the Sickening Response of Some ‘Christians'” (frankviola.org)

As some of you may have heard, Pastor Rick Warren, author of the best-selling A Purpose Driven Life and founder and senior pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., has suffered the terrible loss of his son, Matthew Warren (age 27) to suicide. Matthew had battled severe emotional issues and mental illness all of his life....

Your Actual Identity Part IV: Loved (Tobias Valdez)

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am very happy to introduce you all to Toby Valdez. When I started thinking about this series, and who I would like to contribute, the first name that came to mind was him. Toby and his family express the love and acceptance of Christ in action. They don't even need to...

Your Actual Identity Part III: Chosen (Heather Proctor)

Today's post is from Heather Proctor. Her honesty and transparency speaks volumes about this topic. I hope you get out of it what I did. Enjoy. Check out her blog some time, you won't regret it :). Chosen In Ephesians, Paul reminds the church that Christ chose them before the foundation of the world.  He chose them...

Your Actual Identity Part II: Powerful in Weakness (Nathan Burgman)

Today's post is from our brother Nathan Burgman. Click here to read his blog. Nathan is one of my best friends. I have learned so much from this guy, and I think you will too. Powerful in our Weakness Faith implies helplessness. When we come to a point in our walk with the Lord where...