Well we’re two weeks into October (almost) and I’m just getting to writing down these thoughts and sipping a beer at our kitchen table here on Delta Ave. What a wonderful world.
September and early October have been a time of settling into Nashville for me (which is wild as I’ve almost been here a year) and making this place not only a place of work but a place of rest as well: a place to call home.
Community.
Community is everything. The only way I’ve maintained a sense of sanity since I moved (honestly since I graduated) is by having a strong community around me to keep me accountable for being…well…me.
Oh the puzzle that is living inside my own head. Thank God for people who drop lines into the deep and yank me out of my own thoughts.
Thank you so much for reading, and for keeping up with my meager meanderings. Don’t be shy and if anything in these letters sparks a desire for further conversation with me please reach out I’m always happy to chat.
A Life Update
I returned to Camp Khadalea in Brevard, NC to lead worship for the CCRNO folks from New Orleans (I will look for any excuse to make the short drive out to Narnia)
I turned 26
My car broke down
I bought a new car (and learned more than I ever cared to know about loans and financing in the process…)
I led my first worship night for the Diocese of Nashville, and in addition it was my first bilingual worship night.
I have been writing more songs than I’ve written in the last year and I only intend to increase that volume. Get ready for so much more music.
I found a wonderful community out in Owensboro, KY that I’ve started to play piano for a few Sundays a month.
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I finally hopped on a soccer team.
An Excerpt | Ghost
(My new single releasing in October)
At night I can’t fall asleep
I paint pictures on my walls
Of everything that I could be
On these grey and empty halls
I’m scared of my thoughts
Lost in the dark
Not strong enough to say I’m weak
Haunted by the feeling
I’m a fading ghost
Of who I want to be
Every day building a kingdom
But my heart was burning to the ground
Keeping up every appearance
Never living from the inside out
I’m scared of my thoughts
Lost in the dark
Not strong enough to say I’m weak
Haunted by the feeling
I’m a fading ghost
Of who I want to be
I’m thinking out loud in quiet places
Looking for love in vacant faces
Trying to read all the empty pages
To the book of my belief
Unas Cositas
(A few little things)
I’m crazy ADHD so I’m usually reading a stack of books, have a list of artists that spans most genres, and can’t stick with a TV series after the first episode. Here’s a few little things that I’ve been consistent with.
A Book
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Phantastes (George Mcdonald) - After reading The Space Trilogy and being almost finished with The Lord of the Rings, I went back to the source to an earlier-published fantasy novel that both Tolkien and Lewis had read before they wrote their magna opera. Simply put, if you consider yourself a Narnian then read this book.
A Song
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Grief is Only Love (Stephen Wilson Jr) - To say I’ve listened on repeat is an understatement. I’ve listened to this song back to back for entire workouts. The haunting vocal performance and intensely personal lyrics that Stephen Wilson Jr are known for cut straight to the heart on this one. A close second is Patches, a song that I deeply identify with.
A Podcast
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And the Writer Is (Ross Golan) - I’ve been listening to this podcast for about a year now, and if you want the stories behind artists and songwriters and the real human growth behind their career, go give this podcast a listen. It’s a life goal that I end up on it one day.
A Film
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The Odyssey (2026) - I went and saw it in theaters twice and I will most likely watch it again. I’ve always been a lover of history and myths, and this movie (though long) was no letdown. It has a few interesting artistic deviations from the Ancient Greek play that pry into the director’s intent, so don’t fall asleep in this 3 hour epic.
It hasn’t been released to digital streaming but it will be November 17th. Stay tuned.
A Closing
I can’t thank you enough for keeping up and reading along. As a storyteller I’m happy to tell my stories to the wall but it’s a lot more fun to have an audience, not for ego’s sake, but to see that the dreams and inspirations I receive can have an impact on those around me.
I have a few shows coming up at the end of October and mid November, and then I tour with the Regnum Christi Music Co at the beginning of December.
As soon as those dates are up I’ll be blasting them on social media, and would LOVE to see you at any of our stops or at the November shows.
Pray for me, I’m praying for you.
Jack