This FYS essay redefines the "good life" not as a static achievement, but as a temporal journey of constantly turning toward God within our limited human lifespan. By drawing on theology and literature, it illustrates how we find true forgiveness, rescue, and meaning through a persistent, hourly reliance on Christ 

This essay compares Martin Luther King Jr.’s strategy of nonviolent direct action with Joseph H. Jackson’s "internal furtherance," arguing that King’s vision provides a more effective and timely path toward societal change. By analyzing the nuances of civil disobedience, the text illustrates why public pressure is necessary to dismantle systemic oppression that internal self-improvement alone cannot reach. 

Analyzing the character of Carmen in the film Los Colores de la Montaña, this essay explores the tragic reality of how systemic oppression can overwhelm and undo even the most hopeful, altruistic intentions. It highlights the struggle to maintain normalcy in a landscape defined by violence and the eventual loss of hope when faced with a "suffocating" social system.

A reflective portfolio exploring the intersection of biblical scholarship and spiritual transformation, emphasizing a teaching model rooted in humility, hospitality, and direct textual engagement. It blends practical pedagogical principles with personal insights and a creative musical meditation on the power of the Spirit in ministry.