Ponderings of an Old Theologian

Ponderings of an Old Theologian is a book in which the author reflects on his life as a youngster and a seminarian in the pre-Vatican II Catholic Church, as a priest and missionary in the Philippines, and as a resigned priest and lay teacher at a Catholic school. The Second Vatican Council (1962-5) and Pope John XXIII had a life-shaping effect on him throughout his journey.

Early on, he decided to help implement the renewals of Vatican II, and did so as a missionary and a teacher. In simple language, his narrative and reflections cover the development of Catholic thinking through several generations and look at the papacy of Pope Francis as the hope of a real Vatican II Church. The work invites the readers to find how they can make Vatican II relevant in their lives (part memoir, part reflection on Catholic theology).

Porter Brothers' Tragedy

The Porter brothers, Glenn and Steven, were in their twenties and had their whole lives in front of them.  They found jobs and worked at a business where the wealthy owners had two beautiful daughters. Glenn and Steven pursued these two girls with hopes of marriage. The Porters eventually quit working at the business, and everything turned against them. The two daughters labeled the Porter Brothers as runners, men who run away from the responsibility of marriage, while their rich parents put out a statewide man hunt alert for the state of Maine. The Porters were blacklisted statewide. Their story caught on like wildfire through the rest of Maine. Many people were jealous that they could become rich overnight by marrying these two wealthy daughters. There would be more than one murder attempt on the Porter brothers’ lives in order to prevent them from becoming rich. This is the Porter Brothers’ Tragedy, filled with romance, violence, and stories of torture and disappointed hopes. 

Positive Thinking As a Way of Life

Penned with a profound desire to aid individuals grappling with mental hurdles like depression, dwindling motivation, and self-assurance, this book serves as a companion in your journey towards self-betterment. Through its affirming lines and a special emphasis on the EODs - daily nuggets of positivity, the author aspires to instill a renewed sense of self-worth, nudging you to stand tall, gradually bolstering your confidence and self-esteem with each passing day.

In the face of today’s global adversities, the narrative underscores the essence of daily self-care, urging not only personal adherence but also the encouragement of loved ones to embrace this nurturing practice. It is a clarion call for humanity to not merely endure, but to flourish and thrive, making the most of our everyday lives.

Postcards for Choo Choo Grandma

STOP FALLING, AMERICA!

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Every second, an older adult (65+) falls.” Falling is the number one cause of preventable injuries in the United States.

If you or your loved ones and friends are worried about falling, this book of 170 original quirky and humorous postcards, created by a loving son to save his elderly mother from falling, will inspire and motivate you to walk slowly and watch your step to:

NOT FALL.

Safety bonus: WAYS TO PREVENT FALLING

Power Spiritual Stories

These one hundred stories, born from three decades of spiritual pursuit, were chosen for their profound impact. Stories can be life-changing. It is often said that the shortest distance between a human being and truth is a story. In a world filled with untruths, stories help us discern what to believe. They allow us to explore different thoughts, perceptions, and actions, encouraging us to adopt new attitudes and choices. They provide a new way to interact with the world and others. These stories possess a power beyond words, connecting deeply with the brain and touching the soul. They carry messages from God that illuminate darkness and bring transformation. Stories can shift our paradigms, stimulate new perspectives, and help us transcend the physical to go beyond apparent facts.

Private Escape: Sometimes I Think!

This collection of poetic themes, philosophy, and personal thoughts is provocatively written to excite the reader’s mind. Duke’s journey into the realms of spiritual redemption and to establish a footing in the truths of reality will stimulate your mind. The romantic ensemble is tasteful and pushes the envelope of erotica, while the prisoner’s pastime section is both sad and rewarding. Written during the first six months of the pandemic, it is emotional and thrilling. 

Provoke Not Your Children

 “Many people believe that what goes on behind closed doors is nobody’s business. However, family secrets can hide a multitude of evils that can affect the lives and relationships of those involved for generations to come. This book will expose a specific type of evil – parental abuse and manipulation, and its effects on the minor child and the adult child alike. While we know to beware of the dangers that lurk outside the home, what about the evils that reside among us inside our family dwellings? Let’s pull back the curtain of heartache and shame, and discover the tools for healing.”  

• – Dr. Provo

Psalms: A Journey of Faith

In a heartfelt journey of faith, Psalms: A Journey of Faith by Dolores Wyckoff serves as a beacon of hope, encouragement, and strength. This collection of reflections, inspired by the Psalms, invites readers into a deep contemplation of their spiritual path, offering solace and inspiration along the way. Whether in moments of doubt or times of joy, Wyckoff’s writings affirm the ever-present love of God and His purposeful plan for each life. Trust in this journey to rekindle your faith and guide your heart toward the light of God’s unwavering promise.

Psychedelics: A Full Story

Psychedelics: A Full Story comprises an extensively researched discussion of the major psychedelics: LSD, psilocybin (magic mushrooms), mescaline (peyote), DMT (ayahuasca), MDMA (ecstasy), ibogaine, and ketamine, and examines their historical and unique aspects as well as the most recent research.

The colorful and controversial history of LSD is discussed from widespread and successful clinical use, little-know CIA projects, and serious personal exploration, to well-known controversial figures such as Timothy Leary. Reasons are examined for its sudden downfall from a position of esteem to one of fear and antipathy in the mind of the public.

This discussion ranges from the history of these psychedelics to their potentials for healing and spiritual development, from their use among indigenous cultures to current researchers, from psychedelic drug explorations to questions about mind and consciousness. It includes in-depth discussion of the potential of psychedelics to address several challenges facing us today including mental health disorders and addictions, the shrinking of our understanding of mind to the physical and chemical processes in the brain, and our difficulties dealing with death and dying. New and profound insights about the human mind emerging from psychedelic experience and research are discussed as well as exploration of transpersonal and spiritual experiences involving the nature, range, and depth of consciousness, the reality of spirit, and the nature of reality.

The story of psychedelics examines what recently has become an exciting new chapter. While their use was made illegal in the late 1960s and research ground to a halt, in the last few years there has been an explosion of psychedelic research primarily focused on the possibilities it holds for the treatment of mental illness and addiction.

Quest for Judaic Identity

Judaism is a religion.

Jews are people.

While the two are closely associated, they are, nevertheless, distinct entities. The Old Testament identifies a Jew as an individual who is a direct lineal descendant of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and, if male, they must be circumcised.

The Jew acquires Jewish genetic identity at the moment of conception. That identity is not lost by conversion to another faith or adoption of atheism. A converted Jew who returns to Judaism is not obliged to convert back since that person never stopped being a Jew. Jewish genetic identity cannot be created or altered by conversion which simply involves religious instruction, blessings by a cleric, and immersion into a ritual bath.

In the third century A.D., the rabbis altered the biblical source of Jewish identity from the Jewish male to the Jewish female causing abject retrospective and prospective confusion. Today, As a result of that change, a Jewish husband married to a gentle wife must procure a token, but ineffectual conversion for his wife, before childbirth, in order to maintain that his child was born Jewish.

Without a verifiable identity, a person does not exist.

Quests

Quests is a retelling of a fascinating series of championship NFL Football contests that have seen scores ranging from 7–0 to 73–0, dark suspicions of Underworld interference, a game played just inshore from a roiling Gulf of Mexico hurricane, featured teams with such names as the Boston Redskins, Chicago Cardinals and Cleveland Rams, played in blizzards, downpours and deserts been interrupted by a power failure featured brothers versus brothers, seen wild comebacks and wild collapses, a team that won the title it’s very first year in the league, and the birth and death of dynasties. Expect the Unexpected.

Quiet Before the Storm

In The Quiet Before the Storm, witness the aftermath of nature’s fury and the resilience of the human spirit. This powerful visual and emotional journey explores the catastrophic aftermaths of hurricanes Ike and Michael, the devastating tornadoes in Garland, Texas (2016), Dallas, Texas (2019), and Mayfield, Kentucky (2021), and the record-breaking flash flood in Wimberley, Texas (2015).

As an Austin firefighter and Texas Licensed Public Insurance Adjuster, I’ve captured the wreckage, miracles, and profound moments of despair and hope through my camera lens. This book is more than just photographs; it reflects on the interconnectedness of our lives and the forces of nature that shape them.

Each photograph, short story, and poem testifies to the enduring impact these events have had on me and the communities I serve. Amidst the devastation, there is beauty and resilience in the faces of those who rebuild their lives and the moments of kindness that emerge in the darkest times.

As you turn these pages, ponder the questions at the heart of our changing world. Is the increasing frequency and intensity of these disasters a result of global warming, human intervention, weather weapons, or ‘Acts of God’? While I may not have all the answers, I hope to spark conversations and inspire action to understand, prepare for, and mitigate the impact of the next rounds of storms.

Join me on this journey and find strength in the quiet before the storm, as we brace ourselves for the storms of weather and the chaos we face in our government.