Blog
Words That Sustain Me: A Man Called Ove Discussion Questions
A Man Called Ove is a beloved book club selection: a heartwarming tale about a grumpy old man that is a thoughtful exploration of the profound impact one life has on many others. “If there was an award for ‘Most Charming Book of the Year,’ this first novel by a Swedish-blogger-turned-overnight-sensation would win hands down” ... Read More
Faith Based Program Graduation!
Eighteen months ago, I began a journey as part of the first ever class of the faith based program on Texas death row. When we began this walk no one knew what to expect and the adventure we would go on to experience would be amazing. For me, it changed my life. I wanted and ... Read More
Words That Sustain Me: My Elevator Ride – Part 2
In this post, Charlie continues his imagining of his own Elevator ride, inspired by our April book club book “Long Way Down” by Jason Reynolds. Please be sure to read Part 1 here. THIRD FLOOR. As the elevator doors slide open I see my brother Juan Elias, and he appears as he did when ... Read More
Words That Sustain Me: My Elevator Ride – Part 1
“Long Way Down”, by Jason Reynolds, is a book about a kid named Will, who’s fifteen years old and is struggling to decide whether or not to take revenge on the guy he thinks murdered his older brother, Shawn. This struggle us summed up in the new LWD musical’s tagline: “Sixty seconds, Seven Floors, Three ... Read More
Words That Sustain Me: The Rules of The Redeemed – Part 2
“The Rules of The Redeemed, of The Vessels Who Were Once Broken But Are Now Made Whole Through Him.” One of the saddest parts about this month’s book Long Way Down was when Jason Reynolds wrote this about the rules: ANOTHER THING ABOUT THE RULES They weren’t meant to be broken. They were meant for ... Read More
Words That Sustain Me: The Rules of The Redeemed – Part 1
“The Rules of The Redeemed, of The Vessels Who Were Once Broken But Are Now Made Whole Through Him.” One of the saddest parts about this month’s book Long Way Down was when Jason Reynolds wrote this about the rules: ANOTHER THING ABOUT THE RULES They weren’t meant to be broken. They were meant for ... Read More
Words That Sustain Me: The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson
The book “The Space Between Worlds” is a fantastic tale that is based upon the idea of parallel-universes existing, and multiverse travel is now possible. And on each one of these earths our doppelgängers are living a version of our lives.. I think because I am a Texas Death Row prisoner the idea of ... Read More
Tribute to Gary Raynard Green
March 2023 By Charles Don Flores “Walk with me Lord, walk with me walk with me Lord, walk with me while I’m on this Christian journey I want Jesus to walk with me!” –Worship song sung by men in the faith-based program on Texas’s death row Gary Raynard Green was one of my closest friends ... Read More
Words That Sustain Me: Where The Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
Wilson Rawls (1913-1984), grew up in the Ozark Mountains of Oklahoma. The area was so rural that there were no schools for him to attend, so his mother taught him how to read and write. He says that reading “The Call Of The Wild” changed his life and convinced him to become a writer. ... Read More
Words That Sustain Me: Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
The book “Last Night at the Telegraph Club” by Malinda Lo is a wonderful story that weaves together Chinese-American heritage, 1950’s “Red Scare” paranoia, and forbidden love. Ali recommended this book telling me that it was a great one. When I got it I began to read and could not put it down and read ... Read More