About Me

Welcome to Barry’s Sandcastle.

I’m Barry, a lifelong reader, lifelong learner, and Christian pilgrim trying to make a little sense of this strange and wonderful world we’ve been given.

I live in Florida, where the Gulf is never terribly far away, the weather occasionally has an attitude, and there is always another sunset worth stopping to watch.

I started this little corner of the internet because I wanted a place where I could write about the things that interest me without having to squeeze everything into one particular box.

So, what will you find here?

A little faith.

A little books.

A little Florida.

A little history.

Some reflections on Scripture and the Christian life.

Occasional thoughts about movies, memories, people, places, and the odd thing that makes me stop and say, “Well, that's interesting.”

And probably a good bit of nostalgia.

I’m not here to pretend that I have everything figured out. After 67 years, I’ve discovered that certainty is sometimes overrated. I’ve learned that faith can be both deeply rooted and wonderfully curious. Some things I believe firmly. Other things I’m still thinking about.

That’s part of the journey.

My Christian faith is at the heart of who I am, but I don't want this to be a place where you have to pass a theological entrance exam before you're welcome. I’m interested in the old paths, the Scriptures, the stories Christians have told for centuries, and the ways faith actually meets ordinary life.

Sometimes that means talking about a Bible passage.

Sometimes it means wondering what happens to our pets when they cross that mysterious bridge between this life and the next.

Sometimes it means looking at an old movie and remembering why it mattered to me.

Sometimes it means writing about a sandcastle.

Because I've come to think that sandcastles may have something to teach us about faith.

We build them knowing the tide will eventually come.

And we build them anyway.

There is something beautiful about that.

I also love books. I've spent a good portion of my life reading, studying, reviewing, and simply getting lost in stories. My education included studies in history, religion, philosophy, and the humanities, but I've always believed that some of the best education happens outside the classroom—with a good book, a curious question, a conversation with a friend, or a quiet evening when something suddenly makes sense.

These days, I'm also working my way through Scripture again, one day at a time. It's become something of a late-night hobby. I read, I take notes, I wonder, I occasionally get myself into theological trouble, and then I keep reading.

That's probably a fair description of my life in general.

Barry’s Sandcastle isn't meant to be a pulpit.

It's more like a place to sit.

Bring your questions. Bring your memories. Bring your curiosity. Bring your coffee.

You don't have to agree with me about everything.

I'm not sure I agree with myself about everything.

But I hope you'll find something here that makes you think, makes you smile, reminds you of something you've forgotten, or perhaps gives you a little encouragement for whatever stretch of road you're walking.

The tide will come.

Until then, let's build something worth remembering.

— Barry