From the quiet corners of prayer to the chaotic aisles of the grocery store, and from the profound theology of Advent to the questionable price of a fast-food lunch, we covered a lot of ground in 2025. If you missed a few entries between the "dings" of your inbox and the busyness of life, here is a curated look back at the moments that defined the year on The Ex4mined L1fe.
The Holiday Deep Dive.
December was a marathon of reflection. We didn't just look at the shiny wrapping paper; we looked at the history, the humor, and the holy chaos underneath.
When Christmas Turns the Page:
We explored why December 26 isn't just a day for leftovers—it’s the Feast of Saint Stephen. It’s a reminder that the story doesn’t end at the manger; it moves immediately into action and, sometimes, sacrifice.
The 12 Days of Bankruptcy:
In A Wallet-Busting, Bird-Filled Tale, we crunched the numbers on your "True Love’s" gifts. Spoiler: 364 total gifts later, you’re looking at a serious financial crisis and way too many birds.
The Scandal of 1952:
We looked back at how “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”—a song we consider harmless fluff today was once condemned by the Church and caused a national pearl-clutching incident.
Bing Meets Bowie:
Perhaps the most incredible "odd couple" in music history. We revisited the 45-minute recording session in 1977 that produced Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy.
Faith, Doubt, and the "In-Between"
This blog has always been about living at the intersection of devout faith and the messy real world.
Are We All Innkeepers?
One of the most poignant questions we asked this year: Christmas isn’t about having space. It’s about making it. We looked at the mirror Luke 2:7 holds up to our busy lives.
John 3:16 and the Data:
Unleashing my inner data geek, I found that John 3:16 gets 2.1 million searches per month. But the post wasn't just about numbers; it was about why we quote Scripture to steady the room, even when we aren't "Bible Study People."
God, Guts, and Giggles:
I wrote about growing up with the Baltimore Catechism, but keeping the door open for curiosity.
This blog has always been about living at the intersection of devout faith and the messy real world.
Are We All Innkeepers?
One of the most poignant questions we asked this year: Christmas isn’t about having space. It’s about making it. We looked at the mirror Luke 2:7 holds up to our busy lives.
John 3:16 and the Data:
Unleashing my inner data geek, I found that John 3:16 gets 2.1 million searches per month. But the post wasn't just about numbers; it was about why we quote Scripture to steady the room, even when we aren't "Bible Study People."
God, Guts, and Giggles:
I wrote about growing up with the Baltimore Catechism, but keeping the door open for curiosity.
Believing deeply doesn't mean thinking narrowly.
The Lighter Side of Life
Because if you can’t laugh at yourself (or polyester), what’s the point?
The Itchy Truth: My confession as a "Human Fabric Detector." In a world of blends and synthetics, I stood my ground for 100% cotton, much to my family's amusement.
Whatever Happened to Lunch? A lament for the wallet. I asked the hard question: When did a simple sandwich and drink turn into a financial commitment that requires a credit check?
Unplugging Without Apology: After years of telling teachers to rest, I finally took my own advice. I learned that the world actually keeps spinning even if I don't check my email for 24 hours.
Roots, Identity, and "Home"
This year was also personal. It was about names, family, and where we come from.
What’s in a Name? (Medellin-Sturgill): I shared the decision to hyphenate my name to honor my Hispanic roots and my mother’s side of the family. It was a reclaiming of heritage that had been too long quiet.
One Man’s Trash: We reflected on the "Island of Misfit Toys" and the fear of irrelevance, realizing that, like the tools on my grandfather’s workbench, we are all built to last if treated with care.
Because if you can’t laugh at yourself (or polyester), what’s the point?
The Itchy Truth: My confession as a "Human Fabric Detector." In a world of blends and synthetics, I stood my ground for 100% cotton, much to my family's amusement.
Whatever Happened to Lunch? A lament for the wallet. I asked the hard question: When did a simple sandwich and drink turn into a financial commitment that requires a credit check?
Unplugging Without Apology: After years of telling teachers to rest, I finally took my own advice. I learned that the world actually keeps spinning even if I don't check my email for 24 hours.
Roots, Identity, and "Home"
This year was also personal. It was about names, family, and where we come from.
What’s in a Name? (Medellin-Sturgill): I shared the decision to hyphenate my name to honor my Hispanic roots and my mother’s side of the family. It was a reclaiming of heritage that had been too long quiet.
One Man’s Trash: We reflected on the "Island of Misfit Toys" and the fear of irrelevance, realizing that, like the tools on my grandfather’s workbench, we are all built to last if treated with care.
A Final Thought for 2025
I didn’t set out to write 130 posts. I set out to get the noise out of my head. But somewhere along the way, this became a conversation—in parking lots, in hallways, and in the comments. Thank you for reading, for sharing, and for examining life right alongside me. Here’s to turning the page to 2026.
Happy New Year!
I didn’t set out to write 130 posts. I set out to get the noise out of my head. But somewhere along the way, this became a conversation—in parking lots, in hallways, and in the comments. Thank you for reading, for sharing, and for examining life right alongside me. Here’s to turning the page to 2026.
Happy New Year!
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