I am in Franklin, Tennessee right now – a little suburb of Nashville. It is beautiful here. The absence of mountains make the sweeping sunsets look like Arizona. The absence of evergreen trees delivers Autumn in a vast spectrum of colors. I have enjoyed the best pulled-pork sandwiches in my life here (Memphis-style, of course: with cole slaw on top). I have also heartily enjoyed the spicy barbecue sauces, sweet tea, southern-style green beans and banana pudding. I can also say that this place has the best radio stations of anywhere I have been (Hello?!? Music City, USA!). The thing Franklin, TN is most known for, though, is its history. (Read on …)

This morning, on the way to work, I was sitting in Colorado Springs ‘rush hour’ traffic. As I merged into the traffic, I noticed the guy driving a Jeep behind me. He was a big man, from what I could tell, and had a gruff look on his face. It may be possible to make the generalization that drivers in Colorado Springs are inherently kinder than in previous places I have lived (Phoenix, Los Angeles). This guy, though, appeared to be a guy who was not happy. What would happen if he rear-ended me? Or if someone rear-ended him? How would he react? As I was thinking these thoughts, something happened that changed my perception of him. (Read on …)

I am in Seattle this week. One would expect clouds and rain here, but instead I am enjoying magnificent clear skies. I did notice rain on the giant windows at the Colorado Springs Airport when I was leaving. As I watched the rain coalesce on the window, I noticed a pattern. The tiny droplets of water would eventually fall to the windowsill below. The two properties of water that allow this are cohesiveness and adhesiveness. Cohesion means that water likes to stay together (with other molecules of water) and adhesion means that water likes to stick to other substances. Is this not like we are, as spiritual beings? (Read on …)

I have resumed my graduate studies in Seminary and am enjoying the ability to think and process through complex things. One of the classes I am taking is on the Pentateuch – the first five books of the Bible. The concept of Creation is obviously a major part of any study of these books. I am learning that the more one studies this, the more complex the topic can be. As a result, I have found myself in a state of consternation. I was reading the other end of the Bible this week, and I found some hope.

(Read on …)