Vanderbilt Divinity has Changed Me

This semester marks the beginning of my third year at Vanderbilt Divinity School. It also marks a return to a required MDiv course after two semesters of Ph.D. level seminars. As I am once again confronted with future social organizers, ministers, and other religious leaders who seem to default to contrarian heterodoxy I have found myself taking a step back to reflect on where I’m at theologically. Has Vanderbilt Divinity changed me and — as this is most likely true — has it changed me for the better?

2005 Nissan Altima for Sale

Only $3,333.00!

2005 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL

168,000 Miles

Experience the smooth ride and easy driving of the third generation Nissan Altima in this unique lightly-owned car. 2005 was a facelift year for the Altima with a new grill and an updated rear, so there’s already a lot to like. This car, however, isn’t just any Altima. This burgundy red Altima includes the SL luxury package and has spent the last decade being driven by a librarian.

Great Nashville Snow of 2016

Like many in Nashville I went to bed on Thursday night expecting to awake to a lot of ice with a little dusting of snow. I knew MNPS would be closed for the day, but I completely expected to drive into work at my normal time.

When I awoke on Friday, I was excited to see inches of snow. Like any good Southerner I ran outside and took as many photos I could. I completely expected the snow to be melted by that afternoon. But, it didn’t. The snow just kept coming and coming. All morning and all afternoon it kept accumulating. By the time I went to bed on Friday, we were sitting at six to seven inches.

Boston Bombing & Road to Tyrany

Nearly a decade after one of the most defining moments of my life, once again I read the news and mourn for the American people. I have the sense, just as I did on that day, that everything has changed and that the America of my youth is forever dead. I of all people know that America was a myth, but – though it may be the rose tint so often applied to the past – I do remember that much of that myth was lived in to.

Lenten Social Media Fast

At rather the last minute -- Tuesday evening before Ash Wednesday -- I decided that I was going to abstain from social media for Lent. This decision was prompted by others on Facebook giving up the same and, since I hadn't figured out what I was giving up -- or taking on -- yet, I decided I would give up social media to start with and then add on something "real" once I figured out what that was. So, on Tuesday night before going to bed I updated my statuses letting people know what I was doing, removed Facebook and Twitter from my phone and iPad, and turned off all e-mail notifications. In my mind giving up social media was a simple task and not really worthy of the season where my intentions are self-reflection with an eye towards better emulating the mindset of Messiah Jesus.

Melanie Davis Funeral Address

This afternoon I have the great honor of speaking on behalf of the Metro Nashville German Meetup Group. Melanie founded our group in January of 2010 and was our faithful leader until her other life responsibilities required that she turn the reigns over to me in 2011.

I remember the first time I met Melanie. It was back in February 2010 at a little Mexican restaurant here in Hendersonville. From the first moment she was welcoming and wearing her always-infectious smile. We only had about eight people at that first meetup, but Melanie created such an atmosphere that we all spoke as old friends.