The "Columbus" method

The "Columbus" method according to my prof: "He didn't know where he was going when he started; didn't know where he was when he got there; and he didn't know where he'd been when he got back." That's how he described a friend's preaching. Nice.

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God Bless!

Instruments in Worship

"Am I dealing with human traditions, or am I dealing with divine traditions?" The use of mechanical instruments in worship is supposedly a human tradition and not a divine tradition according to my professor. I'm not sure what I think about the logic, as it leads me to think that this conclusion can only lead to a negative practice in my professor's mind. Now, some churches do not use musical instruments for reasons I don't plan on going into, but I'm used to it. It's how I grew up and I can't imagine a service without it. I also think that we would be hard pressed to see the lives turned around and the hearts changed that we have seen, if Christians far and wide had never picked up a guitar, learned to play "It is well with my soul" on the piano or led the beat on a bass drum. Things that make me go hmm.

"Liberty Enlightening the World" is 121 years old

After 121 years of exposure to wind, rain, snow, heat, terrorist attacks, public scrutiny, widespread praise, tears and just about everything else - Liberty Enlightening the World is still standing tall on Liberty Island (formerly Bedloe's Island). Known to most as the Statue of Liberty, this statue was unveiled in it's finished granduer on this day in 1886, a rainy day that didn't seem to go as planned. It didn't matter, though, and over a century later, the stories of the impression she has left on the hearts and minds of countless Americans, immigrants and foreigners are too numerous to even start chronicling. Next time you are around the copper gentle giant in New York Harbor, take a moment to smile at her and thank her for continuing to stand for all the great things she represents. God bless America!

Volunteers and Lectures

10.25.07 I am debating over whether or not to buy tickets to a Vols football game. It seems $40 is worth being in Neyland Stadium, surrounded by 107,000 orange and white fans screaming at the top of their lungs as UT takes out some football team. I think it would be a good investment, of course I could also save the money and give it to Rachel when I get home. Hmmmm. This is a tough choice.


Now I'm listening to my homiletics prof talk about Post-Modernism and the advent of relativism - a totally disasterous movement that is a result of scholarly thought from the 20th century. It makes teaching the Word of God next to impossible when speaking to relativists. At the end of the day, it takes a "Damascus-road experience" for these people to turn to the Lord.

We could use some more experiences like that around this country.

University of Tennessee Fun

Praise the Lord for public internet access at the UT Hodges Library! I'm way behind in my grad work and none of the company computers have Real Player installed - a program I have to have to watch my lectures online. Anyway, now I'm currently listening to my lecture while sitting at a computer at the University of Tennessee. I'm allowed 2 hours a night and that may be just enough to get what I need from the online lectures.


Work is good and I'm having fun on this business trip, but most importantly, I am finally in a position to focus on my studies. When I'm at home, I tend to spend time with my kids or Rachel rather than hit the books. I guess that's a good thing.

UT is a pretty neat campus - it really takes me back to my Georgia Tech days. The old dorms and clogged streets make me feel like a freshman again, surrounded by the sights and sounds of students trying desperately to hold on to their individualism while tragically giving up the same to become accepted. Shakespeare obviously did not understand the college spirit when he penned, "To thine own self be true."

Go Vols! God bless.

Panera Bread Co. - my beacon of hope!

10.22.07 "Free WiFi" signs remind me of when you used to see "Diner's Club" signs in the windows of business willing to feed to growing dependency on the Credit Card. Our nature of dependency hasn't really changed much, but the terms have. Tonight I spent at least 45 minutes driving around the outskirts of Knoxville, TN looking for free WiFi, as though it would be just plain wrong to support an establishment that didn't offer this service. Starbucks gave me a grande Hot Cocoa, but T-Mobile wanted my Credit Card info for the WiFi, so I pulled stakes and moved out. I got lost a couple times, but eventually (and with some aid) happened upon the coveted Panera Bread Co. My WiFi savior was waiting for me - with a "Pick Two" deal to support my more animal instinct to eat. Now, here I sit, listening to jazz and experiencing the peace of mind that was lacking up until my two e-mail accounts had finally been checked for important correspondence. My heart rate slows down and the nice hourly-wage employee with the apron takes away the remnants of my dinner snack. All is well that ends well, and this day has definitely ended well.
In other news, I am (obviously) away from home, on a business trip to Knoxville, TN. I'm hoping to catch a Vols game while I'm up here - mostly because the LSU - Auburn game last weekend proved to me that the most exciting conference is the SEC, no doubt, and the stadium at UT is only about 2 x the size of GT's homefield. I could use some good clean, college football fun one of these weekends. Wish me luck as I search for some good seats. God Bless!