Osler's Razor

Sometimes, I am a writer. It's funny, in a way-- when I was a kid, I always wanted to be a writer and see my words in newspapers and books. Then I fell in love with the law (I really did), and it felt like stepping away from that dream.

But, who knew? The vocation of law actually was thrusting me into a world defined by language, by writing and speaking and advocating for (if you are lucky, and I am) those things that are closest to your heart. I get to do exactly that. I write articles and stories and a book; I send them off and people (sometimes) take them as worthwhile, all of which still holds great magic and wonder for me. I'm still surprised when I see my name, or read my own words.

But... I get to be a teacher above that. My first discipline is to my students (though I realize that this prioritization may fly in the face of convention in some parts of the academy). I love that feeling of looking out at my students, or (as happened yesterday) having what they called "hang-out class" which revolves around a review of their work. I'm a lucky man.

Beyond that, I get to advocate for what I believe in. Tomorrow, I will fly to DC for a second meeting with a group in the Department of Justice, who may adopt an idea I have been promoting. (vagueness intentional, for now). Then, I will travel to Richmond to give the Sunday sermon at a very special place, Holy Comforter Episcopal Church on Monument Avenue.

And then, the Spring... here is what is coming up then:

January 15—Trial of Christ, Fourth Presbyterian, Chicago, 12:30 pm.

February 7—Trial of Christ, Episcopal Divinity School/Harvard, 7 PM

February 15-- Mid-Day dialogue with Susan Stabile, on the topic of "Faith and Works" (I am for them; Susan is against them)

February 24—Death Penalty presentation, Belmont University, Nashville [Feat. Todd Lake, pictured above]

February 25—resentation to Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty conference, Nashville

February 26—presentation at St. Henry’s Catholic Church, Nashville

February 27—Trial of Christ, Carson-Newman College, Jeffersonville, TN

March 18—Trial of Christ, St. Henry’s Catholic Church, Nashville

April 5 (Maundy Thursday)—Trial of Christ, Crossings Community Church, Oklahoma City, OK