I begin with a confession: I'm presumptuous. Anyone who preaches and writes must be. I presume that I'm not the only one who thinks about what I think about, who is agitated by what agitates me, and thus, demands attention intentionally, to make sense of what doesn't make sense, to understand by trying to fit together the pieces of life's constantly changing puzzle.

On his way out of a Sunday service, a church member commented, "You make me think"-more complaint than compliment-guilty as charged.

From the Introduction (how I began each new school year): I view Mike's Monday Musings as part of my desire to tend to the soul of Cumberland University.

My Monday Musings are intended to stimulate campus conversations by inviting you to join me in seeking clarity and wisdom about parts of our lives that disturb our peace...of mind, spirit, body, soul.

I don't intend to convince you, convert you, persuade you to think as I think, to believe as I believe, to act as I act.

My desire is to let you know that, if you're wrestling with life's big questions or life's small ones that won't stop irritating, you are not alone.

If you're unable to reconcile the ideas of friends and foes, you're not alone.

If you believe there's integrity in penetrating the superficiality of popular prejudices, even if it entails embracing ambiguity and paradox, you are not alone.