Briefly caught up with a couple of the housemates before walking back into town. Dr. Ron Cole-Turner spoke on Potential Persons and Other Oddities, it was such an amazing talk! He was describing the details of "stem cell research" and how that term actually means different things depending on where the debate is being held. He went into the possible implications for morality, human dignity, really did a good job at outlining the debate and contributing to some constructive dialogue. Then, Dr. Nancey Murphy spoke on Nonreductive Physicalism, Divine Action, and Striving to Know the Will of God. While I didn't necessarily agree with all of her points and speculations, it really got me thinking again about the Holy Spirit's guidance and the ways, mechanisms through which He has chosen to speak to me in the ... read more

Went for a run this morning up to the park outside of town - a nice, hilly course! When I got back, Rouan and I headed into town to check internet (my 1st time since being overseas!). Later, Lara, Jacob, and all the rest of us headed to St Aldates for church. This actually reminded me a lot of Timberline Old Town and FoCo. So far, I really like Oxford. Definitely a huge student population, and a very active, vibrant place!... read more

This morning I woke up early and went running along the River Ness. North of town just a little ways is a park called the Ness Islands, and I happened across a point facing upstream into the river. I had totally forgotten about this spot, but it was here over 8 years ago that I had smoked a cigar and watched the river split in front of me as a celebration of landing my job in the west highlands. Memories... We drove out this AM to the Culloden battlefield - a very striking place. One of those places where it's easy to imagine running across the clumps of cold bracken, on the way to your almost certain end. War the old-fashioned way - you got to look someone in the eye before you decapitated him. It's ... read more

There is a hill walk just outside of Ullapool, probably only 800 feet or so of elevation gain. However, this "walk" had defeated me twice already. The first time was during my visit in November of '99 - within sight of the summit, I was forced to literally hug the mountain as 100-mph winds threatened to throw me off the side and dash me against the rocks on the way back to town. This was the same day in which a hailstorm left my face scraped and bleeding. Hill 1, Steve 0. The next attempt was in 2001, where we reached the trailhead only to discover the gate locked shut due to the foot and mouth disease outbreak. Hill 2, Steve 0. This time, I was determined for things to be different. I went for my ... read more

We woke up a little late today. I was intending to go running this morning, but either my alarm didn't go off or I pretended in half-sleep that it hadn't gone off. Went grocery shopping with the German road bikers that were sharing our room, then headed up to Glen Coe to hike Hidden Valley. This was the 1st time that I had gotten to hike in the Glen, so I was really excited! Though it rained most of the hike, it was never too heavy. Fine Scottish weather. The pictures probably tell the story better than I could. The hike only took a few hours, then we drove up to Glenfinnan. This is the site where Bonnie Prince Charles called the Highlanders to rise up against the English in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745. People ... read more