There has been a long gap in posts here for good reason. I accepted a new position as a department head at a college of veterinary medicine. The combination of moving and learning a new job has kept me too busy to find the time to blog. The move was not really something planned. I had thought that it would be a good time to try a new challenge, such as a department head position. It was becoming clear that this would not happen in the near future at my previous institution, and I received an invitation to apply for a position at a college of veterinary medicine at the university where I began my research and teaching career in 1984. I suppose it could have been chance, but I don't really think so. At each step my wife and I prayed simply for guidance to know God's plan. He answered, and it became clear that the plan was for me to go. Cynics may think that career advancement rather than the will of God was top priority. All I can say is that the move was unplanned and in some ways unwanted. We were living in the same city as our parents and my wife's sister and the city where I grew up. We assumed that is where we would stay. We really enjoyed being near family especially after only seeing them on holidays for 13 years. However, I just could not get any peace about staying. I tried!

It is interesting that one of the most appealing features of the move was an opportunity to work with a leadership team that included strong Christians who clearly believe that their faith should guide their actions and attitudes. It makes for an outstanding environment and a really fun opportunity. I feel for folks who don't see their lives as part of a plan. Where does meaning and purpose come from for them? Some try to pluck it from thin air, but it rings hollow. I am grateful that God not only gives meaning and purpose, but He designed things so that His way is the only way to come to a logical, rational basis for meaning and purpose. Next time I hope to discuss a book by E.O. Wilson that touches on this issue in an interesting way.