- Department: Sociology
- University: Baylor University
- Location: Texas
As many African-Americans I grew up in a household where belief in God was commonplace. However, I tended to see God as only my judge who would measure my good deeds against the bad deeds at the end of my life. As such I was on my own to live as good of a life as possible. When I was a sophomore in college I decided to go for a 4.0 in my studies. To do so I isolated myself from other people. This made me miserable. It also forced me to rethink my ideas about God. I realized that He offered me strength that I did not have on my own. I had a choice of living my life for myself and according to my own wisdom and desires, or to live my life for God. That semester I decided to live my life for God. There was no thunder or earth shattering event that occurred when I made that decision. But I did feel a peace that had escaped me. I did not have to strive to find my own meaning anymore. The God of the universe would be with me to guide me. In time God has revealed part of my calling (I do not think I will know my entire calling until the day I die). He has provided me with certain talents and a heart to bring people together. Thus I have used my academic training and Christian discipleship to become a reconciliator between the different racial groups in our country. It is at times frustrating but it is also fulfilling as I am doing what I am made to do. I believe that we can never find what we are made to do until we turn to our loving Father. Lately God has moved me away from dealing with issues of racial alienation and to use the skills he has given me to explore new research areas. I will always have a heart to engage in racial reconciliation as I believe that bring people together is part of the Christian mission. But I am excited about this new research area and see how God has used my previous experiences to prepare me for this new path.
Friends describe me
Quiet at times, but outgoing when I have to be
My hobbies
Chess, Sports, Exercise, Logic Problems
Fantasy dinner guests
Jesus of course. But also Martin Luther King and Billy Graham would be fantastic if I can not get Jesus
Best advice I ever received
Rom. 8:28
My undergrad alma mater
West Texas State University
My worst subject in school
English
In college I drove
Pacer
If I weren't a professor, I would
be a high school football coach
Favorite books
Other than the Bible would be Search for Significance, Happiness is a Choice, It's Friday but Sunday is Coming, and any book I have written
Favorite movies
Rudy, Miracle on 34th Street, The Power of One, Spiderman 2
Favorite city
Wherever I am living
Nobody knows I
have a facebook account
My latest accomplishment
Well I am going in a new direction with my research. I am starting to look at anti-Christian bias in our society. I have an article coming out that will start my work in that direction and will have a book