On Wednesday, April 23, the Peabody will host an exclusive whiskey tasting event celebrating The Peabody’s 50th private barrel selection of Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel. It will feature tastings of Old No. 7, Gentleman Jack, Bonded Tennessee Whiskey, Sinatra Select, and Peabody Select 50, led by master distiller Chris Fletcher. Tasting at 6, family style dinner (each course infused with Jack Daniel’s Whiskey) at 7. $270 cost includes
- Limited edition, autographed bottle of Peabody Select 50
- Collector’s coin
- Taxes
- Gratuity
- Parking in the hotel garage
Reservations
Today is National Pimiento Cheese Day. I recommend celebrating at Momma’s at Crump and Kentucky. Get the Poppin’ Pimiento (formerly Cheese Wagon) burger, which is topped with pimento cheese as well as bacon, fresh jalapeno, tomato, and Momma’s Mayo. Get a can of PBR to wash it down.
Momma’s, by the way, has it on good authority from TDOT that the I-55/Crump/Riverside interchange will open Monday, April 21.
Today is also National Gin and Tonic Day. Recommendation to avoid any bar where the bartender does not know how to make this drink.
The Grizzlies got a 124-100 win over Charlotte last night but Jaylen Wells broke his wrist.
Memphis Medical District Collaborative seeks an economic development specialist.
From The Daily Helmsman: Yoga on the River brings serenity to Downtown Memphis
Memphis Flyer’s We Saw You: March South Main Trolley Night
Those of you who are just here for the news are dismissed. Those of you who like to read personal stuff about me, read on.
One of the requirements of staying at the Union Mission is that I attend chapel. I had well-formed spiritual beliefs long before I ever stayed there, so most of what I hear in chapel goes in one ear and out the other. But once in a while, I’ll pick up something interesting, something that makes me think.
“Our religion is the only one of the major world religions that invites you to have a personal relationship with God,” said a guest preacher a few weeks ago.
I thought to myself, “I’m definitely not an atheist. But why have I always had trouble developing a PERSONAL relationship with God?”
I didn’t have an answer at the time.
Then, one day about a week later, I walked into chapel after dinner. They play Christian videos before the service starts. On the big screen, Cece Winans was singing,
I’ve known you as a Father
I’ve known you as a friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God
Therein lay the answer to my question.
Growing up, I was taught to be reverent toward God. To be super respectful and humble and deferential toward him. Toward God the Father.
But how I could I develop a friendship with God if I viewed him through that lens?
So I did something radical.
I gave God a nickname.
I’m not going to tell you what it is. It’s personal. I will say that it’s not Mr. Stinky Pants or anything disrespectful like that. It’s something that honors him. What it does do is casualize God. (is that a word?) That works for me because I’m a very casual person.
Since then, I’ve been talking to him 13, 14, 15 times a day. Not all formal prayers either – sometimes I just check in to say hello.
I truly believe nicknaming God and developing such a relationship with him is a necessary step for me to get out of homelessness, although I don’t yet understand how. He will show me the way when the time is right.
So maybe Mission chapel hasn’t been a complete waste of my time.
Thanks for reading. Maybe I’ll continue this train of thought tomorrow. Maybe I won’t. But I’ll definitely be back with the news.
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