Stephen analyzes the factors behind the recent rise of Nashville, Tennessee. Related Articles Nashville Takes Its Turn in the Spotlight: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/09/us/nashville-takes-its-turn-in-the-spotlight.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 The Black Keys Cement Nashville's Rock Star Status: http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2013/02/09/the-black-keys-help-cement-nashvilles-rock-star-status/

Stephen analyzes Pope Benedict's surprise resignation and lists some of the candidates likely to be considered in the upcoming papal election. Related Articles  Vatileaks: A Guide http://theweek.com/article/index/230986/the-catholic-churchs-vatileaks-scandal-a-guide Numbers Point to Another European Pope: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/02/12/171787275/doing-the-cardinal-math-numbers-point-to-another-european-pope

Stephen reflects on the transitional papacy of Joseph Ratzinger. Related Articles Lightning Strikes the Vatican Hours After Benedict Resigns: http://www.weather.com/news/pope-resigns-20130211 Pope Benedict's Resignation and John Paul's Suffering: http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/closeread/ 2013/02/benedict-in-resigning-is-no-john-paul.html The Bizarre Stories of the Four Other Popes Who Resigned: http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/the-bizarre-stories-of-the-other-popes-who-resigned/article_2ef967ff-fb51-5828-beba-98f1d6562016.html What Was the "Media Frenzy" Like in 1415? http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/02/the-last-time-a-pope-resigned-mass-media-was-called-mass/273098/

Stephen discusses the rising power of Turkey in world affairs. Related Articles Turkey is reversing years of antagonism with its Arab neighbors: http://www.economist.com/node/14753776

Stephen responds to an email he received from a Son of the Confederacy about Abraham Lincoln's federalist legacy. Related Articles Stephen's Article on Fox News: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/12/30/sacred-legacy-150th-anniversary-emancipation-proclamation/ A List of Executive Orders Organized by Year: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/executive_orders.php?year=1862 Lincoln's Battle With God, by Stephen Mansfield: http://www.lincolnsbattlewithgod.com

Stephen offers some historical and literary context for the Bible, revealing the common dangers of using Scripture as an "E-Z-Reference."

As President Obama's second inauguration approaches, Stephen looks back at our country's most famous Second Inaugural Address. Related Articles A List of Inaugural Addresses: http://www.bartleby.com/124/ Taking a Closer Look at Presidential Inaugurations: http://blogs.loc.gov/teachers/2013/01/taking-a-closer-look-at-presidential-inaugurations-lincolns-second-inaugural-address/

We're living in tough times, but despair is not an option. Stephen discusses the reasons this is true. Related Articles Read The Tennessean's recent piece on Stephen: http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013301060095 Why this is not the worst Congress ever: http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterjreilly/2012/12/30/dysfunctional-congress-at-least-they-are-not-maiming-one-another/ More commentary on the idea of a Golden Age: http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/01/actually-dont-write-like-youre-dead/266934/

Recording from the historic Washington D.C. Union Station, Stephen offers an optimistic reminder for our nation in light of a troubling year.

Stephen lists his favorite books of the year.