Month: December 2011

Keep Smiling

Over the weekend, an annual event known as Santacon took place on the streets of New York City.

Thousands and thousands of people dressed in that familiar suit and moved about the city, both en masse and just by themselves.

I’m sure there were some that were far removed from the true image of St. Nicholas, but maybe more than a few donned their suits just to have a bit of good fun.

Anyway, it sounds like a good time. Maybe I can get myself a Santa suit at some after Christmas sale this year….

Have a great day. Keep smiling 🙂

Several weeks ago, I wrote a post about our need for God-centered friendships. I hope it caused you to take some time to assess your relationships, looking for signs of a mutual lifting up and encouraging one another to grow in holiness.

The other day, a friend of mine gave me some pamphlets written by Fr. Emmerich Vogt, a Dominican priest. My friend was hoping that we might be able to distribute the pamphlets at my church. Fr. Vogt travels around the country giving talks on transformation, a subject dear to my heart. One the pamphlets in his Self Knowledge series was on friendship, and he raised some really excellent points about what it means to have healthy and holy friendships.

Inspiration

Having Fun Yet?

So, I decided to go all out this year with my Christmas decorations… Just kidding 🙂

I can’t imagine the electricity bill that these lights would generate, but luckily, I don’t have to worry about it. Since I moved into my colonial-style house several years ago, I just hang a wreath on the door and put up candle lamps in the window. Simple and classy, that’s me.

I saw this clip on you-tube the other day, and, in the spirit of lightning things up a bit and having some fun, I thought it would be just the thing to brighten your holiday spirits. Hope you enjoy it. Have a great week 🙂

Main Course Soup On Saturday Vegetarian

Linguine with Peppers and Oregano

Post author By seedthrower1
Post date 12/10/2011
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Most of us are really busy these days. After a long day at work, we try and pick up a gift or two for under the Christmas tree, and then, exhausted, we think about dinner.

Believing that we’re too tired to make something, we stop and pick up some fast food, even though we know it’s not the best for us. Don’t do it! Instead, try this quick and simple recipe, which is not only easy, it’s also cheap and tastes great. Teamed up with a salad, some bread, and a glass of wine, you’ll forget all about the stresses of your day.

Uncategorized

Coming Out Of The Fog

Over the last few weeks, I have been feeling like a fog is lifting around me.

I’ve been thinking more clearly, feeling better, and have had a lot more energy. My prayer life has been really good too.

I can’t really say why this hazy feeling is lifting from me, but I’m just glad that it is. It guess it came on slowly sometime during the fall, which is always a very busy time for me. There was lots going on, and plenty of stress added to the mix.

Inspiration Prayer

Oh Come, Please!

In the second to the last line in the Bible (Revelation 22:20), you can find the words,

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

As we move through these days of Advent, awaiting the remembrance of the Nativity of the Lord, I have been reflecting on these words which call out to God, asking Him to once again visit His people.

Of course, these words almost come to life in the song, Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel. The other day, I reminded you that Emmanuel is the Hebrew word for God is with us, and it is one of the most important titles given to Jesus. What does that mean to us?

Catholic Church Inspiration Italy

Get Yourself A Nativity Scene

Post author By seedthrower1
Post date 12/07/2011
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Emmanuel is one of the most profound titles of Jesus. The Hebrew word means God is with us. When St. Francis of Assisi set up the first Nativity scene, he wanted to show simple, uneducated people that God chose to come down from heaven and be like us in all things but sin.

Following in the footsteps of St. Francis, people all over the world bring out their own nativity sets each year, but for many, the little scene is just another Christmas decoration, its real meaning obscured amongst all the other decorations.

Blogging Inspiration Personal Development

Are You Divinely Discontent?

Post author By seedthrower1
Post date 12/06/2011
1 Comment on Are You Divinely Discontent?

It’s been a long time since I’ve offered you a guest post on Making All Things New. Once again, my friend Todd Burrier had a really good and simple message recently, and I thought it was worth sharing with you.

As I’ve mentioned a couple of times over the last few weeks, these days of Advent are a wonderful time to be a bit introspective, looking at where we’ve been this past year, and laying out a game plan for where we hope to be in 2012. I hope Todd’s post will provide you with some inspiration.

Ignatian Spirituality Inspiration Personal Development Prayer

The Need For Spiritual Direction

Post author By seedthrower1
Post date 12/04/2011
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Over the last several weeks, I’ve mentioned that I’ve been teaching two courses on Spiritual Formation. It’s been a lot of fun, but with over 70 participants between both courses, it’s also been a tremendous amount of work.

As I’ve gotten to know the participants through their coursework, I’ve come to realize an important piece that’s missing from many of their lives.

That missing piece is spiritual direction, and in my responses to them, I’ve mentioned the importance of finding a spiritual director to every single person. Why?

Main Course Soup On Saturday Soups and Stews Vegetarian

Soup On Saturday Update

My mom loves soup (that’s her above), and I guess I picked up my year-round craving for all kinds of soup from her 🙂 It’s been quite awhile since I updated my Soup on Saturday page with links to all my soup recipes, but I took some time this morning to do just that.