I was watching a movie early this morning, still trying to recover from my last semester of doctoral studies, and there was a scene that got me thinking. The movie was about World War II, and the actors were sitting at a table drinking freshly brewed coffee. Someone asked, “what was the best cup of coffee you ever had?” Listening to the response got me thinking about my own “best” cup of coffee.
Category: Spirit
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Taking Some Time Away
Sorry for the pause in my posts. This has been a tough semester, my final one, thank God, and I’m just finishing up on my last paper. I had the chance to get out to California for a little vacation recently, and I got to experience both the mountains and the sea, all in one quick week. Vacations always go by too fast, don’t they?
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Something New
After many drafts and revisions, I thought it high time to unveil a logo designed just for this site. Of course, I could describe each little part, since everything has meaning behind it. For now, I think, it would be better just to ponder it a bit. Any feedback would be most appreciated. A young lady I met while doing campus ministry at McDaniel College is the designer.
I’m sure I must have been a difficult client. You know the type. It’s there in his/her mind, but he/she struggles to articulate just what they want. Thanks to everyone who gave us input, and I hope to hear from you in the comments section below.
On March 14th, ten days from now, we’ll mark the fourth anniversary of this website. I’ll always remember sitting in my living room with a dear friend and together, dreaming it all up. More to come…
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Diabetes Awareness Month
November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and before too much more time slipped away, I thought it important to mention it.
If you read my posts regularly, you know that diabetes has become a nationwide epidemic, with 25.8 million people having the disease, and 79 million people having pre-diabetes. These are staggering numbers.
Take Control Of Your Diabetes recently came out with their latest newsletter. You can get it here. They are a great organization, and if you have diabetes or know someone who does, you should try to attend one of their regional conferences held all over the United States. I attended one with two of my family members last year, and it was a wonderful day of learning.
Diabetes is not something to pretend will go away, but with diet, exercise (and sometimes medicine), many people are able to avoid the very serious complications that come with this disease.
If you have a family history of diabetes, be sure your doctor is aware of it. Get yourself tested. You’ll be grateful you did.
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Happy Independence Day
Years before 9/11, I had the chance to visit the Statue of Liberty, climbing all the way to the top and taking in the view from the windows of her crown. It was amazing, and I’m grateful to have had that opportunity, since, due to fears of terrorism, such climbs are no longer allowed. Today, the Statue is open again, having been closed for months because of another attack, this one coming from mother nature: Hurricane Sandy.
Happy May Day! The picture above and the guest post below are from Spirit Daily, a website I visit often. Given my recent posts about my own garden, I thought the post does a great job of taking garden imagery and adapting it for spiritual insights. I hope you’ll think the same.
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A Sober House
By chance, I ran into an old acquaintance last Saturday at my local nursery. I’m not exactly sure where we first met, but we see each other out in the community now and again, and from time to time she’ll post a comment here at Making All Things New.
When I asked her how she was doing, she told me she’s getting ready to retire this summer. Now, when most people retire, they dream of travel, relaxation, an easier lifestyle.
My friend, however, is choosing another path. When she finishes up her long career working for our local library, she’s decided to open a “Sober House.”
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A Pope Named Francis
With so much activity this past week, I didn’t have the chance to post anything about the new Pope, Francis I.
I have to admit that I’ve been really impressed with this man, an unlikely candidate going into the conclave. The old saying, “the cardinal who goes into the conclave a pope always comes out a cardinal” was proven true once again. As I sat taking it all in, I remembered something my men’s group was talking about last Sunday. “Our God is a God of surprises.” How true.
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Waiting for a new Pope
The Catholic Church has been on a bit of a roller coaster recently. When Pope Benedict XVI resigned a few weeks ago, it was the first time in centuries that something like this had happened.
With the help of modern media, people like you and me are more in tune to what’s happening over in Rome than ever before.
I’m not sure what the answer is, but as I watched the television this morning and saw all the ancient rituals played out live, I was struck by my belief that somehow the Holy Spirit is behind it all, and there’s something exciting about watching it unfold.
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Ugh, the Snow
Last week, I was praising the joy of the impending spring. The season was being heralded by some wonderful little dwarf iris that were blooming by my driveway gate.
This week, starting tomorrow and ending late Wednesday, snow, snow and more snow for the Baltimore area.