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A Scandalous Christmas
We certainly have become accustomed to reading about scandal in the 24-hour news cycle world that we live in. Whether political scandals, celebrity scandals, or the scandals we like to talk about in our small communities, we have become addicted to them somehow, and I’m not sure that is a good thing. That said, every year on December 25th, we arguably celebrate the most scandalous story ever told. Over the years, we seem to have domesticated the Nativity story in many ways. I am as guilty as anyone. We paint the picture through our “nice,” often middle-class, everyday lives. Not to say that any of that is terrible. I heard…
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Some Random Thoughts at 44
Every year around my birthday, I love to come up with random thoughts that strike me at this stage of my life. As I reviewed what I came up with last year, I realized how much I am still in the same mindset. (I’m not sure that is a good or bad thing.). So with a few add-ons and clarifications (all in bold)…here are a few things that strike me this year: Seeing the world upside down is seeing it right side up. Thank you, St. Peter. (From this perspective, perceived loss is a gain, perceived weakness is strength, and true greatness is found in humility. ) Sinatra’s album, Nice…
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The Whispers of Nature
I have to admit, I never think about Earth Day much, partly because my love for nature and creation is deeply a part of me; therefore, every day is kind of an “Earth Day.” That said, I understand the significance of naming a day to ponder and take inventory of our common home and relationship to all things created. Here are a few thoughts on this day. Nature can teach us so much about ourselves, others, life, and God. It can bring us to the truth. If we are open, the mystery of nature can move us from the beautiful to the good, to the true. The “big sky” of…
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Facebook, Beauty, and Good Friday
I don’t find myself on Facebook much these days; when I am on, I love the memories that pop up on my feed here and there. You know the ones, 3 years ago today you were here…7 years ago today you posted this, etc. Last Friday, my Facebook memory was from 5 years ago in Venice, Italy. More specifically, it was a video that I had posted inside St. Mark’s Basilica during the Good Friday Celebration of the Lord’s Passion. After not sleeping last night, here are a few things that kept me up all night about the video and the significance of this day, this Good Friday 2021. What…
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Moments in Time: Dingle, Ireland
As many of us celebrated St. Patrick’s Day this week, we find ourselves on the Dingle Peninsula in the southwest part of Ireland. The town of Dingle is the largest town on the peninsula located in County Kerry. The magnificent road that winds around the peninsula is called Slea Head Drive. A little side note, the westernmost part of the peninsula not only brings a spectacularly beautiful view of the rough surf of the Atlantic. But the islands off to the west are the closest part of mainland Ireland that you can get to the United States. Nestled in the rock just off the road sits a statue of the…
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Moments in Time: Glen Coe, Scotland (Highlands)
The winds were overwhelming but calming. The periods of rain were drenching but refreshing. The brisk air cut through your skin but awakened the very breath of your life. Standing in its midst was somehow a confrontation with truth beyond the ability to explain with my senses. Quite simply, it was one of the most mystical experiences of my life. Glencoe is nestled in the Scottish Highlands. It is about 100 miles or so from Edinburgh. Suppose you leave from Edinburgh, as I did. In that case, you go through the lush greenery of the Scottish lowlands, passing many breathtaking lochs (lakes) and some picturesque towns. Stirling, for one, with…
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Hard To Be Human
It’s well documented that the pandemic has brought to the surface many challenges for millions of people around the globe. Not only physical illness but loneliness and isolation have sparked a wave of mental illness as well. The pandemic has affected all of us in some way. Like so many things in life, although the struggles we face are felt by many, they are unique. In other words, our experiences and struggles are our own. The pandemic for us has been about navigating being home with two school-aged boys every day for almost a year. On the one hand, I have loved it because I know this is a time…
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Moments in Time: Helena, MT
This week’s destination brings us to Helena, MT. Helena is the state capital of Montana and became known as the “Queen City of the Rockies” due to the boom of the 1864 gold strike. That said, what brings us to the beautiful city of Helena today, is baseball. Specifically, June 1996. We find ourselves at Kendrick Legion Field, at that time, home of the Milwaukee Brewers Rookie Ball Team. I was a skinny young 18-year-old, a boy, playing for the Great Falls Dodgers, the Rookie Ball Team for the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was the opening night of the Pioneer League, and we had a road series against the…
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Moments in Time: Worb, Switzerland
This week’s journey takes us to Worb, Switzerland….specifically to a particular bench that was one of my favorite places to sit and regain perspective. Worb is a small village southeast of the city of Bern. It was our home for 4 1/2 years while we lived in Switzerland. We loved it. We lived in a house that sat halfway up the “Worb Hill,” as we would often refer to it. Down the street sat the 13th century Worb Schloss, Worb Castle. We stayed in the converted stable of the NeuSchloss, or the New Castle of Worb. A quick side fun fact to the Neuschloss, the Von Grafienrieds family, has owned…
