I was sitting in my home office chair yesterday, trying to send a simple e-mail to a friend from my phone.
I hit "send."
I waited.
The little circle on the screen just kept spinning—round and round.
no connection
no service
no "bars
I made a cup of coffee this morning.
Not a fancy latte
Just regular drip coffee
With some cream
I set it on the counter.
I checked my e-mail.
I answered a text message.
Showered, shaved, and dressed for work.
Driving in my car to work, I remembered that cup of coffee that I left on the counter.
Read More"Professor, I need to talk to you about my grade."
The young man stood at the edge of my desk, clutching his syllabus like a shield.
"Okay, have a seat," I replied. "What seems to be the concern?"
"I got an 85 on the final project. I need at least a 92 to keep my A."
Read MoreI was sitting in my office very early in the morning. I love the mornings! The office is quiet, and my computer and the smell of coffee are my sole companions. My phone was sitting on the table, face up.
Suddenly, a tiny red circle appeared in the corner of an app.
The red dot was small
The red dot was silent
The red dot was persistent …
Mirror, Mirror on the wall, tell me the future, and that's not all;
- I want to know what will come next;
- I want to know the who, when, and how.
Mirror, Mirror on the wall, why do you not speak; tell me the answers to the questions I seek!
- What makes one strong and another weak?
- What makes one strive for greatness and another accept mediocrity?
I have a box of memories.
Shining, bright, and bold.
I have a box of memories.
Some warm, some very cold.
Read MoreThe psychiatrist and theologian writer Gerald May speaks of a person he knew in one of the poorest psychiatric wards in New York, a young woman named Karen who sat alone day after day without responding to anyone who spoke to her. Every day, one of the maintenance men, Mike Foster, would sit at her side, eating his lunch and chatting with her even though she showed no response. One day, as John prepared to leave with his usual, “See you tomorrow, Karen,” she answered, “See you tomorrow, Mike.” A year later, she left the hospital and lived an everyday and happy life.
Read MoreThere is a missing piece of pie served at my Holiday Feast, and I’m not sure why.
Did someone sneak into the refrigerator last night for a midnight snack?
Did someone skip the ham and go straight to dessert?
Maybe someone dropped the pie and returned what was left to cover their tracks?
In the 1960s to 1980s Television Game Show “Let’s Make a Deal,” hosted by Monty Hall, the contestant was asked to choose between three doors—Door #1, Door #2, and Door #3. Behind one of the doors would be a new sports car. Behind another door would be a moderately priced prize. And behind the third door would be a “Zonk.” A Zonk is a prize worth nothing, such as a wheel barrel full of dirt, a hay bail, or a trash bag.
Read MoreIf you want to save your soul;
come back to God.
If you want to save your family;
come back to God.
If you want to save our country;
come back to God.
If you want to save our Church;
come back to God.
Read MoreToday was the absolute worst day ever
And don’t try to convince me that
There’s something good in every day
Because, when you take a closer look
This world is a pretty evil place.
Even if
Some good does shine through once in a while
Satisfaction and happiness don’t last.
And it’s not true that
It’s all in the mind and heart
Because
Read MoreSometimes we let events come and then we react. And for the most part, we have been very successful. We have a strong company, and great leadership. Sometimes the unexpected happens, and we are blindsided and left numb. Whether it is an illness, a disgruntled guest, misunderstood communications, unanswered e-mails, or budget overrun, we run for cover, consultation, or rationalize the situation to others and ourselves. It's in these times that we need to remind ourselves - what does success look like?
Read MoreTwenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. It was a cowboy's life, a life for someone who wanted no boss. What I didn't realize was that it was also a ministry.
Because I drove the night shift, my cab became a moving confessional. Passengers climbed in, sat behind me in total anonymity, and told me about their lives. I encountered people whose lives amazed me, ennobled me, and made me laugh...
Read MoreMom, though it has been many years since these events have occurred, I think of them often and wonder why you did what you did.
What events?
Well, when I was in eight grade and on the CYO Basketball team, I was one of their star players. We had a great season, and we were on our way to the championship. The championship game was set for Saturday, and we were all thrilled. When I told you about the game, you told me that I could not go because we were expected at Pop-Pop and Nanny’s home for dinner in Philadelphia.
Read MoreResearch shows we retain...
At this time of year, I often reflect on the Christmas mornings growing up in Lawrenceville, New Jersey - the opening of presents, the wrapping paper flying everywhere, the smell of freshly brewed coffee, the sound of bacon sizzling on the stove, Christmas songs playing on the stereo, and the many hugs and smiles from my grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends dropping in throughout the day. But there is one Christmas in particular that I recall each year. A Christmas morning that changed my life.
Read MoreAt this time of year, I often reflect on the Christmas mornings growing up in Lawrenceville, New Jersey - the opening of presents, the wrapping paper flying everywhere, the smell of freshly brewed coffee, the sound of bacon sizzling on the stove, Christmas songs playing on the stereo, and the many hugs and smiles from my grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends dropping in throughout the day. But there is one Christmas in particular that I recall each year. A Christmas morning that changed my life.
Read MoreThis time of the year is marked with certain time-honored traditions.
Purchasing of gifts for those near and far. Attending holiday parties with friends and family members. Packing up the car to make extended trips. Baking cookies, making pies, and taking out Grandma’s recipe of sweet potato casserole – the one with mini-marshmallows.
There is a missing piece of pie served at my holiday feast, and I’m not sure why.
• Did someone sneak into the refrigerator last night for a midnight snack?
• Did someone skip the ham and go straight to dessert?
• Maybe someone dropped the pie and put back what was left to cover their tracks?
It is nearly dusk as the sun greets the orange and blue horizon over Boston Harbor. Judy and her daughter, Michelle, cuddled together on their living room couch. Michelle, just three years old, draws her baby doll closely to her chest, and holds her mother's hand tightly.
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