A memory hit me hard this morning while sipping on my first cup of coffee at a local coffee shop... When I was around twelve or thirteen, my brother and I stayed with our aunt and uncle on their dairy farm in a small Kentucky town in the mid-1960s, while my dad was off fighting … Continue reading Anthony Was Just Anthony
What’s Wrong With Maybe?
Over coffee this morning, I was perusing some of Mary Oliver’s poems in her book, Devotions, and ran across this poem: The World I Live In I have refused to livelocked in the orderly house of reasons and proof.The world I live in and believe inis wider than that. And anyway, what's wrong with maybe? … Continue reading What’s Wrong With Maybe?
A Pan-tásticos Walk This Morning
On my walk this morning, I decided to try a scone at a local panadería (bakery) called Pan-tásticos. My neighbor showed me a photo of their scones yesterday, so I made it a point to stop. It’s right next door to my favorite Mexican Restaurant in Volcan called Burrico’s. The service was excellent, the coffee … Continue reading A Pan-tásticos Walk This Morning
Why God, Coffee & Me?
You’re probably wondering how I came up with the name God, Coffee & Me for my blog site. I started writing about the Christian God around 2008. I left the church a few years before that. That was my angry phase, and I’ve since come to understand why I was so angry. My blogs have … Continue reading Why God, Coffee & Me?
Retired Life Is Boring?
When people ask what I do in retirement, I usually tell them, “Not much of anything.” It’s the easiest answer. The truthful answer would take several hours, a few cups of coffee, and possibly a PowerPoint presentation. “Doing nothing” has always had a bad reputation. It sounds lazy and unproductive. It brings to mind someone … Continue reading Retired Life Is Boring?
A 90% Chance of Rain – A 100% Chance of Coffee
Today’s forecast called for a 90 percent chance of rain, with a low of 63 degrees and a high of 71. I grabbed my umbrella, stuffed it into my backpack, put on a long-sleeved shirt, and headed out to find the newest coffee shop in town. A friend had recently asked me, while we were … Continue reading A 90% Chance of Rain – A 100% Chance of Coffee
My Spiritual Routine
Every Friday morning in Volcán, something sacred happens between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Community Market opens! For me, this has become a weekly habit, a ritual, and most of all, a spiritual experience. The market is about three or four blocks from my house and takes less than 10 minutes to walk. On … Continue reading My Spiritual Routine
Is The War Over Yet?
Over coffee this morning, I was thinking about this disgusting war with Iran, and an old John Lennon song popped into my brain. John Lennon and Yoko Ono were big protesters of the Vietnam War back in 1969 and ran a billboard campaign in major cities saying: “WAR IS OVER, IF YOU WANT IT! Happy … Continue reading Is The War Over Yet?
The Year of My Dad
I’m sitting on the patio of one of my favorite coffee shops in Volcán. It’s a very pleasant morning, and I thought I’d write about my dad over coffee and an English muffin. My dad died in the year he turned 73. I am now in the year when I will turn 73. Both of … Continue reading The Year of My Dad
The Art of Doing Nothing In Volcán
The Finns have a word, joutilaisuus, which means something close to “idleness” or “leisure.” Some describe it as "the art of doing nothing." The Italians have the more poetic phrase, dolce far niente, which means “the sweetness of doing nothing.” That's one of my favorite phrases from the movie Eat, Pray, Love. The Dutch have … Continue reading The Art of Doing Nothing In Volcán
If I Died Today
Got up earlier than usual this morning, but with coffee in hand, I’m ready for the day. And then I remembered a text I received about 10:00 last night. It was from a dear friend who wrote to tell me that she has been battling cancer - and it’s coming to an end. She will … Continue reading If I Died Today
The Weirdest Sermon I’ve Ever Heard
God and I had a good laugh this morning over coffee. I told him about a sermon I heard the other day from a pastor who believes in Santa Claus! Yep. Pastor was comparing Santa's omniscience (knowing everything) with Jesus'. To make his point, he used the song, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town as … Continue reading The Weirdest Sermon I’ve Ever Heard
Losing My Religion
I once believed in my religion. My religion had many laws… Commanded by God himself. All chiseled into stone by His own hand. My religion said I only needed to Believe. But Jesus said that we must love our enemies, And to treat others how we would like to be treated. … Continue reading Losing My Religion
Ahhhh, It’s Christmastime Again!
While having my early morning coffee, two Christmas stories came to mind. Here’s a little something for you to investigate before Christmas. Don’t be shy! Get out those Bibles and do some reading! Don’t trust what I have to say! Ha! Christmas is one of the most celebrated events in Christianity and throughout the world. … Continue reading Ahhhh, It’s Christmastime Again!
Is America Losing Its Religion?
My Italian-roasted coffee is heavenly this morning. That’s not a word I ever use to describe my coffee, but for some odd reason, that’s what came to mind. I started reading a book by the late Marcus J. Borg, who is sometimes described as a Jesus scholar. His book, The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a … Continue reading Is America Losing Its Religion?