Allen R. Hunt's Blog, page 10

A Road Map for Nones

One in five. That's how many Americans now claim to have no religious identity. The highest ever. When asked what religious affililation they have, these folks check 'None."

1 in 5. It's not that they don't believe in God. Most of them do. It's just that they do not wish to belong to any institution or group that defines or confines that faith. 'Nones" usually say they choose to be spiritual but not religious. Fair enough.

There's one big reason why I am not a None. One big reason why I am Catholic (and not really trying to convince you to be one). And it's not because Catholics feed more people, house more people, clothe more people, care for more sick people, and educate more children than any other institution on the planet. Although those ain't bad reasons.

Very simply, I am not a None because I am not all that smart or wise. As I explore the deep questions and meaning of my life, I am keenly aware of how   >>>>>   Read Entire Post

Check it Out

My new book is out and about and already helping people experience the life-changing power of grace. Everybody Needs to Forgive Somebody. Available in lots of places including Amazon by clicking here.

11 stories of real people who experienced the under-rated power of forgiveness and were never the same. Application steps for your life as well as discussion questions to help readers grow   >>>>>   Read Entire Post

Metaxas and Socrates

Just finished an interesting, provocative book. Life, God, and Other Small Topics: Conversations from Socrates in the City. 

I recommend it. Eric Metaxas, a prodigious author, has been hosting events in NYC for a number of years (unbeknownst to me). This book gathers some of the best talks at those events and even transcribes the question and answer periods that followed.

Great discussions and pieces on faith and science, evolution, the nature of God, even fatherhood, by leading thinkers. For anyone seriously noodling on the big issues of life, this is a great collection. Best oif all, I received it as a gift and was expecting very little. Imagine my surprise when the book turned out to be one of the best I've read this year.

AHS Grade:   >>>>>   Read Entire Post

Fun Tonight!

Should have mentioned this sooner but I'll be speaking tonight at St. Peter Chanel church in Roswell (GA) at 7:00. A fun evening.

My subject = Elastic Ethics: How to Make Your Life Match Your Faith.

See you   >>>>>   Read Entire Post

Mother Word

It appears that France is going to ban the words "mother" and "father" from all civil and legal documents. They now prefer the word "parents." Less gender-specific and all that.

My brother and I spent last week visiting with my mother. We celebrated her birthday a few days late as well as what would have been my father's 85th birthday. Just the three of us, all together in one place with no other agenda than just that: being together.

As we remembered fun things, and as we looked ahead to some life decisions and transitions, I had a lot of time to give thanks for my mother.

She birthed me. She gave me life. She did all the work. Including about 6 months of bed rest because, believe it or not, I was as difficult in utero as I am in person.

She fed me. Clothed me. Bathed me. Changed my diapers. Taught me to read. Coached me in her favorite subject, math. 

Mom encouraged me,   >>>>>   Read Entire Post

Help when Murder becomes Real

David Smith from the Summit Counseling Center offered help on the show Sunday night in the wake of the murder of our family friend, Cathy Davis. 

Here are some of his suggestions for families and friends whose loved one is murdered.

How do you cope when family or friend gets murdered?

Violation of the sense that “that happens to other people, it could never happen to me or someone I know”

I. Bill Cosby's Son, Ennis Cosby was shot by Mikhail Markhasev, an 18 year old Ukrainian immigrant, while changing a tire

***REACH OUT to others who have experienced the SAME THING – Realize you are not alone -

II.  On a more immediate basis, Cosby has sought to comfort the family of Corie Williams, a 17-year-old Los Angeles   >>>>>   Read Entire Post

Remembering Cathy

Our family friend for more than 50 years was murdered this week in Los Angeles. She and my mother became good friends before I was born and have remained so ever since. I visited with her when I was in LA and stayed at her home that she used to rent rooms to actors, writers, and others who were in town for a short period of time for work.

Murdered by an actor, Cathy was nearly forgotten in the press coverage. Why do we usually focus on the perp rather than the victim? Cathy was beautiful, inside and out. She was talented, intelligent, and a successful business woman. 

I posted a short note on Facebook where a friend found this piece about her by Taylor Negron. He captured her well. The Hunts are very glad she was a part of our lives for these many   >>>>>   Read Entire Post

Proud of My Sponsor

Congrats to Cruser Mitchell, LLP, for the opening of their new law office in Houston, Texas. This is their 7th office, and they are now in Georgia, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey and New York. Way to go guys!

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FInal Request

I spent some time with an older friend (I'll call her "Jill") this week. She lives by herself now, and we have not seen each other for several years. Her husband died earlier this year after a long illness. In his last few months, he was moved into a nursing facility for round the clock care.

While we were chatting, I asked Jill about caring for her husband for many years and what stood out in her noble service to him as he died. She replied,

"I think he knew he was going to die on the day he did. I sat with him in his room and we were reminiscing about our 50 years of marriage. He looked at me and asked, 'Honey, will you just lie next to me in the bed here for a few minutes?' So I got in the nursing home bed alongside him, and we held each other for a little while."

"We reminisced about the first bed we shared after our marriage. It was just a twin bed. And we laughed and remembered that   >>>>>   Read Entire Post

Iberian Pig

Proud of my friends who started the Iberian Pig restaurant and bar in downtown Decatur. They just made the top 100 bars in the world list. The Castellucci family rocks! Check out the list   >>>>>   Read Entire Post