Allen R. Hunt's Blog, page 31

Help and Hope for Japan

An earthquake

A tsunami

Aftershocks stronger than the earthquake in Haiti

Then a growing nuclear disaster



It is too hard for me to comprehend the scope and pain of the suffering in Japan right now. In fact, it is likely impossible for any of us who have not lived through that.



But you and I can help. I am giving a generous gift and invite you to do the same. Offer help, healing and hope in a very bleak and desperate situation. Catholic Relief Services and World Vision are both already at work and need your help.



And it sure beats rejoicing in others' suffering like the girl whose >>>>   Read Entire Post

Horses, Swans, and Zuckerbergs

As the Oscars came and went, we made a little time to watch some movies. And here are the results:



1) Secretariat AHS Grade: B+



I had not even heard about this movie until my uncle suggested I rent it. Then saw it on Comcast OnDemand and nabbed it.



What a great story about the greatest horse of all time. the behind the scenes story of how Secretariat emerged onto the scene and the personal dimensions of the owner, trainer, and jockey.



Very compelling. And great for families.



2) Black Swan AHS Grade: B



A really strong movie in all kinds of ways. Natalie Portman is almost type-cast as a highly repressed, low affect ballerina. Perhaps the one role she could really embrace.



Very engaging to watch with all the psycho-drama of a girl whose obsession consumes her,literally.



Not so great for families with language and sexual content.



3) Social Network AHS Grade: B+



What a pleasant   >>>>>   Read Entire Post

3 Patriotic Lessons from the Jury Box

Jury duty filled my days this week. I received the privilege of serving as foreman of a jury considering murder and other charges. "Privilege" is the correct word because the entire experience reminded me of three key lessons:



1) Jury trials are a wonderful blessing. One man stricken from our jury pool had immigrated here from Russia. His experience with trials involved days when your fate rested solely in the hands of one Soviet judge. Give me 12 peers to decide my fate any day.



2) Americans are remarkable people. Our very diverse group of 12 Atlantans deliberated intensely and thoroughly for days. No one took lightly their responsibility to decide a young man's fate. Strong opinions and wise insight were shared with grace, and the goal of finding facts remained at the center of our attention. It was a thing of beauty to watch. Only in America. No one wanted to be there, but we all knew we held a sacred trust in our   >>>>>   Read Entire Post

A Good Listen

You know of my love for the work that the Murphy Harpst Children's Center does with children who have been abused and sexually traumatized by the adults who should have been caring for them.



Take a listen to this excellent piece. May it inspire you as it does   >>>>>   Read Entire Post

A Thumb in Hollywood's Eye

I am almost embarrassed to admit it, but I enjoy the Oscars. Not because I find enchantment in celebrities but because I really love good movies and appreciate awards to recognize them. And sometimes the Oscar entertainment can even be fun (see Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin).



Sadly, this weekend's rather dull Oscars contained only one bright moment. A highly unexpected one. Kirk Douglas, 94 years old and a stroke survivor, stood out with his presentation for Best Supporting Actress. Sure, he slurred some words. That is what stroke survivors do. Sure, he enjoyed the spotlight a little too much. That is what 94 year old actors do. It was a priceless moment. But also greeted by a lot of sneers and criticisms like those of LA Weekly who called it "embarrassing and painful."



Quite the contrary,   >>>>>   Read Entire Post

Helpful Food for the Soul

Came across this excellent piece from the Jerusalem Community Rule of Life. Hope it is as meaningful for you as it was for me.



Every day ask God to pour love for your brothers into your heart and to put love for you into theirs. God can deny nothing to a community that prays this way, because it is His will that we love one another as He has loved us.



Where there is no love, put love and you will harvest love. Susceptibility is charity's worst enemy, humility its best ally. You should be intelligent and holy enough to be the first to give way in a quarrel; and never let squabbles over trifles harm your deep union with your brothers. You may be in the right, but your duty is not to let the sun go down on your anger. Resolve each day anew to pray for your brothers. Pray that you may love, and love while you pray, and the grace of His love will find a way in.



Look on the call to brotherly love as the entry into an   >>>>>   Read Entire Post

The Best Place to Live on Earth

I have shared this concept with you before, but Tom Knox has pulled a whole host of proofs together in one column here.



If you desire to live in a place that will help you have

- Lower blood pressure

- A longer life by an average of 7 years

- Shorter recovery times from illnesses

- A more rapid recovery rate from depression

- A stronger immune system

- The lowest levels of stress on earth

- The highest levels of self-esteem on earth

- The lowest levels of suicide on earth

- And the highest sense of purpose in life and overall sense of well-being



Where should you live? In a city? In a small town? In Switzerland? In Costa Rica?



Nope.



You attain these pleasures and benefits in church or your favorite faith community. Knox pulls together about a dozen   >>>>>   Read Entire Post

Faith in Daytona

Fun race at Daytona on Sunday. With a most interesting finish - youngest Daytona 500 winner ever.



And the winner, 20 year old Trevor Bayne, was starting only his second Sprint Cup Series race ever.



His second race, his first Daytona, and he won in a flurry of a finish.



But he warmed my heart when he spoke to everyone who had a question and stayed late into the evening to sign autographs for swarming fans. Victory and publicity were not a burden for him but a pleasure. What a breath of fresh air in professional sports.



Even better, Bayne spoke openly and confidently about his faith life. He gave thanks to God for giving him talent in this sport and for opening a window of opportunity for him to race at the highest level. He spoke glowingly about giving a percentage of his winnings (nearly   >>>>>   Read Entire Post

Charla 5 Years Later

I interviewed Charla Muller several years ago on the show. She had just written her book, 365 Days: A Memoir of Intimacy, chronicling her "gift" to her husband of having sex every day for a year.



Now, it has been 5 years since she gave him that gift. A British reporter caught up with her to find out how their marriage has been affected by the year of sex, the book, and all the conversation it generated.



Really interesting article. Basic results:

1) The year drew them closer together in a way that neither expected and has made their marriage stronger and more intimate.

2) She rightly recognizes that a marriage with daily sex as an expectation is not sustainable in the long   >>>>>   Read Entire Post

5 to 1

5 to 1. That simple formula is the key to a healthy marriage. Sounds too good to be true? It's not.



John Gottman is America's pre-eminent marriage researcher. He claims to be able to predict with a 94% accuracy the likelihood that your marriage will last for the long haul. How? 5 to 1.



For every one (1) negative interaction (an unkind word, a cold shoulder given, the rolling of the eyes), there must be five (5) positive interactions (a smile, a compliment, a thank you, a love pat, a gaze into the eyes). 5 positive interactions offset 1 negative interaction. In other words, show me a couple where there is a lot of eye rolling and very few kindnesses, and you have shown me a couple well on their way to divorce.



During this Valentine's week, what a crucial lesson to absorb. Fill your relationship with small kindnesses and watch it flourish for years and years. How simple: Be kind to one   >>>>>   Read Entire Post