Birthday Month Shuffle - 7th Edition Day 5

I've been thinking a lot about my relationship with God recently.  My mother was very religious.  She followed church doctrine down to the letter.  Me, not so much.

I believe in God.  I believe in a Heaven and a Hell.  I believe and worship the Virgin Mary and the saints.  I pray daily and try to make good choices in my daily life.  I used to go to church with my Momma, but since she died I've only been once... at her funeral.

Today the shuffle brought up U2's "Vertigo;" a song thought to be about temptation and telling God how They are the beacon out of temptation.  Freedom from sin and redemption and salvation.

I wish I had my mother's faith.  I wish I had her devotion.  She encourage me to always put God first.  And, I think in some ways I still do.  It's been difficult since she's died to see the plan that God has for me, but I know I have to.  A few other incidents professionally have made me question His plan, but I know there's a reason for everything.  I just have to be patient... and that's the hardest part.

NaBloPoMo 2018 - Day 11

Somewhere in the South Pacific

In what do you put your faith?

At Mass today, a widow through the prophet Elijah put her faith in God that she would not go hungry. She had enough flour and oil to make one last meal for herself and her son and then they would starve as there was a famine in the land.  Elijah told her essentially to trust that God would provide for her until rain came back to the lands.  She trusted in God, and she and her son were fed from the jars of oil and flour for over a year.

That's some pretty strong faith.  My mother has that kind of faith.  Me, I'm a little more skeptical.  While I was doing my pre-med studies, I had to take a lot of science classes.  I reached a point where I began to seriously reconsider the existence of God.  Mind you, I had been raised a Catholic and had attended Catholic schools my whole life.  But science made sense... until I got into the more advanced sciences and began to think that there was no way any of this happened randomly.

I agree with evolution except the part where humans come from apes;  I can't make that leap.  But I do believe our modern animals come from pre-historic animals and developed because of needing to adapt to their environments.  I believe in creation.  Sure, it didn't take 7 days, more like over 4.5 billion years.  It's amazing how studying science you get a vision into the divine.

I do believe in destiny.  I believe I have a pre-determined path.  I believe I was given certain talents and skills with which I was meant to do something good and live a life which is extraordinary (ala Mr. Keating.)  I believe God has a purpose for me and that it's shown to me in little bits.  But I fight it at times.  I get impatient and challenge.  And then something happens and it's like "OK, God, whatever, I'll do it the way you want me to..."

And that's when He really reveals His plan for me.  And, I take it on faith that I have the skills to accept the challenges He puts before me.  It's led me to this point, and we're no where near the end of my life's journey.

p.s. I generally don't watch TV but there's a new show on CBS called "God Friended Me."  It's been highly enjoyable and has a great message.  Check it out... tell me what you think... 

#NaBloPoMo18

Y is for Yonder Year

We never know what the future may hold

at the beginning of a new year.

Almost a year ago I wrote about how it might be

the last Mother's Day I spend with my mother.

But, here she is, 

still fighting,

still living,

still going strong.

So one never knows...

All I know is that:

every day has to be treasured

even when she frustrates me to the point of screaming.

every moment has to be enjoyed

even when I get suddenly tearful thinking it might be the last.

every chance I have to tell her I love her has to be used

because I want her always to know that I do.

and,

every second I have to give thanks to God

for just another opportunity to spend with her.

Birthday Shuffle Year V - Day 18 - Be Not Afraid

I've been riding my bike for several months now.  I generally try to ride every other day, and I always listen to music while I am riding.  On Sundays when I ride, I have a playlist of religious music that I listen to.  I'm Catholic, and I have to admit to lapses when it comes to going to Mass every Sunday, but when I ride on Sundays, I do take the time to meditate on God and my faith.

This is one of the songs in my playlist.  I've said before that I used to play in the church choir.  During that time, I played a lot of music and had a lot of favorites.  This is one of them.

It's a song that gave me a lot of comfort during my high school and into college years.  And, when I started to collect music on my iPod, I actually sought out and found some of those songs that used to make me feel good about and encouraged my faith in God.  This is one of them... enjoy!

#272 - U is for Ubiquitous

I've seen a lot of amazing and wonderful sights and sites during my travels...

And, today, while thinking of my "U" word for the Challenge,

I thought about ubiquitous which means

"existing or being everywhere at the same time."

 Which made me think of God.

Now, I am not a "wear my God on my sleeve" kind of person.

I have faith.  I pray.  And, I thank God every time I arrive

safely to another travel destination.

I also thank God for allowing me the time and resources

to be able to travel and see so much of His creation.

And, I do feel His presence as everywhere when I stand

at the top of a rise or on the edge of the beach or simply

when I experience the joy of my DH or dogs as we travel 

and explore together...

My simple prayer for travel is always:

Keep us, guide us, hold us,

bring us safely home.

And, it doesn't matter whether Home is back in Ferndale

or up in Heaven, I just pray for safe passage with no fear.

Cause I already feel as though I've seen a little bit

of Heaven on Earth... 

As long as there are rivers and mountains and beaches to enjoy...

You'll find me there...

Day 23 - Be Still

Lake Roosevelt, 10/2009 vb

Be still and know that I am God - 

Psalm 46:10

Taking a day of rest before heading into the

holiday, and a straight week of work

leading to the end of the month

and the last week of NaBloPoMo...

Day 10 - Doggie Dreams

As we reflect on Sunday, a day of rest...

When God had made the earth and sky, the flowers and the trees.
He then made all the animals and all the birds and bees.

And then His work was finished, and not one was quite the same
He said I'll walk this earth of mine and give each one a name.

And so he traveled land and sea, and everywhere He went
a little creature following him, until its strength was spent.

When all were named upon the Earth, and in the sky and sea,
A little creature said, Dear Lord, there's not one left for me.

The Father smiled and softly said, I've left you to the end,
I've turned my own name back to front

and called you "Dog" my friend.

 - Author Unknown

myPod Shuffle #15 - Hanging by a Moment

I am getting this in just under the wire... I liked this song from the first time I heard it. I love the melody. I love the words. According to different sources it's about getting closer to God. I like that too...