Praying the Psalms - Psalm 29

I just love the Psalms. And I love joining Jenny at Just A Minute in Praying the Psalms every Saturday. Won't you join us? This week is Psalm 29.

Give to the LORD the glory due God's name. Bow down before the LORD'S holy splendor! - Psalm 29:2

Sometimes I try to make God small enough for me to understand. I need a reminder that God is bigger than I can ever know. His majesty is more than I can grasp. God is glory and power! I want to praise my Lord and bow down before Him.
Praise and glory to you, my God!

Sabbath Moments - July 31

Sabbath moments are the moments we rest in God, when we take time to just Be with God rather than Do. Sabbath moments are those times when we live in the moment and find the holy in the ordinary. I invite you to share your Sabbath moment(s) here on Saturdays. Be sure to sign into Mr. Linky below. If you don't have a blog, share about it in a comment!
Some of my Sabbath moments this week:
1. One day I stopped what I was doing and watched the rain. I love the rain during the summer. The slowly falling rain that nourishes the earth. It is so peaceful and it slows me down, so I can remember to offer that moment to God.
2. I went to the beach last night to watch the sunset. Do you believe there were so many people there, I could not find a parking spot and came back home? I missed the moment I wanted but I saw a beautiful sky anyway as the colors of the sunset reflected off the clouds near my home. And so I took that moment to thank God. Sometimes we go looking somewhere else for God, and find He is right with us all the time.

Thankful for Blessings - July 28

Every Wednesday I join a special friend, Judy, in a meme that she hosts at her wonderful blog, A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings. In this meme we give thanks for the things we are most thankful for this past week. I love this meme because it helps me to be more aware of all my blessings every day. Why not join us?
Some of my blessings this week:
1. Summer - some of the things I love about summer - the beach, lemonade, vacations, flowers and rain showers!
2. Ice Coffee - this has become one of my favorite beverages lately!
3. My husband - my best friend, who makes me laugh and cooks for me and puts up with my moods!
4. Writing & blogging - I love to write. Sometimes it comes easy. Sometimes it doesn't. But I am so grateful for this gift that comes from God. And I am grateful for blogging and for my blogging friends! I enjoy sharing my love of God.
5. My eyesight - I had to get my eyes checked. I needed to get new glasses but they had not changed too much. I am very grateful!
Thank you Lord for all the blessings in my life!

Sixty Seconds on Tuesday - Watchdogs Come in All Sizes

On Tuesdays I join Jenny at her blog called Just a Minute. She has a meme called Sixty Seconds on Tuesday which you can read more about here. Join her on Tuesdays to preserve a precious moment in word or photo. It is fun to share! 

What I want to know is - is this cute little dog watching over my new grand-baby? OR is she wishing she had a cool blanket too? :)

 

Trust in God's Love

"If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?" - Luke 11:13

I have often thought of this scripture verse when I have felt a lack of trust in God's love for me. I sometimes think, How can He possibly love me?

That doubt is very infrequent these days, praise God. But when it threatens my peace of mind, I remember this verse and I think of how much I love my children even when they are not perfect angels.

And then I get it. I really get it.

Thank you, Lord, for your never-ending love for me. It is the miracle of my life and I know it to be true, from the bottom of my heart.

Sunday Snippets - July

This is the weekly Catholic Carnival! Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?

Here are my contributions for this week:
Breathe 
Praying the Psalms
Rain and Shine

Praying the Psalms - Psalm 28

I just love the Psalms. And I love joining Jenny at Just A Minute in Praying the Psalms every Saturday. Won't you join us? This week is Psalm 28.

To you, LORD, I call; my Rock, do not be deaf to me. If you fail to answer me, I will join those who go down to the pit. Psalm 28:1

My Rock. God is my Rock. He is the One who is always there. Always listening. Always loving.
Always there. No matter what.
But I, I am the one who does not always trust. I am the one who does not always have faith. The Lord is never deaf to me. But I am deaf sometimes. And sometimes I forget. I forget I am not alone.
And when I forget I end up in the pit.
Praise God. Praise my Rock. He always pulls me out. He pulls me out of the pit. He never fails to answer me.

Blessed be the LORD, who has heard the sound of my pleading. (Psalm 28:6)

Thank you, Lord. Thank you for being with me always, in all places. Even in the pit.
Thank you for being my Rock.

Sabbath Moments - Rain and Shine

Sabbath moments are the moments we rest in God, when we take time to just Be with God rather than Do. Sabbath moments are those times when we live in the moment and find the holy in the ordinary. I invite you to share your Sabbath moment(s) here on Saturdays. Be sure to sign into Mr. Linky below. If you don't have a blog, share about it in a comment!
My Sabbath moments this week:
1. On my way home from work one day, I was driving across a bridge and it began to rain a little. Looking to my right, I saw a dark, gray sky and sheets of rain headed my way. On my left, the sky was blue with white clouds and sun!
This is not the first time I have experienced this while living in Florida. I remember one day years ago when I was walking my dog. The sun was shining on my side of the narrow street where I lived while it was raining on the other side of the street! No kidding.
God has ways of waking us up to the power and beauty and wonder of His creation.
2. A tropical storm gave us rain all day Friday. What a gift really. I had a perfect excuse to hang out at home. I was able to watch the rain fall from my cozy living room chair, computer in my lap, husband watching TV. Peaceful. Quiet. Perfect day off. And the plants, flowers and trees just drinking it all in.
Thank you, Lord.
Do you have any moments you would like to share?

Breathe

Breathe.
Breathe Jesus in. Breathe Jesus out.
Breathing Jesus in and out reminds me that Jesus is with me, always, at all times. This form of prayer helps me stay in the present moment.
So I think of Jesus and breathe His name in and out. Slowly.
There is power in breathing His name.
There is peace in breathing His name.
Father Gregory Fruehwirth (an Anglican priest) wrote these last words on the last page of his book, Words for Silence:

Breathing in, I welcome your calm into my body.
Breathing out, I smile.

Breathing in, I dwell in the present moment.
Breathing out, I know this is the moment of Christ.

This is the moment of Christ.

Breathe.

Thankful for Blessings - Anniversary

Every Wednesday I join a special friend, Judy, in a meme that she hosts at her wonderful blog, A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings. In this meme we give thanks for the things we are most thankful for this past week. I love this meme because it helps me have an attitude of gratitude. Why not join us?
Some of my blessings this week:
1. The time I spent with my two sons - what a joy! My youngest son came south to visit all of us and to introduce himself to his new nephew. We had a few days with all of us together and it was such a blessing to see my sons together, and for all of us to celebrate the newest member to our family!
2. My oldest son's new baking skills - he has just started baking things that are just wonderful! He kept my chocoholic tendencies pretty happy with mint chocolate brownies!!
3. Music - music just fills my heart with joy! Especially music that praises the Lord!
4. Living close to the beach - I live a 5 minute drive from the beach and what a joy that is to me. I can quickly run down there to look for dolphins, sit in the sun or watch a sunset. What a gift!
5. My hubby - today is our 31st anniversary! What a joy our marriage has been. God has blessed me with a kind, compassionate, loving man who has put up me all of these years!
I found a great card to give him that says something like - "Forever is too short a time for us to share together!"
Amen.

Sixty Seconds on Tuesday - Grandpa

On Tuesdays I join Jenny at her blog called Just a Minute. She has a meme called Sixty Seconds on Tuesday which you can read more about here. Join her on Tuesdays to preserve a precious moment in word or photo. It is fun to share!

"The best place to be when you're sad is Grandpa's lap." - Author Unknown

"A child needs a grandparent, anybody's grandparent, to grow a little more securely into an unfamiliar world."  ~Charles and Ann Morse

Amen to that.

 

Music Monday - Awesome God

This Music Monday meme is hosted by Shawntele at Saved By Grace. I have not participated for awhile but I have missed it and will join in from time to time. You too may join in by clicking on the link here or the Music Monday image in my sidebar. Share your favorite songs and learn some new ones!

I chose Awesome God for this week as I love that song and I love our awesome God! This version is by Michael. W. Smith and the video has beautiful pictures!

Choosing The Better Part

The Lord said to her in reply, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her. - Luke 10:41-42

I love this gospel reading. It is a popular one with various interpretations and I love reading them all.

Of course, we each see this differently at different times. The holy Spirit comes to us where we are, giving us our own thoughts and ideas of what any scripture verse may be telling us.

Today I hear Jesus reassuring Martha that Mary has chosen the better part and that it's OK. Mary has not done anything wrong but neither has Martha. Just different.

Jesus tells Martha not to worry about it. To learn to let go of what bothers her. She does not need to worry about what others are doing, only what she herself is doing.

So often we compare our spiritual growth with others. We wonder if we are as "far along" as others on the journey.

"Is he closer to God than I am?"

"Is she praying the right way?"

"Are they doing enough for the church?"

I learned a long time ago that I should not compare myself to others, that I should not judge. What is important is to know that I am on the spiritual journey, that I am praying, that I am working on my own personal relationship with God. And that is where I need to focus.

Focus my heart and mind and life on Jesus.

Dear Lord, I want to be more like Mary. I want to choose the better part. I want to sit at your feet, spending time with you, listening, being still. Help me, Lord, to grow closer to you and make you Number One in my life. Help me to worry less, to be less anxious, and to sit at your feet instead. Amen. 

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Sunday Snippets - July 18

This is the weekly Catholic Carnival! Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?

Here are my contributions for this week:
Listen
Praying the Psalms - Psalm 27 

Praying the Psalms - Psalm 27

I just love the Psalms. And I love joining Jenny at Just A Minute in Praying the Psalms every Saturday. Won't you join us? This week is Psalm 27. 

Wait for the Lord, take courage: be stouthearted, wait for the Lord! - Psalm 27:14

One of my favorite psalms and one of my favorite verses in all of scripture. Why? I ask myself.
Perhaps because I spend a lot of time waiting and I know I need that courage.
Perhaps because my spiritual director, a priest who has made a huge difference in my life often quoted this psalm when I needed to hear it!
Whatever the reason, this verse is often on my lips or in my thoughts, especially when I am impatient about something.
And I love the verse before this one...

But I believe I shall enjoy the Lord's goodness in the land of the living. - Psalm 27:13

For me, this verse is all about hope. Even though I might need to wait to see it... Even though I might need to take courage...
My faith, my belief, my  hope is that I will see the face of God one day. And I will know His goodness, face to face.
And whatever I am going through now, He is with me. And He always will be.
Lord, please give me the courage I need to wait to see your face. Help me to be patient day by day. And thank you for the hope and faith and love that you give me to sustain me on my journey to you. Amen.

Sabbath Moments - July 17

Sabbath moments are the moments we rest in God, when we take time to just Be with God rather than Do. Sabbath moments are those times when we live in the moment and find the holy in the ordinary. I invite you to share your Sabbath moment(s) here on Saturdays. Be sure to sign into Mr. Linky below. If you don't have a blog, share about it in a comment! Hope you will join us!
Some of my Sabbath moments this week -
1. Beach day. Oh, that is always a sabbath moment and I finally got there for the first time this summer. Praise God! Just stayed an hour (as I posted already on my blog with pictures) but oh, that is an hour where I know I am just hanging out with the Lord.
2. Sunday. Lately I feel like I have been running, running, running. So I forced myself to go to the beach last week and then on Sunday, I truly took a day of rest. Reading. Resting. Even took a nap! I cannot remember the last time I did that!
3. Watching the rain fall. So peaceful and such a gift from God.
4. Listening to Christian music in my car and singing along! Almost totally zoned in on God (I gotta watch the road too).
What were some of your Sabbath moments this week?

Tiber River Review: Praying Scripture for a Change

Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina, is a book that I had been hoping to find for years. Though I have been to many classes on how to pray using Lectio Divina, and have read explanations online at various websites, I have never felt like I understood the method very well at all. It seemed rather complicated and I was never sure if I was doing it correctly.

The author, Dr. Tim Gray, simplifies the method of this type of prayer, yet is very thorough in explaining each of the stages of Lectio Divina. He gives examples of each stage and describes the process in plain English. He gives an outline of the method of prayer that is easy to follow. He also makes it interesting and uses quotes and some of the saints to help him in his explanations. The content was not dry but very interesting as well as practical.

The author reminds us also that "we are never left on our own when it comes to prayer." God is our teacher and the Holy Spirit "empowers us to pray."
I have found Lectio Divina ("divine reading") to be an effective method of praying with scripture. It helps me understand scripture more. It helps me in my prayer life and my desire to grow closer to God.

I have grown in my understanding of scripture the more I use this method. This book has gone a long way to help me in using Lectio Divina. Even if you already pray using this method, or if you just use your own method of praying with scripture, I think you will find Praying Scripture for a Change to be a good addition to your library of books on prayer. I highly recommend it.

You can purchase this book here.
I wrote this review of Praying Scripture for a Change for the Tiber River Blogger Review program, created by Aquinas and More Catholic Goods, the largest Catholic store online. For more information and to purchase, please visit Aquinas and More Catholic Goods.
Tiber River is the first Catholic book review site, started in 2000 to help you make informed decisions about Catholic book purchases.
I received only a copy of this book in exchange for writing a review for Tiber River.

Listen

Just remaining quietly in the presence of God, listening to Him, being attentive to Him, requires a lot of courage and know-how. - Thomas Merton

Listen.

Last week it was Be Still.
This week the prayer I carry with me is Listen.
Listen to God speak.
Listen to God speaking in the stillness, and the noise.
Listen to God speaking in the Mass, in scripture.
Listen to God speaking in creation - in nature, in people.
Listen to the voice within my own heart. That inner voice. 
Listen.

Thankful for Blessings - Simple Prayer of Thanks

Every Wednesday I join a special friend, Judy, in a meme that she hosts at her wonderful blog, A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings. In this meme we give thanks for the things we are most thankful for this past week. I love this meme because it helps me have an attitude of gratitude. Why not join us?
Thank you, Lord, for all your gifts.
Thank you for the blessings of family and friends - I am so grateful for my new grandson and for my sons and their families. Thank you for bringing my stepchildren and their families into my life.
Thank you for nature and beauty, for all of creation. I am so grateful this week for the beaches and for all the creatures of the sea.
Thank you for the Church, for the gifts of faith, love and hope.
And thank you, Lord, for loving me and teaching me how to love back. Amen.
So what are some of your blessings?

Sixty Seconds on Tuesday - Beach Day

On Tuesdays I join Jenny at her blog called Just a Minute. She has a meme called Sixty Seconds on Tuesday which you can read more about here. Join her on Tuesdays to preserve a precious moment in word or photo. It is fun to share!
Finally. A beach day.

Very hot. Very crowded. But still .... just being there, looking out at the endless water, calm and so blue... was like balm for my soul.

So I share a few pictures of what I saw - 60 seconds worth of the 60 minutes I was there. (and I have no idea why I took that last picture)

Loving God

He said in reply, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." (Luke 10:27)

I have often wondered what it means to love God this way. I long to love God this way. But I know that I fall short. Far short.

To love God with all my being - I have moments like that. Moments when I let go of my fear and lack of trust. Moments when I let down the walls around my heart and let God in.

To love my neighbor - I have moments like that, too. Moments when I actually forget myself and put someone else first.

To love myself - oh, this is really a tough one for me. Which probably is why I have a hard time loving my neighbor.

But I have found that the more I love God, the more I love my neighbor and the more I love myself. And then the more I love God again.

God knows what we need and when we need it. And God never gives up on us. He loves us through everything. And eventually, before we even know what is happening, we find we are able to love Him back.

With all our heart.

Lord, I love you.

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Sunday Snippets - July 11

This is the weekly Catholic Carnival! Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?

Here are my contributions for this week:

Daybook
Praying the Psalms - Psalm 26

Praying the Psalms - Psalm 26

I just love the Psalms. And I love joining Jenny at Just A Minute in Praying the Psalms every Saturday. Won't you join us? This week is Psalm 26. 

Your love is before my eyes - Psalm 26:3 

Oh, how I love this phrase. I remember the first time I read it, really read it, and it stopped me in my tracks.
Your love is before my eyes.
I prayed this phrase for days, not knowing why, only praying it over and over like a mantra. I got to the point where the words were on my lips as I woke up and were the last words I said before going to sleep.
Then one day I was hurt. I felt betrayed and unloved. And in a quiet moment, those words came to me. And I knew then why God had blessed me with them.
God wanted me to know, no matter what, that He was with me, loving me. Always.I only needed to look. 
God's love is before my eyes.

Sabbath Moment - Finding God in the Ordinary

Sabbath moments are the moments we rest in God, when we take time to just Be with God rather than Do. Sabbath moments are those times when we live in the moment and find the holy in the ordinary. I invite you to share your Sabbath moment(s) here on Saturdays. Be sure to sign into Mr. Linky below. If you don't have a blog, share about it in a comment! Hope you will join us!
Some of my Sabbath moments this week were short little moments when God got my attention with a gift of the ordinary:
1. On my way to work one morning, I saw a mother duck leading her ducklings across the busy street ahead of me. The cars slowed down and the ducks made it to the median safely. I prayed and I thanked God for caring for even His littlest creatures. And I marveled at how the ducklings followed their mother even through dangerous territory!
2. Walking across the parking lot to the chapel one day, I saw some birds running around like crazy looking for food, I assume. I always think it is funny to see birds running around on little legs, instead of flying.
3. This week I kept praying to be still. And so a few days this week, I made a point of spending some time in the chapel in the middle of my work day. I spent about 10 minutes or so in front of the tabernacle, sitting still with Jesus. Sabbath moments in the silence.

Thankful for Blessings - Freedom, Family and Faith

Every Wednesday I join a special friend, Judy, in a meme that she hosts at her inspiring blog, A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings. In this meme we list the 5 things we are most thankful for this past week. Why not join us?

Here are some of my blessings this week:
1. Rain - we have been very dry so what a relief to finally get a lot of rain this past weekend. Besides quenching the thirst of our wildlife and dry earth, it brought the humidity down to a bearable level which was a welcome blessing!
2. My hubby - he is my best friend and the love of my life.
3. My son's baking - my oldest son has taken up baking and really enjoying it. We have been reaping the benefits of this when visiting him and our daughter in law (and new grandson!)
4. The freedoms we have in this country - I sometimes take them for granted.
5. Being Catholic - I am sooo grateful that I converted over 21 years ago. Thank you, Lord, for bringing me to the Church and for loving me into new life.
What are some of your blessings?

Daybook

Reading
"I think that Jesus would flat out not live the pace of life that we're living. He would just refuse to do it because He would know that He could never hear the voice of the Father."  - Dr. Mark Brewer, in - Be Still and Know That I Am God 
Meditation

Be still and confess that I am God. - Psalm 46:11 
Praying

Lord, please help me to Be Still. Help me to slow down. Help me to put you first, in my life, in my heart. 
Words of prayer to carry with me this week 
Be still. 
Beauty in the Ordinary 
Such beauty in seeing a young family - my son and his wife and their new baby boy. Brings tears to my eyes when I think of it. And to know I am part of it.
Moments of gratitude 
So grateful for my family, for my new grandson, for my job, for my hubby, for every new day. Also, grateful for the freedom we have in our country.

Sixty Seconds on Tuesday - Just Hanging Out

On Tuesdays I join Jenny at her blog called Just a Minute. She has a meme called Sixty Seconds on Tuesday which you can read more about here. Join her on Tuesdays to preserve a precious moment in word or photo. It is fun to share!
Just in case you were worried  - I have another picture of my grandson. He is not even 3 weeks old yet. But already there have been so many precious moments. I want to enjoy every one of them! Here he is just hanging out. Or "chilling," as my son said.

Happy Fourth of July!

A blessed Sunday and 4th of July to all!

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Praying the Psalms - Psalm 25

I just love the Psalms. And I love joining Jenny at Just A Minute in Praying the Psalms every Saturday. Won't you join us? This week is Psalm 25.

Make known to me your ways, LORD; teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior. For you I wait all the long day, because of your goodness, LORD .- Psalm 25:4-5

Our greatest teacher is, of course, our Lord. He teaches us in so many ways. Through scripture and homilies. Through other people and things we read. Quick encounters with strangers. An "out of the blue" remark or event. Prayer. Blogs.
We need to open our eyes and ears to hear what the Lord wishes to teach us. And our heart. Especially our heart.
O Teacher, make known to me your ways. Teach me your paths. Lead me on the way to you, Lord. Help me pay attention so I can learn from you.

Sabbath Moment - God Hidden Within

Sabbath moments are the moments we rest in God, when we take time to just Be with God rather than Do. Sabbath moments are those times when we live in the moment and find the holy in the ordinary. I invite you to share your Sabbath moment(s) here on Saturdays. Be sure to sign into Mr. Linky below. If you don't have a blog, share about it in a comment! Hope you will join us!
1. I was tired. I was stressed. I was overwhelmed with my to-do list. In fact, I was paying TOO MUCH attention to my to-do list.
Finally, at the end of my work day, I left the office and went to the chapel and sat there before the Blessed Sacrament. Just sat there in the silence and told Jesus I was sorry for putting my tasks ahead of him, for not taking a Sabbath moment earlier when I knew I needed one.
And when I left the chapel, just after 10 minutes, I felt such peace.
Thank you, Jesus.
2.In everything, be it a thing sensed or a thing known, God is hidden within. – St. Bonaventure
After reading this verse yesterday, I sat in silence, meditating on it, grateful to have found it. Finding this verse was like receiving confirmation of a truth I have known and experienced deep inside. Taking the time to rest with God, to see God in everything, is a way of experiencing a sabbath moment. Living in the present moment and finding God.
Have you experienced some sabbath moments this week?