God Research

“– University of Oxford researchers will spend nearly $4 million to study why mankind embraces God. The grant to the Ian Ramsey Center for Science and Religion will bring anthropologists, theologians, philosophers and other academics together for three years to study whether belief in a divine being is a basic part of mankind’s makeup.”

“One researcher said anthropological and philosophical research suggests that faith in God is a universal human impulse found in most cultures around the world.”
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I found this little blurb made me chuckle. How on earth do they plan to “study” this particular subject. I’d do it for a lot less money, but I think I can give you my theory today for nothing!

I’m all for God. Of course there is a basic part of mankind’s makeup that is universal.
We ALL are searching for something. Remember that passion inside to “find what you are looking for in seeking happiness and peace?”

Have you ever heard that when you hold close to you whatever your faith proclaims, or whatever you have found true to be God, that you enjoy that “PEACE BEYOND UNDERSTANDING.”

As a Christian (my own one world kind) I have believed for decades that the emptiness people feel comes from not filling the place in our hearts that God himself put there to be “nourished and filled” with love for him and praise for him.

We need food and water. We need exercise. These things nourish our earthly body.
Our living soul. Our Spirit that is housed within needs nourishment too. The living
waters…..like an organ withers as it doesn’t get the nutrients and things it needs to
survive…..we cannot live FULLY without God.

As the Master, Spiritual leader, and Father OF US ALL he gave us
strong bodies, intellect, and the built in human impulse to seek Him. When faith comes alive and powerful in us, it fills that gap and heals us. It empowers us and that impulse becomes a passion to reflect his love and peace.

It brightens our lives and that light is a beam for others. The peace comes because that
Spirit that was given us within becomes powerful and radiant. In my humble opinion,
we were made to worship God, love each other, and we were given the free will to make our choices in which direction we choose to go.

Some think the “narrow” road means no fun, no life, so strict and cold. Phooey! God
wants us to have fun and enjoy our lives, and the narrow road (I believe) is simply
only big enough to have faith and love within the perimeter of it.

As we cling to our faith the road will open to make our lives full and happy. We don’t
cling for fear (though I have great respect for God’s awesome power and might), we
cling to worship, give thanks for our lives and the ability to CHOOSE, and for the power of love!

That inborn human impulse is real. Anyone who has love and USES it….anyone who
firmly walks with personal faith….and remembers to thank God and use the power of prayer….will find inner peace that rocks!

I’m not telling you to THINK the way that I do, or believe what I believe. But I am telling you that when you quit resisting believing in something, more profound that can be seen, your life will improve in increments and peace will find you!

You can’t literally SEE the wind, but you know it’s there. The leaves on trees whisper it, the chimes hanging on the porch sing of it, the sails on a boat fill and move it, the signs are all there when the wind is active.

Look around you. Take a chance. When you feel alone or that your vessel is empty,
take a chance and see if you can find what your living soul NEEDS to thrive and survive.

No one has all the answers, but I promise if you open your heart and seek God- He will find you!

I am grossly out of step with the new format!

I wasn’t even “in step” with the old….just faking it. I might have a bit of time now, in between welcoming new babies in the family, to read a bit and try to understand. I learn easily by watching - but reading takes me a while longer. It really takes longer since all of this is just like new language to me. Yes, I have written 200+ posts - but I write, and that’s what I do. I take photographs too. Those things are a piece of cake!~ Putting together this blog seems like a real challenge to me!
This is a GREAT alternative to plastic bags. Most aren’t as they are way too small.
I found this hummer at Safeway and the price was $4.99 (but it’s a deal since you get two!). We all have to do our parts in trying to save the planet. It’s for damn sure the corporations and $$$$$ making machines will still keep cranking out the plastic bottles, and useless other plastic containers. Don’t you love getting a prescription with a bottle that is six times larger than the amount in it? What’s up with that?
This dandy little bag folds small and fits right in a glove compartment or purse. Very cool.
Okay, I lied. My weekend “may” be pretty busy and then Monday through Thursday I
will be staying with my daughter and her new baby daughter - so I probably won’t get back again till the end of next week. I love reading all the wonderful and unique posts on wordpress and wish I could respond to so many that I just don’t have time to do so!
Anyway, it’s been fun (again-rather adictive, eh?)…..keep on being happy! It is the best choice. I tried being miserable. It sucked, so I gave it up! Really.
Now I am (and have been for many moons) the human happy face. Speaking of moons….full moon sunday so if things are “out of sorts” or “out of wack” or just plain weird, it could be the full moon coming on! Be aware and CREATE the best weekend ever for you and those around you….what you give WILL come back to you. Make it wonderful!

Love the sky, stars, sun, moon, and clouds!

These photos were snapped while I was “out and about” running errands - on several different days. I
looked up, grabbed my handy camera (which I carry all the time) and snapped!

The rain cloud was almost ready to burst in this first photo. The second was just a lovely sky with clouds, and the third was stunning. When I looked - the blue was so deep and the little white cloud so white!

My favorite? The rain clouds, of course. They were so massive and wild.

What a beautiful and wonderful world we have if we just remember to LOOK!

WHAT IS THIS?

10 years ago when I first saw it, the circle was much smaller and closer to the sun-looked like a ring around the sun filled with smog. Today I happened to look and the ring is MUCH MUCH bigger than it was. I did
a photo merge.

DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEA what causes this. I do not remember EVER seeing it before about 10 years ago-and I am a gazer at the sky….

Please share with me if you know / or even if you think you know!

THIS ISN’T FUNNY!

All of us need to see a doctor once in a while. If we have children, that happens for sure.
About 8 years ago I found a feminine MD whom I thought was wonderful. After 4 years of TRUSTING her, I called for an appointment one day and she had moved to Idaho. (This was the SECOND time my doctor left town without notice or warning. ) The first was also a woman who just closed the doors and left for India!

Needless to say, this second time I was not very happy. All my records had been sent to her former partner-a male physician. I paid the “first timer” initial visit to him, though I thought it not very nice. Therein he became my doctor. He has been a wonderful doctor until TODAY! I called to ask a question and was told: “the office closed permanently on the 7th.”

Stunned, I asked what happened. “Don’t know”, the operator replied, “Even his staff didn’t know.”

Most things don’t phase me, but this is pure and simple B.S. No notice, no chance to ask for records, NADA! Bye bye, gone, see ya later.

I asked where my records are and she said, “Oh they’ve been sent to another doctor. Here is his information.”

Of course he is all the way across town, I HAD NO CHOICE IN THE MATTER, and check this out- HE DOESN’T TAKE CASH!

After all, I am just a pheasant! On top of it I have to pay a “new client fee” if I even want to see him. Again, I am livid.

The thing is it is B.S. We PAY to trust our physician, and the least they could do is give a bit of notice and some choice in the matter.

HERE IS THE MAIN THING I AM SUGGESTING TO YOU. I had a little mama who was sharp as a tack. She told me ALWAYS keep a record of your visits. You may have to initially ask and sign a release form, but BE SURE TO GET YOUR RECORDS REGULARLY. At least this gives you options!

Now take a breath and try to relax. I am! BY THE WAY,

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! Hug or kiss someone NOW - hug yourself!
Luckily, I did so, and I have all my records! This suggestion goes for you, your children, your parents, whomever…..We do have rights! We have the right to see what has been written about us, and the right to keep track of our treatment!

PLEASE RIGHT NOW, NEXT TIME SOMEONE GOES TO THE DOCTOR TELL THEM YOU WANT A COPY OF ALL YOUR RECORDS! Mine didn’t cost anything as I’ve done it each visit….I
don’t know about if you have to get them from the start.

Stay well and maybe you won’t need one of these “Practicing” physicians!

The Here and the Now

Learn to appreciate the HERE and NOW : Last night I was thinking how boring doing the dishes was after washing millions of dishes in my lifetime. Then for some reason it suddenly hit me.

I wondered how difficult it would be to wash these dishes if I were blind.
I closed my eyes and attempted to wash the rest of the dishes. IT WAS SO MUCH MORE DIFFICULT THAN I IMAGINED!

When I opened my eyes I realized I had used the sense of “touch” to make sure the dishes were clean. I had to really use my hands to find what I was looking for, and it was tough.

Then my mind really began to race. I thought of all the tasks I do and how easily I can do them. I have eyes to see, legs to walk, ears to hear, and arms to use. Many of our veterans (and citizens who’ve never been through the horror of war) are not so fortunate.

Then I thought of 3/4’s of the world not having a toilet to clean, or running water to get a drink, or a bed to curl in at night. Oh my God - and I
mean no disrespect - my God -how I am so grateful for all those things I take for granted every day.

I think I will use my vocal cords tonight when I do the dishes and sing a
little song of thanks for all that we are given that are dismissed as less than a blessing!

Do you really think this is all just an accident of nature?

Use your intellect. Do accidents look like this?

I think not!

Be kind to your animals - they are gifts!

Yes, I do spoil mine! Buck has been a friend, a protector, and lots of fun to hike with for 10+ years now. He has
his own couch, and the blanket is also a jacket for when it’s very cold. It’s unbelievable to me, but he also senses when I am sad (comes over and puts his head on my knee); when I’m mad (he comes up and looks at me and calms me down), and he has a vocabulary too. Lastly, he doesn’t care if I am a disaster to see-he loves me anyway!

All pets should be treated with kindness and appreciation. They offer unconditional love - and that’s something we humans should learn to practice more often.

Sometimes in life….

…..we get so busy and tired that we forget the good things - the small comments made that reflect love, the simple acts of kindness we do for one another, the promises kept.

The many blessings we take for granted aren’t recognized; only the things that present a disturbance in “our own personal vision” of what life should be. The responses of others not “in sync with our own perceptions” become eminent.

We forget that our bodies change and with each change we are affected in some minute way. We laugh one minute, and cry the next.

Ah that we could receive the luxurious love we bestow on the world. But to give love fully must be with no requirements. For if we love, we do it because we choose to do so. We cannot “force” others to love - only show them what it is!

Love someone with your mind and heart this weekend - a relative, a friend, a neighbor, a partner, maybe a pet! Animals need love too Now get busy!