Faith – Page 10 – Be as One

Fun Facts Friday: Dr. Seuss and historical women books; feral cat success story; fun in the mud; kayak adventures; singing for the Pope

Published on July 31, 2015 by susanwbaileyLeave a comment

Books

This book cover image released by Random House shows "What Pet Should I Get," by Dr. Seuss. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP Photo/Random House — This book cover image released by Random House shows “What Pet Should I Get,” by Dr. Seuss. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP Photo/Random House

“What Pet Should I Get?”, a recently discovered Dr. Seuss work, is on sale starting July 28.

Apparently. Dr. Seuss’ wife discovered a carton with manuscripts in the attic. AND, this book is just the beginning!

How cool is that???

Novels About Real-Life Women Are Saving Forgotten History

Some fascinating women in history are explored through these interesting historical fiction novels.

Cats

People for Happier Cats – Compassionate Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Pilot for Feral Cats

This is an amazing initiative by Tinykittens.com with a feral colony of cats. The first experiment, that of trapping a pregnant feral so that she could give birth in in a warm and safe place resulted in her four kittens being totally socialized and adopted out to loving families while the mother cat was returned to the colony where she would be the happiest.

Nature/Education

Fun in the mud: Children benefit from exposure to nature

How many of us remember making mud pies? Hiking in the woods? Splashing in a stream? Observing birds and butterflies? Every kid needs to experience the outdoors and this program offers some amazing options.

Kayaking

Kayaking Through the Apostle Island Sea Caves

Check out this video of a kayak trip through the Sea Caves of Apostle Island – heavenly!

War veterans say kayaking helps them cope with combat trauma

As an avid kayaker familiar with its therapeutic benefits, I can see how this would be a tremendous benefit to our vets.

Music

As you all seemed to enjoy the video I posted of Sarah Hart singing “Praying from a Broken Heart” so I thought I’d share this:
October 26, 2013 – Sarah Hart singing in St. Peter’s Square for Pope Francis and a crowd of 150,000; Sarah meeting the Pope at the end of the video

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Changing your Outlook: Reflections on the Sunday Gospel (John 6:1-15) by Father Steven LaBaire

Published on July 26, 2015 by susanwbaileyLeave a comment

I am pleased to present this guest post from Father Steven LaBaire, pastor of Holy Family Parish in Worcester, MA.

In preparation for mass this Sunday:

This morning the U.S. Surgeon General was interviewed on the radio. Not surprisingly, he was talking about medicine and health.

He said, “People tend to think that healthy people are happier people… That might be true.”

“But,” he added, “ so much science and research is pointing to the fact that happy people are healthier people.

People who choose to be happy, end up being healthier overall. So it works the other way around. Choose happiness first and health follows. “

Riccardo Cuppini Happiness, Flickr Creative Commons

That’s an interesting way of looking at it: Happiness is a choice we make. It isn’t something that just suddenly “happens.” A person’s chosen outlook can often change the course and outcome of things.

That goes to the heart of this week’s gospel: Jesus feeding an immense crowd of people with very few resources, some bread and a few fish.

Some argue that Jesus simply got everyone in the crowd to share what they brought with them. Who would bother to leave home and travel in the wilderness without food in the first century? If people saw Jesus and his disciples sharing a few loaves and fishes with others and by that were inspired to share what they had brought themselves, isn’t that miracle enough? Good point.

On the other hand, if humans can fly to the moon and defy the laws of gravity, why couldn’t God defy the laws of nature and “miraculously” multiply loaves to feed a huge crowd in order to teach a lesson about how we ought to live? Can’t God do more than our minds can imagine? That’s a good point too.

Either way, there is a lesson here about life: God begins to work in us when we focus on what we have rather than what we lack.

BK Gratitude changes the way we look at the world, Flickr Creative Commons

Start your day, start your next big project focusing on what you have been given, blessed with.

Focusing on what you lack, on what you don’t have will leave you disappointed and afraid.

Jesus got people to be grateful and use what they had. He dared them to trust that what had would go much further than they imagined.

And somehow, they ended up dealing with the challenge at hand: everybody got fed.

Outlook can change a lot. Jesus knew that.

Our way of looking at the day can leave us feeling happy or starving.

You choose.

I choose.

We all choose.

Praying with a Broken Heart by Sarah Hart

Published on July 25, 2015 by susanwbailey2 Comments

Sarah Hart is a prolific songwriter of faith-based songs. She has won a Grammy award for song she co-wrote for Amy Grant and a earned a gold record for a song she co-wrote for the Newsboys.

This is her first video for a song called “Praying with a Broken Heart,” from her album, Above Earth’s Lamentation. In this song she describes a common prayer experience of “Where are you, God?”

Sometimes it seems our prayers hit the ceiling and go no further. There is no stirring in the heart, no sense of consolation. No warmth. And yet we are told that in those moments of cold and doubt, God is closer to us than ever. Perhaps so close that we just plain miss him.

I know I often feel that in the middle of the night when fear is magnified. Jesus knew that on the cross when he cried out, “Why have you abandoned me?”

Sarah’s song reminds us that faith is more than what we feel. It needs to get beyond feeling to the knowing:”I know you are there!”

When I push through my fear in middle of the night to that knowing, it gets better, even if the fear is still there.

How about you?

Visit sarahhart.com to hear more of Sarah’s music and see where she is appearing.

Welcome to Be as One 2.0!

Published on July 23, 2015 by susanwbaileyLeave a comment

I am so excited to share this wonderful new version of Be as One with you all! Allow me to give you a tour of the new home. Just click on the headline to go to the page.

Home page

Here I pose a simple question: How would your life change if you were connected to God? Clicking on that question will take you to a short video where I share how a renewed connection with God changed my life into one of adventure and exhilarating discoveries.

About/Contact

On this page you can find out more about me, from my work and passions to my family and pets. There is contact information and a media kit in case you would like to bring me to your parish or group to speak. And, there is a video explaining the beginnings of the Be as One site and how we as a community can share in the blessings of making a firm connection to the Spirit of God within us.

Blog/Topics of Interest

I am particularly excited about this page! This is the home of all of my blog posts, organized in a way that will make them easier to find. You will see many topics listed in the main menu. I have many interests that I love sharing with you and I’d love to hear about yours!

You will see two sliders (aka, slide shows) of blog posts: the one on the left highlights the latest posts while the one on the right highlights the most popular posts. You can advance the slide show yourself by clicking on the arrows; just click on the image to get to the blog post.

Resources

This page is a work in progress. I have just begun loading practical and prayerful exercises that you can do yourself called Flow Lessons. They are featured in my book, River of Grace: Creative Passages Through Difficult Times (read more about my book here). They are designed to help make a connection between a common everyday experience and deeper spiritual truths. I hope you enjoy them!

I have also loaded several videos that you can use for personal devotion. Currently there are videos on the Rosary and the Stations of the Cross, along with meditative videos with lovely scenes and peaceful music. I will be adding more in the future.

There are also videos highlighting my music and personal appearances.

Let me know what you think of these resources in the comments section below. Share them around with your friends. And thanks for visiting!

Books and Music

Here is where I display all my wares for sale including my book, River of Grace, my sung rosary, The Critter Room Memory Book for you cat lovers plus all of my CDs (with links to digital music). I even have an easy One-Stop Shopping link if you already know what you want to buy. Your purchases are the fuel keep my ministry engine running and I am so appreciative of your support!

And last but not least …

Live Appearances

Here you can find out not only where I have been speaking but how you can invite me to your church, group or conference. I enjoy presenting at all kinds of venues from small and intimate groups to large auditoriums. Along with speaking I also provide live music!

Here are topics I speak on
You can see here where I have previously presented.
I have provided several references with contact information.
And finally, you can go to the Book Me link to find out how we can begin a conversation about my coming to present for you!

So, that’s it! I hope you have enjoyed the tour. Please share your impressions on the website and if there is something I can add that could help you, let me know.

Obligated to Rest: Reflections on the Sunday Gospel Mark 6:30-34 by Father Steven LaBaire

Published on July 18, 2015March 23, 2016 by susanwbaileyLeave a comment

Most people experience a different rhythm of life during the summer months.

School is out. People head out on vacation or go away. One need only look at the volume of traffic in Worcester as ask, “Where did everyone go?”

During the summer, many of us experience a “slowing down” of the pace of life. Continue reading “Obligated to Rest: Reflections on the Sunday Gospel Mark 6:30-34 by Father Steven LaBaire” →

Three ways your smart phone can strengthen your faith

Published on July 15, 2015March 22, 2016 by susanwbaileyLeave a comment

This is from my recent Tech Talk column on Catholicmom.com. Portions of this article were taken from my upcoming book, River of Grace: Creative Passages Through Difficult Times, from Ave Maria Press. It is available on Amazon.

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You and your smartphone are tied at the hip. Emails, phone calls and Google Calendar reminders direct your day’s activities. What if that same smartphone could help you develop spiritual discipline? Continue reading “Three ways your smart phone can strengthen your faith” →

Confession of a timid soul

Published on July 12, 2015March 23, 2016 by susanwbaileyLeave a comment

My latest Catholic Free Press column.

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The recent ruling by the Supreme Court on the legal state of marriage has reverberated across the country. People cannot stop talking about it and the conversations are often heated. A seismic shift has taken place in our culture. It caught me unprepared for the personal storm of confusion and fear that I would experience as a result.

Facing the inevitable

Christians are facing a “brave new world.” Confrontation is now inevitable; I cannot avoid it no matter how uncomfortable it makes me feel. I have to be clear as to what I think and how I feel and learn how to express it both firmly and in love, as Jesus would do. Continue reading “Confession of a timid soul” →

Traveling light–what baggage are we carrying? Reflections on the Sunday Gospel Mark 6:7-13 by Father Steven LaBaire

Published on July 10, 2015March 23, 2016 by susanwbaileyLeave a comment

I am pleased to present this guest post from Father Steven LaBaire, pastor of Holy Family Parish in Worcester, MA.

In preparation for mass this Sunday:

“Jesus summoned the twelve and began to send them out ..He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money for their belts…so they went off and preached everywhere.” (Mark 6:7-13)

Sending people out on a journey virtually empty-handed may sound like bad advice.

Historians now tell us that it was the BEST advice. Continue reading “Traveling light–what baggage are we carrying? Reflections on the Sunday Gospel Mark 6:7-13 by Father Steven LaBaire” →

Latest Catholic Free Press Column – Lessons learned from crazy cat people

Published on June 17, 2015March 23, 2016 by susanwbaileyLeave a comment

This is my latest monthly column for The Catholic Free Press.
I have now admitted in print that I am a crazy cat lady! 🙂

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I am a crazy cat lady. There, I said it.

While I have two cats of my own, that’s only the beginning. I also follow live kitten cams online and chat regularly with the many viewers. My main reason for visiting Facebook is to follow the lives of foster kittens after they have been adopted. Continue reading “Latest Catholic Free Press Column – Lessons learned from crazy cat people” →

Celebrate with Song: “Teach Me to Love”—the first person to post a comment wins a free copy of this song!

Published on June 11, 2015 by susanwbailey2 Comments

Celebrating second chances in song

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“Teach Me to Love,” recorded in 2000, is one of my favorite songs for several reasons.

@Peta_de_Aztlan Mother-Teresa-collage. Flickr Creative Commons

It’s about Blessed Mother Teresa.

Mother Teresa died right around the same time that Princess Diana died. With Diana dominating the headlines, there was very little attention focused upon what had been a living saint. It was then that I sat down and wrote “Teach Me to Love” so that I could honor this woman small in stature who loomed large in her service to the poor.

Who is that singing with me?

I love “Teach Me to Love” for another reason– because my daughter Meredith, then eleven, sang on this song with me. Here she is in the recording studio:

This is the result:

Eight years later, Meredith and I had a chance to sing “Teach Me to Love” at our parish coffeehouse and someone captured it on video:

Part of the healing process

“Teach Me to Love” was an important song when it came to learning to sing again after losing my voice. In River of Grace I write,

“That first small step back to music was taken with my high school confirmation class. After hearing a speaker who had worked with Mother Teresa, we returned to our classrooms to discuss it. As music has a unique way of conveying a message, I wanted to present the right song to the class that would affirm what we had learned about Mother Teresa’s mission while creating an atmosphere conducive to prayer and reflection. Searching through my iPod, I came upon one of my own songs called “Teach Me to Love.” The words were perfect but the song was recorded in a way that would not produce the ambiance I desired. I paused, wondering if I still had the voice to sing it live in front of my students. Singing to them in person would create a sense of intimacy that a recording could never achieve. I decided to go for it. I loved these kids and wanted to give them the best opportunity for meaningful prayer and reflection. The result was that sweet stillness in the air followed by spontaneous applause. By overcoming fear I was able to lead my students into a sacred moment. I gave; the gift was returned, and it became a prayer.”

“Teach Me to Love” is part of the Teach Me to Love CD.