UPDATE: Four Paws Lifeline has released a book of pet stories, told from the point of view of the pet. This lovely book will help raise funds for this organization which provides help for vet expenses. Four Paws and 31 Tales is available from Amazon for only $10 — pick up your copy today and support this wonderful organization.
My guilty pleasure is my love of cats. I have two that I spoil (Jenny and Rameses); I also spend time watching live kitten cams and chatting with other cat lovers. I grew up with dogs and love them too.
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.
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.
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
Do technology upgrades drive you crazy? What if they could teach you about how you react to change in your life? In my latest column for Catholicmom.com., I draw connections between how we react to technology change and the curve balls that life can throw at us. Here’s a tease …
Recently I posted on my beasone.org blog about big changes coming to my site (I have totally revamped it with a fresh new look and lots of extras). Even as I was gushing on and on in my post about how “this will translate into a more enjoyable experience for you,” I thought about how much I dislike website upgrades.
I could hear myself grumbling: “Why change it; I like it just the way it is!” “I can’t find my favorite posts!” “Where is the contact information; I want to complain!”
An ungracious response
I remember a few Christmases ago when I had asked for a new iPod, specifically telling my husband that I did not want the then-new touchscreen technology. I just wanted something that played music and held more of it. When I unwrapped the box on Christmas morning I saw an iPod. With touchscreen technology. I did not react with grace and you know you’re being a jerk when your own kids call you out on it! Yet within a week (after profusely apologizing) I was hooked, having discovered apps …
Sound like you?Click here to read on, and offer your comments on how you feel about change.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
Note: Be as One subscribers–go here to find out this change will affect you.
Change can be disconcerting but also invigorating. A perfect example is when I switched from the iPhone 4 to the 5S. The feel of the phone was completely different due to major changes in the operating system. It yanked me out of my comfort zone and at first, I had a hard time adjusting.
And then, I discovered Siri. I found I could dictate my emails, text messages, Facebook posts and tweets. I tend to brainstorm a lot in the car and need something that easily captures my thoughts. Enter my new best friend. Siri. 🙂
Now I love my iPhone 5S!
I say this because Be as One is about to undergo a major change:
A whole new look.
Lots of resources including:
Videos
New Music
and practical exercises known as Flow Lessons from my book, River of Grace.
Blog posts, past and present, will be easier to find.
And hopefully this will translate into a more enjoyable experience for you.
Here’s a preview of the new logo:
How will these changes affect you?
If you subscribe to Be as One through my email list, you will still be notified when something new is posted.
However, if you subscribe through WordPress, you will no longer receive email notification (although your Reader will still feature new posts).
I have many wonderful things to share with you, the most exciting being the launch of River of Grace on October 30.
I will be offering some wonderful freebies and incentives over the next few months to celebrate my book launch (including sneak peaks at the book)and I want you to be a part of it.
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.
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”→
UPDATE: Four Paws Lifeline has released a book of pet stories, told from the point of view of the pet. This lovely book will help raise funds for this organization which provides help for vet expenses. Four Paws and 31 Tales is available from Amazon for only $10 — pick up your copy today and support this wonderful organization.
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 
Be as One 