Let's Talk About Words

    How do we know what our deepest desires are? I was at an event where the speaker asked us, "If God asked you right now what you want, what would you say?" At first I thought that was an easy question, but then I realized a few things. First off, what I want has changed over the years. Before my children were born, I would have begged for children and a family. Then once I was a mother, I probably would have asked God for just a little time for myself, just to go for a run or read a book. So now as I get older and my daughters are in college and graduating, what would I ask for today? Which brings me to my next thought. W ould my request need to be solely for me? Everyone has their own free will and choices, so can I ask for happiness and joy for my daughters? What if my choices for them aren't their choices for themselves. Could I ask God for what I want for them? If I need to ask just for myself, what would I say?  I would like to pursue my dreams, but specifica...

   Don't we assume that a homeless person or even a very poor person must be spiritually lost to be living this way? Also don't we think that a person with success and money must be walking the righteous path with God and be in His favor to receive such a life? That is not my experience in my own life though. There have been times of abundance in my life, yet I was spiritually lost and floundering for any purpose and meaning. Now I am praying daily and looking to God, yet struggling to pay my bills and to have meaning and direction in my life. One can be found and still struggle.  One can be lost yet still appear to have earthly success.   https://twitter.com/SchulhofSusan https://www.facebook.com/susanmarie.schulhof.7

   What does it mean to walk by faith? Do I read the bible daily? How do I follow Christ? Walking by faith is an individual journey since no one else has the same experiences and circumstances as you do. Each of our journey's though, should lead us to trust in the goodness of God; of a life bigger than we can imagine for ourselves.  https://twitter.com/SchulhofSusan https://www.facebook.com/susanmarie.schulhof.7

     Dr. Gary Burge said, "A vibrant faith must know, feel and DO." What a way to look at my faith and discern what area I need to explore and develop. Do I need more knowledge? Do I need to go inward and feel God? Do I need to take action and do more to demonstrate my faith? I choose to have my head, heart and hands devoted to God. https://twitter.com/SchulhofSusan https://www.facebook.com/susanmarie.schulhof.7

     After an impactful and thought provoking message at Willow Creek Community Church tonight, I went for a walk. In these peaceful and beautiful places of beauty, I can connect and feel God.  https://twitter.com/SchulhofSusan https://www.facebook.com/susanmarie.schulhof.7

    So many people won't start running or join a health club until they lose weight or get in better shape. Just like people feel they have to be a better person before they come to church or even to pray to God. For years, I felt the same way; that I didn't deserve God's love or forgiveness. I thought that I needed to get my act together first, but it is the opposite. God welcomes us all into a relationship with him, just as we are. 

    My faith journey started out the same as anyone else being raised Catholic. I was baptized; I had my reconciliation, my first communion and my confirmation. My spiritual  foundation consisted of attending CCD, which was what religious education was called back in the 70's, and memorizing prayers and the Ten Commandments. I attended Church on the main holidays and sometimes in between, and I prayed to God at holiday meals and sometimes before bed. I felt that I was doing my part to check off  the box, religion expectation, of living a good life. I believed at the time that what I was doing was enough, but then the hard times started coming. At times the rain fell so hard, I could no longer see a blue sky in my future.    In the late 1980's, a friend and co-worker at a Girls Group Home we worked at invited me to attend Willow Creek Community Church with her. I think that she invited me because we had seen some horrible ex...

     Lily Tomlin once said, "I always wondered why somebody doesn't do something about that. Then I realized that I was somebody." There is also a great song by  Matthew West  that says "I turned my eyes to Heaven and I thought God , why don't you do something?" In the song,  God's response was "I did. I made you." We are all responsible for making changes in this world because God made all of us. Author Susan Marie Schulhof http://susanmarieschulhof.blogspot.com

"Every man takes the limits of his own field of vision for the limits of the world." -Arthur Schopenhauer Don't mistake your own limitations for the limits of God . With God, all things are possible. See no limits . Author Susan Marie Schulhof http://susanmarieschulhof.blogspot.com

    An Indian Proverb states, "Call on God , but row away from the rocks." This is great advice for me. Often when facing struggles or just wishing my life was different, I pray out for God to help me. Please get me out of debt; please help me be an author; please help me mend a relationship. I want God to swoop in and solve my problems and make my dreams come true, yet God 's answer to me is to take action. Author Susan Marie Schulhof          http://susanmarieschulhof.blogspot.com

"The search for God is like riding around  on an ox hunting for the ox." Buddhist Proverb      Sometimes in life we search and search for things that are right in front of you. We need to feel the love that surrounds us and find God all around us. Author Susan Marie Schulhof          http://susanmarieschulhof.blogspot.com

"Hope for a miracle , but don't depend on one." -Talmud       I can hope and pray for something to happen, but I must also take action. Sometimes the only action needed is to ask for help from God and from others.    Author Susan Marie Schulhof          http://susanmarieschulhof.blogspot.com

"As a well-spent day brings happy sleep,  so life well used brings happy death ." Leonardo da Vinci           The message at Willow Creek Community Church on Wednesday night addressed the importance of living well as well as dying well. We often plan and prepare for everything in life except our death . Even if we don't know when it will occur, death is inevitable.  Dying is too important not to plan for. ( Follow to hear WC message) . Make sure you live and die well.    Author Susan Marie Schulhof          http://susanmarieschulhof.blogspot.com

"Things do not change ; we change." -Henry David Thoreau    I can not count the times that I have prayed for God to change another person or to change the situation that I am unhappy with. What a light bulb moment I had when I understood that I should pray for God to change me, to help me to learn and grow from whatever and whomever I am facing. Perception changes everything.     Author Susan Marie Schulhof          http://susanmarieschulhof.blogspot.com

     Albert Einstein once said, "True religion is real living; living with all one's soul , with all one's goodness and righteousness." It seems that  the more that I read about people who have had great success in life, the more I read quotations about God , religion and beliefs by them. One definition of religion is a particular system of faith and worship. Religion is not something that you "do" on Sunday morning; it is a manner of living. Be  religious in your life.     Author Susan Marie Schulhof          http://susanmarieschulhof.blogspot.com

"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity ." -Albert Einstein    I have always pondered the meaning of life; asking why we are here and what is our purpose? I was raised Catholic but made sure that I tested the church's beliefs against what felt true to me. I raised my children to question and wonder; to never blindly believe what others tell them. I want them to always think and be curious in all areas of life.        Author Susan Marie Schulhof          http://susanmarieschulhof.blogspot.com

"Never be afraid to sit awhile and think." -Lorraine Hansbury          In my family, we often have the radio or television on even when no one is watching or listening. I even listen to music when I am out walking. I read recently that God speaks to us during moments of silence. I am going to learn to live with some silence every day because quietness is important.                                                           Author Susan Marie Schulhof http://susanmarieschulhof.blogspot.com

       Voltaire said, "We are all full of weakness and errors; let us mutually pardon each other our follies; it is the first law of nature." I know that I am not perfect ; nor are my loved ones. I sometimes joke that the people who are together are the ones that can deal with the other persons bad traits the easiest, that we stay with the people whose stuff we can deal with the most. I suppose all joking aside, I believe that we fall in love with someone that can help us learn about aspects of ourselves, even if that may include some  negative aspects as well.  That maybe is why they say that opposites attract and why our own children can drive us the most crazy of all. We all have issues and negative characteristics. There is no one that is perfect just like no one is perfect for one another. Some of the people that I have felt  hurt me the most in my life probably also feel that I hurt them deeply in return, even if I do not believe that ...