My religion

Since time began, man (and woman) has been trying to change God's plan to what suits them. Interpret God to suit there own agenda. 

Which religion is "right"? Which bible is the "true" word of God? Which Doctrine is the "correct" way to worship? Who's side is He on? Well, for that matter, which "God" is the true God? 

I think there is one God, that has been God since before time. When he created man, man decided to define Him. Since then we have splintered into so many definitions of Him that all we can do is argue over who and what He is. 

Instead of arguing over that, I choose (free will to do so in this country) to keep it as simple as possible: love God, as I know Him, (God is Love) trying always to get closer to Him; and to display the same love and forgiveness He gives me, to other human beings. All of them, not just the ones I agree with, or am similar to. 

This includes humans that fly flags that scare me a little. Humans that don't worship God as I see Him. Humans that are republican, and humans that are democrat. Humans that are assholes. I don't have to like them to love them. Also humans that don't worship God. Humans that worship different gods. 

If I haven't lost you by now, let me get into how I come to this philosophy. My "book of Gods word" tells me these things:

1. We cannot be God, we are human. We all fall short, and are guilty of something. We just simply cannot work our way into being without a fault. 

God knows this. I know this. We have an understanding. 

2. God, through Jesus, provided my forgiveness of this human condition. he filled the gap. He paid my debt. He takes the punishment for the bad things I do. 

3. I try to live a life of gratitude to this God who completely understands me, forgives me, and loves me despite of myself. 

I don't wish to offend anyone for their belief or non belief. I just had the overwhelming urge to post my belief. 

If you believe in God and want to please Him, maybe today you could post something loving instead of spreading hate. Just a little. Please.

Twitters, whistles and chirps

Dad's house was quite the buzz this morning, though we saw no bees. 

There were as many as 10 hummingbirds, though the best I got in one photo, one feeder, was 3.

Many of them live in the cedar trees and the 2-story camellia bush, in the background of this photo. 

I loved spending time with such tiny, perfectly made marvels. 

An evening at the opera

This was a new experience for me. I quite enjoyed it. 

Les Misirables

This was taken from the wings last night, as Jessica performed On My Own. 

Amelia Musical Playhouse has sold every seat for every performance of their run. Congratulations! 

The entire cast, crew and orchestra have worked so hard to make this happen. I have only seen it once, as it is not my favorite. The music and voices are phenomenal. The timing is outstanding. The emotion is overwhelming throughout the theater. Jessi's performance of On My Own had the entire house mesmerized. Then she tops it with her death scene, singing A Little Fall of Rain. I heard sniffling everywhere. 

Jeff Groden-Thomas as Jean Valjean sings a spine-tingling Bring Him Home, it was beautiful. 

I don't mean to discount any of the performers by not mentioning them. Bill's voice so deep and resonant as Javert, Zach's wonderful tenor as Marius, Kara's I Dreamed a Dream was heartwrenching, Lena hitting that high note(!) and so many more. It was truly fabulous. 

My favorite things

Well,other than a quiet cup of coffee in the morning, my favorite thing is a road trip. Relaxed, unhurried and impulsive. After calling my Dear Hubby to say we were halfway there..."Halfway WHERE?" "THERE!"...he asked me why. Hmm. I don't know why. Just for the love of the trip, I suppose. 

We stopped along the way at several roadside parks and snapped some nice shots as the sun made its way to the horizon. 

Pretty photos of my daughter