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Blogging from A to Z

“R” is for Recovery, Revival & Remembering

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#AtoZChallenge 2019 Tenth Anniversary blogging from A to Z challenge letter R

#AtoZChallenge

So today I am playing catch up on my #AtoZChallenge because I have been a little under the weather and recovering after having my remaining 9 teeth removed last Wednesday 4/17/19 to make room for a whole mouth of new pearly white dentures. I was in a bit of pain and extremely tired since I have been unable to eat any substantially filling food for over a week. Today I will be posting for R, S, T, U, V, W and X and I will be caught up.

Recovery for me is such an important topic. Currently I am recovering from dental surgery and I can feel my mouth healing and I am so glad for that. This means we will be on our way to getting my dentures in a quicker fashion that we thought. So I am extremely happy for the work that my dentist did.

The other part of RECOVERY for me as is known through my writings is from alcoholism and addiction to cocaine. You see, recovery is never a one and done. Anyone who tells you that is is delusional. I do suffer from chronic relapse disease with returns to recovery. Today I share with two songs about recovery from addiction.  You Found Me  by The Fray and I Surrender  by  Hillsong United.

 

When I think of  REVIVAL, there is nothing greater to me than going to Mass and receiving Communion and being reminded that this Sacrament is exactly that a revival for my body and soul for that 24 hour period!! For your enjoyment Revival by Zach Williams!!

We all can use a bit of remembering that we are special  no matter what is going on in our lives. We also need to remember that we are loved and we must always love ourselves and make sure that if we are in need of assistance with any type of addiction or mental health issue that it can be found if we want it. We must remember that we will not change if we do not truly want to change!!! I give you Remember by Lauren Daigle!!

That’s what’s in “My Rattled Cage”, thanks for stopping by!!

 

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Blogging from A to Z

“Q” is for Quiet Hour

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#AtoZChallenge – “Q”

In keeping with my Holy Week theme, today is Good Friday and I am so blessed that I am alive and well although still in some pain from my extractions on Wednesday. Today I am sharing two versions of Quiet Hour. The first is a a song by Chuck Girard and takes me back to the 1970’s with it’s vibe. I was a mere youngster and preteen in the 70s.

The second is a Hymn called Quiet Hour and try and try as I might I could not find the author nor a video of it being sung so I have just included the words below from the website Songs and Praise.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Good Friday and most BLESSED Easter weekend!!!!

 

Quiet hour Hymn

Communion with my Father,
In calm and quiet hour,
Is sweet and rich in blessings,
And Spirit’s gracious power;
He speaks in tones so gentle,
He hears my humblest prayer,
In secret of His presence
I feel my Father’s care.

Refrain

O Father, Spirit, Savior,
Fill us with Thine own power;
O, lead Thy loving children
To seek the quiet hour.

When storms are fierce about me,
And sorrow’s billows roll,
I hear the Master gently
Speak peace unto my soul;
When heart is sore with anguish,
And eyes are dim with tears,
A quiet hour with Jesus
Will banish pain and fears.

Refrain

Oh, leave life’s noise and turmoil,
And seek the quiet hour,
That He who sees in secret
May give thee spirit-power;
There find your strength in weakness,
And gird your armor on,
Then forth to life’s great conflict
Till victory is won.

Refrain

That’s what’s in “My Rattled Cage”, thanks for stopping by!!!

A to Z 2019

Blogging from A to Z

“P” is for Press On, Power to Redeem and Perfect Love

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#AtoZChallenge 2019 Tenth Anniversary blogging from A to Z challenge letter P

#AtoZChallenge – “P”

Yesterday the extraction of my remaining nine teeth went well for the most part. It took a bit longer because five of the nine did what my teeth have always done when being extracted, they broke. Yesterday and today I have been resting and taking plenty of ibuprofen and Tylenol #3 as directed.

The letter “P” is a perfect letter for today as I am reminded of three important things!

1)  No matter what has gone on in my life or even what may happen on a daily basis, it is so important to Press On as Building 429 sings!!!

2) My God and his Son Jesus Christ has that all perfect Power to Redeem as Lauren Daigle tells us!!!

3) The last and most important thing to remember during this Holy Week is that God had a Perfect Love for every single one of us regardless of your faith, as Jeremy Camp sings about.

That’s what’s in “My Rattled Cage”, thanks for stopping by!!!

A to Z 2019

Blogging from A to Z

“L” is for – Living, Laying, Letting and Love!!

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#AtoZChallenge 2019 Tenth Anniversary blogging from A to Z challenge letter

#AtoZChallenge “L”

I am proud of the fact that as a Catholic Christian, everyday I am a testament to God’s grace and love. I am also proud that everyday I am striving to live and hold on to the Living Word of God as evidenced in the song of the same name by Jeremy Camp.

Everyday I must remember that I need to be  “Laying down my pride” when dealing with anything that I think is unfair because I know that my Higher Power whom I chose to call God has my back!!!! Lay Down My Pride – Jeremy Camp

 

As a recovering alcoholic and addict that is also thriving not just surviving with HIV/AIDS, being bipolar and bouts with deep depression, it is so important that I do remember that sometimes it is okay to be Letting go!!  Jeremy Camp’s Letting Go!!!

 

It amazes me every day that even when I am not my best self and when I feel like all is for naught, I am always reminded that 1) my God does love me and has a purpose for me although I do not know what it is; 2) I am truly blessed with a man who has loved me from day one even with all of my blemishes and faults; 3) I have the most loving and supportive family and friends without whose support and love, who knows where I would be!!!! So yes, “What Have I Done to Deserve Love Like This???” – Lauren Daigle

 

That’s what’s in”My Rattled Cage”, thanks for stopping by!!

A to Z 2019

Blogging from A to Z

“K” is for -Kingdom

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#AtoZChallenge “K”

Every day that God gives me the breath of life is a reminder that I am blessed and when that day comes that He decides it is time for me to leave this earth, I know I will be residing in the Kingdom of Heaven. To go even further, everyday is a my faith and my actions towards others is a reminder that I already a member of the Kingdom of God!!!

For your pleasure We Are the Kingdom by Francesca Battistelli with lyrics.

That’s what’s in “My Rattled Cage”, thanks for stopping by!!!

A to Z 2019

Blogging from A to Z

“J” is for JOY!!!!!!!

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#AtoZChallenge 2019 Tenth Anniversary blogging from A to Z challenge letter J

#AtoZChallenge “J”

So many things give me joy today as a recovering alcoholic and cocaine addict’ The fact that I am clean and sober just for today – joy! My husband of over 18 years through thick and thin – joy! My awesome family in Shore Acres, League City, Seabrook, Texas city, TX and my dad and stepmother in McDonald, TN that have shown nothing but love, compassion and support in all my ups and downs- joy! My new St. Phillip of Jesus Catholic Church parish family – joy! My most HOLY friends the Sisters of the Holy Spirit – joy, joy, joy! My other friends that I have had for two decades – joy!

But the most awesome joy providing things in my life is why we celebrate NATIONAL PET (FOUR LEGGED BABIES) DAY on April 11, 2019; our  Crissy, Little Bitty, Zailey, Sadie, and Stichy !! They are my joy and they love us so unconditionally that my heart just leaps when I walk in the door from being somewhere.

That’s what is in “My Rattled Cage” today, thanks for stopping by!!

A to Z 2019

Blogging from A to Z

“I” is for – “I Can Only Imagine”

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I

#AtoZChallenge “I”

I am very open about my Catholic faith and how I know that while I am a gay man with multiple problems from addictions to mental health issues, My God and His Son Jesus Christ love me anyways. I also am aware that God does not make any mistakes – we are all here for a reason that only he knows.

I first heard I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me in the spring of 1999 almost a year after my mother had passed on May 10th, 1998 which happened to be Mother’s Day here in the US. I started balling my eyes out because, while I knew the song was about meeting God and Jesus at death, I immediately began imagining what it would be like to see my mother again, my grandfathers, my brother that passed when I was six months old and even friends who I had lost to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. To this day 20 years later, this song can still bring me to tears and when I sing it, all of my dogs come running to me.

Mercy Me’s I Can Only Imagine was written and composed by lead vocalist Bart Millard, the song, based around a main piano track, was inspired by the death of Millard’s father and considers what it would be like in Heaven and to be standing before God. For your enjoyment here is Bart Millard telling the story behind the song along with the video.

 

That’s what’s in “My Rattled Cage”, thanks for stopping by!!!

A to Z 2019

Blogging from A to Z

“H” is for – He Knows! How Can It Be? and Here Am I!!

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#AtoZChallenge “H”

I am so happy that no matter what I am going through, I know that He Knows and He is never going to give me anything that I cannot handle!! I love this song by Jeremy Camp – He Knows!!

 

On those days when I truly feel like my life is really crazy and I don’t understand why God would even love me  because of the manic episodes and the depression, I just need to ask my God how can it be? Lauren Daigle’s – How Can It Be!!

 

During this time of Lent I am so blessed to be able to tell my God “Here Am I – send Me”. It is so important for me to be able to be open, honest and so proud of my faith that gotten me through so much in my life. Yes, here am I – send me and use me in whatever way that you see fit!!!! Mercy Me’s – Here Am I!

That’s what’s in “My Rattled Cage”, thanks for stopping by!!

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Blogging from A to Z

“G” is for Gregory – BAHAHAHAHAHA!!

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#AtoZChallenge 2019 Tenth Anniversary blogging from A to Z challenge letter G

#AtoZChallenge – “G”

I am a day late, but that is okay!!! Okay, I have decided to be a bit narcissistic for the post for “G”. “G’ is for Gregory Leon Frieden being gracious, grateful, gregarious God loving and God fearing. He may also be a bit grandiose at times, giving, very grumpy, with a loud guffaw. Gregory feels like an old geezer sometimes and he is a gampaw to Little Bitty. Gregory cannot work out at a gym because of chronic pain issues, but he wouldn’t want to anyways. Gregory is a very out and proud gay guy that does not own a gun. Now Gregory must go!!! BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

I couldn’t find a a song about Gregory so I chose the next best thing. I am a huge Elvis Presley fan and my favorite gospel Song of his is “How Great Thou Art” The video I have is from his last performance on June 19,1977

 

In addition I want to share one of my favorite Blake Shelton songs that I have dedicated to my husband because I know that God did give him to me!!! “God Gave Me You” – Blake Shelton.

That’s what’s in “My Rattled Cage”, thanks for stopping by!!!!

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Blogging from A to Z, SoCS

#SoCS 4/6/19 & #AtoZChallenge – “F”/”FAB”

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      This post is part of both #SoCS 4/6/19 – “FAB” and #AtoZChallenge – “F”

When I was younger and even now at the age of 52 I have loved the FABULOUS FABLES of Aesop. Below is the fable of The Quack Toad. The character in this fable reminds me so much of the current occupant of The White House in the United States. That individual is so adept at telling such fabulously, fabulated way of how they see themselves, our country, our allies and even our enemies. It amazes me that this man is still in office. This individual loves to tell everyone how all of the good things going on in the U.S. are because of him and only him, but yet has never taken responsibility for all of the horrific divisiveness that is taking place in our country!! During his campaign he really sounded like the quack toad with all of his rhetoric about “Make America Great Again” – by the way, Ronald Reagan he is not and Reagan was the first presidential candidate to use that slogan with a whole lot more finesse back in 1979-80!!!

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The Quack Toad Story – Aesop

An old Toad once informed all his neighbors that he was a learned doctor. In fact he could cure anything. The Fox heard the news and hurried to see the Toad. He looked the Toad over very carefully.

“Mr. Toad,” he said, “I’ve been told that you cure anything! But just take a look at yourself, and then try some of your own medicine. If you can cure yourself of that blotchy skin and that rheumatic gait, someone might believe you. Otherwise, I should advise you to try some other profession.”

For your enjoyment if you are not familiar with the Aesop’s Fables I wanted to share a free Google book with you.

Aesop’s Fables: Together with the Life of Aesop – By Aesop

 

That’s what’s in “My Rattled Cage”, thanks for stopping by!!!

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