Progress, Not Perfection

A Song That Calms You Down A song that has always calmed me down is "Cold As You" by Taylor Swift. This song is from her first album, titled after herself which was released in 2006. You can follow this link:  https://open.spotify.com/album/7mzrIsaAjnXihW3InKjlC3  to listen to the song. The song is the emotional story of the downfall of a loveless relationship. You may be asking yourself why that would be a song that calms me down. The piano has a lot to do with it. But the honesty of the song hits my heart in a way that makes me feel calm. It's a song that I have listened to so many times and I know all of the words. I often find myself singing it when I am sad and now I barely listen to the actual song because I prefer to sing it myself. I am curious to know: what your songs are that make you feel calm and close to God and your thoughts?

A Song That Reminds You of Your Parents The song that reminds me of my parents is "Mine Would Be You" by Blake Shelton. My parents have been a true model for me my entire life of what true love looks like. It isn't always pretty and it's not like a Disney movie. There are ups and downs of course, but unconditional love always pulls through if you work for it. The song displays this perfectly, in my opinion. As for the good, Blake sings: What's your double dare, your go all in? The craziest thing you ever did? Plain as your name in this tattoo Look on my arm, mine would be you Mine would be you Sun keeps shining, back road flying Singing like crazy fools Making up our own words Laughing 'til it hurts Baby, if I had to choose My best day ever My finest hour, my wildest dream come true Mine would be you But as in all relationships, being vulnerable enough to love someone else means that there will be pain there. The song continues and Blake sh

It is during this point in our liturgical year that we truly see the "Apocalyptic Jesus" who speaks of the end of times and the afterlife. In Matthew 16:18-20, it reads: And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. The word "loose" here means to set free. Jesus is giving Peter the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. And then, mysteriously, Jesus tells them all not to tell anyone that he is the Messiah. The Gospel of Matthew places and emphasis on Jewish traditions and was likely written for a community that still considered themselves to be Jewish. This passage shows us that "Jewish-ness" but also demonstrates the departure from Hebrew traditions w