Sunday, April 30, 2006

A little prayer

In case anyone is interested, Saint Theresa is known as the Saint of the Little Ways. Meaning she believed in doing the little things in life well and with great love.

She is also the patron Saint of flower growers and florists. She is represented by roses.

St. Theresa's Prayer:

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you....
May you be content knowing you are a child of God....
Let His presence settle into your bones,
and allow your soul the freedom to sing,
dance,
praise
and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Dietrich Bonhoeffer | International Dietrich Bonhoeffer Society

Dietrich Bonhoeffer | International Dietrich Bonhoeffer Society

Have you ever heard of this guy? There was an awesome biography on him on PBS the other night. He was a German pastor and theologian who was part of a plot to assasinate Hitler.

Very cool stuff, read some of his writings, he's excellent.

Church History Book & Blog

I am putting together a history of our church for it's anninversary comittee. Since I had all these stories and pictures. AndI thought I'd throw a "blog" together.

Follow this link -http://stjohnchrteroak.blogspot.com

My home church in Phoenix, Christ Church Lutheran had a website-http://www.cclphoenix.org

Our Church in California, Bethlehem Lutheran had an AWESOME website- www.followthestar.com or http://forministry.com/USCALUCMSBLC1

I guess that I'd love to see our church now have a website. But, the committee has concerns that this new blog may make people decide not to buy a copy of the history book... so I may end up deleting it soon. Take a look and let me (or the church office) know if you like it.

Monday, April 17, 2006

Daddy's Chair

Daddy's Chair

A man's daughter had asked the local minister to come and pray with her father. When the minister arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows. An empty chair sat beside his bed. The minister assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit. "I guess you were expecting me, he said. "No, who are you?" said the father. The minister told him his name and then remarked, "I saw the empty chair and I figured you knew I was going to show up," "Oh yeah, the chair," said the bedridden man. "Would you mind closing the door?" Puzzled, the minister shut the door. "I have never told anyone this, not even my daughter," said the man. "All of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it went right over my head," " I abandoned any attempt at prayer," the old man continued, "until one day four years ago, my best friend said to me, "Johnny, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus. Here is what I suggest. "Sit down in a chair; place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. It's not spooky because he promised, 'I will be with you always'. "Then just speak to him in the same way you're doing with me right now." "So, I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I'm careful though, If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send! Me off to the funny farm."
The minister was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old man to continue on the journey. Then he prayed with him, anointed him with oil, and returned to the church.

Two nights later the daughter called to tell the minister that her daddy had died that afternoon. Did he die in peace?" he asked. Yes, when I left the house about two o'clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me he loved me and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But there was something strange about his death. Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on the chair beside the bed. What do you make of that?" The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said, "I wish we could all go like that."

Send this to four people or more, and do not break this, please. Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive.

I asked God for water,
He gave me an ocean.
I asked God for a flower,
He gave me a garden.
I asked God for a friend,
He gave me all of YOU...

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Prayers for all week

Monday
Wash Day

Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead.


Tuesday

Ironing Day


Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice I have collected though the years so that I may see the beauty in others.


Wednesday

Mending Day


Oh God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for others.


Thursday

Cleaning Day


Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.


Friday

Shopping Day


Oh God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal
happiness for myself and all others in need of love.


Saturday

Cooking Day


Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and serve it
with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.


Sunday

The Lord's Day


Oh God, I have prepared my house for you. Please come into my heart so I may spend the day and the rest of my life in your presence.

Monday, April 10, 2006

Wild Art

Check out WILD ART
that's where you'll find...

1. My paintings, drawings, and prints
2. My photographs & digital images
3. My cartoons
4. Artworks or photos by some of my students
5. Some of my favorite paintings by famous artists and why I like them.