It Has Been Several Years...

Mustang Island Conference Center
Episcopal Diocese of West Texas Camp
Word Art Wednesday - Weeks #710-711

It has been several years since my last blog post, as I've been extremely busy.   After I was ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church, I was placed in a small church on the Texas border.  Although there's a lot more work to be done, my church is thriving, as we spread the Gospel with our words and actions by ministering to our church family, the community, and beyond.  It is such rewarding work.

Live, Laugh, Love
Watercolor Wash Background
& Hand Lettering Tag
WOYWW 843/63

On a personal level, I am proud to say I'm now a Papa to a sweet, smart and handsome redheaded grandson, whom we call Elby.  (We're also expecting a second grandson soon!) Elby is such a delight to be around, and he also loves art as much as his Papa.

As you can see, art is still a big part of my life, as I continue to use it as a part of my daily rule of life.  Thank you Lord for this wondrous blessing!  Besides my art journaling, I still enjoy photography and making cards for family, friends, and my parish members.

In closing, I want to leave you with a passage from my sermon this morning, which was the 8th Sunday After Pentecost:

"This God is our God for ever & ever,
he shall be our guide for evermore."
Psalm 48:13
Watercolor & Hand Lettering
Art Journal Journey (Hot Summer)

"We need to “put to death… whatever in you is earthly,” as St. Paul told the Colossians in today’s reading.  Only then can we invest in ourselves, our family and neighbors, and in the world in the same ways in which Jesus invests himself; through love, mercy, compassion, justice,  hope, courage, acceptance, truth, beauty, and generosity.  This is the life God shares and invests in us through Jesus Christ.  So to be rich toward God begins with acknowledging that as part of his creation, we’re already God’s beloved treasure.  There is true freedom in accepting that wholeheartedly.  It is the freedom to live rich toward others and all our neighbors, whomever that neighbor may be.  It reveals that God provides the world with enough for everyone to share.  It declares that our life is enough, important and valuable, just like the life of others.  It eliminates the need for prejudices against others, the seduction of keeping up with the Jones, and judgment of myself and others.  It’s about being who God created us to be."

Thank you for stopping by.  Hasta luego, amigos.  Shalom!