Gates & Chasms vs Jesus

 Welcome!  ¡Bienvenidos!  It was a busy, but blessed week, as my wife and I took a 4-hour trip up to the Austin area to celebrate my oldest grandson's 2nd birthday.  Then, I celebrated a Grandparent's day service at my church's parochial school on Friday morning.  I also had 2 Eucharistic services today, one at St. James Episcopal Church, in Del Rio, Texas, where I'm the Rector, and one a St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, in Brackettville, Texas, where I serve as their supply priest.  I thank God to have my artwork to decompress, meditate, and pray.  God is good all the time!

St. James Episcopal Church, Del Rio, Texas Photograph
WAW Anything Goes - Weeks #718-719
What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday - 851/71

Today, I'm sharing a photograph of my church that was taken at night.  I used the Procreate app to layer the scripture from Word Art Wednesday.  "The mission of St. James Episcopal Church is to care for, love, and support our parish family and to connect with our community to do God’s work."  We do this by caring for each other, through the work we do with the children at our elementary school, by helping the poor, feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, and working for justice amongst all people.  Hence, I felt the WAW scripture choice was very apropos.  (BTW, I want to thank Karen and her talented Design Team Members for granting me a Top 3 Award for my 9/14/2025 blogpost entry!)

Boo!  Halloween Card
Freshly Made Sketches #705 - A Sketch by Narelle

For my second project, I have a card I made for my new grandson.  I was originally going to use a card that I made earlier for both of them, but decided he needed his own.  I used the Freshly Made Sketch in a horizontal position, and replicated the stripes using 3 different strips of washi tape, over a piece of Kraft cardstock that I embossed using the Sizzix Tim Holtz Poison embossing folder.  Using various scraps of cardstock, I cut a generic pumpkin die cut shape, and dressed it up using the Sizzix Tim Holtz Tailored set's straw boater and bow tie thinlits.  I used the Sizzix Tim Holtz Noted word bubble paperclip to add the sentiment.  I added all the finishing details using markers.

Smash Book Double Page Spread
Lasting Memories Layout Challenges; LM 770 - Mood Board #1
Friday Face Off 9/26/25
Try It On Tuesday - Pretty Papers
T Stands for - Christmas Drinks

For my third project, I have a 2-page spread I did in my Smash book.  I haven't done any scrapbooking since 2016, so I had tons of photographs to sort through, choose from, and print.  In order to catchup, I literally "smashed" 4 celebrations into these 2 pages.  Hence, I felt the weaving pattern of the pages fit perfectly, and I was able to bring it all together with the Lasting Memories mood board color scheme.  I did this by using different paper prints and solids to create the pocket envelope and tag, labels, die cut embellishments, and stamped holly image.  It was wonderful to relieve all those special moments, as I worked on the layout.

In closing, I'll leave you with a summary of my sermon this morning.  The Gospel appointed for today came from Luke 16:19-31, where Jesus tells the parable about the Rich man and Lazarus.  I explained that we create the gates that divide us in this world, such as the one that divided the rich man and Lazarus.  Some other gates include man or woman, black or white, gay or straight, Muslim or Christian, liberal or conservative, or any other divisions you can think of.  These gates can easily become chasms between people, which are a condition of the heart, mind, and spirit.  Therefore, we need to examine our own heart, mind, and spirit to find the gates that separate us from ourselves, our loved ones, our neighbors, our enemies, and ultimately from God.  We can open our gates and fill the chasms, by following Jesus' loving life example.

Thanks for your visit, and may God bless you.  Gracias por tu visita, y que Dios te bendiga.  Shalom!

Arnoldo+