Holidays
Writing Interruptions: Handling the Holidays
“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time. Ephesians 5:15-16a” One of the biggest interruptions I deal with lasts over two months, is tons of fun, often is full of sweet family memories, and always plays havoc with my entire schedule – starting with…
Leave Martha off Your Guest Thanskgiving Guest List
Oldie But Goodie There are two words that send my normally calm husband into panic as Thanksgiving Day approaches – and they are not “dry turkey” or “lumpy potatoes.” The two words that make him break out in a cold sweat are “Martha Stewart.” My husband knows how easy it is for me to get…
Thanksgiving and Community: Who Will You Invite to Your Table
Oldie but Goodie Repost “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God.” 1 John 4:7 I used to dread the holidays. Sometimes I still do. I grew up in a NY Italian family that celebrated every holiday together. Then I…
Capture Senior Memories this Holiday
by Mary Anne Benedetto It seems as though we were just in the midst of the heat of summer with its tornado and hurricane warnings, floods, and humidity so thick it sometimes felt like you could chop it with a machete. Now here we are rapidly approaching the holiday season! Whether you are celebrating by…
The Pumpkin Gospel
The Pumpkin Gospel Open with prayer and share “Every Halloween, people carve pumpkins to make jack-o-lanterns. We’re going to carve a pumpkin too, but our pumpkin is going to teach us about the Gospel and God’s promise of heaven. Theme: We become a new creation when Jesus comes into our hearts. Supplies: Pumpkin, large bowl, newspapers, sharp…
No Greater Love Than This…
than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13 Isaiah 53 1Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us…
The Eve of Triumph
by Ron Estrada To me, this day before Easter is almost as holy as the day itself. Imagine that day, the Jewish Sabbath, a day set aside for rest and reflection. And what were the followers of Christ reflecting on that day? The death of the man they thought was the Messiah. The end of…
Here Comes the Messiah: April Fools!
Are we any different than the followers of Jesus who laid palm branches on the ground for him to pass over into Jerusalem? It was his triumphal entry. The symbolic proclamation that the Messiah had come and would change the course of history by taking his rightful place as king…and set the Jews free from Roman…
St. Patrick: The Man Behind the Holiday!
I don’t think I really started to think about St. Patrick, the man until I got married to an Irish/German/American, and had kids. Growing up, St. Patrick’s Day was all about wearing green and drinking beer. Yet, if St. Patrick was alive today, I think he’d be heartbroken over what his name has come to…
Black Friday and Thoughts on Contentment
I saw a cartoon on facebook today that said,“Don’t you think it’s ironic that Americans spend the most money on new things the day after they say they’re grateful for what they already have?” This made me stop and think. Why are we so discontent with what we have? Why the push and the need for…