Icons and Art

J and i had some fun the other night taking Christian images/icons and making some little art pieces with them....i think the challenge is to make the background look complimentary to the icon.

these are: 'the holy family', the 'cross of san damiano', and ade bethune's 'saint francis'

i just finished up one from st. augustine and J is working on an icon with the blessed charles de foucald and Jesus.

peace and good to you all,

In Ordinary Time

In Ordinary Time, i've sat in silence,
i've focused on a sacred word
for that day

and sought to receive from You

In Ordinary Time, i've sat with Friends,
Brethren, Strangers, Neighbors, and
fidgety children.

and sought to receive from You.

conscience is a funny thing...it needs grace and nourishment

so lead me to the wellsprings and the green pastures....

In Ordinary Time.

his sheep am i.

“Even in the midst of this life of tears and tribulations, what happiness, what great joy it is to realize that we are God’s flock! He keeps watch over us when we are awake; He keeps watch over us when we sleep. A flock belonging to a man feels secure in the care of its human shepherd; how much safer should we feel when our shepherd is God? Not only does He lead us to pasture, but He even created us.”
-st. augustine

just read this quote over Here.

which i found from reading Deacon Steve's Blog...

how timely!

how fitting!

Stuff.

'Father,
I abandon myself into your hands;
do with me what you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you:
I am ready for all, I accept all.

Let only your will be done in me,
and in all your creatures -
I wish no more than this, O Lord.

Into your hands I commend my soul:
I offer it to you with all the love of my heart,
for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself,
to surrender myself into your hands without reserve,
and with boundless confidence,
for you are my Father.'

i first heard of Charles de Foucald some years ago. i think i first read this lil' prayer in a small prayer book i got from the 'Upper Room' movement resources (methodist church)....wow, now i remember reading these little daily devotionals from them as well...they always had cool art-work and the readings for each day were usually really good....pithy...to the point.

anyway, sometimes this life 'journey' feels like it is moving along slowly. don't get me wrong, i don't want to 'rush' things a long....i'm already looking down the barrel of the '4-0' next year ha ha ha.

but, i know it is a challege for me when things feel like they're going along slowly and i feel like i'm in a 'tight' or 'tough' position.

surrender, abandonement, acceptance, ceasing to grind or strive help me stay sane (well, at least moderately so)....

so i guess i'm just posting to remind myself of these things....

Shalom, Salaam, Paz, Peace, and good to us all

put a little love in your heart

i love this picture....some of my happiest times in life have been when i've tried to encourage someone, or have thought of an act of kindness to do, or when i've randomely sent a letter or e-mail to let somebody know i was thinking of them....

this lil' picture is from a child's book on 'manners.' i read it to my kids and add my own little silly parts to make them giggle, but truth be told, i want my kids to learn about kindness and manners and how to be compassionate people....

we need more of those in this world, by God.

the musical instrument museum

went to the musical instrument museum in phoenix this weekend. they truly do a smash up job....instruments from all over the world.

my favorite stuff? well, seeing a lot of instrumental similarities between countries, hearing music from blended cultures...highlights for me were music from tunisia, samoa, mexico, puerto rico, venezuela, honduras, ireland, canada, the u.s.a., and the solomon islands....

it was hard not to touch some of the instruments (especially the bass balalaika, the martin parlor guitar, and the charangos and ukuleles....)