Happy Christmas, 2007

All God's best blessings on your Christmas and the New Year, from the youth ministry at St. Michael and St. George, in St. Louis, MO!

May He use you today to bring His love to your students and their families, even if you don't know how you did it.

And may the Holy Spirit rest on you as you stand in Christ's presence tonight.

Heaven is a place where batteries are included

Heaven is a place where batteries are included.

Slot A always matches tab B.

All the boltholes are completely threaded.

Heaven is a place where gas stations don't sell gifts, so you're never tempted to give less than your best.

Anyone else in the spirit tonight?

Nine days, they tell me...

Here's what I was thinking about Christmas last year, back when the RYW blog was brand new (been going for a full year now): Did We Kill Him Because He Cried?

And something far less reverent, but still illustrating in some small way the hope this season brings: a video to "Christmas Wrapping" by the Waitresses, a song I just heard the other day, I think for the first time.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all the readers of the RYW blog! I hope you're all having a great and relaxing day.

I can hear you thinking "Relaxing? Is he serious?" Well, I'll share two things that should help. The first is the email I sent to the church school teachers this week with their lesson plan:

"I hope you'll get some rest. In fact, go to your to-do list right now, cross something off and replace it with "Rest and be with God." It's vital that we relax so that we're at our best when God needs our attention."

And the second is this recipe for pizza sauce, either for a turkey emergency or the aftermath of the world's biggest shopping day, tomorrow.

1 15-oz can whole peeled tomatoes, any brand

1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon shredded or ground parmesan cheese

1 1/2 teaspoons pizza seasoning

I clove crushed garlic

Put all the ingredients in a blender and pick a button. When it's smooth, put it in a saucepan and simmer for 90 minutes.

Happy Thanksgiving, blessed children of God!

(Photo is hard rolls for 35, my contribution to dinner tonight!)