James R. Neal

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Devotional

Hope beyond the empty room

February 9, 2019February 9, 2019 / jamesrneal / 4 Comments

I was warned about this. The sudden, unexpected empty feeling in the pit of the stomach. The numb grief. The self-doubt and regret. I was warned about all of it. When we started a small nursing home ministry almost two years ago, our priest, Fr. John, warned us. And, on each new occurrence, he's been … Continue reading Hope beyond the empty room

The life of Janus: Which spirit will you choose?

February 7, 2019February 8, 2019 / jamesrneal / Leave a comment

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. 1 Corinthians 2:12 In Roman mythology, Janus was the two-faced god of duality: beginnings and endings, peace and war. Where Romans guessed at this dual nature, … Continue reading The life of Janus: Which spirit will you choose?

Finding silence in the noise

February 6, 2019February 6, 2019 / jamesrneal / Leave a comment

This is the third of three devotionals submitted for consideration to "Forward Day by Day," a daily devotional publication of The Episcopal Church. The full month of daily devotionals will be published next January. Revelation 1:10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet. Our … Continue reading Finding silence in the noise

Love and hate in the mirror

February 5, 2019 / jamesrneal / Leave a comment

This is the second of three devotionals submitted for consideration to "Forward Day by Day," a daily devotional publication of The Episcopal Church. The full month of daily devotionals will be published next January. Psalm 139:21 Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord, and abhor those who are in rebellion against you? The greatest enemy to … Continue reading Love and hate in the mirror

The path of the cross

February 4, 2019 / jamesrneal / Leave a comment

I recently was selected to write a month of devotionals for "Forward Day by Day," a print and online daily devotional published by The Episcopal Church for more than 500,000 readers. My entries will be published in January, 2020. This is the first of three samples I submitted to be submitted as a "Forward Day … Continue reading The path of the cross

Grace that won’t be shaken

December 10, 2018December 10, 2018 / jamesrneal / Leave a comment

“'Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10 Ancient peoples often attributed natural disasters, including earthquakes, to the power of angry gods. Anger the gods, the … Continue reading Grace that won’t be shaken

All will pass, except The Word

December 7, 2018 / jamesrneal / Leave a comment

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." Matthew 24:35 We often think of living in two planes: earth in this life; heaven in the next. Jesus calls our attention away from this dichotomy, away from the linear progression from earth to heaven. Jesus calls us to an eternal message that spans … Continue reading All will pass, except The Word

A taste sweeter than honey

October 22, 2018 / jamesrneal / Leave a comment

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Psalm 119:103-104 “Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!” That quote from the 1958 film “Auntie Mame” could apply to the state of Christianity today. Faith … Continue reading A taste sweeter than honey

Becoming like little children

October 21, 2018October 21, 2018 / jamesrneal / Leave a comment

“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3-4 This passage comes shortly after Jesus twice reveals He will die, and to follow Him we must take … Continue reading Becoming like little children

Clearing our obstacles

October 19, 2018 / jamesrneal / Leave a comment

I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Romans 16:17-18 … Continue reading Clearing our obstacles

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The dove of peace, with an olive branch and olive branch border grace these beautiful hand etched tumblers. Each tumbler holds approximately 14 ounces. Perfect for mixed drinks, drinks on the rocks or your favorite soft drink or tea. All sales support Holy Cross ministries to the homeless, poor, nursing home residents and prisoners. Available at link in bio. .
Work in progress. Margarita glass or champagne bowl. .
A selection of Catholic, Celtic and other designs, hand etched in up-cycled wine bottles to make functional chalices with decorative bases. These chalices can be used for your favorite beverage, for flowers or other decorative uses. All sales support Holy Cross ministries to the homeless and nursing home residents. See link to our shop in the bio. .
Hail Holy Queen. I’ve been wanting to do this design since I started. I’m happy with how she turned out. #etchedglass #artisan #virginmary #catholic #oldcatholic
This is getting ready to happen. Really excited about etching this piece. Guesses on the design? #glassart #artisan #catholic #oldcatholic
I haven’t finished as many pieces as I wanted for the Red Brick Food Truck and Art Festival tomorrow, but I have some pieces, like this one, I really like. And I’ll have 25 pages of designs with me Saturday to take custom orders. All sales support Holy Cross ministry to the homeless, prisoners, poor and nursing home residents. #glassart #ministry #upcycle
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