Teaching Opportunity

I will be teaching at the Island Breeze-Sydney next week, Jan 26-28. The topics are Faith & Finances and Stewardship. Since each base is part of the University of the Nations, there are certain element and performance criteria that is attached with each topic. The element under Faith & Finances is to Reflect Christ in Relationships. The Performance Criteria where Biblical principals ofservant hood and humility are explored and applied in a personal life style. The Element for Stewardship is to Integrate the biblical principles of responsible stewardship into one's lifestyle. The Performance Criteria involves biblical principles of stewardship as they apply to all of creation: Relationships, The Environment, Personal Health, The value of work, The value of rest, Generosity, Finances, Spiritual Gifts, Hospitality, and the value of Time. These principles are to be incorporated into each person's life style.

I will have 3 hrs each day or a total of 9 hrs. What a privilege to be able to invest into the lives of these young people who will be going all over the world to proclaim the saving Grace and Love of Jesus. But remember, it's not just me. It is you as well as you remember me in your prayers, that I might teach faithfully the Word of God in a manner that is understood and as you pray for each of the students and staff that will hear the teaching. Thank you for yourfaithfulness in joining with me in this venture.

I leave for Sydney on Saturday, Jan 23rd at 7:00 PM Brisbane time or 4:00 AM Eastern USA time and arriving in Sydney at 9:30 PM or 5:30 AM EST. I will be returning to Brisbane on Saturday, Jan30th at 5:00PM Sydney time or 1:00 AM and arriving in Brisbane at 5:30 PM or 2:30 AM EST.

Be Blessed to be a Blessing,
Fr. Joe

Prayer of Consecration....The Holy Eucharist

This comes from Tina, my beloved: "I had an interesting image or thought this morning at church during the consecration part ... the words were that on the night before he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, Take,eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me......I was thinking that each Sunday as we take the communion bread and wine that we are fed before our week of work... whatever our task will be that week that we have been fed His presence and he is part of us and as we remember the bread and wine that we are to remember he is with us and goes with us.. into the world and as he was obedient to death we are to be obedient to the work before us ... also His task after eating was to suffer and die; our tasks for the coming week may include suffering and dying to many things as well as death too. I was so struck by the strength that was given to Jesus by this bread and wine.... a simple sustenance but a powerful gift from the Father... He gives us a simple reminder each week as we receive but a powerful reminder of what is given to us ...his presence and strength...and those words of the Eucharist spoke to me today in such a powerful way. It makes me want to take the Eucharist daily."
For His Sake,
Tina Rhodes

Christmas 2009

January 2, 2010

As we sit to write you on this 8^th day of Christmas we are filled with thanksgiving and joy for what the Lord has done for the world in sending His son, Jesus and what He has done and continues to do in our life and yours. We love writing our Christmas letter during the twelve days of Christmas because we have time to focus without all the preparations and parties we all do for Christmas. We can reflect, remember, reminisce, and pray for each of you and thank the Lord for your lives. Part of a scripture from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 comes to mind…..” There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven….” We have found 2009 to be a year of great change, a different season, a constant changing season, and we know that many of you have had great changes in your life too. We have been so blessed to be a part of these changes in your life and to sow prayer into your life. We are also blessed because you have surrounded us in prayer. Thank you for who you are and how you share His love.

Because so many of you are on our email list and check our web page where our newsletters are posted you are up to date with our daily life, so we thought we’d just give Thanks to the Lord for the most recent events that have occurred and those to occur in this season where we find ourselves.

We are thankful for:

…….the wedding of Simon and Stacey – now Mr. and Mrs. Simon Fua –that took place Dec. 19, 2009 in Brisbane , Australia.

…….the Fua family and our family being brought together .

……for Joe being able to remain in Australia to attend Daniel’s ordination on Feb.6, 2010 to the Deaconate in the Anglican church.

…… the adoption process for Daniel, Kerry, Isaiah, and Ethan as they wait for a little sister to come from Thailand to join their family.

…… the upcoming wedding of Ansley to Brooks Whiteside on May 1, 2010.

…… the up coming wedding of our niece Kate Klammer to Benny Bradberry on May 15, 2010.

…… our work in Honduras and the two teams who will be accompanying us in June/July.

……the family and friends who have supported us with prayer and finances to do the work we find before us.

……the continued health of our nieces, Jennifer and Abbie who have had cancer.

…….the life we have been given.

In closing we pray ….Almighty God to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you nothing is hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that we may live, move, and have our being in you. That we may each embrace the change that has come into our lives- that season of life known only to you; who is our Provider, our Security, our Comforter, our Counselor, our Helper, the Author and the Perfector of our faith. Amen.

We love you and may 2010 be a most blessed year and filled with His abundant love, joy and peace!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year,

Joe, Tina, and Abney