Ted Schreck's Blog

All Star Game

2010-07-13T22:04:00.003-05:00

Could it be - maybe a victory for the NL for the first time since 1996??? I don't watch as many games as I used to - makes me think that life gets too busy sometimes. To think back of the days when I would listen with my brothers listening to Jack Buck and Mike Shannon calling the game on the radio. Those guys could bring a game to life.

Let's take back the good old days and take hold of our free time. For me tonight, I hope that my team's great pitcher, Adam Wainwright, comes in to shut down the AL and give my Cardinals home field advantage in the World Series - Yes, I am predicting a Cardinals' return to the series.

Good night and God bless!

Lenten Journey 2009 - Prayer Journal - Day 4

2009-02-28T09:19:00.004-06:00

Lenten Journey 2009 - Prayer Journal - Day 3

2009-02-28T09:15:00.004-06:00

Lenten Journey 2009 - Prayer Journal - Day 2

2009-02-26T19:49:00.008-06:00

Lenten Journey 2009 - Prayer Journal

2009-02-26T19:20:00.009-06:00

Many people assume that we are called to give something up during Lent, but many of us choose to take on something new during Lent. I have wanted to improve my prayer life for quite a while now. My goal is that through practice and exploring different types of prayer, that I might develop a prayer relationship with our God which lasts well beyond Lent 2009. Through this blog, I hope to journal my prayer activity this Lent. Please feel free to share ideas of methods of prayer which you have found successful. My greatest desire is to learn to "shut up" and listen to God speak to me.

Prayer Journal Entry #1 (Ash Wednesday, 2.25.09)

*Began the day with Men's group with Morning Prayer, Gospel reading and Faith Sharing
*Mass @ St. Peter @ 930am at School
*Frustration at work, but, then received appreciation from student
*Spent time reading Musings on Sunday readings for March 1st, 2009
*Read Daily Offering Prayer and Feb. Intentions of Pope Benedict XVI from Apostleship of Prayer
*Read from "Reasons for Hope" by JPII called "If you want peace, serve the poor"
*Read Feb. 22-25 in "The Little Black Book": Thinking about Lenten plans, praying the scriptures, placing myself in the scripture story such as when Jesus went out alone w/ His disciples on the boat
*Read Prayer Notes - "Five Simple Prayer Ideas to Enrich Your Lent" - pray one word such as "peace", "faith", etc. and then close eyes and, when distractions come, repeat the word. Try to relax for 20 minutes remaining in silence, then close eyes again for a couple of minutes.
*Mark prayer into my day
*Take an online retreat such as "Daily Prayer Online" at www.jesuit.ie/prayer
*Read Prayer Notes - "Prayer Starters for All Days of Lent" - focused on the virtue of Emptiness
*Read Daily Prayer on "Sacred Space" - Online Retreat
*Listened to a portion of The Catholic Cafe MP3 recording "The Rosary" from www.thecatholiccafe.com

Unconditional Love - Return of the Prodigal Son

2009-02-20T20:40:00.003-06:00

I loved the book by Fr. Henri Nouwen, Return of the Prodigal Son. Yes, this is from the parable of Jesus, but also, his interpretation of the painting by Rembrandt. I have seen a mural of this same painting in a confessional at a Catholic church in the Memphis area. What a wonderful visual to come to understand the Father's (God's) unconditional love for each of us!

I hope that I have moved beyond the time of being the Prodigal Son. The time of running carefree and swandering riches and being consumed by material things. I feel that I am now somewhat like the Elder Son. He felt that he was serving his "father", but couldn't understand why he "suffered" while others (his prodigal brother) received a fatted calf and a ring on his finger when he returned. The elder son is a time of being concerned for others, but often we become jealous of others who receive blessings even though they do not seem worthy.

May the day come soon when I can honestly live with the unconditional love as modeled by Christ. It seems that the Father's unconditional love (that which comes without strings attached or expectations) comes to most when they are older. To emulate Christ is a worthy goal since he told us that he would lead us to the Father.

When you look at Rembrandt's painting, do you pity the prodigal son, do you think that he is undeserving, do you rejoice that he has returned? With God's love, may we remember that His love is beyond measure. Just because my neighbor (whether friend or foe) has received many blessings, does not mean that God will not give me blessings as well. His love is not a competition. As mentioned in another blog, Christ is knocking at the door to my heart to offer me His unconditional love, may I not only open that door and welcome Him in, but also, may I offer others this same love. Peace!

Girl Scout Cookies

2009-02-20T20:04:00.000-06:00

It's time to pig out again on Thin Mints, Samoas and Do-Si-Dos! After spending the last month hitting up all our friends and co-workers, the cookies are finally here. Will I be able to resist the urge to scarf down multitudeness cookies? Oh well, they are one of life's true pleasures. It's amazing how some people you talk to complain that they cost $3.50 a box, but then they never seem to avoid buying a few boxes. I, personally, cannot wait to try the new Dulce de Leche cookie. What's your favorite?

Unclean, Unclean! - Spirit Speaking through Scripture

2009-02-15T19:49:00.000-06:00

When I arrived for Mass this morning, I was not scheduled to serve as Lector; however, I was asked to read the first reading which came from Leviticus. As I grow closer to Christ, I am amazed at how Scripture writings continue to speak to each of us where we are. As I read over the text for the first and second times before Mass, I gained the first impression of what the scripture said about leprosy in the Old Testament times and the law. Then, while reading the passage from Leviticus 13:1-2,44-46 among the assembly, I felt the words speaking of myself when I read that he shall cry out, "Unclean, unclean". Most comforting was coming to the understanding of how Jesus came not to judge as those of the Law did. What comfort there is in knowing that Jesus Christ gave us His Spirit to recognize our own faults, but not to despair. I must seek forgiveness and come to understand the need to be a forgiver as well. Let us not approach our religion or spirituality in a legalistic way, but in how we can come closer to Christ. I pray that I recognize the times that I am unclean and open the door to my heart to Christ. Amen!

My Internal Clock - Trying to Hit Snooze

2009-02-14T07:03:00.000-06:00

Okay, I do appreciate the wonder of the body, but the phenomenon of the internal clock drives me crazy at times. Yes, we develop patterns in all aspects of our lives and I guess it is good to have a mind trained to wake us up at a particular time each morning. BUT, I so want to hit snooze on this internal clock especially on Saturday morning. Waking up at 6 am on Saturday with no real reason other than my internal clock waking me up is a drag. No doubt, I will feel the touch of exhaustion by mid-afternoon. Well, I guess one has to make the best of it and make a cup of coffee and spend a little quiet time and maybe, just maybe, I can fall back asleep for an hour or so. Peace!

Jesus in the Tabernacle

2009-02-13T21:51:00.001-06:00

What a wonderful mystery! Our Lord Jesus Christ present with us in the Tabernacle of every Catholic Church. I have come to love spending time with our Lord before the Tabernacle. Sometimes, I get the feeling that we feel that we have to spend hours in front of the Blessed Sacrament to fulfill some type of obligation. My knee bends in awesome wonder each time I open the Tabernacle to retrieve the Blessed Sacrament to take to the homebound. If you ever wonder to yourself about how you feel when you have received communion, I encourage you to spend a few minutes with Jesus in front of His tabernacle. He calls us to be with Him. A loving challenge: After Mass this next week, go to the Blessed Sacrament chapel to spend even a minute or two in Christ's presence. Let Him speak to you. Not sure what to say to Him. How about telling Him that you love Him and ask for His grace to take the food of communion into your daily life? Struggling with prayer? My experience is that when I have approached the Tabernacle, Christ speaks to me and my thoughts (prayer) rests with Him. Peace to you!

Picture of Jesus - Cradling the Lost Sheep

2009-02-13T17:11:00.000-06:00

What comfort I find as I gaze at the picture of Jesus holding a single lamb. This is the culmination of the story of Jesus leaving the 99 sheep to find the 1 lost sheep. In so many instances, I feel like the wandering sheep not able to find my way and follow where I know Jesus wants me to follow. No matter how tough some times can be, I find sincere comfort in knowing that, while Jesus will allow me to wander, he will always search for me and every lost soul. Christ, thank you for holding me close to you. Teach me to follow your simple way of searching out the lost sheep and guiding them back to You. Amen!

Picture of Jesus - Knocking at the Door

2009-02-13T16:49:00.000-06:00

Have you seen the picture which hangs in so many homes of Jesus knocking at the door to a home? If you look closely, you will see that the door has no knob on the outside for Jesus to open. It reminds me that, although Jesus is all-loving and all-merciful, he does not force himself into our lives. We all have to make the decision to allow him in through the door of our hearts since there is no "knob" on the outside. How often do I keep the door shut? I look through a window in the door and desire the love that only Jesus offers, but, for some reason, I keep him outside. Lord, thank you for giving me the choice, but I ask you to guide my heart to do your will and to never close the door to my heart. Amen!

Humility in Corporate Giving

2009-02-13T13:06:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet with members of the leadership of a local company who are doing tremendous work for people in need not only in Memphis, but also across the world in places like Rwanda. I couldn't help but mention to the President of the company how impressed I was with his humility in serving others. No where that I have found in the press or on the web does his company boast of the many good works that they do. The organization is committed to building up God's Kingdom in every way possible especially through sharing the gifts they are given through their enterprise.

So, next time you hear the politicians slamming corporate leaders for their prosperity, please take a moment to filter what is being said. I, for one, know many true heroes in the corporate world right here in Memphis who want no reward for their generosity other than the knowledge that they have been blessed and they are called to share those blessings.

Don't get me wrong, we have heard of some terrible injustice with greed and irresponsibility among corporate giants; however, I would say that many a leader stands up and does their very best to champion prosperity.

Thoughts on Prayer

2009-02-13T09:38:00.000-06:00

As a man approaching 40, I feel close to our God, but at the same time often feel that my prayer life is lacking. Recently, through a visit to a Fishers of Men meeting at Church of the Holy Spirit in Memphis, I was finally introduced to the Morning Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. I was always curious and have known that priests, religious, deacons and many laypeople pray the "hours" on a daily basis, but for some reason have felt intimidated. Well, I was introduced in a group setting to reading/praying the Morning Prayer which was pulled off the website, www.universalis.com, and now I am thrilled. The intimidation is gone and I realize that I can pray through this form in about 10 minutes (I think God deserves a lot more, but this is a start). Additionally, over the past few years, I have developed a relationship with God of simply being able to talk with him as I drive in my car to and from work or anytime I am alone. Now, my goals are two-fold: 1) Learn to pray by shutting up and simply listening, and 2) Striving to implement my love for God with my actions and concern for my wife and children.

God Bless you and thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts.