ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS August 7, 2026 There are these gluten-free crackers that I can eat, and I really do like them. The other day, I bought my usual, which is sea salt. Sometimes I wonder whether the cracker is really just the delivery device for the salt. Boy was I disappointed to find out that there was absolutely no salt on those crackers. One after another, and I had
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS August 6, 2026 I have referenced this MLK quote before, but it is worth repeating: “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” I appreciate knowing who said it because I have this tendency to think about how the finite disappointments pile up one after another. The weight of the disappointment can appear unbearable. Yet my handful of disappointments do not compare to the
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS August 5, 2026 In the Book of Ruth, when the mother-in-law, Naomi, was trying to encourage Ruth and Orpah to return to their families after both of their husbands (Naomi’s sons) died, she said: “Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me, even if I should have a husband
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS August 4, 2026 Many people probably do not care, but a new season of Ted Lasso goes live at midnight tonight (actually, I think it is at 2am Central time). If you’re not a fan of the AppleTV series, that’s okay, but it is, in my opinion, some of the best writing I’ve known. I both laughed until I hurt and cried all in the same
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS August 3, 2026 Prayer for the Week: Where there appears to be a scarcity of love, May I draw upon your deep and abundant reservoir. You are the Living Water, And from your infinite gift we drink. Fill us as you always do. Drench us; envelop us; enfold us. Prepare us to be a conduit By which others are able to drink. In a parched world
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS August 2, 2026 Where is your starting place? As you think about your faith, what is that one foundational thing on which you build everything else? Maybe it’s a couple of ideas. Now there are some people who will say, “It’s not just one or two things. I believe the Bible as a whole.” It might be what people say and even what they’ve convinced themselves
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS August 1, 2026 At a time when there is an epidemic of loneliness, and there is so much chaos in our so-called civic discourse, hopelessness is increasingly infiltrating the lives of more and more individuals. It’s strange how those grappling with hopelessness often don’t explicitly label it as such, instead describing it as exhaustion, malaise, or an inability to focus. But as they are pushed a
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS July 31, 2026 Today, July 31, is National Mutt Day, a day to celebrate and consider adopting a mixed-breed dog. Among those reading this, there are certainly many who have done that at numerous moments in life. In fact, I know a handful of people that always head to a shelter in search of the most diverse dog possible… often looking for the one that even
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS July 30, 2026 The new roof has finally started! Yippee! Of course, this means there are a lot of challenges in getting around the campus. It should be open for Sunday, but just know that there might be a path or two closed off. Early in my ministry, I never thought I’d be excited about getting a new roof, but today, I am rather ecstatic about
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS July 29, 2026 In a couple of recent Etchings, along with my sermon on Sunday, I talked about predestination and free will. As you might have guessed, I am not a person who believes in the traditional predestination, specifically Calvin’s Double Predestination. There are others who see predestination a little differently. They suggest that God sees our future, and because of our faith and deeds, God