ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 18, 2025For years, I have remembered a statistic from one of the very first church conferences I attended back in the early 90s. In recent years, I have tried to confirm the study, and mostly found anecdotal evidence. The statistic claimed that from 1950-1965, a majority of people attending church did not expect to agree with their minister all the time. In fact, the study suggested
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 16, 2025So on Friday, I was in the office alone. It was quiet, and I was getting a lot done. Suddenly, I heard some noise from the other side of the office, near the back door. Come to find out, Kay and Mike Smith had come by the church to pick up items that had been dropped off for Northwest Assistance Ministry. Only after taking all
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 15, 2025Tomorrow is the Chili Cook-Off, but during worship, I will focus on faithfulness, another part of the Fruit of the Spirit. Recently, I came across a quote from the writer and social critic, Cyril Connolly, who wrote, “Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self.” I’m sure you’ve heard something or read something that
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 14, 2025Sing with me… Love boatlove, exciting and newcome aboard. we’re expecting you.love, life’s sweetest reward.let it flow, it floats back to you.the love boat soon will be making another runthe love boat promises something for everyoneset a course for adventure,your mind on a new romance.love won’t hurt anymoreit’s an open smile on a friendly shore. Of course, some of you are not old enough to
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 13, 2025I really enjoy the annual Chili Cook-Off. We’ve been doing it since 2016, and I know that because I have the trophy from the first year. Of course, as I have shared often, I got the sympathy vote the first year. There were a couple of very generous people who felt sorry for me, so they loaded up my bowl with a lot of cash.
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 12, 2025I’m guessing we all have gotten a song in our head, and no matter what we have attempted to do, it would not leave. A few days ago, I heard on the radio the Alphaville song, “Forever Young.” I have been singing and humming the song ever since. For those who have experienced my poor attempt at singing, I apologize (mostly to family). The key
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 11, 2025On Sunday, I discussed a topic that seemed to resonate deeply with a handful of individuals. As I had suggested, excuses often, although not always, come from feelings of inadequacy—a sense of not measuring up to some self-imposed ideal of good, skilled, or special. Yet when God calls us to do something, why is it that we should second-guess God? Don’t get me wrong, I
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 10, 2025Prayer for the Week:O Victorious God, I fervently prayed for my team to win; bargained my good behavior for more touchdowns; pleaded for the heavenly host to provide additional strength on the offensive line. I did everything I believed would help induce a victory by your divine hand, yet strangely I did not sense any enthusiasm for my prayer. It even felt as if your
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 9, 2025I occasionally come across little history notes on my computer, and today’s note informed me that on this day in the year 1098, during the First Crusade, the Army had a victory during the siege of Antioch. There was no other specific information in this history note, and it would have been easy to sort of dismiss it, but there was a bit of underlying
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 8, 2025There is a move to seek out “anti-Christian” rhetoric in government and other entities in our country. I never want there to be bias, and I sure do not want any religion to be targeted negatively, but those who are pursuing this move to root out all “anti-Christian” rhetoric are people who have a very specific understanding of Christianity, and in my opinion, it sure