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
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS July 28, 2026 Amaka Imani Nkosazana is a poet and author, and I came across a quote from her. She wrote, “When God takes the trash out, don’t go digging back through it.” I don’t know about you, but I sort of need to hear that on a regular basis as I have been known to relitigate matters that should be left in the past. A
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS July 27, 2026 Prayer for the Week: When something comes out of nothing When hope appears in a barren desert When healing shows up unexpectedly When a friend arrives without a call When joy surprises us When love embraces us without warning We know who is behind it O God who has never been limited By our expectations Thank you! Amen
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS July 26, 2026 I’ve noticed many people sharing images on social media of various billboards displayed by Christian groups. This has reminded me of a time early in my marriage when Donna and I would visit her parents in Arkansas. During our trip, there was a place where we approached a rather steep incline on the highway, and we couldn’t see what lay beyond the ridge.
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS July 25, 2026 Have you ever heard someone say, “Remember, God is in control.” Maybe you’ve said those words yourself. The question I ask is what does someone mean when they speak of God being in control? Does that mean there is no such thing as free will? If you say God is in control of all things, then it is hard to argue for free
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS July 24, 2026 Building on yesterday’s Etching, forgiveness — genuine and intentional forgiveness — seeks to reveal an alternative world; a world driven, not by revenge, but by a hope that reconciliation and transformation are possible. Again, there is nothing naive about this alternative view of reality. Forgiveness doesn’t happen with a snap of the fingers. It requires many steps, including realization, a contrite heart, repentance,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS July 23, 2026 What does it mean to be fully forgiven? We’ve all known the experience when a person says that we have been forgiven, yet there is an underlying concern that at any given moment, our past actions will be brought up as a weapon of sorts. In such cases, that is not forgiveness. Forgiveness does not mean that a person forgets, yet it usually