ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 19, 2023Today, I want to offer a prayerful shout-out to those who are caregivers. There are so many different caregivers; among them are parents caring for children, children caring for parents, spouses living into the words “In sickness and in health,” and others choosing to walk alongside those in need, even when there is no legal obligation or relationship. This is Christ-like living. It is hard,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 18, 2023I am currently out at Disciple Oaks Camp Ground, or what is often called Camp Gonzo (near Gonzales, TX), for a Disciples Men’s Retreat. Last night, a couple of the men started a big fire near the lake, and though a bit cool, the sky was clear and the stars were visible. It was really quite magnificent. Even though I will only be at the
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 17, 2023My friend, Rev. Michael Junkroski, is brilliant in his capacity to point out some of the absurdity within Christianity. Rob Bell has that capacity as well, but that’s for another day. Recently, Michael wrote the following: For thousands of years, popes and priests indoctrinated billions of people into their cult of self-pity. I’m not sure which is supposed to make us feel worse: that by
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 16, 2023On Valentine’s Day, Donna was out of town visiting her dad, and so we didn’t have any plans outside of a phone call. I left the church rather late that night but needed to run by the grocery store to grab a few essentials. As I walked into the store, the floral department was immediately to my right, and for Valentine’s Day, it had expanded.
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 15, 2023Yesterday, I wrote about those who use fear as an intentional tool, usually in an attempt to distract from something else or because their argument is simply not very good. Now let me reiterate what I mentioned yesterday—whenever there is change or a new awareness, it is ok to ask questions. This is not the same as being alarmist, for such folks are usually wanting
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 14, 2023When change is suggested, there will always be concerns and questions. There is nothing wrong with raising concerns and asking good questions. My concern is when people seek to demonize and foster fear about the change, even conveying the change as an attack on religion or American values. If what people are telling you is causing you fear, it is probably a good idea to
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 13, 2023Prayer for the Week:I come asking for your love, Holy One, only to learn that I am loved with a limitless love. I request your mercy, only to discover mercy was offered before I even acknowledged my need for such a gift. I make an appeal for your kindness, yet I discover Jesus has demonstrated a kindness beyond measure and, in doing so, provided a
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 12, 2023In this morning’s sermon, I will be focusing on what is called the Transfiguration story. In Matthew’s Gospel, it is found in chapter 17. The story describes Jesus taking three of the disciples up a mountain where Jesus is transformed while two other figures appear: Moses and Elijah. They had been dead for a long time, so why did they suddenly make an appearance that
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 11, 2023On this day in 1861, the United States House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution guaranteeing non-interference with slavery in any state remaining in the Union. It was an attempt to hold the Union together at a time when multiple states had already seceded and Civil War appeared inevitable. There were those who adamantly opposed slavery, yet they chose to vote with the Yeas. I
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 10, 2023In yesterday’s classes on Philippians, we focused on what is often called the Kenosis Hymn, a song from the early church that Paul might have borrowed and referenced in his letter. It begins with the words, “Though he was in the form of God, he did not consider being equal with God something to exploit. But he emptied himself by taking the form of a