ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 31, 2025 In Ephesians 4:32, we read, “…and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.” Some will suggest that the words of the Apostle Paul are a bit idealistic. Yet I appreciate the words of Wendell Berry, who included in his book of poetry, “Leavings,” a wonderful piece simply entitled “A Letter to My Brother.” It
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 30, 2025 A strange thing happened yesterday—Donna and I drove north, and it got cold! As we look at our travels over the next few days, it’s going to get even colder. Though without going into details, I was gifted with a new coat. It was a perfect timing thing, and it has received an excellent initial day of testing. And let’s just say that
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 29, 2025 Prayer for the Week: Wherever I can be useful in this world, and in whatever way my gifts can make an impact for the sake of the Gospel, I pray for both awareness and willingness. In a world where the needs are immense, I turn to you, O God of Sacred Vision, for I claim by faith that your witness in the gift
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 28, 2025 At the Travelers’ Service last Monday, we handed out small battery-operated candles. It was outside, so regular candles are a bit of a challenge. But even more so, the request I made of those in attendance was to take the candle home but leave it on, day and night. From the picture below, you can see my candle still burning on our dining
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 27, 2025 One of the significant failures of Christianity (some of us would say it was an intentional process) was making faith all about “me and Jesus.” Don’t get me wrong. Faith is very much about having a relationship, but a relationship that is transformative and enlightening. Ultimately, this relationship calls the individual to join God in the fulfillment of God’s dream for this world.
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 26, 2025 How many of you remember shopping at a Ben Franklin store? I purchased many comic books at one located at a shopping center in Lincoln, NE. I was recently thinking about it when singing along with Bing Crosby on the song, “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.” The opening of the song is, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 25, 2025 Throughout the Season of Advent, we have talked extensively about expectations. If you are reading this, it might be because you have just taken a break from putting together some toy that had really bad instructions or maybe you got up early and your Christmas plans are much later in the day. Or maybe… (there are about a million possibilities). In the end,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 24, 2025 It is Christmas Eve, and as we think about our theme from the Season of Advent, my hope is that the joy hasn’t crushed you or left you feeling crushed. We have talked a lot about the expectations we have, alongside the expectations that many people have of us, and of course, there is a very secular version of joy that has us
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 22, 2025 Prayer for the Week Walk with me, Emmanuel I am wanting to find Christmas Guide me through the obstacles I am wanting to find Christmas Pick me up when I stumble and fall I am wanting to find Christmas Invite me to focus when I am distracted I am wanting to find Christmas Lift my spirits when I am distraught I am wanting
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 21, 2025 Every parent has certain dreams when it comes to their child. Most everyone has certain hopes when they begin a new part of life. And I am guessing that you bring certain expectations to this season of the year. Even when I pretend that I am open to whatever might come my way, there is still nostalgia deeply rooted in certain memories that