ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMarch 11, 2022Is Christianity what you believe or what you do? That is a question debated over and over again. Like so often is true, there is probably a reason not to go to either extreme. In Hebrews 13, we read: “Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have because God is pleased with these kinds of sacrifices.” I’m trying to think of a
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMarch 10, 2022There is a difference between self-esteem and self-absorbed. Self-esteem allows you to feel confident enough in yourself to lift up and celebrate other people. To be self-absorbed is to dive so deep within oneself as to no longer take notice of others as distinctive and valuable in and of themselves. Christianity is strange when it comes to self-esteem. The church is in the business of
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMarch 9, 2022I have always loved the Book of Esther, though I had not visited Esther in some time. And with March being Women’s History Month (yesterday was International Women’s Day), I figured it was a good day to spend a little time with Esther. It was early in the second chapter when I was reminded of the over the top objectification of women, valuing them by
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMarch 8, 2022Recently, I was asked by someone who did not have much background in Christianity to explain the Season of Lent (40 days leading us to Easter), and I gave a rather boring and academic description. Let’s just say the individual did not walk away enthused about the idea of leaping into the experience. I then came across an article in Christian Century, written by a
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMarch 7, 2022Prayer for the Week: We speak a word of thanksgiving in a time when there is so much cause for distress and consternation. We speak a word of thanksgiving, not in an attempt to deny or ignore, but out of a deep-seated need to give thanks. We speak a word of thanksgiving in the belief that no amount of violence or destruction can eclipse what
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMarch 6, 2022A couple of days ago, one of the readers of my Etchings asked the question: Is it better for faithful people to not ask questions that may challenge central tenets of the faith? It’s a question I think being asked even beyond religious circles. Let’s call it Security by Ignorance. It is an approach being utilized out of fear, and though it might give the
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMarch 5, 2022For the last few days, I have been putting down some thoughts in regard to how and where faith and politics dance together and occasionally squabble. I was not intending to convert anyone to any specific opinion on this topic. The last few days have had more to do with the discomfort often felt by those who claim to follow Jesus. The discomfort appears in
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMarch 4, 2022One more thought on politics and religion: Do we allow our faith to engage the conversations around politics or are we to never allow the two spheres to meet? Are there times when we must bring the full prophetic smackdown into the debate? Are there times to keep our mouths shut? It’s interesting how religion, at numerous points in history, has used the legal or
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMarch 3, 2022I’m probably going to find myself knee deep in someone’s politics with today’s Etching, but as I said yesterday, I’m still a little fuzzy on where politics begin and end, and where exactly my faithfulness to the way of Jesus needs to be quiet. Cypress Creek Christian Church has a history of stepping into an arena where some might say, “You’re getting political,” yet those
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMarch 2, 2022In yesterday’s Etching I spoke more theoretically about the challenge associated with faith and politics, and the wonkiness that comes with determining what is politics, what is partisanship and what is faithfully following Jesus. Today, I want us to think about how a follower of Jesus responds to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Let’s be clear, there is not a perfect response plan presented in scripture.