ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGNovember 19, 2021I preached a sermon a few years back from the 28th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel where the Resurrected Jesus says, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” As I said then and want to reiterate here, a lot of energy is spent discussing “all nations” and the
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGNovember 18, 2021A week and a half ago, I participated in an online event for clergy called Pro-Reconciling Anti-Racism Training. To maintain one’s standing as either an Ordained or Commissioned Minister, our denomination requires participation in this training every few years. I have always been drawn to the title of the training as it is not simply focused on what we are against. Too often, no matter
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGNovember 17, 2021In my devotional reading recently, I came across words from the third chapter of Zephaniah. I know not very many people spend time in Zephaniah, and it is not a place I visit often. With that said, I was taken by the words: “The Lord will create calm with his love; he will rejoice over you with singing.” I think every parent can remember a
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGNovember 16, 2021I am one that shies away from sounding the alarm or declaring doom. It can quickly become a Chicken Little moment with mistaken panic and a loss of purpose in the life of a faith community. I use those words as a preface because I am not intending to give any sense of panic. With that said, the Cypress Creek family finds itself at a
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGNovember 15, 2021Prayers for the Week: Where there are those who feel consumed by the shadows of despair, O Holy One, I pray for my words and actions to be a source of light and love. Show me the simple, yet impactful choices I can make that bring a measurable result. The last thing anyone needs are empty phrases and pointless gestures. Encourage me; guide me; remind
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGNovember 14, 2021Do you feel good? I know it is a strange question, especially with no context. Today in worship, I will be looking back at the words from Genesis 1 where we read of a God who looked upon what had been created and saw that it was good. In fact, at the end of the acts of creation, God sees that it is all very
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGNovember 13, 2021Most Christians have heard of the idea: Original Sin. Many people believe it is rooted in scripture, but it is not. It started with a guy named St. Augustine in the 4th Century, but it really didn’t take shape until centuries later. At its core, it suggests that we are sinful at our core. Faith is more than just changing one’s behavior, but finding an
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGNovember 12, 2021I got an email from the magazine Sojourners yesterday and it referenced the words from Isaiah 43:2… When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Have you ever felt like you were absolutely ready for a
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGNovember 11, 2021People throughout the history of Christianity have tried to create a corollary between success and divine blessing. Many great armies crushed their opponents, and then made the assumption that God must be on their side. History often shows how there was absolutely no connection whatsoever. In fact, many were the antithesis of what Jesus embodied. For this reason, I am more than cautious about making
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGNovember 10, 2021This past Sunday, we did some time traveling as we returned to 2015 and the beginning of the Crossing Over Campaign. At the time, CCCC had a significant mortgage and not much of a plan on how it was going to pay it off. The people of CCCC caught the vision and stepped up in significant fashion. Along with debt reduction, the Campaign included some