ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSeptember 2, 2021Scripture: Leviticus 1:15-16The priest will bring it to the altar. He will tear off its head and completely burn it on the altar. Its blood will be drained against the side of the altar. Then the priest will remove its throat along with its contents and throw it by the east side of the altar, into the place for the ashes. Thought for the Day:
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSeptember 1, 2021Scripture: Leviticus 1:14If the offering for the LORD is an entirely burned offering from the birds, you can present your offering from the doves or pigeons. Thought for the Day: I’m pretty sure a number of folks roll their eyes when they see an Etching from Leviticus. It is one of those books in the Bible many want to skip, if not remove. And if
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 31, 2021Scripture: Romans 8:28We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Thought for the Day: These are rather well known words from scripture and are quoted in all kinds of circumstances. Yesterday, these words came to mind, but in a way that I had never thought of previously. Monday is my day off,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 30, 2021Prayer for the Week: Gracious God, provide me your peace – a gift of contentment for the busy mind; a therapeutic balm for the fractured heart; a generous bestowal of restful sleep for the body. I seek to be healthy, to know the wholeness made real through your loving Spirit. I will never be the conduit of your grace if I remain scattered, broken and
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 29, 2021Scripture: John 2:1-3On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” Thought for the Day: This is the first “sign” in John’s Gospel, the changing of water into
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 28, 2021Scripture: Acts 19:11God did extraordinary miracles through Paul… Thought for the Day: The word “miracle” is one that causes modern people to raise a cautious or even skeptical eyebrow. We have read too many stories about con artists who claimed miracles, but were only taking advantage of the vulnerable. In the days of Jesus and Paul, there were plenty of miracle workers. It was not
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 27, 2021Scripture: Luke 15:6And when the shepherd comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Thought for the Day: The lost sheep has returned. The Prodigal has made his way home. Ok, that might be a bit dramatic, but today is my first official day back after Sabbatical. A lot
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 26, 2021Scripture: Galatians 1:10Am I now seeking human approval, or God’s approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Thought for the Day: I am a people-pleaser. Most clergy, deep down, are people-pleasers. We tell people what we know they want to hear, and avoid conflict wherever possible. It is thought that
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 25, 2021Scripture: Galatians 1:6-7I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. Thought for the Day: There are some folks who have a wonderful ability to challenge or
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGAugust 24, 2021Scripture: Galatians 1:3-5Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to set us free from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Thought for the Day: In these opening remarks from Paul’s Letter, we hear of a Jesus