ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 29, 2020Scripture: Philippians 4:16For even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs more than once. Thought for the Day: In a book of prayers, Lavon Bayler writes: “Eye-opening God, whose compassion reaches out to all who walk in darkness, help us to recognize the blind spots in our lives.” This is a dangerous prayer to offer as it requests God’s help
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 28, 2020Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:21Which do you want? Should I come to you with a big stick to punish you, or with love and a gentle spirit? Thought for the Day: Though I imagine Paul was a pretty serious guy, I think he desperately wanted to be known for having a sense of humor. I don’t wish to be rude, but if that was his wish
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 27, 2020Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! Thought for the Day: On Monday, after the heavy rains from the night before, I didn’t know if I was going to get my lawn mowed. Monday is my day off, and I am always hoping for good weather to complete
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 26, 2020Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:20As it is, there are many members, yet one body. Thought for the Day: Paul was referring to different spiritual gifts in the Body of Christ, but earlier today I read those words a bit differently in light of the pandemic. What does it mean to be one, yet to have different emotional responses among the one body. Is it ok to
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 25, 2020Prayer for the WeekSing with meCry with meEncourage meComfort meBelieve in meReside in meSacred One of the UniverseThe God of Abraham and Sarah Ruth and Boaz Rahab and Salmon Mary and JosephThe God at the center of a people calling themselves Cypress Creek Christian Church.It is you, Merciful One – Through the Living Word enfleshed Through the Holy Spirit indwelling Through the Saints of the
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 24, 2020Scripture: John 1:16And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. Thought for the Day: Glory full of grace and truth – My theology, my understanding of God, has always been shaped by those words. And I need to remember sometimes that an occasional sermon preached
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 23, 2020Scripture: Ephesians 4:15-16But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love. Thought for the Day: I’m drawn to the language
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 22, 2020Scripture: Psalm 116:1-2I love the LORD because he hears my requests for mercy. I’ll call out to him as long as I live, because he listens closely to me. Thought for the Day: In my second or third year of ministry, I got a call from a man in the church whose wife had died about a year before I started serving the church. He
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 21, 2020Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:21We care about doing the right thing, not only in the Lord’s eyes but also in the eyes of other people. Thought for the Day: Do any of you remember receiving a lecture as a kid about telling the truth? Maybe it was because someone you knew told a fib, but more likely, you got caught in the middle of a lie.
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 20, 2020Scripture: Genesis 39:22-23So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. Thought for the Day: Joseph was tossed in prison after false allegations were brought