ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS July 22, 2026 I learned something this past Sunday about my preaching. As many of you know, Paula was to preach this past Sunday, but because of her son’s death, I stepped back in to preach. This gave me 2 1/2 days to prepare the sermon, though I was not feeling well for part of those 60 hours. That’s all to say that I have a
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS July 21, 2026 In my life, there have been moments when using lofty language to describe Jesus, such as referring to him as the incarnation of love, has truly resonated with me. On the other hand, there have been instances when I have used more intimate language, such as calling Jesus my friend. In John’s Gospel, we find a variety of metaphors to describe Jesus, including
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS July 20, 2026 A prayer from my friend Rev. Michelle Beech A PRAYER FOR TODAY My human mind cannot comprehend Your constancy, O God. My emotions flicker and falter in the face of varying circumstances; so I don’t benefit fully from Your unfailing Love. Lord, help me look beyond the ebb and flow of circumstances to Your reliable rhythms that gaze lovingly back at me. Thank
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS July 19, 2026 What helps us bring more focus upon God? In daily life, what could we be doing to bring God alongside us when it comes to important decisions? I’m not suggesting that a practice or two will have answers from God suddenly appearing like answers from a Magic 8 Ball. But in the same way an electrician brings both knowledge and life experience to
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS July 18, 2026 There are idols, such as the those to whom we look up. And then there are idols, like the finite items that are given ultimate value. We have the TV show American Idol, while at the same time, we have created some pretty scary idols in America. I tend to think it is okay to have idols if we are talking about people
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS July 17, 2026 After yesterday’s Etching, where I challenged the notion of shame as a healthy and productive motivator, I was surprised by the number of people who reached out to me with notes or shared their thoughts on social media. It resonated deeply with many. Dr. Brené Brown, the absolutely brilliant author and speaker, defines shame as: “the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS July 16, 2026 A politician who will go unnamed (that is not the point of what I’m writing) recently was talking about the good old days when those who were poor and in need of food assistance had to go to a food bank to pick up their groceries, and how there was a little bit of shame and embarrassment involved. This politician went on to
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS July 15, 2026 A couple of months back in Sojourners Verse and Voice, the following scripture was referenced: “For as the earth brings forth its shoots and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations” (Isaiah 61:11). I was struck by the relationship between ‘righteousness’ and
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS July 14, 2026 My yard had needed to be mowed for four or five days, yet between rain and schedule, I kept on delaying. So yesterday morning, I got out early and got it done. How is it that you take some off the top, and your yard goes from looking jungle-like to really good? Of course, it will probably be nearly jungle-like in a week
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS July 13, 2026 Guest Writer: Rev. Dr. Terry Ewing Overflowing When My Heart Wins (a prayer in response to the daily news) When a word of friendly greeting and thanks are needed, let me be the one. When the healing touch of forgiveness is just a breath away, let me be the one. When the cashier’s sad life has become their sad day and my