ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 25, 2024Today in our Traditional Worship Service, we have a baptism (it’s right at the beginning, so don’t miss it). I am a pastor who probably gets a little too goofy around the baptismal experience, yet there is something so beautiful and compelling about the ritual. I have been asked numerous times about the meaning of the ritual, and I have started to respond by saying,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 24, 2024Tomorrow is the second Sunday of Lent, the second Sunday of our focus on the idea of a reset. Whenever a reset comes our way, a number of decisions need to be made, and among them is the question of whose voice I will listen to in the determination of my reset. The go-to answer is, of course, God. But who might God be using?
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 23, 2024Donna and I were watching a little of the movie/musical, The Greatest Showman, and I don’t believe there are very many musicals that make me want to leap up and dance like that one. Now let me be clear: I don’t do much leaping, and the dancing is done in the privacy of my home, but the music and choreography are so inspiring. The song,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 22, 2024There are times in life when a reset or restart requires some boundaries. There are times when we have known injury, a deep wound to the soul, and seeking a reset in life necessitates creating a safe space from which that reset can percolate. In our culture, we too often have expectations of a quick return to normalcy (whatever that is) or those around us
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 21, 2024Today is the funeral service for Tammy Wilson, who served as our Nursery Director for more than 32 years. Tammy loved what she did, while also being very clear that she had no desire to be recognized or stand before any groups beyond a group of toddlers. She was fantastic at what she did, and countless children (many of them now adults) received grace-filled care
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 19, 2024How easy is it to tell someone who is in a very comfortable rut or feeling trapped by addiction that it is time for a new beginning? Actually, it is very easy to tell them, but much more challenging to be heard with both compassion and seriousness. I feel as if some of Jesus’ parables were hidden tough love wrapped in what felt like a
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 18, 2024Prayer for the Week: With beginnings and endings that are followed by more beginnings, we pause and ask for help to claim the new beginning through which we shall find faithfulness to you, Mighty God. Everyone seems to be selling a new beginning, and it usually comes with three easy payments of $29.99. Draw us close, O God, so we are able to share in
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 18, 2024We are just a few days into the Season of Lent, yet we know exactly where this is going. If that’s the case, why do we embrace the redemptive grace of a 1st-century peasant who will find himself left alone at the end? Why do we celebrate the ways of a teacher who will be tortured for his commitment to love and peace? Why do
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 17, 2024I’m sure someone famous said it, but I just found it on a scrap of paper when I was cleaning out my desk. It read, “Remember, people will judge you by your actions, not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold, but so does a hard-boiled egg.” According to Paul, we were created for the purpose of doing good works (Ephesians 2:5). Good
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 16, 2024The great Roman philosopher, Seneca, was born about the same time as Jesus, though he lived about twice as long as Jesus. One of Seneca’s quotes that has always resonated with me was the simple yet often challenging idea that “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” It makes complete sense, and human history is one example after another of this occurrence. Yet,