ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMarch 16, 2022We should always be suspect of a religion when it uses the weak, the marginalized or the oppressed as a scapegoat. We follow one who sacrificed himself for the sake of the people who have long been used as scapegoats. For that reason, I see it as a red flag whenever a religion (religious leader) throws a powerless group under the bus by saying, “Those
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMarch 15, 2022I was looking for a quote the other day, and in the process came across another quote that I had never read before. It was from Helen Keller, and she said, “No one has a right to consume happiness without producing it.” I both agree and disagree. In a sort of generic way, I am in total agreement. People should not think of themselves as
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMarch 14, 2022Prayer for the Week:Helplessness brings exhaustionHopelessness yields a weariness of the soulAnother bomb dropsWhat can we do?Another family flees out of fearHow can we help?Another child suffers in mind and bodyWhen will it all stop?We cry out to you, Holy God!Are you listening?Are you aware of what is happening?Is there any chance for peace?Can this moment be redeemed?The questions are manyThe despair is mountingProvide us
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMarch 13, 2022Today is the day! Today is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Today is the celebration of our 50th Anniversary as a church. I know you might be a little sleepy as the alarm went off at the same time as it does every Sunday, but it doesn’t feel like the same time. You’re feeling like you
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMarch 12, 2022So how do you celebrate 50 years as a church? Today, March 12, is the actual 50th Anniversary of Cypress Creek Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It was 50 years ago today that a handful of folks met at the home of Bill and Betty Ayers, and there they officially recognized themselves as a New Church. As I said at Betty’s Memorial Service just one
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMarch 11, 2022Is Christianity what you believe or what you do? That is a question debated over and over again. Like so often is true, there is probably a reason not to go to either extreme. In Hebrews 13, we read: “Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have because God is pleased with these kinds of sacrifices.” I’m trying to think of a
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMarch 10, 2022There is a difference between self-esteem and self-absorbed. Self-esteem allows you to feel confident enough in yourself to lift up and celebrate other people. To be self-absorbed is to dive so deep within oneself as to no longer take notice of others as distinctive and valuable in and of themselves. Christianity is strange when it comes to self-esteem. The church is in the business of
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMarch 9, 2022I have always loved the Book of Esther, though I had not visited Esther in some time. And with March being Women’s History Month (yesterday was International Women’s Day), I figured it was a good day to spend a little time with Esther. It was early in the second chapter when I was reminded of the over the top objectification of women, valuing them by
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMarch 8, 2022Recently, I was asked by someone who did not have much background in Christianity to explain the Season of Lent (40 days leading us to Easter), and I gave a rather boring and academic description. Let’s just say the individual did not walk away enthused about the idea of leaping into the experience. I then came across an article in Christian Century, written by a
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMarch 7, 2022Prayer for the Week: We speak a word of thanksgiving in a time when there is so much cause for distress and consternation. We speak a word of thanksgiving, not in an attempt to deny or ignore, but out of a deep-seated need to give thanks. We speak a word of thanksgiving in the belief that no amount of violence or destruction can eclipse what