ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGNovember 6, 2021Tomorrow, we will begin a new worship series entitled: With Mud Between The Toes. The title found its conception in my imagination which is always a strange, if not disturbing place to visit. With all seriousness, I love sitting with a scripture for a while to give my imagination the opportunity to walk around the scene, interact with some of the characters and definitely allow
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGNovember 5, 2021Between the completion of one thing and the beginning of something else is a space rich with the Holy. Whether we will contribute to or hinder God’s dream for the future is often determined by what occurs in that in-between space. We find ourselves in those spaces for many reasons. For some, those in-between spaces feel hollow and futile. Others push through because of the
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGNovember 4, 2021This past Tuesday, I shared at staff meeting a quote from Father Richard Rohr (from his Daily Meditation on July 7, 2016). He wrote: We keep praying that our illusions will fall away. God erodes them from many sides, hoping they will fall. But we often remain trapped in what we call normalcy – “the way things are.” Life then revolves around problem-solving, fixing, explaining,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGNovember 3, 2021The other day, I was listening to the wonderful Gospel song, “The Best In Me,” sung by Marvin Sapp. It speaks of how God sees the best in us even when everyone else sees the worst in us. In the version I was listening to, Sapp goes through a litany of folks who told us that we would not amount to anything, always pointing out
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGNovember 2, 2021On this day after All Saints’ Day (officially on November 1), I am reminded of Helen Keller who said, “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired and success achieved.” Most of us would rather choose the “ease and quiet” if it were an option, but some of the great inspirational
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGNovember 1, 2021Prayer for the Week:I am who I am because of so many others.I am who I am because of those who served you.I am who I am because of the humble saints whose life witness revealed Jesus.I am who I am because of faithful followers who were unwavering in their commitment to you.Holy and Magnificent God, the life of faith has never been an individual
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGOctober 31, 2021Tombs are often the setting for the climax in a horror movie. It is usually dark and there is a good layer of fog. The wind is blowing just enough to cause the leafs to swirl around and for the branches to crackle. An owl usually gives off a startling call as a distant dog (or something else) echoes back with a chilling howl. Hollywood
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGOctober 30, 2021Halloween was always a big day when I was growing up. Our costumes were usually purchased at Ben Franklin Five & Dime or Kmart, and they consisted of those cheap plastic masks with the rubber band that stretched around the back of the head that my older siblings would often snap on me. I can still remember my Batman costume. I was so proud and
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGOctober 29, 2021A French nun by the name of Thérèse of Lisieux wrote, “I have always wanted to become a saint. Unfortunately, when I have compared myself with the saints, I have always found that there is the same difference between the saints and me as there is between a mountain whose summit is lost in the clouds and a humble grain of sand trodden underfoot by
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGOctober 28, 2021The author and speaker, Beth Moore, wrote about what it means to follow Jesus, specifically pointing out an important distinction one should make. She writes, “Following the commands of Christ is not just about behavior. Behavior modification is not an end in itself in the New Testament. Transformation is about knowing the truth and the truth setting you free.” Most folks would probably know the