ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGJune 17, 2021Scripture: Psalm 1:3They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. Thought for the Day: Rumi, the great 13th century poet, asked the question: “Why are you so enchanted by this world when a mine of gold lies within you?” I remember sitting with a
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGJune 16, 2021Scripture: Ephesians 4:25So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Thought for the Day: What does it mean when any group of people denies an important part of history? I was rereading a little history on the Armenian Genocide, at least what historians call the Armenian Genocide. For decades, much of
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGJune 15, 2021Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Thought for the Day: Today, June 15, is Global Wind Day, a day to celebrate the growing use of wind energy. Now the Frogges are 100%
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGJune 14, 2021Prayer for the Week:Stressed!Why am I so stressed?Why do I carry this weight?I know you are listening –For you are full of grace, forever present, forever kind.You are full of light, forever shining, forever illuminating.You are full of love, forever comforting, forever encouraging.I am still stressed, but not alone, never forsaken.I am still stressed, but not hopeless, never lost.Thank you!Amen.
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGJune 13, 2021Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-3aThis is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation… Thought for the Day: Today, I will be preaching from another section of Ephesians 3, but
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGJune 12, 2021Scripture: Matthew 14:22-23Right then, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side of the lake while he dismissed the crowds. When he sent them away, he went up onto a mountain by himself to pray. Evening came and he was alone. Thought for the Day: I picture Jesus standing at the water’s edge, smiling as the disciples float
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGJune 11, 2021Scripture: Ephesians 4:31Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice… Thought for the Day: Many of the translations of this verse give the impression that we need to put away these unhealthy attitudes and attributes, yet in the original Greek, the verb “put away” is a passive verb. It gives the impression that someone else
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGJune 10, 2021Scripture: Deuteronomy 18:10-11Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Thought for the Day: I think that first one in the scripture is a fair request, and not one with which most
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGJune 9, 2021Scripture: 1 Peter 2:17-18Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor. Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh. Thought for the Day: Recently a member sent me a publicity piece from Chalice Press, our denominational Publishing House. In it was a snippet about a
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGJune 8, 2021Scripture: Luke 14:1-4On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely. Just then, in front of him, there was a man who had dropsy. And Jesus asked the lawyers and Pharisees, “Is it lawful to cure people on the sabbath, or not?” But they were silent.