ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSDecember 3, 2020Scripture: Isaiah 9:6For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Thought for the Day: Like hope (mentioned in yesterday’s devotional), peace is tricky. Among the other powerful images associated with the Saving One of God (Messiah), we read the words: Prince of
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSDecember 1, 2020Scripture: Isaiah 32:16Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. Thought for the Day: It was 65 years ago today that a 42-year-old seamstress named Rosa Parks was arrested after refusing to give her seat to a white man on a full Montgomery bus. Though it was just one moment in time, it was a moment that changed the
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 29, 2020Scripture: Isaiah 11:6The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. Thought for the Day: These words are part of today’s worship service. They present an almost mythical vision of some world unrecognizable for those of us who live in this current world.
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 28, 2020Scripture: Isaiah 46:12-13Listen to me, you stubborn of heart, you who are far from deliverance: I bring near my deliverance, it is not far off, and my salvation will not tarry; I will put salvation in Zion, for Israel my glory. Thought for the Day: The people of God had walked away from God through idolatry, showing a complete lack of compassion and kindness. The
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 27, 2020Scripture: Matthew 1:18aNow the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way… Thought for the Day: With a feeling of discomfort in the gut after that enormous Thanksgiving meal yesterday, it is a bit of a shock to realize that a seismic shift just occurred. We moved from a Thanksgiving focus to an Advent focus in a matter of hours. We turned from
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 26, 2020Scripture: Luke 19:5-6When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. Thought for the Day: This Thanksgiving is hard for many reason, but for most of us, we are not welcoming many of the people we would like
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 25, 2020Scripture: 2nd Corinthians 9:6-8The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 24, 2020Scripture: Psalm 106:1-3Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. Who can utter the mighty doings of the Lord, or declare all his praise? Happy are those who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times. Thought for the Day: It is said that a true optimist is a person who starts a new