ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSDecember 5, 2020Scripture: Proverbs 14:16The wise are cautious and turn away from evil, but the fool throws off restraint and is careless. Thought for the Day: I was looking up a piece of scripture a few days ago, but instead of turning to Proverbs 15, I turned to chapter 14. I couldn’t find what I was expecting, but I did stumble across these words. The scriptures speak
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 4, 2020 Scripture: Proverbs 14:30 A peaceful mind gives life to the body, but jealousy rots the bones. Thought for the Day: Where is your peaceful place? What is your peaceful time? The when and the where will look different for different people, but it is important to know what helps create an experience of peacefulness within us. As I mentioned in a recent post,
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