ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 26, 2020Scripture: 1st Thessalonians 5:11Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing. Thought for the Day: In the sermon this morning, I will reference the word encouragement. Though it is not the central theme of the sermon, it has had me thinking about encouragement, and how we bring encouragement to others. Like so often, we are told to encourage without
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 25, 2020Scripture: Psalm 18:8I always put the LORD in front of me; I will not stumble because he is on my right side. Thought for the Day: In this one verse, did you notice how the Lord is “in front” of the writer and also on the writer’s “right side.” How exactly does that work? In ministry, I have witnessed very faithful people obsess with these
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 24, 2020Scripture: Philippians 4:4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Thought for the Day: I’m sure there are some sports fans reading this, and if you’re like me, you’ve probably watched a few games when your team was clearly going to lose. No matter how much screaming you did (whether at the game or watching on TV), it wasn’t going to change the
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 23, 2020Scripture: Ruth 4:13-15 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they came together, the Lord made her conceive, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without next-of-kin; and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 21, 2020Scripture: Ruth 1:15-16So Naomi said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said, “Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” Thought for the
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 20, 2020Prayer for the Week: When my first reaction is to be upset, to lash out or be dismissive, allow for your heart to align itself with my heart, O Spirit of Life. Give me the courage to seek understanding, even if I feel certain that I will never agree; even if it requires me to bite my tongue; even if I find my insides fidgeting
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 19, 2020Scripture: 2 John 1:12I have a lot to tell you. I don’t want to use paper and ink, but I hope to visit you and talk with you face-to-face, so that our joy can be complete. Thought for the Day: First, I must say how much I enjoy finding this very practical sentence about not wishing to waste paper and ink. That aside, the author
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 18, 2020Scripture: Psalm 4:6-7Many people say, “We can’t find goodness anywhere. The light of your face has left us, LORD!” But you have filled my heart with more joy than when their wheat and wine are everywhere! Thought for the Day: Wouldn’t it be nice if the world was together in mood. When it was time to grieve, everyone stood still and grieved. When it was
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 17, 2020Scripture: Proverbs 17:22A joyful heart helps healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. Thought for the Day: There is a part of me that simply wishes to say, “Amen,” as I believe these words to be true. Of course, the suggestion that a joyful heart helps healing assumes illness or grief or some other form of ailment to be present. That’s where I