ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJune 5, 2020Scripture: Romans 5:5…and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Thought for the Day: Can I be honest? I expect your response to be something along the lines of, “Bruce, we expect you to be honest. You’re a pastor.” Very good! My hope has been met with disappointment
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJune 4, 2020Scripture: Matthew 5:6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Thought for the Day: For the longest time, I did not like the word righteous or righteousness as I equated such words with self-righteousness. If there was one thing that irritated me within my own religion was the occasional sense of superiority, religious arrogance that bled into self-righteousness. Maybe
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJune 3, 2020Scripture: John 13:13-15You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Thought for the Day: How did you learn to walk? How
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJune 2, 2020Scripture: Proverbs 4:23Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Thought for the Day: I assume that if life can flow from us, so can something else… something that is far from life-giving. I appreciated the recent Op-Ed by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The imagery of this paragraph really stood out to me: I don’t want to see stores looted or
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJune 1, 2020Prayer for the Week:For everyone who is angryFor everyone who feels exhaustedFor everyone who believes we are better than thisFor everyone who has convinced him/herself that the answer to it all is found in a meme –For everyone, Merciful God, a vision is sought of how justice and kindness can be enfleshed in human community.Your prophets spoke of a day when hatred and distrust would
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 31, 2020Scripture: Psalm 68:3-6But let the righteous be joyful; let them exult before God; let them be jubilant with joy. Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds — his name is the Lord— be exultant before him. Father of orphans and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God gives the desolate
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 30, 2020Scripture: Acts 2:1-2When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting… Thought for the Day: Change is always right around the corner. All it takes is a good spiritual wind to blow through our lives,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 29, 2020Scripture: Philippians 4:16For even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs more than once. Thought for the Day: In a book of prayers, Lavon Bayler writes: “Eye-opening God, whose compassion reaches out to all who walk in darkness, help us to recognize the blind spots in our lives.” This is a dangerous prayer to offer as it requests God’s help
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 28, 2020Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:21Which do you want? Should I come to you with a big stick to punish you, or with love and a gentle spirit? Thought for the Day: Though I imagine Paul was a pretty serious guy, I think he desperately wanted to be known for having a sense of humor. I don’t wish to be rude, but if that was his wish
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 27, 2020Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! Thought for the Day: On Monday, after the heavy rains from the night before, I didn’t know if I was going to get my lawn mowed. Monday is my day off, and I am always hoping for good weather to complete