ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSApril 27, 2020Prayer for the Week: Thank you for being a participant in our lives, O Lord. Tether us to you and your love from which we can draw the needed encouragement amidst the uncertainty of life. Center us in the ways of Jesus, for it is there that we see your loving kindness that is steady, consistent and never ending. Whenever we begin to feel a
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSApril 26, 2020Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries. Thought for the Day: The language Paul used of servant and steward is an intriguing combination. The Greek word translated as servant in this verse describes someone who works on a boat, below deck, and rows. It came to describe most anyone who worked with his/her hands.
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSApril 25, 2020Guest Writer: Rev. Paula GembalaScripture: Philippians 4:8Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Thought for the Day: First, I want to give a disclaimer, I am not a therapist or doctor and any suggestions or symptoms I mention come from either experience
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSApril 24, 2020Scripture: 1st Corinthians 2:7-8But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Thought for the Day: For Paul, the whole notion of Christ crucified was a statement about the world as it was. Paul spoke
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSApril 23, 2020Guest Writer: Dr. Joel PlaagScripture: Lamentations 316 He has broken my teeth with gravel; he has trampled me in the dust.17 I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is.18 So I say, “My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the Lord.”25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSApril 22, 2020Scripture: Isaiah 55:8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. Thought for the Day: I think about these words as they relate to the Apostle Paul who invited his readers to have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5). Those words were a part of my walk a few days ago, but not emphasizing
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSApril 21, 2020Scripture: Isaiah 53:6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Thought for the Day: None of us like to admit that we might have gone astray, but times like this give us (have given me) a chance to ask some weighty and relevant questions that life
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSApril 20, 2020I received permission from our friend, Rev. Terry Ewing, to repost the following. Terry serves as Vice President for Advancement at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Thanks, Terry!! You can only go halfway into the darkest forest;then you are coming out the other side. –Chinese proverb. Dark forests. Doubt. Pain. Addiction. Abandonment. Corona virus. Uncontrolled irritation and anger. Deep wells of depression. Memory’s fog.
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSApril 19, 2020Scripture: 1st John 4:7Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Thought for the Day: I have always felt a special fondness for the word, Beloved. The Greek word is: Agapetos, that has at its core the word: Agape, the specific word in Greek that is assigned to divine love or self-sacrificing
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSApril 18, 2020Scripture: Psalm 126:2-3Our mouths were suddenly filled with laughter; our tongues were filled with joyful shouts. It was even said, at that time, among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them!” Yes, the LORD has done great things for us, and we are overjoyed. Thought for the Day: It was Will Rogers who said, “An onion can make people cry but there’s