ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 6, 2025Last night at the Ash Wednesday Service, I spoke about ashes, dust, and dirt. Each of these represents something that has come to an end in some way or another. However, in each case, they are also essential for bringing forth life or providing the necessary components to see life flourish. Whether we are playing in the dirt, looking at dust blowing in the wind,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 5, 2025On this Ash Wednesday, I offer a reworking of a prayer written by St Ephrem the Syrian, a fourth-century writer. O Lord and Source of Life! Remove from me the attitudes and actions of apathy, timidity, the unquenchable desire for power, and any talk that is void of purpose. Instead, provide me with a spirit capable of focusing on what is truly important: humility, patience,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 4, 2025Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. Tomorrow is the entry point for the season we refer to as Lent. It is the threshold from where we begin the forty-day journey with Jesus. There is so much to learn along the way, yet it is always difficult to keep fully present in the moment as the shadow of the cross hangs heavy over the entire experience. The journey
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 3, 2025Prayer for the Week: Most of us are busy, God, though busy looks different from one person to the next. Yet there are days, Lord, when our usual busyness sees more busyness, so often in the form of heaviness that comes with a family member who is sick. Maybe our own health concerns are in a holding pattern as we run from one test to
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 2, 2025I took a walk last night, and even as the sun was going down, it was still warm. But what really caught my attention was the number of people who were grilling in their backyards. I couldn’t see them, but I could see the smoke rising and I could smell it. Maybe you’re not like me, but there are very few smells in my opinion
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 1, 2025I went to write today’s Etching, and the header I put was February 29, 2025. I’m pretty sure it is not a leap year. It is funny how we fall into habits; something automatically happens. While we often understand the reasons behind what we’ve done, it can cause some problems. Mindfulness and attentiveness are of utmost importance for those of us who strive to be
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 28, 2025 On Sunday, we will be talking about self-control, and in my pondering of this topic the last couple of days, it sort of hit me that the first half of that hyphenated word is “self.” It is not an invitation to control others. One of the great challenges in life is realizing that we cannot dictate other people’s lives. We may try, but for anyone
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 27, 2025Yesterday was absolutely beautiful. I don’t know about you, but I was sort of needing some weather like that. Today is looking pretty good as well. It’s amazing how our mood and attitude are impacted by the weather. Growing up in Nebraska, I remember when winter was unyielding, the yucky dirty piles of snow and ice were everywhere, and we rarely saw the sun. Teachers
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 26, 2025Today, I am reminded of scriptural expectation around care for the poor. In Leviticus 19:17, we read, “Those who are gracious to the poor lend to the Lord, and the Lord will fully repay them.” And in 1st John 3:17, we read, “But if someone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but refuses to help—how can the love of God
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSFebruary 25, 2025…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This Sunday, we conclude our time with the Fruit of the Spirit, with the underlying message of getting serious about the harvest. It is one thing to speak of the fruit growing and ripening within us. That is beautiful imagery, but that list is not intended to remain within