ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSApril 1, 2020Scripture: Genesis 37:28When some Midianite traders passed by, they pulled Joseph up out of the cistern. They sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver, and they brought Joseph to Egypt. Thought for the Day: So I was chatting with Hannah on the phone yesterday, discussing some music for Palm Sunday. As I flipped through the Hymnal, I turned to a page with
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 30, 2020Prayer for the Week: You hear our voices; you know our concerns; you feel our anxiousness. There is nothing we can hide from you, Merciful God, yet too often we try to disregard what is happening with in us. We attempt to ignore the very emotions that are swirling around inside of us, those tormenting whispers that enjoy the darkness of night. Come and announce
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 29, 2020Scripture: Psalm 23:4Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me Thought for the Day: In my sermon this morning from Esther 4, there is a section when I talk about being sucked into other people’s anxiety. It has been said that most of us have enough anxiety for
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 28, 2020Scripture: John 20:26After eight days his disciples were again in a house and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus entered and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” Thought for the Day: This was one of the recommended passages during our 24-Hour Prayer Vigil (concluding this morning), and for some reason, it caught my attention during my time
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 27, 2020Scripture: Esther 1:1This happened in the days of Ahasuerus, the same Ahasuerus who ruled over one hundred twenty-seven provinces from India to Ethiopia. Thought for the Day: Is that not a really good start to a story? In just a few words, we are made to feel as if we know this character (even if we don’t) and to sense his power. It connects to
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 26, 2020Scripture: Psalm 23:1The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Thought for the Day: Yesterday, I did an online Bible Study and Prayer Time. Besides a few glitches, my hope was to connect people with the beauty of these opening words from Psalm 23. Too often we breeze right past these words without allowing the necessary time to absorb what is being suggested. In
CLICK HERETo Watch Bruce’s Devotional ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 25, 2020Scripture: Hebrews 4:16Finally, let’s draw near to the throne of favor with confidence so that we can receive mercy and find grace when we need help. Thought for the Day: So often we have made prayer into the Holy Vending Machine where we drop in our prayer coin, punch in what we want, and expect to receive exactly what we
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 24, 2020Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:25Brothers and sisters, pray for us. Thought for the Day: This sounds like a genuine request from the Apostle Paul. We don’t know all that he is dealing with in this moment, but we can assume it’s a lot. This coming Friday and Saturday, Cypress Creek Christian Church is organizing a 24-hour Prayer Vigil. We are hoping to have at least one
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 23, 2020Prayer for the Week: When there is nothing but joy, it is easy for my heart to break open with a prayerful song of gratitude. When there is a single person who is suffering, it is easy for me to bring that name to your ears with a prayer of intercession. When I am the one who is scared, it is easy for me to