ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS November 26, 2019 Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7 Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus. Thanks Thought for the Day: Is “giving thanks” an afterthought for Paul? The phrase “along with” might create
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS November 25, 2019 Prayer for the Week: Guest Author: Rev. Hannah Fitch God of the harvest, whose love and nurturing is embedded in every good thing, we celebrate all that You have revealed to us. In the light of each morning You reveal the hope of a new day. In the laughter we share among friends You reveal contagious joy. In the newborn baby You reveal
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS November 24, 2019 Scripture: Romans 7:24 I’m a miserable human being. Who will deliver me from this dead corpse? Thought for the Day: Can I be honest? I have always loved this passage! The old King James Version has Paul referring to himself as Wretched. Now when I say I like it, it’s not because I believe we should have a negative self image. Absolutely not!
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS November 23, 2019 Scripture: 1st Corinthians 1:4 I thank my God always for you, because of God’s grace that was given to you in Christ Jesus. Thought for the Day: Is Paul suggesting that he gives thanks for these other human beings because of God’s grace given to them? Is that a prerequisite for gratitude to God? Do I need some sort of confirmation of God’s
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS November 22, 2019 Scripture:Leviticus 7:15 The flesh of your communal thanksgiving sacrifice of well-being must be eaten on the day you offer it; you cannot save any of it until morning. Thought for the Day: As we think toward Thanksgiving, and our Thanksgiving Meals, it is good to know that the Bible discourages leftovers. We need to clean up every dish, making sure there is not
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS November 21, 2019 Mid-Week Prayer: Turkey and stuffing, creamy casseroles and sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie and apple crisp – so many many marvelous traditions and memories expressed in the food we share at this time of the year. O God of the Harvest, I desire for the food that passes over my lips to be tied to the gratitude that is expressed by my lips. You
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS November 20, 2019 Scripture: Psalm 7:17 But I will thank the LORD for his righteousness; I will sing praises to the name of the LORD Most High. Thought for the Day: Take note – the name of God is in all caps: LORD. Most translations, when translating the Hebrew name of God, Yahweh, do so with the designation: LORD. Righteousness is the characteristic associated with the
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS November 19, 2019 Scripture: Mark 7:24-26 Jesus left that place and went into the region of Tyre. He didn’t want anyone to know that he had entered a house, but he couldn’t hide. In fact, a woman whose young daughter was possessed by an unclean spirit heard about him right away. She came and fell at his feet. The woman was Greek, Syrophoenician by birth. She
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS November 18, 2019 Prayer for the Week: In the single most impactful moment of human history, when all hope appeared to be lost, you did not send a Rambo figure or even call upon the elite Roman Infantry. The cross was the reversal of every hero adventure; the upending of every story of courage; the dismantling of every myth on which Empires had been built. Your
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS November 17, 2019 Scripture: John 14:16-17 I will ask the Father, and he will send another Companion, who will be with you forever. This Companion is the Spirit of Truth, whom the world can’t receive because it neither sees him nor recognizes him. You know him, because he lives with you and will be with you. Thought for the Day: Jesus announced how the Parakletos would