ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 3, 2024Yesterday, during free time here at church camp, a group of youth were playing a ball game in a wooden pit. I watched for a while, and though I was beginning to understand the basics, I finally had to ask, “Will someone explain to me the rules?” A middle school youth, about my height, put his arm around me and, in a quiet but somewhat
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 2, 2024Prayer for the Week (on Tuesday): I offer my joyous gratitude for the beauty of creation. Provide me, O God of celebrated life, with eyes and ears and awareness for the amazing gifts that surround me each day. When I am caught in my own world, oblivious to the breath-taking wonders around me, I give you full permission, Gracious God, to nudge me and to
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 1, 2024Today is, among other things, the birthday of one of my sisters (happy birthday, Bev!). It is also the day that campers arrive at Disciple Oaks to begin Chi Rho camp (middle school). I arrived yesterday afternoon with the rest of the staff. Our own Ellie Steves is one of the counselors. High school youth can help, and Ellie and the other youth counselors are
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJune 30, 2024What scares you about God? If there are things about God that scare you, then I think there is a problem. If love is the goal, and according to 1 John 4, perfect love (God’s love) casts out all fear, then how could there be something about God that is scary? If God desires to be in a loving relationship, then how can fear be
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJune 29, 2024Tomorrow, I am looking at some words from Paul’s Letter to the Churches in Galatia. Throughout the letter, Paul is talking about the Law, associating the Law with a curse. The Law is the Torah, the first five books of the Jewish scriptures, but more specifically, Paul was probably referring to certain rules and regulations within the Torah, like circumcision. Paul wanted to emphasize faith
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJune 28, 2024I’m going to church camp next week. No! Not as a camper. I am keynoting the Chi Rho (middle school) camp at Disciple Oaks, our camp ground outside of Gonzales, Texas (thus, the reason it is often referred to as Camp Gonzo). This was once a way of living. Literally! I was on the staff of a church camp for two summers, working with ten
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJune 27, 2024I think most Jewish people would point to the Exodus story as the primary vision of who God is—the One who hears the cries of the oppressed and seeks to call forth those who will partner with God in the work of liberation. In Luke’s Gospel, when Jesus read from the Prophet Isaiah while in the synagogue, he read the following words: The Spirit of
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJune 26, 2024On Monday morning, rather early, I received a call from my neurologist’s office. A week earlier, I had an MRI, something they want me to do at least once a year because of my M.S., though I usually resist the frequency they want. I answered the phone, and the nurse said, “Do you have a few minutes to talk about your results?” Her tone was
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJune 25, 2024I really don’t mind people disagreeing with me. In fact, I enjoy a good back and forth, especially when someone brings a good alternative perspective. I might still disagree, but it is good to have substance in the counterargument that pushes and demands something of me. I have walked away saying, “Wow! You’ve given me a lot to think about,” often when someone’s life experiences
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJune 24, 2024We offer a prayer today with the hope of finding within ourselves the capacity to forgive. God of Grace and Mercy, we have been taught in the life of Jesus both the importance of forgiveness and the expectation that we will forgive. As recipients of your great gift of merciful kindness that does not define us by our worst days or hurtful choices, we express