ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSAugust 31, 2023A couple of days ago, I did some hospital visits, and as I stepped out of one hospital, I was immediately struck by the smell of cigaret smoke. Now let me be clear – this is not intended to be a judgment against those who struggle with an addiction to nicotine, but I notice cigaret smoke from quite a distance. As I looked to my
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSAugust 30, 2023What would it look like to step into conflict with a clear expression of love? We have examples, and sadly, the initial reaction is not good. Often, the energy of the conflict is redirected toward the one who is offering an alternative. There are times when somehow the one who tries to enter into the conflict with love is scapegoated and blamed for the conflict
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSAugust 29, 2023When you think about it, a lot of stuff in life depends on circumstance or experience. Right now, many of us are joking about a cold front coming when the highs will be in the mid-90s. Burr! I grew up in Nebraska, where winters were pretty cold, and when I was attending college in Oklahoma, I wore shorts quite often during the winter because it
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSAugust 28, 2023Prayer for the Week: Why is it that hate-filled violence continues to be present in our society? Why is it that one person detests someone or some group to the point that killing appears to be the only answer? Some try to blame you, God, or suggest it’s just the way things are. Yet I look to the stories of faith, and I see how
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSAugust 27, 2023I was sad to read about the death of Bob Barker. Like some of you, I grew up with Bob and The Price Is Right. Of course, it was a daytime game show, so I only watched it when I was home sick from school. Bob was a friend on those sick days as I rested and watched… as that was the time before Cable,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSAugust 26, 2023Many of you know what it is like to journey alongside someone toward the end of life. Maybe it was a grandparent, parent, sibling, close friend, or simply someone God brought into your life. It is a draining experience on every level—emotionally, physically, and spiritually. And until you are in the moment, it is hard to understand. And of course, there are the complexities when
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSAugust 25, 2023Sunday, we begin a new series where we will reflect on stretching. As a former gymnast and gymnastics coach, I know the importance of stretching. In some of my beginner classes, it was fun to watch incredibly inflexible kids start to see progress. Maybe it started with touching their toes, then moved to the splits, and eventually to a pancake. Of course, you can’t force
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSAugust 24, 2023So I’m driving in NE Texas, and alongside the road I notice a poorly made sign that reads: WE PROCESS MEAT. I assume they are getting ready for deer season. But the sign was only 30 yards or so away from a cemetery. Placement is everything! I’ve seen too many horror movies to not be left a bit nervous about exactly what kind of meat
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSAugust 23, 2023I drove part of the way back to Houston yesterday, spent the night at a hotel, and ran by the grocery store to grab something to eat for dinner. There was a frozen vegetarian meal that looked good, but after getting back to the hotel, I could not open the plastic surrounding the meal. I eventually did, but it was both frustrating and embarrassing to
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSAugust 22, 2023In the last two days, I have seen Genesis 1:1 in three rather unusual places. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The first was on a billboard along the highway; the second was a plaque at a thrift store; the third was in a bathroom stall at a gas station. In the case of the third, it was scratched into the