ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 14, 2023Yesterday, I had the opportunity to officiate at a wedding in the Forum. It was a wedding that originally thought they could fit everyone in our small chapel. As the preparation continued, they were concerned about whether the chapel would be big enough. They finally decided to move into the Forum, and it was a good choice. We might have been able to squeeze everyone
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 13, 2023As you move toward the end of the Book of Job, God finally answers the frustrated cries of Job. For so many chapters, Job has dealt with the condescending questions of his so-called friends, who assumed Job must have committed a king-sized sin to deserve all the bad stuff that happened. Of course, the ‘friends’ were working from a worldview that believed good people got
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 12, 2023In our staff meeting on Tuesday, I shared the direction of my sermon for this Sunday and how I Peter 4 describes the love of the community “covering” our sins. The Greek word we translate as ‘cover’ is the verb version of the Greek word hut or cabin. So basically, love builds a structure around our sins (on Sunday, we will talk more about the
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 11, 2023The word “Obligation” carries with it a heaviness, as if just saying the word causes a person to sigh with a burdensome inward groan. Now, I don’t want to imply that we should never feel obligated to do something. A sense of duty or a commitment to a promise might be thought of as an obligation, and I think that’s fine. With that said, I
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 10, 2023I am thankful for my calendar. I put a lot of reminders on my calendar, and I put the alerts on so that I get reminders about my reminders. When I have a meeting away from the church, I put the address on the calendar, and the alerts keep track of traffic and report to me how soon I should leave based on the current
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 9, 2023On Sunday, we talked about Spiritual Gifts. Those who came to worship, received a small gift box (see below). Before everyone opened them, I made sure to dampen expectations. It was nothing too exciting. It was simply a tool to reinforce the idea of what it means to unwrap the gift or gifts God has given us. For some folks, it is crystal clear and
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 8, 2023Prayer for Discern – Spiritual GiftsHoly God, help bring my attention to the gifts bestowed and entrusted to me. Let me give ear and heart to the rustling and nudging of your Spirit. You believe in me and have revealed a challenge in the form of a gift. In this moment, I am attentive to the restlessness found within who I am. Because of your
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 7, 2023I believe that each person has been gifted for the purpose of building up the Kin(g)dom of God here on earth, yet there are many people who do not see themselves as gifted. For whatever reason, they perceive their abilities as insignificant or even worthless. In 1 Peter, we read how we are to be good stewards (managers) of the gracious gifts God has bestowed
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 6, 2023Today is the 2023 Greater Houston Area Assembly. The CCCC Staff and a handful of others from the church will be joining together with representatives of other DOC churches from the area for worship, reflection, and fellowship. We are meeting at University Christian Church here in Houston, and the theme of the event is: Together. I’m sure the program will be wonderful, yet I will
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 5, 2023As a kid, do you remember being envious of another kid’s talent/skill? There was the kid who ran faster or could jump further; there was one whose math or science skills were ahead of everyone else; there was the one who was funny and always had something humorous to say at the right moment; there was the one who was a pretty good dancer even