ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSApril 4, 2023Guest Writer: Sheri Ragan, CCCC ElderWhen we join John in these verses (John 12:20-36), things are changing and starting to move faster. Jesus’ earthly ministry has ended and the time for his death and resurrection has arrived. We read how the grain of wheat must fall to the earth and die in order to bear much fruit. Likewise, Jesus’ death bears the fruit of a
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSApril 3, 2023Guest Writer: Chip Bettis, CCCC ElderScripture: John 12:1-11Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSApril 2, 2023Guest Writer: Richard Whyde, CCCC ElderIn John 12:12-19 it tells the story about the crowd’s reaction to seeing Jesus entering into Jerusalem. I heard the teachings of this story in Sunday school when I was a child, and I remember the little plays we used to do. I am reminded of the HOSANNA songs we learned in Sunday school and the ones we sing in
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSApril 1, 2023Tomorrow is Palm Sunday, and of course, that means Easter is a week from tomorrow. I’m sure there are many such weeks in other walks of life, but for ministers, this is the intersection of stress and joy, craziness and exhilaration. Over the years, I have found the range of emotions to provide a little glimpse into the experience of the first Holy Week. People
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 31, 2023Is anyone else having a hard time believing tomorrow is April 1? This happens often—I wake up one morning and say to myself, “Wow! Where did the month (week, year, decade) go?” There were certain things that needed to be accomplished in March, and unless I stay up all night tonight, they will probably need to wait until April or possibly May. I am not
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 30, 2023Everyone likes a parade. Well, almost everyone. I can remember two parades in which the high school marching band participated despite bitterly cold temperatures and drizzle. Yes, I was in that band. Trying to play a saxophone with chattering teeth is not an easy thing to do. But as miserable as I was, looking at the sparse crowd along the route (mainly family members of
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 29, 2023Guest Writer: Rev. Mariah NewellMatthew 10:34– “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace but a sword. I have never particularly loved this Scripture, but I should probably clarify. I have never particularly loved how this Scripture is often interpreted and applied. Many times, I hear this as a justification for violence. That,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 28, 2023Yesterday, I posted a quote from the New Testament scholar, NT Wright. It said: “Jesus’s resurrection is the beginning of God’s new project not to snatch people away from earth to heaven but to colonize earth with the life of heaven. That after all is what the Lord’s Prayer is about.” It appears to have struck a chord with a handful of people. Wright has
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 27, 2023Prayer for the Week:Merciful God, where there are those who are lonely, may the Body of Christ see them and engage them in holy fellowship; where there are those who are injured, may the Body of Christ see them and provide a healing salve; where there are those who are lost, may the Body of Christ see them and offer to walk alongside; where there
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMarch 26, 2023One of the great questions with which Christians find themselves struggling is, “What does unconditional love look like in real-life situations?” I am thinking specifically when someone’s actions are unhealthy, destructive, or even abusive. Can love also include boundaries? Is it okay to say, “I love you, and I am not going to allow you to hurt me anymore”? Are there moments when choosing to