ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 14, 2025 On Sunday, as the Contemporary Service was clearly running longer than expected, specifically because of a special program by Worship & Wonder, a children’s program within our denomination, I began thinking about how to cut my sermon. As I started to preach, in the back of my mind, I determined a way to remove a section and bridge the divide. After cutting it,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 13, 2025 Prayer for the Week: Wherever the cries of the hurting are heard, I pray for compassion. Whenever grief has overwhelmed a friend, I pray to be fully present with grace. Whoever finds themselves being crushed by unjust actions, I pray to bring my voice, and if necessary, my body to the work of healing and restoration. I offer these prayers to you, Jesus,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 10, 2025 God is the first actor, the first cause, or the unmoved mover. In one way or another, these rather old theological concepts are suggesting what is found in Genesis 1, “In the beginning, God…” But even more so is the idea that faith is a response to what God has and continues to do. Some might say faith is a human construct in
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 8, 2025 Guest Writer: Kay Smith In Matthew 25:35-40, we read: I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.’ “Then
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 7, 2025 Today is the birthday of a dear friend, colleague, mentor, and someone with the spiritual gift of encouragement. His name is Bob Turpin. Bob often joked how he was starting college the year I was born, and though he was in ministry early in life, like a lot of folks, he found himself working outside of the church by the time he was
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 6, 2025 It’s wonderful to talk with you, my dear friend, the Source of Love, and of course, the One I know as my God. Even on those days when I feel I have nothing to say, I find comfort in your presence. By faith, I know you are listening, fully comprehending the words I share and the emotions that lie beneath those words. You
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 5, 2025 What a day! What a day!! I love our Blessing of the Animals and Stuffed Animals. It is a really good community event. There were so many families who were simply going to the Bush Library or coming back from Collins Park, and they stopped to see what was occurring. They quickly discovered some wonderful hospitality from our folks, and then learning how
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 4, 2025 Last Sunday, we talked about growing larger by growing smaller—by placing an emphasis on fellowship groups. Why do we do this? My answer, and I think the answer of Cypress Creek Christian Church, is people matter. There is always the guy who is the center of attention in a group of five or five hundred, but for the rest of us, what does
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 3, 2025 In yesterday’s Bible Study, we were looking at the story of Moses encountering a burning bush that was not consumed. Of course, it is the marvelous story where Moses encounters an angel/God in the burning bush, and in that experience, Moses is invited to return to Egypt, confront Pharaoh, and to guide the people from slavery to freedom. Someone in the group asked
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 2, 2025 Last Sunday, I talked about how we continue to grow as a church, but how our growth will occur by us intentionally getting smaller. At first, it sounds counterintuitive, if not outright nonsense. It’s one thing if growth by itself is the goal. If we were trying to generate numbers alone, then bigger at any cost would be the driving and blinding force.