ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 27, 2023In the 14th chapter of John’s Gospel, we read: “Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father” (v.12). I referenced this passage a few weeks ago in my sermon. These words make me think of one of my
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 26, 2023My job, like many other jobs, can have stress and pressure, but at no point has my job description linked good preaching to my limbs remaining intact. You may be wondering why I write that, but in Daniel 2, there is a threat of being torn limb from limb for not sharing a dream and its interpretation. I must admit that such a threat would
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 25, 2023The task of a Christian is to fill oneself with God and the divine message of mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Music is a powerful tool. Rarely does anyone sit around on Monday repeating portions of the sermon, but there is a good chance that someone may hum a portion of a song sung in worship. Music has the ability to get under our skin and
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 24, 2023God, I’m pretty sure you don’t even need to think about forgiveness. It’s just who you are and what you do. And let me say that I am so thankful for the generosity of your gift poured forth upon me. But it doesn’t come all that easily to me. Oh sure, there are certain things I can forgive without a second thought, but there are
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 23, 2023Do you believe in miracles? There are plenty of people who would be quick to say that miracles are a bunch of nonsense, yet I have not only seen them but also had the joy of participating in them. In Acts 19:11, we read: “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul.” That is the narrator describing what s/he believes, and it might be exactly what I
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 22, 2023Tomorrow is Sunday, and I still don’t know what I am preaching on. Actually, I do… I simply have a major editing project ahead of me. I’m thinking most folks do not wish to sit through a 90-minute sermon, and right now, that’s where it is. Actually, this is not a very uncommon occurrence for me. Sometimes a sermon, in the editing process, gets broken
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 21, 2023I love it when the Judge next door at the Courthouse calls us to do a wedding (Paula, Mariah, and I have all done weddings). Sometimes we get the call because he is stuck in court and has a couple waiting to be married. Though we interact with the couples for less than 20 minutes, and usually just 15, I still really enjoy the people
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 20, 2023Last Sunday, after worship, I grabbed a bite of lunch before coming back to the church for the big send-off—the youth mission trip. It was about 1:15pm, so only a little over an hour had passed since folks had left the Forum after worship. As I walked up the steps on the Library side, I walked through one of the thickest spiderwebs I had walked
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 19, 2023A few weeks ago, I preached a sermon that caused some folks to squirm, others to ask challenging questions, and still others to disagree. And to be clear, within our tradition, disagreeing is something you are more than welcome to do. I just encourage people to do more than disagree simply because something makes them feel uncomfortable. Within the large spectrum that is Christianity (both
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 18, 2023Last night, I had the joy of participating in a Zoom Call to honor Paul Few, who has served our denomination in the area of Men’s Ministry, on the Local, Regional, and General levels. I know Paul, not only through his work with the church, but also because he is my stepfather. There were so many people on the call who I knew when I