ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 15, 2023Tomorrow night is the Spring Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. It is always a rich experience, with a wonderfully diverse group of speakers who offer insight from their unique faith expressions. Each year, I learn something I did not previously know while also having my own faith experience challenged and lifted by something someone said. And the service itself, and specifically what it communicates in this time
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 14, 2023Our friend in Chicago, Chris Baker, who does INK180, recently made a trip to Nepal to do what he does so well: remove or transform tattoos that have marked trafficking victims. It is a sort of branding that serves as a reminder of who you belong to (trafficker, pimp, etc.). For most of us, it is hard to even begin to fathom what these individuals
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 13, 2023Prayer for the Week (a portion of a prayer from Sunday’s worship): You stand with us, Gracious God, even when we are not at our best. You beckon us into greater health and well-being because you are love, and you desire for us to know the fullness of life that is found in your love. Sometimes we are a bit overwhelmed by what is before
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 12, 2023I have wondered quite often if the church takes seriously what it suggests in claiming itself to be the Body of Christ. Is it simply a cute title that makes us feel all cuddly close to Jesus, or is there a profound expectation that what we do clearly and unquestionably communicates Jesus to the world? When we share meals, whether at the communion table or
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 11, 2023Tomorrow, I conclude this little three-week look at Self-Care, and how, despite some people’s opinions, I do not believe it is selfish. Now selfishness, laziness, or irresponsibility can be disguised as self-care, but if what you are doing is not benefiting the whole self and ultimately the greater good, then I don’t believe it is self-care. Tomorrow, I am going to attempt to walk a
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 10, 2023One of the more challenging experiences in ministry is when someone who is grieving the death of a loved one or dealing with the diagnosis of a loved one asks the question, “Why didn’t God protect this very special person?” I do not have a specific answer, but more of a general one. I’m not going to suggest it is THE answer, but it is
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 9, 2023In her book, “Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I’ve Loved,” she wrote: What would it mean for Christians to give up that little piece of the American Dream that says, “You are limitless”? Everything is not possible. The mighty kingdom of God is not yet here. What if ‘rich’ did not have to mean ‘wealthy’, and ‘whole’ did not have to mean
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 8, 2023On Monday, I shared a quote from the Book of Sirach, a Jewish book (originally written in Hebrew) that is contained within the Catholic, most Orthodox, and some other traditions’ canons (official list of recognized books of the Bible). Most Protestants recognize it for its historic importance, as early Christian writers often referenced it, but it’s not included in our canon. It was written between
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 7, 2023Like many of you, I feel my heart breaking each day as I awaken to the violence between Israel and Palestine. It is a historic and complicated situation, yet nothing could justify the brutal attack back in early October. Yesterday, I came across a story about two men who were once very involved in the violence between Palestinians and Jews, yet both of them had
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 6, 2023A Prayer from the Book of SirachTrustworthy friends are a strong shelter; whoever finds one has found a treasure.Trustworthy friends have no price, and no one can estimate their worth.Trustworthy friends are life’s medicine, and those who fear the Lord will find them.