ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 18, 2025 I was crushed when the Nebraska Women’s Volleyball team was upset by Texas A&M in the NCAA Tournament over the weekend. I felt really bad, and then I watched an interview with one of the players, and I realized how hurt she felt. However, I then read an article about how children are still dying in Gaza, which was then followed by a
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 17, 2025 Guest Writers: Rev. Paula Gembala Earlier today, I went out to check the mail at the church. There were approximately 15 preschool-age children accompanied by parents in the playground. Each of those kids was singing, playing, and just having a grand time. The parents were chatting with one another and had big smiles on their faces. For me, this was a picture of
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 16, 2025 I took a nap yesterday. I don’t take a lot of intentional naps, though I have been known to sit down after a long Sunday and be asleep before my backside has sunk too far into the couch cushion. I did not sleep well the night before, and though Monday was my day off, I spent the morning visiting with two separate clergy
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 15, 2025 Prayer for the Week From a friend & colleague: Rev. Michelle Beech (Daily Inspirations) www.ekklesialove.com/ …but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will fly up on wings like eagles; they will run and not be tired; they will walk and not be weary. ISAIAH 40:31 A PRAYER FOR THE WEEK We hope whole-heartedly for You, O Creator God!
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 14, 2025 I had a chapel wedding yesterday, and from what I heard, the wedding party had some challenges and mishaps on their way to the wedding. There was clearly some stress when they arrived, and both the groom and the bride looked a little distant at the beginning of the ceremony. When it came time for my meditation, it was specifically written for them,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 13, 2025 There are a number of strange things about me, and I’m pretty sure my spouse could add to the list. One of the oddities that is Bruce Frogge is looking for patterns in numbers. I’m not great at games like Sudoku, but I will see a list of random numbers and I find myself thinking about how one number multiplied by the next
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 12, 2025 Who is really in the story and who is not? In three different conversations in the last week, people have been surprised that something or someone was not actually in the Christmas Story. From cartoon versions to made-for-TV movies to big-budget church productions, the story needs some filler. Don’t read that the wrong way, but if you are trying to put together a
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 11, 2025 In Sunday’s sermon, I mentioned a movie that might be among the Frogges’ Top Five, though as I think more about it, I’m pretty sure we have seven or eight movies in our Top Five. Though one that is close to the top is Shawshank Redemption, starring Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins. At one point in the movie, the two of them are
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 10, 2025 My first real introduction to Liberation Theology was the theologian, Gustavo Gutiérrez (1928–2024). He encouraged us to reflect on the implications of Jesus’ context, specifically the place and circumstances of where he was born. The following are some reflections and insights from Kelley Nikondeha (from cac.org, December 26, 2024), based on her reading of Gutiérrez. There, on the fringe of society, “the Word
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS December 9, 2025 There were a couple of snafus on Sunday in regard to the worship material and the worship outline. I must own all those! Not to explain away my blunder, but it was a sort of interesting happening. My screen on my MacBook Air started to go out, but thank goodness that I had AppleCare, the three-year warranty. I took it in, and they