ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMay 11, 2021Scripture: Acts 1:1In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach… Thought for the Day: As you may know, the “former book” is the Gospel of Luke, the first half of the Luke/Acts saga. It too begins with a reference to Theophilus, the intended audience of both books. Now many of you have heard me suggest that
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMay 10, 2021Prayer for the Week:Not enough feel welcome at the tableNot enough believe your invitationNot enough embrace their beloved statusIs it something we have done Gracious God?Is there somewhere we have failed?Too much pain and brokennessToo many standing on the outside looking inToo many who have been pushed out by the very ones who should love them unconditionallyToo many living their lives feeling unwanted unworthy undeservingCall
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMay 9, 2021Scripture: Ephesians 2:19So now you are no longer strangers and aliens. Rather, you are fellow citizens with God’s people, and you belong to God’s household. Thought for the Day: Paul was writing to the Christian community in Ephesus, a community full of tension, split apart by both real and fabricated problems. Yet Paul refused to allow such forces to divide a community built on the
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMay 8, 2021Scripture: Isaiah 66:13-14aAs a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice; your bodies shall flourish like the grass… Thought for the Day: The first half of this verse is pretty well known, but so often we don’t move into vs. 14. It is as if we enjoy the comfort,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMay 7, 2021Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Thought for the Day: Years ago, I heard Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa preach on this text, and most of the time he focussed on
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMay 6, 2021Scripture: Mark 12:28-31One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMay 5, 2021Scripture: Romans 10:17So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. Thought for the Day: Peter Drucker was an author and business guru. He has dozens of really good quotes, but one of my favorites is: The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said. It is an important insight as we need to pay
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMay 4, 2021Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:14And no wonder! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Thought for the Day: Please understand that I am only venting, and my use of scripture in this moment is a bit of a stretch. Donna and I are currently at that moment when our internet promotion is concluding, and the price will make a dramatic jump. The games begin,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMay 3, 2021Prayer for the Week: Holy God, you chose us before we even thought of turning toward you. In your grace, you named us as your beloved; you made space for us at your table; you provided us a clear purpose. In a world where so many powers and principalities seek to define us, call to us through the power of your Spirit. Allow for us
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGMay 2, 2021Scripture: Galatians 6:9So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. Thought for the Day: Early in the pandemic, I referenced these words in both a sermon and some devotionals. Today, I feel a I need to return to them with a renewed passion. I might be a bit overly