ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSOctober 21, 2020Scripture: Ephesians 2:5bYou are saved (rescued) by God’s grace! Thought for the Day: Philip Yancey writes, “Grace, like water, flows to the lowest part.” I love the image, yet I would add that in the great reversal that is central to the teachings of Jesus (The first will be last and the last will be first -or- the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSOctober 20, 2020Scripture: Genesis 28:16Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it!” Thought for the Day: Yesterday I did a small funeral, which included a graveside service. There was a full processional to the cemetery, and it was about 45 minutes outside of town. We had eight police officers escorting us, and we went through
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSOctober 19, 2020Prayer for the Week: Eternal Giver of Gifts, you supply all that is required for the healing of the human soul. You invite us into community where love brings reconciliation and renewed friendship. You promise to walk alongside us as we find ourselves engulfed in grief’s shadowy deep valleys. You supply grace beyond measure that affirms us as your beloved. Bring healing to us as
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSScripture: Ephesians 2:10October 18, 2020For we are what God has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. Thought for the Day: We were – we are – we will forever be created in the image of God, though Paul was quick to suggest that such a statement does not give us some holier-than-thou status. We
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSOctober 17, 2020Scripture: Act 6:8Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Thought for the Day: What ‘wonders and signs’ does a person need to do to get executed? In an initial reading of Acts 6 and 7, it appears that Stephen was stoned to death because he took care of the most vulnerable. It doesn’t sound like an offense worthy
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSOctober 16, 2020Scripture: 1st Thessalonians 3:12And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. Thought for the Day: Martin Luther, the 16th century reformist, reconnected Christianity’s understanding of faith with its understanding of God’s amazing grace. Amidst a religious structure that had become consumed with the doling out of divine love,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSOctober 15, 2020Scripture: 2 Samuel 13:21When King David heard all this, he was furious. Thought for the Day: I have always been deeply troubled by this verse of scripture, though sadly it is a reflection of many people’s reality. King David just learned that Amnon had raped Tamar. David was the king, the most powerful authority, yet his anger did not result in any action. How many
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSOctober 14, 2020Scripture: Luke 7:20When they reached Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you. He asks, ‘Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for someone else?’” Thought for the Day: Have you ever been standing with a group and you’re laughing about something, when suddenly your friend Ted shows up and asks, “So, what are you all laughing about?” There
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSOctober 11, 2020Scripture: Acts 2:42-43They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. Thought for the Day: There are days when I wonder whether it would make sense to scrap the whole concept of church (as we know it today) and start over.