ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSOctober 1, 2020Scripture: Matthew 13:10-11Then the disciples came and asked Jesus, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” He answered,” To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.” Thought for the Day: The answer(s) we have to this question here in Matthew’s Gospel is a little different from Mark’s Gospel, and
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSSeptember 29, 2020Scripture: Matthew 4:23Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues. He announced the good news of the kingdom and healed every disease and sickness among the people. Thought for the Day: The word Kingdom is one of those words that is a bit dated, while also remaining somewhat relevant. We all have watched enough movies where the setting is some sort of kingdom. For that
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSSeptember 29, 2020Scripture: Job 6:14 (the Message)When desperate people give up on God Almighty, their friends, at least, should stick with them. Thought for the Day: I have received a number of emails and letters from Hyundai recently. My car is going on 18 months old, and they have been contacting me for all kinds of reasons. What’s interesting is they somehow switched my middle name and
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSSeptember 27, 2020Scripture: John 14:2In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? Thought for the Day: As I mentioned yesterday, I am preaching from John 14 today. There are a handful of images in scripture that seize the imagination of my spirit, and this would be one
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSSeptember 26, 2020Scripture: John 14:3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. Thought for the Day: Tomorrow, I will reference these beautiful words from John’s Gospel, yet I learned that a single space can significantly change the meaning. I was typing this verse very quickly
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSSeptember 25, 2020Scripture: Romans 12:13Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home. Thought for the Day: What will it mean to be the church in a post-pandemic world? I have done some reading, though not a lot, on what life was like after the Spanish Flu (1918-1920) as things returned to normal. Actually, from what I have read, it was a bit
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSSeptember 24, 2020Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:9We are God’s coworkers, and you are God’s field, God’s building. Thought for the Day: Have you ever had a coworker who might have better been described as a couch potato observer? When I was in high school, one of the dreaded lines was, “Your grade is going to be a team grade. You will do the project together.” Occasionally, depending on
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSSeptember 23, 2020Scripture: Genesis 33:4-5But Esau ran to meet Jacob, threw his arms around his neck, kissed him, and they wept. Esau looked up and saw the women and children and said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children that God generously gave your servant.” Thought for the Day: It was this week in 1806 that Lewis and Clark returned to St. Louis at the
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSSeptember 22, 2020Scripture: Isaiah 32:6-8Fools speak folly; their minds devise wickedness, acting irreverently, speaking falsely of the LORD, leaving the hungry empty, and depriving the thirsty of drink. As for the villain, his villainies are evil. He plans schemes to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speak justly. But an honorable person plans honorable things and stands up for what is honorable. Thought