ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 27, 2020Scripture: Matthew 1:18aNow the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way… Thought for the Day: With a feeling of discomfort in the gut after that enormous Thanksgiving meal yesterday, it is a bit of a shock to realize that a seismic shift just occurred. We moved from a Thanksgiving focus to an Advent focus in a matter of hours. We turned from
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 26, 2020Scripture: Luke 19:5-6When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. Thought for the Day: This Thanksgiving is hard for many reason, but for most of us, we are not welcoming many of the people we would like
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 25, 2020Scripture: 2nd Corinthians 9:6-8The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 24, 2020Scripture: Psalm 106:1-3Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. Who can utter the mighty doings of the Lord, or declare all his praise? Happy are those who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times. Thought for the Day: It is said that a true optimist is a person who starts a new
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 22, 2020Scripture: Genesis 40:12-14Then Joseph said to the chief cupbearer, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days; within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office; and you shall place Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer. But remember me when it is well with you; please do
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 21, 2020Scripture: Proverbs 12:25Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. Thought for the Day: I don’t often quote Lady Gaga, yet as I have continued to reflect on kindness, I found her words to be exactly what I needed to hear. She wrote: I’ve been searching for ways to heal myself, and I’ve found that kindness is the best way. Lady
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 20, 2020Scripture: James 4:17Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin. Thought for the Day: I have always been troubled by the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson who wrote: You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late. There is something about now and not later, something about acting
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 19, 2020Scripture: Colossians 3:14Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Thought for the Day: Recently I listened to David Brooks on a podcast where he spoke of tribalism vs. community. Tribalism is when people gather around a common hatred of something, while community is when people gather around a common love for something. Brooks suggested that tribalism can feel like
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSNovember 18, 2020Scripture: Acts 9:36-37aNow in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. Thought for the Day: We are introduced to Tabitha (Dorcas), told how wonderful she was, and then she died. This all takes place in exactly 1 1/2 verses of