ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 21, 2020Scripture: Ruth 1:15-16So Naomi said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said, “Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” Thought for the
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 20, 2020Prayer for the Week: When my first reaction is to be upset, to lash out or be dismissive, allow for your heart to align itself with my heart, O Spirit of Life. Give me the courage to seek understanding, even if I feel certain that I will never agree; even if it requires me to bite my tongue; even if I find my insides fidgeting
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 19, 2020Scripture: 2 John 1:12I have a lot to tell you. I don’t want to use paper and ink, but I hope to visit you and talk with you face-to-face, so that our joy can be complete. Thought for the Day: First, I must say how much I enjoy finding this very practical sentence about not wishing to waste paper and ink. That aside, the author
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 18, 2020Scripture: Psalm 4:6-7Many people say, “We can’t find goodness anywhere. The light of your face has left us, LORD!” But you have filled my heart with more joy than when their wheat and wine are everywhere! Thought for the Day: Wouldn’t it be nice if the world was together in mood. When it was time to grieve, everyone stood still and grieved. When it was
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 17, 2020Scripture: Proverbs 17:22A joyful heart helps healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. Thought for the Day: There is a part of me that simply wishes to say, “Amen,” as I believe these words to be true. Of course, the suggestion that a joyful heart helps healing assumes illness or grief or some other form of ailment to be present. That’s where I
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 16, 2020Scripture: Psalm 47:1Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with loud songs of joy. Thought for the Day: Intensity and decibels appear to be the means by which one measures enthusiasm for God. I have participated in some worship services over the years where we rattled the rafters. Often it was a combination of the message and the music. We might have been
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 15, 2020Scripture: Acts 16:38-39The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens; so they came and apologized to Paul and Silas. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. Thought for the Day: Paul and Silas had been beaten and thrown into jail, though it sounds as if they were not
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 14, 2020Scripture: Philippians 1:12I want you to know, beloved, that what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel… Thought for the Day: How do we read those words? For too many people, they believe Paul was suggesting that God caused his difficulty, including his imprisonment for the sake of sharing the Gospel. That is, in my opinion, a very dangerous theological path
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 13, 2020Prayer for the Week: Our most precious gift;our most valued resource;our most guarded treasure – our children. Holy God whose voice spoke of the goodness within creation, you have given us the responsibility to be good stewards of life and health. There is great anxiousness and consternation this day as parents and grandparents, teachers and educational staff, find themselves making decisions about school this fall.
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJuly 12, 2020Scripture: Philippians 1:6 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. Thought for the Day: Depending on how we interpret these words, we could put off anything as long as we wanted by simply saying, “Well, it’s not yet the day of Jesus Christ.” Could it be