ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJune 1, 2020Prayer for the Week:For everyone who is angryFor everyone who feels exhaustedFor everyone who believes we are better than thisFor everyone who has convinced him/herself that the answer to it all is found in a meme –For everyone, Merciful God, a vision is sought of how justice and kindness can be enfleshed in human community.Your prophets spoke of a day when hatred and distrust would
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 31, 2020Scripture: Psalm 68:3-6But let the righteous be joyful; let them exult before God; let them be jubilant with joy. Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds — his name is the Lord— be exultant before him. Father of orphans and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God gives the desolate
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 30, 2020Scripture: Acts 2:1-2When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting… Thought for the Day: Change is always right around the corner. All it takes is a good spiritual wind to blow through our lives,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 29, 2020Scripture: Philippians 4:16For even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs more than once. Thought for the Day: In a book of prayers, Lavon Bayler writes: “Eye-opening God, whose compassion reaches out to all who walk in darkness, help us to recognize the blind spots in our lives.” This is a dangerous prayer to offer as it requests God’s help
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 28, 2020Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:21Which do you want? Should I come to you with a big stick to punish you, or with love and a gentle spirit? Thought for the Day: Though I imagine Paul was a pretty serious guy, I think he desperately wanted to be known for having a sense of humor. I don’t wish to be rude, but if that was his wish
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 27, 2020Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! Thought for the Day: On Monday, after the heavy rains from the night before, I didn’t know if I was going to get my lawn mowed. Monday is my day off, and I am always hoping for good weather to complete
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 26, 2020Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:20As it is, there are many members, yet one body. Thought for the Day: Paul was referring to different spiritual gifts in the Body of Christ, but earlier today I read those words a bit differently in light of the pandemic. What does it mean to be one, yet to have different emotional responses among the one body. Is it ok to
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 25, 2020Prayer for the WeekSing with meCry with meEncourage meComfort meBelieve in meReside in meSacred One of the UniverseThe God of Abraham and Sarah Ruth and Boaz Rahab and Salmon Mary and JosephThe God at the center of a people calling themselves Cypress Creek Christian Church.It is you, Merciful One – Through the Living Word enfleshed Through the Holy Spirit indwelling Through the Saints of the
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 24, 2020Scripture: John 1:16And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. Thought for the Day: Glory full of grace and truth – My theology, my understanding of God, has always been shaped by those words. And I need to remember sometimes that an occasional sermon preached
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 23, 2020Scripture: Ephesians 4:15-16But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love. Thought for the Day: I’m drawn to the language