ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS February 8, 2020 Scripture: Psalm 30:10-12 Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me! O Lord, be my helper!” You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever. Thought for the Day: As a kid,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS February 7, 2020 Scripture: Colossians 1:24 I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. Thought for the Day: I am rereading Ronald Osborn’s book, “Creative Disarray,” a discussion on ministry and church-life in America. Osborn was one of our denomination’s great
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS February 6, 2020 Scripture: Exodus 15:20-21 Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand. All the women followed her playing tambourines and dancing. Miriam sang the refrain back to them: Sing to the LORD, for an overflowing victory! Horse and rider he threw into the sea! Thought for the Day: I can’t say that it would have made Casey Kasem’s Top 40
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS February 5, 2020 Scripture: Matthew 5:46-48 If you love only those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore, just as your heavenly Father is complete in showing love to everyone, so also you must be
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS February 4, 2020 Scripture: Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Thought for the Day: If my Greek is coming back to me, a literal reading of the passage would be: All things I have vigor/strength in/with the one empowering me. The Greek word for ‘strengthening” (I translated it as empowering) is Endunamoo. En = in, by or with; dunamoo =
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS February 3, 2020 Prayer for the Week: How do we not see? How do we not recognize the historic bias, the prejudice born from insecurity, the limits we have placed upon your limitless potential, your immeasurable creativity? Our skewed perception is alive and well, it is at work in and through your church -attempting to the restrict- -aiming to fetter- your Spirit’s work in the world,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS February 2, 2020 Scripture: Genesis 38:15-16 When Judah saw Tamar, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face. Not realizing that she was his daughter-in-law, he went over to her by the roadside and said, “Come now, let me sleep with you.” “And what will you give me to sleep with you?” she asked. Thought for the Day: Is your family complicated?
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS February 1, 2020 Scripture: Romans 16:1 I’m introducing our sister Phoebe to you, who is a servant of the church in Cenchreae. Thought for the Day: Phoebe was a rockstar in the life of the early church. She made things happen, and it was Paul who in this last chapter of Romans refers to her as a servant. This is the same Greek word that the
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS January 31, 2020 Scripture: 2nd Timothy 1:5 I’m reminded of your authentic faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice. I’m sure that this faith is also inside you. Thought for the Day: This Sunday, I will begin reflecting on the history of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), specifically looking at women in leadership and ministry. Now I have only been
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS January 30, 2020 Scripture: Proverbs 20:15 Much gold and many pearls exist, but wise speech is the most precious jewel. Thought for the Day: In recent weeks, I have been watching some lectures on scientific discoveries from the last couple of centuries and the implication of those discoveries. It makes me realize how little I actually know. Even more so, I have gained a greater appreciation