ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 14, 2019 Prayer for the Week: One of your expressions of love – A faith community – this faith community – was impacted by flood waters. Experts warned of decline and despair. They told of many churches that never recovered But moving among a quirky and authentic group of people Your Living and Life-Giving Spirit has been named, enjoyed and embraced. Some decline has occurred,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 13, 2019 Scripture: Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thought for the Day: Is the power of the Holy Spirit standing on the outside of us sucking the joy from our pores so that it might spill upon the world? Or is
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 12, 2019 Scripture: Isaiah 32:17-20 The fruit of righteousness will be peace, and the outcome of righteousness, calm and security forever. Then my people will live in a peaceful dwelling, in secure homes, in carefree resting places. Even if the forest falls and the humbled city is laid low, those who sow beside any stream will be happy, sending out ox and donkey to graze.
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 11, 2019 Scripture: Joel 2:28-29 After that I will pour out my spirit upon everyone; your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days, I will also pour out my spirit on the male and female slaves. Thought for the Day: After what? According Joel, a vision of transition from despair
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 10, 2019 Scripture: Proverbs 17:22 A joyful heart helps healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. Thought for the Day: Maya Angelou wrote, “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” I’m not suggesting those are all the boxes we want to check in life,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 9, 2019 Scripture: Psalm 107:28-31 So they cried out to the LORD in their distress, and God brought them out safe from their desperate circumstances. God quieted the storm to a whisper; the sea’s waves were hushed. So they rejoiced because the waves had calmed down; then God led them to the harbor they were hoping for. Let them thank the LORD for his faithful
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 8, 2019 Scripture: 1st John 3:16 This is how we know love: Jesus laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. Thought for the Day: This is a passage I have referenced a few times in the last couple years, and it reappeared in my sermon on Sunday. It is a powerful passage, and
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 7, 2019 Prayer for the Week: Jesus broke bread with every kind of despised, hated and mistrusted individual. He broke bread, and created a new world where love upended the sentiment that had left so many on the outside looking in. O Bread of Heaven, you once again create a feast where the story of your reconciling and healing gift is put on display. You
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 6, 2019 Scripture: Proverbs 24:6 Strategic planning is the key to warfare; to win, you need a lot of good counsel. Thought for the Day: Whether the author was talking about real military battles or using the language more figuratively, the basic idea of the Proverb remains relevant. Planning and good counsel are critical tools in seeing a vision take shape and move toward realization.