ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJanuary 17, 2025Deescalating tension is an art, and I am so envious of people who have the skill of speaking to a moment of anger with words that helps create a pause. It does not mean everyone is happy or at peace, but often unchecked escalation is followed by more escalation. Inflammatory allegations are made, and before long, the original point is lost in a turbulent exchange
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJanuary 16, 2025When I wrote yesterday’s Etching, I was filled with hope for a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. However, I must admit that my usual skepticism was trying to gain some traction. While the news from last night is both exciting and promising, we mustn’t forget that the finish line remains in the distance. Even if the ceasefire is recognized and both sides fulfill their commitments,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJanuary 15, 2025Like you, I am filled with immense hope for the ongoing discussions in the Middle East, particularly the potential ceasefire and prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas. This has been an extraordinarily complicated situation, and to understand it necessitates individuals holding seemingly contradictory beliefs simultaneously. Most people are reluctant to even consider such a concept, preferring straightforward explanations for complex issues deeply rooted in history,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJanuary 14, 2025On Saturday, the Elders and Board had a great gathering to begin conversations about 2025, and in the later afternoon, when just the Board was together, I shared with them the slogan for 2025 that I hope will guide some of our work. The slogan is: Making it happen with two other people. The idea is to involve others. We as a church need to
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJanuary 13, 2025Prayer for the Week: Each day, I’m presented with an endless array of choices, and at the end of the day, I take a moment to reflect on the ones I made. Somewhere between those two points, you have given me an opportunity to choose compassion, kindness, mercy, and justice. O Holy Spirit, the source of wise counsel, grant me the knowledge and strength to
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJanuary 12, 2025We often joke about how time flies when we are having fun, but from the birth of Jesus on December 25 to Baptism of the Lord Sunday (today), Jesus goes from infant to 30-year-old man. Some years, we toss in his trip to Jerusalem at age 12 where he stayed behind and freaked out his parents (Luke 2:41ff), but there isn’t a lot to tell
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJanuary 11, 2025It’s intriguing that John is extensively discussed in Luke’s Gospel as the one who prepares the way for Jesus, yet not mentioned when it comes to Jesus’ baptism. Matthew and Mark make it clear that Jesus was baptized by John, but Luke makes no mention of who did the baptism or give any description of the event itself. In fact, the divine voice proclaims, “You
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJanuary 10, 2025Tomorrow (Saturday), the Elders and General Board of Cypress Creek Christian Church will convene to kick off 2025. My first request of all those who are reading this Etching is to pray for this gathering, and for the significant contributions these two bodies within the church will make over the next twelve months. Many of you have served in a leadership role within the church
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJanuary 9, 2025Setting aside the current political climate we find ourselves in, I want to offer a few words about President Jimmy Carter. In 1980, in advance of the election, I wrote a paper on President Jimmy Carter. Though I did not include it in the paper I wrote, the last article I read in my research talked about his faith. It caught my attention and stuck
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJanuary 8, 2025The Franciscan Monk, Richard Rohr, wrote: “In the New Testament, and particularly for Jesus, the most common image for what God is offering us is a banquet. It’s not a trophy, not a prize, not a reward reserved for later, but a participative and joyous party now. A banquet has everything to do with invitation and acceptance; it is never a command performance.” I recently