ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 30, 2025In John 14, right after the wonderful words where Jesus describes the many rooms in his father’s house, he says, “Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the father.” The preposition “ because” appears to be an important word
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 29, 2025I was rereading Rob Bell’s book, What We Talk About When We Talk About God, for the third or fourth time. Toward the end, he offers a very earthy yet accurate description of confession. He writes, “Confession is like really, really healthy vomit. It may smell and get all over the front of your shirt, but you feel better—you feel cleansed—when you’re done.” Though a
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 28, 2025Since Christmas, I have started and restarted reading the book, “Dinners With Ruth” by Nina Totenberg. It wasn’t that I found the book boring. Just the opposite! I was enjoying it, but there were always more pressing things to read in preparation for a sermon or a study. Much of the book is about this amazing friendship between the NPR reporter, Nina Totenberg (who I
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 27, 2025You may have read something about this, but if not, there is an Orthodox Church here in Texas that is gaining a lot of interest among younger men. It’s not because they are seeking a deeper spiritual connection with God or wanting to better understand self-giving love or humility. I only wish! Instead, it is promoting a hypermasculinity as it denounces all kinds of things
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 26, 2025Prayer for the Week: As we seek love, O Source of Love, it is often difficult to trust the power of love in light of our experiences of betrayal, hypocrisy, and self-serving acts purporting to be love. Provide for us living and transformative examples of life-giving and life-sustaining love, not simply from Scripture, but from the Body of Christ at work in this moment. Bolster
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 25, 2025Julian of Norwich (1342-1416) wrote, “Pray, even if you feel nothing, see nothing. For when you are dry, empty, sick or weak, at such a time is your prayer most pleasing to God, even though you may find little joy in it.” When she suggests that such prayer is “pleasing to God,” I don’t believe she is suggesting that it triggers God to act as if
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 24, 2025As many of you know, I have several food allergies. Recently, I visited a city that had a fantastic bakery dedicated to Bruce. Actually, they need more than just me to stay open, although I probably bought more items than I should have. But they were so good! The first item I had was a gluten-free, dairy-free cinnamon crunch cupcake. Double Yum! I probably snarfed
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 23, 2025Guest Writer: Rev. Becky WindersAs an RN, I have had the privilege of caring for patients in different life cycles, from birth to death. Although most people would not consider sitting with patients as they draw their last breath as a blessing, I do. I have had some remarkable experiences as patients travel their last moments of life. Some have a smile or actually have
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 22, 2025What do you do when a child is screaming in the hotel room next door at 1am? I was never sure what someone meant when they described someone as screaming bloody murder, but I think I now know the definition. It was ear-piercing for well over an hour, though as I lay in bed pondering the situation, I remembered traveling in my early 20s with
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 21, 2025Guest Writer: Rev. Dr. Terry Ewing from Phillips Theological SeminaryAs I was sitting outside on a recent spring afternoon, I noticed a shadow gliding across the yard in front of me. Then, the shadow moved steadily across and over the place in which I was sitting. It was the shadow of red-tailed hawk and in graceful loops moved on past me. I have heard others