ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJune 7, 2024Loneliness and isolation are described as some of the most significant mental health concerns in our nation, and simply being around people does not solve these concerns. There is no question that the pandemic intensified these concerns, but it was already a serious issue prior to COVID lockdowns, and it has not relented since. In John 14:18, Jesus said, “I won’t leave you as orphans.
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJune 6, 2024Tuesday night, the kid and I went to see Hair Spray at the Hobby Center. We enjoyed it, but it started off rather strange. About three or four minutes into the musical, they abruptly stopped it, all the performers left the stage, and the curtain came down. There was an apology for the delay. After 15 minutes or so, it started right back where it
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJune 5, 2024Last Sunday, in a roundabout way, I talked about what is called ableism, the notion that the world was not built with disabilities in mind. There is an underlying belief among some that those with physical or developmental disabilities simply need to figure out how to fit into “our world.” Though the scripture I used was rather narrow in its focus, it clearly had a
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJune 4, 2024Though I am not one to talk much about the devil or demons, I do believe in what the Apostle Paul called the Powers and Principalities, a sort of vague description of entities that seek to undermine the way of love. Just today, on social media, I saw three posts that were all intended to be digs at something that is very important to me.
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJune 3, 2024Prayer for the Week: Eternal Source of Love, provide me peace amidst the chaos. When foundational components of daily life are shaken and the underpinning of my faith appears tenuous, I seek to know you as Rock and Resolute. Provide me peace amidst the chaos, a peace that comes from knowing that you are unshaken and that the tenuousness I feel will dissipate in your
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJune 2, 2024The author and teacher, Margaret Wheatley, wrote: Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful. How often have unintended consequences or unforeseen implications undermined what initially appeared to be a good thing? Have you ever said something within one context only to realize later how the implications were hurtful, bigoted, disrespectful, or incredibly insensitive simply
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSJune 1, 2024How do you balance some of the incredibly challenging expectations of Jesus with the realities of daily life? First, I would suggest that we name it out loud (or, in this case, in a written document). So often, the church quotes Jesus with great fanfare but doesn’t really ask about the implications of the teaching in regard to daily life, societal structure, or even national
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 31, 2024This Sunday, we continue with our series on the Totality of the Jesus Story, specifically looking at how we might talk about and struggle with some of the passages of scripture that appear to undermine (eclipse) the central ideas associated with Jesus. As I said in the sermon last Sunday, I am not encouraging people to ignore certain passages or take scissors to the Bible,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 30, 2024So yesterday, after a funeral, I noticed a screw in one of my tires. I needed to get back to the church, but later in the afternoon, I was able to take it to the tire store for repair. When they brought my car around, I thanked the guy, opened the door, and sat down. The guy was really tall, but that did not hit
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSMay 29, 2024Another storm! I hope this Etching finds you doing well, hopefully with power. Yesterday, as the storm came through, we lost power at the church. It was off for about an hour, so as I checked to see if we had any leaks and kept an eye on one of the trees on the church property, what I had planned for that hour was pushed