ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSSeptember 7, 2023For the last two Sundays, we have been talking about stretching and reaching beyond certain things that too often hinder our capacity to grab hold of whatever it is that God is putting before us. I believe God is always inviting us to seize the goodness and kindness, the hope, and the affirmation found in God’s everlasting and unconditional love. Of course, sometimes those hinderances
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSSeptember 6, 2023A number of years ago, we did an all-church study at Cypress Creek based on Michael Slaughter’s book, “Dare to Dream.” The study and discussion gained some traction, and I was really excited by what I could only call a copious amount of spiritual energy in the life of the congregation. But then we sort of hit a wall, and so I followed up with
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSSeptember 5, 2023From what I understand, today is be late-to-something day. That’s right, September 5 is the official (unofficial) day to purposely be late for something. By the time you read this, I am hoping to have fulfilled the purpose of this day by being late to the event of my choosing. I purposely used the word “purpose” in the previous sentence because I prayerfully hope that
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSSeptember 3, 2023In Mark’s Gospel, the Scribes sure didn’t come off looking so good. In chapter 3, we read: And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, ‘He (Jesus) has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons.’ Now some of the Scribes might have actually believed Jesus was Beelzebul (thought to be one of the greater evil forces in the universe),
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSSeptember 2, 2023Have you ever been caught off guard, and your initial reaction was to push back vehemently? It usually happens when something pokes at a long-held belief or tradition. Jesus was constantly running into folks whose initial reaction to his ministry was that of shock and anger, emotions that usually originate from a place of discomfort. We like the comfortable and expected, never wanting to be rattled
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSSeptember 1, 2023Can you believe it is May 1? Oh wait, it’s September 1? Where did the summer go? Anyone else feeling that way? It’s interesting how we have periods of life that seem to fly by and other times when it feels as if we are wading through waste-deep oatmeal (that’s slow). Scientists have theories around these experiences of time, but in the end, I think
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSAugust 31, 2023A couple of days ago, I did some hospital visits, and as I stepped out of one hospital, I was immediately struck by the smell of cigaret smoke. Now let me be clear – this is not intended to be a judgment against those who struggle with an addiction to nicotine, but I notice cigaret smoke from quite a distance. As I looked to my
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSAugust 30, 2023What would it look like to step into conflict with a clear expression of love? We have examples, and sadly, the initial reaction is not good. Often, the energy of the conflict is redirected toward the one who is offering an alternative. There are times when somehow the one who tries to enter into the conflict with love is scapegoated and blamed for the conflict
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSAugust 29, 2023When you think about it, a lot of stuff in life depends on circumstance or experience. Right now, many of us are joking about a cold front coming when the highs will be in the mid-90s. Burr! I grew up in Nebraska, where winters were pretty cold, and when I was attending college in Oklahoma, I wore shorts quite often during the winter because it