ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSSeptember 15, 2023This weekend, I will be keynoting at the Regional Men’s Retreat, and the topic is based on the well-known Ecclesiastes passage: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…,” and the question being put before us this weekend will be: “How does one live in a season of change?” A lot of people, at least from my limited experience,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSSeptember 14, 2023I’ve had a couple of folks share some thoughts on their 53rd Stretching, and though none of them have agreed to write anything for me, I remain hopeful that someone might feel comfortable. I understand that in a faith rooted in humility, it feels strange to tell a story of a time when we allowed ourselves to be stretched in faith. It can almost feel
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSSeptember 13, 2023Each Tuesday, Rev. Paula Gembala puts together and sends out the Joys and Concerns associated with Cypress Creek Christian Church. There is a lot involved, and often it is just keeping track of who is where and whether someone moved. And since there are privacy laws, we always need permission before including a name or situation in the email. But there is something special about
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSSeptember 12, 2023I have written about this before, but September 11 is a strange day for me. Like many of you, I have vivid memories of that day 22 years ago. There were so many emotions from that Tuesday and the days that followed. The church I was serving at the time had a community worship service that night that we had to put together quickly, and
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSSeptember 11, 2023A prayer in search of comfort in search of hope in search of grace in search of peace.In faith, I believe this holy pursuit is not void of meaning, as there is One who is listening and was pursuing me before I had even formed and named my deepest needs.It is good to be known by you, Holy God, for you are forever present.In my search, I have learned that my passionate pursuit of youdoes not compare to
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSSeptember 10, 2023Are you ready to continue stretching? We are three weeks into this reflection on the words of the Apostle Paul, specifically how we are to be “Reaching out for the things ahead of us…” What do you believe God is putting before you? I’m not seeking vague or overly pious answers to that question. In real, practical things, what do you think God is putting
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSSeptember 9, 2023Where did the week go? I think we’ve all said it, and there are months when it appears that I am saying it every week. Like many of you, I sort of desire to be busy and to always be challenged, as it makes the day go by fast. Donna works at a women’s boutique in the strip mall near the church, and she echoes
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSSeptember 8, 2023So this week, I started to work my way into the challenge that was given to the congregation last Sunday. What does a 53rd Stretch look like? One of the things I’ve tried to do is pray through the names of those who partner with Cypress Creek Christian Church, both members and friends, and to do so by name. In the last couple of years,
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