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
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSAugust 28, 2023Prayer for the Week: Why is it that hate-filled violence continues to be present in our society? Why is it that one person detests someone or some group to the point that killing appears to be the only answer? Some try to blame you, God, or suggest it’s just the way things are. Yet I look to the stories of faith, and I see how
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGSAugust 27, 2023I was sad to read about the death of Bob Barker. Like some of you, I grew up with Bob and The Price Is Right. Of course, it was a daytime game show, so I only watched it when I was home sick from school. Bob was a friend on those sick days as I rested and watched… as that was the time before Cable,