Scripture: Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Thought for the Day: On this date in history, many famous people died, including: Pope Innocent IX (1519); the chemist and theologian, Robert Boyle (1691); politician and signer of the Constitution, Francis Lewis (1803); mathematician and philosopher, Alfred North Whitehead; the beloved panda, Ling-Ling (1992). Like any other date on the calendar, there are numerous events that are the source of sadness. But on that very same date, there are always signs of life, rebirth and hope. Today is also my 17th wedding anniversary, and this date will forever carry with it happiness and joy. Life is not an either – or experience, but a both – and. The question amidst that complexity is always: What will we allow to define us? Today could be defined by the death of some great thinker (or a beloved panda), or it could be defined by experiences of joy and happiness. We never want to ignore or dismiss loss and death, but our faith helps us to see light in the darkness, joy amidst the sorrow, and celebration alongside grief. It is our ability to see an alternative that allows us to be defined, not by loss, but by hope.
Prayer: Grant me your presence, O Lord, so I may continually glimpse your hints of hope even in the darkest days. Amen.
Join us at Cypress Creek Christian Church
For the First Sunday of Christmastide
Worship at 8:15am, 9:30am & 11:00am
1 thought on “Ecclesiological Etchings: 12-30-12”
Congratulations on your anniversary and your thought for today!