ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
January 17, 2025
Deescalating tension is an art, and I am so envious of people who have the skill of speaking to a moment of anger with words that helps create a pause. It does not mean everyone is happy or at peace, but often unchecked escalation is followed by more escalation. Inflammatory allegations are made, and before long, the original point is lost in a turbulent exchange that has everyone in a defensive stance. In today’s world, we need more individuals who are less adept at fanning the flames of distrust and animosity and more skilled at creating an environment where voices are given a platform to express themselves and committed individuals are willing to seek understanding. Let’s be clear—that does not mean agreement. 

In Mark 2, some of the religious leaders and legal experts ask the disciples, “Why does he (Jesus) eat with sinners and tax collectors?” Jesus is standing within earshot of this question, so it sure appears as if the intent of the question was to cause triangulation and to have the disciples arguing among themselves. Jesus immediately responded, but didn’t spew vitriol or tell his disciples how his accusers were idiots. Instead, he stayed on task and communicated his mission by saying, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor, but sick people do. I didn’t come to call righteous people, but sinners.” Other times, when Jesus was asked a question, he chose to respond with a question. I need to learn how to avoid getting entangled in irrelevant debates that serve as emotional smokescreens to keep from actually addressing the issue at hand. And then from a place of genuine curiosity, to ask good questions that seek to better see the perspective of another.

Where people are hurting and afraid, I look to you, Lord God, for a quiet and content spirit so that I might listen with the intent of understanding. And where anger leads to accusations, I pray for that same quiet and content heart so as not to be drawn into a unhelpful yelling match. Be my guide! Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
January 16, 2025
When I wrote yesterday’s Etching, I was filled with hope for a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. However, I must admit that my usual skepticism was trying to gain some traction. While the news from last night is both exciting and promising, we mustn’t forget that the finish line remains in the distance. Even if the ceasefire is recognized and both sides fulfill their commitments, profound pain and distrust deeply resonate within the souls of many. Regardless of how one argues or justifies the violence over the past two and a half years, the trauma experienced by countless individuals must be acknowledged. A process, both personal and communal, must be established to address this collective trauma. Otherwise, the pain will only grow and spill over into acts of revenge. Religion has too often chosen to take the side of violence, offering approval and God’s blessing upon war. But most religions, at their core, were inspired by people of peace who were looking to heal the human soul from the hurts and insecurities that too often were the catalysts for violence. In this moment, I am praying for religious leaders, psychotherapists, and those who specialize in conflict resolution, to begin preparing for the next step. What South Africa did in the mid-90s, though not perfect, is a starting place for healing to begin. As a person of faith, I must believe it is possible.

People of faith turn to you, O God who has taken the impossible and shaped it into a miracle. We do not approach such longstanding and deeply seeded trauma naively, yet you are the One who has made a way when there wasn’t one. Let us be agents of your restoration, reconciliation, and healing. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
January 15, 2025
Like you, I am filled with immense hope for the ongoing discussions in the Middle East, particularly the potential ceasefire and prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas. This has been an extraordinarily complicated situation, and to understand it necessitates individuals holding seemingly contradictory beliefs simultaneously. Most people are reluctant to even consider such a concept, preferring straightforward explanations for complex issues deeply rooted in history, politics, religion, and generational animosity that even those currently involved cannot fully comprehend. We want to be able to stand in a high place of objective virtue from where we can effortlessly declare that one group is good and the other group is bad. Oh, I so wish such a place existed from which we could offer clear determinations in regard to all conflicts, but such a place does not exist. I have been reading a lot lately, including the work of Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, a Lutheran pastor in Bethlehem (www.mitriraheb.org), and his book, Decolonizing Palestine. I just purchased the book, Rooted in Faith and Justice: Christian Calls to Conscience & Cries for Peace in Palestine. It is published by our denomination’s publishing house, Chalice Press. These writings are deeply troubling and require some honesty with ourselves in regard to preconceived ideas that we bring to this conflict. As a person who struggles to find the necessary time to learn as much as I would like on a multitude of topics, I often feel ill-prepared to enter into important conversations on issues of immense importance. But today, I think about John 9, where the disciples of Jesus see a blind man and ask, “So Jesus, who sinned to bring about this blindness? This man or his parent?” For the longest time, people had been taught that disease and ailments were a sign of divine punishment, so the disciples believed they could narrow down the one at fault pretty quickly. In their minds, it was either this one or that one. Of course, Jesus, like he so often did, presented a third option that complicated the disciples’ previously held beliefs, but also muddied the waters in regard to who was to blame. It seemed as if Jesus sought to escape the blame game and swiftly transition to the healing process. While many may express a desire for quick healing in the Middle East, I believe achieving this goal requires letting go of preconceived notions and acknowledging the complexity of the situation, which goes beyond what most are willing to acknowledge. 

Holy God, I pray for peace and healing, while achieving true justice for all. Some might call me naive, but I am full of hope because Jesus invited me to be a person of hope. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
January 14, 2025
On Saturday, the Elders and Board had a great gathering to begin conversations about 2025, and in the later afternoon, when just the Board was together, I shared with them the slogan for 2025 that I hope will guide some of our work. The slogan is: Making it happen with two other people. The idea is to involve others. We as a church need to do a better job of inviting others to join us in whatever the task might be. We have some incredibly hardworking individuals around the church who make things happen. That’s fantastic! However, there are many others who possess remarkable talents and would be thrilled to contribute their energy to crucial tasks, but they are never given the opportunity. The funny thing was that I included a scripture (Titus 2:7-8a) with the slogan, but it was the wrong one. I have a bad habit of doing more than one thing at a time, and I flipped the scriptures. I read it out loud to the Board, and to be honest, I had a moment where I kept on telling myself, “This is the right passage, but why do I see absolutely no connection to the topic?” I moved on, but it wasn’t until later that night that I realized what had occurred when I noticed the Board scripture on the document that was to have the Titus passage. The intended passage for the Board was Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 where we find, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their hard work. If either should fall, one can pick up the other.” Of course, I was thinking “two or three are better than one,” but you get the idea. If you are invited to do something this coming year, if you say YES, find a couple of people to join you in the work. Not only is it good to involve others, but it is usually a lot more fun.

Triune God, O Creator of community, continue to put before us the work of the Gospel, and then bring some good folks to share in the work. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
January 13, 2025
Prayer for the Week: Each day, I’m presented with an endless array of choices, and at the end of the day, I take a moment to reflect on the ones I made. Somewhere between those two points, you have given me an opportunity to choose compassion, kindness, mercy, and justice. O Holy Spirit, the source of wise counsel, grant me the knowledge and strength to make choices that will enable my neighbor to experience the fullness of life as you intended. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
January 12, 2025
We often joke about how time flies when we are having fun, but from the birth of Jesus on December 25 to Baptism of the Lord Sunday (today), Jesus goes from infant to 30-year-old man. Some years, we toss in his trip to Jerusalem at age 12 where he stayed behind and freaked out his parents (Luke 2:41ff), but there isn’t a lot to tell about those 28 or 29 years between Epiphany and Baptism. And of course, the other eleven plus months of the year, we have to get through all the stories of Jesus’ ministry. Between today and mid-April, my plan is to read all of Mark’s Gospel for my own personal study. That won’t be a challenge as it is not a very long Gospel, but my intention is to focus on the individual stories about Jesus and ask the question, “What does this tell me about Jesus’ purpose, at least from the perspective of the Gospel writer Mark?” The more I know about the purpose of Jesus, the more I know about my purpose as a follower of Jesus.

Merciful God, Generous Guide, keep me ever so close to Jesus as we journey from baptism, through the roadways of Galilee, to a lakeside, to a village called Bethsaida, to an Upper Room, a Garden, and a cross. There is a lot that happens, so help me keep attentive, especially to those often overlooked details. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
January 11, 2025
It’s intriguing that John is extensively discussed in Luke’s Gospel as the one who prepares the way for Jesus, yet not mentioned when it comes to Jesus’ baptism. Matthew and Mark make it clear that Jesus was baptized by John, but Luke makes no mention of who did the baptism or give any description of the event itself. In fact, the divine voice proclaims, “You are my beloved Son,” not during the baptism (as Matthew and Mark portray), but rather as Jesus prays after the baptism. For Luke, almost every significant event happens as Jesus is praying or immediately after Jesus finishes praying. Luke’s special emphasis on prayer reminds us of prayer’s power to connect us with the Source of Life. We don’t pray so we can have significant things given to us. We pray because of the wonderful connection that is found with God. However, since we are connected, we should be prepared for significant events to unfold through us.

I come before you, O Lord of my life, so I might know you better. May this moment of connection provide for me whatever is needed to make this day a little more joyful for myself and those around me. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
January 10, 2025
Tomorrow (Saturday), the Elders and General Board of Cypress Creek Christian Church will convene to kick off 2025. My first request of all those who are reading this Etching is to pray for this gathering, and for the significant contributions these two bodies within the church will make over the next twelve months. Many of you have served in a leadership role within the church community. You are aware of the responsibility that accompanies the words, “I will serve my church and my God with the gifts I have been given.” Perhaps not as dramatic as Jesus’ call to the first disciples, which involved them abandoning their jobs, church ministry remains of utmost significance. Consider this for a moment—every aspect of the church necessitates individuals to enthusiastically affirm their commitment. I find amusement when newcomers to the church suddenly realize that worship, education, youth and children’s activities, special community events, and so on, don’t magically materialize simply because we schedule them on a calendar. It is a result of faithful and committed individuals throughout the centuries being willing to give of themselves for the significant work of the church.

I join with many who lift before you, O Lord of Heaven and Earth, the wonderfully gifted leaders who will be serving Cypress Creek Christian Church. Bless them with joy, energy, and insight, as we all strive to Put Love First In All Things. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
January 9, 2025
Setting aside the current political climate we find ourselves in, I want to offer a few words about President Jimmy Carter. In 1980, in advance of the election, I wrote a paper on President Jimmy Carter. Though I did not include it in the paper I wrote, the last article I read in my research talked about his faith. It caught my attention and stuck with me as I have rarely witnessed a politician who was able to speak on the topic of faith and the Biblical story with such authenticity. At no point did I ever feel as if it was being “used” for political points. And of course, his life post-presidency has been an extraordinary witness to the Christian call for compassion and peacemaking. He has set a standard, through his work with Habitat for Humanity and international diplomacy, on what faithfulness looks like in retirement (which wasn’t much of a traditional retirement). Jimmy Carter gave us a glimpse of what provided him the strength to do what he did when he wrote. 

“God is not my personal valet. God does not build a protective fence around my life, keep me from trouble, fulfill my personal desires, or guarantee my success. However, through prayer, God offers me comfort, reassurance, satisfaction, courage, hope, and peace.”

I hope my prayer life helps facilitate such an amazing connection to God, and then brings about a life of faith that might offer just a smidge of the impact President Carter’s life had.

May it be so, O God! Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
January 8, 2025
The Franciscan Monk, Richard Rohr, wrote:

“In the New Testament, and particularly for Jesus, the most common image for what God is offering us is a banquet. It’s not a trophy, not a prize, not a reward reserved for later, but a participative and joyous party now. A banquet has everything to do with invitation and acceptance; it is never a command performance.”

I recently had a conversation with a politician, and I never really considered what it might be like to be a politician during the holiday season. As a politician, he is invited to numerous events between Thanksgiving and Christmas, which is more than the number of hours in that month. Many people extending the invitations assume that since it’s a party, the politician will be delighted to accept it. However, in his case, most of these events are work and not particularly enjoyable.

The image of a banquet, that includes an invitation and acceptance, has nothing to do with a quid pro quo dining experience. It is not about expectations or winning favor. Instead, it is all about unmerited love that creates space where a person can fully enjoy the banquet, feasting on the abundance that God provides. Of course, this is not something we experience soli on the other side of death. In faith, it is something to be experienced and lived in the here and now.

Kind and Generous Creator, through your gracious invitation, I have found delight, peace, and complete acceptance at your table. From the sanctuary to every place of welcome and gracious hospitality, I am able to feast with you and the fullness of creation. Thank you! Amen.