03-07-26

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
March 7, 2026
On Facebook, I flip between my personal account and the church’s account, and I always get tickled when moving back to my personal account as a little box pops up and reads, “You’re now acting as Bruce Frogge.” I want to know what it looks like to act like Bruce Frogge. There have been certain moments when people have attempted to mock me by trying to do an impersonation, and to be honest, a few of them have been pretty funny. We all tend to have a few oddities about our personality that we may not always notice about ourselves, but others are quick to point out. It’s interesting how often people do not recognize themselves when having caricature drawings done, but other people will say, “Oh, the artist really nailed it!” 

During the Season of Lent, people often try to do a bit more introspection—attempting to gain some awareness of things for which we might need a bit more awareness. I am not talking about the fact that my smile is a bit crooked or that I am all torso and no leg. But what should I notice if I am “acting as Bruce Frogge,” at least like the Bruce Frogge other people see? How do others see me? Is there a rudeness or anger or dismissiveness? Maybe there are things about how people perceive me that simply cannot be changed, but if I am unintentionally hurting or making people feel devalued, my hope is that there are things I can change. Am I now acting as the Bruce Frogge who is oblivious to the world around him? Or am I now acting as the Bruce Frogge who God wants and needs me to be?

What is it that I need to notice about myself, O Gracious God? What is it that might need my attention, such as a little more patience or to be a more intentional listener? What is it that I am missing, yet you are trying to encourage some self-awareness that not only will help me but allow me to serve more faithfully the way of Jesus? Amen.