ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING Thought for the Day: What does it mean for Jesus to be raised by the glory of the Father? Was the brilliance of God like a defibrillator, shocking the life back into the body of the deceased teacher? Maybe in some sort of deeply metaphorical way, but I believe glory is more than some bright light. Yes, it illuminates and warms and brings hope, but I think it’s more of a poet’s way of describing the essence of God. And if God is love, then maybe glory is love. And if you’re like me, you have seen powerful acts of love raise folks from the tomb of their suffering, grief, despair and anger. Spend a few minutes pondering the equation GLORY = LOVE. We’ll be talking more about it this Sunday. Prayer: You have raised our spirits with your unmerited and amazing love, O Lord. Even the grip of death is set loose by the power of love. Amen. via WordPress https://ift.tt/3ua1PO7
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ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS TO LISTEN/WATCH via WordPress https://ift.tt/3apSr16 ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING Thought for the Day: Like many of you, I am currently without power (as of Monday night late). For the first time today, I have some cell service, so needed to get this uploaded. And funny, the first scripture that jumped to my mind was this one from the arrest of Jesus and Peter’s denial. It was a cold night and they were doing their best to keep warm. There are times when you can take a passage of scripture completely out of context, yet find some good advice. Not only did they create a fire, but I picture them standing around it together. In the cold, there is something about being close to others. And even if you don’t have someone with you, remember how the faith community is forever close at hand. It might not bring warmth from another body, but it brings warmth to the heart as we are one body. A little trite, I know. But I’m cold and trying to type. Prayer: As one more challenge comes upon us, Merciful God, we pray for a renewed sense of your presence in our lives. With you, there is always hope and strength for whatever we face. Amen. via WordPress https://ift.tt/37g3IPl ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING via WordPress https://ift.tt/2ZhYIp5 ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING Thought for the Day: It might seem a little corny, but I couldn’t resist talking about love on Valentines Day. In 1st Corinthians, Paul talks about how faith, hope, and love abide, but the greatest of these is love. Paul echoes those three attributes here again, specifically talking of how he has seen them present in the people of Thessaloniki. I have no basis for my argument, but I feel as if Paul puts love as the middle attribute because it not only hold faith and hope together, but without love, neither one of the others can exist. I know it doesn’t sound like the romantic googly-eyed love associated with Valentines Day, but life-giving and life-sustaining love brings forth faithfulness and a true spirit of hope. Any relationship worth its salt needs to be rooted in love, a love that brings forth both faithfulness and hope. Prayer: Gracious God, we give you thanks for all the relationships we have that are rooted in love. Not only are we blessed because of them, but we have you to thank as you are the source of all love. Let us continue to learn from you and your gift of love, Jesus Christ. Amen. TODAY’S SERVICE via WordPress https://ift.tt/3qwWz4M ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING Thought for the Day: The Greek word we translate as ‘alone’ is the word: Monos. Alone is a good translation, but in other contexts it can mean forsaken or even abandoned. I think a lot of it has to do with whether we had a say in our experience of monos or whether it was forced upon us. At this point in the life of Jesus, I believe it was 100% his choice. Jesus had done a number of teachings, then John the Baptist (a relative of Jesus) was beheaded and then Jesus fed a multitude. I think we can all agree that he’s put in more than a full day of work (it was probably more than one day). Though notice, Jesus has to do a few things to get to that alone-ness that he is seeking. He puts his disciples on a boat and then sends the crowd home. It’s one thing to notice a need for some ‘me’ time or maybe a little quiet time with God. It is something very different to actually make it happen. Too often we don’t do enough upfront work to make our alone time valuable. Our minds are more focused on what we must do upon our return. Recognize the hard work required for some good rest. Prayer: O God, give me some extra energy to do the hard work necessary for some good rest. Amen. via WordPress https://ift.tt/2ZeYrU4 ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING Thought for the Day: Human beings have forever looked to the high places, casting their eyes upon the magnificence and mysteries of the mountains. When our eyes look up, most often our imagination and inspiration climb as well. This is not simply the innocence of an ancient people, for even today we continue to speak of the mountains as if they are the dwelling places of the divine. May we all continue to find places that beckon our spiritual attention and elevate our hopes. Whether we see with our eyes or our hearts, we know the source of our help. It is the Lord who made heaven and earth. Prayer: Wherever we are and wherever we look – you are there, Most Gracious God. May we trust in your eternal presence that will forever be our help. Amen. via WordPress https://ift.tt/3aXEfLV ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING Thought for the Day: One of the folks at Cypress Creek sent me a saying that really resonated with me: “The joy of sharing endures far longer than the elation of acquiring.” I wasn’t able to find the source of the quote, and for that I am sorry. Yet there is no question how the scriptures uphold sharing as an essential part of living faithfully within community. Now I have heard all kinds of very sophisticated and religiously complex arguments for why we shouldn’t take the words from Acts seriously. Not to be rude, but all the theological gymnastics does not diminish the expectation of sharing within the first century church. I think I’m generally a generous person, but I don’t know if I’m quite ready to give up private ownership of all my possessions. There are some things I like, really like. Yet instead of explaining these words away, how might I hear their challenge today? How might my yearning for specific stuff keep me from living more fully in the beloved community? Maybe I won’t change much at all or maybe something dramatic will happen. No matter how discomforting a passage of scripture might be, we should give it some space and time to work on our hearts. Who knows where it might take us… Prayer: There is so much of this faith thing that is amazing and beautiful. You are the source, Lord God, and you have given me so much. At the same time, there are certain aspects of this faith thing that leave me uncomfortable, even defensive. Provide me enough peace for there to be an honest encounter with the words of scripture and your Living Word. Amen. via WordPress https://ift.tt/3tQB6WW ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING CLICK HERE via WordPress https://ift.tt/3p5NlLt ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING Thought for the Day: I was watching Kid President’s video “How to Change the World” last week. The video is linked below and I encourage you to take the time to watch it (only two and a half minutes). But, Kid President talks about all the ‘ideas’ we use to try and change the world. He says we… Prayer: God, you are bold. Grant us your boldness, your bravery, to be vulnerable enough to make something. Give us the courage to make something we have a heart for, that we see will share your love, your justice, and your grace with our friends, family, and community. It is in Jesus Christ’s name we pray. Amen. via WordPress https://ift.tt/3jAw1xc |
AuthorRev. Bruce Frogge Archives
March 2024
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