ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
March 31, 2025
This is part of a prayer the youth wrote for Youth Sunday--
God of many names — Lord, friend from heaven, Mother and Father God, Creator and Source of Life, we are so thankful for the way you inspire kindness, love, and forgiveness. You inspire us because you first shared these same gifts with all creation. Meet us and nourish us—allow for every form of creativity to bring new life, including: music, art, writing, testimonies, and even a unique way of breaking bread together. Help our eyes to arise, our brains to come alive, and our spirits to awaken to all the ways you might meet us as we walk through this day. We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
March 30, 2025
From our friend, Rev. Dr. Terry Ewing
Vice President of Advancement,
Phillips Theological Seminary

I heard it said recently, “It’s easier to be angry.”
This statement doesn’t really require much explanation, because it is—it’s always easier to get angry.  What is your default response?  In everyday situations and interactions, what is your first response, what is poised below the surface, constantly tuned to any provocation, or the hint of one?  Ready to be angry.

What if, understanding was the starting point of your response?  Imagine, for a moment, how that would change not only your interaction with others but also your interactions within yourself.
What if, compassion was your beginning? 
What if, peace became the origin of each response?
What if, happiness was the pulsing center of those concentric circles of life and relationship flowing out to every person and situation?
“Oh, that’s not really me.”
“I’m not sure I’m comfortable being so—free.”

“It’s easier to be angry.”

​Until you’re not.
​

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
March 29, 2025
On occasion, Paula or I will receive a call from the Judge’s office next door, asking if we will do a wedding. It has provided us a wonderful opportunity to connect in a positive way with our neighbors in the Judge’s office, along with couples we would have never met. As a side note, I’m glad I do what I do. Every job has its challenges, yet I’m glad that I’m dealing with the challenges that come across my desk, and they are dealing with the legal challenges that come to the courthouse. 

In the weddings we do, as you could probably guess, we encounter a wide range of people—everything from those who are simply looking for a signature on the license to full bridal parties dressed in their best. And when you only have three minutes to get to know them prior to actually performing the wedding, there are certain things you simply cannot do. Yet even in the few minutes we spend with the couples (and often their families), we encounter so much joy, beauty, and hope. Sometimes big formal weddings in a church or a wedding venue get complicated, everyone having an opinion, and some folks even getting mad. At the courthouse, there is not enough time. The weddings are to be about 15 minutes long. And for the most part, the couple will say as they are leaving, “That was more than I was expecting.” 

Both Paula and I are extraordinarily respectful of where we are when doing these weddings. It is not a space to promote or push our theology, at least not overtly. Yet with creativity, while remaining respectful, we are able to speak about the central values of Jesus. Sometimes we get so hung up on speaking religious language that we forget to speak to the heart of what our religion invites us to do. Each and every day, we can approach a situation and start telling people about Jesus. There might be appropriate times to do so, but I don’t feel as if Jesus’ ego is needing to hear his name. Jesus told his followers that people will know you are my disciples when you love one another. Anyone can say the name Jesus, but it takes some hard work and intention to love like Jesus.

Wherever I find myself and whoever I might encounter, I pray for the capacity to reflect Jesus through my love, compassion, and concern. As it is often challenging, I look to you, Merciful God, for the necessary assistance in being faithful to this task. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
March 28, 2025
I want to say, “Thank you!” In the last few months, I have been asking a number of folks to take on a task for me, and some of them have been a bit last minute. The number of YES’s has been a gift. There is some real excited energy around Cypress Creek Christian Church right now, but so often when new things are happening there are unexpected things that arise. I can juggle. Actually, at one time, I was really good with three balls, and could occasionally keep a four ball in the air for 10 seconds. Today, I am a bit out of practice. But the metaphor works — we can juggle a certain number of items, and even throw in an extra, and we can keep them all in the air for a little while. But then, inevitably, everything comes crashing down. It’s been nice to toss a few of the juggled items to others who are keeping them in the air. In the years to come, as we continue to grow (and I think we will), we are going to need to do more and more of this. It is important for people to get involved, to step in and make sure something important doesn’t drop. Equally important, God might have invited that very person into the church for that specific purpose. In no way do I believe that God controls people’s every move, but in my ministry, I have experienced the right people showing up and the right moment more often than I can count. And many of them have been exceptional jugglers of ministry stuff. So again, thank you! And when I am on Sabbatical, I know there will be a need for even more people to step in and help juggle a few of the unforeseen things that come with church life.

With your help, and the fullness of Christ’s Body, amazing things are accomplished in your name, Lord God. When we are feeling a little overwhelmed by the number of items we are juggling, give us eyes to see that next person who is stepping up and ready to help keep a few things going. Thank you! Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
March 27, 2025
A known author by the name of John Maxwell said, “You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” Personally, I find his observation to be correct. I love it when I’m with a group of people and the creativity begins to inspire creativity; one person’s words are a catalyst for someone else’s imagination. What was discovered and formed in those moments was not something that one person could conjure up alone. Oh sure, there are a few artists who lock themselves away and fashion something amazing. Yet most artists will point to other artists who inspired them or a mentor who challenged them. I heard an author explain how he is always in conversation with dozens of other authors, and a few of them are still alive. This Sunday is Youth Sunday, and sticking with our theme of Awaken, the youth will explore the idea of Awaken Creativity. There is no better group to do it! Remember, it is a One Service Sunday in the Centrum, with worship beginning at 10:25 a.m.

For all those who have encouraged us to think outside the box, nudged us to let go of those things that appear to hinder our creativity, and have inspired us with their own creativity, we give you thanks, Great God of the Universe. The world is a better place because of creative people, whether we are talking about the arts, science, or any other area of life. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
March 26, 2025
When unexpected change happens in our daily lives, even the change that is personal and kept pretty close to the vest, the most common response is to hunker down, build a wall of protection, and push back against any other change. Sometimes the push back against other change becomes almost zealous in its outrage, in part, because it makes us feel in control of that one area when another area of life is out of control. One of the unfortunate consequences is that some individuals become the target of the outrage that stems from unresolved feelings of powerlessness—not knowing what to do when certain constants are no longer constant; certain known patterns are broken; a certain voice is no longer there. Not only is it common, but it makes sense in regard to how grief and uncertainty shake us at the core of who we are. Of course, simply making sense of it when observed objectively doesn’t make it healthy or right, especially for the ones who might have felt the brunt of redirected frustration or sadness. This is when it is important to know oneself, have friendships with those who will be brutally honest with us, and recognize how counseling can be of great value in keeping our hurt from hurting others. Though not necessarily talking about this exact thing, I think about James 1:5, where we read: “But anyone who needs wisdom should ask God, whose very nature is to give to everyone without a second thought, without keeping score. Wisdom will certainly be given to those who ask.” I think that is true, though the asking needs to come with a genuine openness to hearing what we might not want to hear, while also recognizing how God might gift us with wisdom by means of a friend, a Bible study, or a counselor. Those who refuse to do the needed hard work on themselves are often people who scapegoat others in their pursuit of controlling what will forever remain out of their control.

Good and gracious God, provide me a reason to pause and breathe. Give me the courage to look inward, even when it hurts to do so, for I do not wish to act from a place of grief. And where I have injured others without realizing it, I pray the gift of mercy to awaken me and set me on a path for healing of self and the ones who have been injured. This is my prayer, offered with openness to your guidance. Amen.   

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
March 25, 2025
Sunday was interesting! The sermon in which I conversed with my “Inner-Me” was something the Lenten planning team had discussed (in theory), but I was not absolutely sure what it would look like. At the Traditional Service, it felt as if my Inner-Me was 2 seconds ahead of where I thought it should be. Contemporary went a little better. Feel free to offer any critique, but I want to say something I have said before: Thank you! Thanks for letting me try something without fear, for even if something goes south, I feel as if the congregation would just shrug and say, “Maybe don’t try that one again.” I think about the early church when everything was new. There was no model, no expected way of doing things, and no one to say, “We’ve never done that!” It only took about twenty years and everyone had an opinion, and the Apostle Paul was attempting to navigate this new movement that was moving faster than anyone could control. Sadly, once it became the official religion of the Roman Empire, then there was a great deal of control and only one way of doing everything. In the sixth century, I can imagine a small-town priest who used a puppet to do a conversation with his Inner-Me and was jailed and later executed because it didn’t go well. So for all the times things have not gone as well as I would have liked, I appreciate a church that did not choose execution. There is a bit more freedom to try and fail and try again when death is not on the line.

When grace and mercy come alive in those less-than-stellar moments of life, I turn to you, Wonderful God, and offer my gratitude. You are the source and perfect reminder of what it means to live in a spirit of joy and abundance where fear is not dictating what is right. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
March 24, 2025
Prayer for the Week: Each day is an opportunity to awaken to something new, yet so often the pursuit of the expected and ordinary leaves us close-eyed to what is being stirred, roused, and set in motion by your Holy Presence. May whatever causes us to be lethargic and languish in a pursuit of spiritual slumber be exercised from our being, enabling us to be fully present and ready to participate in the next awakening that you bring forth, O Source of Life and Love. Welcome us into a new day, and as the dawn dispels the darkness, we are here to experience and share in the life-giving and life-changing possibilities that you are offering. For all this, we give you thanks. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
March 23, 2025
Awakening hope? Especially in a time of difficulty, when hopelessness grips us, it can appear nearly impossible to imagine hope awakening within us or around us. Yet that’s the quirky nature of hope. God’s hope exists whether or not we see it. Whether or not we embrace it. It is there waiting for us, and sometimes it begins to awaken ever so slowly—little reminders; little visions that catch our attention; an ever so quiet voice that says, “Do not give up!”  For us to know hope, we must be intentional, and it begins with knowing God and trusting God. That’s what we will discuss this morning in worship.

Awaken some hope within me, O Source of Hope and Promise. Awaken me to that everlasting gift of hope, as you are everlasting. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
March 22, 2025
Some of you are waking up with excitement as your NCAA tournament brackets still look excellent. Others are finding themselves with absolutely no hope of having a single team in the Final Four, and for that reason, they’ve started counting the days until football season kicks off. And still others are wondering what I’m referencing as you do not like sports and are never happy when I use an illustration from sports. Wherever you are this morning, pause and name one thing that not only brings you hope, but if you were to share it with someone else, that person might also find some hope. Hope is powerful, assuming it is hope rooted in God’s hope for this world. There can be moments when our hope appears defeated, dead, and buried. We’ve all looked into what seems to be an abyss of hopelessness. In those moments, we look to God and ask, “So what now?” And I hear God respond, “Do not lose hope.” You may not say it out loud, but inside you might think to yourself, “That’s easy for you to say. You’re God.” Yet if God dwells within us, then the dream of God resides within us. And though God’s dream can be paused, pushed to the back burner, even obstructed with things that are not of God, it does not mean God’s dream is lost. We talk about Jesus being in the grave for three days, and though it was not technically 72 hours, those hours between Friday night and early Sunday morning would have been one of those abysses of hopelessness for any of his followers. When the enfleshing of the dream is killed and buried, it usually means the dream is dead… except when God is involved. Remember, you carry the image of God, and thus you carry the dream of God, a dream that even death could not crush.

As you dwell within me, Sower of the Holy Dream, I pray for that dream to capture me in such a way that I will not let go, even when things look pretty bleak. Amen.