ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
May 31, 2026
Part of our focus text this morning in worship is Second Corinthians 13:13, where we read:

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

As I mentioned in yesterday’s Etching, today is Trinity Sunday. It makes sense that we celebrate the Trinity at this time of the year as we have seen a lot of activity among the three persons of the Trinity in the last two months. Jesus was crucified during Holy Week, and then raised by the Father (God) on Easer, and then after the ascension of Jesus, the Holy Spirit was given on Pentecost. There is no doubt that scripture presents these three unique expressions of the divine, but at no point is there a section of the Bible that clearly explains how we are to understand their relationship and connection. In the above words from 2nd Corinthians, it sounds as if each of them has a very specific role or job, but Trinitarian theology emphasizes how they are one. Does this mean they are one in essence, but unique in their tasks? Does it mean that they are one in everything, but for the sake of getting the jobs done, they have made assignments? I offer you this Etching today to encourage your thinking on the topic before worship this morning. What do you believe about the Trinity? What do you not understand? Do you find the whole thing to be nonsense? Some pretty well respected Christians have come to that conclusion, so you wouldn’t be alone if you did. I hope you will make it to worship today to continue the conversation. 

​Come, O Holy God - the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Allow us to know you and to experience the beauty and richness of the divine life. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
May 30, 2026
Tomorrow is Trinity Sunday according to the church calendar, a Sunday in which the church claims the basic conviction that God is one and God is three. There is no question that there is language within scripture that gives the impression that the God of Jesus is the Triune God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. At the same time, scripture by itself does not give us any sort of concrete and well defined concept. In fact, many scholars would say that what we see in scripture is found only because we are reading into it the tradition that has been taught to us. Tertullian was the first theologian, around the year 200AD, to use trinitarian language. And the church only began claiming it as a doctrine between the years 320 - 381AD. It started with the Council of Nicaea (325 AD) when the Son (Jesus) was first declared to be divine. This concept of Trinity, which was not finalized until the Council of Constantinople in 381AD, did not come down from heaven on a golden scroll. Instead, it was a journey that involved significant conflict and the influence of various powerbrokers who pressured those with differing opinions into consensus.

Personally, I have a complicated relationship with the Trinity. I believe, from a human perspective, there is complexity to the nature of God, yet the language of complexity, trinity, and the undivided unity of the three expressions of the divine are all attempts at describing what is an eternal mystery. In our desire to seek understanding, we try to apply language and theological structure to the very thing that is ineffable and inexpressible. Some people will say that to be saved and go to heaven, you must hold the orthodox and Biblical view of the Trinity. There are plenty of theologians who have set out to give us THE understanding of Trinity, yet their best attempts fall short in this task. I tend to believe God gave a part of the divine nature out of a deep love for this creation, not so that humans could pass a test on the finer points of the Trinity. Instead, I believe God so loved this world that God has and continues to give of the divine nature in hopes of the world realizing that love is the only way to joy and peace in this world.

Holy and Beloved, Merciful and Gentle God, you are all we need, and though we try to understand you, what we have learned in Jesus is that you love us whether we think we have you figured out or whether we are scratching our heads in complete confusion. At the end of the day, all we need is your love. Thank you! Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
May 29, 2026
Yesterday, I was enjoying a good Thai restaurant at lunch, when I glanced out the window to see a young man, probably 15 years old, across the street from the restaurant. It was about 1pm, and I suddenly realized it was the last day of school and he probably had only a half day. When traffic eased so he could cross, he skipped across the street and then across the parking lot where the restaurant was. He was tall and pretty muscular, and maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised, but it’s been quite some time since I’ve seen a 15-year-old skip. It brought a big smile to my face, and though I don’t know for sure, I imagine it was a small expression of joy on that final day of school.

How often do we feel some joy, yet we quickly dampen any sort of public display as it doesn’t feel appropriate? Actually, we squelch it because we are a little hesitant to demonstrate what might be perceived as outside the norm. Yet why would joy ever be considered outside the norm? As the Apostle Paul was bringing First Thessalonians to a close, he wrote, “Always be joyful!” I’m not suggesting that joy is always expressed in skipping or goofy giddiness, but joy can be transformative to the moment. Joy is, at least in my opinion, the conviction that God is forever present and seeking to be known. And whether we are having our best day or our worst day, there can be joy when we realize that God is there to walk with us and to remind us how precious we are.

Provide me with a vision to see your eternal and grace-filled presence. No matter what’s happening in life, it is always good to see you and to be affirmed by you, Holy God. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
May 28, 2026
Take a deep breath and try not to freak out. Most Biblical scholars claim that ancient Israel, or at least some segments of the Israelite movement, believed God had a wife. There are hints in scripture, including Deuteronomy 16:21, where we read, “You shall not plant any tree as a sacred pole beside the altar that you make for the Lord your God…” You may be asking yourself, “Where does that say anything about a wife?” Good question! The word translated as “sacred pole” is Asherah, and it is the proper name given to a goddess referenced in Egyptian, Hittite, Philistine, and Arabic texts. And though the passage seems to be telling the people not to put God and Asherah side by side, there is archaeological evidence that suggests Yahweh (God of Israel) was thought to be in a relationship with Asherah, including a handful of inscriptions from the 9th century BC that speak of this. Also, archaeologists have found thousands of terra-cotta figurines from the Iron Age, thought to be household idols of Asherah. Scholars believe it was probably more common prior to the 8th century BC, but at the time of Josiah (648 to 609 BC), there was a move to centralize both worship and power. This came under what we call the Reforms of Josiah, including one temple, destruction of shrines, a renewed commitment to covenant and to certain national rituals. This was all in an attempt to strengthen the nation of Israel, and though Asherah worship was condemned during the reign of Josiah, it appears to be a condemnation of what had previously been an acceptable practice. 

I share all this because I am a nerd, though to be honest, I rely on the historical scholarship for all this information. But I also share it because the concept of monotheism (one God) was not the way Israel first thought about their faith and their God. Despite what some might think, there was not a specific moment in time when, like a light switch being flipped on, there was instantly monotheism. In Genesis 1:26, it gives the impression of multiple Gods. “Then God said, ‘Let us make humans in our image, according to our likeness…’” Christians will often point to this as the Trinity, but that is imposing modern Christian theology on an ancient text. The plural pronouns were referencing the Heavenly Host or the Divine Council/Court. God (Elohim) was the head of the council, but there were lesser gods and celestial beings. This same idea is found in the Book of Job. 

Is this to say that we should not be monotheistic? Absolutely not! Instead, I want to be clear that the development of faith and the scriptures is complicated, and though there are those who would like to suggest it all showed up on glowing manuscripts with God’s signature at the bottom, I believe it is important to recognize the historic development. I would take it a step further and suggest that a faith that is evolving over time in the midst of complicated sociological and political happenings is helpful and liberating. It also places a challenge before us: how are we participating in the ongoing evolution of this historically rich faith we call Christianity? 

Eternal God, Source of all that was, is, and shall be, we give thanks for the way you have walked alongside humanity. We can be a bit hardheaded, clinging to what is comfortable, while ignoring what appears to be outside the norm. Yet in your grace, you have continued to invite us beyond what was deemed acceptable so that we might glimpse a bit more of who you are. This task will never be complete. However, we trust you to continue to journey with us. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
May 27, 2026
I met someone for coffee yesterday and then drove to visit one of our folks in a nursing home near Methodist Hospital Willowbrook. My map showed a very interesting way to go, but as I got closer, I thought to myself, “That’s going to take five minutes longer,” and so I went the way I would usually go. As I turned onto Hargrave Road, I realized the reason my map was directing me another way. They were resurfacing the road, and it was only one lane. There were folks trying to direct traffic, but as I got closer to the bottleneck, I realized that they did not have a person at an important intersection and so people were getting confused and blocking traffic. The other way was usually five minutes longer, yet because I chose the way that is usually shorter, it added about forty minutes to my drive. It was a mess. 

I share this story because there are so many times in life when we do not have all the available information, or maybe we do, yet we assume to know better. It might just be me, but I doubt it. It is probably also true in regard to our faith walk with God. I am not comparing Apple Maps to God, but there is a helpful metaphor to be found here. There have been times when I felt a nudge to go one way, yet I convinced myself that I knew better. From my vantage point, there was a safer or superior pathway. I’m not suggesting that God is trying to help us shave five minutes off a drive, but I do believe God has a much better vantage point in regard to my life and the world I’m trying to navigate. I believe God uses scripture, the Holy Spirit, and the wisdom of the church to provide an opportunity to glimpse from God’s perspective. 

As I think about providing leadership at Cypress Creek Christian Church, I know there have been times when I did not trust God’s guidance. I’m not suggesting it came through a booming voice or bright light in the sky, yet I noticed a gentle tug in a direction that did not make sense. So I reached for what was comfortable, following a path I knew well. My path wasn’t bad or unrighteous or sinful. However, I just did not accept all the possible counsel available to me because I felt I knew better. One of my regular prayers is for an awareness of God, especially in those moments when God is seeking to provide a better vantage point from which I can see why I should go one way despite what my gut is telling me.

​I am praying for that sacred awareness where I see as you see, O God. There are important decisions that I am called upon to make, and I don’t wish to choose the path well known simply because I cannot imagine anything else. For that reason, I am listening for the whisper of the Spirit, the Living Word to pour forth from the words of scripture, and the wisdom of the body I call the church. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
May 26, 2026
Barbara Brown Taylor wrote, “Wisdom is not gained by knowing what is right. Wisdom is gained by practicing what is right, and noticing what happens when that practice succeeds and when it fails.” This makes sense. Recently, I was talking to someone who had done something she believed to be right, and I would even describe it as Christ-like. It sort of came back to bite her as many people found it to be a bit threatening to their faith. She was second-guessing herself, yet wisdom is, as Barbara Brown Taylor suggests, what one gains from doing what is right and noticing how it is received. It doesn’t mean we change our convictions or choose to never do what we had done again. Instead, wisdom has us asking good questions and thinking how to remain bold in those convictions while also offering onramps for those who might, with some small tweaks to our approach, see things differently. Wisdom is awareness to the presence of the Holy Spirit that is always helping us to see through a lens of creativity how to move ahead while also being gracious to those who may see things differently.

Provide me wisdom, O Sacred and Sanctifying Spirit. And in that wisdom, I hope to find humility and grace, the very things that others were willing to show when I was a bit apprehensive about choosing what was right and good and Christ-like. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
May 25, 2026
Holy, Loving Presence—found within, around, above, and beyond—we pause to center our hearts on the beauty of your Kin(g)dom. Awaken us to the places in the Greater Houston area where things are not as they should be. Grant us the courage to stand with the marginalized, and to be your hands, feet, and voice in the dismantling of systems that devalue and cause injury. May your reign of peace be our plumb line for daily living as we seek a new Pentecost, a new outpouring of your Spirit upon us. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
May 24, 2026
Today is Pentecost Sunday, often referred to as the birthday of the church. Jesus, after the resurrection and forty days of teaching and eating, ascended to Heaven. And though the disciples were a little freaked to be on their own, Jesus had already prepared for the moment. Earlier, according to John’s Gospel, Jesus had said to them, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you” (John 14:26). The church was born of fire and a vision of what was possible through the Spirit of God. I believe many have read those words and assumed they were intended for the first disciples, and then the Spirit was done. It is as if the teaching of everything and the reminding of what Jesus said does not continue. But what if we believed the Holy Spirit persisted in teaching and reminding us, doing so as an advocate or counselor, in this unique moment of time? What might the Holy Spirit be telling us about the expectations of Jesus for us in this moment filled with so many things that first-century Christians would have never pondered? If so, are we paying attention?

Holy and Gentle Spirit, we earnestly pray for ears that will be receptive and hearts that will be open to the teachings you seek to impart to us, as well as reminders of what Jesus expected. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
May 23, 2026
I was able to catch the second half of the Nebraska vs. Oklahoma State softball game yesterday. It was a Super Regional game as my Cornhuskers try to make it to the College World Series. When you enjoy sports, you’re probably going to know both elation and great disappointment. Or as we heard every Saturday with ABC’s Wide World of Sports, “The thrill of victory... and the agony of defeat.” As much as we may not like the defeats, they can often make us appreciate the victories even more intensely. Of course, we don’t wish defeats or agony on anyone, yet like sports, every life is going to know them. No one is immune. But if the lows do not ultimately define us, then they will make us appreciate even the small victories. Ministry has provided me many opportunities to witness people who have been at the lowest point imaginable, yet even a glimmer of hope or beauty is a source of joy. It doesn’t mean the brokenness is mended or everything is hunky-dory, but it often becomes the prompt by which a person is able to say, “This low will not own me.”

Give to me, O Gracious God, the capacity to see the goodness and beauty, especially in my more difficult moments. I look for them as I look for hope, and I believe you are the God who is full of hope. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
May 22, 2026
Today is National Vanilla Pudding Day, and if that isn’t enough to excite you, it is also the day Orville and Wilbur Wright were granted a patent for their new “flying machine.” I wonder if any of the airlines will offer vanilla pudding instead of pretzels? I get a little tickled with all the “special” days or months on the calendar. I occasionally hear people say, “Why do we have to celebrate that group (or that happening)?” Well, first, no one is forced to celebrate anyone or anything. Today, anyone can say, without repercussions, “I refuse to attend the Mount Olive Pickle and Wright Brother Festival.” Growing up in Nebraska, there was the annual Wilber Czech Festival in Wilber, Nebraska, about 45 minutes away from Lincoln. Every July, you can enjoy live polka music and dancing, wonderful kolaches, a parade, and the crowning of the Czech Queen. Wilber, NE, population of 1,900, proudly calls itself, “The Czech Capital of the United States.” Again, some people will push back against celebrations of history and culture, but I find it fascinating. I’m not Czech, though I married someone with a little Czech in her DNA. But as a younger person, I enjoyed some good food the three or four times I attended the festival, and it was a blast. We can approach diversity with disinterest or even with some animosity. Or, we can approach with curiosity, even a willingness to jump in, enjoy the kolaches, and wonder why it is that Wilber, NE, feels bold enough to declare itself, “The Czech Capital of the United States.” For whatever reason, it’s sort of cool!

For the beautiful diversity that is humanity, I give you thanks, Holy God. We claim you to be the Triune God, reflecting the multiplicity found in the unity that is you. May we find similar enjoyment within the many differences that make up the human family. Amen.