ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
December 30, 2024
Prayer for the Week
The late President, Jimmy Carter, once wrote, “I have one life and one chance to make it count for something... My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference.”

In those moments, Holy God, when I’m standing before the possibilities of what I can do, wherever I might be, whenever the opportunity arises, I pray for the strength to be bold and bring all of who I am so that those possibilities can become reality for the sake of many. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
December 29, 2024
A good friend and colleague, the late Rev. John Auer, preached a sermon in which he said, “...the illimitable incarnation of God in human form–the Word of Life made flesh of love... in this, God decides to take an insider’s approach, becoming one of us...” (Sermon entitled: “Hail Mary! The Beginning is Near”). John’s idea of God taking an insider’s approach has brought both comfort and challenge. God has never been one to see divinity as something to ‘exploit’ (Philippians 2:6), but has continued to find ways of bridging the perceived divide between the eternal and the finite. Of course, this “illimitable incarnation” found in Bethlehem will grow into an adult who will invite people to become imitators of the God who has and will continue to choose to come among us. How do we imitate the One who traverses the barriers and infiltrates the reality of those who perceive God as transcendent and distant? Maybe God has always been a whole lot closer than any of us imagined.

O God of Incarnate Grace, with a mixture of gratitude and apprehension, I humbly request your guidance on how I can most effectively reflect your profound and intimate approach. May your love be my beacon of encouragement, for I am fully aware of the path you have taken. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
December 28, 2024
1st John was not written until the late 90’s, maybe even around 100AD—so about 70 years after Jesus. Right at the beginning of the Epistle, we read: “… what existed from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have seen and our hands handled, about the word of life…” The person writing those words probably did not see or touch the word of life, in the sense of being present with Jesus during his ministry. For this reason, we can only assume that when the author wrote about seeing and handling in regard to the life that was revealed, s/he is referring to the Spirit-filled Body of Christ, the church. We’ve just concluded celebrating Christmas, and though the events we commemorate are two millennia old, we frequently speak of them in the present tense. To some, this may seem peculiar, but it stems from the belief that the word of life is not merely a historical occurrence. What happened in the manger is not limited to a specific manger in Bethlehem some 2000 years ago. The incarnate word continues to manifest, be encountered, and be touched within the Body of Christ, including Cypress Creek Christian Church. 

O Father, whose eternal life manifested in humanity, we are filled with immense joy for the profound love you have bestowed upon us. May we persistently strive to embody your life and boundless love in every moment of life. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
​December 27, 2024
Yesterday, December 26, I was a little slow arriving at the office. Jennifer was already here working. I wasn’t exactly 18 1/2 minutes late, but I was very mindful of the time. If you remember in the classic story A Christmas Carol, Bob Cratchit runs to work knowing that he is late, only to discover that his boss, Ebenezer Scrooge, is waiting for him. Bob apologies by saying, “I'm very sorry, sir," I am behind my time… It’s only once a year, sir.” Of course, Scrooge gives Bob a raises and promises to help care for Bob’s family. The line that always catches my attention comes from the narrator, “Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father.”

Today, we might say that someone is “true” to their word, but I believe Charles Dickens intended to convey a deeper meaning with phrases like “better than his word” and “infinitely more.” However, I’m not sure what these phrases actually mean. Do we have a habit of defining “true” to the lowest possible standard? Unknowingly, do we ask ourselves how society or those around us would judge being “true to my word,” and no matter how low the bar might be set, that becomes our standard of being “true”? What would it mean to strive well beyond anything those around us might define as caring, compassionate, generous, or kind? What would it mean for us to persistently challenge ourselves when it comes to the limits we might have imposed on ourselves? In our own prayer life, setting aside what society or friends might think, how might God be challenging us to reach for even greater expressions of selfless giving?

​Thank you, Gracious God, for every example of self-giving love, even someone like Ebenezer Scrooge, who was birthed out of the imagination and skilled set of a great writer. If there is room for me to grow, I pray for the capacity to see that growing edge and the fortitude to push myself toward even greater faithfulness. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
December 26, 2024
Today marks the Feast Day of St. Stephen, remembered as the first deacon of the church and the first martyr. As a deacon, he served those who were poor, including the widows and the orphans. In various cultures, today is celebrated as Boxing Day, a day dedicated to honoring Stephen’s remarkable acts of compassion. The tradition of Boxing Day involves families packing up some of their Christmas presents, food, and other items to distribute to the needy. Within the United States, today serves as the most significant day for exchanging gifts that were either unwelcome or ill-fitting. As we go through this day, let us be mindful of those who didn’t have a gift to exchange. For those most vulnerable, let us allow the abundance of Christmas to spill into their lives. As Galatians 2:10 reminds us, “They asked only one thing, that we remember the poor, which was actually what I was eager to do.”

O God of abundant love, create within this day the opportunity to serve as Stephen did. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
December 25, 2024
Christmas Day
Oh, the best-made plans… It’s not uncommon to read stories about babies being born alongside the road, in a cab, or even on an airplane. However, in today’s world, medical assistance is readily available. In first-century Palestine, being away from one’s family and community was already a daunting prospect, but the thought of giving birth in such a setting would have been terrifying. In Luke 2:6, we read: “While they were there (in Bethlehem), the time came for her to deliver her child,” which, of course, was not their hometown. Life often takes us by surprise, occurring in the gaps between our carefully planned moments. While these gaps can be deeply unsettling, they’ve also been the site of some of the most incredible and beautiful events in history. I’m not suggesting it is the way God plans it, but the important things routinely transpire when we release our need to control. It is there that God’s Spirit is able to wiggle in and accomplish what our plans have often hindered. Just a thought on this Christmas Day… 

Lord, you gifted us with the capacity to fly by the seat of our pants, but whether we plan or not, we too often leave no room for your divine presence. Help us to create a manger of the soul where your surprising gift can find rest. Amen.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
December 24, 2024
Christmas Eve
When the church celebrates Christmas, it’s essentially celebrating an absurdity. Some people are quite thrilled about how our culture has “embraced” Christmas. However, I suggest that instead of amplifying the absurdity, we’ve tried to make it sweet and conventional. With great intentionality, we have extracted absurdity from the narrative. Nevertheless, if we were to allow the story to speak its truth, it would still be as shocking and rebellious as it was to the dominant culture of the first century. Remember, the story proclaims Emmanuel—that is, God born not in the safety of a fortified palace but in a place of poverty and powerlessness. If you want to truly understand the nature of the God in whom Christianity claims to believe, start with that absurdity.

Even if it challenges my sensibilities and forces me to reevaluate my priorities, I approach you with an open mind and a receptive heart, O Emmanuel. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
December 23, 2024
Prayer for the Week:
There is hope within us, a peace that is changing us, a joy that is bringing life to us, and a love that is liberating us. O Gracious God, we have learned a great deal in this Advent Season, but most importantly, we have intentionally prepared ourselves by making space for your presence to dwell more deeply. We are different because Christmas is more than just a date on the calendar; it is a story that aims to shape us into a more perfect reflection of your likeness. The birth of a child reverses long-held expectations and subverts old systems of power and privilege. Once again, you are doing a new thing, and because of our intentional practices over the past four weeks, we’re more likely to observe your actions and join in on your marvelous work. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
December 22, 2024
Everything is coming to completion. I’m not talking about Christmas, but football. Yesterday, we saw multiple college division playoffs take another step toward their Championship Games. The NFL’s playoff slots are dwindling, and the path to the championship is becoming clearer with each game. Similarly, the Advent season is leading us on a journey toward the fullness of the Christmas experience, with Bethlehem’s destination coming into focus with each passing day. There are some differences, but the one that stands out to me the most is how each week produces LOSERS as the football championships become increasingly apparent. On the other hand, as we approach Christmas, each day we discover a God who is reclaiming and redefining every single person who has been made to feel like a LOSER. There is one ultimate destination, and that is the restoration and healing of all creation, including every human soul that is feeling great joy as they learn how their title is not LOSER but BELOVED. And a manger in Bethlehem is the place where God’s intentions are made entirely clear. 

O God of the Christmas story, reveal your message once again as I and so many others need to be reminded of our place as a beloved member of your family. Amen.