ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
August 31, 2026
Prayer for the Week:
We have been told that we must survive on a thin diet of hope. You provide a feast, Merciful God, yet like vultures to a carcass, there are those who seek to devour your generous gifts, leaving so many feeling as if they need to scramble and fight for even a morsel of your good and grace-filled sustenance. That is a mindset of scarcity, where we are left convinced that there is only enough for a few. But Jesus announced a message of life, a life offered in abundance. Such a gift is more than a meager meal to be fought over, but a copious blessing that remains fully present even when we have received our fill. In a world of stingy religion, where too many hunger and thirst for love, help us see the amazing outpouring of your merciful kindness that leaves us with more than enough to set a table for all of humanity to join in the feast. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
August 30, 2026
Today, in worship, we are going to be looking at the Book of Exodus, and specifically the call of Moses. Like those who have not only received an unexpected call, but one that is going to be quite demanding, Moses got a little nervous. At the beginning of the fourth chapter, Moses said to the divine voice in the burning bush, “But look, they may not believe me or listen to me but say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you.’” For many people, when they think of faithfulness, they assume only confidence and boldness, but so many of the stories we find in scripture are stories of caution, questions, and a handful of concerns. There is a part of me that envies what is often portrayed as an unquestioning, even mindless faith. But that does not sound like most humans. And even when we look at some of what we might call the great saints and witnesses of the church, we find people who had doubts, fears, and even moments when they wondered whether they needed to see a doctor. So as often as Moses is mocked, even ridiculed for his questions and excuses, there is something very real and genuine about his response. And for me, I sort of need that Moses.

Holy and Revelatory Voice, we listen and sometimes wonder about what we have heard. We’re anxious, quick to reach for an excuse. Please remain faithful in your call upon our lives, as we desire, amidst the fears, to be faithful to you. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
August 29, 2026
On Thursday morning, I went for an early morning walk, trying to get it in before the temps rose too high. I often walk on the streets in my neighborhood as the sidewalks are not great.  At one point, I could hear a car approaching from behind. It was not loud, and when I glanced over my shoulder, I knew why it was quiet. It was a Tesla. I stepped a little closer to the curb, even though there was plenty of room. As the car passed me, I didn’t realize the back window on the passenger side was down, and hanging out the window was a dog… my guess, a poodle of some kind. I did not even glance until the dog was about a foot from my ear and started barking very loudly. In that moment, I was so glad I had used the bathroom before leaving the house, otherwise… well… you know. For a few moments, I was pretty shaken. My watch showed that my heart rate was elevated a little higher than usual. But after a moment, once I realized what had occurred, I found the initial shock dissipating. And after another minute or two, I was back to my usual self.  

On the rest of my walk, I got to thinking about the difference between being startled and being scared. There are times when we are startled, and we are still shaking after a period of time. It happens. But when someone is genuinely scared (fearful), it is often long-term. And the source of the fear remains real and present. Our response to someone who has been startled as compared to someone who is scared (notice, one is past tense and the other is present) is going to be different. What we must remember is that a word of comfort and calm can be helpful when a person has been startled, but when the reason for the fear is still present, the response might include walking alongside someone or even trying to confront the source of the fear, which is better when it is done as a group. Sometimes we are startled and sometimes we are scared. Knowing the difference is important for everyone involved.

Wherever people are truly frightened for whatever reason, I pray for friends and advocates to come alongside with a sacred presence that announces your presence, Holy God. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
August 28, 2026
Some good news around Cypress Creek Christian Church. Now when we use the phrase, good news, we are usually talking about the Gospel of Jesus Christ; the Gospel of God’s unconditional and unrelenting love. But I want to share a couple of somewhat related pieces of good news, though let’s not pretend that they rise to the same level as the Gospel. First, it appears the roof is basically done. There remain a few things along the edges to complete, but it is close. And three of the four large AC units are back in place, with the fourth one waiting for new metal that connects the unit to the ductwork. It was so badly rusted that it fell apart when they moved it. And the second piece of good news is some progress in regard to new property and liability insurance. This has been a nine-month process, at a time when the insurance market for churches is really hard. A number of insurance companies no longer will carry churches near the Gulf Coast, and others will no longer provide insurance for a church that serves as the sponsoring organization for the Scouts. Not only does it look as if we’ve found a new company, but it will save us some money. When prices are going up 10-20% each year, it is exciting for us to think in terms of a reduction. This is good news because the Good News of the Gospel utilizes buildings, air conditioners, and requires insurance. It is just the reality of doing business (the church is of course more than a business). Yet I desire for us to be good stewards of all the resources entrusted to the church, and wherever we can save a few dollars on insurance and redirect those dollars into ministry programs, it’s time for us to celebrate some good news. 

Maybe it does not rise to the level of celebration spoken of by Jesus when the lost sheep was found and the neighbors and the very heavens rejoiced, but God, it is good to see projects come to a conclusion. We pray that for each little step associated with the less than exciting stuff of church, that we will find a way to take another step in faithfulness to the Gospel of your unconditional and unrelenting love. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
August 27, 2026
Like every profession, clergy run in their own circles of influence, interest, and information. There are days when my social media feed blows up, yet I must realize that 98% of the world probably does not know what is exciting in the clergy sphere. Sometimes it is wonderful news, and other times, it is something deeply troubling. Recently, it was the latter, and I felt I’d share it because there is a connection to Cypress Creek Christian Church. Over the last seven or eight years, we have done a lot of Dr. Amy-Jill Levine studies. She was the New Testament professor at Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville, though Dr. Levine (she always told us to call her AJ) is Jewish. She is not a Messianic Jew, but a practicing Jew who fell in love with the ancient texts, including the New Testament. She has brought such amazing insights to the Gospels, which are documents deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. 


Now with the backstory in mind, Dr. Levine was recently elected as the first Jewish President of the Catholic Biblical Association of America. That may seem a bit odd at first glance, but even Catholic scholars acknowledge her expertise. But beyond just an initial surprise, there have been some ugly and hateful comments that have come from Christians all over the country, including those who suggest her election to be a sin or even demonic. It has left many caught off guard, though both scholars and laypeople alike have been coming to her defense. On two occasions, when Cypress Creek Christian Church was doing one of Dr. Levine’s studies, we also had a Zoom call with her. We had thoroughly enjoyed the study, but then we had the opportunity to engage with her directly over Zoom. She was delightful and extraordinarily funny, while also being quite humble. She took the time to answer our questions, and we ended our 90-minute conversation beyond blessed. 

I want to celebrate our Catholic siblings for making this choice. Religion, at almost every level, exists in silos. At best, we wave at one another from a distance and pretend to be respectful. Dr. Levine has spent her career breaking down stereotypes, showing grace to those who were trying to free themselves from an old and more narrow view of scripture, while also bringing exceptional and accessible Biblical scholarship to the conversation. Those who follow Jesus, and even those who claim to be good human beings, must speak out strongly against hatefulness that continues to prop up bigotry and ignorance. I sort of picture Jesus giggling with glee at the idea of a Jewish scholar becoming the President of the Catholic Biblical Association of America.

Whenever we have the chance to interact with someone or something new, we earnestly hope to possess the ability to receive it with both curiosity and a genuine desire for personal growth. Holy God of the Universe, we give thanks for those who step outside of expectation for the purpose of creating greater insight for all. May we always see in the great diversity of people a reflection of you. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
August 26, 2026
I have always loved the language from Exodus 13, where God is leading the people after the exodus experience, but does not take them by the easiest path. It says, “…God led the people by the roundabout way of the wilderness…” (vs.18). Does anyone else ever feel as if God was guiding you, but it sure didn’t appear as if God chose the straightest or easiest path? “Roundabout” feels, at times, like an accurate word. I believe strongly in free will, and when we speak of God leading or guiding, I cannot imagine God ever taking away our autonomy. Love always respects free will. If you were like me, when parents, particularly during your late teens and early 20s, attempted to guide you, you likely disregarded their advice because they were parents. It wasn’t until later that we realized how some of their guidance wasn’t as stupid as we thought. In fact, there might have been a nugget or two of wisdom to be found. Later in the chapter, we read, “The Lord went in front of them in a pillar of cloud by day, to lead them along the way, and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by night” (vs.21). There have been moments in my life when I felt guided by a pillar of fire or some other strong force, but quite often, I have been left with prayerful discernment that has me wondering if the “roundabout way” was God or just my own inability to perceive some of the helpful guides God was bringing to walk alongside me.

I seek to be faithful and to walk in your ways, O Pillar of Light and Sacred Guide. Help me to be attuned to the Spirit, available to the teachings of Jesus, and open to the wise saints whose voices are full of life and love. I won’t pretend my God-consciousness is always as available as it should be, but I trust you to be patient and gracious. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
August 25, 2026
Is change good? Is change bad? Are there times when it is to be celebrated and other times when it is to be met with caution? To that latter question, I would probably answer YES and YES. Now it is important for me to say that I am not an expert nor even a somewhat knowledgeable person in the area of AI, but I have tried to listen and read and approach with an open mind. I was sort of sitting in the middle, not necessarily feeling the good outweighed the bad or the bad outweighed the good. The progress in the area of medicine has already been extraordinary, and it’s just getting started. But in recent weeks, I have become more concerned in regard to what economists are seeing with the AI boom. Over the last decade or so, people have been calling AI an equalizing force, creating access and opportunity for those who previously would have been left behind. My ears enjoyed those words, but recently, researchers are discovering that AI has in fact supercharged the disparity gap between rich and poor. It is one of many forces growing the imbalance. Now to be clear, I am not opposed to people making money and living comfortable lives, but there is a breaking point within a society, especially one that claims to have some basic moral compass. Jesus provided a number of sayings that did not depict the wealthy well, and even in Mary’s song, before the birth of Jesus, she offered the words, “He has pulled the powerful down from their thrones and lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty-handed.” Yet when Jesus appeared to call out the rich, I don’t believe it was a generic term. In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the father in that story was wealthy, but he was presented in a very positive way. The rich who appear to be on the receiving end of Jesus’ outrage are those who fail to be just, good, and compassionate. It falls in line with the prophets, who called out the rich who did not treat their employees well, who showed no compassion to the orphan or widow, and took advantage of the most vulnerable. And I’m not an alarmist, yet I know just enough economy theory and history to know there is a breaking point in any system, whether it be economic collapse or revolution. I’m looking to Jesus for another option, one that allows all to live with economic security. 

We ask a lot of you, Holy God, and you simply ask us to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with you. We’ll try to improve our task. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
August 24, 2026
Prayer for the Week: 
It is good to be seen;
It is good to be known;
It is good to be loved.
Thank you, Holy Creator,
Eternal Source of Life,
Fulfiller of Promises,
Ever-faithful God.
Provide us your vision-
Provide us your grace-
Provide us your awareness,
So we can see others
As you see them;
Know others 
As they should be known;
Love others
As those deserving of love.
May it be so.
Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
August 23, 2026
My mother always reminded me not to make a promise that I could not keep. Well, I have been sharing with all the world that we will be back to two services today, but I am hearing the echo of my mother’s voice. I apologize as we were basically told that though the roof might not be quite finished, the AC units would be up and running. Well, not one of the AC units is running in the Forum Building. They feel certain they’ll be running on Monday, but do not hear that as a promise from Bruce… only a hope. My theology does not picture God holding AC units hostage to teach us a lesson, but I believe God uses the regular happenings of life to teach us and remind us what is important. And so today, I am trying to remember (with only some success) that patience is a virtue, and to remember that a lot of churches don’t have a second space where they can have worship when the AC is out. Thank goodness that we have AC in three of our four buildings, just not the Forum. Pray for the music staff as they scramble once again to combine our services.

Holy God, patience might be a virtue, but it is not a gift you gave to many of us. Help us to see what is important, even when things are not progressing in the way we had planned. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
August 22, 2026
Tomorrow afternoon, I have the honor of preaching at the Recognition of Ordination Service for the Rev. Shannon Little. Shannon came to the Disciples from another tradition, but he has been serving University Christian Church here in Houston for a number of years. He started the process through the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to have his ordination recognized by the Disciples, and after some additional classes, writing a few papers, and an interview with the Regional Ordination Committee, Shannon was officially given standing in the Disciples. The final interview was over Zoom, and because it is to be at a neutral church, we had the honor of hosting Shannon and our Regional Staff person for that interview. This Sunday at 3pm is the service of celebration, and again, I am honored that Shannon asked me to preach. Of course, the last few weeks, my mind has been on getting two different sermons together for tomorrow. 

It is important to know that in our tradition, we believe that all are called to ministry. At the same time, there is a belief that some are called to the specific task of ordained ministry. Not only does this usually require a graduate degree in theology and Biblical studies (called a Master of Divinity), but through ordination, the church uplifts the specific call from God to lead the church or step into specific ministry work, such as chaplaincy. The downfall is that some people in the church begin to look at opportunities of service, yet think to themselves, “I can’t do that. It needs to be done by the professionals.” Those of us who attended seminary and received a Master of Divinity degree often joke that we mastered very little. A true, “Jack of all trades, master of none.” Yet as I often say, I might have the best job in the world… in part, because it’s not just a job.

Holy God, I give thanks for the way you call all of us to the work of ministry, including the ministries of reconciliation, healing, and hope. May we never think of our gifts and calling as less important than any other gift or calling. We truly are the Body of Christ, and every part of this Body is essential. Amen.