Ecclesiological Etchings: 11-20-14

Scripture: Psalm 5:7-8
But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house, I will bow down toward your holy temple in awe of you. Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.

Thought for the Day: I was visiting Paula in the hospital yesterday (she went home later in the afternoon following her knee replacement surgery on Monday).  At the Tomball Hospital, the main elevators off the lobby are glass on one side, and you can see for a number of blocks. As I rode the elevator to Paula’s room, I faced the doors as there were other people on the elevator (I think that is proper elevator etiquette).  On the way down, I was alone and I stared out the window. As a kid, I would have loved that experience — pressing my face against the glass and looking down…almost as good as a ride at the county fair. Based upon the expressions of those at the entrance to the hospital watching me ride down, I am guessing those memories from childhood must have unknowingly taken over. These folks were smiling at me, even laughing a little. I must have looked like a seven year old riding the ferris wheel for the first time. I was quickly jerked back into proper elevator etiquette by my embarrassment, yet something bothered me. There was a part of me that wished a grown man could ride a glass elevator with his face pressed against the glass and screaming,”Weeeee!” Most of us need a little more awe, amazement and wonderment in life.

Prayer: O God who inspires awe, provide me just enough childhood innocence to be unconcerned by what others might think. Allow me to be dumbfounded and astonished by the spectacular beauty and delight found all around me. Amen.

DON’T MISS TONIGHT
7:00pm

Cypress Creek Christian Church
Hosts

Ecclesiological Etchings: 11-19-14

Scripture: Psalm 31:9-10
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also.  For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away.

Thought for the Day: I think most people can look back over their lives and find a time when they were able to relate to these words of scripture.  For some people, it is right now.  As I read these words of scripture, I feel the utter despair within this person’s voice.  Most of us have a sense of empathy for this individual whose emotional distress is being felt at the very core of his bones.  Yet as we move further into the Psalm, the author remains undeterred by the difficulty and anguish.  In the end, God’s steadfast love with prevail.  No question about it!  Without ever being naïve about the present reality, the author remains hopeful to what God is doing and what God will continue to do.

Prayer: Through your steadfast love, O Lord, renew my trust in you.  Amen.

TODAY

ALL CHURCH
THANKSGIVING DINNER
6:00-7:30pm

STUDY
Noon & 6:40pm

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THURSDAY
at
7:00pm

Ecclesiological Etchings: 11-18-14

Scripture: Mark 9:50
Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

Thought for the Day: Kirby Gould is a friend of mine, and she also works for the Christian Church Foundation.  She recently wrote on Facebook:

Today I leave for Falmouth, Jamaica, for my second time to participate with a medical and dental mission team…  2014 has been a year filled with “Trauma and Drama” for me, so it’s time to stop thinking about my own worries and instead immerse myself with the beautiful people of Jamaica

I don’t hear Kirby’s words as some sort of escapism, but a magnificent and sacrificial act of enriching herself…or could I say she is adding flavor to her life through this experience in Jamaica. Too often life can strip us of our character and sauciness, but an act of service can bring us back to our original purpose. It is difficult to be a peace with one another if we do not have the flavor of peace within us.  Do something that will add some salty flavor of shalom to your life.

Prayer: Make my life full of flavor, Lord, not only for myself but for all those who I meet. Amen.

TOMORROW

All Church
Thanksgiving Dinner

6-7:30pm

Wednesday Studies

Noon and 6:40pm

AND THURSDAY NIGHT

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

at
Cypress Creek Christian Church
7:00pm

Ecclesiological Etchings: 11-17-14

Scripture: 1st Peter 4:10
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.

Thought for the Day: When Donna and I were married, we received many wonderful gifts from friends and family.  Among those gifts were two apparent regiftings.  For those who do not know the term, we received as a gift an item someone else had not wanted.  In two of our packages were cards to the people who had given us the gifts.  For whatever reason, the recipient of the gift had decided to pass it on to us.  I’m not going to judge the choice of these individuals (recommendation: always look through a box carefully before re-gifting), but you can be assured that God never re-gifts.  God’s blessings of love and forgiveness shared with us are unique for us and our life circumstances.  God knows us and blesses us distinctively so we can be a blessing to others.

Prayer: O Loving God, you have demonstrated great care and understanding when you chose the gifts you bestowed upon us. In return, may I show an equal amount of care and understanding as I share those gifts with others.  Amen.

WEDNESDAY

Thanksgiving Dinner
6-7:30pm

New Study

Noon & 6:40pm

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THURSDAY NIGHT

7:00pm

at
CCCC

Ecclesiological Etchings: 11-16-14

Scripture: Matthew 25:39
And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’

Thought for the Day: Today in worship, we are focusing on our ministry to those who are incarcerated. Cypress Creek Christian Church has, for many years, focused its passion and compassion on those who are in jail or prison. This has been done specifically through the ARK Program that helps build self-esteem and encourages parents (once released) to raise their children through the lens of God’s unconditional love. Literally thousands of women who were in jail have been blessed by this program, and more specifically, by the volunteers who make the program happen. In our country, we currently have unnecessary incarceration which has led to over-incarceration. Yet there are good and faithful people who are helping those in prison to find themselves and their God-given value. Even if just one person comes out of jail – no longer defined by her past – it would be a success. I would suggest that hundreds upon hundreds of women have found hope because a group of selfless servants have brought Christ into their lives behind bars.

Prayer: With gratitude, Lord, we acknowledge those you have been called to be ministers of the Gospel among those who are imprisoned. Despite the circumstances that put the prisoners behind bars, let us clearly hear your call for compassion and love. Amen.

THRUSDAY NIGHT
at
7:00pm

Ecclesiological Etchings: 11-15-14

Scripture: Hebrews 4:9-11
So then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; for those who enter God’s rest also cease from their labors as God did from his. Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall through such disobedience as theirs.

Thought for the Day: Henry Rollins is one of those interesting characters who has done just about everything, from music to acting to writing to human rights activist. On this chilly November morning, I am reminded of his words:

The month of November
makes me feel that life
is passing more quickly.
In an effort to slow it down,
I try to fill the hours
more meaningfully.

This is a simple statement, yet good advice for this time of the year or any time when everything seems to be passing us by way too quickly.  Giving meaning to our moments requires intentionality and a little forethought, but it is possible to make some small adjustments and bring real meaning and purpose to a few of those moments.

Prayer: Let me find some restful moments to be with you, O Lord. Let me be with you, and in doing so, allow you to provide meaning and value to my life that feels as if it is moving so quickly. Amen.

SPECIAL SUNDAY

Honoring Our Ministry
To Those In Prison

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Don’t Forget
Wednesday Study

“Not a Silent Night”
Begins this Wednesday

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JOIN US THIS THURSDAY

7PM

at
Cypress Creek Christian Church

Ecclesiological Etchings: 11-14-14

Scripture: 2^nd John 1:3
Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

Thought for the Day: Recently, I overheard some children talking about what they wanted for Christmas.  They often spoke in terms of being unable to live without the items they desired.  As you can imagine, these items were big-ticket toys and electronics.  Most people never grow out of that mind set, or if they do, it is only toward the end of life.  It is too bad we spend most of our lives focusing on those things that do not satisfy the true longs of our spirits.

Prayer:  Merciful and kind God, redirect my cravings to those things that will last and provide life.  Amen.

SUNDAY’S WORSHIP
Prison Ministry Sunday

Ecclesiological Etchings: 11-13-14

Scripture: 1st Peter 5:6-8
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour.

Thought for the Day: How do you do with anxiety? Is it something that causes an occasional sleepless night? Or is it something incapacitating? Anxiety can be strange and unpredictable – often coming out of the blue, but with intensity.

On Friday, I begin a new medication for my MS. I have been on the same medication for 17 years, and it has served me pretty well. Actually, it is not a new medication but a change in the dosing and frequency. It shouldn’t be a big deal.  In fact, I go from a daily injection to three times/week. But out of the blue, I felt this strange nagging of uncertainty.  You probably know the feeling.

When I read those words from 1st Peter, to cast all my anxiety on God, I find that I can cast some of it…while some of it remains. This remnant moves into the soul and takes up residence. Could this be the reason that the author says, “Discipline yourselves.” It takes work to do a real search of the soul and find where anxiety has parked itself. Part of the discipline is prayer and meditation, but part of it is knowing when to seek assistance, even professional help. God desires you to show anxiety the exit, but like any big move in our lives, it is good to call in the professionals to do the heavy lifting

Prayer: Help me, O Lord, when apprehension and uncertainty take hold of my spirit. Help me to call upon others to be partners in my healing.  Amen.

PRISON MINISTRY SUNDAY
THIS WEEK

BOOK STUDY BEINGS NEXT WEEK
Consider Ordering The Book

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Next Thursday
Nov. 20

Cypress Creek
Christian Church

hosts…

Ecclesiological Etchings: 11-12-14

Scripture: Ephesians 1:7-10
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Thought for the Day: I am truly an amateur theologian. I read, study and muse a lot on the topics of Christology, ecclesiology and theodicy. I’m strange that way, but it seems important to put concepts together, see the tensions, and find understanding through the discovery process. Explanations are important, and a general understanding is necessary to communicate our faith experiences. At the same time, I am reminded of Harry Emerson Fosdick who said, “I would rather live in a world where my life is surrounded by mystery than live in a world so small that my mind could comprehend it.” This is not going to stop me from searching and asking, but it reminds me of who God is, and more importantly, that I’m not God.

Prayer: I love you, Lord, for your unmistakeable gift of grace…even on those days when its origin or implications remain a complete mystery to me.  Amen.

THIS SUNDAY
Our Prison Ministry 

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And Starting November 19…

Ecclesiological Etchings: 11-11-14

Scripture: Psalm 34:14
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

Thought for the Day: I recently did an internet search on praying for peace.  I was fascinated by the high percentage of Protestant sites that focused on praying for personal peace and happiness. Now this was far from scientific research, but most of the websites that were clearly Christian (non-Catholic) sounded more like the big money self-help titles from your local bookstore. In these websites, Jesus was used more like a cheerleader in your quest for personal peace, happiness, financial security and early retirement. In general, the Catholic and non-Christian (often using the term ‘praying” more generically than I would) spoke about this purposeful and sacrificial pursuit of peace – among communities, races, religions and nations. I don’t know about you, but that sure sounds a lot like Jesus.  Funny how some of us Protestants are being outdone by our Catholic brothers and sisters, though I don’t feel so bad about that.  It is the non-Christians proclaiming the Gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15) better than some Protestant groups that I find troubling…or maybe I should be happy that someone is doing it well.

Prayer: Let me hear again your Gospel, O God of Grace, so I can move away from evil and self-centered living and toward a life that peruses true peace. Amen.

ALL CHURCH
THANKSGIVING DINNER

November 19, 2014

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