Stocking-stuffer ideas for families
Reviews of several gift ideas for children and parents....
Fighting for Joy in the Desert
practical thoughts for dealing with a season of spiritual dryness...
Pastor Briefing: Semper Reformanda
With Reformation Sunday coming at the end of the month, I thought it timely to discuss a valuable principle from church history......
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A Review from Sing! Conference 2019
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending the Sing! Conference in Nashville, hosted by Getty Music....
Pray for Hong Kong
We should be praying for our brothers and sisters in Hong Kong right now......
Guard Your Heart
On Sunday, Rick Schatz shared at the end of his sermon various ways that will help us finish the Christian life well. Here is a recap of that list:...
Pastor Briefing: Joshua Harris’ Announcement
How do we respond to Joshua Harris's announcement that he is getting divorced from both his wife and Christian faith? ...
Haunted
Middle Eastern women interviewed on a recent podcast have left me humbled and inspired by their devotion and confidence in God's Word....
Inviting Children to Encounter Jesus
Family ministry summer intern, Kate Cupp, reflects on VBS....
A Word to Anyone Helping in Children’s Ministry (or the boring and inappropriate title)
God uses ordinary people in his redemptive story...
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The Storm-Tossed Family
Last week I posted about some of the books I've been reading of late; now I want to dive into one in particular....
On My Reading Shelf
Here's a look at what I've recently read or am reading right now...
A Tragedy for Western Civilization
The burning of Notre Dame is a tragedy for all Western Civilization......
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God & Post-it Notes
I have a student - let’s call him Karl - who’s a bit fidgety in choir class......
God's Immutability in Resurrection Glory
the message of Easter flows from the attributes of God...
A Biblical Love Poem
The Bible celebrates love between a husband and a wife, sometimes in the most shocking ways....
What the Elders are Reading
Do you want to know what the elders are reading right now?...
Book Review: resource to help parents (and others) lead children to clarity about gender identity
New book helps parents, mentors, pastors, youth ministers, children’s ministry volunteers, or simply friends "bring clarity to young minds in a world that is spinning in confusion" ...
Catch Up on Summer Books
Did you miss out on seeing what books we were recommending and selling this summer? Catch up now with a complete list of what we had at the book table....
Resolved: Not to make resolutions
Resolutions are easily forgotten in the shuffle of the new year. Instead of a list of resolutions, perhaps one word to guide my thoughts and intentions will keep me focused on how God wants to grow me this year....
Book Recommendations for Christmas Gifts
Here's some help for finding books to give away as Christmas gifts this year. ...
Responding to Texas
How do we respond to the events in Texas that happened on Sunday? ...
Worship at Joyful Noise
Have you ever wondered why we have a kids’ music program at ECC? Of all the things we could have offered for kids to do while their siblings are at youth group, why music? ...
Submission to Jesus: Where Real Change Takes Place
Discipleship is about change. Everyone wants to change......
Discipleship at our Church
At ECC, we are committed to at least 10 core values that guide us in our discipleship practice. ...
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Tozer's Prayer
I've been asked repeatedly for copies of A. W. Tozer's remarkable prayer in The Pursuit of God, which I read in the sermon on Sunday. Here it is, O God, be Thou exalted over my possessions. Nothing of earth's treasures shall seem dear unto me if only Thou art glorified in my life. Be Thou exalted over my friendships. I am determined that Thou shalt be above all, though ...
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The Storm-Tossed Family
Last week I posted about some of the books I've been reading of late; now I want to dive into one in particular....
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Remember Bonhoeffer
On this date, April 9, in 1945 Dietrich Bonhoeffer was put to death by Nazi guards at the Flossenbrg death camp. They hung him. Bonhoeffer, who stood up with his Christian convictions, refused to submit to the idols of the Nazi regime. And it cost him his life. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now ...
Keep ReadingA Biblical Love Poem
The Bible celebrates love between a husband and a wife, sometimes in the most shocking ways....
Keep ReadingCatch Up on Summer Books
Did you miss out on seeing what books we were recommending and selling this summer? Catch up now with a complete list of what we had at the book table....
Keep ReadingResponding to Texas
How do we respond to the events in Texas that happened on Sunday? ...
Keep ReadingSubmission to Jesus: Where Real Change Takes Place
Discipleship is about change. Everyone wants to change......
Keep ReadingDiscipleship at our Church
At ECC, we are committed to at least 10 core values that guide us in our discipleship practice. ...
Keep ReadingA Summer Rest from Sunday School
As summer is quickly approaching, we again take time to give thanks to God for another great year of Sunday School teaching. We are blessed with godly and capable teachers at every level of Sunday School. I hope that this past year, God has grown you in some way as you or your children experienced Sunday School. As last summer, this year the Session, the Christian Discipl...
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Recommended Reading
Alas, the summer is coming to an end. Sunday School will be beginning soon (Sun, Aug 20!). And there are still dozens of books that you did not get to read yet...(or is that just my problem?) This past summer, the Christian Discipleship Committee sold (at a significant discount) different books that we recommended for your encouragement, edification, and growth. Now that ...
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Following Jesus...by Loving One Another
So you joined a Community Group back in September and now it's the beginning of February. At first it was exciting; you had the summer off and were glad to be back in regular fellowship with people from Church. But now you hear the steady dripping noise of the kitchen faucet when nobody is talking during a discussion. Or maybe your skin is beginning to bristle because THA...
Keep ReadingGod's Warning: The Day After the Election
As I write this, the election results are in and most commentators are calling the results of the presidential election an historic upset in elections. No matter what your feelings are toward the election, God's warning to His people should be heard loud and clear: Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs he ...
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Sadness & The Church
Sadness. Everyone experiences sadness at some point; it may come in the form of discouragement, the "blues," mourning over tragedy, depression, etc. Sadness is part of the Christian life. Did you know that? Or did you think that sadness only happens to those who are not following Jesus? The psalmist certainly knew sadness: My tears have been my food day and night...Why ...
Keep ReadingGratefulness
Reading Colossians forces the reader to grow in thankfulness and gratitude. ...
Keep ReadingBest Marriage Advice Ever
The apostle Paul stopped by this morning and gave me the best marriage advice ever......
Keep ReadingDoes Your Way Lead to Death?
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. (Prov 14:12) Proverbs 14:12 points out a systemic problem in our choices and viewpoints each day: we convince ourselves that our way is the right way. We deceive ourselves by choosing to read only those things that reinforce our way, rather than those things that reassess our way. We befriend t...
Keep ReadingWhat Should You Read?
So you have some extra time this summer, how should you use it? Last week, Colleen gave some great ideas on how to use the summer wisely, especially with regard to family worship. Let me now expand on one of those ideas: reading. Even if you don't enjoy reading, you should still read for the benefit of others (see yesterday's post). But maybe you don't know where to start...
Keep ReadingRead for the Benefit of Others
Christians are called to read. That may sound bold, and even alienating to those who do not enjoy reading, but it is a true statement. Think about it: Christianity has always been defined as a religion centered on reading words. Christianity was birthed from the story found in the words of the Old Testament. The revelation of God to Israel was written down in words. In J...
Keep ReadingSummer Sunday School
As summer is quickly approaching, we want to take time and praise God for another great year of Sunday School teaching. We are blessed with great teachers at every level of Sunday School. We are all growing, from toddlers to adults, as we learn how to apply God's Word to our lives. To that end, the Session and the Christian Discipleship Committee want to challenge you to ...
Keep ReadingA Model for Family Worship
Yesterday, I wrote about the importance of Family Worship. If you never have tried Family Worship or you are looking for a new model, let me suggest one example: Read, Sing, Pray. Keep in mind, this is not the only way to do Family Worship. So if you have a pattern that works for you, keep it! Our practice takes only 10-15 minutesmuch more and our family would probably spo...
Keep ReadingPrioritize Family Worship
Let's just admit something. There are two responses when someone sees the words, "Family Worship." The Traumatic Response Some of you hear the phrase and begin to shudder, having traumatic flashbacks of trying to do devotions with your children in the midst of tears, fighting, or squirrely kids. In fact, there is probably a counseling center somewhere devoted simply to t...
Keep ReadingWhat's New
Do you need a little wisdom in your life? Or how about some encouragement for sharing the gospel with your neighbors?...
Keep ReadingThe Fuel of Thanksgiving
How do you grow thankfulness in your heart? Colossians 1 shows us the fuel for thankfulness: Beholding the glory of Jesus....
Keep ReadingProphets and Suffering: Coming Your Way
Beginning on November 1, we have two new Adult Sunday Schools for you to be a part of!...
Keep ReadingCommunity Groups
Why Community Groups? What possible reason do we believe you should be involved in Community Groups? Here are three reasons that exist behind Community Groups at ECC....
Keep ReadingYour Marriage is about Community
Getting married is not an isolated event between two people. Rather, a Christian wedding invites the entire community of the people of God to look in and peer on your marriage. Are you married? Then guess what...your relationship to your spouse is open to accountability from everyone else!...
Keep ReadingWide-Angle Bible Reading
Consider a new way of reading your Bible this summer: whole book Bible reading. Here's why to do it and how it might change your outlook on the Bible....
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Reach Out
Did you ever wish someone would reach out to you? Here are three ways you can help build a culture of reaching out at ECC. ...
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Remember the Nations
Spreading the fame of God to all nations is the heartbeat of the Bible. Here are four simple ways you can grow in remembering the nations....
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Pursue Growth
Christian growth does not happen by accident. Rather we must pursue it. Here are a few upcoming opportunities to pursue growth....
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