The Sunday School year is about to begin!...

We should be praying for our brothers and sisters in Hong Kong right now......

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 ...

Last week I posted about some of the books I've been reading of late; now I want to dive into one in particular....

Here's a look at what I've recently read or am reading right now...

The burning of Notre Dame is a tragedy for all Western Civilization......

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 ...

The Bible celebrates love between a husband and a wife, sometimes in the most shocking ways....

Do you want to know what the elders are reading right now?...

How well do you know your neighbors? Here's a test to find out......

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....

Here's some help for finding books to give away as Christmas gifts this year. ...

How do we respond to the events in Texas that happened on Sunday? ...

Discipleship is about change. Everyone wants to change......

At ECC, we are committed to at least 10 core values that guide us in our discipleship practice. ...

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...

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 ...

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...

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 ...

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 ...

Reading Colossians forces the reader to grow in thankfulness and gratitude. ...

The apostle Paul stopped by this morning and gave me the best marriage advice ever......

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

Do you need a little wisdom in your life? Or how about some encouragement for sharing the gospel with your neighbors?...

How do you grow thankfulness in your heart? Colossians 1 shows us the fuel for thankfulness: Beholding the glory of Jesus....

Beginning on November 1, we have two new Adult Sunday Schools for you to be a part of!...

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....

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!...

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....

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. ...

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....

Christian growth does not happen by accident. Rather we must pursue it. Here are a few upcoming opportunities to pursue growth....