What happens on an ECPC leadership retreat? Last weekend the pastoral interns, the deacons, and the elders of ECPC traveled to Lincolnton NC for an annual leadership retreat. Here’s what happened: Within the first few minutes of arriving Jon narrowly escaped a dog attack. For full details contact Jon directly, but suffice it to say […]
There’s a long-time member of our church named Gideon. Gideon had over 5 dozen sons (with multiple women). One of Gideon’s sons received financing from his mother’s hometown community to hire worthless and reckless fellows to carry out genocide against his brothers. But the youngest of Gideon’s sons escaped the genocide. The youngest son of […]
*These are 2 viable versions of coping with abuse. This is not a comprehensive list of ways to cope, but these are 2 ways of coping that often don’t get published in blog posts or prescribed to victims of abuse. 1. There is a long-time member of our church who has suffered more trauma, injustice, […]
We have a long-time member of our church who separated himself from the community. He made an impulsive decision to get married to a non-Christian. This ill-advised union led to the birth of 3 sons. Two of the sons were put to death by the Lord because they were wicked. I have often wondered if […]
Why is it called “GOOD Friday”? At a glance it would seem that we might call this day anything but “GOOD.” As Jesus of Nazareth sized-up this day, He described it as an episode of unparalleled offense, suffering, and injustice (Mark 12:1-11). Jesus compares the events of Good Friday to a man who planted a […]
Once upon a time there was a guy who knew God. This guy was close friends with God. God promised this guy unprecedented greatness and support. God would APPEAR to this guy, and this guy would build altars to God and reverently call upon the Name of God. One day this guy got nervous about […]
When I was in middle school, Starter Jackets were “mandatory.” It was simply “unacceptable” to be without a Starter Jacket. So you can imagine my alarm when I did not receive a Starter Jacket for Christmas in 7th grade. I had known since October that simply qualifying for the popularity contest was contingent on owning […]
ma·nip·u·late| məˈnipyəˌlāt | Handle or control, typically in a skillful manner. Control or influence (a person or situation) cleverly. pres·sure| ˈpreSHər | The use of persuasion, influence, or intimidation to make someone do something. Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal […]
We are surrounded by evidence of God’s authority and glory, but we choose to ignore or dismiss the signs. Take 30 seconds right now, and look up at the sky …do you see what’s happening? The sky is proclaiming the work of God’s hands (Psalm 19:1; Isaiah 40:26). Simply imagine the ocean for a moment […]
Here’s what you need to appreciate about Willy Wonka… He is a stronghold for the oppressed (Psalm 9:9). Willy prioritizes the redemption of persecuted peoples, like the Oompa-Loompas. The Oompa-Loompas faced terrible hardships and peril in Loompaland (nothing but thick jungles infested by the most dangerous beasts in the world – – – > hornswoggles […]