Keep Your Head Up

When life happens, it can be either rewarding or difficult. In this past week I have had a few close friends and family have situations that have arisen that have been unexpected and not fun. In these times of despair, it is important that we truly find a positive and rewarding place to focus. When we focus on things that are out of our control and dragging us down, we will soon follow the current just as a piece of debri being sucked down a drainage system. Psalm 121 encourages to keep our eyes to the hills. It poses the question- "where does our help come from?" It is a great response, and the answer is even better: "my help come from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth." The Lord is watching and we can put our hope and trust in him. We have to LOOK-UP to God with hope and anticipation that He sees us, He hears us, and He will respond to us. Read Psalm 121 and be reminded of the type of God we serve. So, my friend who has a tumor, my friend who is looking for employment, my friend who has a family member in a coma, and my friend searching for truth...prayer this prayer today.

Thank you Father, that when I am having trouble in the climb you help me.
Thank you for your strong hand and loving lift.
Today, I will exchange my fears for faith.
I will keep my eyes on you.
I will move forward with confidence.
I will trust you.
Watch over my coming and going today.
In Jesus Name, Amen!

Keep Your Head UP! Looking into the heavens above and acknowledging God is a great place to focus.

Things that make you go BOOM!

Yesterday at 2pm PST, there was a plane that invaded Air Force One's air space. This little puddle jumper of a plane was just minding it's own business, or should I say unaware that air space was restricted as it came into the Seattle, WA, area. What happened next was the brute power and swift response of our AIR FORCE, as it scrambled two F-18 fighter jets out of Portland to Seattle. Because of the emergency and unknown threat to the space where our President was, and the distance between the two cities- let's just say the jets hauled. They can travel up to 1800 mph. The two jets as they crossed Western WA let off SONIC BOOMS, yes two of them-one from each plane. I was told it shook our house and rattled the windows as if they were going to pop out. Yet, as it happened I sat in my office fully unaware that it had happened. I didn't hear it, feel it, or notice it. I guess my office could be the place to be in the event of a natural disaster(i'm just sayin') I was locked in my cave and missed it. It wasn't until I popped on Facebook a time later to find something happened, and upon checking the news I connected the dots. How could a sonic boom take place and me not realize it? As I thought about it, I thought sometimes God likes to get my attention, but I am so enthralled in what I am doing, I can easily miss out. That means He can be trying to communicate with me and I could be completely shut off from what he is trying to tell me. It made me think that sometimes I am unaware of what God may be saying, because I am not expecting anything. Fact is, I need to be more ready to listen and willing to be shocked and amazed by God. I know that at times God sends a SONIC BOOM my direction to shake my world, but if I don't position myself to hear, see, respond then I may miss it altogether. Have you heard any SONIC BOOMS from God lately? Maybe He is needing to get your attention and to get it, He has to go BIG!

THE ECC TAILGATER is COMING

THE ECC ALL CHURCH TAILGATER
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2010
ECS BALLFIELD 4-7pm

This is a great connection point for the ECC community. This night is filled with those tailgating with great food off the back of their car's tailgates. We encourage those who want to join the party to sign up and get your friends and family hanging out with the community at ECC. This has been a great place to connect people in a casual and fun environment. We look forward to you hanging with us. Each Tailgate group is responsible for their own food and clean up. We will have on hand for the kids inflatables and activities to keep them having a blast, while the Small Groups lead the charge in tailgates-we are inviting anyone to be a part. Come enjoy Labor Day weekend and Tailgate with us.
Any questions contact us at the office 360.352.3410.

Life & Ministry Lessons- What are you reflecting?

Occasionally I will pass a store front window, a mirror in a store, or glance at my rear view mirror. Normally when this happens it is followed with a posture change, an expression change, or a flex-let's me be honest-I'm a dude and flexing in a mirror is just something guys do-especially when no one is looking. The reason that these glances, passes, etc... bring an immediate change, is because I don't like what I see. I have found that sometimes I scowl when I drive and when I catch myself I wonder.... does the person at the stop sign next to me know I am actually a super happy, excited to be alive, and a personality plus type of guy? Based on my expression and reflection I see occasionally that answer is a fat no? So what about you-as you walk through each day at home, work, play....what are the reflections that people get by looking at you? I have found 2 Corinthians 3:18 to be a great verse to remind me of the way I want to be seen. The wording of this early part of the verse reads "But we all, with open face..." and in some versions, "unveiled faces". The Greek word which is anakalupto means to uncover, unveil, or to disclose. The tense in which it is used speaks not of a one-time unveiling, but rather a veil that once lifted, remains lifted forever. That unveiling in my life means I need to live each day as a reflection of Christ, who is active and alive in my life. When people look at me, what they see and what I hope to see is Christ. So, I pose the question to you- when people look at you, what do they see? What are you reflecting? If what they see is not what you hope they see, what steps do you need to take to unveil the 'you' that is reflected?