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Posts Tagged ‘Christianity’

Haiti Report and Other EFC Happenings

Posted in Christianity, Church, Emmanuel Fellowship Church, Sermons, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on July 19, 2011| Leave a Comment »

My apologies that the Monday Morning Review has lagged to the Tuesday Evening Review, perhaps even the Wednesday Morning Review. I hope everyone was able to satisfy their Monday morning cravings in other ways.

If you missed Sunday morning, I want to echo Pastor Loran’s advice to find a Haiti mission team member or members and pick their brains. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. The testimonies and reports shared during Sunday’s services were absolutely incredible. I want to take a moment to thank all of the Haiti team members for all their hard work, not just during the mission trip, but also in the fund raising and other preparations in the months leading up to the trip. Also, thank you to all of the EFC members who helped to make the trip possible. And last, but certainly not least, to the other Pastor Loran for putting together such an awesome team and trip. I know lives were changed in Haiti and right here in Sweetwater.

Podcast

I don’t know if the Haiti testimonies and/or Pastor Loran’s sermon will be available in this week’s podcast, but if it is, you can click here to listen.

On the Radar

EFC Volleyball @ Sonic.  Wednesday, July 27, come join us at Sonic for food, fun and volleyball from 7-9pm.

Kids School of Worship (Jammin’ with Jesus) is right around the corner. Sunday, July 31-Wednesday, August 3. The theme this year is “Fruits of the Spirit,” and we still need volunteers to help out with supplies, snacks and manpower. For more information or to volunteer, contact Pastor Lolo.

EFC Fantasy Football League. Yes, it’s that time of year again, and if you missed out last year on the First Annual EFC Fantasy Football League, now’s your chance to get in on all the fun. You can contact league commissioner Curtis Ward to find out how to play.

Discipleship Training: How to Study the Bible. Coming August 7 & 14, 6pm at EFC.

Mother’s Day Out information is available online!  Emmanuel Fellowship Church is excited to host a Mother’s Day Out program beginning Fall 2011 for children ages 1-5.  There are only a few spaces remaining for the Fall semester.  More information and downloadable registration forms are available by clicking HERE.

Links

Follow EFC on facebook. If you don’t already, you’re missing out on the daily EFC dish.

In keeping with the Discipleship Training theme How to Study the Bible, here are a few very helpful online Bible tools:

And, as always, a shamless plug for my very own Bible blog, Beauty of the Bible.

Family Connection

Check out these resources to connect with our ministry to children and youth.

You Heard it at EFC

    •  “Friend of God” by Israel Houghton
    • “You’ll Come” by Hillsong United
    • “Higher” by Worth Dying For
  • “Saviour King” Hillsong

 Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, July 24, we continue our summer sermon series entitled, “Prayers that Shook the World,” with Jim Cargile.

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A TRIBUTE TO RAHAB AND ALL THE OTHER MOTHERS

Posted in Christianity, Church, Emmanuel Fellowship Church, Mother's Day Out, Sermons, tagged , , , , , , , , on May 9, 2011| 1 Comment »

Happy Mother's Day

If you missed this Sunday, let me wish you a belated happy Mother’s Day. I hope your special day was indeed a special one.

I also want to publicly express a very heartfelt thank you and congratulations to the other Pastor Loran (I feel like we are living a Newhart episode) for running the show Sunday and doing a fabulous job.

I want to encourage everyone to let Pastor Eric and Pastor Mindy know they left the Church in very capable hands.

A quick recap of Sunday’s message: (1) there’s a little Rahab in all of us (and what a relief it is to learn that!), (2) God wants to use you anyway, and (3) you can rewrite your own faith Hall of Fame memorial. So, hats off to Rahab and all the mothers out there.

Podcast

Check back soon to listen to Pastor Loran’s message on Rahab Answering the Call of God.

Links

A quick reminder that the Daily Devotions for the “Ringtone” sermon series are available online. This week we will explore the life of Paul.

Find out what your mom’s salary should be and print her a check demonstrating her value like Pastor Loran printed out for Tiffany.

Speaking of moms, make sure you let the special mothers in your life know about EFC’s Mother’s Day Out coming in the fall for children ages 1-5. Space is limited and registration is going on now.

I can’t let these opportunities go without plugging my own blog, Beauty of the Bible. Check it out.

On the Radar

EFC Family Campout is this weekend, and it is going to be a blast! Check out the EFC website for more info or directions to the campsite.

Mother’s Day Out information is available online!  Emmanuel Fellowship Church is excited to host a Mother’s Day Out program beginning Fall 2011 for children ages 1-5.  More info and downloadable registration forms are available online.

Identity Weekend. May 13-15 at Camp Butman. Learn your identity and authority in Christ and how to walk in freedom. For more information contact Curtis Ward.

Study the Feasts of the Lord with us Tuesdays over lunch at Emmanuel Fellowship.

Family Connection

Connect with our children’s and youth ministry.

You Heard it at EFC

    1. “You’ll Come” – Hillsong United.
    2. “Counting on God” – Desperation Band.
    3. “Healer” – Kari Job.
    4. “What I Want” – The City Harmonic.

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday Pastor Eric continues the sermon series “Ringtone: Answering the Call of God” with a look at Paul. You won’t want to miss it.

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National Marriage Week

Posted in Children, Christianity, Church, Emmanuel Fellowship Church, Family, Foundations, Relationship, Sermons, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 7, 2011| 1 Comment »

Yep!  It really is “National Marriage Week!”  Bet you didn’t even know that one existed!  But, the week of February 7-14 is set aside in our nation to invest in the fundamental building block of healthy families—good marriages.

Although there’s plenty of research that shows marriage does indeed help people become healthy, wealthy, and wise (see http://www.nationalmarriageweekusa.org/Marriage-Provides-Better-Health.htm for the statistics), by far the best case to be made for marriage is that it was God’s idea.  His ideas are quite unlike mine.  While I might have a good idea every so often (my wife says usually 1 out of 3), ALL of His ideas are good.  Every single one.  He never misses.  And if marriage was dreamed up in the heart of God, you can rest assured that it not only CAN work, but can work BEAUTIFULLY.

This week, I encourage you to check out the following resources to invest in your own marriage.  If you’re not married yourself, then pray for the marriages of the people in your life and consider sharing the info with them.  We need healthy marriages in our church family and in our city.  Let’s do what it takes to see them built!

Marriage Links

Podcast

“What Snuck In Through the Garden Door,” Pastor Eric’s message from February 2nd, will be available online soon!

On the Radar

Emmanuel Fellowship is now in TWO SERVICES. Our Sunday morning worship times are 9:00 and 11:00.  A pre-school nursery only is available during the 9:00 service, and full children’s ministry is offered in the 11:00 service.

Night of Worship – After being postponed last week due to weather, we’re starting Family Foundations month off with a bang this Wednesday, February 9th, with an object lesson, fun activities, and of course, food!  Parents, make sure you’re ready to party with your kids this week and come join us.

Sermon Series – Each Sunday, during the month of February, we will be looking at different aspects of healthy Family Foundations.  From marriage to parenting to grandparenting, there’s something for everyone.

Valentine’s Couple Dessert – We’re going to have an evening to remember at the church this Sunday, February 13th, at 7 pm.  Join us as we learn how to “Keep the Sweet in Sweethearts.”  Tickets are $5 per couple and are on sale now in the church foyer!  Childcare will be provided.

Youth Led Service – Our youth are going to get in on the action by blessing us with leading every aspect of our Sunday morning services on Sunday, February 20th.  You won’t want to miss this special time.

Kingdom Principles for Raising Children Seminar – All parents are invited to attend our parenting seminar, Sunday, February 27 at 6 pm and Monday, February 28 at 7 pm. Session 1 will cover how to discipline effectively and speak your child’s love language.  Session 2 will cover how to impart Godly principles into your child’s life.

Family Connection

Check out these resources to connect with our ministry to children and youth.

You Heard it at EFC

Been trying to remember one of those awesome songs we sang?  Here is our worship list from yesterday for those of you who just absolutely need a copy for yourself.  You can usually find them for purchase on itunes.com.

  1. “Blessed Be The Name” by Matt Redmand
  2. “Mighty to Save” by Chris Tomlin and Matt Redmand
  3. “Fire Fall Down” by Hillsong

(This song is our theme song for the month as we pray for God to come and fix the broken places in our families.  Take a listen to it.)

Sunday Preview

Join us next Sunday as we continue our Family Foundations Series!

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Good Things Are Happening

Posted in Christianity, Church, Healing, Sermons, tagged , , , , , , on October 25, 2010| Leave a Comment »

It’s been a wild few weeks around EFC!

Between the Take Everything Tour, A Night With The King, the coming Light the Night and Spiritual Freedom Retreat, there is a little (or a lot of) something for everyone to do. I hope everyone is finding ways to participate, enjoy and help out. More on the helping out part later.

I want to give a special thanks to the Burke’s for the terrific messages they shared yesterday. They were very encouraging and motivational.

Podcast

If you missed the Burke’s messages, I think you will be able to listen to them online when the link becomes active.  Click to listen.

On the Radar

Light the Night: Next Sunday evening from 6-8 pm EFC will have the Light the Night fall festival. Kids of all ages are welcome to join us for games, food, jumping castles, and prizes! It’s going to be loads of fun, and friendly costumes are welcome.  A concession stand will also be open. For more information or to volunteer to help, contact Pastor Lolo. We still need:

  • Volunteers to man stations, and
  • Candy donations.

Spiritual Freedom Retreat: The Spiritual Freedom Retreat is November 5 & 6. If you have never attended, please prayerfully consider doing so. Even if you have and you need refreshing, join us again. Childcare will be provided and so will lunch on Saturday. You can register online.

Lifegroups: Lifegroups continue this Wednesday. If you haven’t joined a Lifegroup, there is one tailor made just for you:

  • Family Lifegroup-led by Cliff and Carolyn Lotzenhiser’s and Ray and Deb Doak meets @ the Lotzenhiser’s.
  • Ladies Lifegroup-led by Jay Neal meets in the Prayer Center.
  • Bible Study-(and, honestly, probably the coolest Lifegroup ever) led by yours truly meets @ EFC in the fishy room.
  • New Members-led by and meets @ the von Atzigen’s.

Revelation Bible Study continues Tuesdays, 12-1 pm.  Bring your lunch and join in the discussion!

Election Day is November 2: We are privileged to be able to participate in our government by electing our public servants. I encourage everyone to exercise this right on election day.

Stay Connected

You can stay connected to the EFC happenings on facebook or any of these websites and blogs:

Shameless Self Promotion

I can’t let you get away without plugging my very own Bible blog, Beauty of the Bible. It’s got an all new look and feel, so if you haven’t checked it out in a while, click on over.

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, October 31, we will continue with the sermon series “The Children’s Bread: Exploring what the Bible Teaches about Healing.”

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Valley of the Shadow of Death

Posted in Bible, Christianity, God, Sermons, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 19, 2010| 1 Comment »

As  you undoubtedly are aware, we at EFC are in the middle of the sermon series “Mountains and Valleys.” Last week, Pastor Eric preached on “Living Dangerously in the Valley of Dry Bones.”

Yesterday, Jim Cargile very carefully walked us through the Valley of the Shadow of Death cleverly demonstrating that the walk is, in fact, the point of it all. If you missed it, check out the podcast when the podcast link below becomes active.

It’s an exciting time around EFC! The new children’s wing and youth room are taking shape. If you haven’t seen the progress, pop in some time and see what’s going on.

Podcast

Click here to listen to Jim’s message “The Valley of the Shadow of Death.”

On the Radar

The Children’s School of Worship is fast approaching. It will be August 8-11. You can register your children next week. Check with Pastor Lolo for additional details.

Rock the Desert is also just around the corner. If you or your youth are interested, you can contact the other Pastor Loran for more information. You must register by July 28. The cost is $30 which includes your ticket, food and transportation. If you just want the ticket, it’s $20.

Growing Together is ongoing and you can continue to help by volunteering to help with construction, painting, and, of course, contributing financially.

Links

I can’t guest post on MMR without shamelessly plugging my own blog, Beauty of the Bible (an exploration of the beauty of the Word of God). Come look around and, if you’re interested, subscribe.

Jim mentioned his late-night fascination with Blue Letter Bible during his sermon. Check it out. It’ll definitely be worth your time. iPhone users can download the Blue Letter Bible App for free. I did Sunday night. Speaking of Bible apps, there are plenty of great Bible and Bible study apps for iPhone, Blackberry, and many other smartphones. Here are a few of my favorites (and they’re all free):

Interested in other online Bible resources? The Resources page on my own blog has several to keep you occupied.

Sunday Preview

Next Sunday, July 25, we will continue our exploration of valleys in the Bible with the other Pastor Loran.

I want to thank Pastor Eric for once again allowing me to fill in and write this Monday Morning Review. I always appreciate the opportunity to do so.



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When Christianity Doesn’t Seem to Work

Posted in Christianity, Jesus, Personal Growth, Questions, tagged , , , , on July 5, 2010| Leave a Comment »

If you have ever found yourself wondering if the promises of Christianity can really work for you, then take a few minutes and consider Pastor Eric’s message from July 4, 2010.

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135 QUESTIONS JESUS ASKED

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Devotional, God, Jesus, Personal Growth, tagged , , , , , , on May 14, 2010| 60 Comments »

A few months back, Pastor Morris Sheats (one of my ministry heroes and mentors) shared about a sermon series he was preparing on the questions Jesus asked.  This concept intrigued me, and I decided to jump into study of this topic myself.

I have been amazed by how masterfully our Lord uses questions to teach vital spiritual truths.  Jesus never asked a question because he needed to know the answer.  He used questions the way a surgeon uses a scalpel, to delicately cut into a new level of understanding.

Compiled here is a list of questions Jesus asked.  Though it is probably not exhaustive, it is an extensive collection of interrogations still demanding answers of us.

I find myself amazed at the power of these questions to cut into my soul.  I’d love to hear which question most jumps off the page and leaves you pondering as you read today.

  1. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? (Matthew 5:46)
  2. If you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? (Matthew 5:47)
  3. Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? (Matthew 6:27)
  4. Why do you worry about clothes? (Matthew 6:28)
  5. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? (Matthew 7:3)
  6. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? (Matthew 7:16)
  7. Why are you so afraid? (Matthew 8:26)
  8. Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? (Matthew 9:4)
  9. Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? (Matthew 9:5)
  10. How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? (Matthew 9:15)
  11. Do you believe that I am able to do this? (Matthew 9:28)
  12. What did you go out into the desert to see? (Matthew 11:7)
  13. To what can I compare this generation? (Matthew 11:16)
  14. If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out?  (Matthew 12:11)
  15. How can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man?  (Matthew 12:29)
  16. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? (Matthew 12:34)
  17. Who is my mother, and who are my brothers? (Matthew 12:48)
  18. Why did you doubt? (Matthew 14:31)
  19. Why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? (Matthew 15:3)
  20. How many loaves do you have?  (Matthew 15:34)
  21. Do you still not understand? (Matthew 16:9)
  22. Who do people say the Son of Man is? (Matthew 16:13)
  23. Who do you say I am? (Matthew 16:15)
  24. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26)
  25. How long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? (Matthew 17:17)
  26. From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes–from their own sons or from others? (Matthew 17:25)
  27. What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? (Matthew 18:12)
  28. Why do you ask me about what is good? (Matthew 19:17)
  29. What is it you want? (Matthew 20:21)
  30. Can you drink the cup I am going to drink? (Matthew 20:22)
  31. What do you want me to do for you? (Matthew 20:32)
  32. John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men? (Matthew 21:25)
  33. What do you think? (Matthew 21:28)
  34. Have you never read in the Scriptures? (Matthew 21:42)
  35. Why are you trying to trap me? (Matthew 22:18)
  36. What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he? (Matthew 22:42)
  37. Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? (Matthew 23:17-19)
  38. How will you escape being condemned to hell? (Matthew 23:33)
  39. Why are you bothering this woman? (Matthew 26:10)
  40. Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour? (Matthew 26:40)
  41. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? (Matthew 26:53)
  42. But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way? (Matthew 26:54)
  43. Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? (Matthew 26:55)
  44. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46)
  45. Why are you thinking these things? (Mark 2:8)
  46. Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? (Mark 4:21)
  47. What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? (Mark 4:30)
  48. Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith? (Mark 4:40)
  49. What is your name? (Mark 5:9)
  50. Who touched my clothes? (Mark 5:30)
  51. Why all this commotion and wailing? (Mark 5:39)
  52. Are you so dull? (Mark 7:18)
  53. Don’t you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him ‘unclean’? (Mark 7:18)
  54. Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it. (Mark 8:12)
  55. Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? (Mark 8:17-18)
  56. When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up? (Mark 8:19)
  57. When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up? (Mark 8:20)
  58. Do you still not understand? (Mark 8:21)
  59. [To the blind man] Do you see anything? (Mark 8:23)
  60. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? (Mark 9:12)
  61. What were you arguing about on the road? (Mark 9:33)
  62. Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? (Mark 9:50)
  63. What did Moses command you? (Mark 10:3)
  64. Why do you call me good? (Mark 10:18)
  65. What do you want me to do for you? (Mark 10:51)
  66. Why are you trying to trap me? (Mark 12:15)
  67. Do you see all these great buildings? (Mark 13:2)
  68. Are you asleep? (Mark 14:37)
  69. Could you not keep watch for one hour? (Mark 14:37)
  70. Why were you searching for me? (Luke 2:49)
  71. Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house? (Luke 2:49)
  72. Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? (Luke 5:22)
  73. Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? (Luke 5:23)
  74. Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? (Luke 6:46)
  75. Where is your faith? (Luke 8:25)
  76. What is your name? (Luke 8:30)
  77. Who touched me? (Luke 8:45)
  78. Will you be lifted up to the skies? (Luke 10:15)
  79. What is written in the Law? How do you read it? (Luke 10:26)
  80. Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers? (Luke 10:36)
  81. Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? (Luke 11:40)
  82. Who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you? (Luke 12:14-15)
  83. Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? (Luke 12:25)
  84. Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? (Luke 12:57)
  85. Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? (Luke 14:31)
  86. Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? (Luke 14:34)
  87. Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? (Luke 15:4)
  88. Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? (Luke 15:8)
  89. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? (Luke 16:11)
  90. Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? (Luke 17:17)
  91. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? (Luke 18:7)
  92. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:8)
  93. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? (Luke 22:27)
  94. Why are you sleeping?  (Luke 22:46)
  95. For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry? (Luke 23:31)
  96. What are you discussing together as you walk along? (Luke 24:17)
  97. What things? (Luke 24:19)
  98. Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory? (Luke 24:26)
  99. Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? (Luke 24:38)  
  100. Do you have anything here to eat? (Luke 24:41)
  101. What do you want? (John 1:38)
  102. Why do you involve me? (John 2:4)
  103. You are Israel’s teacher, and do you not understand these things? (John 3:10)
  104. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? (John 3:12)
  105. Will you give me a drink? (John 4:7)
  106. Do you want to get well? (John 5:6)
  107. How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God? (John 5:44)
  108. If you do not believe Moses’ writings how will you believe me? (John 5:47)
  109. Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat? (John 6:5)
  110. Does this offend you? (John 6:61)
  111. What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! (John  6:62)
  112. You do not want to leave too, do you? (John 6:67)
  113. Have I not chosen you? (John 6:70)
  114. Has not Moses given you the law? (John 7:19)
  115. Why are you trying to kill me? (John7:19)
  116. Why are you angry with me for healing the whole man on the Sabbath? (John 7:23)
  117. Where are they? Has no one condemned you? (John 8:10)
  118. Why is my language not clear to you? (John 8:43)
  119. Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?  (John 8:46)
  120. If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? (John 8:46)
  121. Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? (John 10:36)
  122. Are there not twelve hours of daylight? (John 11:9)
  123. Do you believe this? (John 11:26)
  124. Where have you laid him? (John 11:33)
  125. Do you understand what I have done for you? (John 13:12)
  126. Don’t you know me, even after I have been among you such a long time? (John 14:9)       
  127. Who is it you want? (John 18:4,7)
  128. Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me? (John 18:11)
  129. Is that your own idea, or did others talk to you about me? (John 18:34)
  130. Why question me? (John 18:21)
  131. If I spoke the truth, why did you strike me? (John 18:23)
  132. Why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for? (John 20:15)
  133. Friends, haven’t you any fish? (John 21:5)
  134. Do you love me? (John 21:17)
  135. What is that to you? (John 21:22)
All Scripture quoted from The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984.

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Pastor Eric’s Complete Prayer System

Posted in Christianity, Church, God, Jesus, Prayer, Salvation, Sermons, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 19, 2010| 3 Comments »

(cue cheesy infomercial voice) “Have you ever felt like your prayers were falling on deaf ears? Or like everyone else around you was getting blessed but not you? Does it sometimes feel like God forgot about you?

If so, then you need Pastor Eric’s all new Comple Prayer System. It’s guaranteed to get your prayers noticed. Pastor Eric’s Complete Prayer System is guaranteed to shoot your prayers to the front of the line. You’ll have the answers to your prayers in no time. And all of your friends will notice.

Best of all, Pastor Eric’s Complete Prayer System comes with a money back guarantee!

What is this answer to your prayers? It’s Pastor Eric’s A.C.T.S. Complete Prayer System! And it’s as simple as 1-2-3…and, uh, 4.

  • The ‘A’ is for ‘Adoration.’ All you do is adore God the way He’s supposed to be adored. Sweet talk your creator and watch what happens.
  • The ‘C’ is for ‘Confession,’ which we all know is good for the soul. Repent of your misguided ways, and ask God for forgiveness.
  • The ‘T’ is for ‘Thanksgiving,’ which should come around more than once a year. Remember all God has done for you and thank Him for it.
  • The ‘S’ is for ‘Supplication,’ where you ask God to supply your needs-no dictionary needed.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to turn your prayer life around! And Pastor Eric’s Complete Prayer System won’t cost your $500. It won’t cost you $400. It won’t even cost you $100. If you call anytime between now and judgment day, you get Pastor Eric’s Complete Prayer System absolutely free!

But wait, there’s more. Pastor Eric will throw in your salvation absolutely free for eternity if you will accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

ACT(S) Now!” (end cue)

Podcast

Click to listen to “Infrastructure: Communication Systems,” Pastor Eric’s message on prayer.

On the Radar

“All Things New”: If you liked Pastor Eric’s Complete Prayer System, then you will love Pastor Eric and Mindy’s new CD. If you don’t have one, order now.

Kid’s Camp Garage Sale: On May 1, there will be a church-wide garage sale to benefit the kids going to summer camp. If you would like to donate items for the garage sale, bring your stuff to EFC Sunday or contact Pastor Lolo.

Links

Parents, be sure to check out the Worldchangers website.  We align our Bible curriculum from the nursery through to our children’s minsitry.  Access the Family Connection page on the website to bring your children’s Bible lesson home to the kitchen table.

We also have all the info you need about RAMP, our ministry to youth in Sweetwater High School and Middle School and surrounding campuses, as well, at www.efcyouth.com.

Sweetwater Prayer Center-Haven’t visited the Prayer Center in a while? Check out the Prayer Center website.

Beauty of the Bible-One last little bit of shameless self-promotion. Visit the best Bible blog on the web.

Sunday Preview

Thanks to Pastor Eric for asking me to write the review. Next Sunday, April 25, Pastor Eric continues his “Infrastructure” sermon series.  Come join us.

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Enter His Courts with Thanksgiving

Posted in Christianity, Church, God, Sermons, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on November 23, 2009| 1 Comment »

Yesterday was another powerful service, wasn’t it?

I think we went through a record number of tissues as a congregation. The next time Pastor Mindy preaches, there will be a notice posted on the Monday Morning Review so you will remember to bring extra Kleenex.

I also just noticed on Pastor Eric’s facebook where he and Keegan are officially on their way back. Be sure to give them a warm welcome home. I’d wait a day or two to allow them time to recover, though.

Thanksgiving

As was apparent from the message and testimonies, we have a lot to be thankful for individually and as a congregation. We should also remember all God has done for us and give Him praise, not just for what He has done, but simply because He deserves it.

If you’re curious about what this might look like, check this out.

I think we all can dance and shout on half of something. Maybe next week we can persuade Eric and/or Mindy to demonstrate Bishop Jakes’ fancy footwork. Now, that would get the congregation dancing and shouting.

I sincerely hope each and every one of you have a fantastic Thanksgiving.

You Heard it at EFC

On the Radar

Advent Choir – The Advent Choir is a new and exciting adventure for EFC and is open to anyone who would like to participate. The choir will sing throughout the holiday season beginning next Sunday. Practice continues tonight November 23, 2009 @ 7pm at EFC.

WorldChangers – The EFC children’s ministry, a.k.a WorldChangers, has a new website where parents can keep up with weekly lessons and everything else going on with their little world changers.

EFC Facebook Group – Have you joined the EFC Facebook Group? If not, you might be missing out on stuff happening at EFC. If you haven’t joined yet, you should. As of this morning, there were 50 members. That means over half of you still haven’t joined. What are you waiting for?

Revelation Bible Study – The Revelation Bible Study meets weekly on Tuesdays @ noon at EFC. It’s not too late – it’s never too late. Come join in this in depth study verse-by-verse through the book of Revelation led by EFC’s very own Curtis Ward, who is blogging about the study on his blog The Watchman’s Gaze. Check it out.

Last Word

By the time this is published, Pastor Eric will be somewhere over the Atlantic, and by the time many of you read this, he will be somewhere over Texas. Which means he will resume writing the Monday Morning Review next week, but it also means that next week we get to hear more great testimonies.

Have a great Thanksgiving weekend.

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On Courage, Missions and Other Cool Stuff

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Church, Healing, Missions, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 16, 2009| 4 Comments »

Gdanks, Poland

Gdansk, Poland

Wow! There’s a lot to talk about this morning. Pastor Eric is in Poland (soon to be in Croatia), Pastor Mindy, Pastor Lolo and Jay Neal got set on fire at Global Awakening’s School of Healing, it was Missions Sunday, and it’s the harvest season.

Has there ever been a better time to be at EFC? Well, the Cowboys did lose, so maybe next week will be even better.

Courage

Courage is a curious thing. And as we learned from Pastor Mindy, courage can also look like a crazy thing. But, when God is on your side, it can also be a pretty cool thing. Just like Jonathan’s plan to take on the Philistines single-handedly seemed crazy, we should start coming up with some crazy plans of our own, and trust that the same God who delivered the Philistines into Jonathan’s hands, will deliver our enemies into our hands. Courage, after all, is a lot easier to command when your trust is in God.

You can read this part of Jonathan’s story at 1 Samuel 14.

Missions Sunday

Appropriately, yesterday was EFC’s Missions Sunday. For anyone who stumbles upon this post or who is relatively new to EFC, the third Sunday of every month at EFC is designated specifically for giving to mission organizations. Here are just a few of the opportunities to support missions work at Emmanuel Fellowship Church:

Prepare International – Pastor Eric and Keegan are currently traveling with a team from Prepare International, and EFC members frequently support and accompany Prepare International mission teams.

Mission Brazil – Part of the reason Pastor Mindy and Pastor Lolo attended the Global Awakening School of Healing and Impartation was because it is a prerequisite to travel with a Global Awakening team to Brazil, which they will be doing in 2010. If you are interested in going to Brazil with the team, please contact Pastor Mindy for more information.

Tents of Mercy – Tents of Mercy is a Messianic Jewish organization spreading the gospel in Israel.  Tents of Mercy currently has five congregations throughout Israel, and EFC currently supports the Katzir Asher (Harvest of Asher) congregation in Akko.

World Bible Translation Center – Help translate the Bible into new languages for distribution throughout the world.

Sweetwater Prayer Center – Help support our very own Sweetwater Prayer Center.

Harvest Season

It’s the harvest season, and all the seed you have sown over the year – whether financial, in ministry, or at home – is ready to be harvested. The key, however, is to harvest because the crop doesn’t gather itself. So go and gather your financial harvest. Go and gather your spiritual harvest. Go and gather the harvest of souls you have worked on all year. They are ripe for the harvest.

I’m not sure where exactly that came from, but I hope it’s a good word for somebody, or a lot of somebodies.

You Heard it at EFC

The just-for-Bryant Wilkinson version (which includes his favorite song):

On the Radar

Advent Choir – The Advent Choir is a new and exciting adventure for EFC and is open to anyone who would like to participate. The choir will sing throughout the holiday season. Practice begins tonight November 16, 2009 @ 7pm at EFC.

WorldChangers – The EFC children’s ministry, a.k.a WorldChangers, has a new website where parents can keep up with weekly lessons and everything else going on with their little world changers.

Revelation Bible Study – The Revelation Bible Study meets weekly on Tuesdays @ noon at EFC. It’s not too late – it’s never too late. Come join in this in depth study verse-by-verse through the book of Revelation led by EFC’s very own Curtis Ward, who is blogging about the study on his blog The Watchman’s Gaze. Check it out.

Last Word

All the reports I’ve heard from Pastor Eric have been good, so keep praying for the wondeful work being done in Eastern Europe by Pastor Eric, Keegan and the whole Prepare International team.

I think I will also be writing next week’s Monday Morning Review, so if you have any news or info that you want included, please email me or leave me a comment below. Have a great week.

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