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Answers to Some Honest Questions about Echo
08/30/10
John Alwood
As we are about half-way through our Echo series, there are several questions that have arisen. Here are some of the most common ones and answers that will hopefully help you understand what Echo is all about.
Trustworthy Woman
06/04/10
Carol Alwood
The woman from Proverbs 31 is a great place to begin when thinking about what it means to be a godly woman. It is difficult to be this woman, which is why the proverb begins, “An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.” This passage talks about a wife. However, I think that all women can read this and think about the kind of woman she is and can become through Christ’s grace and power. Even women who never get married can benefit from knowing what the bible says about a woman to be adored and respected.
Why Christians Sing Together
05/04/10
John Alwood
A good friend introduced me to the San Diego band, The Silent Comedy. Their music is very good and engaging (plus, they rock, which I like). I have yet to go to one of their shows, but my friend was describing to me how amazing their shows are...
Husbands DO Make Lousy Gods... and Wives Make Lousy Holy Spirits
04/28/10
Jackie Rovell
This past Sunday, John was preaching from John 21:1-14. At some point during his teaching, he specifically addressed the ladies by informing us that husbands make lousy gods. Essentially reminding us as wives, that we have a tendency to expect more from our husbands than we should...
Planning
04/27/10
John Alwood
We talk about wanting to do this, and wanting to do that. Plans are a good thing. God does not discourage making plans as long as we know that it is He who "determines our steps." (Pr. 16:9) We plan knowing God's will may take us down a different path than we anticipated. We hold loosely to our plans...
He WILL Work Everything Out
04/24/10
Sharaya Cass
I've been really taken back the past two weeks over the announcements of John Piper and Francis Chan. It is really unexpected these days to hear of major leaders within the body of Christ stepping down from their roles, and not because of any scandal...
What is "The Look"
04/21/10
Evan Bryan
This morning, at the high school I work at, I got what I call "the look." It happens at times when I catch the eye of a student. It consists also of a strange, relentless walk in which the destination is known but the journey is hesitant. It's almost a stagger with a zigzagging gait. It's the look of a person who is drawn to something outside of themselves. As a person, I am the destination but what they are drawn to is the love of Christ...
Matter
04/20/10
John Alwood
One thing I've been doing lately is going back and reading some of my old journals and revisiting some of the things I've written during some of the darker days of my life. It is a good reminder for me that Jesus is my Savior and my Peace...
Blblical Womanhood
04/16/10
Carol Alwood
I’m going to be focusing my writing on the topic of being a biblical woman. The first thing that I have to say about biblical womanhood is that I used to hate the idea of it, but now there is nothing more beautiful about it to me. Do you want to know why?...
"Things" that keep us from following Jesus
04/14/10
John Alwood
How much do I need to give up to follow Jesus? I mean, really follow Jesus? Jesus was pretty clear that unless we are willing to give up everything (yes everything) we cannot be his disciple...
New Wine for New Wine Skins
04/10/10
Rick Mysse
I happened across a Facebook post that referenced a Christian artist we used to listen to in the 70’s and 80’s. That led me to i-Tunes (to download some nostalgia) and then on a web search for some posts regarding the Jesus People movement that was so influential in me and my wife’s spiritual journey...
God's Tender Trap
04/07/10
Jill Cannon
After the snap of the trap and the wham of the idea of how to serve, I marched up to John Alwood on that last Sunday in Feb., 2010 after Matt's sermon, with my Crowded House idea. He took a step back. I could see the wheels turning...
Time Out
04/07/10
Bernadette Coronado
On Easter my husband, Daniel, was due to leave to Santa Maria, CA for three weeks of training for his job as a dispatcher at Camp Pendleton...
Will You Ruin Your Reputation for Jesus?
04/01/10
Sharaya Cass
“Christians will do anything for Christ, except ruin their reputation.” I read this quote today for the first time and it struck a deep chord in my heart...
Modeling Christ to our Children
03/31/10
Jackie Rovell
Several weeks ago I met with a group of three dear and long time friends ... all women about my age, with children about the same age, all home-schooling moms at some point in our kids' education, some continuing on the road of home education while others feeling the Lord directing the decision to send their children to public or private Christian schools...
Steadfastness in a Culture of Change
03/30/10
John Alwood
Everybody admits there is a lot of change, that we desire it, and that we thrive on it. This environment ought to be a kick in the pants for the church to adjust its methods of preaching the gospel and loving our neighbors. This culture of change allows us advantageous mobility, ability to adjust, and could also help aid our perseverance in the midst of a turmoil, not to mention it opens the door for innumerable opportunities and learning experiences. It also carries with it a huge adverse side-effect...
10 Reasons to Join a Crowded House
03/24/10
John Alwood
10 reasons to join a Crowded House: Here they are!
Reality Check
03/23/10
Gary Cass
Today I will be attending the funeral of a close friend and colleague in the ministry, Pastor Don Hamer. Don passed away unexpectedly last Wednesday from a heart attack. He and I spoke for about an hour two weeks ago and Don was full of life and was his ever optimistic self...
Truth Be Told
03/22/10
Rick Mysse
Most of us have MAJOR ‘family of origin’ issues (just ask our spouses)! We inherit character traits from our parents, and often unwittingly pass them on to our children. Even when we consciously reject or even rebuke them, some of the ‘baggage’ keeps hanging around...
Jill Cannon
03/21/10
Jill Cannon
Soooo What did my God-experience lead me to do? First, does He want me to obey that dreaded command given to the rich man: Go! Sell all that you have and give to the poor? I stopped asking that question long ago after the first time I wanted to obey...
Live Like We're Dying
03/20/10
Bernadette Coronado
As I was driving to Costco yesterday the new Chris Allen song was playing on the radio, (you American Idol fans would know who this is) "Live Like We're Dying". As I was listening to this song I felt I needed to live more like this...
Invincibility Complex Shattered
03/19/10
Sharaya Cass
I’m on my way see some dear friends of mine tie the knot this weekend in Ohio, and right now I find myself sitting in the exit row on my first flight studying the instructions for opening the emergency exit door. And at the same time in my lap sits the book 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper, a book that tells the miraculous story of when Don was declared dead after a car accident...
Future Generations
03/17/10
Anonymous Infusion leader who doesn't like his name on the internet
My daughter’s softball team had a field clean-up day recently to prepare the local ball field for the rest of the season. As we were raking, shoveling, painting, picking up trash and mending fences...
Generosity in Community
03/16/10
John Alwood
Carol and I, in an effort to get out of debt quicker, had decided 3 weeks ago to not purchase a second vehicle at all until our debt is completely paid off...
Evangelism Paul's Way?
03/15/10
Gary Cass
Paul was ordained by Christ to be HIs man for the Gentiles, especially the elite Gentiles. Here we read about an encounter between Paul and Governor Felix. The importance of this is because today’s post-modern, skeptical, relativistic worldview is very much akin to that of the Gentile cultural elites of Paul’s day...
God's Promises in Dark Days
03/13/10
Carol Alwood
I have had a heavy heart these past days considering the death of Chelsea King and Amber Dubois. My heart cries out to God for answers to why this would happen and I can’t help but shed tears as a mother who constantly prays for the protection of her own two daughters...
Life as a Christian is Nothing I Have Control Over
03/11/10
Sharaya Cass
More and more I am learning that this life as a Christian is nothing I have control over. Whether I serve God or not isn’t dependent on my ability to muster up the strength to do what’s right, rather it is wholly dependent on God’s grace...
Balancing Family Life and Ministry Life
03/09/10
John Alwood
Balancing all of life's priorities is hard. My 3 month emergency sabbatical last year is proof of the fact that I have not figured this all out, yet. However, I do believe God has shown his grace to my wife and I by agreeing on the priority of valuing our family time and attention, even in the midst of so much ministry.
Jesus is No Quitter
03/08/10
Gary Cass
There are few things in this life which are able to give us the confidence we need to preserver through tough times. We all know friends who have lost homes, jobs, and businesses and who need our love and support. So we are reminded that security is not to be found in earthly treasures...
Greater Things
03/06/10
Jill Cannon
Soon after communion that last Sunday of February, 2010, it began. In hind sight, I see it so clearly this God experience which I'll tell about. I had almost decided to forget attending church all together Sunday morning...
Is God Hindered By Me?
03/04/10
Sharaya Cass
I often feel that the Lord is hindered by me because I am unresponsive to His leadings. You know, when the Holy Spirit leads you to do or say something that is out of the ordinary? This has happened to me many times, and, sadly, I have sometimes been too prideful to listen and obey... (click title to read more).
Does your family take priority over the church?
03/02/10
John Alwood
A few cautions for those who compartmentalize their lives by prioritizing their families over the church.