Just as the bread is taken, blessed, broken, and given, so too are we taken, blessed, broken, and given by God to the world.

It's amazing what happens when a tiny seed finds good soil.

I'm not sure that Jesus was thinking clearly when he chose the 12 apostles.  Or maybe He just thinks differently than me . . . 

Is there any hope for us to become the Laird Hamiltons of the Kingdom of God?

We heard a sermon about divorce on Sunday and it's a real challenge to balance the truth in love when it comes to such a sensitive subject.

Sunday's sermon demanded some immediate application on my part.  What about you?

Does anyone have trouble staying focused on what you need to do because you're too excited to help the person next to you focus on what they need to do?  I do . . . and that's a problem.

I think the title says it all

You might think the above is a typo.  It's not.  I propose we celebrate Thanksgiving in the spring.  Check out this week's blog to find out why.

On Sunday, March 29^th about 30 people stepped across the line of faith after the worship services.  Multiple people accepted Christ at each service.  Here are just a few of the stories.

Yes.  This Blog is for you.  Is something gnawing at your head or your heart?  Give 'er a click let us know what's goin' on.

What in the world does the title of this week's blog mean?  Just scroll that mouse on over and press the button to find out.

On Sunday, I was reminded of the person who walked across the room to ask me a very important question.

Dirty and dark, too many times have I been broken apart. I long for wholeness but I don't know where to start. You think I'm a stranger, but I'm actually your heart.

Many of you have suspected the problem with the world is me (Jason).  Now, it's confirmed!  

I don't know exactly what Mr. Joel meant when he sang this, but I do know that being honest about the things I want to keep hidden is an extraordinarily difficult thing to do.

I think it would be great to take a two-year break from telling the world what it needs to do and work on getting our own house in order.  What do you think?

ERC's mission statement is all about connections -- connecting people to Jesus, people and mission.  Sunday's sermon reminding me of another important connection: the connection between theology and practice.

We've been encouraged to put together a plan for spiritual growth this year.  Seems like a good idea to me.

Even on a California freeway, Jesus exceeds our expectations

The implications of the incarnation, the connection of hope and joy, the requirement to be a reconciler -- take a minute to read and respond.

Since it would be odd for Jason to comment on his own sermon, I thought I'd post a little something to continue the conversation.

Though only a few hours old, I'm pretty sure this is a thought that will stick with me for the rest of my life: I need to go THROUGH and not AROUND the hardships of life.

I was praying the prayer Jesus taught us to pray . . . 

I've posted the quote from Mike Buccowich's Blog that Pastor Bill mentioned yesterday.  

These two words together ought to be enough to make you curious . . .

So I had an interesting conversation between the 9:00 and 10:30 sermon on Sunday . . .

After a substantial break from blogging, I'm back at the helm. But I don't want to write a lot. I want to hear from you.

Although many officials and reporters were skeptical at first, the embedded reporting system used in the Iraq war turned out to be a hit with the military and journalists alike. Embedded reporters during the war in Iraq traveled with the troops day and night , ate MREs, and dug holes to sleep in. However their main objective was to report the war and not engage in actual combat.

In Acts 17 Paul connected the gospel with pagan culture - and we can do the same today.

I have discovered that after hearing a truth that is undeniable, it won't let you rest. Somehow we are compelled to confront it in our lives or run away. My running days are over. So here I sit, typing out a blog because the truth is inescapable when it is real.

You know, the more I read about this church at Antioch, I more I realize God has a strange sense of humor. I mean why designate Antioch as the birthplace of a church in such a diverse setting. Wouldn't it be easier to find a more homogenous area and population?

. . . but they are some thoughts on Emmanuel being an Antioch church. If you'd like some of my thoughts on the Olympics, let me know. I can put together a blog later this week. In the meantime read about our calling and post a thought of your own.

Has God ever done something in your life that was completely unexpected, unsolicited, unneeded (so you thought), untimely, and unplanned?

I have this tendency that I can't shake. Thus I tend to "size-up" people according to my social perspective. But what I fail to realize is that my social perspective is warped ... primarily by sin. But I don't want to let go of self-defined these social standards because they allow me to define who is "clean and unclean". And I become very comfortable in this scenario.

What do these two have in common? Read the blog this week to find out . . . and, while you're at it, post a response.

When you finally discover what you will die for, and you pursue this "what" with passion, be prepared to make others very uncomfortable. Be prepared to die. Something to live for, that's easy. Something you are willing to die for, that's very difficult.

In Acts 7 Stephen makes the case that God is always up to new things -- and that his people typically want to stop it. What might this mean for you and me?

You heard enough from me on Sunday morning. Now it's your turn to share.

Well; it was inevitable. Where there is imperfect people, there are bound to be imperfect relationships. And where there is imperfect relationships there is bound to be misunderstanding. And misunderstandings normally lead to crisis that must be dealth with eventually.

In the gospel of Acts and today, God's people are at their best when they are riding the wave of the Holy Spirit

Read the blog. Reflect on your life. Share your thoughts on everyday bravery.

Sequels aren't the sole property of Hollywood, my brothers and sisters. Last week was part one, this week is part two. The follow-up is even better than the original. At least this is what the critics are saying.

On Sunday morning, I was pickin' up what Pat and Harold were puttin' down. I bet you were, too. (I'm tryin' to use lots of apostrophes in place of g's in this post.)

On Sunday morning, I was reminded that witnessing is about who I AM and not primarily about what I DO.

In 1990 - my wife surprised me with a surprise birthday party. It altered my life. Many friends showed up and expressed their appreciation of my influence in their lives. Up till then, I fell into "trugging" mode. Not really finding purpose in my life, until that surprise birthday party woke me up.

On the first day of the week, I was reminded of who Jesus is. I was challenged to come expectantly to corporate worship. I was encouraged to be a witness throughout the week. Then Monday came.

Ever watch a Popeye cartoon? When Popeye beats up on Brutus and sets things straight again, we applaud for the good guy Popeye. But is he really the good guy?

This week's blog contains the story of the South African woman who forgave her son and husband's killer. It also offers you a chance to comment on the sermon and the way of life Jesus models for us in Luke 23.

Do you know how to say "joy" in Spanish. It is "gozo". It was not only mentioned several time in the sermon at Noon Service, but more importantly "joy" was very much alive and visible throughout the day as we celebrated Super Salsa Sunday.

Two weeks ago it was money, politics and religion. This week, it's communion, doctrine and practice. What good's a blog if it never stirs the pot . . . ever so gently! You can't post if you don't read.

Every now and then you have to take a step back and ask the "Why" question. We're doing that this week . . . and I need your help.

Do you know who you belong to? While coins may bear the image of Caesar, you bear the image of God. Read on . . .

Yikes! The Bernumda Triangle of conversation. Go ahead, fly on into this week's blog -- you'll make it out alive.

Here is the link to the news video about our Compton Work Days

Location, location, location. The bedrock saying in the real estate industry. Find the right location and most likely you can make the house become a treasured home. That is what happened to Zaccheus. His location (sycamore tree) became a stepping stone to find a better home (heaven).

You know the good ole', you-pick-em, soup and sandwich combo. Well, check the blog out this week and pick the posting combo that's right for you from the tasty lineup.

One summer I went swimming at a newly built pool. Not aware of which was the shallow end or deep end, nor taking the time to find out, I foolishly jumped into the deep end of the pool and immediately started to drown. I was trying desperately to swim to the edge but going nowhere fast.

We've heard it for two weeks now: We need to pray. Now, the real question: How do we move this from a nice idea into our daily lives?

Is persistence more about quantity or more about quality? Is it a gift that God has provided to us to "wear him down" or is it a gift referring to the deep relationship we have with His Son Jesus Christ?

So you didn't pray for hours after hearing the sermon yesterday? That's OK . . . sort-of.

I missed the sermon this weekend, but I had a good excuse . . .

Ever hear these words coming out of your mouth or in the swirl of your daily thoughts ... "geez, no need to sweat, I will get around to it sooner or later". And the "later" sneaks up on us and before we realize it ... "oops to late".

Did Jesus have an investment strategy? I’ve been asking this question over the past few weeks. Let me explain why.

While celebrating the birth of our baby girl, Pearl Kristine, I had a surprising conversation with another new dad.

It was a challenge to sleep last night. I went to bed with the same anticipation I had on Christmas Eve night.

You ever been to a magic show. What fascinates me is how the magician makes the invisible suddenly visible. Now you don't see it, now you do. And it's real and not an illusion!

The Iowa Hawkeyes? The USC Trojans? Patio Furniture? Or something else?

I was trying to connect with as many new people as I could after the noon service yesterday when . . .

Yeah ... you give it to them Jesus. Set them straight. Make it plain. Give em both barrels.

I woke up this morning and realized my heart was hard to Jesus and the Spirit

A new, internet-savvy cheer. Never to be confused with blahg, blahg, blahg, blahg. Join the online revolution.

Well, this Sunday, I got hit again. Right smack in my gut. Now I will have to wrestle the whole week about this demand.

Resistance is futile. This is spiritual profundity at it's most pungent.

I knew it was coming. What I dreaded. An open heart examination. It happened this past Sunday at Church.

So, we're a month into DJ08 . . .

Yesterday's sermon got under my skin and I'm in need of some serious spiritual dermatology

I hate to be ruined. I hate to be exposed. I hate to be called out. At times I am not sure if I really want to do this DJ08 thing.

“I don’t feel called.” I wonder if those were the first words out of Peter’s mouth when Jesus told him, “I’m going to make you a fisher of men.”

Soren Kierkegaard once wrote that theology is simply a means of protecting ourselves against God. A provocative statement to say the least -- whether you agree with it or not.