This past weekend at Eastbrook I continued our series on the message of the minor prophets, "God in the Ruins," by looking at the first five chapters of the book of Micah. Micah prophesied to both the northern and southern kingdoms during the reigns of kings Jotham (742-735 BC), Ahaz (735-715 BC), and Hezekiah (715-686 …
A Thrill of Hope for a Weary World
The Christmas Eve services at Eastbrook were themed around a line from "O Holy Night": "a thrill of hope, a weary world rejoices." My message in the services explored that theme, turning attention to how Jesus helps us see what God is really like and how the incarnation gives us true hope. In particular, I …
Sprouting Glory: A Christmas reflection
Dusty, the longing rises from the ground, a small leafy sprout breaking from the stump. Where the green is, eyes look in wonder, as hope grows from sprout to sapling. The earth, scorched with anger and loss, ignores at first, but cannot fail to notice, amidst the ashen landscape, as first leaves and buds begin …
What Are You Waiting For?
When someone asks you, "what are you waiting for?", a number of responses may jump to your lips: "The start of the football season." "A response to that job application I sent in." "That special someone to come along." Waiting is a regular part of our lives, but it is not something we are always …
A Crash Course in Knowing Christ (Ephesians 1:15-23)
This past weekend at Eastbrook Church, I continued our new series walking through the New Testament book of Ephesians, entitled "Ephesians: A Crash Course in Basic Christianity." This weekend, I continued with the second half of chapter 1, which offers us a "Crash Course in Knowing Christ." This is really a prayer of Paul that …
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Matthew Erickson 