News & Updates

The argument goes something like this:  If God is all knowing and knew that evil was going to happen before it happened, then he can’t be loving.  If God couldn’t stop the evil, he must not be all-powerful.  If he knew of the evil and had the ability to stop it and didn’t, then God cannot be loving.  Therefore, because evil does exist, God does not. These lines of thinking concerning evil can stir the mind and challenge the heart. …

Most of you know I try to take Friday’s off, but do you know my Friday routine? I usually take a quarter-mile walk down Barrett Parkway to the local Starbucks in the early morning.  I grab my tall, black coffee (no room) and head across the parking lot to Target.   I never buy anything, but I like to look.  You would think I would become a security risk as the cameras pick up the weird Friday morning routine of the…

Google “why is depression greater during Christmas,” and you’ll start to read some intriguing insights from counselors, pastors, and psychologists alike.  One writer commented:  “The reason behind the claim that depression rates and suicides rise during the holidays is that holiday cheer amplifies loneliness and hopelessness in people who have lost loved ones, or who have high expectations of renewed happiness during the holiday season, only to be disappointed. Others think the increase in anxiety and gloominess is caused by…

What determines if I’m influenced or distracted by something?  I had dried beef gravy and biscuits for supper one night this week.  Why?  Because mom made this same wonderful meal when I was growing up.  I was most definitely influenced. Recently I celebrated the survival of Grey Thursday, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday, and Weeping Wednesday.  Whew.  Was I influenced by savvy holiday marketing or distracted? Perhaps the deciding factor is if I’m choosing a better…

EPIC | “Fair-weather Followers” November 25, 2012 Joe Braun (Pastor of Community Groups) DISCUSSION QUESTIONS What is the condition of your yard? Is it just dry, hard dirt? Is there a ton of weeds and other junk growing in it? How many weeds are “too many?” If you care about the condition of your lawn, what has to be removed in order to make it healthy – and how hard are you willing to work at it? Read Mark 4:1-20…

For some reason, Jen and I breed kids who have bad ears, nose and throat problems.  Our son, Owen had to have tubes put in his ears and have his adenoids removed sometime earlier this year.  Selah, our daughter, we are trying to get in for tubes sometime in the next month or so because she has had eleven bad ear infections in the past year.  The slightest sneeze or shift of the wind causes her to get ear infections.…

EPIC | “When They Just Don’t Understand” November 19, 2012 Alan Scott (Lead Pastor, CCC) DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Think of a celebrity who you deem as crazy.   Why did you think of this person?  Now come up with another name of someone you believe is a liar.  Why do you put such a harsh label on them?  Thirdly, name someone who you respect as a great authority and tell why. Read Mark 3:20-35.  What did Jesus’ family think about Jesus, and…

In a Nielson ratings season of The Voice, The X-Factor, and American Idol, the advice I gave my third born seemed strange. Morgan was gearing up for her Lovinggood Middle School talent show.  The point is to win and move onto the next round, right?  Our Bible study on Tuesday night pointed in another direction.  Lose your life to find it was the perplexing motto of Matthew ten.  We discussed how this could be applied.  What if Morgan lost herself…

EPIC | “Hanging Out With Jesus” November 11, 2012 Alan Scott (Lead Pastor, CCC) DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Can you name someone you used to hang out with, but don’t anymore?  What happened?   Why were you hanging out in the first place?  Was it a matter of somebody wanted something, or did you just enjoy spending time together? Read Mark 3:7-19.  Can you explain what is happening in this section of scripture?  Why did the large crowds want to be with Jesus?  …

The alarm was set for 1:20 a.m.  When it actually went off, I was in such a deep sleep.  The first frost outside was making it a three-blanket night on the inside.  Why on earth would I crawl out from my toasty cave at now… 1:25 a.m.?  It was dark.  The house was quiet.  There really was no good reason to kick off the covers and roll out of bed. Except… it was our 24/7 week of prayer at CCC,…