Eric Williams Blog

Expect an Encounter: Our 2010 Encounter

ericwilliamsblog — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 01:42:56 +0000

At the beginning of 2010 the church family at “Church of Living Water” in Olympia WA recieved a word from The Lord: “Expect an Encounter.” Looking back over the year as we head into 2011 I stand amazed at the encounters with Jesus our family was blessed by. There have been many, but there is one in particular that stands out:

As many of you know Lori, the boys and I (with the exception of Ryan… he’s in Anthem (an awesome ministry program at COLW)) took on a campus pastor position at Crossroads, in Rochester WA back in May. I have been blessed to serve beside two of our boys, Kyle and Alec. Alec plays piano and Kyle plays bass & sings. Since then we have also been blessed by The Lord sending Pastor Terry & Lisa Fisher there to partner with us in the ministry as our Senior Pastors. They have wonderful hearts, are extremely gifted and we are so blessed by our growing friendship. Relationships with many others The Lord has brought into our lives as well, both at Crossroads and Living Water continue to astonish us. (Thank you all!) Crossroads has grown numerically, but more importantly it has experienced the relational love of God through worship and The Word and has grown roots that are so vital to our spiritual health.

Now, Lori and I would have never expected Him to send us back to Rochester. With all of that said… the true encounter our family had with Jesus this last year was in how He called us to a place of faith, we answered and He gave us the grace to walk it out. His blessings (as before stated) have been the fruit of that encounter. This “encounter” I do not believe was just for one calander year, but it serves as a catalyst for how we look forward to the rest of our lives. He desires to pour into our lives as well as call forth from our lives blessings and promises that we just cannot fathom at this time.

Whatever it is He is up to… I want to be a part of it. An encounter with Jesus is not neccessarily what I think it should be, but is always, exactly what He knows I need.

I’m Leaving On a Jet Plane

ericwilliamsblog — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 19:40:18 +0000

Leaving the south that is and heading home. Of course I’m anxious to see my beautiful bride and my amazing boys (excuse me… young “men”), but I had blast with my brother and his family. To brag on them is easy.

Their kids Colt, Carston and Cameron are sweet kids. Cameron came right to me and sat on my lap while I ate Thanksgiving dinner and let me read her books, Colt went to the game with us and gave me a history lesson of Bryant-Denny Stadium and Carston… well you’d have to meet him. He is all boy and sooo much like my brother Jason when he was little. Annette is the epitome of a Southern Bell but boy, take her to an Alabama game and whew! She gets into it as much or more than Jason & I do. Jason… well, he’s an amazing person. It is so impressive to see what happens when the love of God gets a hold of a man’s heart. Jason is a good man, a great father and an inspiring pastor. He’s my friend. Can you hear the respect and love I have for him… hope so. It’s tough leaving, cause I know we would be tight if we were to live in the same area. His church, Trinity Baptist, in Shelbyville Tennessee is small in size, big in substance and has a special calling that Jason and Annette are made for. They LOVE!

Now my visit was spurred by the opportunity to go to an Alabama football game so it would be wrong of me not to mention some stuff about that. Problem is there’s too much to cover. Let me just say it is the best spectator sports experience I’ve ever had. The atmosphere of a college game is electric but this one… The Iron Bowl… Alabama vs Auburn was charged to the hilt. The history and tradition and the feeling of family in the stadium was exciting. For example: after every Alabama 1st down the fans yell together (perfectly timed mind you) “ROLL TIDE!” That was awesome… I smile just thinking about it. I also got to meet the whole team. I got to “pound it” with Mark Ingram (last year’s Heisman winner). Minus the outcome of the score… it was definitely worth the trip!

While it was emotionally tough getting on the plane to leave (I’m on the plane now), knowing home is on the other end of this sardine can, helps a lot. Oh and about that, let me get off subject for moment: I’ve discovered that a full bladder and turbulence don’t go well together. Of course the seat belt sign is on and the captain says “remain in your seat” and then he hits every pothole in the sky! I think I’ll re-write the song “Leaving On a Jet Plane” to be something like this: music please…

“I’m leaving in a sardine can,

going to hit some turbulence,

feels like my bladder’s gonna burst!

I’m squeezed between two really big men

and breathing other people’s’ air,

Hope that I get out of this thing first.

Well you get the idea. Seriously… I am so grateful that I had this opportunity. Thank you Lori for supporting my trip, thank you boys for excusing Dad from the family Thanksgiving celebration, thank you Melina & Adam for covering for me at Crossroads and thank you Jesus for all Your goodness in my life.

Blessings all! Oh man… here comes more turbulence!

Bama Bound!

ericwilliamsblog — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 01:29:19 +0000

My brother Jason informed me about six months ago that he got season tickets for Alabama football. So knowing what he was gonna say next I asked “Which game am I going to?” (What a great brother!) He gave me the choice of games! (Again, what a great brother, huh?) It was a tough choice… Penn State, Florida or Auburn? Alright it really wasn’t that tough. Iron Bowl here I come.

With the blessing of my bride I am flying out Thanksgiving morning and will enjoy hanging out with my brother and his family for 4 days! I may even come home with a southern accent. Just sayin. I’m looking forward to attending their church and hearing him preach that Sunday as well.

Of course I will miss my family. It’s a bitter/sweet trip in that regard. Ryan is gonna be home with Lori and his brothers… they’re gonna have to carve the turkey on their own. So they don’t miss me too much… I’m contemplating painting my body crimson with a big white A on my chest. That way, if the cameras get a shot of me I would be in my living room for a moment at least. We’ll see… look for me during the game! ROLL TIDE!

An Amazing Example

ericwilliamsblog — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 19:28:30 +0000

When Lori and I moved into Olympia over 20 years ago, a young couple just starting out in life, we were blessed to get to know the Broeker family. Lori and I were active serving at Church of Living Water thru the Jr High youth group. The Broeker kids were what we aspired our future children to be like. We immediately looked to their parents and found examples of a mom and dad that we could watch and emulate. Now that the Broeker kids are grown we find them as close valued friends. We also find ourselves now watching the kids for encouragement. All of them are equally awesome, but I want to introduce you to one in particular. Katie…

We did not get to really know Katie closely due to the fact that Lori and I had moved out of youth ministry and on to worship. She did however baby sit for us on occasion. As a matter of fact, without the Broeker girls Lori and I would have never been able to go out on any dates. Anyways, Katie now is an amazing example of Christ to our family. I don’t want to try to tell her story… I’ll let her writing do that.

I just want to share with you her blog and ask you to read it yourself and then join in prayer with us often for her and her husband Ben. http://katieandbenupdates.blogspot.com

Owl City – Vanilla Twilight Cover (by alec)

ericwilliamsblog — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 03:58:43 +0000

Check out this cover of the song Vanilla Twilight by Owl City recorded by my 13 year-old son Alec. Owl City – Vanilla Twilight cover by Alec He has been taking piano for six years and now is playing keys for our the Crossroads worship team. I’m quite proud!

A big thank you to his teacher for the last five years Mary Stewart (Applause!) She was great and hung up her ivories this year. And now a big thank you to his new teacher… drum roll please… Melina Kastle! Check her out @ www.melinakastle.com You will be amazed… she’s good!

Doin the Dance!

ericwilliamsblog — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 08:40:52 +0000

It’s no secret that I enjoy football. It was a Passion of mine throughout high-school and college. I learned many great life lessons both on the practice and game fields. Being that it is football season, I can’t help myself… I have to share this story.
My son Levi’s 4th/5th grade team (Bears Columbia MJV) won a huge game this weekend, 13-12, in OT verses probably the best team in the league. It was a hard fought game by both teams. The other squad had not lost and pretty much rolled easily over their previous three opponents. Our team on there other hand has had to fight for its two wins and our one loss was our season opener. It was one that all the stats say we should have won. The thing I’m most proud of about our boys is that they are learning to never quit. They are listening to their coaches, putting into practice the new plays, assignments and skills that we are teaching.
Now, their first game they got down in the score on a fluke play and you could see their sails emptied of any wind. But this last game was different… down by a score they pressed on even more ferociously. They started hitting harder. They stuck to the game plan and the assignments the coaches had given them. It would have been so easy for them to role over and resort to old habits and “throw in the towel” so to speak. But because they had listened, practiced and preserved they were rewarded. You should have seen the celebration and joy on our boys faces after that last play… not to mention the coaches! We were “Doin the Dance.”
Now, I enjoy a good football analogy but, the words of Jesus say it best… Luke 8:15 “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”
I want the crop that Jesus speaks of. I believe it is one that is full of joy and blessings. Not just for myself but for those around me as well. It’s a crop that will bring a smile to my face, my coach’s (Jesus) and my Father’s. Let’s purpose to retain… put into practice The Word of The Lord we have heard and perservere… never give up. Because when we do… we will be celebrating victories like the Bears Columbia MJV… “Doin the Dance!”

S.O.A.P.

ericwilliamsblog — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 13:30:02 +0000

Scripture
Observation
Application
Prayer

S: Daniel 6:4 NKJV
So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.

O: The best defense is faithfulness… righteous living… following policy…

A: Be a Joseph, be a Daniel. If I do what’s right @ home, work, ministry & play, then no accusations (spiritual or worldly) will carry any weight.

P: Dear Lord, lead me in righteous & faithfulness, so that I may stand secure & firm as a witness to Your Name. Grant me grace & strength to take the tough stance when the world & my flesh are screaming @ me to go its way. Amen.

… Just Let Go

ericwilliamsblog — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 19:52:59 +0000

Well, our oldest has moved out and on. This last Saturday he moved into an apartment with four other guys. He wasn’t even out of the house and his younger brother Alec had annexed his room. Boy, do we miss him already! It’s one of those moments that no matter how much people try to prepare you for it, as a parent you just can’t be.

Anthem is a ministry program that aims to train and raise up potential leaders in the Body of Christ. Building character is huge for these twenty or so students that are fresh out of high-school. They will be serving, working, taking classes, serving, ministering and did I say serving? Ryan has said to me “I know there are areas that God may need to break me in order to grow me… I need this.” As the father and mother of this 18 year old, Lori and I are extremely grateful to The Lord for where Ryan is. Not perfect by any means, but sensitive and willing to confront himself in such a way.

Yup… Alec was quick to claim his own room. Now we will really see who was really responsible for the mess when he and Levi shared one. He is loving Ryan being gone.

It’s not like we saw much of Ryan over these last two years anyways. He was so busy with going through Running Start (college classes while in high-school), working at Starbucks/Safeway, serving at church in music and just enjoying hanging out with his friends (he has great friends BTW) that he was hardly home. Still, dinners are not the same. Walking past his empty “cubby” (that’s a storage area in the mud room) and believe it or not, going to bed not having to wonder if he will make it home in time to meet his curfew seem to carry quite the sting in my heart.

It’s good to know that God loves him more than I do and is a much better Father than I am. At this point… I just let go.

New Pastor Coming To Crossroads!

ericwilliamsblog — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:45:24 +0000

Back in April Pastor Ken Springs retired after serving the body at Crossroads faithfully for 10 years. We had the privilege of serving with Ken and Linda for about eight years in Rochester previously. Three years ago The Lord led our family back to Olympia and while we loved the family at Crossroads we figured we were gone for good. Not so.

Pastor Burt asked Lori and I to consider pastoring there in interim. After seeking His will we agreed. With the help of Living Water, we returned in May and have been blessed to be a part of the plan set in motion by The Holy Spirit for the edification of the saints there. It has been an amazing four months as the church has grown… yes in numbers, but most importantly in health. We have truly experienced an encounter with God during this transition and we know this is just the beginning!

While serving as interim Pastor, Lori and I sought the will of The Lord for us regarding a permanent placement in that role. Although our hearts wanted to go that route, we never had a release from Him to do so.And that brings us to the title of this blog… staring September 19th there is a… New Pastor Coming To Crossroads!

Pastor Terry and Lisa Fisher are amazing people with a deep heart for the church. Their experience and gifting is beyond anything we could hope for Crossroads. Lori’s and my hearts lept with joy and partnership when they told us the news. We instantly had the release of The Lord to stay on staff with Pastor Terry and serve the body in Rochester. We are so looking forward to what is in store for us all as we move into this next season. Join us September 19th in welcoming them warmly!

Football, Catalyst & Crossroads!

ericwilliamsblog — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:54:44 +0000

Unfortunately its been a while since my last post. Life has been busy to say the least. Football has started for Levi and I. He plays for the Bears through TCYFL. (Our team should be tough this year.) It’s a great father/son experience for both of us. Not only do I enjoy this commradery with my son, but also the joy of teaching other kids a sport I love has it’s rewards as well. This year however, I have stepped down from the head coach position into the role of assistant coach. I am grateful for good guys that have joined our team to help out. Shout out to Gordon Bragazzi, Jason Clark, Eric Jenkins & Brian Ritter… thanks men! It has allowed me to focus more on the family and the church as needed.

Lori and I had the opportunity to attend a one day Catalyst conference in Kirkland yesterday. It was a great day together, (I love my wife so much!) learning some cool info on church leadership, momentum and change. We were blessed to enjoy some dynamic teaching and the great company of Pastor Terry and Lisa. (What an amazing couple… We are blessed to have them in our lives!)

This Sunday will be a great day for Crossroads! We have a powerful new song to learn and three, count them 1,2,3 exciting announcements to make. I know I am always saying it but, God has great things for Crossroads and Rochester! His love is so rich! Make sure you are with us if you can at all make it. If/when I bug out directly after service this Sunday please do not be offended… Levi’s football jamboree starts at 12:00 @ Tumwater field. As a coach and more importantly a Dad, it is so important, no… imperative for me to invest in my son and be there.

May The Lord richly bless and keep you!