MONDAY MIND DUMP

Big wins all around this weekend at Crossroads.  A full week with a lot of it out of town made for a challenging Friday and Saturday.  But what a day Sunday was.  Here's a few quick takes.

1. It snowed.  What?!?  In South Alabama?  Weird.  Here's what's cool: Pastor Derrick from Highpoint and I spoke on Saturday and both prayed that the weather would not keep people away from hearing the Gospel. What a faith-builder Sunday turned out to be.  Huge crowd for us at Crossroads.  165 in attendance on the strangest weather day I have seen in 11 years. Not only are the people at Crossroads innovative, faithful, resilient, hard-charging, and flexible...it appears we are also weather-resistant.  Cool.
2. Kicked off a new series this morning, "God Loves U2".  It was great sharing the message 'Beautiful Day' when the weather was so bizarre.
3. I'm really going to like this series a lot.  This morning's message was God straight up for many, many people.  Can't tell you how many folks told me how helpful it was to talk about our 'inner dialogue', and how to keep it on a positive track.
4. Can't wait for 'Mysterious Ways' next Sunday, as we line up (and shoot) a whole pen full of sacred cows, and de-bunk some modern mythology about the God and the Bible.
5. Worship was GREAT today.  The band sounded tight and strong, and our sound system seemed to work much better.  Virtually no hum, crackles, pops, or buzzes.  That doesn't change anything for me however in my steely resolve to acquire top notch gear to faithfully reproduce the music made by the fantastically talented people we have at Crossroads.
6. Love the fire-starters we have at Crossroads.  Proof that a crowd of many are invited by a handful of authentically inspired zealots.  Thanks God for inviters.  They are world-changers and history-makers and Crossroads is FULL of them.
7. Giving continues to stay strong as people continue to be faithful stewards of God's resources.
8. Thanks to all who did such a great job today with set-up and tear-down (and my personal apology to all who had to wait on yours truly to bring the helium tank this morning)!
9. Congrats to Nic and Janna's 'You've Got Style' small group which kicked off tonight at the Annex.
10. Speaking of the Annex, what a wonderful time we had tonight as we gathered for communion.  Truly special.  Thanks to all who helped make it happen.

I know I'm leaving out a ton of stuff that was great about today at Crossroads.  I can't remember it all right now.  So many new people coming back.  it's so inspiring to see what God is doing.  I am overwhelmed by the support and faithfulness of our staff and leaders that bring their 'A'-game week in and week out.  I know you are ALL thrilled to really begin seeing the fruit of your labor.

This week, make our soldiers and their families a focus of your prayers.  Pray specifically for Pete, Michael & Darren who are headed off to SEER school. Pray also for the family members of those deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan and throughout the world.  We are humbled to have the opportunity to serve and worship with so many military personnel and their families.  Lift them up!

Have a FANTASTIC Monday and a great week!