WEEKEND UPDATE (Late Edition...VERY Late)

Hey Guys, HUGE weekend at Crossroads, but a totally slammed Monday, just getting to the update now.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous and many people took advantage of it (lol).  Hey, if I wasn't preaching this Sunday, I might have been several hundred miles away on the Harley.  I get it.  Here's a few other things I noticed on Sunday:

• Third week of going to two services.  Very cool.  We're learning how to do it, but I see already a huge impact on our attendance.  Though it looks smaller because we're doing two services, our crowds are WAY up and more than TWICE our attendance a year ago.
• That said, the greatest thing about Sunday were people who made first-time decisions, came back to their faith, or decided to be baptized!  AWESOME!
• TONS of first-time attenders.  What we're seeing over the past couple of months is that MANY are becoming second-time, third-time and regular attenders!
• I LOVE THIS SERIES!
• Nic and the band rocked CREED'S "With Arms Wide Open" to kick off each service.  Loved it!  Guys, if you wait 15 minutes after start time to come into the auditorium you are missing some AWESOME music and truly great praise and worship!
• Fantastically cool to see the whole congregation standing up together and saying the NICENE CREED out loud!
• So good to know that while God is Maker of everything seen and unseen, Creator of heaven and earth, Almighty, that to those who are His children, He is Father, first!
• Can't WAIT for week two of this series.  The band is practicing another CREED tune as I write this!
• GREAT to have so many volunteers digging in.  I have noticed that the number of people stepping up to serve is increasing EVERY WEEK!  That is a HUGE win!
• Had some old friends up from Jacksonville on Sunday that got to attend Crossroads.  Great to get positive feedback about what's happening in our church from other people in the ministry.  They totally dug it, and we're so impressed with the work all of you have done to make Crossroads what it is.  Keep it up!  You are making a HUGE difference in the lives of other people!

I gotta go now, but I want to remind you this week as you prepare for your small group to think about what it means to you that God is Father first.  You know, for some it may be a "crawl up in Daddy's lap and get a hug" kind of relationship.  For others, it may be a "conversation with an understanding and compassionate Father at the kitchen table" kind of relationship.  Still, for some, it may be a "working in the garage, or working on a project together, or sitting in a deer stand all day" kind of relationship.  Whatever your view of God as Father, remember that God is not a punishing, abusive, overbearing, or condemning Father.  He is the kind of Father who sacrifices EVERYTHING for His children.  He's the kind of Father whose love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion towards you knows no limits.  

Have a GREAT week!  Don't forget: CHILI COOK-OFF this FRIDAY NIGHT @ the ANNEX!!!