"ROCKTOBER"

Now that the first half of November 2011 is officially in the books, I am beginning to come out of the fog enough to talk about this past 'Rocktober'.  That is not a phrase I use for every October.  Nope.  'Rocktober' only seems to come once every 5 to 7 years.  But for reasons I have never been able to figure out, all of the monumentally big, difficult, drastic, or otherwise annoyingly huge and distracting changes in my life (and Leslie's life - because we're one flesh), happen in the month of October, hereinafter to be referred to by me as 'Rocktober', not because it's cool and involves multiple bands from the '80's, but because every time it happens, it absolutely ROCKS our lives and our world.

Maybe you have something similar in your life, where despite your best efforts, some eerily familiar season of your life rolls around and you know you're in for it.  Now for those of you that were always the biggest or toughest kid in school, this next part probably won't resonate with you, but it bears saying that the way 'Rocktober' feels to me is the same way I felt when I was in the 7th grade, in my 6th period English class with Mr. Benevidas, when Denny Thomas, the kid in the desk next to me leaned over and said, "Jeff Montano saw you look at his grilfriend and he's going to rearrange your face on the bus after school.  Get ready for a fight."  And your stomach drops to your feet for fear, not so much fear of getting beat up, but fear that there's absolutely no way to get out of getting beat up.  After all, no one was ever afraid of a punch after it landed.  It's the anticipation and uncertainty that really gets you.  

What is at the heart of 'Rocktober'?  It's CHANGE, man.  C-H-A-N-G-E.  And it's not that change is bad.  Fundamentally, change is good, and I totally embrace it as such.  But - and you know this - the anticipation and uncertainty of a looming change (whatever that change is to you) can absolutely peg your freak-out meter.  Know what I mean?

Every time 'Rocktober' comes for me, it brings with it sweeping change.  Sometimes job-related, sometimes relationship related, sometimes geographic, but in every case, it is something that somehow I was completely unprepared for (either by Divine Providence, or some ommission on my part that God used to bring it), and every time it happens (thank God it's only once ever 5 to 7 years) it totally owns me.

This 'Rocktober' wasn't about a geographic change, or moving to a new church, or even changing jobs.  It was about some fundamental changes in the way I approach the business of my life.  It was about adding discipline to a certain area of my life that was lacking it.  And it hurt like a mother.  Honestly, I felt beat up from the inside out. 

But...(and thank God for big buts) with the bruising of this particular 'Rocktober' comes the cleansing. 

"Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects;

therefore, do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. 

For He bruises, but He binds up;

He wounds, but His hands make whole" (Job 5:17-18). 

This 'Rocktober' forced me to take some measures that have changed my relationship with forecasting, long-range planning, financial programming, and pragmmatic decision-making.  It needed to happen, and it came about because I put it off for as long as I could.  But truly, the specifics of my 'Rocktober' are not really all that important.  Because it's really not about what you're going through that's important.  It's the lesson-learned and the action taken moving forward. 

For me, life is ALWAYS better after 'Rocktober'.  Every time it happens, it's as if my life is literally propelled forward into the next season.  And it's ALWAYS good, not just for me, but for EVERYONE around me.  In fact, I have found that the harder 'Rocktober' is, and the longer it lasts, the better things are for me and those I'm called to influence.  And it's not just because it stops hurting, it's because you learned something about yourself during the beating.  And you got to see again how much God loves you.  And how He loves you too much to allow you to ignore important things. 

So let me ask you (not, have you ever experienced something like 'Rocktober, or how do you deal with big changes, or did you ever get beat up in the 7th grade, but instead, more specifically):

What are you ignoring?

What are things in your life that you need to deal with?

What have you put off confronting because you're afraid?

Epilogue: Jeff Montano only threw one punch.  It landed on my cheek.  I'm pretty sure it hurt his hand more than it hurt my face.  I just sort of stared at him and didn't move afterward.  He looked real confused.  I think the bus lady took him to the Principal's office.  I remember he cried.  When we were in high school he apologized to me.

'Rocktober" is over for me.  But the hard work of making meaningful, forward-looking, positive changes has just begun.  Feels good, though.  Do it.  Peace.        

    

"The church that helps people..."

Heard last week that someone referencing our church said, "Oh Crossroads, yeah.  That's the church that helps people, right?"  wow.  There it is.  You know what else?  I heard two more times last week the exact same thing from different people.

Last Thursday a mother and her daughter (who is also a mother) came into the building.  Like many who have come before them, they were short on food and really needed help.  As per our practice, we welcomed them and gave them a place to sit while they filled out a quick form.  Our resources only allow us to distribute food boxes to a family one time per month, so we keep track of who's come in so we can help as many as possible.

They left a few minutes later with two sets of food boxes - enough food for each of their two families for one week, when they add perishables, such as milk, eggs and bread. 

This past Sunday was "Food Box Sunday", the last Sunday of the month - a day we have designated to help everyone remember to bring in their food box supplies for packaging and distribution.  This past Sunday, we didn't recieve much food.  Only enough to make a couple of boxes - which were distributed to people who came to the building Monday morning.  Our food boxes were gone before 10 AM.

The people of Crossroads have been so great about embracing generosity and serving the needs of others in our community.  It's so important for us to remember that we don't just go to church here...but we are a vital part of the community.  Even if you live far away from the church, the church is here, everyday to love and serve the needs of others.  Help us make that happen.  We're short on  food.  Please don't wait 'til the end of the month to respond. 

"For I was hungry, and you fed me." MT 25:35

AWESOME ANSWER!!

This past Sunday, our rockin' worship band at Crossroads (with yours truly bangin' the drums) played a face-melting rendition of Ozzy's Crazy Train before the message.  Here's some great facebook traffic from a long-time Crossroads attender (not a staff member, folks but a comitted Christ-follower and faithful volunteer) who really gets it:

HEATHER:  Crazy Train??? Only @ Crossroads!!!

SHAUN: Please explain why prince of darkness as Ozzie is known on earth, theme music was used at church? :)

HEATHER:  Great question Shaun! And there is no short answer so here’s the Top 10:

10. This aint yo grandma’s church

9. We believe that boring church is a sin (and there’s never a dull moment here)

8. If you read the lyrics of Crazy Train, it reads like a modern-day psalm/prayer (check it out: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/o/ozzy+osbourne/crazy+train_20103982.html )

7. It is our mission to reach the un-churched people in this world – what better way to do so?

6. We practice, as Jesus did, taking this sinful world as it is

5. God is famous for taking what is meant for evil and turning it to good

4. Crossroads is famous, as Jesus is, for meeting people right where they are and connecting them to God in ways that transform them-if you’ve ever felt like your life was going off the rails of a crazy train, then you know what I mean :)

3. Our band ROCKS!

2. We are taught to make a joyful noise

And the #1 reason:

1. THAT’S HOW WE ROLL…

Way to cast vision and spread the message, Heather!

BB&B 7 (101611)

Greetings in the name of Jesus!  What a wonderful day we experienced this past Sunday as we engaged in Part Four of our current series Game Plan, then headed to the West Beach of Lake Tholocco for Crossroads 7th Beach, BBQ & Baptism celebration!  This event was a wonderful way to begin the Fall season and for many was a day they will never forget.  The sun was shining, the weather was beautiful and (unlike last year at this time) the water was warm!! 

Though it was a privilege to baptize ten people on Sunday, I must tell you my heart is heavy for the many who signed up to be baptized who did not make it out to the lake.  Some must have slipped through the cracks between noon and 3PM.  It happens.  There we several who made very recent decisions to be baptized, and then when there's time between the service and the event, you get home and get comfortable and sometimes as busy as we all are, it's hard to get motivated to get back out of the house.  I totally get that.  But there were also several that I know for certain, simply did not have a ride to the party.  As a church, we need to pay attention to that in the future and make sure that everyone who wants to be baptized can actually get there.  Next time we do this, there's three things we're going to make sure we do:

1. We're going to teach about Baptism the Sunday of the event.  What it is and why it matters.  Every time we've done that in the past, more people have made the decision to be baptized.  I won't make that mistake again.
2. We're going to send a team out ahead so we can all leave from church and go directly to lunch at the Lake.  After lunch, we'll baptize folks and then hang out.  That'll help people who might be apt to stay home once they get home.
3. We're going to have a couple of vans available to shuttle people from the church to the lake and back, so that no one is excluded from participating if they want to be there.

I think if we do those three things, we'll baptize more people than ever before.  All that said, this past Sunday was truly a wonderful day.  Biggest crowd in a month, great crowd out at the lake.  West Beach is WAY better than East Beach.  That's a keeper. 

We ran some numbers yesterday that I want to share with you.  They are fantastically encouraging and they demonstrate what I've been sharing with you for the past few months: God is really up to something big at Crossroads.  Here's just a bit of the evidence from the past 90 days alone:

• 156 First Time Attenders!
• 92 Second time Attenders!
• 63 Third Time Attenders!
• 42 became Regular Attenders (that's more than 25% sticking around and that's HUGE)!
• 63 people made high quality, life-changing decisions to renew their commitment to Christ, to trust Christ for the first time, or to go public with their faith through baptism! 

Guys, things are cooking at Crossroads, and God is about to blow the lid right off this place!  Look forward to some very exciting news for our church in the next 30 days.

God bless you and keep you and give you peace.  Have a GREAT week!

     

LOCATION CHANGE: BB&B at WEST BEACH

So...I'm all amped up to share a few baptism blog posts and I get a call this morning that the East Beach pavillion at Lake Tholocco is under construction necessitating a move to the West Beach.

So...BEACH, BBQ & BAPTISM is still at 3:00PM this Sunday October 16th...BUT...it will be at the pavillion at the WEST BEACH of Lake Tholocco.

Spread it around, let everyone know.  We'll have new directions up on the website as quickly as possible, and we'll also have them available in the lobby on Sunday morning.  See you there...at the WEST BEACH...for Crossroads 7th Beach, BBQ & Baptism!!

This Sunday at the Beach

I am amazed when I think that this Sunday October 16th marks the seventh time since Crossroads launched that we will celebrate people "going public" with their faith at 3:00PM on the East Beach of Lake Tholocco at Crossroads BEACH, BBQ & BAPTISM celebration!

Each Fall and Spring since September of 2008, we have gathered together at Lake Tholocco and have shared a time of fellowship and celebration as nearly 200 people have been baptized.  It is such an honor to be able to witness and celebrate such a significant event in the life of a believer!  It is - by far - the greatest privilege that any of us have as a part of the Crossroads community.

We have been praying and believing God for the past 10 weeks that we would see 50 people baptized this Sunday.  Though not that many have signed up to be baptized, I am confident that those who SHOULD be baptized Sunday WILL be baptized Sunday.  But often, people don't realize that they should.  So here's your part in that:

Yes, pray...but do more.  Share with those in your circle of influence (friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, fellow students, anyone) that this event is OPEN TO ALL.  Let them know, they do not have to attend Crossroads to be baptized Sunday.  Let them know, they don't even have to be people that go to church to be baptized Sunday.  Let them know if they have never been baptized, this event is for them.  Let them know that if they were baptized, or sprinkled, or Christened, or Blessed at some point in their life but they don't remember it, or it wasn't a significant or meaningful experience, this event is for them.  Let them know if they have been baptized or blessed or Christened or sprinkled or whatever, and they have come back to God, or want to come back to God, this event is for them.  Let them know!

Why is this event for them?  Why is this event for YOU?  Because the Bible clearly teaches that God's desire for everyone, is that they would take the step to publicly demonstrate that they are identifying their lives with Christ by being baptized.  Don't wait til next time.  Be baptized this Sunday at 3:00PM on the East Beach of Lake Tholocco.

Beach, BBQ, & Baptism from Crossroads Community Church on Vimeo.

In the next few posts, I'll be sharing more about what Baptism is, and why it should matter to all of us!

THANK GOD IT'S...

Friday?  Sunny?  Easy?  Early?  Comfortable?  Certain?  Possible?  Reasonable?  What?

I'm just really, really thankful.  I try to stay that way regardless of what's going on in my life.  Sometimes that's really difficult.  I know it is for you as well.  Here's something the Apostle Paul said about that:

"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."  (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

In our clamour to know and understand God's will, God's plan for our lives, it is easy to overlook how important it is to remain thankful.  An attitude of thankfulness is a foundational piece of God's plan for all of us, and if we shoot right past it we wind up being more concerned with what is missing than what is present, what we don't have rather than what we do have.  When we are thankful, we place ourselves in a position of being generous with our hearts and minds and attitudes and actions.  ThanksGIVING. 

ThanksGIVING in the midst of troubling circumstances is the best giving because it is sacrificial giving.  It is the best giving because it actually costs us something.  That it costs us something means that it isn't always easy.  You know...it's easy to be thankful - to give thanks - when everything seems to be going your way.  But it is far more difficult to intentionally be thankful in the midst of life's obstacles, speed bumps, and potholes.  That's why it is so much more valuable.  God's will for you is to be thankful regardless of your circumstances.

So...what are YOU thankful for today? 

   

GUEST BLOGGER: Dave Clark (Prophet/Mystic/Cajun)

This is a continuing series of guest posts by my very good friend Dave Clark.  I usually start out by saying, "No editing. No disclaimer", but Dave has added his own opener this time.  This should be interesting...   -Gene

The views expressed here do not reflect the views of Crossroads Community Church, the pastor, staff, or congregation but are solely the thoughts of the author. 

I want to talk about the nativity (birth) stories of Jesus. If you can get what's called a 'Synopsis of the Gospels' you can see the two stories side-by-side and interesting things are revealed. The stories are in Matthew 1:18-2:23 and Luke 1:5-2:40. Let's compare. 

They both have him born in Bethlehem, but why? There was a well-known prophecy from Micah 5:2 saying the Messiah would come from Bethlehem. Matthew even has it woven into his narrative as a pronouncement from the priests and scribes (2:6). John knows of it too, (John 7:41-42). Though he doesn't quote it, Luke knows it too and has to make sure Jesus 'comes from' David's city, Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-7). The problem for both authors was the common knowledge that Jesus was from Nazareth and that didn't fit into the prophecies; no Messiah comes from Nazareth. (See John 1:45-46). So, what to do? Two different stories of the same 'event' emerge. In Matthew, Jesus ends up in Nazareth via Egypt, and even includes prophesy that “He” (Messiah?) will be called a Nazarene (2:23). Problem is there is no prophecy known like that. In Luke he is clearly from Nazareth (1:26; 2:4). Additionally, Luke's device to ensure Jesus is born in Bethlehem is a worldwide census by Caesar Augustus in the days of Quirinius, governor of Syria. Problem is there was no worldwide census in that time period and none when Quirinius was governor of Syria. What you clearly have here is two separate tales woven to explain the birth of Jesus. Nativity stories of great men were common in the day, with tales of signs and miracles that attended their birth. Caesar had them; Alexander had them; the Pharaoh’s had them. The evangelists were going to have them also.  

Only because they come from the Bible do we not look at these differences and what they might mean. We are engaging in what is called 'the suspension of disbelief'. It is a recognized principle of psychology that in a story people will set aside critical thought to embrace the story. Nowhere more true than some views of the Bible and what it is. 

Am I saying the Bible is not true? Am I saying the virgin birth and the miracles didn't occur? Am I trying to destroy your faith in the Bible? Am I some kind of godless, liberal, atheist? Many point out these contradictions (and there are many in the Bible) because they are unbelievers trying to tear down the faith. I am not one of them. 

I say the Bible is not true in the way some people call it true; that every word is literally true and everything in it objective fact. There are different truths. The sun is a giant, thermonuclear ball of hydrogen. That is a fact. And the sun rises in gilded beauty. That is also true, a different fact. The virgin birth and miracles; I don't know. They could well be true facts. But if they aren't, it doesn't change who Jesus was, or is, or what he did and said. Or what he does still. I suppose I am trying to destroy a certain type of faith in the Bible. The one that sees it as magic and unquestionable; used to bind people to only one way of thinking. The kind of faith that is used as a cudgel to beat people and keep them in line. As to godless, liberal, atheist; I say no, though the religious background from which I come already has consigned me to the pit. So be it. They worship a book instead of the one who gave it to them. They have made an idol. I worship an infinite, infallible God; he is more than the book he gave us. 

Faith and love can't live in fear. Many view the Bible as the inerrant word of God. So any questioning of it is heresy and laden with fear and judgment. But demanding scientific accuracy in a narrative where it doesn't exist isn't faith and denies the mysterious, winsome nature of our faith. But Jesus told us to be like children, full of trust and curiosity and joy and love. Children trust, they don't know all the answers. Children love, they have hearts attune with their parents and aren't looking at their mother's resume'. Children are curious, believing that goodness can be discovered. Children are filled with joy, knowing they bathe in the love of their parents. True faith means living with mystery, trusting God to fill in the blanks. 

So where did the theory of inerrancy came from, why do inerrantists hold their views and what are the implications for them and us all if they hold sway? 

The tenacious insistence of an infallible, inerrant Bible is only about 150 years old. Prior to then it was not an issue. Why? What happened? Study history and you find this was the midst of the scientific revolution. Science began to displace religion as an authoritative explanation of the natural world. Added to that, the time was also the true beginning of biblical criticism, the treatment of the Bible as literature, subject to the disciplines of textual, literary, historical and form criticism. These tools were already being used on other ancient literature but only recently had the church lost the power punish the “heretics” for forwarding such ideas. With the church now impotent to launch reprisals against those who held other views, they were free to be and to question. One of the main reactions to this was the doctrine of inerrancy. 

Why would this be so? In criticism, the literalists perceived an attack on the truth of God. They were as much slaves to rationalism as any scientist. Anything not objectively true is false. So they manically began to try to prove the Bible. They might as well have tried to prove the color blue. The reality of our belief will always be on the inside, where a (yes, subjective) knowing confirms in our heart the truth and reality of God. Or as Paul put it “the Spirit of God affirms to our spirit that we are God's children” (Romans 8:16). That is why it is faith. It has no objective proof. There is much more to it than that of course, but I only have time for a brief description. So what does it matter if Christians hold the view of requiring empirical evidence of faith? 

I can think of no more glaring example of the inerrantists view made concrete than the Creation Museum in Kentucky. There they teach that Adam and Eve rode dinosaurs! Though even this is a change for creationists (a subset of inerrantists). In earlier decades they denied altogether the existence of dinosaurs but were finally overwhelmed by enough evidence that they just had to accept reality. Having to work them into their scheme somehow, now the first couple frolic with T-Rex and Jesus rides a Triceratops! This is the product that comes from that world view. 

The final outcome of inerrancy unchecked, is fear and retreat from the modern world; a rejection of science for pseudo-science and a return to superstition, repression and the dark ages; for their god is too small.

Think carefully about this. The exchange of certainty from an inerrant Bible for the hurly-burly of real life is not the great deal you may think. They still want to silence the heretics.

The Lesson from What If?

Good morning from Florida's Space Coast!  I write this from my mother's kitchen table in Cocoa, Florida where I have been for the last couple of days.  I was in Ocala on Friday to meet with Ron Sylvia, lead pastor of the Springs (we'll be talking about that in the weeks to come), and I got to spend time with my coach Hal Mayer, and friend and fellow church planter Brian Burgi.  You should remember Brian, his wife Jennifer and their extremely cool small son Barrett from the time they spent at Crossroads while Brian was in Flight School.

It seemed good to come and see my mom and Uncle Gene while I was so close to Cocoa, and I just sort of showed up with no agenda or timetable. My mom is 84 and very young at heart.  We've done little but sit around and eat and talk and laugh and rest and it's been a perfect visit (except Leslie's not with me).  I ran 5 miles yesterday morning to keep my mojo intact, and I'll be home later this afternoon.

This past Sunday was one of the most wonderful experiences I've had since a bunch of starry-eyed believers started Crossroads more than 3-1/2 years ago.  We interrupted our series Game Plan for a special service called 'What If?'.  If you weren't there you can watch it in standard definition and beautiful black & white (in keeping with the minimalist theme) by clicking HERE.  This is what I'm taking away from Sunday:

• God has invited Crossroads to play a significant role in what He is up to in the earth.
• You are obviously up for what He is up to.  Well done.

That said, let's get together again this coming Sunday.  We'll do part 3 of our series Game Plan, I'll share with you some specifics about this past Sunday and I'll tell you why my confidence has never been higher going forward.  We have much to do.  Can't wait to gather together again.  See you soon!

Here's What's Happening...

Great day this past Sunday as we shared Part 2 of our current series Game Plan.  Again, TONS of first-time attenders!  I talk to people in the ministry all the time.  People like church planters and pastors, and they will tell you that averaging 15 to 20 first-time attenders a week, in a church our size, in a town our size is just something that is not normal.  I shared with many of you some months ago, that I really sensed that a wave of growth was coming in the Fall for Crossroads, and I think we are seeing the pre-cursor of that wave finally hit the shore.  I really believe that God is up to something big on the earth, and in our community, and the truly remarkable thing is, He has invited you and I to participate in it.

With that invitation though comes a responsibility, and it's a respinsibility not to be taken lightly.  It's as if God - as He is doing in many, many churches around the world - has passed the baton to Crossroads, and He's saying, "Look, I'm putting this in your hands.  Don't drop it.  It's precious and it's important".  We need to know that God has invited us to play a significant role in what He is up to, and we have to ask ourselves, "Are we up for what He is up to?"  It's gut-check time.  We must grasp the reality that for you and me perhaps the most significant thing we do, not in the church but with our lives, is to care for His church, to nurture it and help it grow, so that we might hand it off healthy to the next generation.  I am up for it.  How about you?

This coming Sunday is probably the single most important service we've ever had at Crossroads.  Please make every effort to be there.  If you are up for what God is up to, you do not want to miss this coming Sunday.  We're halfway through our series Game Plan, and it's the perfect moment (halftime) to head for the locker room and get the game plan for the second half of the game.  Every time we take the field in life, we have a choice.  We can choose to finish each play strong, or we can choose to let up and let others take responsibility for covering our assignment.  But as we choose, we're wise if we understand that finishing each play is ultimately the only way to win the game.

Yeah, yeah, I like football, okay?  I dig sports metaphors.  And the reason I do is because what happens on the field of play so accurately depicts the reality of many of the struggles and challenges we face in life.  In closing, I offer this absolutely rock solid promise to you: this Sunday's service at Crossroads will be completely unlike anything you have ever experienced here before.  Be here, as we dig in to learning more about God's game plan for our lives. 

Come with the expectation that God will speak to your heart.  See you Sunday.

 

WEEKEND UPDATE (091911)

Greetings and salutations Crossroads family!  Smashing day Sunday as we "kicked-off" a new football-themed series called Game Plan.  I don't know about you, but this series is EXACTLY what I need in my life, and the timing couldn't be better!  This series, though not original to Crossroads, is like every series we do, in that I personally learn as much as anyone, and I get as much as anyone out of it.  I trust that you get everything God has for you out of the next four weeks, and that you're able to apply what you are learning to your life! 

Here's a few of the many things that stood out to me yesterday:

• The trend continues with first-time attenders!  We are experiencing a HUGE wave of growth in the number of people coming through our doors!  Reach out to those coming for the first time.  Walk across the lobby to shake hands with someone you've never met before.  And continue to invite BIG!
• Many people made high quality life-changing decisions to renew their relationship with Christ, or to go public with their faith through baptism!  (Don't forget: Beach, BBQ & Baptism, Sunday October 9th, 3:00PM Lake Tholocco, East Beach)
• Loved the band Sunday!  Great job on worship and the 'Queen' tune!  You guys absolutely ROCK.  I think Crossroads is blessed with the most awesome worship team going, period!
• This new series is incredible.  Just sayin'.  If you were not there on Sunday, you must-must-must go to our website, click on media and watch Game Plan, Part 1! 

Here's just a few of the things you might have heard if you were there Sunday:

• "There IS a God, and this God has a GREAT PLAN for your life!"
• "If you don't understand the Fundamentals of the Game, you're not going to understand the Game Plan."
• "When you understand Who Jesus is, and the potential on the inside of you, you live life on a higher plan (like Lazarus, the second time around)!"
• "God's answer to the question, 'God, what is Your will for my life', is this: "I AM your life!"
• "When you understand that God IS your life, and not just a COMPONENT of your life, you begin to understand that the focus of your life is not a FUTURE.  The focus of your life is a person.  Jesus."
• "When your focus is on Jesus (and not on a future), He leads you to the future He has for you!"
• "Maybe you have heard that God loves you, and that's true.  Maybe you have heard the God is for you, and that's also true.  Maybe you have heard that God is with you, and that is true as well.  but maybe you have not heard that God is actually LIVING on the INSIDE of you!"
• "As you shift your focus from your FUTURE to your SAVIOR, the BIG QUESTION of our lives actually changes from 'God, what do you want me to do with my life?', to 'God, what do you want me to do with YOUR life, that is WITHIN ME?'"

    Favorite comment from Connection Cards on Sunday:

• (In reference to the way I was dressed), "It's a referee!  It's a Foot Locker employee!  It's Pastor Gene!"

Remember how we ended things Sunday: "For the next seven days, will you just allow God to be God, and stop trying to control the future?  For the next seven days, will you simply...rest?"  Have a GREAT week.  See you next Sunday for Part 2 of Game Plan!

GUEST BLOGGER: Dave Clark (Prophet/Mystic Cajun)

Third in a continuing series of guest blog posts from my friend Dave Clark.  No editing.  No disclaimer. 

OF LUST AND RESONANCE AND TRIPPING SPIRITS

Some time ago, I worked for a Christian organization. One day an employee, a woman who was a counselor, came into the front office to fill out an accident report about an incident that happened that morning. In going down the stairs of the building, she had tripped and twisted her ankle. Thankfully, her injury was minor. But in relaying the incident to the clerk for the report she said this had happened due to a “spirit of tripping”. That's right, that's why I put it in quotes; direct from her mouth. Now as I often do when impacted by the absurd, I joked. So I asked her, had this tripping spirit, did she suppose, not done to well in demon school, top honorees garnering such powerful evils as lust and greed, while the lesser darknesses were left to reign over horrors such as tripping and nose-picking? She was not amused. 

I joked with her because what I wanted to ask her was, 'could it be possible you tripped on the stairs because of female vanity'. (She was always dressed very well and liked high heels though stairs were a mandatory part of our job). I thought the joke would be slightly less dangerous to my health than this comment. 

The woman comes from a prevalent religious background that sees spirits behind virtually all events and spiritual warfare a constant, like gravity. Please hear me clearly; I most surely believe the spirits exist and that warfare with them is possible and for a Christian, inevitable. But they are not the whole story, or even the major part of the story. 

The story is about us, and what we are made of. You see, the demons don't stand outside us trying to trip us (though surely tripping is what they wish us). No, the demons are on the inside, trying to get us to join in their fun and games. And far too often we listen. They sing a song that so many times strikes a responsive chord in us, and we resonate to it. Jesus said it this way: “You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not” (John 8:23). 

Jesus was tempted like us and yet didn't sin (Hebrews 4:15). Why? The usual response, from the temptation stories, was that he quoted Scripture back to Satan. Now I am sure that bathing in the Word is of great use in combating evil. But that isn't the whole picture. I am certain that also there was no resonant chord in Jesus for Satan to strum. Not so much with us. 

This realization allows those, who are willing, to be humble before God, knowing they are fatally flawed and only he can mend them. 

But we would rather think there is a spirit tripping us down the stairs than to acknowledge we like our sexy high heels and the way they make us feel. It is much more comforting to man our watchtowers gazing diligently into the dark, than it is to admit the enemy is already inside the gate sitting down to dinner with us. “Pass the gravy, please”.

Weekend Update (9-11-11)

Greeetings in the name of Jesus Christ!  It's been more than a week since I shared a blog post - a week filled with pressing deadlines and uphill climbs, a week fraught with potholes and speedbumps, and a week that saw tragic circumstances for one of our beloved Crossroads families as they say goodbye to a cherished loved one.  It was also a week in which we mourned as a people for those lost on September 11th, 2001. 

That said, I greet this Monday morning with the peace of God which passes all understanding, and joy in the Holy Ghost!  Jesus is alive and well and beckoning us into a life-changing, soul-saving relationship with our heavenly Father!  God be praised!

Sunday, as we honored the memory of all who were lost on 9-11 by observing a moment of silence and praying for our nation, we wrapped up our series City of Progress sharing from the 8th Chapter of the Book of Nehemiah.

I strongly encourage you - if you missed even one week of this compelling teaching series, go HERE right away and catch up on the services you missed.  I promise you, it will be time well spent!  Here's just a few of the things that stood out to me:

• "The RUBBLE in your life reveals the TROUBLE in your life".  The rubble isn't the problem.  Just like for the people of Jerusalem, the rubble was an indicator of how far they had wandered from God's purpose for their lives.  Nehemiah is the guy that says, "Look past the rubble of financial meltdowns, problems in your relationships, marital discord and dissatisfaction with your jobs, and see that all of those troubles are rooted in wandering from God's purpose for your life".   
• "The TROUBLE in your life comes through the GATES in your life".  Though none of us could be expected to control many of the challenges, difficulties and tragic circumstances that come our way, if we're honest, many of the troubles in our lives are events (or sequences of events) that we ourselves have authored.  Nehemiah is the guy that says, "Honoring God means that we must be dilligent and responsible Gatekeepers".  We're not responsible for the thoughts that come our way, we're only responsible for what we do with those thoughts after they've arrived.  When we allow potentially destructive or dangerous things to enter unabated and ancontrolled through the gates of our eyes, ears, and mind - and we decide to allow those things to stay so that we might dwell on them for a while - they captivate us, and ultimately capture our hearts.  Just as God's people we're taken captive for 70 years in Babylon, you and I can be taken captive by the things we allow to walk right in to our lives.

So many great things came about as a result of this series, I don't have time to mention but a few of them.  Here's a HUGE one: we averaged 20 First-Time Attenders each week of City of Progress!  Way to go Crossroads family!  Way to reach out into your world and invite BIG!  Also...Huge thanks to Nic, Janna and the band for letting me sit in with them a couple of times during this series.  That was SO COOL!

 

Next Sunday, September 18th we kick-off a brand new series called GAME PLAN.  Don't miss a week!  Have fun in small groups this week as you dig in to DRIVE!  Remember to pray for the lost, and continue to pray and believe God for 50 to be baptized at Beach, BBQ and Baptism on Sunday October 9th!  Peace.  

 

GUEST BLOGGER: Dave Clark (Prophet/Mystic/Cajun)

This is a continuing series of weekly guest posts by my friend Dave Clark.  No editing.  No disclaimers. - Gene 

"Love Wins”, Rob Bell's new book has caused a sensation, even garnering a Time magazine cover. People at church are talking about it too. So here's my two cents. The reason for all the controversy is Bell's belief (held by a prominent Evangelical) that there is no hell. Reaction has been fast and furious, mainly accusing him of attacking the truth of the Scriptures. More on that some other time. I don't think the problem lies with his view of Scripture but with his view of God. 

Freedom requires hell. There can be no love given truly and freely to God if there is no possibility of rejecting him. We know that even from this life. If someone coerces another into 'loving' them, we may call it many things, but not love. Can the infinite lover be any different? And if freedom to reject God must be honored, what state of being could that be? Rob has taken the view of so many Christians that hell is punishment and retribution. So a god that would promote it would be sadistic and cruel. Bell rightly rejects that view of God's character. But that is a misreading of the New Testament. Yes, there is imagery of fire and suffering but look at the full picture and the main thrust is summed up in the words of Jesus; 'I never knew you, depart from me your evildoers' (Matthew 7:23). The primary truth is separation from God. If you finally just can't stand God, where can you go? All beauty, all truth, all love and affection, all creation belong to God. If you reject the one who is everywhere, where is there for you to be? And if the only others with you are 'like minded' having rejected God and turned inward into endless self-absorption, what would you call that existence? Hell, maybe? 

Hell is primarily eternal quarantine in a self made sewer, and that instructs on Gods' character and purpose. He isn't consumed with hatred for 'the damned'. What if the prodigal son didn't “come to his senses”? Some never will, you know, and they won't ever come home. The father in Jesus' parable is a picture of God who suffered waiting for his son. God has made us and loves us and nothing can change that, not even hell. So for those who accept him, joy and relationship are eternally theirs and God rejoices in that fellowship. But those who reject him will never leave their Father's heart. For them he suffers eternally. That is, I’m certain, at least part of the meaning of Jesus' eternal scars. They speak of a God who loves us always, even if we never love him back; a God who chooses to suffer forever. 

It is a hard and terrible reality this freedom we have. With it we can love God and other humans, his very image, or use and abuse people and strike at the very heart of God. 

I think if Bell, or anyone else, would look at it that way they would see that no one will suffer because of hell any more than God.

BATTLE READY-TO-WEAR

When I came out of the bedroom this morning, after getting ready for the day, and came in the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee before heading out, I thought nothing of the fact that I was wearing an old pair of shorts, a comfortable shirt, and my running shoes.  Until I realized that it wasn't Saturday yet.  Oops.

While my attire was certainly comfomfortable - and totally appropriate for relaxing at home, or doing office work over the weekend (or going to church, haha!) - I was totally underdressed to be on a construction jobsite, or be in my office in a professional capacity, or attend a formal ceremony, or meet with clients, or do any number of other things that would happen on a normal work day.

Something we all recognize is that there is an appropriate way to clothe ourselves, depending on the situation we are in.  Whether your daily clothing is a military uniform, a suit and tie, a pair of scrubs, blue jeans and workboots, khaki's and a polo shirt, or whatever, you KNOW when you are dressed right, and when you're not.  You wouldn't think of showing up for formation in the same clothes you wear to the beach, or walk in the X-ray room at work in a party dress.  The strange thing is...we often miss the importance of putting on the right "spiritual clothing".  As a result, we often march right out of the house to face the biggest challenges of our lives buck-naked! 

How should we dress then?  The Bible says that our struggles in life are not simply against the things that we can see, but against unseen "spiritual forces of evil".  The Apostle Paul writes: 

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God".  (Ephesians 6:12-17)

Next time you're getting ready for the day, take a little inventory.  Got the right shoes, shirt, pants, belt, hat and tools for work?  Great!  But know this:  you and I aren't really dressed at all, until we're clothed with the full armor of God.  

So let me ask you, are you just dressed for work?  Or are you dressed for battle? 

WHAT'S HAPPENING? (w/Foghat Story)

Happy Wednesday!  Looking forward to CHILL-OUT tonight at 7PM at CROSSROADS!  No agenda other than Hang time, Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt and Tons of Toppings!  Hey, this past Sunday at Crossroads was an AMAZING day!  here's a few of the many things that stood out to me:

• People made life changing decisions to trust Christ for the first time, to renew their relationship with Christ, or to go public with their faith through Baptism!!  That's the REASON we are here, and hearing about it NEVER gets old! Woo-hoo!!
• Heard about one sweet 9 year-old boy in our main service Sunday, visiting from Germany with his parents.  He spoke very little English, but asked his parents and their friends to hold hands at the end of the service as Nic was playing and I was praying and giving an invitation to receive Christ.  They did, and grinning ear to ear, he told them, "I not understand, but I feel something!"  That one response opened the door for Christ as that story went out to dozens and gave friends of that young boys family opportunities to share Christ with MANY people including him!  We're believing God for 100 people to receive Christ by 9 October.  It is HAPPENING NOW in ways we could not have predicted, imagined, or pretended to control!
• The past Sunday was a CRAZY service.  Breaking down a piece of the account of Nehemiah from the Old Testament, we looked at what it would be like for Nehemiah to come into our "Jerusalem" and take inventory of our "rubble".  We said, "The RUBBLE in our lives reveals the TROUBLE in our lives".  If you were not at Crossroads Sunday you HAVE to see this message.  Watch City of Progress 02 HERE.
• Had several people make similar remarks like, "It was like Saturday Night Live", or services at Crossroads are "like a comedy show".  Look, the Bible says in Proverbs 17:22 that, "A merry heart does good, like a medicine, but a crushed spirit dries the bones".  I BELIEVE in the power of joyous laughter to lift our spirits and make us receptive to receiving the word of God.  Too many sermons crush our spirits and dry up our bones.  I choose laughing over drying up!
• FOGHAT!  Woo-Hoo!  Almost forgot...I got to sit in with the band and bludgeon Max's drumkit to the tune of "Fool for the City".  That was an AWESOME good time!  Thanks for letting me play guys!!   

I shared with you on Sunday that back in the "bad old days" before I trusted my life to Christ, I was in a band that opened for Foghat at a college in Western Colorado.  I remarked that it was "the only time I was ever thrown out of an entire town".  We hung out all night and hit clubs and parties with Foghat, and as the night wore on, we got out of control.  Foghat went back to their bus, but we went to the hotel.  It was after 3 o'clock in the morning as we rolled into the hotel.  The band, the roadies and tech guys and several "hanger's-on".  We were rowdy, and then a couple of fights broke out and things were broken and the guests we woke up were mad and the cops came.  One real big cop with a badge and a gun looked at us and said, "Which one of you losers is the least drunk?"  I looked at the guys and decided it was me.  I told him so.  He said, "Then you", pointing at me, "get in your car - or whatever that thing is" (we rode in a 26 foot long Checker Aerobus), "and get out of my town and don't EVER come back!"  They escorted us to the city limits of Gunnison and turned around as we headed down the road.

Yeah, it's a cool story...I get that.  But I don't share it to sound cool or to glorify playing rock and roll and living out of control and hurting other people and being in trouble with the law.  There was nothing about that lifestyle that helped anyone.  It was 100% self-motivated, self-serving and self-driven loser, and it cost me - and others - dearly. 

My point in sharing that story is to reveal the dramatic difference between darkness and light, between death and life, between a relationship with our heavenly Father through His Son Jesus Christ, and eternal separation from God.  God cleared the rubble from the destruction I wreaked in my own life, took those stones, and put them back together again in a way that glorifies Him.  He took me from dark to light, from death to life, from self-serving to Christ-following.  And he will do the same in your life as you allow Him to.  Give your heart to Christ - without reservation - and watch as he creates in you a BRAND NEW spirit.  A new life.  

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.  2 Corinthians 5:17

       

GUEST BLOGGER: Dave Clark (Prophet/Mystic/Cajun)

This is the first in a series of regular guest blog posts from my friend Dave Clark.  No editing.  No disclaimer.  - Gene

Recently, Pastor Gene spoke in church and said something like “I love you gay person (or struggler with pornography or alcoholic, or whatever), not because I hope you one day won’t be gay, but because I love you”. In doing so he truly represented the heart of God. This understanding is vital because we must come to know in our innermost heart that God is saying; “I love you person who ____________ (fill in the blank with your own particular torment), not because I hope you one day won’t do that but simply because I love you”. 

In this world everything is ‘performance based’. If you want to do well, study hard. If you want to get paid well, work hard. You see, money is the medium the employer uses to tell you how much she “loves” you. And in our real life love is most often doled out the same way. “I will love you – if you do this or if you don’t do that or if you meet this need of mine.” It goes on forever. And always in our deepest self we think, “If you knew the real me, you wouldn’t love me”. But God already knows the real you. 

Now to my point: I have prayed and anguished so often, ‘Lord, deliver me from_________________’. You have too. We long for: “Victory In Jesus ♪”. And he wants it for us as well. But he wants something even more. He craves for us to know as settled fact deep in our spirit that we are loved now, before we are delivered from whatever plagues us. But some of the things that debilitate us could bring deep shame to us and disrepute to the church if they were exposed. Just look at church scandals. But still, your knowing you are loved is of greater value to him than his (or your) reputation. He has already suffered the shame of the cross. (To get a handle on that, think – What if the faith began in this day? The symbol for it might well be an electric chair instead of a cross.) What else can your shame do to him? God has chosen to suffer for us and with us. That is what real love is. 

I am convinced I will never be fully delivered from my deepest evils until I truly believe with all that is in me that I am loved just like I am. Only then can I be of any use to him…or to you.

Live Like You Were Dialing

Several years ago I had to ride to a nearby town 45 minutes away to pick up some materials.  A guy I worked with rode with me.  He was kind of a big guy.  Getting situated in my truck, he pulled the seatbelt across his barrel-like midsection, and snapped the seatbelt latch into place.  With that simple move, he unleashed a torrent of unintended consequences.

His cell phone was in his back pocket.  To snap the seatbelt in place he had to ease up on one cheek, just enough to perfectly execute a classic butt-dial.  His cell phone called the last number he had previously dialed.  It was his wife's number.

What he could not have known as he spent the next 30 minutes verbally downloading all the things he couldn't stand about his marriage, and his wife (which included some truly unsavory chapters in their life - I should add, NONE of which I wanted to hear), was that when he executed the perfect butt-dial...to his wife...she spent the next 30 minutes listening to everything he said. 

That they are divorced today has far less to do with the butt-dialing episode than the unresolved tensions and conflicts in their relationship.  However, after a conversation about that episode with a friend whom I inadvertantly butt-dialed myself today, I concluded that perhaps you should NEVER say anything aloud, at any time in your life, that you weren't perfectly willing for anyone in your contact list to hear.  He went one better:

Live your life like you're always butt-dialing.

"And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.  the words you say will either acquit you or condemn you".  (Matthew 12:36-37, NLT)   

Sunday Wrap Up (August 21st, 2001)

Last week it was Happy Birthday Crossroads, as we entered our fourth year meeting at the College Cinema each Sunday morning.  Yesterday, it was happy birthday me, as I entered my 52 year of life with so many blessing to be grateful for, so many friendships to be thankful for, and a wonderful church - not just to preach at - but to truly call my home!  Thank you to everyone who made the day special!  Here's a few quick hits from the weekend:

• First Service was rough for me.  I was a little distracted...by the sound of the air conditioner.  Seriously, first service was as light in attendance as it's ever been.  I remember last week doing my best to encourage long-time Crossroads attenders to come to the first service to help make room for first-time guests.  I guess no one got the memo.  Or got it and ignored it.  PLEASE help your church reach people!  Yesterday's second service was packed.  That's awesome, but we really need to spread it around.  I promise you, first service is ROCKIN' when you are there!
• Here's why the last paragraph is important:  Two weeks ago we had 24 first-time guests!  Sunday, we had 17 first-time guests!  I don't know another church our size that has that kind of momentum.  First-time guests are the most important people in the room, and we are PRIVILEGED at Crossroads to have so many!  Please help your church make them feel welcome by ensuring there's somewhere for them to sit.  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• Okay...moving on...here's something really cool that happened Sunday: Steven Carlson proposed marriage to Ivy Mabalot in our lobby and (wait for it)...she said, "YES!"   Congrats Steven and Ivy!!
• Love the Book of Nehemiah.  We'll be in it for the next few weeks.  Dig in and read the first 8 chapters.  We said this Sunday: "God didn't use the people to build a wall, He used the wall to build a people".  God ALWAYS has more in mind than just the physical.  While, using Nehemiah's inspired leadership, God provided for the physical safety, security and success of His people through the restoration of the wall, He also provided a WAY BACK TO HIM that ensured the spiritual renewal of the people He loved so much!  He wants to do the same thing in our lives, too!
• The Apostle Paul understood about building our lives - and the church - ON purpose (Romans 3).  He showed us that "The key to building something that lasts is to build it on the right foundation".  
• Our church is in Enterprise.  The slogan for our town: "CITY OF PROGRESS" is boldly painted on every water tower in town.  Let us BE THE CHURCH in Enterprise that understands: The ultimate purpose of any great undertaking by a City of Progress, should be spiritual renewal!
• Care about the things that God cares about.  Pray for God's help in reaching our city for Christ.

In closing, part of the awesome progress we are comitted to at Crossroads is to make our Children's environments safe, secure and FUN!  We implemented a new check-in procedure on Sunday that had some flaws in it, and caused parents to have to wait longer than usual.  We'll do better next week, but please be patient and understand, we want to provide the safest and most secure environment possible for your children, where they can have fun and learn about Jesus!  Check-in and check-out that works is an important piece of that.  Work with us as we work out the bugs.

Remember also - as we enter our fourth year of being a church - that Crossroads, at times, is like an awkward, pimply-faced teenager.  We're not nearly grown up yet, but we work dilligently at growing every day.  There may be some things along the way that - when compared to a church that's been around for 50 years - make us look like amateurs.  But just like that awkward teen, we're not what we're going to be when we grow up.  And with your help and patience and love for others, Crossroads will grow up to something rare and something beautiful!

Jesus came to save sinners.  Our job is to let people know.

  

WHY INVITE?

I heard one time that Northpoint Church in Atlanta (pastored by Andy Stanley - one of my favorite pastor/teachers), never asked people in their church to INVITE people. Because they never HAD to.  From the beginning, people just got it.  They've ALWAYS invited big.  The passion of those attending Northpoint was fueled by the the really smart things the leadership of the church did to cast vision for reaching un-reached, un-churched people. Some 20,000 a week now attend!

But I also heard that Northpoint launched with well over 1000 people. I also know that Andy is a REALLY smart guy, and (it's worth saying) he is the son of one of the most widely known and respected pastors in America, Charles Stanley.  But that's Northpoint, and that's Andy. It's not Crossroads and it's not Gene or Leslie or Will or Ben or Nic or Chris or any of our awesome staff, leaders or volunteers.  We also didn't start with over 1000 people. We started with 33 people...in my kitchen. And me and Leslie and a few others invited them. Or else they wouldn't have come. Invitations are SO IMPORTANT!

Look, I'm just not that smart.  I mean, not ANDY smart, you know?  So I really need your help, here. I believe that God wants to save people from hell. People that live right here in our community. I believe that God will meet our desire to see to lost come to Christ and our commitment to preach the Gospel with crowds coming through our door.

But I also believe they won't just show up accidentally.  If we're intentional about praying, and studying, and preparing, and preaching, and everything else we do...we must also be intentional about EXTENDING THE INVITATION.  I really believe that the NEXT STEP TOWARDS GOD FOR MANY PEOPLE is through us!  YOU and I must open our hearts, and open our mouths and tell people about Jesus.  I believe with all my heart that one of the BEST things you can do for someone you know, or someone care about, is to INVITE them to come to Crossroads. 

I promise: you get 'em here, we'll preach the Gospel, and together we'll do everything, by the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to lead those people into a life-changing, soul-saving relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ.  What's better than that?

Jesus Christ came to save people.  Our job is to let them know.

Jesus Came to Save Sinners

The Apostle Paul writes to a young Pastor named Timothy that, "Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners".  And Paul uses his own life as an example, calling himself "the worst of them all".  And he said that God had mercy on him, so that Jesus could use him as an example of his great patience with even the worst of sinners.

I LOVE this passage of Scripture, because I can relate to it.  Honestly, I have a hard time relating to people who claim to have it all figured out and all cleaned up.  I always have.  For more than half my life: Jesus, God, the Bible all seemed irrelevant to me, because I thought it was all about being a goody two-shoes, and doing everything right.  I was so aware of every rotten thing I ever did, that I didn't see myself as a person God could possibly be interested in.  I didn't really "fit the mold" of church-going, right-living, decent-minded people. 

Then someone told me that God loving me had nothing to do with anything I had ever done, or ever would do.  That Jesus came to the world for the express purpose of saving self-centered, self-serving, self-absorbed, depraved people just like me.  And then someone told me the story of Paul, and what he said about himself.  And I remember thinking, "If God loved Paul, He could probably love me, too".  

I can relate to Paul.  Even his name change: from Saul.  I was known by another name before I surrendered my life and my will to God, and asked Jesus to be my forgiver and leader.  I haven't been known by that name - or by the lifestyle that characterized that name - since.  But I have continued to make mistakes, and I continue to fall short of God's glorious standard.  Thank God for His mercy and His grace!  The Bible says that it's new every morning.  I can relate to that, because I know how much I need it. 

There's a lot I don't know about a lot of things, but I do know this:  I NEED JESUS EVERY DAY, and so do you.  I also know that if we think we don't, we're likely to be just the kind of Christian that other sinners look at and think, "I'm not good enough to be like them".  What a pity that would be.    

Listen...it's SO IMPORTANT that other people (family, friends, neighbors, co-workers) have a chance to know that God's grace and mercy are for them, REGARDLESS of what they've done.  I am absolutely POSITIVE that one of the biggest roadblocks for people coming to Christ is that they think they're just not "good enough".  No one ever was good enough.  No one but Jesus.  

 

Jesus came to save sinners.  Our job is to let people know.