Hey what if you went to church and were met by this preacher’s wife?
Mike got this one of Ginger a few weeks ago. Couldn’t help but share it on my blog. Yeah, I’ll probably get in trouble, but it’s worth it.
"Surprise! I'm taking a picture of you sitting there looking busy!"
Greetings Friends,
Crossroads is happy to welcome and announce the arrival of our summer ministry intern – Elizabeth Frazier from East Peoria, IL. She is a student at the Univeristy of Illinois and will begin her Senior year this fall continuing her major in psychology. Make sure you welcome her aboard when you get a chance. Also, Elizabeth has set up her own blog at 4Christ914.blogspot.com to write about her CCC experiences and share with us this summer. I’ll be putting a link to it on our home page relatively soon. We look forward to a great summer with Elizabeth.
I really appreciate the encouragement that so many of you have given me concerning the most recent sermon series on Equipped in Ephesus. It has been a joy for me to share these sermons as the Spirit leads us to a better understanding of what it means to be “equipped” for ministry.
By the way – I want to wish the Keele family (my family) a happy second anniversary. No – not wedding anniversary. Officially, this Sunday, Ginger and I start our third year at CCC! Wow! Of course – Savannah can’t celebrate a second anniversary – but we’ll let her tag along for the ride! Thanks to you CCC for putting up with the Keele clan for 2 whole years! We look forward to building more and bigger and better relationships with you all still. As I have said before – I believe the best is yet to come!
God bless and have a great week!
Lord, an intercessory prayer for self. May I examine all that is “me” – both within and without. May I lay all on the altar of sacrifice to you. Father, in obedience to the greatest of all commands I give you.
Lord, I lay the influence of my life at your feet as well. I give to you the influce I have with my family, my co-workers and my friends. May I lead others to give themselves to you that we may in unity become instruments of your kingdom. May we all give our pursuits, our ministries, our methodologies, our time together, our time alone, all to you.
May we be bold enough to ask: “What must be given up? What must be pursued? Where does our God want us to go? What does he want us to be?”
Father let no material thing or earthly methodology be so sacred to us that we would not leave it behind at your request.
We lay everything on the alter of sacrifice – without fear – with faith that you will provide every good thing for us according to your love, your mercy and your divine abundance!
In Jesus Name. . .
While the luggage we bring with us varies from person to person, and our journies begin from roads and places all over the geographical and spiritual map, God has eternally been calling each of us and leading us all to the ONE road. It is the road that leads us to the ONE place He desires us all to reach and experience in our own ways. It is the road to of the cross.
It is here on this ONE road that our lives converge. We, who reside at the foot of the cross, find unity here. Together we stand, or kneel, wide-eyed and open mouthed before the horror, the majesty, and yes, even the beauty of the cross. It is our mission now to walk this Cross Road and to call others to join us in this calling.
While the road leads us to the cross – it is not the cross itself that is the object of our wonder or the point of our journey. The cross, as such, merely represents the culmination of the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. It is not the end of the road for our Savior. Rather, it is a symbol of his comprehensive willingness to die to self for the sake of the Father – and then move on.
So here at the foot of the cross we are struck by its vacancy. There is no body on the cross. The empty cross points then, to the tomb. There is no body in the tomb either. The empty cross, to the empty tomb – all points to a risen savior. A savior not whom we once served, but whom we still serve. As the earthly ministry of the Christ ended with a glorified savior now exalted to the right hand of God – so our earthly ministries will end in Sabbath rest. The Cross Road leads us first to self-denial or death to self that we may take up our own cross daily. Dying to self, then, leads to the remarkable truth that we we still wait for the redemption of our bodies – we are by faith raised with him and seated with him in the heavenly places.
Ultimately our tombs are also destined for abandonment. At that moment, at last, God who brought Jesus from his tomb will bring us from ours – preserving us body soul and spirit ont he day of his appearing. And there will end the Cross Road.
Thus is our journey.
I needed a blogspot that was tied to gmail instead of my yahoo address. So it here is.
Today is recognized by believers as the National Day of Prayer. I know. I know. “What only a day of fasting?”
But at Crossroads, we opened up our building for a 24 hour prayer vigil. Crossroads members were invited to come and join in prayer for the vision of our church and our future in the community. I love that we do this not because things are bad, but because they are good and only getting better. Sure we have the occasional road bump, but life feels really good at CCC right now.
I spent most of the day here – starting at midnight – now 10:24 pm. (almost 24 hours). I admit I took a couple of cat naps.
Anyway – I spent today praying about the future of our church and seeking God’s direction through Scripture, meditation, and collective praying. Our expectation is that God will lay some things on our hearts that will give us direction for the future.
Can’t wait to see where we’re headed.
One thing I’ve learned about hitting bumps on the journey. You might have to stop to check the tires or the alignment along the way, but you don’t change course or cancel the trip. Keep on going!
– Post From My iPod Touch
My initial reaction to the workshop is this: I’m tired! More later.
– Post From My iPod Touch
Church, how might God, through us, place a mission in Washington D.C. that is specifically designed and geared toward making a difference in the lives of the politicians that are governing our country. Do you see the relevance of such a thing? If not, why not?
Hey all,
Crossroads has recently started Twittering. Check it out.
www.twitter.com/ccchutch
Hope you had a great Easter Sunday.
