Sunday Rewind

Can you believe that I haven’t logged in to the blog in five days?  It’s true….I’ve stayed away and I did it on purpose.

This week has really been one of transition.  It’s been about moving from one place to the next in my life and part of this adjustment meant staying away from the blog and it meant taking today off.

Rhett and I talked on Wednesday and even though we were continuing our Pursuit series, I thought that it would be a good idea to take a break or pause….so that is what we did.

When Rhett and I were talking on Wednesday we knew that we had an amazing group of musicians who were on the schedule for Sunday so I just said, “It’s all yours, I’m just going to worship like everyone else so I am going to leave it up to you!” So that is exactly what we did.

Today was an amazing time of worship and its pretty easy for me to say that we made the right move.  I’ve heard from so many of you already and its only three o’clock in the afternoon on Sunday.  I love it when God shows up and moves in the lives of people.

Here are a few things that I noticed from today:

• It was great being able to see so many of you at the door.  Many times I have to be down front and I miss those that come in late…..today I was able to talk with many of you and I loved it!
  
• As I expected, Rhett and the band did an amazing job.  It always makes me feel good when I can turn the stage over and not have to worry.  Thanks guys for an amazing job!
• Phil and his “host team” did a great job!  I was really see the new additions to Phil’s team…..are you serving?
  
• I was just glad that it didn’t rain or snow today…can you believe that it has either rained or snowed all of the last four Sunday’s!
  
• It was good to see some of our regular’s back!

I’m going to keep it short today…..enjoy the Super Bowl!

Sunday Rewind

I usually arrive at the church very early on Sunday mornings.  This past Sunday wasn’t any different.  On my drive in it was pouring rain.  My first thought was that this is going to be a tough day for people to get up.  I mean let’s face it, when it’s raining….it’s so easy to stay in the bed.

Well the first service was a little light.  But the second one was great and the third was good too.  It certainly goes to show that you can’t figure this thing out.  When you think its going to be one way it’s the other……I’m going to give up trying to figure it out and just roll with it.

Here are a few things I noticed from Sunday:

• The highlight of my Sunday is hearing from people about their participation in the “31 Day Challenge”.  Someone walked up to me on Sunday and said it pretty clearly, “Proverbs is kicking my butt”!  I loved the honesty that they were able to share and how it was impacting their life.
• Thanks to Tim Stockton and his team of volunteers!
• Once again, I saw so many people who were visiting.  It’s always a highlight of my Sunday when I get to talk with them and hear some of what is actually happening in their lives….
• It was great to see a couple of our regulars who were back in attendance after being gone for a few weeks.
• A few exciting things that I’ve had on my mind and looking like they are going to happen.
• I realize every Sunday how much work we still have in front of us….and that’s a good thing.
• Even with it raining I was so impressed that many of you took the time to park further away so that our closest spaces would be open for our visitors.
• It seems that many of you have been sharing about “Pursuit” with those around you….keep inviting them.

That’s about all for now…gotta go and clean some toilets!

2009 In Review (Part II)

Looking back on 2009 has been interesting.

I was talking with a friend on Wednesday and as we talked we realized how this past year had really been a year of change.  It wasn’t always the change that we wanted or had hoped for, but it was in fact a year of change.

Now as I think about change, it brings to mind something that happened more this year than I can ever remember.  As most of you know, we try to schedule things out several months in advance.  With graphics needing to be designed, printing needing to be done and all of the other things that go with our teaching series, we simply have to be out several weeks or months in order for things to be done in a timely matter.

Well 2009 was a year that God changed things up.  As a matter of fact, most of what we planned for 2009 was either scrapped or moved because I sensed that God was wanting to say something a little more important than what we had planned.

Now if you put yourself in my shoes, this can be a nightmare!  I can remember more than once that God waited until the last-minute to let me in on the direction he wanted to go and that my friends is scary! 

But being able to hear him and what he was saying was so important.  The reason I know that is because of the feedback that you guys gave us as we followed him.  Our series this past year have really hit home with many of you and that’s simply because we stopped, listened and then went in the direction that we felt God wanted to go.

We will still plan, as a matter of fact we have all of 2010 planned out.  But if God wants to stop somewhere along the way and go in a different direction…..that’s what we’re going to do!

2009 In Review (Part 1)

It’s really hard for me to believe that we are closing out another year.  Truthfully it seems that we just opened our doors at Crossroads a few months ago. 

But as the end of the year is here, I thought it would be a great opportunity to recap some of the great and not so great things that have been a part of 2009.

First of all, I would like to say that this year has been so much better than I really anticipated it would be.  Did everything work out like I had hoped?  No, but it was a year that exceeded my wildest expectiations in many areas.

One of the most notable things that I’ve seen from where I sit is the fruit that is starting to show up.  Many of you may remember how I talked about being faithful and trusting God for the fruit.  Well we are starting to see some fruit and I think that is going to continue as long as we are faithful with the mission and vision that God has given us.  Seeing the fruit is evidence that our faithfulness is paying off in ways that we have believed that it would.

One of the other exciting things that happened during this past year is the acquisition of the space that is between our current space and Intrigue Athletics.  During this past year we actually started getting that space ready for construction.  As you know that is all going to be a part of our family ministry and we are in need of more space in a bad way.  Early in 2010 you will see construction on that space speed up.  We need your help.  We need you to get involved financially so that we can get into that space soon.

One of the biggest things that I think helped make a difference in 2009 was our service time change.  I know for some of you it was an adjustment but I believe that we are going to reap big benefits from this time change in the coming year.

We had great crowds throughout the year.  We set records on Easter and during our Christmas Eve services, but if there is any area that I think we have slacked off in, it would be the area of inviting.  It’s funny how we can really get comfortable with the way things are and then we begin to not be so concerned about those outside of our walls.  If there is anything that I’m praying, its that God places a burning desire in all of us for those who do not attend church and are far from him.  If we make that our priority then we will not be able to seat everyone. 

Please be praying about 2010 and all that God wants to do in our church.

I’ll be posting more on the “year in review” later…..

Sunday Rewind

Sunday’s always are my favorite day.  Yes, it comes around every seven days, but I love getting to see the people who make it happen every week and then I love meeting new people.  This past Sunday was no exception.

We have lots of people who check out Crossroads every week and its so exciting to hear their story’s.  Many of these people come to check us out because of what they hear from you guys.  They know about us because you’ve told them its a place that you love and its where you feel comfortable learning and growing in your walk with Jesus Christ.

Here are a few things I noticed from this past Sunday”

• What great weather we had!  Man, this weather makes me love July!
• As I said earlier, I got to meet some more new people, people who were checking us out!
• Thanks to you guys who jumped in and helped with all of the volunteer needs!
• Good to see someone I visited in the hospital earlier this week….amazing that they were out and at church.
• Thanks again for  your comments!
• Thanks to those who give faithfully each week….we need more of you to jump in and be a part of what God is doing by giving on a regular basis.
• Why is it that when my microphone doesn’t work, it throws me all off?
• Lot’s of comments about the “red teddy”!
• We missed our students who are off on their “World Changer’s” trip.  We will be looking forward to having them back next Sunday and I know that many of them are going to be glad to be back…..kinda figure that some of them are going to be really tired from working in St. Louis all week.
• Keep inviting.  As school gets back many people are looking to get back in church.  Take the time and invite someone today.

That’s about it for now!

Looking back on 2008

The next couple of days are going to be bitter/sweet for me.

2008 has been an amazing year and it’s one that I really hate to see come to an end.  During 2008 we have seen God do some amazing things at Crossroads and for all of those I am truly thankful.

Many of you started attending Crossroads during 2008 and some of you had been here only a short time before that.

Over the next couple of days I am going to try and reflect on some of the things that I’ve seen us do right and some of the things I know we are going to have to improve on.

Stay tuned……I will be posting off and on during the next two days.

Sunday Rewind

Well it was week three of our current series “Epoh” and week two of our new service schedule, which just in case you have been under a rock includes that addition of the 12:30 p.m. service.

It was another good Sunday at Crossroads to say the least.  Saying things were good is something I say quite often and that is how thankful I am to serve along several good people. 

It’s always the volunteers who make it happen each week and for those of you who are dependable and serve faithfully I want to say “thank you”.  You are going to be the difference in eternity for many people.  And for those who are not serving, you should be.  You are missing an amazing opportunity to be a part of what God is doing at Crossroads and more importantly what he’s doing in our city and our world.

Sunday was full of great stuff.  I had the opportunity to meet several new people who were first timers at Crossroads.  I also had the opportunity of talking to people who are making the switch from the 11am service to the 9 am so that we have seats for our visitors in the 11 am service.

Like I said, this was week two of our addition of a third service and we had more in attendance this week.  It’s always great when you are moving forward and this service seems to be headed in the right direction.  Just remember to continue to let others know about our third service and over the next couple of weeks we will have some invites for you to hand out for our Christmas series.

Here are a few things that stood out to me on Sunday:

• I love it when people realize the importance of others….I am proud of you guys that are making the switch out of the 11 am service so that we have room for our visitors.  Thank you!
• I love hearing kids tell their parents they want to come back next week!
• Lot’s of coffee served this past Sunday!
• Great job by the band
• We actually did a good job of staying on time.
• God moved in a big way during the second service.
• Several of you have signed up for community groups…..that is something you don’t want to miss out on.

Celebrating 2 years (part 1)

It’s really hard for me to believe that on Wednesday night we celebrated our second anniversary. It actually seems like its been just a few months…..how time flies when you’re having fun! Really!

The past two years have been a great time for the people that God brought together around an amazing vision. It’s been an amazing time but it hasn’t always been easy.

One of the things that stands out so clearly to me was the day that I knew perfectly clear that God was calling me to lead a new church. I immediately said, “I can’t do that…..I’m not qualified.” But God doesn’t give up as easily as we do. He just kept on ringing my bell until I finally realized that this was something that I didn’t want to miss out on.

Think about all the times in your life that you’ve had God calling you to do something. How many times did you feel that you weren’t qualified or they’re was some sin in your past that would keep you from moving ahead? We’ve all been there and for many of us, it’s things like this that stop us from followingGod to the place he wants to take us.

Crossroads is an amazing church full of amazing people. Over the next few days I am going to try and share with you some of my journey. It’s been amazing!

I’d love to hear how God has used Crossroads in your life?