There are moments in our life whether we want to or not we get disappointed about the way something turned out. At these particular moments we tend to question all the practices that we feel could have caused the outcome we experienced. However, I think the most important factor that we fail to include is the Sovereignty of God. Remembering Jeremiah 29:11 or applying Proverbs 3:5-6. With this we can remind ourselves that what may seem as a disappointment was actually divine. I think it’s safe to say that all of us have had moments in our life, when allowed to look back, we can see this principle applied. So, why don’t you take a second and reflect on your life and see how many of your disappointments were really divine!
Ok, so one of the major lessons God has been teaching me over the past couple of weeks is that I can’t do this….. ALONE! This is one of those lesson you talk about all the time and sound great in discussion or teaching but is much different when you actually do it. The reason for this is it is our nature to try to accomplish everything on our own, and even though we may say with our mouth we want God to be in control our actions often times say otherwise.
One of the scriptures that has been resounding in my heart is: Zechariah 4:6 ”Not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.” Notice is says by My Spirit, not by my abilities,or creative gifts, or anything I can contribute, only by His Spirit. No matter how hard I try or how well I plan if you take out the key component in that equation, then you have a recipe for disaster. Don’t get me wrong I do believe you need to prepare, but when your preparation begins to supersede your prayer life and dependence on God you need to step back evaluate what your purpose is.
One thing I have learned and know for sure from this point on, prayer is going to be a priority at The Crossing and in my personal life. I will have a commitment to and dependance on seeking God and giving Him total control.
What in the world it has been over a month since I posted last?!!?!! I guess this seems to be a reoccurring scenario for me, but I did say to bear with me when I first started this journey. Let’s just say I was on a blog fast like others have said that way I don’t feel guilty or anything. HA!
Well a lot has gone on since the last post, God is doing great things, since we began we have had 24 people make a commitment to Christ isn’t that awesome, we are also moving locations beginning this Sunday. We are grateful to the school for allowing us to meet there but it was costing us $922 a WEEK!, and to put it lightly that is a little to high for us at this point, but we know that all things happen for a reason and we believe we were supposed to be there for the short time we were.
Beginning this Sunday we are moving to a Kids R Kids day care in west Frisco on the corner of Main and Teel St. We are excited about the opportunity to use this facility as we continue to and let God change the lives of the people in this area. We have learned as in every facet of life there are seasons and times when you need to shift to move to the next level God has for you, and that is simply what we are doing. The most awesome thing about the church of Christ is that we are not confined to a building but we are the church, and the bible is clear that when two or more people meet together in the name of Jesus Christ he is with them as well. Let’s continue to pray and watch God do incredible things, See ya on Sunday!
The other day I had the privilege of taking Gracie Belle to dance class. She started dance a couple of months ago because her Aunt Jo Jo and Aunt Mae Mae wanted to get her that for Christmas. Man, is it a sight to see, it absolutely cracks me up to see 3 and 4 year old girls running around trying to be a ballerina and tap dancer.
Well, when Gracie first started they had to order her tap shoes in because they didn’t have her size, and every week they’ve gone the order still hadn’t come in. Gracie would always ask if they would be in the next week and Mandy would say “I sure hope so!” On Monday when I took her the order was supposed to be in and Gracie was excited. We got there early and they took us to the back to try on the pair she had ordered but unfortunelty they didn’t fit, she then tried on a number of different pair but still no luck. The instructor told her she had another shipment at her house and would bring them next week for her to try on. As we walked out of the room Gracie was disappointed and said “Daddy, they still don’t have my shoes in yet.” I then told her how the order was in they were just the wrong size, and how they should have them here next week and then she’ll have them, she looked up at me and said “I sure hope so.” I laughed and went on with the practice.
Later on that night I was telling Mandy about and she fell out laughing and said that is what she has been telling Gracie every week. We then reflected on the number of words and phrases that Gracie uses just like her mother. She basically talks just like her mom because she spends so much time with her. As I sat and thought about this it amazed me how simple yet profound this was. Who do you spend the most time with? Do you talk like them? Is it a good thing or a bad thing that you spend that much time with them? What if we spent the majority of our time with God and in His word? Would it impact us, just a thought? Why don’t you take just a few moments of your time right now and examine what you are saying.
Well you’ve heard me say how we exist so that people can become fully committed to Christ but what does that look like, how do we make that happen, well here is what we talked about on Sunday, and what it looks like at here at The Crossing to be fully committed to Christ.
Growth- First understanding that a commitment to Christ is something that is more than a prayer it’s a lifestyle. It means that you will seek to know God and His word while developing relationships with people who need a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Gifts- Every person has been given gifts to help others and serve God. At The Crossing, we want to put our faith into action by volunteering our time to help others become fully committed to Christ. In this we challenge everyone who attends The Crossing to serve in a way that meshes with gifts both on Sunday and during the week in the community. When each of us fulfill our role, we become much more effective as a church in sharing God’s message of love and hope.
Giving- Jesus said: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” As a follower of Christ and someone who calls The Crossing Church their home, giving back to God at least 10% of our income is honoring God by following a biblical principle. Giving should be out of love, not pressure. Beyond the 10% tithe, giving generously and investing in others in need is a sign of where our heart is with trusting God and allows God to bring order to our financial situation.
Groups- Life can be both exciting and difficult, and we all need others to stand and walk with us in our journey. Plus, don’t others make life more fun? Living for God was never intended to be done alone; God built us for relationships. Groups are where authentic relationships occur and your needs can be met through accountability and care.
Controversy, this seems to be a word that so many of us have learned to hate and rightfully so since in our world today we tend to be more concerned with how we are viewed instead of who we are and what is right. Yet, is controversy always bad? Not necessarily. James said in chapter 1 to be happy when you face controversy and trials because it will only make you stronger.
You never know where controversy will come from and many times it comes from the least likely and unexpected places but, you always know who the source is. It’s not the person stirring the pot it’s the one who started the pot. (the devil) So, if that’s the case and it is, (1 Peter 5:8) think of it like this, if you’re a Christ Follower, EXPECT CONTROVESY, at leas you should hope so. If you look at it in that light controversy is not always a bad thing.
I love the story in Nehemiahwhere he is rebuilding the wall and Sandballot comes and trys to distract him so he can kill him and stop the wall from being built, but Nehemiah recognizes the ploy and simply says “I’m doing a great work and I can not come down.” If we would just see how controversy has a major way of shifting our focus from what is important to ridiculous distractions we would save our selves a lot of worrying and valuable wasted time.
So, the next time you hear some saying something about you or challenging you in anyway, put a smile on your face, recognize the enemy (no not them), relax and know you must be doing something right.
P.S. Steven Furtick had a great post on this last week.
Remember when I started this blog back in June, I mentioned how you would need to bear with me as I begin this journey. Well, I guess this has been one of those moments, sorry for such a long pause in the posts, it must be that crazy thing called life! Imagine that, life actually being busy? It’s amazing how priorities are always apart of your life no matter where you turn. Whether you like it or not you prioritize things simply by your actions and the truth is the tyranny of the urgent is what usually gets done instead of the things that are important to you.
In the 1800’s there was an italian philospher named Pareto who introduced the 80/20 principle, which basically states that 80% (the action) of everything you do is fueled from the 20% you spend your time on (the focus) and if you concentrate on the 20 % then everything else will fall into place. If you really look at your life it’s pretty incredible how much this applies. Think about it what are the top two things in your life? Do they receive 80% of your time? If not what would happen if they did? What if you prioritized your life instead of letting life prioritize you? I guess Jesus was trying to clue us in when he said in Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Here’s a link to a blog I follow by Pastor Steven Furtick called Provison for Weakness. It’s an incredible thought based on Proverbs 30:26. You should definetly take the time to read it, I promise it will challenge you.
Just think what life would be like if we actually lived it the way God intended us to, placing margin in our life to prepare for the trials and obstacles we face. I believe Paul nailed and was trying to send a message when he talked about this in Ephesians 6. I guess the saying is true “Knowing without Doing is Nothing”.
Nearly two years ago Mandy came to me telling me about one of her crazy dreams. If you know Mandy this is nothing unusual. I think that every time she dreams, it is some off the wall hard to understand story. In this particular dream it was about the roller coaster MR. FREEZE at Six Flags. She dreamed that we were waiting in line to get on the ride and just about the time we were to get on it the conductor got on the loud speaker and said that due to techincall difficulties they are suspending the ride at this time. So, we then left to go ride another ride, as we walked out of the building we notice the ride going again, but just as it got to the top where it stops before it goes backwards, it got stuck. If that’s not bad enough, about that time an airplane was out of control and about to take the tower of Mr Freeze out, so in utter panic and fear people started jumping out of the carts in hope of saving thier lives. She also pointed out how we were supposed to be on that train, but we left when they had difficulties. (Believe my I know that is a bit crazy, but I warned you at the begining that’s how they normally are.)
Now, fast forward to Wednesday, July 16th. Mandy and I are at Six Flags celebrating our anniversary and the first thing she says is “you know I don’t want to ride Mr Freeze”. I respond with the typical answer, Why? She said because of my dream, I then told her how crazy she was and how she needed to get over it emphasizing it was only a dream. After some convincing she relented and we got in line for Mr Freeze. As we waited she was not very talkative, except to point out how nervous she was. Finally, we got up to the front of the line, ready to get on the train, and Mandy starts to pray, yes pray! “God if we are not supposed to get on this ride make that conductor stop this because of technical difficuties. The train moves into position ready to shoot out like a cannon just like it always does, and then theres a delay. We wait, and wait, then the conductor comes on the loud speaker and says? Yep, you guessed it technical difficulites, as a matter of fact the same spill that she dreamed. Needless to say that was a total conformation for her and we were out of there, never to ride the Mr. Freeze again!
Thankfully the rest of her dream did not come to pass, but it does make you wonder why things happen like that sometimes. The truth is God is all knowing and cares for everything you do, even the littlest details. So, don’t take for granted the next time you feel that gut feeling or little small voice, take a step back, asses the situation, maybe there’s a lesson to be learned.
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Technology, you love it or hate it. Most of the time I love it, but there are cases such like the one that happened last night that make me hate it. I was going to go to the store for Mandy and just as I was reaching for my keys, I bumped my phone which happened to be sitting on the bar and it fell into the dish water in the sink. Did you know that Moto Q phones can’t float and are not water proof? I mean what can we expect, right? They can retrieve email, carry all your contacts, access the Internet, take pictures, play songs, send text messages, oh and they can actually call someone as well. It’s amazing what all they can do, but I can promise that floating in water or anything to do with water is not one of them. So, after this unintended experiment of mine I now have a phone that can only operate as a phone, because the screen went out. Technology, gotta love it! Right???