Coming Trips

So, We are going back to Pass Christian for some awesome Katrina Relief.

My good friends Greg and Ellen will be leading the trip - which at this point is slated for November 4-11. Wanna go? Let me know!

And...

My other good friend, Eric, is taking a team of CrossRoadsians to Haiti to put donated glasses on the poorest of the poor who cannot afford vision correction. I can't wait to hear them read John 3:16 (the final vision test!)

Wanna go? Let me know!

Romans 12

So, I have nothing to share.
Life has been pretty busy as of late.
I've been running meetings and well, just been busy. It's been fun!
So, I have nothing new to add to the GO FACTOR thoughts.

So, chew on this:
Lately I've been reading Romans 12 for my devotions. Every day I read it.
You'd think it'd get boring - au contraire! Each time I read it I see it in a new light and learn awesome truths about God.
Here are a few...

No way Jose'! I'm not telling you! Read it yourself a few days and you'll hear some great things from God, too!

Ha - you almost had me there!

So, happy reading!

In case you're wondering, I'll be reading Romans 12 from now through December 31, and then I'll begin reading Romans 8 every day. But don't look ahead, Stinky, stay with me for Romans 12 until the end of the year. Let's do this together!

Anyone still reading this blog? This may be a good time to check in and say "Keep on writing Crydo..."

Dark Water?

Well, here is McKenna and her two cousins - Katelyn and Aaron. Can I tell you about them?

Katelyn was on my boat the other day, and someone noticed her toe was bleeding. Upon closer inspection, it was because THE GIANT BLOODSUCKER had basically filled himself up and was overflowing! He was still stuck on her toe.

Her mother and I casually mentioned that she had a bloodsucker on her toe, but not to worry, we'll take care of it. (Inside, we were gagging and screaming and running away! But externally, we knew she would be alright, eventually).

Now, all the cousins have to look (and scream!) but her older brother - Aaron - he takes care of business. He jumps into the water, and swims back to shore. He finds the salt and puts it in a ziploc baggy, and then swims back out to the boat, one handed, while he holds the salt up in the air, keeping it dry. The boy is a hero!

We salt the little sucker and eventually it curls up and falls off.

Next morning, in fact all day - where is little Katelyn? She's ankle deep in the muck, catching frogs. Her mother makes it clear that she could get another bloodsucker - but she's not afraid.

SPIRITUAL POINT: This is what God does. When you get into dark water (ever been there? are you there now?) he brings people into your life to have faith for you, even when you don't have it for yourself ("It's going to be alright - I'm here with you!") and he provides a hero. Sometimes God sends an angel of mercy - someone to literally carry you, and sometimes God himself becomes the hero and saves you. Sometimes he is the one who brings the salt and rescues you from harm.

The point? No fear. You do not fear the future - because just as God has been present in the past and just as he is with you today, God is present in the future! You can count on it! So, sure, dark waters will come - but they are not the end of the story - God will save the day!

Joshua 1:9 (NIV) "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Family Fun!

So, while this has nothing to do with the GO factor, I had to post.

This is my daughter and one of her strengths: a love for all things slimy.

No Fear!

Focus

We were challenged like crazy, at the 2007 Leadership Summit.

I'm encouraged about the future, because I will help the GO Factor focus quite a bit. I think that's a good "part two" for us!

Here's what I mean:

Right now, I and the Go Factor team will study the strengths of CrossRoads and try to match up our strengths with a few Go Factor opportunities. I still like the idea of offering a whole bunch of places to encourage people to try, but I want to focus on a few to make a big impact there. I think that will help us GO more effectively.

I was also challenged by a movie dude (writer for Notting Hill and Mr. Bean and the brainchild behind the American Idol Gives Back thing), I think his name was Richard Curtis, anyway - I was challenged to provide hope for kids who have no hope. He made the remark that in one destitute country, "the young girls will trade sex for a sit down meal at McDonalds". The point is, they have no hope, so they won't hold out for the future - basically, because they don't believe they have a future. Well, I want to provide hope for kids -- I wonder how that will be lived out here in the Toledo area. Well, I'm kind of babbling -- but I'm encouraged to help us focus, using our strengths, to make a greater impact.

The Coolest People Ever

Well, here are a few pictures from the Leadership Summit. Of course, we didn't take pic's of the actual meeting time, so there is no proof that we did anything but eat. And eat we did -- wow, the snacks were terrific!

And we also ate at Abuelo's, a cool Mexican/Italian kind of place.

But these people who make up the CrossRoads church - they're the coolest! They love Jesus, and love each other, and love to learn leadership -- what could be better?

They love to learn to "be the church in a better way" -- I love you guys!

Glenn was back for a moment from Sabbatical, and joined us - it was great to see him!

The Summit

Hey dudes and dudettes,

We just finished an amazing time at the Leadership Summit - put on by the Willow Creek Association. We went to the site closest to us - at CedarCreek church in Perrysburg.

Wow - once again, this has been a knock my socks off experience. It's amazing how God brings together the entire summit just for me! It seems like every speaker shared stuff that I needed to hear, I love when God does that!

Last year, the Summit inspired us to begin the "Go Factor" here at CrossRoads - so there is some expectation as to what will come of this years'.

Well, the over riding "theme" seemed to be about corporate vision and ownership. We all have a part to play in the Kingdom - and in hearing from God on how we are to accomplish his mission for us.

I think the most exciting days are ahead of us -- as we "clean up" our focus as a church and march forward arm in arm.

Yay God!

Building a House is Cool!

So, I woke Micah up at 6am and said "We leave at 6:30, so get up!" Micah does not love very much to get up early.

But he did. And paid me back for waking him up: Twice I filled my cup with crystal cold water (on this 95 degree day!) and began drinking -- only to find that Micah had secretly poked a hole or two in the bottom of my cup, and then waited patiently until I got thirsty. He's very funny!

But besides his practical jokes -- he worked his tail off! Way to go, Micah!

Along with the world class building crew (Jim Moline Builders, 2007 Builder of the Year) Micah and I framed a house today. Honestly, the more I do this, the more fun it is! I learn so much each time, and the physical labor is just awesome!

But cooler than that is participating in God's great plan of spreading Kingdom love - of being world changers! I mean, today counted. We worked - not for ourselves, but for others who needed it - we made a difference! Part of God's plan for his people! Thanks God!

We've been working alongside our brothers and sisters from CedarCreek and Calvary Assembly, but of course I'm partial to the family at CrossRoads -- I love you guys!