Disciple-Making Pastor's Plan

I used to assume Jesus didn’t have a plan for his life and ministry and that he was just “free-styling” it. Maybe you’ve thought that as well? Was Jesus just living day by day? Was he driven by pressure or priority? Was he telling his time where it ought to go, or was he letting everyone else tell his time where it ought to go? I feel that it is unlikely that Jesus started the greatest movement in history in just three years with no method or strategy.

How do we know that Jesus was living by a plan? How do we know that Jesus wasn’t just reacting to whatever set of circumstances or needs came his way? There are several references in the Bible that show us how Jesus lived by a plan. Let’s take a closer look.

Jesus knew his mission! One of the ways we know Jesus had a plan is because Jesus was on a mission. Jesus was on “assignment” during His days on the planet. He came to make redemption possible and to start a movement of messengers of redemption. In John 17:4 we see that Jesus completed his mission: “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.” Jesus had a mission, and he had a plan to accomplish it.

Jesus knew the objectives for his mission! Jesus knew that in order to accomplish his mission, he had to fulfill the objective of building a team of disciples to carry on the movement after he left. For three years, Jesus was equipping and training these disciples to lead his Church. The objectives Jesus lived by were determined by what it took to accomplish his mission. It was easy to know what to do and not do because he knew what was required to make disciples of all nations.

Jesus made daily decisions that were aligned with his objectives! Where Jesus went, what he did, and who he made time for were all determined by the objectives that allowed him to fulfill his mission. Jesus knew his daily agenda would end up leading Him to the place he wanted to be. Each day, Jesus was living proactively based on what his Father was leading him to do. Jesus led a strategic and intentional life.

Are you living by a plan or by pressure? Are you telling your time where it should go or is someone else? Do you have a clear mission, clear objectives for accomplishing your mission, and a daily agenda that gets you there?

Some Days

Acts 9:19b, “For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.”

Acts chapter nine gives us the account of Saul’s (also named Paul) conversion to Christ. Shortly after his conversion, the Bible says he spent “some days” with the very disciples he had come to Damascus to persecute and imprison. Isn’t that a twist of events?

We don’t know precisely how long these “some days” were, but we know they were critical in Paul’s first steps as a new Christ follower. I don’t think we can overestimate how important these first days and these initial relationships were in Paul’s development and spiritual growth as a disciple. This fellowship of believers and the influence of Ananias had a profound impact on Paul’s spiritual journey.

It would seem that Paul’s relationship with these believers in Damascus had a great deal to do with his commitment to baptism, his new understanding of the gospel, and his desire to go out and preach his newfound faith. This group of believers in Damascus had a powerful investment in the man who would eventually write half the New Testament and plant churches around the Mediterranean region.

The impact of these “some days” in Paul’s life drives home the need for some days in my life. I need to be in an environment with other believers to help me strengthen my faith. I need fellow believers who will encourage me, challenge me, grow with me, pray for me, and do ministry with me. For me, “some days” is for the rest of my days. There will never be a time when I don’t need the community of believers to surround me and help me be the disciple that Jesus wants me to be.

I hope you have committed to spending “some days” with a group of disciples. If you haven’t, I strongly encourage you to find a group that will make you better and stronger after you are with them.

In Acts 9:20, God’s Word says, “And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues.” Paul’s actions indicate the impact spending time with other disciples had on him. Paul accomplished more for God because he grew in his faith by being in the right environment. Just think how differently Paul’s life might have turned out if he had not had the influence of these other disciples in his early days as a Christ-follower.

Week Five: Hope

Today is Christmas Eve...the wait is over! This has to be my favorite day of the year. I love spending the day at church celebrating the birth of Jesus! After the last service, it’s family time. We will sit together in front of the tree with coffee and cocoa, open a Christmas Eve gift and reflect on the Christmas Story.

We loved spending Girls Night Out with you. It was such a sweet time together! One of the songs we sang, “O Holy Night,” reflects on the night Jesus was born. I thought it would be wonderful to take some time today and think about what that night was like. Before we do, take a moment and read Luke 2:1-20. 

It was a holy night…a night like no other mankind had ever seen. It was a night filled with wonder and amazement…majesty and awe. God’s greatest gift, the long-awaited Promise, had finally arrived. 

Bethlehem, a city in chaos…crowded streets…weary travelers. Mary and Joseph desperate for a place to stay, but there was no room to be found. Can you imagine the fear, frustration and panic Mary felt as the pains of labor swept in? Her mind must have been spinning with questions: Where will the baby be born? A stable? With the animals? Are you kidding me!?! The truth is God’s only Son was born in a stable surrounded by animals. 

Shepherds were called. Kings were drawn. The angels proclaimed His arrival and the brightest star took its place above the town to mark the spot where He lay. A baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger…a simple trough filled with hay to hold Him. God’s only Son… the long awaited one…Jesus…born in Bethlehem. You shall call him Emmanuel – God with us. Yes. It was a holy night…it was the night of our dear Savior’s birth. 

A thrill of HOPE, the weary world rejoices. On this night the world rejoiced, because the world was given JOY. On this night the world was given PEACE. On this night the world was given LOVE and, on this night, the world was given HOPE. It all came wrapped in a precious bundle…a baby who came to be our Savior…Jesus Christ the Lord! Do you remember what He was to be called? Emmanuel…God with us. Yes, it was a holy night, but it doesn’t end there. He lived. He died, and He rose to life! So, we aren’t just celebrating what was. We’re celebrating what is. Right here…right now…today! Jesus is still Emmanuel, and God is still with us!

Jesus brought JOY and PEACE to a weary world desperate for relief. Are you weary? Whatever you are yearning for find it in the Savior. He brought LOVE to a harsh world filled with indifference. Do you feel loved and valued? Find it in the Savior. He brought HOPE to a broken world desperate for healing. Have you lost hope? Find it in the Savior. He brought salvation to a world that was desperate for redemption. Do you need salvation? Find it in the Savior! He is HERE! Emmanuel, God is with us. 

Let’s declare Christmas as an “O Holy Night” because Jesus is still giving HOPE… He is still giving PEACE…JOY…LOVE, and He is still the Savior of the world! Don’t miss the holiness of this night. Call on the Savior! You see all who call on Him can boldly proclaim, “He is our HOPE! He is our PEACE, and He is our SAVIOR!” Our hearts rejoice because of who HE is, what HE has done and what HE is still doing. Jesus is worthy of our praise. Never forget…He is here. Emmanuel, God is with us. Let all within us praise His holy name. 

Take time to praise God for the amazing gift we have in Jesus.

Some great ways to do that would be attend a Christmas Eve service, 

Sing or listen to “O Holy Night,” 

Write in a gratitude journal, or 

Simply pray and let God know how grateful you are.

Week Five: Hope is part of a five-week women’s devotion series written by leaders of Crossroads Women’s Ministry. To find out more about this ministry, visit crossroadsonline.org/womens-ministry.

Week Four: Love

All around the world, the universal language is love. Every tribe, race, religion, culture, and people group “speak” this language. The human heart yearns for love more than any other thing. The theme of love is the message of countless songs, poems, plays, films, books, and artwork because love is the deepest desire of all human beings. In fact, if someone feels unloved or has trouble or loss in this area, it is almost incapacitating. Grief is most often tied to the loss of love and it can be a dark place. But, while loss of love can be truly crippling, finding love is a balm for the soul! 

If Christmas is about anything, it is about LOVE. It is about the GREATEST LOVE of all. Understanding the message of love represented through Christ’s coming to earth can turn a person’s world around. The powerful truth that God’s love is personal and free to all who will receive it has a restorative quality that nothing on this earth can match. In other words, an encounter with God’s love can mend a broken heart and satisfy a lonely soul. ONLY GOD’S LOVE breaks down walls, loosens chains and realigns a fractured identity.

The apostle John describes exactly what this love looks like: 

God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love — not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. (I John 4:9-10)

When you think about  baby Jesus, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger, the true picture you should be focusing on is grown-up Jesus on the cross. He didn’t arrive on earth just to form a small group, teach about the kingdom of God, make the lame walk and give sight to the blind, He actually here came to die. God’s love became visible through the death of Christ on the cross.

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17).

Human love is wonderful but it can never take the place of divine love. God’s love saves us! It saves us emotionally, physically and eternally! 

During this Christmas season, turn your eyes toward the reality of this amazing love and let it wash over you. The reality that you are wanted; you are accepted; you are cherished; you are LOVED!

Week Four: Love is part of a five-week women’s devotion series written by leaders of Crossroads Women’s Ministry. To find out more about this ministry, visit crossroadsonline.org/womens-ministry.

Week Three: Peace

Shalom.

If we were in ancient Israel this is how we would greet one another. It is how we would extend a warm welcome to each other, our neighbors, our family, folks we run into around town - “Shalom.” Interestingly enough, “shalom” is the Hebrew word for “peace” meaning, complete or whole. Therefore we are not merely greeting one another with affection and good will, rather we are offering restoration in peace.

Much of our world today begs the opposite. Nothing about recent days echo any sentiment of “Shalom.” This year alone has riddled us with anxiety, unrest, discord, conflict, and disagreement. It feels like a dark cloud looming over our heads while we wait for the other shoe to drop.

However, there is good news this Christmas season. Shalom, or peace, does not only refer to the absence of conflict, but the presence of something else. The presence of One that restores to wholeness.

Read Isaiah 9:5-7. Now, read it again. What does the last part of verse 6 and first part of verse 7 say? “His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.”

The birth of Jesus Christ was providing the presence of “something else” that was required to achieve Shalom. But He didn’t merely provide peace, Scripture says that His Name is Peace. He is peace, and it’s what He gives to us (John 14:27). Which means, if we are in Christ, we are a people of peace.

In a divisive culture during this Christmas season, may we be known for taking what is broken and restoring it to wholeness; participating in the life of Jesus who, “reconciled to himself all things...making peace by the blood of the cross” (Colossians 1:20). It is only through the Person of Jesus Christ that we can accomplish Shalom - He established peace on earth beginning with His birth, carried out through His life, settled by His death, and secured in His resurrection.

Jesus established peace on earth beginning with His birth, carried out through His life, settled by His death, and secured in His resurrection.

There is no better time to assume the posture of peace than in 2020. This doesn’t mean that we deny or dismiss disagreement or conflict. We don’t compromise truth for harmony. But we model after Jesus, and restore what is broken to wholeness.

Shalom.

Reflect:

1. Where are you needing peace to dwell with you?

2. Does it comfort you to know that peace is not only a feeling, but a Person?

3. Encourage one friend today, through text, note, or phone call, with a word of peace.

Week Two: Joy is part of a five-week women’s devotion series written by leaders of Crossroads Women’s Ministry. To find out more about this ministry, visit crossroadsonline.org/womens-ministry.

Week Two: Joy

Joy. This short, simple word printed on Christmas cards, ornaments, plaques, shirts, plates and almost anything Christmas is possibly the most well-known of all Christmas “words.” Despite its simplicity, the word is anything but simple. Most people equate Joy with happiness, but in truth, joy is much deeper than that. Joy comes from the Greek word “chara” meaning a feeling of inner gladness. In other words, happiness despite what might be happening around us! 

With this definition in mind, isn’t JOY exactly what we need today? If we look around at our world, there are so many circumstances that can make us feel “unhappy.” For many, the holidays themselves are a time of loneliness or deep sadness. The loss of a loved one, financial distress, broken relationships, health worries... can make for a very joyless season. On top of personal melancholy, the state of our country and fear of the future can make us downright depressed! 

We need a deep-down JOY, and this is actually what Christmas is all about. Let’s consider the “first’ Christmas to understand this word more fully. 

Read Luke 2:8-20

Jesus’ birth came after a time of silence in the Jewish nation. God had not spoken for 400 years. His last words were spoken through the prophet Malachai in approximately 430 B.C. and so while many had begun to “forget” about God, the devout continued to study the scriptures waiting patiently for God's promise to be fulfilled. And one starry night in the little town of Bethlehem, the promise came to fruition. The shepherds were the first to learn of the great event proclaimed by angels: 

“I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” 

The good news was that God was no longer silent. The good news was that God had come to earth to reveal himself to man, the long awaited Messiah had finally come: Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Listen carefully, the [a] virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will call his name Immanuel (God with us). (Isaiah 7:14)

The Good News was that man now had direct access to God through Jesus Christ. The Savior would rescue, redeem and restore man’s relationship with God. And for all who trusted in Him, forgiveness, freedom and eternal life would be their destiny. This message was not just for the shepherds or the Jewish people; it was a message for all mankind. The reality of a Savior who would set people free from the bondage of sin, remove their guilt once and for all and reunite them with the Father for all eternity is not just good news, it is the BEST NEWS IN THE WORLD. 

This is, indeed, a reason for GREAT JOY!

No matter what you are experiencing this Christmas season, let the truth about what Jesus’ birth means cause you to “celebrate!” Joy is not based on our circumstances on the outside but rather on what is inside of us. Trust Christ; accept His sacrifice; claim His power and find true JOY!

Week Two: Joy is part of an five-week women’s devotion series written by leaders of Crossroads Women’s Ministry. To find out more about this ministry, visit crossroadsonline.org/womens-ministry.

Week One: Introduction

Have you ever had to wait for something? Not just anything but for that one thing you’ve been longing for? I know I have! 

When I was a child I could not WAIT for Christmas morning to get here. I would wake up and make sure my brother and parents were awake because the waiting was over. It was time for PRESENTS! It felt like my parents would take forever to get ready to go downstairs. Before we could rush down the stairs we would have to sit and wait at the top while my dad went to make sure the coast was clear. We sat there waiting and then finally he would call us down. We would fly downstairs into the living room where the celebration would begin!

One year my father “stumbled across Santa” still putting out our gifts. We heard a crazy commotion and my dad yelling, “Come back! Wait!” We ran in the room as the door slammed shut. We had JUST missed Santa! What?!? How he managed to get away so fast, I’ll never know. If we hadn’t waited at the top of the stairs we would have seen him! 

Am I the only one that hates to wait? Waiting is hard, especially when we’re afraid we might miss the one thing that we really want - no - need. Over 2000 years ago when Jesus was born an entire nation was waiting for him. They had been waiting for generations, and yet, most of them completely missed him. Let’s not let that happen to us this year. Let’s pause in this busy time of year to reflect on this baby, Jesus, born in a manger. God’s Son...given for us all. 

In these devotions, we will embark on a little ADVENTure. Advent is the four weeks leading up to Christmas. It is a time to prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus...our Savior and long-awaited promise. We will journey through scripture to discover some of the incredible gifts God has given to us through Jesus. Gifts that are sitting there just waiting to be unwrapped. Each is a treasure and together they are priceless. We could all use more Joy, Peace, Love and Hope. 

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

How do you need to experience Jesus this year? 

What do you most need? Joy, Peace, Love or Hope? 

Take some time to listen to “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” and reflect on the longing of this song. Are you longing for Jesus?

Week One: Introduction is part of an five-week women’s devotion series written by leaders of Crossroads Women’s Ministry. To find out more about this ministry, visit crossroadsonline.org/womens-ministry.

Be Available and Willing

In January 2020 I had the pleasure of helping lead several other Americans on a trip to Brazil to provide free English courses for Brazilians. During our trip we met at a school Monday through Friday and spent some time prior to the trip in preparation, registering, and interviewing the students to determine their English levels.

Like any mission trip that most have been on, I was nervous ahead of time, especially with this being my first trip teaching English. What did I know about teaching others English?! But God used each of us and replaced the uneasiness with a sense of fulfillment and reward. Just being available and willing is all He expected.

As each day went on, we grew closer to our students as we experienced their joy in learning English. It was quite an experience! We met before and after each of the classes with the students to sing American songs in English and for them to get to know us, their teachers.

On the last day of the group meetings with all of the students, Pastor Ron shared that the most important reason we made the journey was to share the love of Christ. Many accepted Christ on the last day, which made everything worth it.

I had visited Brazil a couple months before our January trip to work on logistics such as finding a school, hotel, transportation, etc. During the school visit, the Principal led our tour with JP (our Brazilian leader/translator/friend) to introduce us to students and to see the school. I took a photo or two with some of the students, sitting next to a girl named Fabryna in one. Well, Fabryna ended up as one of my students during our trip and is one of those who accepted Christ! God had it all planned out!

That’s how God works! Isn't it great when all we do is make ourselves available and God does the rest? When we make ourselves available and willing to do what He has called us to do, we see God working through us and all around us. This may be going on a mission trip or something closer to home.

If you'd like to join our next Brazil mission team or find out more about other mission opportunities, please contact the Global Impact Ministry at Crossroads Church.

Tackling Student Loan Debt

The Bible does not tell us that it is a wrong to borrow or that it is wise. But it also does not tell us that God will bail us out of our debt either. So how do we handle debt?

Debt can fell like a never-ending cycle leaving us feeling stuck. In other words, debt is just a distraction. Jesus wants so much more for our lives. Debt dictates to us what we have to do instead of what we are called to do.

Today, student loans are one of the largest debts that hang over many Americans causing so much unwanted stress in households. Most student loans are multiple loans all wrapped up under one statement. If you don’t know where to begin, breaking down the statement can feel a little overwhelming. Normally we pay the amount the loan provider tells us to. Minimum payments are mostly interest paid to the highest rate loan first then a few dollars to principal.

3 Ways to Tackle Student Loan Debt

Take time to review your budget

Check to see what is left over after all bills are paid so you know how much extra can be used to pay down your debt. 

Review your student loan statement

Write out each loan with the amount owed and the interest rate on that loan. Add this to your budget each month. Keep a focus on what debt you are trying to eliminate. 

Sign into your student loan account online

Each month make the minimum that is asked from the provider. Then with the extra you have in your budget each month set an amount you will use to pay towards the principal to one of the student loans. Start with the smallest loan amount first. This will allow you to see debt decreasing faster which will keep you motivated to eliminate the rest. 

These also work if you are in school and have deferred loans. Your loans are incurring interest daily. Even though you are not receiving a bill each month, you can still sign in to your online portal. Since the loan is deferred, each payment can be applied to principal decreasing interest cost and the amount that you owe. 

Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority. Owe nothing to anyone – except for your obligation to love one another. Romans 13:7-8 (NLT)

No matter what type of debt` you have, these same principles can help you eliminate what you owe. As we make decisions throughout our life God does not want us to trust in our own understanding. Instead He asks for us to lean into Him with reflection and prayer, transforming our hearts so we can change the way we think.

Do you have tips that may help others pay off their student loan debts? Share in the comments!

Resource Transformation

Romans 12:2 (NLT) – Don’t copy the behavior and custom of this world but let God transform you in a new person by changing the way you think. 

Resources are a set of supplies provided by God to help us operate our daily lives. As Christians, this can seem to be a difficult task while trying to be a good steward of these resources.

The dictionary defines resources as a stock or supply of money, materials, staff and other assets that can be drawn on by one person or organization in order to function effectively. The definition does leave out a crucial resource, the giving of time. God truly wants to transform how we see and utilize the supply of resources that He provides. For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, He will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 2 Corinthians 9:10 (NLT)

The question is what steps can we take to be a better steward of these resources? Let’s take a look at four steps to help us think about this in a new way.   

Budget/Plan

It all begins with a plan. We need to know how much income is coming in, what expenses we owe, and be ready for those unexpected bills we might not see coming. An option for getting started is to break up your monthly income into percentages; this will guide how the resources will be utilized. For the main household expenses set aside 50-60% of your monthly income. Use this to pay for rent, mortgage, utilities, food, car note, cell phone, car insurance and student loans. It is possible that your initial percentage of expenses could reach up to 70% of the household income. As you pay down expenses, the percentages will decrease allowing you to shift the budget creating new opportunities for that income.     

Tithing

We all should have a heart to invest in Christ and the Church. It is one action to be faithful in giving 10% of our income to God, but as we deepen our walk with Christ, he also teaches us to share with each other. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 2 Corinthians 9:11 (NLT) Tithing is important to the movement of the Church, but let’s also not forget about two other resources that can help our community. Our time and skills can be donated for the work of the ministry and for building up the body of Christ.    

Retirement 

Retirement may seem like a long time from now and preparing for it may seem like a heavy task. A good plan to reach for is setting back 10% of your income. That might seem like a big stretch today so until you can achieve that, a good starting point could be your employer’s retirement match program. Some companies offer 4-6% match as long as you invest 4-6% into your retirement. It is a great starting point to maximize your retirement planning. Each year you can reassess your budget and determine if you can increase your retirement giving in increments of 1% to help you prepare for the future.   

Reserve/Emergency Savings 

What happens with the other 20-30% of my monthly income? These funds can be set aside for unexpected expense, planning a family trip, supporting a cause that you believe in, paying down debt, an evening out with friends or investing in your education to learn a new skill. Taking these steps to create and review the household budget each month allows you a new perspective of managing your resources. 

Above all, look to God’s plan for budgeting your resources and seek His wisdom in your finances.

Six Ways to Stretch Your Budget

Together we face an unexpected time which can seem unclear and may cause us to rethink or question what we know, especially the way we handle our finances. The world tends to think that money can meet all of our needs. They utilize clever marketing so we keep spending and believing that money can fulfill all of our desires. In reality, truth reminds us that wisdom and money can get you almost anything, but only wisdom can save your life (Ecclesiastes 7:12). Scripture recognizes that money is necessary for survival but warns us against the love for money. God calls us to be content with what He has blessed us with. 

Hebrews 13:5 states, “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’” 

God reminds us in this passage that He is always with us each step of the way. He is like the wind. We cannot physically see the wind, but we can feel the presence of the wind and how it moves around us just like God does in our own lives. As we face Covid-19, we might find ourselves with more time and less income on our hands than what we are used to. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us, “Be thankful in all circumstances, take time to reflect on the good things in your life that God has provided.” The question is, how do we stretch our budget during this time and maximize our resources?

Tips to Stretching Your Budget

1. Budget/Plan

Take a moment to write out a monthly budget. Place all of your bills/expenses on the left-hand side of the page, and on the right-hand side, write your household income. This allows a clear view of where your money is going each month. You can also use a monthly budget app for this task. 

2. Recurring payments

Examine if these payments are still necessary today. It is so easy to overlook recurring payments that we might think were canceled. 

3. Grocery Shopping

Take the time to make a list. Use digital and physical coupons. Anytime you do not have a coupon, consider a similar sale item. You will be surprised by how much you can save. 

4. Are your cell phone and cable bills hogging your finances? 

Today we are using more wifi and streaming options than ever before. Check your cell phone provider to review new plans that are easier on the budget. Great TV alternatives that are budget-friendly are programs like Hulu TV, YouTube, AT&T TV and PlayStation TV. See what fits best with your household. 

5. Mortgage

If you are experiencing a decreased budget due to Covid-19 check with your mortgage company for forbearance options. They have skilled representatives to help you choose which is the right option for your household. Sign into their website for all of the details.

6. Auto Loan or Lease

Contact your loan or leasing company for a deferment option on the vehicle loan. Sign into their website for easier deferment application process. 

What other tips have you found to be helpful in stretching your budget? Share in the comments!

Golden Nuggets from Quarantine

Don’t take this the wrong way, please. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed the changes, interruptions and challenges of quarantine.  

This is not to diminish the pain and trauma that breaks my heart. It is unthinkable the severity of this virus and the toll it is taking on families. It is clearly an overwhelming time for all. 

But that is not what I have enjoyed – it has been seeing God working as He always is. He is not surprised or overwhelmed. He has gently reminded me in my quiet times of all He is doing for me (and you) as He has all our lives. 

I’ve had to figure out how to spend almost all my time at home. You have too. Here’s a verse that resonated with me.

Proverbs 14:14 “The backslider gets bored with himself; the godly man’s life is exciting.”

God is reminding me it’s all about priorities at the start of each new day, whether in routine circumstances or far from routine ones. If God is my first priority, my every day becomes an adventure with endless possibilities. Will I spend more time in His Word? Will I pray for others with renewed passion? Will I ask Him to show me ways to serve and care for others? Will I remember to be thankful? Will I put His agenda for my day first before my own? 

I’ve had to learn new things. I’ll bet you have too. I’m no spring chicken, but God has helped me to embrace change when my human nature really wants to have a knee-jerk response. New ways of communicating, new computer skills, new ways of completing tasks. Change is good and frankly, I needed it.

Keep changing me God! 

Change It Up!

I struggle. I am my own worst enemy. I go straight to my version of the bleak possibilities of the future rather than taking one day at a time. I think “what will I do if this happens” instead of living in the here and now. I overthink everything…or do I…no, I don’t…maybe… If someone doesn’t respond promptly to a text or email that I’ve sent, I automatically wonder what I might have done or said to make them mad at me. I imagine that some of you are reading this and thinking – WOW! I do that, too. 

Matthew 6:34 (ESV) – “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” 

I have found myself having to make certain choices to protect my mental health during this time more than ever. The news is typically on the television at my house every morning and evening so we can keep up with current events. Nowadays, not so much. We all know the situation of this pandemic, but we don’t have to dwell on it by watching and listening to every report. That tends to drag me into a dark hole quicker than anything. 

Philippians 4:8 (ESV) – "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." 

Instead, I find myself reading more, listening to positive and uplifting music, focusing on God’s Word and praying more, intentionally reaching out to people whether by phone calls or notes sent in the mail. That sounds old-fashioned, but who doesn’t love to actually hear another person’s voice or read a thoughtful handwritten note letting you know that you are cared for?

Do something you never have time to do. Get out your paint brushes and capture the beauty that this season has to offer. Cook some of those recipes you’re always too busy to prepare. Start writing that novel you’ve been putting off for years because there’s no time. Play games with your kids. Go outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. Have meaningful conversations with friends and family. Whatever this looks like for you, change it up. 

Genesis 2:18 (ESV) – “Then the LORD God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.’” 

These are very trying times for all of us. Maybe your thoughts get the best of you. Maybe you feel alone and cut off from your people. 

My daughter lives out of state, so we’ve been FaceTiming a lot. This doesn’t replace physically being together, but at least we are staying connected. A friend and I met at our local walking trail earlier this week and enjoyed being together while still maintaining social distancing. That little bit of time spent with her made a huge difference in my day. 

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV) – “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 

No matter what you’re going through or what stage of life you’re in, someone cares about you. Someone thinks you are special. Don’t wait for people to reach out to you. Go ahead and take that step to reach out to them. You never know what that phone call or handwritten note might mean to a person. It might be just what they need to lift their spirits. We can all be the hands and feet of Jesus. 

Change is hard for some. It certainly isn’t easy for me, but we need to understand our circumstances and adapt so that we can do our best to stay mentally healthy. These times are very uncertain and can be scary, but the most important thing to remember is that Jesus is victorious over all of this mess. 

John 16:33 (ESV) – “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” 

If you have never accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life, I pray that today will be that day. Don’t get me wrong. This doesn’t mean that you will not experience trouble, but you will have a peace and joy like you’ve never known. 

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV) – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

More Than a Building

I remember lacing my fingers together into a giant fist as a little girl and saying a little rhyme. “Here’s the church, here’s the steeple” (stick index fingers up to make a steeple). “Open the doors and see all the people” (we would move our thumbs and wiggle our little fingers). “Close the doors and hear them pray” (close your thumbs and lean in to listen). “Open the doors and they all walk away” (break your hands apart and wiggle fingers as the “people” walk away). When you think about “going to church”, what comes to mind? Do you picture a place or an activity? Do you see the faces of people? I think many times when we even hear the word church we automatically default to an image of a building. We may even think of the activities that happen inside that building like the elements of a service…the things that happen on the platform…singing…preaching…praying. Is that all that is meant by church? 

For many the last couple of weeks have forced us to think differently about what the word “church” really means. Church is so much more than a building. It is even more that the things we do inside those buildings. The The Apostle Paul describes the church as The Body of Christ. He goes on to clarify that the church is people. Specifically people who believe in Christ and have received salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. We see an incredible picture of the Church as a community of believers in the book of Acts 

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to the breaking of bread and to prayer, all the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts. Praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. - Acts 2:42-47 

The early church was drawn together to connect more than once a week. This connection was ongoing and was formed around relationships. We are no different today. As the body of Christ we have that same need to connect to others within the body of believers known as the Church. Right now many of us are feeling cutoff and isolated from the daily interactions we are used to having. This can be frustrating and even depressing. This current isolation has caused us to get creative with how we connect to others in the church when we can’t come together at the church. Thankfully we live in the world of global connection. We live in a world with Facebook, Instagram and FaceTime. We may not be able to physically sit across the table or beside one another, but that doesn’t have to keep us from connecting with the Church. 

We have online services where you can watch and comment. More importantly we can worship and grow together. We can be real…share our struggles…encourage and pray for one another. Instead of sending a text, pick up the phone and call, or come face to face through FaceTime or video messenger. 

Facebook small groups are not limited to 10 people or less. We have started groups for everyone and would love to connect with you online. You are sure to find the Church…people who are navigating these uncertain times and focusing on Christ. We are encouraging one another and sharing what we have with each other. We are still the church…we still care for one another…we still pray for one another and we still join together to worship and grow in Christ. 

What are ways you are staying connected to the Body of Christ?

Better Than Normal

A few days ago, I was praying with some guys about the current Corona crisis in our world. One of the guys made a statement in his prayer that stuck with me. He said something like this: “Lord, I pray that we not get back to normal, but that we move forward better than normal.” What a powerful perspective! 

When we can look at one of the worst times in the history of the world we have experienced and see it as an opportunity for a revival and great awakening, that is the right perspective.

Seeing the possibilities in a difficult time does not mean you are not aware of the situation. It does not mean you are ignoring the severity of the crisis. It simply means that you realize that good things can come out of very difficult things. In fact, I think we would all be very surprised if we knew how many blessings we have today that originated from terrible circumstances. 

I know that this current state of the world is not easy for anyone. Many people are losing their lives as a result of this virus. It is a horrible set of circumstances. We are all being affected by this pandemic. 

One very important question to keep in mind is: how will we respond to a terrible circumstance? Do we allow it to control our attitude, behavior, and send us into a downward spiral? Or, will we look to God in faith and pray that many will turn to Him as a result of what we are all going through?

This crisis, as horrible as it is, is the time to focus on God. When the world is in crisis, we need God more than ever. There is no better time than the present to trust Jesus to be your Savior. There is no better time than now to read your Bible. There is no better time to pray than today. There is no better time to connect with other believers. There is no better time to serve and care for someone. There is no better time for revival and a turning back to God than right now! 

No one knows what the future holds, but that’s exactly why we have to put our faith in Jesus Christ. He holds our future. He makes a way when there seems to be no way. There is hope in Jesus when the whole world seems to be hopeless. There is more to look forward to when it seems like everything is crashing in on you. Our hope is not in this world! Our hope is found in Jesus. Our hope is found in eternal life through Jesus Christ. 

As my friend prayed the other day, I’m asking that God will take this crisis and use it to make our world better than "normal." I’m praying that it will cause an unprecedented return to faith in God. I’m praying that disciples will be made and multiplied, and that the outcome of a terrible circumstance will be eternal life for countless number of people. May we never forget our desperate need for Christ. May the days to come be better than normal, better than we could have ever asked or imagined.

The Best Workout You Can Do at Home

Colossians 1:16 says, “All things have been created through Him and for Him.” Because our entire being was made for Him, He has the right to dictate how we are to use our bodies—whether we acknowledge His authority or not. When you begin to understand that your body is not your own, you will start down a path towards better health. With most gyms either closing or limiting their hours during the COVID-19 Pandemic, for now it is best to get creative with keeping our bodies healthy during this season. Before we get into the workout, here are some tips to get your body prepared. As with any workout, make sure you’ve checked with your doctor about a safe level of physical activity for your body.

Drink Water

As a rule of thumb, make sure to drink 8 oz. of water 30 minutes before your workout. Water actually helps regulate your body temperature and lubricates your joints. It also helps transport nutrients to give you energy and keep you healthy. If you're not hydrated, your body can't perform at its highest level.

Stretch

We’ve all heard that stretching is important for our bodies. But why? Stretching actually helps your body become more pliable and decreases your risk of injury. It is important to always start with a good warm-up to get your heart rate up and then ease into some dynamic stretches. 

Play Some Music

For some people, finding the motivation to workout from home is difficult. By making an upbeat playlist, you will feel your spirits lift, and you will soon have that motivation you need to complete the workout. 

The Workout

This workout requires no weights or special equipment, but be sure to be familiar with the exercises before you start. It will be a two cycle, interval style workout. Make sure to have a glass of water nearby! Feel free to modify these exercises for your physical activity level. The important thing is to keep moving and get some form of regular exercise.

Cycle 1: 3 Sets and 1 Minute Rest in Between

High Knees (30 Seconds)

Alternating Lunges (5-10 each leg)

Push Up or Modified Push Up (10-20)

Mountain Climbers (30 Seconds)

1 Minute Rest

Repeat (2X) for a total of 3 sets

Cycle 2: 3 Sets and 1 Minute Rest in Between

Squats (8-12)

Body Weights Tricep Dips (8-12)

Ab Crunches (30 Seconds)

Frog Jumps (30 Seconds)

1 Minute Rest

Repeat (2X) for a total of 3 sets

Once you have completed the workout, make sure you stretch properly and hydrate. For best results, do this workout at least three times per week and feel free to modify or add in exercise according to your fitness level.

What are some ways you are moving and staying active right now? Share in the comments!

Church at Home

We have found ourselves in a place none of us saw coming. Due to the COVID-19 virus, we all are experiencing an interruption to our normal lives. Let’s acknowledge it, together. Take a deep breath and say to yourself, “This is not normal, but this is real.” The routine of our lives has been hijacked. Our days no longer consist of going into work, sending our kids to school, getting together with friends, hitting the gym, enjoying our kid’s soccer game, or attending a church gathering (in person). The routine is gone. The simplicity of knowing how each day would play out is gone. We don’t have control anymore.

I serve as the Worship Pastor here at Crossroads Church. I love what I do. I help craft services each week with the singular goal of connecting people to Jesus! Leading the Church to a place of encountering Jesus is my greatest passion. Now it’s gone. The in-person gatherings have now become a handful of us on a stage leading to an empty room. Here’s what we believe though, God is not dependent on His Church gathering in-person for lives to be changed. Read that again. God is NOT dependent on His Church gathering in-person for lives to change. Don’t get me wrong, He loves it. It was His idea! He created us to desire community, connection, and the intimacy that comes from being together. But God is not scrambling around in this moment, pacing the floor and wondering how He can continue speaking to people. He is still in the business of changing lives and bringing hope to a world in desperate need of hope.

I want to take a few minutes and encourage us on how we can have church at home during this season. Here’s what we believe, we are the Church! The buildings we gather in are not the Church. The only reason they have any significance is because we gather in them. WE are the Church. Every time we gather, whether in person or online, we are the Church. 

Here is some practical advice on how to be the Church and gather while we are online. 

Get Up and Get Ready 

Really? Get up and get ready? Yes. I said I wanted to give practical advice. Get up and get ready. Set your alarm. Take a shower. Eat breakfast. Get your kids ready. Get up and get ready. 

Routine in this season is important. Make this a practice in your life. Don’t miss this. The most practical practices will help you with the best spiritual disciplines. You cannot meet with God if you are groggy and unfocused. So get up and get ready. Set the example for everyone around you. Say this with me, “I will get up and get ready to meet with God!” 

Gather Who You Can 

Yes, you read that correctly. Gather who you can. Whoever is home with you pull them in on the gathering. It’s not about numbers, it’s about togetherness. So get everyone together that you can. 

Here’s an idea, set up a watch party on Facebook live. Invite your friends into the chat. Share the service you are watching. Bring others into the conversation. God has designed us for community and what I call togetherness. We may not be able to physically be together, but we can still connect with each other. 

We are better together. Let’s get together for our online weekend gatherings. Bring the kids along. Let’s meet in our living rooms, online, through text. Let’s join in together and gather together. 

Eliminate Distractions

This may be the most practical and helpful thing we can do. Eliminate distractions. Turn off unneeded technology. Don’t have conversations about the day or week with those around you. Make your coffee ahead of time. Don’t be worrying about making lunch at this moment. You will take care of it shortly. Have the room cleaned and the toys and clothes put away. 

It seems so unnecessary, right? Here’s the thing, our normal is to go to a building that is already prepared for us. A team of people works to do everything they can to eliminate distractions for us. They take care of our kids, they have coffee ready, they have the room cleaned and set, they make sure we can see and hear. They eliminate as many distractions as possible so we can encounter God and connect with Jesus and His church. 

The very things distracting us will keep us from engaging with God. Cut out the distractions. We can’t hear a singular voice if everyone is speaking at once. We can’t see what we need to amongst the clutter of our lives.

Engage with the Music, Message, Prayer, and Giving 

Alright, here are my tips on this. Whatever you are watching, cast it to the largest screen you have in your house. Put it front and center. Turn the volume up and get loud! Come on somebody, can I get an amen? Sing, and sing loud. Let’s lift our voices and praise God with everything we’ve got! 

Open your Bibles and take notes. It’s one more practical step that brings spiritual discipline. Read along. Write down what God is saying. “Amen” and give feedback when something resonates with you. True story, when I run or am driving in my car I will amen and say, “Come on” to a point that resonates with me. I am sure people think I’m crazy, but I don’t care. I want to agree with the truth. 

Pray. Don’t let the person on the screen be the only one praying. Pray. Pray passionately, boldly, and courageously. Pray out loud at that moment. Pray for your spouse, your kids, your parents, your city, your leaders, and the world. Prayer has always been a corporate practice of the Church. Let’s pray together, not just listen to prayers being prayed. 

And give. Let’s never stop giving. In this season let’s be known for our generosity. Let’s give out of the overflow God is giving us. He will take care of us. Let me say that another way, He is taking care of you. Let’s lead the way in our generosity. 

Continue the Conversation 

Here’s what I want to end with. Continue the conversation with anyone and everyone you can. Remember this, we are the Church! Church isn’t a once a week gathering in a building. We are The Church. Wherever we are and whenever we gather. 

Continue the conversation with your kids. Ask them what they learned that day. Ask them how they are feeling. Pray with them at that moment. Model being the Church. You are the Church. 

Text people, host a Zoom hangout, start a Q & A on Facebook. Post your notes on Instagram. Do whatever you can to continue the conversation. Being the Church is not a one and done, once a week thing. It’s a daily lifestyle of loving God and loving others. So love others by talking about what God is speaking to you. 

When all is said and done, and we are on the other side of this, here is my prayer: God will have spoken to every one of us, and we will know what it means to be in His presence. Do not miss this opportunity to grow in your faith and grow in being the Church. Let’s continue to gather, being the Church where we are, and lifting up Jesus!

Let Your Light Shine!

We recently sent a group of people from Crossroads Church to the country of Brazil to be part of an English teaching team. As you can imagine, when I first approached folks about being a part of the team their first response was, “I cannot teach English!” The goods news, I reassured them, is that we are not teaching them English as much as we are really helping them to practice their English. For this reason, we have aptly named the school Practically Speaking English. 

As we prepared to go and teach English and share the good news of Jesus, many of the people on the team asked about how we were going to share the Gospel. To help them understand, I shared one of my favorite passages where Jesus explains about sharing our faith. 

We read in Matthew 5:16, In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. (NLT)

This verse explains so well what happens when we go anywhere in the world to teach English. The truth is that when we come to a community and invite them to be part of the school, our main objective is not to convince them to follow Jesus. Our main objective is to give them the best conversational English school we can. We really do want to be a blessing to these people. When we let our light shine in front of them, we point them to Jesus. By keeping our word, we open a door to share the Gospel when the students begin to ask why we would come. We share Christ with them as the one who motivates us to love people the way that God loves them, and, as His followers, to be blessing to others. This makes them want to know more. After spending hours teaching and become friends, we get to share our stories of coming to Christ, and we see the Holy Spirit begin to change people’s lives. 

We got a chance to see life-change happen in a young Brazilian lady named Fabryna. Fabryna came looking to learn English but gained a relationship with Jesus and friends from the church to help her grow in her new faith. The amazing thing is that we had 218 Brazilians come and be a part of the school, and 187 of them indicated that they had prayed to receive Christ during the week. We had 40 students join us at church on Sunday for worship for the very first time, and Fabryna received her very first Bible. Praise God as we see the words of Jesus coming true right before our eyes! 

Maybe you have been praying for God to show you some next steps to take on your spiritual journey, and right now He is encouraging you to begin to think about being a part of our Global mission. I want to encourage you to not just let that thought pass, but really begin praying about being part of a mission team. If you want to know more about Crossroads mission trips, click HERE.

Let us all let our lights shine this week, and we will be amazed at what God will do!

Use the GPS

It’s time for college students to return to school which stirs memories of my years as a student. My first year of college, I lived in New York City. One evening, a friend and I planned to meet some people at a music store on the other side of the city. Of course, we were poor college students, so paying for a cab was out of the question. We took the subway.

Being 18 and thinking we knew it all, we didn’t take time to look at the maps posted clearly around the station. How hard could it be? Just a few stops, and we’ll be there. Of course, this was before cell phones and GPS apps, so over three hours later, the music store was closed, the people we were meeting were long gone, and we were still riding the train trying to find our way back to school. That was a long night! And it could have all been avoided if we had simply looked at the map before leaving the station.

Graduating and going out into the world can be daunting. Wouldn’t it be great if life had a mapping app? Imagine the trouble we could avoid. “Make a u-turn before you talk to that guy. He’s trouble.” “Turn right at the hallway, so you will avoid buying that candy bar in the vending machine. You don’t need it.” “Stop and study instead of going to the coffee shop with friends.” The benefits would be endless.

Unfortunately life doesn’t come with a mapping app for on-the-spot instant guidance, but we do have something even better: the Bible. I know it sounds basic, but the Bible is like a GPS from God, a map to set the coordinates of our lives.

2 Timothy 3:16, 17 (ESV) tells us

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

In these two verses, we see life-guiding characteristics of God’s Word: teaching, reproof, correction, training, and equipping. In other words, Scripture is the instruction manual for our lives. If we measure our choices or deeds by the Word of God, we have a clear route.

Since God created us, He knows us best, and His path for us will never deviate from His Word. It only makes sense that God’s way is the best way. His ways are higher, and His wisdom far surpasses our understanding. 

Comprehending the Bible is not always simple, but there are ways to determine if we are living our lives inside the will of God versus outside of it. If a choice or action doesn’t line up with God’s Word, then it’s not in God’s will. That part is simple. God’s will for your life will never contradict His Word. Keeping that in mind, here are

steps for using the Bible to navigate your life:

• Pray!

  Go directly to the author, and ask God to reveal scriptures that speak to your circumstances. Pray fervently but also take time to listen for His response.

• Read the Bible.

  Yes, actually picking it up or listening to an audible version regularly will help you know God’s will for your life. Don’t take anyone else’s word about what the Bible says. Read it for yourself!

• Attend a Bible-teaching church and Bible study group.

  Bouncing ideas off of others who are also familiar with God’s Word is a great way to know the direction God would have you go.

• Seek wise counsel.

  Find someone with more knowledge of the Bible than you. Ask for prayer, advice, and guidance.

God wants the best for each of us. He desires for you to live in His will in order for you to have an abundant life. God sees the “big picture,” and He knows exactly how and where you fit in it. He provided the Bible as our instruction manual, so use the GPS!

So What Do You Want to Do with Your Life?

“So what do you want to do with your life?”

I’ve had so many people ask me this question. In my current season of life (graduating high school, starting college, getting a job, etc.), it is the standard question to ask. Usually I answer a very vague, “I’m commuting to the University of West Georgia,” and the asker is satisfied. Sometimes they follow up with, “What are you going to major in?” I reply, “This may change, but right now I’m planning on majoring in Film.” People are usually satisfied after that. 

So to anyone who doesn’t know me, in the fall I plan on commuting to the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, GA and majoring in Film. I have no idea if I will stay all four years at UWG. I have no earthly idea what job I want to do. I don’t even know if I’ll be in Georgia this time next year! 

Whether you are in high school, college, just got your first job, or are married and have four kids, life is full of unknowns. It’s okay not to know what college you want to go to. It’s okay not to know what you want to major in. It’s okay not to know what job you want. People ask me all the time, “What do you want to do with your Film degree?” I say, “Well, I actually have no idea! All I know is I love the art of filmmaking, and I love people.” 

I constantly wrestle with the question, “So what do you want to do with your life?” I constantly have a new idea of what I could do or major in. I stress myself out a lot trying to figure out the rest of my life. But through this process of trying to figure out what resonates with my heart, I’ve learned some cool things about God (with the help of some wise council). 

1. You don’t have to know what you want to do.

It’s okay to be confused. God doesn’t say you have to have everything figured out all the time. He just wants you to pursue Him with all your heart. Once you start pursuing Him, He will reveal the future to you. It might not be very dramatic. It might feel like it takes FOREVER. But trust that He will. 

2. Keep moving forward.

Keep taking steps forward. God never said to just stand still and wait. Research careers, look up schools, shadow people, talk to people. Take steps towards your goal. Try things. The only way you will know if you like doing something is to try it! 

3. Write on a chalkboard.

I have a close mentor who has a huge chalkboard wall in her house. We dream all over the wall. We write random ideas that pop into our heads. We write jobs. We write adjectives. Anything and everything that we think of we write down. Then we look at everything and pick out what stands out to us. It helps so much to just write down all the thoughts swirling in your head. 

4. Find a dream team.

Find a few close people to dream and share your heart with. You don’t have to share every little thing with every person. Only about four people know all the ideas and passions in my heart. Find your dream team and dream wild and crazy dreams together. 

5. Don’t be afraid to fail.

I’m sure you’ve heard it before. “Failure is the best teacher.” But it actually is. If you think you might like something, try it! If you fail, GREAT! You have found something that didn’t work. Try something different. Learn from your failures. God doesn’t ask or expect you to be perfect. He wants your heart, not your perfection. 

So I’d like to encourage you as the next school year starts. It’s okay not to know what the future holds. It’s okay to be confused. God invites you on a grand adventure with Him. Sometimes it’s hype; sometimes it’s boring; sometimes it’s slow; sometimes it’s fast-paced. But God is inviting you into the unknown with Him. It’s completely terrifying, but it’s the greatest adventure you will ever go on.