February 27, 2021
Dear Crossroads Family & Friends,
Every now and again, I am reminded of the value of the sanitation trucks that come through our neighborhood Friday mornings taking away the garbage. I mostly don’t think about them till going to bed the night before or hurrying to put out the bin early morning!
When I do, it usually has something to do with the kitchen trash under the sink having stayed too long and committing olfactory assault when I pass by or open the door to toss something else in. You know what I’m talking about! Anyway, it’s in those moments I am very thankful for the kitchen liner, large bin in the garage, and weekly truck!
Can you imagine keeping that rotten, decaying stuff around? Not a chance, right!
Everyone knows that’s a bad idea. Nobody denies they produce garbage or need help with its removal. And there’s no shame whatsoever in rolling the bin to the curb. In fact, it’s not uncommon for neighborly connec tions to begin or be renewed curbside!
Yet we have a much different approach to dealing with our own refuse from sin and failures, don’t we? In fear and pride, we keep them around far too long, deny their very existence, and can get unhealthily preoccupied with other’s rubbish- pointing fingers, poking around, etc… Yeah, yuck!
Fortunately, Jesus Christ continues to offer and will always offer a formidable solution to this long-standing, persistent human malady that has sourced so much human strife and suffering. He offers a faith relationship with himself that deals with our crud and frees us from arrogantly and self- righteously marginalizing anyone else for theirs!
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust
in your brother’s or sister’s eye and
pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
How can you say, ‘Let me take the speck out of you eye,’
when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?'” Matthew 7:3-4
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves
and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins,
Jesus is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins
and will purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we call God a liar
and his word has no place in our lives.
My dear children, I write this to so that you will not sin.
But, if anyone does sin, we have an advocate
with the Father- Jesus Christ the Righteous One.
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and
not only our sins, but the sins of the whole world. 1 John 1:8-2:2
Let’s live in the grace of Jesus’ unexpected solution to this nagging problem we all face! 
February 19, 2021
Dear Crossroads Family & Friends,
Often, I am the first one up in the morning in our household. I enjoy the quiet and making coffee. Laura says I make the best coffee. I think it’s more about it being ready than actual taste. She can be pretty crafty, you know! Anyway, what gets you up and going most mornings?
Perhaps… anticipation of a warm caffeinated beverage; little people and their needs for care, feeding, and direction; work challenges and opportunities; exercise or music that invigorates; need for a paycheck; taking on a project or large list of “to do’s“; daylight and all it reveals, human interactions, or all of the above!
While we’re all wired a bit differently, life is largely about relationships and responsibilities of various sorts and the revelations that are found in or guide us through them. One of the things I so appreciate about many of the Psalms is how they invite God’s presence and guidance into the practicalities of everyday life…
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14
Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon
have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said,
“My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord,
supported me. When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought joy to my soul. Psalm 94:17-19
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way
I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Psalm 143:8
Let’s invite God’s presence and guidance into the amazing mosaic of our relationships and responsibilities! 
February 11, 2021
Dear Crossroads Family & Friends,
Well, our mild winter gave way to two weeks of snow… Now, it’s working on two plus weeks of deep freeze. You know, when outside temperatures average about 70 degrees below inside. Gotta love our Wisconsin!
When it’s like this, road salt gets everywhere and coats everything, including clothing that brushes against the car. Breathing either freezes the snot in nose hairs or makes teeth hurt when the wind is blowing. But on a brighter note, one need never feel alone when driving, since ice in floor mats is a constant companion in all but longer trips! Yes, the bitter cold can darken mood, sap initiative, and throw a big chill into general outlook… And no, I didn’t hear this “through the grapevine”!
Temperature is not the only thing that can have a chilling impact on people. Years ago, Jesus warned of a future time when many will “turn away” from the faith (Love God with all yourself and love your neighbor as yourself) to “betray, hate, and deceive” each other. And that because of the proliferation of such behavior and activity, “the love of many/most will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:10-12) Sounds awful, doesn’t it? May it never be true of us!
Jesus continued, “My command is this:
Love each other as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this,
that one lay down his life for his friend.” John 15:12
God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Now let me show you a way of life that is best of all…
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful
or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way.
Love is not irritable, and doesn’t keep a record of being wronged.
Love does not rejoice about injustice,
but love does rejoice whenever truth wins out.
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful,
and does endure through every circumstance…
Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.
But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Let’s warm up whatever chilling situations we get into with the everlasting, ever-warming love of Jesus! 
February 6, 2021
Dear Crossroads Family & Friends,