Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal,flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of thegreat street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life,bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month.And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lambwill be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face,and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night.They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for theLord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. -Revelation 22:1-5“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony…I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say,“Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishestake the free gift of the water of life. -Revelation 22:16-17
…Wise Men from the east came to Jerusalem and asked,
“Where is the one ho has been born king of the Jews?
We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” -Matthew 2:1-2
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed… -Matthew 2:3
When the Wise Men came and saw the child
with his mother Mary, they bowed down and worshiped him.
Then they opened their treasures to present to him… -Matthew 2:11
When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi,
he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem
and its vicinity who were two years old and under… -Matthew 2:16
The Word of God became flesh and lived for a while among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son,
who came from the Father full of grace and truth. – John 1:14
“Jesus is the image of the invisible God…
For by him all things were created: things in heaven
and on earth, visible and invisible…
all things were created by him and for him.
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together…
For God was pleased to have all his fulness dwell in Christ,
and through him to reconcile to himself all things…
by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross… – Colossians 1:15-20
The people living in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned… – Isaiah 9:2 & Matthew 4:16
“While I am in the world, I am the light of the world…
Believe in the light while you have the light,
so that you may become children of the light.” – John 9:5; 12:36
Christmas lights remind me of Jesus, God’s greatest gift to everyone, who banishes all manner of darkness!
Let’s be sure to unwrap it and put it to good use throughout the year…
Be strong in the grace and peace of Jesus! -Pastor Steve
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron say: “His love endures forever.”
Let those who fear the Lord say: “His love endures forever.”
When hard pressed, I cried out to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place.
The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.” -Psalm 118:1-9
I will sing and make music with all my soul.
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth. -Psalm 108:1-5
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue, you, Lord, know it completely. -Psalm 139:1-4
Let’s focus on bringing ourselves and our logs to Jesus’ healing cross. His arms are always open wide!
Let’s open our hearts afresh to his love and majesty on full display!
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10-11)
Let’s drink deep and often of this water… Even the most parched of us, can be made lush and verdant!
I’d shown it to others and not been self-conscious about it. In fact, she’d seen it early on, 3+ weeks previous, when the swelling and bruises were fresh and obvious. Noticing my pause, “I want to see how you’re doing,” she explained. Oh, sure…
Scars are complicated things. We all have them, yet they can be so different! Some are physical and perhaps readily visible, while others are more difficult to notice and relational, emotional, psychological, or spiritual in nature. They all tell stories, yet their narratives vary widely. Many tell of something gone wrong, injury or conflict endured, and perhaps lessons learned in the process. Others show vulnerability or brokenness, interrupted plans or dreams, and of the need for overcoming intervention. Our scars are personal. They can inspire and strengthen or distract, discourage, and disrupt us.
God is very familiar with all kinds of scars- yours, mine, everyone’s. He even has scars of his own!
Jesus showed his scars to his disciples, proving he was alive and giving them his presence, peace, and power!
Through his scars and resurrection victory, Jesus’ healing and transforming power are at the ready…
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed. -Isaiah 53:5
Risen Jesus asks, “Will you show me your scars?” “Let me help you, so you’re doing way better than okay!“
God lovingly smiles and delights over us whenever we approach him in prayer! God is described in the Bible as just, truthful, loving, compassionate, and highly relational. In Jesus, he understands and identifies
“Delight yourselvesin God, finding your joyin him at all times.Have a reputation for gentleness, never forgettingthe nearness of your Lord.Don’t worry about anything whatsoever… Tell Godevery detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer,and the peace of God,which transcends human understanding,will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds as they rest in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:4-7
It’s only been five weeks since I learned about my colon cancer, the last three during post-surgery recovery. In the two weeks before I was rolled out of a successful surgery, a lot of good and necessary stuff happened that I would never have chosen, but now would not trade… Fasts, cleanses, tests, scans, and scopes out the wazoo (literally). Pathology reports, abdominal incisions, robotic maneuvers, plumbing removal, hand sewn reconnections, etc…
As I try to process it all, I am incredibly thankful to God and so many others for their personal involvement in my healing and recovery! In my vulnerability and need, God reminded me to come to him and his love…
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
I will make an everlasting covenantwith you,
July 18, 2020
At some point during my surgical consult the details started to overwhelm me. Not emotionally, which would’ve been okay, but cognitively. I wanted to understand everything, but wasn’t quite able or prepared. My questions were more than my usual curiosity about how and why things are done. I was in need of some sense of control for a surgical process soon to involve me! It was then I heard the inaudible whisper, “we got you,” and I relaxed…
I am thankful my surgery has been expedited and schedul
Thanks so much for being part of “we” and your manner of upholding!
Btw, Jesus has always been and always will be about “we”…
Just as each of us has one body with many members,
and these members do not all have the same function,
so in Christ we, though many, form one body,
and each member belongs to all the others. -Romans 12:4-5
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits-
who forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases,
who redeems my life from the pit
and crowns me with love and compassion,
who satisfies my desires with good things
so that my youth is renewed like the eagle’s. -Psalm 103:1-5
deferring to the timeless insight of the Holy Spirit through Paul…
Serving someone in love can be as simple as showing appreciation, forgi
Okay, let’s just do it!
Bad, huh? Well not really. I may be exaggerating just a bit for effect!
Why share this? It occurs to me recently, that going through preventative health procedures has strong parallels to following Jesus. Both require faith in the credibility, experience, and good purpose of those in charge (doctors, Jesus). Both involve following instruc
Simon Peter didn’t like it much when Jesus revealed his greater mastery of fishing.
1) Onsite Worship & Online Li
10:00-10:15am > Onsite starts.
2) Online Live Sunday Message (Join our live-stream message on Facebook…)
3) Visit our website (gocrossroads.net)…
10:00am-10:15am Onsite Begins (onsite welcome, updates, music, video, etc…)
10:15am-10:50am Online Joins (online welcome, Lord’s Supper, Bible message, closing prayer & music)
This Sunday, 6/21 we will share in the Lord’s Supper together (onsite & online) shortly after the online broadcast begins.
Onsite elements: 1) packaged/prefilled cups with soft wafers or 2) bring your own from home!
However you choose to participate, may the good news and love of Jesus Christ wash over and bless you!
Onsite Worship
Online Live Sunday Message
Onsite Sunday Worship (Phase 1- limited)
June 12, 2020
Dear Crossroads Family & Friends,
not comfortable coming to church yet, or unable to come to church.
However you choose to join in, may the good news and love of Jesus Christ wash over and bless you!
Here’s how Onsite Worship & Online FB Livestream Messages will work together in Phase 1:
10:10am~10:45am Online Joins (online welcome, Bible message, closing prayer & music)
Thank you in advance for reviewing the details and guidelines below, particularly as we move into
build up one another in the grace, mercy, and powerful love of Jesus Christ!
Online Live Sunday Message
https://www.facebook.com/
Onsite Sunday Worship (Limited – Phase 1)
– Lord’s Supper (when celebrated) with packaged pre-filled cups with soft wafers or BYO
– No snacks or coffee offered (BYO)
that will have access to a toilet, sink, kid’s table & very limited toys. BYO toys, books, etc…
Visit our website (gocrossroads.net)…
You can either send a check by mail or go online to the PayPal portal on our website (www.gocrossroads.net).
Be strong in the love, grace, and peace of Jesus! -Pastor Steve
May 22, 2020
Trusting in Jesus’ incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection and leaning into his Holy Spirit overcomes barriers, cre
MAY 15, 2020
So, what does that mean for worship or other gatherings at Crossroads?
Short answer: Nothing will change this weekend or until further notice…
Long Answer: While state law has changed, Covid-19 and its transmission and health risks have not. This is particularly true for larger groups, gathered indoors, and that involve close proximity for respiration and vocalizations. As Christ followers and a local expression of Jesus’ church, we are constrained to:
MAY 8, 2020
Transmission is on everyone’s mind- with visible symptoms or without; receiving from or giving to others.
It has been done… See Jesus’ activity through Peter and John! (Acts 3)
APRIL 30, 2020
Looking forward, the new realities of “Covid-19 Spring” are going to hang around a while in varying ways. How we handle the disruption and ongoing change will largely be shaped by what goes on inside our hearts, souls, and minds and how that works its way out! Even though we are less prepared and more vulnerable than we anticipated, there are good, unshakable reasons for hope and courage!
APRIL 23, 2020
-Hopefully Confident: JESUS replaces dea
APRIL 17, 2020
-JESUS is present, always understanding and never abandoning you in whatever situation!
APRIL 9, 2020
Experience Easter renewal & rejoicing two ways this weekend on our Facebook page…
1- Good Friday, April 10, 2020 at 3:00 pm on Facebook, share in the Lord’s Supper remotely!
2- Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020 at 10:00 am on Facebook, join our live-stream Easter message!
Visit gocrossroads.net…
APRIL 4, 2020
In these stretching times, remember to…
MARCH 26, 2020
In this time of upheaval and stress, it’s a big deal to experience threats and disruption to our health, families, vocations, churches, social connections, personal finances, and so much more, all at once! We need Jesus more than ever and so do the people around us! That being true, I am reminded of Jesus’s words to his disciples, and us, after he washed their feet mere hours before his own crucifixion…
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” John 13:14
In this time, I encourage you to…
MARCH 19, 2020
Thankfully, in all this upheaval, Jesus Christ is still the same yesterday, today, tomorrow, and forever…
Last Sat & Sun, we took some good first steps…
Going forward, we’ll take more & better steps…
1- Stream Sunday messages from God’s Word
2- Start mid-week “Connecting Point” communications
I strongly believe that God will help us all to…
MARCH 14, 2020
1. Avoid larger gatherings to limit opportunity for human transmissions.
2. Pray daily & earnestly for God to mercifully & powerfully help us (as communities, states, and nations)
3. Use technology to stay grounded in God’s Words of love, grace, power, & hope!
Thank you for your prayers, consideration, and trust in God during these unsettling times!