New Year's is a great time for reflection. As I look back on 2009, I see lots of transitions. We moved into a new house. We (finally) sold our old house two weeks ago.
Crossroads bought a building for worship and ministry. We are phasing out of our use of the Longhouse, as quickly as we can.
In some ways the transitions are just beginning for Crossroads. We will have to consider many more opportunities and possibilities with our new building. There is so much God wants to do in this world. For some reason he is giving us grand opportunities to be in on his work.
Look back and looking forward, I see God doing so much to bring his kingdom. I expect to be amazed again at the end of 2010.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Make it Fun
OK, I always like to get new tools. Now I have a label maker, a hundred file folders and a set of two in-baskets. These are key elements in organizing, so says Getting Things Done. Even if I am no better organized, at least my stack of stuff looks better, placed neatly into baskets.
I won't have my system fully functional yet, but using the tools seems to be fun. That's one of David Allen's keys to success with organizing: make it fun. He's right. I'm eager to get going on the project -- and use my new label maker.
That's one of the keys to life, though, isn't it? Make it fun. Sometimes it means having the right tools. Sometimes it just means the right attitude.
With that tool, you can't go wrong.
I won't have my system fully functional yet, but using the tools seems to be fun. That's one of David Allen's keys to success with organizing: make it fun. He's right. I'm eager to get going on the project -- and use my new label maker.
That's one of the keys to life, though, isn't it? Make it fun. Sometimes it means having the right tools. Sometimes it just means the right attitude.
With that tool, you can't go wrong.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Fantasy flop
Tonight is the "Super Bowl" for our Fantasy Football league. We'll have a few friends over to watch the game together, even though my team has long been out of the picture. This was my first time with the program, and I pretty much ignored it through the season. Too busy, yadda, yadda, yadda...
My team started off the season with a huge victory, but pretty much went down hill from there. I finished with a 3-11 record, just grateful for any victories. It seems like my efforts to set my lineup and follow the players did not make a whole lot of difference. When I worked hard on it, I still lost. My victories came in spite of my inattention.
It makes me think about the parable of the growing seed, found (only) in Mark 4:26. Jesus tells us that the farmer plants his seed and leaves it alone. Whether he eats or sleeps, the seed grows, regardless of the efforts of the farmer. The kingdom of God is like that, Jesus says. When we share the good news of the kingdom, God makes that seed grow, regardless of our efforts.or lack thereof. In other words, Jesus is growing his kingdom, even when we can't see it and don't work for it.
I'm glad that the results of the kingdom are so much better than my Fantasy Football season. Next year I'll work more on my team, and plant more kingdom seeds for Jesus to grow.
My team started off the season with a huge victory, but pretty much went down hill from there. I finished with a 3-11 record, just grateful for any victories. It seems like my efforts to set my lineup and follow the players did not make a whole lot of difference. When I worked hard on it, I still lost. My victories came in spite of my inattention.
It makes me think about the parable of the growing seed, found (only) in Mark 4:26. Jesus tells us that the farmer plants his seed and leaves it alone. Whether he eats or sleeps, the seed grows, regardless of the efforts of the farmer. The kingdom of God is like that, Jesus says. When we share the good news of the kingdom, God makes that seed grow, regardless of our efforts.or lack thereof. In other words, Jesus is growing his kingdom, even when we can't see it and don't work for it.
I'm glad that the results of the kingdom are so much better than my Fantasy Football season. Next year I'll work more on my team, and plant more kingdom seeds for Jesus to grow.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Getting smaller
Today at our worship time we had a guest from Jamaica. Several of us met this young woman when we went on a mission trip to Kingston last May. Through the magic of Facebook, she had kept in touch with one member of our mission team. When she was visiting in NC, he asked her to come visit with us.
This is a great way to stay in touch with people around the world. Now I am friends with her on FB, and I noticed that several other Crossroads people have already friended her since this morning.
Because of this connection, we are staying in touch with the people with whom we served over the summer. We don't have to forget our new friends.
Another benefit is that the folks at Crossroads now have a greater sense of connection with Jamaica. We can understand the needs better and find ways to meet them. We can pray for the continued movement of the Spirit of God in Kingston and Spanish Town.
The world is getting smaller, and I hope it is becoming a better place, as Christ followers use these connections to make a difference.
This is a great way to stay in touch with people around the world. Now I am friends with her on FB, and I noticed that several other Crossroads people have already friended her since this morning.
Because of this connection, we are staying in touch with the people with whom we served over the summer. We don't have to forget our new friends.
Another benefit is that the folks at Crossroads now have a greater sense of connection with Jamaica. We can understand the needs better and find ways to meet them. We can pray for the continued movement of the Spirit of God in Kingston and Spanish Town.
The world is getting smaller, and I hope it is becoming a better place, as Christ followers use these connections to make a difference.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
December 26
In many ways, this day clears our thinking. Often we expect to get all our wishes fulfilled at Christmas. Maybe you have had a Christmas when you got everything you wanted. It produces a strange sensation on the next day.
It took me way too long to realize that getting stuff would not really make me happy. Stuff promises to make us happy, but it never ultimately delivers. We tend to believe the lie that we just need "a little bit more." Then we'll be happy.
Then I reached the point in my adult life when I stopped caring so much about what I would receive. I pinned my hopes for fulfillment on the gifts I was giving. I eagerly anticipated the joy in the eyes of my children, my wife, my other family and friends. It is very exciting to share in their experience. But even that left me empty.
December 26 reveals the truth. If we expect to find fulfillment with the Christmas gifts we receive OR give, we are probably going to be found empty all too soon.
Real fulfillment only comes through relationship. That's why Jesus told us that the most important thing in all the world is to love God. The second most important thing is to love others.
It's really that simple. When we see life that way, then December 26 is no disappointment. We can soak in the joys of relationship, not just at Christmas, but every day.
It took me way too long to realize that getting stuff would not really make me happy. Stuff promises to make us happy, but it never ultimately delivers. We tend to believe the lie that we just need "a little bit more." Then we'll be happy.
Then I reached the point in my adult life when I stopped caring so much about what I would receive. I pinned my hopes for fulfillment on the gifts I was giving. I eagerly anticipated the joy in the eyes of my children, my wife, my other family and friends. It is very exciting to share in their experience. But even that left me empty.
December 26 reveals the truth. If we expect to find fulfillment with the Christmas gifts we receive OR give, we are probably going to be found empty all too soon.
Real fulfillment only comes through relationship. That's why Jesus told us that the most important thing in all the world is to love God. The second most important thing is to love others.
It's really that simple. When we see life that way, then December 26 is no disappointment. We can soak in the joys of relationship, not just at Christmas, but every day.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas
Ever wonder why Christmas should be "merry" and the New Year "happy"? Either way, God gives us reason to enjoy his presence as we celebrate Jesus' birth. Today the world of commerce grinds to a halt, and most of those blessed with a job enjoy a day off.
This year we have had a white Christmas, with snow on the ground, deep enough to outlast the inch of rain today. All those Christmas specials that talk about snow have really hit home this year.
I feel like the most blessed person in the world, able to enjoy the fellowship of friends and family, celebrating the birth of Jesus.
In our family Christmas tradition, it was my younger daughter's turn to create a cross for our Christmas cross collection. She had taken photos of our new home, printed them out and shaped them into a cross on which she wrote, "God is Good." After our brunch today, we all gathered around as we opened the box containing this work of art. It served as the most poignant moment of the day, a reminder that the Baby in the manger grew up to surrender his life so that we could have a relationship with him.
There is no greater blessing than knowing Him.
This year we have had a white Christmas, with snow on the ground, deep enough to outlast the inch of rain today. All those Christmas specials that talk about snow have really hit home this year.
I feel like the most blessed person in the world, able to enjoy the fellowship of friends and family, celebrating the birth of Jesus.
In our family Christmas tradition, it was my younger daughter's turn to create a cross for our Christmas cross collection. She had taken photos of our new home, printed them out and shaped them into a cross on which she wrote, "God is Good." After our brunch today, we all gathered around as we opened the box containing this work of art. It served as the most poignant moment of the day, a reminder that the Baby in the manger grew up to surrender his life so that we could have a relationship with him.
There is no greater blessing than knowing Him.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
The Invasion
Jesus' coming to earth was God's invasion of his creation. He came to be with us because of love. He loved us enough to be with us, even though he was not treated well. He gave up the comforts of heaven to live on earth because he longs for our company.
That same desire for fellowship drove him to give his life on the cross. He died to take away our guilt and break the grip of sin in our lives. He did this because he loves us.
Receive his gift of life and love. It will change your life.
That same desire for fellowship drove him to give his life on the cross. He died to take away our guilt and break the grip of sin in our lives. He did this because he loves us.
Receive his gift of life and love. It will change your life.
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