We all make choices each day.  Someone has said that our lives really are the sum of our decisions that we make along the way.  What is so crazy is that in the moment, we often don’t know what ways in the balance.  How many times have you looked back to see that had you chosen differently at the time, your life would have gone in a different direction.  If you had gone ahead and married him, if you had moved and taken that job, if you had attended that party, or if you had spent your money on that instead of saving it.

All of us have had moments like these; therefore, it’s supremely important that we weigh every decision.  Outside of choosing to follow Christ, I believe the second most important choice is whom we will marry.  This person will have 24-hour access to our lives and bring joy or pain like no one else is able.

So, how do we choose wisely?  Are there things to look for in a future spouse?  Do warning signs appear that we can see and pay attention?  What are the big things to make sure they possess before going any further?

This weekend starts a series called Lasting Love, which pulls from the story of Ruth found in the Scriptures.  Over these next four weeks we’ll discover what to look for in a potential mate.  As a result, we can be equipped to make wise choices and live with fewer regrets.

I hope you can join us!  (Sundays @ 9 & 10:45 a.m.)

Here’s a video invite:  https://youtu.be/eliCsF6ZyHE

This Sunday will begin our 21 Days of Fasting & Prayer.  As a church family, we are going to be believing God through prayer to change lives (starting with us), change situations, change our country, change conditions, and overall do incredible things that only He can do!

It is going to be a powerful time personally as each of us put aside what we want for what He wants.  Options for fasting could be doing a “Daniel Fast” (just Google it if you don’t know what it is), partial fast (give up meat, soda, or other addictive foods), fast one meal a day, or fast social media or TV (this might be hardest of all for some).

When we give up we go up!  Bondages and addictions can be broken, captives to sin can be set free, and miraculous moves of God take place.  You can’t out-give God, so if you put aside time to be with Him, instead of food, TV, social media and whatever else, then you can be assured of gaining His attention.

Don’t miss this chance to grow in your faith and relationship with God.  I’m believing for more than we could ask or think to break forth as we seek Him during this focused time of prayer.  Get ready!

I don’t think any of us can fully imagine the raw violent culture that depicted the world into which the Christ child came.  The Bible tells us that King Herod was so terrorized by the thought of a child being born as “king of the Jews” that he had every boy in Bethlehem murdered who were two or under.  (See Matt. 2)

We continue to live in a violent culture.  Videos are released showing the beheading of Christians by terrorists.  A couple walks into a Christmas party and begins to shoot everyone they can.  Bomb threats close schools and shopping centers.

Yet, still today, there is hope through the one born to Joseph and Mary over 2000 years ago.  His birth gave hope by fulfilling promises that were made centuries before.

Into a violent culture came a victorious Savior.

Into a rein of terror came God’s terrific plan.

Into an age of uncertainty came a certain promise.

For unto us is born, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.  There is hope this Christmas, wrapped up as God’s finest gift to the world.

To as many as receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.  John  1:12

I heard about the owner of a large department store that offered a prize of $5,000 to the one giving the best answer to the question: “How can my business be most speedily and surely improved?”  Many students of economics submitted different lengthy answers.  A guy by the name of Roy McCardell received a check for $5,000 for simply writing on a postal card, “Tell your clerks to say ‘Thank you!’”

Many of us could greatly improve our marriages, homes, families, extended families, jobs, offices, schools by heading the same advice.

Wishing you and yours a most blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

Over the years of ministry, I have known many people that desired to go on missions trips, but didn’t feel they could raise the funding.  This always saddens me because I know the power of going on a trip.  So, here are some simple suggestions of ways to raise funds:

• Start now – delaying only makes it more pressured and insurmountable.
• Start an account – open a special account to build up for a missions trip.
• Save – avoid needless or unnecessary expenses when trying to go on a trip.  Ask, “Do I need a new pair of jeans now?”
• Cut expenses – cancel cable, eat cheap, do your own manicure, etc.
• Become a coupon-er 🙂
• Write a letter to friends, family, co-workers, bosses, asking them to help you go make a difference in another country.
• Get a second job, sell things on eBay or Craigslist, host a garage sale, or sell some stock.
• Pray for God to help you.  (This should be the first thing you do!)  God can supply the need and give you creative thoughts on how to fund the trip.

These are just a few ways that I’ve used and seen others use to go on missions trips.  Maybe you have some other creative ideas?

I hope this helps you to have bigger faith and trust God to make it possible to go on a trip and make a difference in another part of the world.  You will get as much or probably more out of the trip than the people you serve.

Approximately 2000 years ago everything changed when a man who claimed to be the Messiah rose from the dead.  Not only did a few women and the disciples confirm this, but also Paul tells us that over the course of many days he appeared to more than 500 at the same time.  These people became radical witnesses of the resurrected Christ and went all over spreading the news.  We call it Good News because it means God the Father accepted the sacrifice of His own Son as payment for the sins of humanity.  Now, there is an advocate that paves the way for us to be worthy of coming before the Father to obtain grace and mercy.

Here are a few reasons to celebrate this weekend:

You may feel discouraged – but He is alive

You may feel uncertain – but He is alive

You may feel weak – but He is alive

You may have sorrow – but He is alive

You may be sick – but He is alive

You may be tempted – but He is alive

You may feel inadequate – but He is alive

You may be lonely – but He is alive

It doesn’t make any difference what you are going through today, Jesus Christ being alive changes everything, so be encouraged today my friend.  The world is convulsing in the birth pangs of a new age that is about to dawn, because Jesus is alive!

Our Resurrection Celebrations at Crossroads are this Easter Sunday at 9 & 10:45 a.m.  Celebrate good times c’mon on!!

P.S.  Our Helicopter Easter Egg Drop is this Saturday at 11 a.m.  Tell somebody right now!!

Hey Crossroads family,

Easter is coming in just a few weeks and I couldn’t be more excited about what God is going to do in each of our services.  Let me share a few things I’d love to get your help with this Easter:

That weekend kicks off our new series, LIFE TO THE FULL.  This is a great opportunity to bring along people you know as it focuses on what it means to be Christian.  In the few minutes it takes to invite a friend, you could play a role in changing someone’s eternity.

Use the various tools that are available to invite others to Crossroads.  You can use your Facebook account to encourage others to come to one of the Easter services.  We have small “Invite Cards” available every weekend at the Information in the lobby.  These have a map to the church and feature the service times as a reference help for those desiring to come.  I would suggest you keep these cards handy in case God opens a new door of opportunity to share.

We’re preparing for lots of new guests to be with us for Easter.  It would be great if you could

• Serve for an extra experience (maybe attend 1^st and serve in 2^nd?).
• Attend the first service – which is usually less crowded.
• Make an extra effort to give a warm welcome to the people you meet.
• Park far away from the doors to make room for guests to park close.
• Sit in the middle of a row, so guest don’t have to step over you for a seat.

Thanks for being a part of what God is doing at Crossroads.  It’s a privilege to partner with you!

Craig White, Lead Pastor

P.S.  Don’t forget to invite folks to our 1st Helicopter Easter Egg Drop on April 4 at 10 a.m.!

We finally got the rest of our Christmas decorations down the other day (don’t judge me, we’ve been busy J) and it’s already time for Easter – I can’t believe it!  In just two weeks from this coming Sunday we will be celebrating the greatest event in history, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Here’s what I would like to suggest:  over the next two weeks, let’s do everything we can to bring two people to church with us.  You don’t have to drive them necessarily, though that helps to ensure they show up, but we can invite them.

I saw a recent statistic that said that approximately 20% of people were undecided yet on whether they would attend church on Easter.  Friend, that is one out of every five people you meet.

Just yesterday I was out to lunch with someone and as he was paying the bill, he invited the server to Easter services.  He also informed her that I was the pastor.  Instead of just saying a polite, “Thank you,” she said she was looking for a church to attend on Easter and wanted her child to go.  I spoke up and told her that her kid would love our church.  I pray she follows through and shows up.  What’s interesting is my friend said that if I hadn’t been with him, he probably wouldn’t have spoken up to invite her.

Let’s do what we can to impact two people in two weeks and reach at least one more for Jesus.  If we all do that, imagine how it will move from addition to multiplication.

Many marriages are struggling today.  I don’t even need to refer to national statistics.  I’m sure you can point to couples around you that have divorced, had affairs, or are two people living separately in the same house.  What’s the problem?  There are many reasons, but over the next few weeks, we’re going to see what you can do to keep from being a statistic.  Hidden away in the Old Testament is a book that is rarely referenced, but is full of advice for marriage.  It has romance, sexual intimacy, drama and passion.

During this series, we’ll discover advice on love, courtship, and marriage that can keep the flame burning.  Here’s who you should invite: anyone currently struggling in their marriage, people contemplating marriage, singles interested in dating, and teenagers who want to have a model marriage one day.

It all begins this weekend and I hope you will commit to each of the five weeks as we attempt to build strong marriages in our community.

LOVE series: Feb 1 – Mar 1  

Have you ever lost anything of value (cell phone) and turned the house upside down to find it?  My wife may or may not have recently lost her cell phone and thought she might have left it somewhere.  It was like it disappeared.  We looked everywhere in the house for it, called it (of course it was on silent) and searched anywhere we thought it could be all to no avail.  Ultimately we discovered the phone was in the garbage in our garage!  By the way, if you think I’m telling on my wife, let me say that at least she has never driven off with her phone on the roof of the car like someone else may have done once in their lives.  (That story didn’t end well)

Here’s my point, when you have something of value that is lost you will do whatever it takes, spending time and energy to find it.  Jesus told a story about this that involved a woman who lost             one of her ten silver coins.  He said she will do whatever it takes until she finds it.  The story is found in Luke 15:8-10 and once again illustrates the principle of seeking after lost people.

In this second of three successive stories of Jesus, there are a few things I would like to highlight:

• She searches “carefully” until she finds it, which implies she is deliberate in the pursuit.
• She also is very diligent in the hunt and will not rest until the coin is found.

These imply to us:

• The value of one lost person.  Everyone matters to God.
• Love will search carefully, not casually for the lost.
• Love cannot sit still while there is still a chance of find those who are lost.

Lastly, as in the prior story, Jesus says there is “rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”  So, if you want to get heaven excited, find one more lost person.

We’re challenging our church family to reach out to one person each week and invite them to church on August 17.  On that date, we are having an “everyone bring one” Sunday with former American Idol finalist, Phil Stacey as our guest.  But, you don’t have to wait another moment when the stakes are as high as eternal life.  For whom do you need to search carefully, locate for God and then celebrate?  I think the angels are ready!