Vision Luncheon

If someone...almost anyone said, "Hey R.D., I want to share my vision with you over lunch and I will buy, and I'll show you a funny video that also has some good content...can you come?" I would be there. I love hearing about vision, especially if it has food with it. So...I want to say something to you: "I want to share my vision with you over lunch this Sunday and I will buy, and I'll show you a funny video that has some good content...can you come?"

Don't miss the Vision Luncheon this Sunday after church. The new video will be great, the food exceptional, and I am going to share the vision of The Crossing with you. Even if you think you know it please don't miss this Sunday. For The Crossing to move forward everyone needs to know and commit to the vision. I hope to see you. Check the news article at the bottom of the fron page of our website, www.atthecrossing.org for more info.

Man...Alive

Guys my congratulations to you who were at The Crossing yesterday. I know your marriages are going to grow as you give yourself up. There is a cool verse from John 12:24-25..

Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal.

Giving yourself up gives you life. It is a Biblical law; it is just the way it is. You can't change gravity...its a law of nature. You can't change this law about sacrifice. Give yourself up and you will have more. If you missed it listen on-line at www.atthecrossing.org and then click "Listen to Messages" right on the front page under Quicklinks.

Wives this Sunday is about you. This past week we had a song just for guys ("Live Like You Are Dying") that Matt and the band rocked. This week ladies there is one for you that will be awesome. Don't miss the Sunday's service.

Crossing Guards

We have big props to give out to some key team members of The Crossing. Glenn O'Loughlin (and his family) for working at the coffee table after being up until 2:30 AM the night before at his daughter Tiffany's wedding reception. Everyone who works every week in set-up and children's ministry. Are you serving somewhere? We need you there. Paul Wallace always helping with serving the attenders as an usher. Chad Aukland and his team for taking on the Vision Dinner next week. Kent Sprague for picking up the sign on the road every week. I am sure there are others. If you see someone doing something significant to help us let me know. Thanks everyone.

All In...this is not your father's church!

There was a day when a pastor using poker for an illustration would have sparked an emergency church board meeting to reconsider his employment. Thankfully the board at The Crossing is letting me slide. Poker's new found popularity makes it an irresistible illustration for someone in my line of work...especially for relationships. If there is any area where risking it all is worth it, that's it.

I think many of us, more often than we would admit, have put our family at risk rather than risk everything else for them. I think of the risks associated with being alone on business trips or flirting with someone you regularly see. I think of the risks of going all in for your work and letting your kids grow up without your presence. I think of the risks of pleasure binges with alcohol, drugs, or porn and what that says to your family. I think of the risks of not acting on some problem your child has at an early age thinking they will grow out of it.

Whatever the reason: laziness, depression, greed, lust...or somehow just thinking you deserve it, we have taken some risks. Thankfully God knows all about taking a risk for someone because he did it for us. I grew up singing a song from southern Gospel music called Who Am I?

Who am I, that a king would bleed and die for?
Who am I that he would say, 'not my will thine for?'
The answer I am never know, why he ever loved me so,
That to an old rugged cross he would go. Who am I?

I spent some time this morning with the Lord and truly wept as I considered what he did for me. I wept also as I thought about the risks that have been considered in my mind. Not only risks to my family but risks to my faith. In fact I don't know how you can separate one from the other. I know the Bible doesn't.

One of the ways we can worship God is by going all in for our family and closest relationships. It is a great investment and it pleases the Lord. Don't miss this Sunday's service as continue down this road. I have something to give each of the guys this week, so be there men!

Crossing Guards

I used to be a crossing guard. In elementary school I stood at the corner of Broad and Allen St., dazzling in an orange belted sash with a crossing guard badge. I made sure 'kids' crossed the street safely...I was so proud. Now that I pastor The Crossing there are some people who continue to stand guard and I am proud of them. I want to honor different Crossing Guards each week.

The Crossing Guards for this week in no particular order are: Jeff Runyan for serving at the last moment as a children's teacher on Easter Sunday, Travis Rexroth for continuing to be the rock behind the set-up team, Ryan Alspach for continuing to serve on set-up, Shelley Smith for childrens' ministry set-up, and Karen, Tina, and Katie Poff for childrens' ministry tear down. Matt also wanted me to thank Frankie for always being willing to help. I wanted to thank Karl Alspach for helping me build the cross last week.

Thank you everyone for all you do at The Crossing!

If you have someone who needs recognized for their service at The Crossing let me know. I am not in a position to see what everyone does each week so help me out.

Gambling

I grew up in an era when you never saw anything like the World Series of Poker on T.V. Gambling was always a taboo and that kept Texas Hold 'Em, Blackjack, etc. off the air. This post is not about organized gambling. Anything that is an addiction or costs your family what it needs to live is bad. But bad business decisions and stock market plunges can hurt you just as quickly and maybe more completely than Texas Hold 'Em.

Gambling happens all the time. Starting The Crossing was/is a gamble. It was a big risk. Some of you are making decisions for your business that are risky. We take chances all the time. But taking them for love and family are often areas where we are anything but Doyle Brunson. You may have the nerves of Donald Trump in business but when you get home you're a 98 lb. weakling. It is time for you to become poker pro for your marriage and family. It is time to go all in. Check out this link to our new series beginning this week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_QCEcShQcQ

Vacation Mind Dump

I hardly believe after 10 whole posts on my blog that I have become someone that you can't do without but forgive me for not getting back to this until now. I have been on a cruise, thanks to the the people at Navigo Vacations who 'gave' it to me for listening to a two hour sales pitch for an overpriced time share. Needless to say I have been out of the loop enjoying some relaxation with my family.

I have some thoughts to dump on you after being gone.
-Cruises are a great thing made better with friends.
-Memories with the family are about as important as anything. We picked up a neat photo album in the straw market in Nassau and with the pictures, it is priceless to us.
-Shelli, Landon, and Logan I love you more than ever! I had so much fun with you guys last week.
-I am so proud of my sons...thanks for being who you are.
-Thee Ohio State University was in the national championship game...again. And lost...again. To Florida...again. Oh well at least we were there...again. At our next church meal we are serving gator on a stick!
-Sanjaya needs to go.
-Reggae gets old. How do those guys play that all the time?
-Plantains are to Central America what sweet potatoes are to America...a side that tastes like dessert.
-Did I mention that Sanjaya needs to go?
-It is better to do your sermon before you leave like I did last week. It is always on your mind during vacation.
-Boy I like the smell of cigars.
-How can anyone believe that creation just happened when they go snorkeling? What is under water is more beautiful than what is above it.
-It is good to be home.