Just wanted to take some time to thank some great folks who either work behind the scenes at The Crossing or have just been caught doing something really nice. In the second category, I want to thank Alex and Christina Dixon for making cookies and giving them out to people at church. They did it just because they wanted to be nice...thanks kids (and Patti)!
Those working behind the scenes...
-Thanks Shelley Smith for setting up the Children's Church area every week. This is a labor of love that Shelley does every week when no one is looking. Thanks Shelley-- when you bless kids, you bless God's heart!
-Thanks to Lisa Alspach and Glen O'Loughlin for making the coffee every week.
-Thanks to Daniel Cheatham for driving the truck every week. Thanks to all the guys who do setup as well!
-Thanks to those who work with children every week at The Crossing.
If you have someone we should honor let us know.
Monday, August 27, 2007
One and Only
Yesterday we discussed the question, "what is the central point of the Bible?" I have thought about this for 20 years. Obviously to attempt to answer a statement like this is to invite controversy. I know there may be many honestly held ideas but I have not stumbled into my understanding. I believe the center of it all..the word of God, the mission of Jesus, and of the church, and even the point of attack for the enemy is oneness. God wants us to be one with him and with each other. Below is a very brief summary of oneness and Biblical history.
-God is one (Deut. 6:4)--the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in a trinity which is simply a union or oneness of three things.
-God made mankind to be one with him illustrated by the picture of Adam and God walking in the cool of the evening in the garden in an intimate fellowship.
-God made mankind to be one with each other illustrated by the intimacy of Adam and Eve, the first people.
-The fall of man broke the intimacy between God and mankind. Adam and Eve immediately began to hide from God and each other; clearly their oneness has been ruined.
-The books of the law in the Old Testament provide a system for mankind to have partial oneness with God and each other. But this system is insufficient, temporary, and looks forward to the day when a better solution to man's loss of oneness with God and each other will be provided.
-Jesus ministry is all about restoring the oneness that has been lost in the fall of man. When asked about the greatest commandment Jesus says to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. That sums up exactly what God created and was lost in the Garden of Eden. Love is the action and emotion of oneness.
-And of course during Jesus' prayer in John 17 he talks about his oneness with the Father and his hope for his mission and for the people of the world to have the same oneness that he has.
-The early church became one and was used mightily to change 1000's of lives.
-And in the end we shall go to be with the father and with each other...together as one, forever in heaven. The restoration is complete... mankind is again one with his Creator and with each other.
So what does this all mean? It means that what God wants of is us to become one with him and each other. And our mission in life is to help more and more people to do the same. One and only!
-God is one (Deut. 6:4)--the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in a trinity which is simply a union or oneness of three things.
-God made mankind to be one with him illustrated by the picture of Adam and God walking in the cool of the evening in the garden in an intimate fellowship.
-God made mankind to be one with each other illustrated by the intimacy of Adam and Eve, the first people.
-The fall of man broke the intimacy between God and mankind. Adam and Eve immediately began to hide from God and each other; clearly their oneness has been ruined.
-The books of the law in the Old Testament provide a system for mankind to have partial oneness with God and each other. But this system is insufficient, temporary, and looks forward to the day when a better solution to man's loss of oneness with God and each other will be provided.
-Jesus ministry is all about restoring the oneness that has been lost in the fall of man. When asked about the greatest commandment Jesus says to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. That sums up exactly what God created and was lost in the Garden of Eden. Love is the action and emotion of oneness.
-And of course during Jesus' prayer in John 17 he talks about his oneness with the Father and his hope for his mission and for the people of the world to have the same oneness that he has.
-The early church became one and was used mightily to change 1000's of lives.
-And in the end we shall go to be with the father and with each other...together as one, forever in heaven. The restoration is complete... mankind is again one with his Creator and with each other.
So what does this all mean? It means that what God wants of is us to become one with him and each other. And our mission in life is to help more and more people to do the same. One and only!
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Back to School and Many Other Things
The summer is great. The freedom...the relaxation...the rest. It is good to blow off some steam, break your routine, and not be bound by 'normal' life. It is important to visit family and friends, build better relationships, and create lasting memories. I think God wants us to have this time and we definitely need it especially living in the ATL.
But I am glad it is over! School starts for us tomorrow and it signals, for the Saunders' home at least, the return of normal, structured life--yes! I need the summer but after awhile I am ready to get rid of it. It has been great but I am ready for the fall and getting back to school and...many other things. Here are some of those other things:
1. I am ready to see my friends at church consistently. Most people miss between 2-5 Sundays in the summer with a few missing many more. The Crossing is like a family and when members of the family who were always there are suddenly gone it can be disappointing. And as good as the summer has been for us at The Crossing, there should be a good crowd there when everyone gets back.
2. I am ready to organize my life. The summer has been chaotic and routineless at times. Though not necessarily a neat person I do need consistency. I can handle chaos better than others but I don't thrive in it. I can hear many of you nodding in agreement about yourselves; you are ready for some order.
3. I am ready to see some big things happen at The Crossing. It just seems like some big things are coming this fall and I am excited about it. The fall is often a time for growth but this fall could be especially memorable...and I can't wait. You will be hearing more about it.
4. Oh and one more...I am ready for some football! The guys and I have been talking about it for a month. Logan is in full practice mode. ESPN talks about it everyday. Even Shelli said she can't wait for football...she loves the sedative effect of Sunday afternoon games!
So lets get back to school and the many other things that we all know we need. Be consistent in attendance at The Crossing, bring order to your life, and let's see some big things happen this fall at church!
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