The Next Chapter

To the Class of 2008...

First of all congratulations. It has been a blessing to have worked with some of you for almost 10 years. Some of you, I didn't have nearly enough time, you came in late in your school career and now it's over. Whether you've been around for years, or you've only been here a short time... Thanks for being part of the Family.

It has been wonderful to have you in my life and now it's time for me to let go. My greatest desire for the past, however many years you've been here, has been to see you grow in a living relationship with Jesus Christ. Not to know who He is, but to have a living relationship with him. I know you know this, but I'm not serious about much... my relationship to Jesus, my family, and my job. I take my job seriously. At Crossroads, we call em like we see em. Not politically correct, but with a desire to be eternally correct. Sin is Sin and we don't candy coat it. I think you know that. In doing this, I tried to show you the importance of making the right choice the first time.

Now it's time for you to turn the page and begin the next chapter in the book of your life. I pray that you have learned Biblical Principles that will guide you as you begin this new step in life. That you would fully allow God to lead you and that you will be the one... the one to make a difference in someones life, the one to invest back in your church and Crossroads, the one to be the Christian God has designed you to be.

May you take the Blessings God has already given you and use them to grow in Him.

We love you all...

We Are

Crossroads

You have value...

One of the latest things for teenagers is EMO. I know it's been around for a while, but in the past few months, it's been showing up more and more. From what I see, it's just the newest way for teenagers to say what they've been saying for years and years. "Nobody hears men, no one understands, life is hard... Guess what, heard it before.

One of the saddest things I deal with is students that think they have no value. I have had so many students that feel that they are all alone, that feel they aren't good enough. I guess as I get older, I forget what it was like to be a teenager. The hardest thing I faced was unhealthy comparisons. I didn't have as much as some, so I wasn't as good. I didn't have a nice car, so I was lower than them. I wasn't the coolest, so I just didn't fit in. Sounds familiar doesn't it. I think we have all dealt with inferiority before. Guess what... I can't be what others are. I am not suppose to be like them, I am me. Just as each thumb print and every eye is different, every person is different.

I have seen more teenagers getting into the Emo thing. To be in this crowd, many will dye their hair black, wear mostly black clothes, sweaters (usually dark colors) scarfs... most of them dress from the thrift store, or from hand me downs. Some even resort to cutting themselves to fit into this emo lifestyle. All because they don't fit in. Well, what happens to the kid that doesn't fit in the emo group... what will the next title be?

Please understand that I'm not labeling people, I just want anyone to know that struggles with fitting in... you're not alone. I'm reminded of a person that didn't fit in. He was mocked at every turn... His name is Jesus Christ. So when you think you don't fit in, and you're not worth anything, think of the one who died for you... He saw some value in you. Don't by into the lies. God loves you and wants you to enjoy life. It's too short to be miserable.

We Are

Crossroads

Locked up, gone to the Big House, In my own concrete jungle, in prison. One thing that I can't get over is seeing people arrested carried off to jail and they act like it's no big deal. So how do I see this, MSNBC and Discovery Channel of course. My father in law and my brother in law work in law inforcements as well as several of my former students, but I Praise God have never had to set foot unwillingly into a jail.

In watching Locked-Up and DEA and things like that, I see so many people being arrested. Usually it is for drugs, and they act like it's no big deal going to prison. Prison: a place of confinement for those convicted by or awaiting trial. Being held against your will for something you did that was agains the law. Imagine every freedom taken away from you. As I blog, I am listening to Barlow Girl, drinking a Diet Pepsi Max (what a great drink) looking into The Upper Room as the media runs for Crossroads... I can turn and look out my window at the folks playing basketball, and very soon I'll go get into my truck and drive to my home and see my family... Freedom.

Whether we want to admit it or not, we have all slipped into prison. Some decision that has held us agianst our will. If we have taken the name of Christian, our desire should be to become Christ-like. If this is not our desire, we're imprisoned by something. Fear, laziness, pride, ego... but I think Fear would kind of hold all of these in it's title.

We are told in the Bible (that is the Holy Bible not what Oprah is pushing) that we are to fear God. Fear of God isn't the thought of God getting us for doing wrong, it is all about respect for who He is. You know R-E-S-P-E-C-T find out what it means to me. God also tells us in His word that He has not given us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and of love and of self discipline... That is what God has given us.

On the tv show, one guy has the layout of the prison tattooed on his body. (wow, that's a onetime thing) but they use his body to gain knowledge of how to escape the prison. God has given us His word, to study, learn and make part of who we are. These are the instructions for life, and eternity. That is how we escape... know God and His wonder and allow Him to break you free from a life of prison.

We Are

Crossroads

Cops...po-po...5-0...Authority- that which has the power to command. There are many things that have authority in our lives. Some by neccesity others by choice. From the day we were born, someone was and still is telling us what to do. That authority was given to them because they are our parents, and that is what parents do, they tell us what to do. As a parent now, I really understand why my parents guided me the way they did. Then into school, our teachers have authority over us. They are our leaders and part of what they do is tell us what to do. They have the power to command. It isn't because they are mean and don't have any feelings, it's their job to command us to learn. And yes... it usually is for our own good. But too many times we allow other things to reign authority over us. Friends, family, jobs, money, fashion, image, every day pressures, fear... so many things. So what is one to do. In Romans 13:1b we are told that "there is no Authority except that which God has established". A friend of mine, Randy Bruner spoke to me about that a couple weeks ago and it really hit home. Nothing can contol me except what God has placed. Nothing man has or has ever created can control me. I have been given power over every living creature, I have been given authority over sin... but will I accept that power.

So, what has authority over your life. Give it to God. Give Him the Authority in your life. God created you to have life more abundant. Don't settle for what the world has to offer.

We Are

CROSSROADS

We all look forward to things. Birthdays, Christmas, vacations, graduation, ball games, dates. We all have things that we're excited about and we go to them with great expectations. These events are normally a once a year thing, or a every once in a while thing, or a once in a life time thing. The things that we do every day of our life, we're not that excited about. "What's the big deal, it's just my job", "It's the same thing every day, go to class, blah blah blah". "Well, it's Sunday, I guess it's time to go to church". I think we're missing out on something.

When God called us into His family, and we accepted the call, something special happened... The Gift of Eternal Life. Not something you got at the mall, or something your friend gave you, it is a gift that no one but He could give. That eternal life began when you died to self and gave your life to Him. In Matthew 18:20 it says "where 2 or more are gathered in My name, I will be there". Jesus Christ is here to meet with us corpratley each time we come to church. Shouldn't we be excited about that?

A couple months ago, the governor of Alabama was a guest in our church. People came from all over to see him and to be seen. Folks showed up hours early just so they could see him. I love an repect the man, but... he's a man. Each week we slowly get up and amble into church, plop down on the seat and watch our watches until it's time to leave. So I guess I have to ask the question, Who did we come to see? As you get ready for church, when ever you go, remember who's going to be there. Go with Great Expectations!

We Are

CROSSROADS

Let's play the Dating Game. Some of the best times, some of the worst times, but dating is something all of us has done or will do. I have to laugh at all the people who post things on the social web sites. I love this girl, I love this guy. She completes me, he is all I need. Then you see the word that begins the end of it all.... "forever". It is so funny to me to see all of the enlightened people who have the world figured out... then they don't understand why their relationship didn't work... why is it so complicated... they weren't what they said they were.... Welcome to Dating.

Dating is not just a time when you try to figure out the person of the opposite sex that you're dating, it is also a time that you find out who you are. " I didn't realize that her passing gas after dinner was her way of showing me that she enjoyed the meal". Who knew that she was grossed out by my candle made of my ear wax... Let's face it, we're different.

So what is the purpose of dating... why are we drawn to dating... is there a book about dating? First, dating is a time for you to test the waters and find out what you would want in a mate. That doesn't mean that you're married, so the married games must wait until then. (Ask me about the order sometime) But it is a time that prepares you for marriage. Does God have the perfect person picked out for me? I have no idea. I do know that way before I got married to my wonderful wife of almost 10 years, God knew we would be husband and wife. I do know that God has someone for you and He sent that person to you... His name is Jesus.

It is natural for us to want to date. Way before we were born... yes even before I was born, God created this dude called Adam. God saw something was missing so he made Eve. Notice God didn't give Adam a buddy, he didn't give him a pal, he gave him a gal. (WOW welcome to the '50's..."gal"?) Not Adam and Steve or Eve and Christy... boy-girl, girl-boy, that's the way it should be. Not politically correct... GOOD! I would much rather be Eternally correct than to be approved by worldly junk. It is natural for us to want to date, that's how we're wired.

The book on dating is out there. There are many books about dating, but one just keeps coming to mind, The Holy Bible. God has given us specific guidelines to dating in His word. If you keep in mind that God has rules for you to follow, and you have a relationship with Him before you begin your relationship with that special someone, and if your relationship with that special someone is centered around God's will, then you don't have anything to fret.

Will it last forever... will we never be tempted... ok first it won't last forever, you're gonna die. Dating ends with one of two things, marriage or breaking up. If God is guiding you, He isn't going to guide you into pain and sorrow, so if you break up, it's all good, God is in control. If you get married, it's all good, God is in control. Temptation is real, even God's son was tempted, but it's up to YOU to decide whether or not you fall into temptation. You can't be pressured into anything if you don't want to be.

Dating, good times. Make sure you've got your #1 and let Him take care of the rest.

We Are

CROSSROADS

The Day of Love...

(in your best French Accent) Ahhhh Valentine's Day, the Day of Love, One Day set aside to tell that special someone that you have strong feelings for them...(end of French Accent)

What is this day. For many it's the day that you go get flowers for that special someone, or you get candy for them, stuffed animals, any random item to tell someone you love them. A day that a fat man in a diaper with wings comes and shoots you in the heart so you will fall in love with the person of your dreams.... ok now really what is it?

Just a day, so I have to ask the question, what is love to you? After 9 years of marriage I have a better understanding of what love is. It's not flowers, and fuzzy feelings, it's more than a feeling (In your best air guitar playing 1980's band Boston sound), it's goes much further than that. Love is an action. The perfect example of love is this... "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay don hs life for his friends" John 15:13 So before you go start posting on myspace and facebook how much you luuuuve someone, make sure you know what true love is. And remember True Love Waits, true lust doesn't.

Happy Valentines Day

We Are

CROSSROADS