Acts 29: The Journey to Affiliation (Part 1)
It was late 2006 and we were deep into the preparations for Crossings Community to have its first public worship gathering. I was incredibly hungry for any biblical wisdom I could find that would speak to this incredible journey that I saw in front of us. I had followed the ministry of Acts 29 for some time and had chosen to begin the process of affiliating with their network of churches.
I found in them a tribe of passionate bible preaching church planters that desperately sought after the glory of God through church multiplication. Our belief in the scriptures and our belief regarding how that must impact life aligned perfectly.
Firing Up The Blog… Again!!!
You can see from the dates of the recent posts that I have taken almost exactly one year off writing for the blog. There are a lot of reasons… probably primarily just getting a bit burnt out from trying so hard to get something written regularly.
Well, I’m back… sort of. I have a desire to write again. Although I have taken a break I never doubted the value of writing, even if the value was only personal. I’ve just made a commitment to come back to it on different terms.
I’m back… sort of.
My Tattoo Story
Some of you may need to sit down for this… others are probably uncontrollably standing up after reading the title (…in shock? …excitement? …disbelief?). I’d like to share with you a bit of the story. I am not going to give time to any arguments around whether it is right or wrong for a believer in Christ to be tattooed. Honestly, this has been dealt with and answered and doesn’t need to be rehashed by me today.
I have loved tattoo art for many years. Lori and I have been tattoo art fans for a long time. During my doctoral graduation in California in 2010 I remember us going by one of our favorite tattoo artist’s shop in Hollywood trying to grab a peek inside. We walked around the shop and took a picture of it like a couple of little kids at a theme park.
I finally came to a place where I knew it was time to take the plunge. There are a lot of factors that pushed me forward but I honestly think one of the biggest was reaching the 10-year mark in my journey at Crossings Community. These years have changed me in countless ways… ways too numerous to adequately articulate.
I see my journey as a long obedience in the same direction.
Can Growth Be Uncomfortable?
As the father of three wonderful children of whom my oldest is a freshman in High School (WHAT?!?), I have a lot of first hand experience with the growth process. With all of the children we have had moments where it was obvious the kids were experiencing some growth pains. They experienced some uncomfortable feelings that seemed to be caused by their particular season of growth.
I have walked through many seasons of growth pains in the life of Crossings Community over the years. It is interesting to look back at each of them. In the early years they were purely logistical because people were so hungry to have more families experiencing life at Crossings Community. The conversations revolved around the arrangements in the children’s ministry or the volunteers needed to continue with His vision for the church to engage, equip, and empower homes for gospel transformation.
Growth is often uncomfortable yet radiantly glorious.
A July Prayer Request…
There are a few weeks in July that truly are the most important weeks of my entire year. It took me a good number of years to learn how important this time truly is, but there is no question in my mind today. After our Sunday morning worship gathering on July 5th, I will take the four following Sundays away from preaching.
This time is planned out very intentionally and with significant goals marked for each week. These are the weeks that set the trajectory for the next 12 months of my life.
Thoughts on The Temporary Move
If you have not heard, we are relocating beginning this Sunday (June 7) through July 19th to Seven Lakes Junior High. I know what you are thinking…. Why in the world would we do such a thing?
Good question. The recent bond passing paved the way for Kilpatrick to both update flooring and technology. This is huge for them and we are greatly excited about these positive changes for the students and staff. The construction and all that comes with it is the reason we had to be relocated for a bit.
Intimate But Not Exclusive
We too quickly think of these as mutually exclusive rather than a life-giving combination. Don’t jump to any quick conclusions… I am talking about healthy small group relationships.
Intimate relationships are really where life change happens. Sunday mornings are vitally important. Sunday’s teaching and musical worship are vitally important. However, it is in real and intimate relationships that we process the way in which God is revealing Himself to us.
Healthy small groups must be an intimate place where relationships grow and thrive.
Personal Conviction vs Eternal Conviction
It has been over two years now that I have thrived on a nutrition plan that avoids grains of any kind. I have my moments of compromise here and there including the occasional family pizza outing. However, those times are fairly rare for me.
I stumbled upon this way of eating. It was not by a doctor’s suggestion. It began by simply trying to get healthier and lose some unwanted fat. Long story short, I discovered that some of my life-long health struggles began fading away the longer I went without grains in my diet.
In all honesty this was life-changing for me. There were multiple prescription medications that I began no longer taking, some of which I had taken daily since youth. I could go on and on about the physical benefits that I began to enjoy after this change. There lies my struggle…
Let’s keep the main thing the main thing.
Marriage Fun
Test: When was the last time you had fun with your spouse?
If your immediate response is asking what exactly is meant by having ‘fun’ then you are not off to a good start. You know what it means to have fun. When you are spending time with your spouse laughing and enjoying each other’s company then you are having fun together.
You do not have to spend a lot of money or do any elaborate planning. It is great to plan a fun adventure together but must not be the only time you have fun together.
Do whatever it takes to pursue fun with your spouse!
Summer Planning… for Transformation!
Summer is coming. Around here the change of season is obvious due to the pleasant weather slowly being overtaken by the heaviness of heat and humidity. Spring Break is in the rearview mirror and the school year closing activities are upon us.
If your home is in a similar life stage as ours then you already have a few things on the calendar for the coming summer. There may be a sports camp or some other activity for the kids which required registration months in advance. Possibly in your home there is a week during the summer when you always travel to see family or go to a family vacation spot.
Do your summer plans include intentional relational time with your family?