Baptisms @ The Crossing

This past Sunday we had our first baptisms at The Crossing! It was such a joy to see Max and Elyse (married for less than four months) celebrate their union with Christ through water baptism. To God be all the glory!

Romans 6:4 - We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Lukewarm and Loving It

In February, my wife and I read the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan, and God used it to shake me up pretty hard in the area of walking by faith. At that time I was working in Denver while just starting to serve at The Crossing. I was praying and begging God to provide me with some resolution that would allow me to quit the job that was keeping me out of Fort Collins for about 60 hours per week, and He answered in an unexpected way: "Quit your job." Excuse me? I thought, Quit my job? Now? Where is our income going to come from? How are we going to pay off the rest of these medical bills? I looked for a job for two months last summer up here, and now You want me to just quit my job before I have any prospects? But this was exactly what He wanted me to do: "seek first the kingdom of God and all these things (your daily needs) will be added to you." Then on my first day of being unemployed, lo and behold, I got hired with a company here in Fort Collins! Why I ever doubt God's faithfulness to His promises baffles me. God never leaves His children hanging out to dry when it comes to his they seek to trust Him... never.

Now we are reading through Crazy Love with our church, and God is shaking me up again. We just read chapter 4, "Profile of the Lukewarm," and we watched the sermon "Lukewarm and Loving It." I don't know exactly what God is doing in my heart right now, but I know that I still tend to love comfort, and God hates my love of comfort. It seems like a love of comfort will always be a trap that we can fall into, but do we realize how dangerous this trap is? It is the thorn that chokes out the seed that initially sprung up; it's the broad path that leads to destruction, and many of us are on it... or we are constantly flirting with it. But there is a narrow path that leads to LIFE. Make it down that path, and we gain God. He is the Treasure; He is the Reward. Lord, help us believe it, and lose everything to gain You.

The Gospel of Jesus

The gospel of Jesus is the good news about what God has accomplished through His Son, Jesus Christ.

The perfect life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection of Jesus is not just the climax of the Bible, it is the climax of all history. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, God the Father has revealed His own glory (His power, grace, love, justice, mercy, wrath, wisdom, etc.) for all the world to see.

In love, Jesus came to die for unrighteous people like you and me so that we could enjoy eternal life in the presence of God (John 3:16 and 17:3). Ultimately, we only have two options: We can reject Jesus and consequently reject eternal life with God, or we can believe in Jesus, trust in Him for forgiveness, and honor Him as the One who died for us and who lives to be our King. Those who trust in Jesus will experience the reality of the words of King David, who said to the Lord:

"You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
- Psalm 16:11



For a more thorough explanation of the Gospel of Jesus go to Two Ways to Live.

Simplified Missional Living

Here is a list from Jonathan Dodson (an Acts 29 pastor) of some simple ways to live on mission in your everyday life:

Eat with Non-Christians

We all eat three meals a day. Why not make a habit of sharing one of those meals with a non-Christian or with a family of non-Christians? Go to lunch with a co-worker, not by yourself. Invite the neighbors over for family dinner. If it’s too much work to cook a big dinner, just order pizza and put the focus on conversation. When you go out for a meal, invite a non-Christian friend. Or take your family to family-style restaurants where you can sit at the table with strangers and strike up conversations. Have cookouts and invite Christians and non-Christians. Flee the Christian subculture.

Walk, Don’t Drive

If you live in a walkable area, make a practice of getting out and walking around your neighborhood, apartment complex, or campus. Instead of driving to the mailbox or convenience store, walk to get mail or groceries. Be deliberate in your walk. Say hello to people you don’t know. Strike up conversations. Attract attention by walking the dog, carrying along a 6-pack to share, bringing the kids. Make friends. Get out of your house! Last night I spent an hour outside gardening with my family. We had good conversations with about four of our neighbors. Take interest in your neighbors. Ask questions. Engage. Pray as you go. Save some gas, the planet, and some people.

Be a Regular

Instead of hopping all over the city for gas, groceries, haircuts, eating out, and coffee, go to the same places at the same times. Get to know the staff. Smile. Ask questions. Be a regular. I have friends at coffee shops all over the city. My friends at Starbucks donate a ton of leftover pastries to our church 2-3 times a week. We use them for church gatherings and occasionally give them to the homeless. Build relationships. Be a regular.

Hobby with Non-Christians

Pick a hobby that you can share. Get out and do something you enjoy with others. Try city league sports or local rowing and cycling teams. Share your hobby by teaching lessons, such as sewing, piano, knitting, or tennis lessons. Be prayerful. Be intentional. Be winsome. Have fun. Be yourself.

Talk to Your Co-workers.

How hard is that? Take your breaks with intentionality. Go out with your team or task force after work. Show interest in your co-workers. Pick four and pray for them. Form moms’ groups in your neighborhood and don’t make them exclusively non-Christian. Schedule play dates with the neighbors’ kids. Work on mission.

Volunteer with Non-Profits.

Find a non-profit in your part of the city and take a Saturday a month to serve your city. Bring your neighbors, your friends, or your small group. Spend time with your church serving your city. Once a month. You can do it!

Participate in City Events

Instead of playing XBox, watching TV, or surfing the net, participate in city events. Go to fundraisers, festivals, cleanups, summer shows, and concerts. Participate missionally. Strike up conversation. Study the culture. Reflect on what you see and hear. Pray for the city. Love the city. Participate with the city.

Serve Your Neighbors.

Help a neighbor by weeding, mowing, building a cabinet, or fixing a car. Stop by the neighborhood association or apartment office and ask if there is anything you can do to help improve things. Ask your local Police and Fire Stations if there is anything you can do to help them. Get creative. Just serve!

http://www.theresurgence.com/Dodson_Simplified_Missional_Living