Plans for Purpose

Plans are good.  We should plan (probably more than we do!).  The problem with so many of our plans is that they are focused upon temporary things: job, money, education, opposite sex… on and on it goes.   God wants each one of our lives to make an eternal difference in the world.  We need to grab onto this truth and measure all of our plans against it.  If your life is not making an eternal difference in the world, your death won’t make a difference either.  Pursue the right things- pour your passion into reaching others for Christ.  See you Sunday!  -Brad

“Trading Up- Blindness for Sight”

Everyone loves a good trade.  “Intentional Blindness” is one of those traits Christians are called to ‘trade in’ for true sight.  The Bible is not simply meant to INFORM- it’s meant to TRANSFORM (in other words- to change your life!!)  What do I mean by ‘intentional blindness?’  Those are the areas in life that we know God speaks about, but we simply aren’t interested in what he has to say!  For example- what are you allowing into your home that doesn’t belong there (on the internet, tv, music, liquor, bad language,etc.)?  Satan intends to do all that he can to destroy your family, your life, your children.  PURSUING truth and obedience through the Bible is the only solution to spiritual blindness!  TO GAIN TRUE SIGHT, PURSUE THE LIGHT!  I challenge you this week to seek an answer to every question or problem you face in God’s Word.  Let me know what you find!  See you next week! -Brad

Getting Set for Winter

Amazing how quickly the time passes.  I look in the mirror and wonder how it could be possible that I’ve spent nearly five decades on earth.  As winter draws near, I check to make sure the studded tires are on, the firewood is stacked on the porch, meat is in the freezer (thanks Tim, Keith and Chuck!).  The ‘dark season’ in Alaska is also dark emotionally for many people.  Just as you prepare for winter, why not prepare spiritually for the season ahead?  Start now on the Christmas letter/ mailings.  Schedule holiday plans or social times with friends and family.  Invest in a winter recreation- ski, snowshoe, skate, snowmobile, or, perhaps, some kind of indoor club or recreation.  Begin making the changes now that will allow you to not simply survive the coming winter, but thrive.  See you Sunday! -Pastor Brad

“Scarlet” Letters

For centuries the Christian church has been guilty of ‘branding’ various groups as unwanted and unclean.  It is so refreshing to see the God-ward changes in the Church (Big ‘C’) today: Recovery Ministries, Open Doors, Outreach, Compassion and Social Justice Ministries.  Even though much is wrong with the Church (it’s filled with sinners like us), much is also right.  Jesus is not here to condemn your old life, but to offer one that’s new.  Think about it.  We’d love to see you this week at The Crossing!

Red Letters

This week we begin a new series that God is going to use to challenge and bless you!  “Red Letters” takes us on a journey of deeper discovery regarding some of the specific words Jesus spoke here on earth.  Make sure to invite your friends, neighbors, classmates- strangers…  Let’s get the Good News out there!  See you Sunday! -Brad

Mexico

Wow!  There’s a lot happening south of the border!   Our 36 member team spent a week on the Baja Penisula south of San Diego, and had great opportunities to share in the work of Christ!  Shawn Gracey led a construction team that built second-story classrooms onto Pastor Teo’s church in Ensenada, while the rest of the group led daily kids’ clubs for very poor children in the village of El Sorrio (Pastor Tacho’s church).  I had opportunity to preach in Ensenada twice, in El Sorrio, and in Diaz Ordaz (Pastor Hugo’s church).  I also visited Tecate and prayed over the land where we intend to build our next church (Pastor Alfredo currently holds services in a 10×14 foot lean-to).  Our youth group and leaders were outstanding, and your support made it all happen.  It’s great to be back- hope to see you at Encounter on Friday to hear our testimonies!  God is good! -Brad

Graffiti

Sometimes life is more like a forest fire than a camp fire.  Camp fires are warm and cozy- forest fires are out of control- intense- and leave a wake of destruction.   Christians are not promised lives that will be free from fiery trials.  In fact, Jesus said, “in this life you will have trouble…”.  The thing that separates a person who describes his life as ‘great’ from the person who describes his as ‘miserable’ has little to do with circumstances, but everything to do with how we respond to our circumstances.  IF God loves you, IF he is interested in your life, IF he listens and responds to your prayer, IF he is GOOD, THEN you can trust him to either walk with you through the fire, rescue you from the fire, or, if he chooses, take you home in the fire.  All three options are ultimately for our good, so why worry?  See you next week! -Brad

The School of Hard Knocks

One of the most interesting men in the Bible spent the beginning of his life rich and privileged, lost everything, and then spent the rest of his life as a slave.   That’s a recipe for misery, but Daniel didn’t see it that way.  He figured that since God chose to allow tough times to come into his life, he was going to serve God as best he could in spite of his circumstances.  We all go through tough times.  Sometimes the challenges we face seem to come from out of nowhere and knock us flat.  How do you respond when life hits you hard?  Daniel “resolved” that he would not dishonor God.   He “chose” to be respectful to those in authority.  He “worked” hard to excel in spite of his circumstances.  And God blessed him, protected him, and honored him because of it.  Great lessons for life!  See you next week!

Using Your Gifts

Wasn’t it great to have an opportunity to laugh together on Sunday?  Torrey Martin did a great job of sharing God’s truth a personal (and entertaining) way.  The next step for each of us is to rise to the challenge of using our gifts for God’s glory.  What is your passion?  What unique skills do you possess?  Now— how can you use those things to minister in the name of Christ?  Let me know what you decide!  See you next week! -Brad

“Scattered”

The top of my desk looks like the surface of a typical landfill.  Why can’t I get organized?  It seems like every time I get one thing finished, two more are added to my ‘collection.’  No wonder I’m scattered!  (Or maybe this is WHY I’m scattered…)  Anyway, Jesus told a parable about a farmer who scattered his seed.  Some fell on hard ground, some on rocks, some in the weeds, but some fell on good soil and produced a huge crop.  His reminder to us is to stop worrying about the soil and get busy scattering the seed.  Look for people to bless this week- people to invite to church or your small group- people to talk to about your faith.  God promises that if we do our part, He’ll do His!  See you next week!        -Brad