Life without Christ

I was trying to imagine what my life would be like today if I hadn't surrendered my life to Christ back in the mid 70's. Obviously, I wouldn't be a pastor!! Since my goal in my BC (before Christ) days was to be filthy rich, I'm guessing that's what I'd be right now. I'd be using my business degree to make some serious dough. My guess (I know myself pretty well) is I'd be a workaholic, self-centered business guy climbing the corporate ladder...not content until I get to the very top. I'm not sure what my addiction of choice would be, but I know I'd have at least one.

I have nothing against making money or being in business, but I'm so glad God got my attention. On this day before Easter I marvel at God's ability to change a person. I am grateful that God saved me from myself, and gave me a bigger purpose to live for. The verse that has struck me recently comes from Philippians 3:8 "Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ and become one with him."

Happy Easter!

Open Doors

The Apostle Paul talked a lot about doors. He was a man on a mission. He asked God to open up doors for him so that the Good News about Christ could spread everywhere. This past weekend at Crossroads we committed to praying for the same thing--open doors to impact others and point others to the Risen Lord.

We thought of people we know who are far from God...people missing out on God's best...people not connected to God and His family. We committed to pray for them. To invest in their lives. To invite them to a place like Crossroads where they can hear about the life that Christ offers. Those people are on our "Easter radar screen". At the end of the service we walked up to one of three doors in the Sanctuary and wrote their names on a door. 1,232 names were submitted!

1,232 people. All made in God's image. All people for whom Christ died. To see a church that "gets it", that "gives a rip" about those outside its doors, is a beautiful thing.