TMG
Dear Church Family,
A long-time friend of mine wrote the following thoughts about the beauty of fall and our own thankfulness. My friend is an artist, and his eye for color helps me consider things in new ways. (You can view some of his artwork at GraceReflections.com.)
As we move into fall, in many parts of our nation we are blessed with wonderful fall colors. Beauty is one of God’s gifts to us. Here is something to ponder: How do you feel if you give someone a gift and they never say “Thank you?” Hurt? Unappreciated? So, how often do we tell the Lord thank you for all He has done? After all, God could have made the whole world a drab pea-soup green or yucky brown. Even in the most terrible places to live on earth, there are still sunrises and sunsets, and maybe a butterfly or a wild flower in the crack of a sidewalk. Reminders of God are all around if we have eyes to see. Richard Wurmbrand, who wrote “Tortured For Christ” was in a communist prison and had undergone unbelievable torture. One day in total despair, as he wanted to find a way to commit suicide, light came through his prison bar window and cast the shadow of a telephone pole outside his window onto his prison wall…it was in the shape of a cross! Suddenly, he felt God speaking to his spirit that He was not alone, that Jesus too had suffered and was with him. May God speak to your heart and my heart today. We are not alone, no matter what we’re going through. Maybe something as simple as a single red leaf on the sidewalk will remind you that God is real, and that glory awaits us on the other side of this life.
Here is a life-truth: the more thankful we are the more joyful we become. If we’re not thankful, we’re probably not a very happy person. If you’d like to read a wonderful book along this line, I highly recommend “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp. She had battled depression much of her life when a friend challenged her to make a list of 1,000 things she was thankful for…and as she began looking for things to be thankful for, she realized that she was not as depressed. In other words, there is a major correlation between thankfulness and joy. For all of you receiving this mailing I want you to know that I am thankful for you and who you have been in my life! Your love and prayers mean more than you know. Life is sometimes hard, but God is always good, and friends are one of His greatest gifts.
Notes From Last Sunday’s Elders Meeting
Here are a few notes from the elders meeting of last Sunday evening. Thank you for praying for us ! God gave unity, good fellowship, and a sense of His leading as we met.
Sunday Meeting Options
Riverside Cowboy Church is available to us through October. In the meantime, we would like to find a new location to rent. We feel the financial support at Crossroads is strong enough to enable us to do this and to grow our Building Fund at the same time. There is a post on the Crossroads Facebook page about our search for a rental location. Please share this post with your friends so we can get the word out that we’re looking. If you have information on rental space, please contact Cris. Thank you !
Nominating Committee
We are in need of a Nominating Committee to take us through the Elder nomination / election process as described in the church by-laws. If you would like to suggest someone to be on the Nominating Committee, please let one of the current elders know by this Sunday. Thank you!
Shepherding Groups
Each of the four elders has been given various people from Crossroads as part of his “Shepherding Group.” We hope this will facilitate care of the flock and help the elders in their role as shepherds.
Other
- Two people attending Crossroads are interested in membership. We scheduled a date for their new member interview.
- Tom will be gone October 31 and January 2. Pastor Jerry Carlin will preach in Tom’s place on October 31.
- A church Thanksgiving meal is proposed for November 21, organized by Michaela.
- Dates and a Bible Study for the Youth Group were discussed.
- The elders will begin reading Spiritual Leadershipby J. Oswald Sanders prior to their next meeting.
- We spent time in prayer for each other and for other needs at Crossroads and in the world.
Thanks!
Thanks to those who organized the picnic last Sunday at Radio Spring Park! It was a great time on a beautiful day! We enjoyed fellowship, frisbee, food, … and wrestling with our thoughts about “Do not judge.” 🙂
Youth Group, October 27
Mark your calendar, and plan to invite a friend! On the 27th, our youth group will meet at Cris and Donna’s at 6:30 pm for food and fellowship and pumpkin carving / painting.
This Sunday, October 10
Sunday Morning
Due to an outdoor program at Riverside Cowboy Church this weekend, we will meet inside this Sunday in the metal church building just across the drive from the house as you arrive on the Riverside property, 16001 S 1250 Road. We’ll have our second sermon in the “You Asked For It” sermon series. David the giant-killer reached a point, later in life, where he was completely broken and on the verge of losing everything, including his own life. The Bible says that at that moment he “encouraged himself in the Lord” (1 Samuel 30:6). Some Bible translations say he “strengthened himself in the Lord.” How can this act of finding encouragement and strength in the Lord happen in our own lives?
Sunday Evening
Home Group will meet at 6:00 at my house, 628 W. Arch Street. Please join us even if you missed one of the first two sessions! We have three sessions left, and this Sunday would be a great time for you to jump in with us! “Goliath Must Fall” is our study. This Sunday, we’ll take a look at two more giants in our lives — the giant of Rejection (and his cousin, Approval); and the giant of Comfort. Come for a good time of fellowship, challenge, and growth!
I hope to see you this Sunday!
– Tom
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