TMG
Hello, Crossroads Family!
It’s interesting that in a small church such as ours there is so much going on in people’s lives! I hope you’ll take time to think through the various members of the Crossroads family and to pray for someone you may not pray for regularly. Whether or not you know their specific needs isn’t important. One suggestion is simply to pray for them some of the same things you pray for yourself! 1 Thessalonians 5:23 can also be a helpful verse in prayer:
“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.” (Paul praying for the Christians at Thessalonica)
To “sanctify” means to be made holy. In other words, this is a prayer that God would continue His inner work in someone’s life, making them more and more into the person He intended them to be through Christ!
I stumbled across a verse this week in the book of Daniel that encourages us in prayer! Daniel spends a long time in chapter 9 confessing the sins of his people and asking for God’s forgiveness. Then as he begins to present requests on behalf of his people, he says this:
“We are not presenting our supplications before You on account of any merits of our own, but on account of Your great compassion” (Daniel 9:18).
Sometimes I feel we think we need to be “worthy” of approaching the Lord in prayer. However, Daniel said he was coming to God on the basis, not of anything he had done, but on the basis of God’s compassion! Let’s go to God, too, on this basis!
Going on at Crossroads
Here’s what’s coming up over the next few weeks at Crossroads, in chronological order:
This Sunday
Jason Burrows will preach in my place this Sunday. I’m excited for you to be with Jason again! He’s a good teacher and has a contagious enthusiasm for the Lord! Jason has recently accepted the position of pastor at Rock of Ages Church (Evangelical Free) in Leavenworth, Kansas, while he continues his studies at Midwestern Seminary. Worship this Sunday at 10:00 at the Community Center.
This weekend I’ll be at the wedding of my daughter Betsy to Dan Jackson. Betsy is my third oldest daughter; she and Dan both live in Portland, Oregon. The wedding, however, will be a Midwest one; it will be a relatively small service on property belonging to my sister-in-law and her husband in northern Arkansas on the Buffalo River. Thank you for praying for Betsy and Dan, and for the reunion of my family this coming weekend!
Youth Group
I’m excited about the video study our youth group (ages 16 and over) started last Sunday called “How to Face Life’s Challenges.” Thanks to Jessica and Forrest for facilitating, and to Jessica for hosting and providing lunch! The next study session will take place Sunday, September 25, after worship, at Jessica’s house.
The Big Serve
The Big Serve is happening all over Nevada on September 24-25. If you’re interested in serving on a team from Crossroads, please let me or Michelle know. Thank you!
Elders Meeting
Our next elders meeting will take place Sunday, October 2, following the worship service. If you have a need you’d like to bring to the attention of the Crossroads elders, please let one of them know. Thank you.
Home Group
I’ve been watching the videos for our new Home Group series, and I think you will love it! I’m calling it “Discovering Your Family Tree: Christian History Made Easy.” We’ll meet every other Sunday evening starting October 2, at my house. Many of us know little or nothing about the history of the Church beyond what we can read in the Bible which really tells us only about the birth of the Church. If you’re a Christian, Church History is your family tree! Come find out some answers to why you are the way you are in the Church(!) … and why other people in the Church are the way they are! Always a lot of fun and growing at Home Group!
MAMS
The “Martha’s & Mary’s” group got off to a good start in September. The next gathering for women and their friends will be Wednesday, October 5, 7 pm, at Michelle Mooneyham’s home, 602 N. Washington. Come and enjoy discussion, fellowship, and support! All are welcome!
Our Love of Kings & Queens
It’s interesting to consider the impact of Queen Elizabeth’s life, and what will be the impact of her passing. The Bible tells us God has used — and will continue to use — world leaders (both good and bad ones) to bring about the fulfillment of His plans. (Re-read, for example, the book of Daniel to see how God used Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Cyrus, and others to fulfill His plans. The whole book of Daniel is about who has “dominion” over the earth, and who will have it in the end!)
Human beings have an innate longing for kings and queens, it seems! The Israelites cried out to be given a king; the Egyptians had their pharaohs; even the descendants of Esau, way back in Genesis 36, had men they called “chiefs” who could be thought of as kings.
Even though we Americans have rejected the idea of monarchy, we nevertheless long for the rule of a righteous king! We’re told His rule can begin in our hearts right now, and that He will rule physically one day on the earth! What an amazing thing to know the King of kings, and to be getting ready for His coming!
One of my children sent me the following video tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, produced by All Souls Church which was the church of Bible scholar and author John Stott. The video gives a glimpse of the queen’s own faith in the King of kings, Jesus. It’s about four minutes long.
All Souls Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022)
All Souls Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) |
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