21 Day Fast

I've been in the midst of a 21 Day fast with my congregation. This is the 10th day of this fast, and it is the most challenging I've done so far. I started fasting by giving up sugar, desserts, etc., but after three days of that, I decided that wasn't enough of a challenge. I wanted more from this fast, and that doesn't come without more of a sacrifice. This fast is from sunup to sundown. It doesn't sound like much, but it is more difficult for me than I thought. I like to "graze" all day, eating a little here and there, in addition to lunch. Well, with all the grazing gone, plus lunch, it has made for quite a challenge. I get full faster when I get to eat, especially in the evening, but also get hungry much sooner, so each day has gotten more difficult. But while I get hungrier physically, I am also getting hungrier spiritually.

What has happened so far? The Bible says we walk by faith, not by sight, and though I cannot see anything physically, I do sense a great deal going on that I cannot see.

I'm also encouraged by the fact that there are 100's of churches all across the nation fasting right now, too. Historically, some amazing things happened when churches begin to get hungry for God. We are going to see some awesome things happen, both for our church and for this nation.

Fasting brings breakthrough, a breakthrough that doesn't happen any other way. Join in.

Christmas Eve worship

Christmas Eve at our church, CrossRoad, is particularly beautiful. The sanctuary has the high ceilings, with Christmas lights all the way around it. The front has three trees decorated with lights. The aisles are lined with ornamated wreaths and lights, it looks amazing. And we have a wonderful, meaningful worship service planned, around the theme of "A Unique Gift". The music is a combination of the classic carols and modern worship. If you're in the area of Gardena at 6pm, it would be well worth the time. We're waiting for you.

Christmas shopping

The kids are out on break from their school, CrossRoad Christian Academy. I've gone Christmas shopping the last two days with Bryson, my 4th grade son. Bryson has this unique ability to say some rather funny, and often profound things. As with all my kids, I just thoroughly enjoy being with them, which is a big part of why I coach soccer, I want have experiences with them that they'll always have as memories. I learned it from my dad, and I'm passing it on to them. There is no way I'm going to be an absent or rarely around dad.

Two days ago we started his shopping. We went all around the mall, looking for just the right gift. He immediately found what he wanted for his little sister, but found the going more difficult for his older brother and sister. He isn't indecisive, he is very conscientious, knows what they like, and wants to make sure he gets that. While we were shopping the first day, he turned to me and said, "this is the best day of shopping in my whole life. We've gotten to go everywhere I wanted to go!" I just laughed, then told him I was glad for that. I love for moments like that. We're creating memories for a lifetime.

By the way, we did get done with shopping, but it took one more afternoon and alot of looking. He knows what he wants.

Dad's goalies

This is Justin diving for a ball during a soccer tournament a couple of weeks ago. Both my boys are amazing goalies, not alot gets by them. I think goalies are incredible, and my goalies are among the best!! More pressure is on the goalie than any other position, it is a difficult place to play. There aren't many kids who can handle that kind of pressure. I appreciate our friend, Elisabet, taking the picture and sharing it with us. It is a way cool pic!

Celebrating the Preschool

December 11, 2009

“Honor one another . . .” Romans 12:10

Dear Church Family,

We celebrated a milestone last Sunday during worship service. It was 30 years ago this week that the CrossRoad Learning Center, our preschool, began ministering, with Carol Anderson as director. Thirty years later and Carol is still devotedly serving as director. Not often do we see that kind of faithful dedication to a ministry or position, yet Carol has joyfully greeted hundreds of children and their families with that beautiful smile and cordial hello as they’ve walked in the door. And of course, that contagious laugh is heard quite often as she experiences the life that each of the preschool children bring to her day. So we had the privilege of honoring this faithful servant for her many years of dedication to the preschool ministry, and I want to give honor to her again for all her hard work. On behalf of the hundreds of lives you have touched with tender loving care through God’s hands, thank you for you care, love and support. Thank you for making the dream of ministering the preschool children and their families a reality for over 30 years.

This Saturday (December 12) we’ll be going out and ministering in our neighborhood. We’ve got a little something to bless our neighbors and an invitation to Christmas Eve service. We’ll be meeting at 9am and distributing the gifts to about 1000 homes in our area. We ought to be done in about an hour. If it rains, we’ll have the gifts and a map of each area available for you to pick up on Sunday. There will also be a few extras for you to take into your own neighborhood, too. These gifts have really made an impact on the lives of our neighbors. Thank you for making a positive difference for the cause of Christ in this area.

There were three Christmas programs this week with our schools CrossRoad Christian Academy and CrossRoad Learning Center, and all three were outstanding! The children did an amazing job, the message of Jesus went out loud and clear through the music, dance and drama. And of course, the kids were adorable! You can be proud of what our schools are doing in academics and in the spiritual upbringing of so many children. Continue to pray for God’s blessing on the Academy and on the Preschool as they impact this area for Christ. And let your friends know we’re here and ready to serve them, too.

We’ll continue with the theme of Hosting Heaven this Sunday. I especially want to focus on “Familiarity breeds apathy.” You’ll find out more on Sunday. God bless you! I’ll see you then.

Pastor Scott
Lead Pastor
CrossRoad Ministries

back at it

Ok,
after waaaaaaaaaaaaay too long, I've decided to start blogging again. Somehow I want to connect this to like my incredibly talented friend, Charley. He is the guru of fine blogging talent. I hope the four people who were reading this before start reading it again, too. Nothing like a good following to get the writing process going.

Updates

To the 28 people who read my blog, I actually posted something about Sarah Palin in May in reference to her new baby, before she was a VP candidate. You can go back and read it here.

I am now on Facebook, and so is Traci. We are in no way technologically savvy, but we are making progress.

The church is currently going through a series on Honor. It has changed the way I see life, and how significant honor is in Scripture (Romans 12:10, "Honor one another above yourselves"), and how much God places a priority on Christians honoring those in authority over us, political leaders, spiritual leaders, corporate leaders, etc. I do not believe Christians have done a very good job of honoring, one another as well as leaders.

Finally, my two boys are sick right now, and have been struggling for a while. I'm blessed by the number of people who are praying for them, and grateful for their concern. Bryson said something, though, that was just a Bryson kind of statement. We had gone out for yogurt and were returning home when Traci asked if anyone needed anything at Target. We had decided to stop by there on the way back. A couple of things were mentioned, then Bryson exclaims, "and I need a get well card!"

Facebook saga continues

I'm amazed at how many of my friends are on facebook. I got a note so I could change my password yet again, hopefully to something I'll remember, and when I logged in I got this list of 4000 potential friends I could connect with. Well, maybe not 4000, maybe just 40, but it was still alot. Some I didn't know, but there were quite a few I did know. This is quite incredible. I'm sure there has to be a sermon illustration in here somewhere.

Facebook saga

Now I have a book about Facebook, and have read the first 30 pages or so. There aren't enough pictures, but I'll get by. I found my log in and password, though. All I need now is a round tuit so I can join the world of Facebook people. What do they call themselves? Facebookers?

By the way, don't all these passwords drive you crazy? I have to have a password for everything. There's even a password for this pastor's web site I got on. What in the wide world of sports do I need a password for that? There's not any secretive stuff on there. I don't even think I can order anything from there. Needless to say I don't get on that web site anymore. I can't find my password, or even remember it. I came up with one so secretive not even I know what it is.