The Country Music Marathon

I ran the Country Music Marathon in Nashville, TN this past weekend with another CrossPointer, Shane Sisk. It was Shane’s third marathon in six months, while it was my second marathon in 33 days. It was also my fifth marathon in my fifth different state. If the Lord is willing, I plan on joining the 50 in 50 club—that is, to run 50 marathons in 50 states before I die, or at least die trying to accomplish the feat.

Shane and I actually ran the race as Jennifer and Toby Bearden, his sister and brother-in-law. Jennifer and Toby are CrossPointers also, who were already registered to run the race yet due to recent eye surgery complications Toby was unable to compete. Instead of wasting the registration fee, Shane and I ran in their place.

If you happen to know Shane, ask him why it was more difficult for him to convince the marathon officials he was Toby than it was for me to convince them I was Jennifer. You should have seen the look on the officials face when I turned in my registration card as Jennifer Bearden. That was a hoot!

Although this was not my fastest marathon, I consider it my best marathon. I am calling it my best marathon because I ran for the fun of it. My goal this time was only to cross the finish line, and when I did I was pleased.

The weather for the race was perfect. It was overcast for most of the morning, and the temperature rested comfortably between 60 and 70 degrees throughout the day.

The treat of spending Friday night and eating a delicious home-cooked meal with some of my Nashville cousins made the weekend meaningful as well. The hard part was resisting the four different desserts James and Joyce Patton offered after such a huge meal. Shane and I were not expecting that kind of meal.

Spending time with Shane Sisk on the way to Nashville, and then trading race stories on the way home made for a pleasant experience also. I am so glad Shane, his sister, his brother-in-law and his mother are all now CrossPointers. Get this, the first time Shane stepped foot on CrossPoint’s campus was for our 5k run last October. He liked that experience so much that he showed up for worship the next day. He joined CrossPoint about a month later. That’s a good story.

The race was well-organized also. Every thing a runner needed to start, run and finish a race was provided. (It should be noted you can never have enough port-o-potties on a race course. I am eternally thankful for the person in charge of that responsibility. Let’s just say they did an excellent job providing relief).

Another reason I consider this my best marathon is that my overall pace remained very consistent. There was not much variation between my fastest mile and my slowest mile. My consistent pace was due in large part to a new strategy I implemented. In my previous marathons I ran about two-thirds of the race before taking a walk break. This time I ran the first mile and then walked a minute. I did it again the second mile, the third mile and all the way through the race. I am convinced the run-a-mile-walk-one-minute strategy provided my body more endurance for the race. Thus, instead of hitting the wall at mile 18 or 19, which I typically do, I met the wall at mile 23. Therefore, I was able to finish much stronger than I have in times past.

Additionally, even though I walked a total of 26 minutes (a one minute walk at every mile), my overall time was just minutes away from my best time for a marathon. I am so excited about this strategy that I plan to use it in my training regiment for my next marathon. I think if I train that way I may be able to run even faster.

There are many other factors that made this a memorable marathon. Tomorrow I want to share with you what happened at mile 17 that gave me the motivation to finish strong.

Dissatisfaction with Church

Last Monday morning I did not realize I would create so much interest with my pastoral burden. It seems that this burden is not one I carry alone.

In staff meeting last Tuesday, Chris Howell, our Adult Education and Family Minister, provided research LifeWay recently made public as to why people leave churches.

Here are the top ten reasons they found that people switch churches:

1. The church was not helping me to develop spiritually. (28%)
2. I did not feel engaged or involved in meaningful church work (20%)

3. Church members were judgmental of others (18%)

4. The pastor was not a good preacher (16%)

5. There were too many changes (16%)

6. Members seemed hypocritical (15%)

7. Church didn’t seem to be a place where God was at work (14%)

8. Church was run by a clique that discouraged involvement (14%)

9. The Pastor was judgmental of others (14%)

10. The Pastor seemed hypocritical (13%)

If you would like to read additional articles pertaining to this research, go to the Lifeway Research page.

So, what do you think of the top ten reasons?

I have a few observations.

First, although I do not think switching churches is a good thing, I am encouraged with the top two reasons people give for making the switch. This is positive because it shows a spiritual hunger on the part of some of those who want to make a change. Additionally, it is encouraging because these two reasons strike at the very core of CrossPoint’s genetic makeup. We believe every member is a minister, and we believe spiritual growth must be a priority. Thus, I think CrossPoint is poised to assist people looking for a change.

Next, reasons # 3, 6 & 9 should be stirring to our family of faith also because we are a WHOSOEVER church. WHOSOEVER churches are not judgmental or hypocritical. I pray we remain that way.

Of course, reason #7—church didn’t seem to be a place where God was at work—should embolden CrossPoint. Every week God does a new work through us. That should cause us to glorify Him more so that He will continue to choose to work through us.

Finally, reasons #4, 9 & 10 cause me consternation, because they rest directly on the pastor. That is why the longer I serve as your pastor the more daunted I am by the responsibility. I never want to be a hindrance to you or to anyone who chooses to worship with us. Moreover, I never want to be a hindrance to the Lord God Almighty. That is why I spend more time communicating and fellowshipping with God than I do with anyone else.

I have provided my observations, now I would like to hear yours. Let me know of what you think of these reasons people switch churches.

Have You Connected?

I was visiting with a CrossPointer last night who tells me she wears her CrossPoint name tag to work periodically instead of the one issued by her employer. (Since her father is a CrossPointer and her employer, I do not think he objects).

She said it is fun watching customers respond her name tag. Last week a customer noticed her name tag and asked, “Are you connected?”

That is a great question, isn’t it? I think we should start using that same question at CrossPoint each time we meet to help others connect with God, with God’s people, and with God’s plan.

After reading through your post from the previous blogs this week, I am convinced of this: people will only connect with CrossPoint as much as they want to. It does not matter how many phone calls we make or cards we write or letters we send or contacts we report (and, do not get me wrong, those are all important) a person is only going to connect when they want to.

I agree with Gay who posted this comment:

“We try to play the Holy Spirit. He does a great job on his own without our help. A pastor that loves his people and prays for them will see God do great things.”

Touché, well said Gay. You are correct.

Gay’s comment reminds me of the time a friend confided in me I to quit playing preacher and Holy Spirit in my messages. He related his thought to me this way:

There are time(s) you will say something that is true, yet hard to accept. And before that truth can settle into my heart you run out into the audience and tell me "but that’s okay, God still loves you and so do I.” Ryan, either quit throwing me fast balls or quit running out into the audience and catching it for me. Say what God placed on your heart and let me decide what to do with it. If God tells you to throw a fast ball, throw it. Let me decide whether or not I will catch it, drop it or dodge it.

I needed to hear what my good friend had to say. He was right. At that time in my ministry I was good at making strong comments, and then softening them with the next sentence that came out of my mouth. Thank the Lord I do not that (much) any more.

One final thought.

Wednesday I gave the staff a 47 page list of all the families who call CrossPoint home. The master list included 550 family groups. I asked the staff to join me in praying for a different group of CrossPointers by name every day of the week. I challenged them to pray over so many families per day until they prayed for each member by name within one week. I asked them to pray for each individual, by name, out loud and to record any impressions of how to pray for them beside their name.

You have no idea what kind of pastoral prayer intimacy I experienced this morning praying for you. I started with Rick, Wendy, Morgan and Luke Aaron on page one and I ended with Mike, Mitzi, Josh and Brianna Chaffin on page seven. Tomorrow I begin with Matt, Kathy, Matthew, Brandon, and Alex Chandler on page eight and I will end with Jay, Pam, Stevie and David Foster on page fourteen. I will pray for seven pages of church members each day of this week until I end with Glenn, Connie and Christopher Zinder. Next week I will pray through the names in reverse order.

I know what praying for your church members by name, out loud, one at a time will do for a pastor. I have experienced this kind of intense prayer before, and I tasted it again early this morning. It humbles the man praying for them. It reminds the pastor of the immense, innumerable and insurmountable needs of his flock. And, it will remind the pastor that these are God’s people that God has asked the pastor to feed and lead.

I also know what praying for your church members by name, out loud, one at a time, will do for a church. It will cause God to move. It will give the Holy Spirit an opportunity to respond. Praying for each individual CrossPointer will send revival to CrossPoint. It will cause an awakening in the church. It will stir the hearts of the people praying, and it still the hearts of the people we pray for.

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your pastor. Thank you for entrusting me to feed you, lead you and pray for you. I love you as if you were my own family…and you are!

Wandering Sheep – One Last Time

I have one more thought concerning wandering sheep this week and I am done.

The vision of CrossPoint very simply is to reach JUST ONE MORE. To be more specific, the vision of CrossPoint is to reach JUST ONE MORE to become a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ.

The process by which we help JUST ONE MORE to become a fully devoted follower of CrossPoint can be summarized with one word: CONNECT.

At CrossPoint, we want people to CONNECT in three ways:

First, we want people to CONNECT with GOD in worship.
Next, we want people to CONNECT with GOD’S PEOPLE in Bible study.
Finally, we want people to CONNECT with GOD’S PLAN by identifying their ministry in the church and their mission in the world.

I think CrossPoint is doing an admirable job helping people CONNECT. We are improving each week by moving people through our process. Yet there is always room for improvement.

We are not striving for perfection; for perfection is an unattainable goal. However, we are string for excellence, because excellence in ministry is something we can achieve.

In our striving for excellence at CrossPoint, I must ask the following question:

What kind of disciples are we producing at CrossPoint?

Most days during the week I think we are producing some very solid followers of Christ. For the most part I see numerous CrossPointers who are active in the membership, ministry, fellowship, discipleship and worship of the church. I see some, in particular, who are really growing in their faith and striving to help others along in the process. In many respects I think we are making great improvements in the CrossPoint process and that is encouraging. However, when we look a little closer, with more detail in mind, I wonder if sometimes what we are producing is a group of chronically delinquent church members instead.

For three days now I have written about this seemingly innocent burden. Early in the week I wrote about the lack of involvement or participation of some CrossPointers. Today, I am more concerned about their level of commitment and witness. This I do know—church attendance and participation has more to do with your level of commitment and devotion to Christ than it does with anything else.

Some people say they are just too busy. Others tell me they are just taking a break. A few even admit to being lazy. Those are nothing more than excuses. The real root of the problem has to do with one’s abiding relationship with Christ. Which forces me, once again, to evaluate what kind of disciples we are producing at CrossPoint?

I would like to know what you think.

The Burden Continues

After writing my blog for Monday I contemplated an interesting way to get the attention of our wandering sheep.

Let me know what you think of this idea.

In Paul’s letter to the Philippian church he spends the first few paragraphs describing his Romans imprisonment. He also takes time to encourage and instruct the church. As with all of Paul’s letters, this letter was read before the church. Before I describe for you what happens next, I want you to picture the setting.

The church learns that a letter has arrived from Paul. The people gather with excitement because they have not heard from him in a long time. They sing a few songs. They pray. Then the pastor reads Paul’s epistle:

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

The people nod in agreement with his salutation. A few whisper to others how they appreciate his love for them.

The pastor continues:

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Many in the room are saddened to hear of his imprisonment. Some begin to weep. All are encouraged by his great faith.

The Philippian pastor continues for several more minutes in reading the letter. The people continue to shake their heads in agreement. The people are excited. The pastor stops periodically to re-read certain statements. Paul’s words are a breath of fresh air for the church.

The crowd is emboldened by what is said next. Paul challenges his audience:

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents.

Back and forth this goes. As each word is read the people are drawn closer and closer together and to the Lord. This letter is definitely speaking to them.

As the letter draws to a close Paul says,

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Again, the people are encouraged by Paul’s love for them. They feel special to be in such good company with such a godly man.

Then, out of nowhere, Paul drops this bomb:

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

A deacon in the church whispers to another deacon, “Did he just say what he thought said?” Someone else says to themselves, “Wow, there is no hiding this issue now. Paul just called out those two women.”

Can you imagine what Euodia and Syntche were thinking? You better believe they were shocked. I suspect they were embarrassed. We do not know what was causing this disagreement between the two of them, but it was big enough for Paul to hear about it in his Roman prison cell.

This is not new for Paul. He does something similar to this in all of his letters. He unashamedly calls people by name either to encourage them, thank them, or even correct them. You have to admire Paul. He wanted the church to function in a healthy manner. And if something was awry with the body, Paul addressed it head on.

Move forward to Sunday, April 29, 2007. Imagine what this would be like.

CrossPoint gathers for worship. We sing. We pray. The time for my message begins, and I stand to preach:

I have in my hand a list of families that have every appearance of no longer being committed to CrossPoint. I do not know if they are sick or if they are looking for another church or if they are disgruntled. But one thing I do know, they have not expressed their commitment to the Lord here in several, several weekends and now I would like to call out their names in order for them to settle this issue immediately.

If you know any of these families please contact them today and tell them we called their names in worship. Let them know if they want to continue to call CrossPoint their family of faith they are welcome to return next weekend and recommit themselves to Christ and His church. If not, then they must send word to us they are no longer committed to Christ through CrossPoint.

WOW! Can you imagine the stink that would cause? I am actually laughing out loud as I type these final few words. The irony of doing something like this would be dramatic. I suspect there would be more people upset with me in calling them out in worship rather than being upset with these people for not expressing their public commitment to Christ.

Just so you will know, I only thought about doing this. The odds of me actually following through with my plan are very slim…I think!

The Burden of Shepherding Wandering Sheep

As a pastor, I carry all types of burdens. A pressing matter that periodically arises in my mind concerns wandering sheep. Just this morning, I was reminded of several people I have not seen in worship in a long time. Early in my time alone with the Lord I thought of two or three families. As the morning progressed, however, a few families became many families. And as I always try to do when the Lord places someone on my mind, I prayed for each of them by name.

As busy and as big as CrossPoint is, some of the people I thought of may have been in worship last weekend or the weekend before, and I did not see them. Often I will ask Vonda about someone and she will say, “Oh, I saw them in the hallway. They were there.” Yet many times I will go weeks, sometimes months without seeing a particular family in worship.

My burden for these wandering families is two-fold.

First and foremost I am concerned for the family’s well-being. Why are they missing? Is someone sick? Did someone die? Are they struggling with a major decision? Are they running from God? How can CrossPoint help them? Is there something we can do?

After working through those questions then I struggle with the family’s level of commitment. Are they just lazy? Are they really sold out to the kingdom of God? Are they genuinely committed to Christ and His church? Why would they join our family of faith and then not participate when we gather for fellowship, worship and discipleship? Why would they join CrossPoint and then not support it with their involvement?

I know this is something only pastors and just a few others in the church wrestle with, and I should be used to it by now. But I still cannot understand how someone would commit themselves to a church with their membership, but not commit themselves the church with their participation.

While praying for these families this morning, I listed their names in my calendar. I did so thinking I might drop them a note in the mail, encouraging them to come to worship next weekend. As I chronicled the list the cynic in me spoke up and said, “You know that doesn’t do any good, Ryan. Remember the last time you mailed someone a note concerned about their involvement. They showed up for worship a few weeks and later thanked you for your note. Then they quietly disappeared back into the abyss of waywardness.”

I know you are not going to believe this account, but a few years ago I wrote a particular family a note. The next Sunday they showed up and what they said astounded me. One spouse said, “Thanks for our note. We really needed it. We’ve just been lazy the last few weekends. And your note came at the right time.” Then the other spouse chimed in (and I really wish they had not) and said, “It’s good to have you around to remind us every now and then how we need to be in church.”

Ouch! I walked away from that experience asking myself, “What kind of disciples are we producing at CrossPoint?”

I would be curious to hear your thoughts today about wandering sheep. I am always open to new ways to reaching JUST ONE MORE. I would rather the JUST ONE MORE be lost sheep rather than wandering sheep, however. Then again, they may both be the same.

Hearts of Fire

For those of you looking for the next book you want to read, let me introduce to you one that will challenge your faith. It is titled Hearts of Fire: Eight Women in the Underground Church and Their Stories of Costly Faith (Nashville, Tennessee: W Publishing Group, 2003). The paperback is a product of The Voice of Martyrs. The Voice of Martyrs is a “non-profit, interdenominational organization with a vision for aiding Christians around the world who are being persecuted for their faith in Christ.”

Hearts of Fire is a must read for anyone serious about their faith. The faith-stories of these eight women in the face of severe of persecution are astonishing. Their testimonies will challenge you, and their resolve to remain faithful to the cause of Christ will embolden you. And, after reading it, you will no longer complain about the minor inconveniences we Christians face in America. To be blunt, I hope when you read this book you are challenged to live a bolder life for and in Christ.

A paragraph in the introduction explains the purpose of the book:

It is our prayer that you come away from reading Hearts of Fire with a deeper conviction and steadier direction for handling life’s difficulties. If you are only amazed at these incredible testimonies, we have failed. If you can find in your own life similarities with one or more of these testimonies, and if you can gain strength from these examples of extraordinary courage, we have succeeded, and so have these women who have so graciously offered to share their stories with you.

It is hard to say which account I appreciated the most.

Adel’s story of enduring Muslim jihad persecution for being a Christ follower seemed the freshest to me, in light of our war on terror. Adel stood firm in her faith even as she watched a man slice her seven year son’s body with a machete. As she covered his body with hers, she kept saying, “The blood of Jesus is all powerful.”

Purnima’s account as a thirteen year old sent to prison for her faith will make you hug your Christ-following children a little longer after you read her story. While in prison she introduced many to Christ when she used her prison allowance to purchase and cook all the women in the prison a home cooked meal.

Then there is Aida Mikhailovan Skripnikova’s story of standing up against the atheist rule of the Soviet judicial system. A sentence or two from the epilogue of her life summarizes the direct impact of her faith:

Today, Aida Skripnikova lives in St. Petersburg. Her faith has outlived the regime that sought to destroy it. Today, it is legal for Christians like her to gather for worship and preaching.

Perhaps my favorite account is that of Sabina’s. I was drawn to her story because she is a pastor’s wife. I am also drawn to her account because she and her husband Richard are the founders of The Voice of Martyrs.

The Russians had driven the Nazis out of Romania, and now they were taking steps to control all aspects of Romanian government and society. Their latest effort was to summon clergy from all religions for a meeting; the Russians called it the “Congress of Cults.” Their stated goal was to garnish support among the clergy. But to Sabina the tactic was nothing more than an attempt to gain control and turn Romania’s religious leaders into puppets of the state.

Sabina and her husband attended the meeting with four thousand other bishops, pastors, priests, rabbis, and mullahs. The meeting, at first, had the appearance of being forthright and sincere. It even began with a religious service. However, as the convocation unfolded Sabina and her husband realized this was nothing more than a time for the government to seize control of the religious leaders. The government official leading the meeting declared the Romanian government was in full support of all religious faiths and they would continue to pay the religious leaders, as they had done before. The leader even suggested the men would possibly receive a raise.

Sabina nudged her husband to stand up and speak against this plan. Richard responded, “OK, I can go up and speak. But if I do, you will no longer have a husband.” Sabina knew he was right, but she still looked up into her husband’s eyes and she simply said, “I don’t need a coward for a husband.”

WOW!

Allow me to record his comments, and then I am done. Read carefully what Richard says, because soon after making this statement both he and his wife would spend years in a prison, not knowing if the other one was dead or alive.

Richard Wurmbrand addressed the audience:

Thank you for this privilege to join together and freely speak. When the children of God meet, angels also gather to hear the wisdom of God. So it is the duty of every believer, not to praise earthly men or leaders who come and go, but to praise God the Creator and Christ the Savior, who died for our sins.

The whole atmosphere in the hall began to change, and Sabina’s heart was filled with joy. Finally, the focus was being diverted away from the propaganda of the Communist and onto Christ.

Your right to speak has been terminated!” Burducca, the minister of cults, suddenly exclaimed as he jumped to his feet. Ignoring him, Richard went on to encourage his fellow leaders to place their trust and obedience in God, not man. The audience began to applaud. They knew Richard was right, but he was the only one brave enough to say what needed to be said.

I came away from reading this book with two particular streams of thought.

First, many of the women had a statement of faith from the Bible that empowered them to stand firm for Christ.

Adel’s mantra was “the blood of Jesus is all powerful.”

A Muslim girl named Aida returned to the word “Emmanuel” in her plight.

Another woman quoted from the beatitudes when Jesus said, “Blessed are you when other revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for you reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12).

The lesson learned is basic: the Word of God is what sustains us.

Second, I am amazed at how much a threat Christianity and God’s Word is to atheistic or religious extremist governments.

Why all the fear? What is it about Christianity that scares them? Why do these government leaders burn our Bibles, imprison our brothers and sisters in Christ and martyr those who live for Christ? Are we that much of a threat? Are we that much of a danger to their civilization?

We do not bear arms. We do not invade their homes and ransack their lives. We do not burn their holy books. Why all the fear? Persecution is a funny thing, isn’t it? Do you ever hear of atheists imprisoned for their lack of faith? Do you ever hear of Muslims flayed with a sword by Christians?

Why all the persecution?

I have an answer, but I would be much more interested in your answer to the previous list of questions.

Okay, I am finished. As you can tell, this book has my attention.
By the way, don’t look for this book at LifeWay or Barnes and Nobles. You will have to order your copy from The Voice of Martyrs webpage.

Why Are We So Quick to Blame?

I promise this will be my last commentary (this week) about Monday’s mass killings.

Is it just me, or have any of you noticed how our media is so quick to assess blame with regard to Monday’s horrible killing spree at Virginia Tech? Why is that? Why is it that we have to blame someone so early in the aftermath?

While driving to my office Tuesday morning I listened to Lee Davis on News Talk Radio FM 101.1 rant and rave about the campus security not shutting down the campus after the first murder was discovered. He also threw the president of Virginia Tech out of the boat for meeting “with his advisers” to decide what to do rather than doing something. His rant irked me so much I did something I never do; I called his show to disagree. After making the call I realized I played right into his ploy—that is, make an absurd statement and see how the general public responds. He stated his absurd case and I responded with a phone call.

Back to my original point: why is it our country is so quick to access blame? According to some, the president should be fired for not shutting down the campus.

Others say the campus police did not do enough to protect the students.

Some are blaming the state legislature of Virginia for having relaxed gun laws.

And then there is Rosie O’Donnell blaming the United States Government for the imploding of World Trade Center Building #7. (Oops! Where did that come from? Show restraint, Ryan. Don’t go there, as much as you would like to).

Don’t forget Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson for… (easy, Ryan, easy!)

I think you get the drift.

Now, back to my original question: why are we so quick to asses blame? Why are people so quick to judge?Why don’t we place blame where it is deserved? The massacre was a result of Cho Seung-Hoi's sin-sick mind. That is the person we need to eviscerate, not the president or the campus police or anyone else. Yes, in time, we can evaluate their response. But right now is not the time to fault them for Hoi’s massive killing spree.

I suspect some of us are quick to blame because we feel like someone should be held accountable for such a great injustice. Perhaps others are quick to blame because they have no other way to explain the cold, harsh facts that sinful people do sinful and vile things to other people. Maybe pointing the finger of responsibility is way for some to feel superior in their morality.

This I do know—it is in times like these the church can, should and must respond. And we must respond not with blame but with faith. In times like these is when we, the people of God, should minister. We should support, help, pray and encourage. And perhaps it is in our responding this way, others will see the answer to why or how or who is found in an abiding relationship with Jesus Christ.

I would be curious to hear why you think the blame game is such a big deal in times like these.

The Bible and Tragedy

I know many of you are like me today—overwhelmed with the news coverage coming out of Blaksburg, Virginia. My wife commented last night that she could not watch or listen to this news all week. I agreed.

There are many issues that will emerge from this senseless tragedy. For example, the gun control enthusiast will use this massacre for leverage on tighter gun control laws. Another hot topic arising from this tragedy will be campus security. I think student confidentiality agreements will also be something discussed as a result of this situation.

Lucinda Roy, the English Professor who taught Cho Seung-Hui, recognized early in her class something was awry with Cho. The news media is reporting she recommended he drop her class because he was making other students nervous with his behavior. It is also reported she recommended him to a school counselor, and there are additional reports that she may have even notified the police campus of his disturbing behavior. Professor Roy obviously went the second mile to get this disturbed student some help. However, it appears she was the only one making such an effort.

When Diane Sawyer of Good Morning America asked Professor Roy if she thought about notifying his parents, the professor said current laws pertaining to a student’s confidentiality forbid her to make such a contact.

In short, Cho’s massive killing at Virginia Tech is a national tragedy. As we learn more details, we will realize other great tragedies have also occurred.

As we continue to talk about how to cope with this horrible mass murder, I must ask how many of you read your Bible this morning. I ask that question for two reasons. First, I ask the question, because I believe the Bible has an answer for every dilemma in life. The second reason for asking the question is that the Bible had something to say specifically to us this morning in our daily Bible reading plan.

Read what the Bible says from Psalm 46:

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
Selah

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

Psalm 46:1-7

Wow, what comfort—God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Did you notice the placement of the “though” comments? It is as if the writer is saying, “I know times are troubling. I know your days seem tragic. I know things seem out of control. But take heart—God is in control!”

Of course, the psalm ends with this noted exhortation:

"Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!"

The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Psalm 46:10-11

Each day I amazed at how God’s word speaks to us and to our situations. If only we would read and study it more often.

Tragedy Strikes…Again!

My heart is saddened by the news pouring out of Blacksburg, Virginia, where it is reported that at least 33 people are dead in the nation’s deadliest shooting. I know your hearts are sad as well.

What can be said?

Sure, we could say something about this tragedy is the result of the moral decline of our day, and how this is just another gauge of our depravity.

Or, we could talk about this being nothing more than the natural result of the culture of death in which we live.

Of course, the media is already quick to blame the President and Campus Police of Virginia Tech University for not acting quickly enough to prevent other deaths.

Instead of writing about those elements of the story, I think I will dwell for a just a line or two on the parents of the students who were murdered.

Can any of us imagine the heartache they feel? Of course we cannot. Would any of us know what to say to these grief-stricken people? No. The lives of these families are forever altered by the senseless act of a sick gunman.

We do not yet know the identification of those murdered. Were they upper classmen? Were any of them freshman? Were any married? Where is home? What was their major? What were their future plans? How did they defend themselves? What part of their story must be told? How will they be remembered? Who did they leave behind?

That, to me, is the worst part of this entire tragedy—the useless and unnecessary loss of human life.
As useless and as tragic as this sounds why didn’t the gunman just take his own life instead? Why did he have to go on a rampage and kill so many innocent people? These and so many more are unanswerable questions, aren’t they?

What kind of solace can we find in times like these?

This morning I spent a few extra minutes in my Bible study time, and I am so glad I did. Today many of you will be reading in 1 Samuel as we continue to plod through the Bible.

In the last few chapters of 1 Samuel we read about David fleeing from King Saul’s murderous threats. David flees so far, that he joins forces with Israel’s number one nemesis, the Philistines. Before going to battle against Israel, the commanders convince Achish, the leader of the Philistine army to preclude David and his men from fighting with them for fear that he might turn against them in the battle. So, David and his fighting men are commanded to remain behind the battle lines. The Philistines route the Israelites, and when they do they also ravage David’s hometown of Ziklag. When David and his men return home they find their town has been burned to the ground and their families are missing.

The Bible records:

And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters.

What the Bible records next is certainly significant:

But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
1 Samuel 30:6

Please do not overlook that sentence. That is a small yet meaningful statement. What David did is what the parents of the Virginia Tech students must do. If any of these parents are believers—and I pray they are—they must find strength in the Lord. If they are not believers—and I am sure some are not—we must pray they turn to the Lord in the midst of this tragedy.

There are times in life when only the Lord can sustain you. This is one of those times for these poor families. There are times when we have no explanation. When those times come we must trust in the Lord. Additionally, we must let Him be our strength. In the midst of unexplained heartache, David strengthened himself in the Lord. Today and tomorrow and the next, these Virginia Tech families must find strength in the Lord. I know this must sound cliché, but it is in situations like these only the Lord can keep us going.

So today I conclude my blog by reminding all of us to pray for the families of those who were brutally murdered. Christ died for each one of these people. And, we must pray for the family of the man who committed this unspeakable and heinous crime, for Christ died for them as well. And, they too, are grieving beyond measure.

Wow, What a Great Savior!

As I did last week, I am compelled, once again, to provide my conclusion to yesterday’s message.

For those of you who were not there, I resumed our series in the Sermon on the Mount. We studied Matthew 5:13-16. We learned three valuable lessons from the text.

First, we learned God wants to use us to influence the world.

“You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.
Matthew 5:13a & 14a

Next, we learned we can lose my influence.

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
Matthew 5:13

Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
Matthew 5:15

Finally, we learned we must our influence to help others see Jesus.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16

After explaining my tour of a privately owned, world-renown art gallery in Longview, Texas, I explained how each painting and piece of artwork had its own light to illuminate it. Not once did I look at the lights and say, “Wow, what a beautiful light!” Instead, I marveled at the painting and said, “Wow, what an incredible painting, what an incredible artist!”

Then I concluded with these words:

CrossPoint does not exist for people to say,

“Wow, what a beautiful church!”
“What great worship you have!”
“What a great praise band!”

“Your preacher is a good speaker!”
“Your pre-school and children’s ministry is so great!”
“Your student ministry is so awesome!”

“Your Sunday School class is the best one I have ever been in”
“Your new buildings are so nice!”

No, no, no, CrossPoint. We were born for a higher reason than for people to complement us. When people come to CrossPoint we want them to say, “Wow, what a great Savior!”

When they see our church, we want them to say, “Wow, what a great Savior!”
When people worship with us, we want them to say, “Wow, what a great Savior!”
When they hear our praise band, we want them to say, “Wow, what a great Savior!”
When they hear me preach, we want them to say, “Wow, what a great Savior!”
When they experience our pre-school and children’s ministry, we want them to say, “Wow, what a great Savior!”
When they experience our student ministry, we want them to say, “Wow, what a great Savior!”
When they visit your Bible study group, we want them to say, “Wow, what a great Savior!”
When they see our new buildings, we want them to say, “Wow, what a great Savior!”

Why? Why is that? Why do we want people to say that? Because CrossPoint, His church and the kingdom of God is not about us; it is not about you, it is not about me. Everything we do is about Him!

Amen…again!

Quit Your Whining!

Vonda and I enjoyed breakfast Friday morning with my mother at Cracker Barrel. Breakfast at one of my favorite restaurants is part of our routine whenever mom spends the night with us, which she did last night.

On the way to breakfast I started rummaging through a list of the pressing needs I have automatically stored in my brain that are demanding my immediate attention. You know, it’s that nagging list of concerns you have that always seem to creep toward the front of your brain whenever you have a moment to reflect.

My mind started to wonder, “When will I get this done? What is it going to take to get that fixed? How will I pay for this? Where will we get the money for that? How long do we have to complete this project?”

Can any of you relate? Does anybody know what I am talking about? Do any of you have that same kind of list?

Before arriving at the restaurant I was already on the defensive. And, I hate to admit it, but I had also become a bit whiny. As a result, my mind was consumed with my problems, my needs, and my troubles and nothing else seemed to matter. And, as things typically go when I am in that particular mindset, I started whining during our breakfast conversation.

Since my mother is the consummate motivator and positive thinker, she started helping me see things from a different perspective. And, that worked for a while. Actually it worked well enough for me to pipe down about my troubles and move on with the meal. But for those of you who can identify, I may not have been talking about those needs, but I was sure still pondering them in my mind. That is, I was dwelling on those things until God sent a family to sit directly across from me.

I don’t know the family situation. It could have been a father and daughter, or a brother and sister. Whichever the case, it sure looked like they were related. And, the Lord used these two strangers to stop my whining—immediately.

The daughter/sister was severely physically challenged. She could not speak, and I honestly doubt she was capable of any verbal or non-verbal communication. When they sat down, the father/brother very gently placed her chair right next to his so he could give immediate attention to anything she needed. After being seated, the special needs child started rocking back and forth and it was necessary for her brother to calm her. Soon thereafter, she became calm.

A conversation between God and I ensued immediately, “Okay, Lord. I hear you. I hear you loud and clear. I promise to quit. I promise to quit my whining. My needs are not so great, that you cannot meet them. Instead of whining, I will trust you and I will thank you!”

I did not want to stare. Yet periodically I would glance at the father/brother caring for his daughter/sister, and he did it with such grace, patience and tenderness. I was deeply moved. He prepared her breakfast for her on her plate. Then, he methodically fed her bite by bite, stopping briefly to give her something to drink through a straw. He did all this while trying to eat his own meal. And, not once did I see him grimace or complain. He served this child as if it were a distinguished honor. He served her with such ease. This child was not a burden to him. This child was a blessing.

A situation that would have completely unnerved me seemed to be business-as-usual for this noble man. He was composed. He was comfortable with what he was required to do. He made it look easy, which I know it was not.

And it was his example that helped me get over my whining spell. That is exactly what I needed to see—a man handling pressure with grace. I am so glad God sent this sweet family to sit next to me. Thanks to their example I have a new perspective on my day.

So, for the remainder of this day I will not whine. Neither will I bemoan the fact I have a particular need that I think is overwhelming. Nor will I dwell on things that are beyond my control. Instead, I will be joyful. Instead, I will be thankful.
As I left the restaurant to begin the remainder of my day, this was a prayer I prayed:

“Thank you, Lord, for this day, with all its demands and needs and opportunities. Thank you, Lord, for my health and my family’s health. Thank you, Lord, for my family. Thank you, Lord, for meeting all of my needs. Most of all, thank you, Lord, for the example set before me this morning by that precious family. Please meet all of their needs according to your riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Amen.”

For anyone else struggling with a case of whining today, let me encourage you to pray a similar prayer. You will be amazed how small your problems become when you pray this way.

Understanding More of the Sole Authority for Life

Yesterday I provided an explanation as to why, after twenty years of using one translation, I changed to a different version of the Bible last January. Understanding the supreme nature of the Bible and why it should be handled so precisely is the motive of today’s blog. There is a decided profitability that comes from the study of God’s Word

In 2 Timothy we find one of the most succinct and sublime understandings of God’s Word. Paul wrote the following inspired words to Timothy, his protégé:

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:14-15

Timothy's relationship to the Bible is outlined in these verses. It began when he was a child and learned the Old Testament Scriptures from his mother and grandmother. Earlier Paul wrote:

I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
2 Timothy 1:5

Lois and Eunice did not merely teach Timothy the facts of the Bible; they gave him a faith built on assurance and spiritual understanding. Timothy knew for himself the truth of the Word of God. Timothy did not depend on others to defend the Word for him. As with everyone who believes, the Word of God imparts faith to them and this faith in Christ brings us salvation. That is why the Bible says,

But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Romans 10:14-17

Please make sure you get that last sentence—so faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

The next few verses from Second Timothy provide a great testimony to the divine origin and character of the Bible. Paul continues,

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17

"All Scripture" means that every word of God is inspired. The words “breathed out by God" means "Godbreathed - filled with the breath of God." When we speak of the “breath of God” we are speaking of the Spirit of God (see John 3:1-8; Ezekiel 37:1-14).

Some say, "The Bible only contains the word of God," or "The Bible is inspired the way Shakespeare is inspired." But Paul would not agree with these arguments. Let there be no mistake in its identity: the Bible is the inspired Word of God. It is like no other book. The Word of God has no equal. While men like Shakespeare may have had literary inspiration of a high quality, they did not write the very words of God.

The Spirit of God enabled men of God to write the Word of God. That is why Peter wrote the following:

And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 1:19-21

So, what is the purpose of the Bible? We can find two answers in our study of 2 Timothy 3.

Salvation is the first purpose of the Bible, as Paul notes:

…and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:15

Christian maturity is another purpose of the Bible:

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

2 Timothy 3:16

Paul said the Word of God is profitable for teaching (doctrine), conviction (reproof), setting right (correction), and discipline (instruction).

And notice the result of the Word of God:

...that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:17

The Bible enables the child of God to become a man or woman of God, mature in the things of the Lord. The word "competent" means “mature." And the word "equipped" means "fully equipped".

So, the Bible transforms the child of verse 15 into a mature person in Christ of verse 17. The Bible calls us to be saved and equips us to be servants.

I think it is fine for us to read books about the Bible, to meet in small groups to discuss the Bible, to take study courses like Beth Moore and others, and to learn methods of ministry as we do through our CrossPoint University, but the best way for each of us to equip ourselves to serve God is to study and practice the Word of God. All the aforementioned tools tell us how, but the Bible gives us the motivation and power to live what we learn.

Sole Authority for Life – Changing to the ESV

Several of you have asked why I changed from the New International Version to the English Standard Version Bible at CrossPoint at the beginning of 2007.

The process through which I made this decision began while I was working on my first degree from seminary.

In 1986, my first year of seminary, I was challenged by a professor to decide in which version of the Bible I would preach from during my ministry. Growing up Southern Baptist, I was familiar with the King James Version. Since I did not understand the archaic language of the KJV, I read through three other translations – New American Standard Bible (NASB), New International Version (NIV) & Revised Standard Version (RSV). After reading through a different version each year in school, I decided to preach from the New International Version. My rationale for selecting NIV was based entirely on its readability. And, for the next 20 years I used the NIV without much consideration for other translations.

Now let’s move forward to the year 2006. Last year I read Leland Ryken’s book, The Word of God in English: Criteria for Excellence in Bible Translation. I am so glad I read his book. He literally opened my eyes to the importance of selecting an English version of the Bible as close as possible to a literal translation.

The thrust of Ryken's argument that caught my attention was his differentiation between a “dynamic equivalent” translation versus a “literal translation”. For those of you wondering, the NIV is a “dynamic equivalent” while the ESV is a “literal translation”. The purpose of a “dynamic equivalent” translation is to render thoughts as opposed to the words in Scripture in ways that modern man can understand. Ryken teaches that such a method cannot produce an accurate version of the Bible and ends up distorting the message of the Scripture in a way that renders it something other than God's word. His point is made on page 91: "What good is readability if a translation does not accurately render what the Bible actually says." Ouch! He nailed me between the eyes on my stand for readability. Remember, my reason for choosing to preach from the NIV my last year in seminary was based solely on “readability”.

The author's conclusion is obvious: modern dynamic equivalent translations of the Scriptures are deeply and irrevocably flawed. Only with a literal translation and one that gives attention to more than simply words but also the literary qualities of translation, can we have the Bible as God intends for us to have it in a translated form. While Ryken does not recommend one translation above others, he served as literary stylist for the English Standard Version and clearly considers that his translation of choice, and with good reason, it would seem.

Throughout 2006 I used the ESV in my daily Bible reading as well as in my study preparation time for weekly messages. Immediately I noticed separation between the ESV and the NIV. My heart was encouraged each time I read from the ESV thinking I was reading from the one of the most accurate and biblically conservative “word-for-word” translations of the Bible.

Note this paragraph from the Preface of the ESV Bible, under the heading “Translation Philosophy”:

The ESV is an ‘essentially literal’ translation that seeks as far as possible to capture the precise wording of the original text and the personal style of each Bible writer. As such, its emphasis is on ‘word-for-word’ correspondence, at the same time taking into account differences of grammar, syntax, and idiom between current literary English and the original languages. Thus it seeks to be transparent to the original text, letting the reader see as directly as possible the structure and meaning of the original.

In contrast to the ESV, some Bible versions have followed ‘a thought-for-thought’ rather than ‘word-for-word’ translation philosophy, emphasizing ‘dynamic equivalent’ rather than the “essentially literal” meaning of the original. A ‘thought-for-thought’ translation is of necessity more inclined to reflect the interpretive opinions of the translator and the influence of contemporary culture.

Wow, did you catch that last sentence? A “thought-for-thought” translation is of necessity more inclined to reflect the interpretive opinions of the translator and the influence of contemporary culture. I have many reasons for changing to the ESV. Paramount among the numerous reasons is that I want to use a translation that is as close to the original language as possible and one that is not influenced by the translator or culture. That is what we find with the ESV.

And as Paul Harvey often says, “Now you know the rest of the story.”

I am curious to hear what you think of the “new” version we are using at CrossPoint.

Denny Burk and 99 Balloons

I would like to introduce to you a scholastic blogger and his thought-provoking blog.

As you visit Denny Burk’s blog I would like for you to remember three things.

First, take a moment to check out one of last weeks blog entries titled Eliot and and then watch the video entitled 99 Balloons. Prepare yourself. You are going to cry. You are going to weep. Just to be flat honest, I lost it when I viewed the video.

Next, as you read the blog, please DO NOT compare Denny Burk’s entries to mine. Denny’s blog is profound, insightful and scholastic. On the other hand mine is simple, childlike and boring.

Finally, link Denny Burk to your favorite file.

In closing, please let me know what you think of the 99 Balloons video.

Wow, What a Resurrection Day!

I am particularly pleased with the way our plan for Easter held up Sunday morning. The 7:00 AM worship celebration, I believe, made the difference in our traffic flow and crowding issues. I commend the 165 CrossPointers who made the effort to worship that early. Thank you for going the second mile so that JUST ONE MORE could have a seat in the other worship celebrations.

While I am commending CrossPointers, let me add a few other groups that deserve accolades.

Ten thousand thank “yous” to the Parking Ministry. You did a great job guys laying out the parking plan for the morning. I was particularly impressed that no one drove away from our campus because there was not adequate space to park.

I believe Bryan and our Worship & Media Ministry deserve kudos for a great day of worship. These people arrived on campus at 6:00 AM to prepare for an incredible day of worship. Kudos to Joy Capps for leading us in Worthy is the Lamb. I want to thank the praise band likewise for being available throughout all four worship celebrations. Concluding worship with Everlasting God wrapped up a worshipful day.

Finally, and most importantly, we must give praise and thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ. If it were not for His bodily resurrection from the grave we would have nothing to celebrate.

And, for those who requested it, the following is my response to Larry King if he ever invited me to his television show and asked me if as a Jew I thought he would die and go to Hell if he did not repent of His sin and believe in Jesus to save him. (It should be noted that I adapted portions of this answer from John Piper and my longtime friend Dr. Ron Ethridge, who is pastor of Woodward Avenue Baptist Church in Muscle Shoals, Alabama):

Yes, Larry, I believe that if you or anyone else does not repent of their sin and believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, then they will go to Hell when they die.

Allow me to explain a few other things I believe as well:

I believe in the glorious deity of Jesus Christ.
I believe in the universe-making, miracle working power of Jesus Christ.
I believe in the humble, sinless, virgin-born humanity of Jesus Christ.
I believe in the covenant-keeping, law-fulfilling, righteousness-performing, perfection-providing obedience of Jesus Christ.
I believe in the wrath-bearing, justice-satisfying, sin-atoning death of Jesus Christ.
I believe in the death-defeating, devil-destroying, heaven-opening resurrection of Jesus.
I believe in the sovereign, interceding, ever present, never leaving us alone, triumphant reign of Jesus at the right hand of the Father.

I believe Jesus Christ is the King of kings… the Lord of lords… and Host of hosts.
I believe He is the Bright and Morning Star.
I believe He is the First & the Last… the Beginning & End… the A to Z...the Alpha & Omega.

I believe Jesus is the Sovereign Ruler of the universe. By His power everything exists. By His word life is given & taken away.
I believe Jesus gives the sun its light & He hung the stars and planets in the heavens.
I believe it is by Jesus that birds sing… the wind blows… the ocean roars… and the flowers bloom.

Because of Jesus widows rejoice… orphans sing… the barren are glad… the poor are rich… the blind see… the deaf hear… and the dead live.

I believe Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life… the Great I AM… the Bread of Life… & Living Water.

Because of Jesus there is no fear of death, disease, or enemies.

In Him there is strength for the weak… hope for the hopeless… and courage for the
fearful.

One day Jesus Christ will come back in power & glory. When He does return the sky will split and the heavens will part and He will return with a conquering sword.

When He returns He will return as a King… Master… Sovereign… Ruler… as ALMIGHTY GOD!

And on that day, every knee will bow—your knee and mine—and every tongue will
confess—your tongue and mine—that Jesus Christ is Lord!

Do you believe in Jesus?

What Is A Good Friday Service?

Catching Up

Vaughn Harris and I have had some technical difficulties last week pertaining to our email communications. Therefore, we are about a week behind in our blog posts. That being the case, we plan to do some catching up this week.

For those of you who did not attend the Good Friday service last weekend at CrossPoint, I have decided to post the blog I wrote the night before. Although the information is dated, I still think it is helpful.

Based on the reaction of those who participated, we will continue the tradition of this service. We estimate more than 300 adults and children participated.

What is a Good Friday Service?

Last night I made several phone calls to our first time guests from last weekend. I make these weekly contacts so that our guests know how excited we were they chose to worship with us. Additionally, I used the conversation last night to invite them to our Resurrection weekend of services and celebrations.

During one particular call a guest said they would be coming to our Good Friday Service because they had never heard of such a service. It was at that point I decided I should write something about the service on my daily blog.

So, what is a Good Friday Service?

Well, I am glad you asked.

In the ancient church, the Easter celebration from Thursday of Holy Week through the great vigil Saturday night (which ended on Sunday morning) was one ongoing service with occasional breaks.

On the morning of Good Friday, the people paid tribute to the wood of the cross, the instrument upon which our salvation was attained. A casket containing a cross was often placed on a table covered with a linen cloth. The bishop stood behind the table as the people filed by touching and kissing the cross and sometimes bowing before it or lying prostrate in front of it. This was not a worship of the cross but a worship of God, who sent His Son to die on the cross for the salvation of the world.

At noon the people gathered until three o’clock to hear Scripture readings about the passion of our Lord. Scripture readings were taken from the Psalms, the prophets, the Epistles, Acts, and the Gospels. In between these readings, there were prayers and sermons to help guide the devotion of people as they observed the hours when Jesus hung on the cross. At three o’clock the passage from John’s Gospel regarding the death of Christ was read.

In the evening, the Christians gathered again to hear the story of the burial of Christ read. Usually a great crowd remained there in vigil all night long.

While these practices are not observed today in the same way they were in the ancient traditions, a new emphasis has emerged stressing the importance of Good Friday as a day of worship.[1]

As in ancient times, our particular emphasis will focus on the cross of Christ. As the worship progresses we will be reading from each of the seven recording in Scripture when Christ spoke from the cross.

Provided below are the seven last words of Christ from the cross:

And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Luke 23:34

And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
Luke 23:43

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then he said to the disciple, Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. John 19:26-27

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Matthew 27:46


After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), "I thirst."
John 19:28

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
John 19:30

Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last.
Luke 23:46

In addition to reading the previous passages, there will be a very serious moment when we will pass around the room a crown of thorns for each person to hold in their hands. We want each of us to have a split second when we consider the great cost of Christ’s pain and suffering.

The focus on the cross, the reading of Christ’s last words, the handling of a crown of thorns, along with the observance of the Lord’s Supper we believe will work together to enable us to reflect on Christ’s sacrifice.

At the outset it must be emphasized that the veneration of the cross WILL NOT BE a part of CrossPoint’s Good Friday Service. We are gathering on Friday to remember our Lord, the suffering and indignities He faced and to prepare for Resurrection morning.

This will not be a typical CrossPoint worship celebration. Do not be surprised to find this a somber service. Expect the worship center to be dark and quiet when you enter the room. Also, prepare to leave the worship center sad, if not emotional. If you do, then the service will be a success. We want every person leaving our campus Friday afternoon wanting the Easter celebration to come and come soon.

I am particularly stirred by the potential of our Good Friday Service and Resurrection worship. We are looking to the Good Friday Service as a time of preparation—a service to prepare us for Easter. And we are looking to Easter as a time of celebration.

I hope to see you Friday.

[1] Adapted from Robert Webber’s The Complete Library of Christian Worship: The Services of the Christian Year, Volume 5 (Nashville, Tennessee: Star Song Publishing, 1994)

Him I Know Not! Who Comes?

I still cannot figure it out. It is okay if I never figure it out, but I still cannot figure out why every time I drive onto the CrossPoint campus I am humbled by what I see going up.

Once again, it is paramount for me to remind all CrossPointers the more we see going up for God, the more we should be going down before God. We cannot bow down enough before the Holy, Infinite God. He alone is God. There is only One God, and there is only one way to approach Him, and that is in brokenness, humility and contrition.

Sunday was another humbling day for our family of faith, wasn’t it?

Wow, what about the music? That was incredible. My heart was stirred more and more as each service progressed. I awoke Monday morning already anticipating our Good Friday service.

Do you remember what caused Christ to come to this earth and die for our sins? It was God’s love (Romans 5:4-11) and it was God’s justice (Romans 3:21-27) that caused Christ to die for our sins.

In review, it was an incredible day!

This morning I had no alternative. The events of the day compelled me to humble myself before our Mighty God. While praying, studying and reading this morning I remembered a story I read a few weeks ago. It is found in John and Barbara Brokhoff’s book, There's Always Hope.

It is a paradox that the best people consider themselves the worst sinners. The greatest leader of Israel, Moses, was told by God at the burning bush to remove his sandals for he was on holy ground. His sandals represented his sinfulness. The great prophet, Isaiah, confessed, "I am a man of unclean lips." The great Christian, Paul, confessed that he was "chief of sinners."

In 814 AD, when the funeral procession of King Charlemagne came to the cathedral, they were shocked to find the gate barred by the bishop.

"Who comes?" shouted the bishop.

The heralds answered, "Charlemagne, Lord and King of the Holy Roman Empire!"

Answering for God, the bishop replied, "Him I know not! Who comes?"

The heralds, a bit shaken, answered, "Charles the Great, a good and honest man of the earth!"

Again the bishop answered, "Him I know not. Who comes?"

Now completely crushed, the heralds say, "Charles, a lowly sinner, who begs the gift of Christ."

"Him I know," the bishop replied. "Enter!"

It is only when in humility we see ourselves as nothing that God can create something out of nothing. When we stop and think that God in Christ loves us by coming to earth to justify and redeem us, we are overwhelmed with gratitude.

Look For God

Just minutes before the start of the ING Georgia Marathon the minister leading the invocation challenged the runners to look for God. He said, “Look for God as you run today; if you look for Him you will find Him out there.”

That was a good word; a word I needed to hear. When I crossed the starting line I quietly asked the Lord to reveal Himself to me along the way; and He did.

If memory serves me correctly, I “saw God” at least seven times during my run.

The first time I saw God was at mile four when I questioned if my hamstring would hold up through the race. You will recall from Wednesday’s blog that is when the Lord reminded me how many people were praying for me and that all I needed to do was run and He would take care of everything else.

The next time I “saw God” was when the sun started rising around mile 6. I cleared a hilltop and started my ascent down the other side when I was blinded by the brightness of the early morning sun. I was reminded then of how many times I watched the sun rise during many of my long runs the previous 18 weeks. I used that time for a few moments of praise and worship.

Another time I “saw God” was when I passed a runner with “Pray for Bill” printed on the back of her shirt. I never found out why or how I should pray for Bill, but I prayed for him any way. I also used the time to pray for you and many others during that portion of my run.

The fourth time I “saw God” was when the Lord put the words to “Everlasting God” on my tongue. Bryan introduced us to that song about a month ago, and since then I have not quit singing it. That is a good thing, because the words are so powerful. I know other runners were humored by my singing.
Here are the words:

"Everlasting God"

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord

We will wait upon the Lord

We will wait upon the Lord

_______________________________

Our God, You reign forever

Our hope, our Strong Deliverer

You are the everlasting God

The everlasting God

You do not faint

You won't grow weary

_______________________________

Our God, You reign forever

Our hope, our Strong Deliverer

You are the everlasting God

The everlasting God

You do not faint

You won't grow weary

_______________________________

You're the defender of the weak

You comfort those in need

You lift us up on wings like eagles.

The chorus to that song is my favorite.

Other than the experience I had at mile 4, the next biggest moment of when I “saw God” was when I passed Scott Rigsby at mile 18. Scott is a double amputee who was attempting to break the world record for the fastest marathon by a double amputee. It was a God moment for me because I was really struggling at that point. Watching him exert so much energy on artificial legs motivated me to quit whining and keep running.

Another moment when I “saw God” was when I was greeted by Vonda, and some other CrossPointers at mile 21. Thankfully I asked her to have a banana and a bottle of Gatorade ready for me to consume. The timing was perfect. For some strange reason, the race director communication broke down and they were only served water on the course. Thus, by the time I reached Vonda my body was in dire need of some potassium and electrolytes.

Of course, the final time I “saw God” was when I crossed the finish line and held my hands in the air to give Him praise. I quoted Isaiah 57:15 and said, “Thank you, Lord. To Your name be the glory!”

I am so glad the minister who led in the morning invocation challenged us to “look for God” that day. I looked for Him and I found Him.

Today, I challenge you to look for God. As the minister said, He’s is out there and you will find Him if you look for Him.

Just out of curiosity, I would like to know of a time when you “saw God”. Please share your stories with me.