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Wednesday, January 23, 2008

We've Moved!!

Just in case you read this blog via crosspointchurch.blogspot.com, we have made the move to Wordpress as our platform for reaching the blogosphere. So.... please redirect yourself to www.justonemore.info .

Thanks,

Web Management
www.justonemore.info

Another Big Day at CrossPoint

Oh, what a day!

I know I have written about this before, yet the Sundays at CrossPoint are increasingly better and better each weekend.

I emailed Bryan Haskins this morning to tell him that worship was over the top. He did a great job selecting the music, preparing the choir and leading the congregation. I loved “All About Your Glory”. I hear us singing that glorious song a few more times this year, don’t you?

It was fun introducing the many new members, and asking them to stand across the front of the room. For those of you who were there, what did you think about the new tradition we started in the third worship celebration? At the coffee bar I had potential new member ask me when the next membership class would be available so they could join. Now that is good stuff.

Speaking of the coffee bar—watch out Starbucks! I really like all the space we have to mix and mingle. I also like the changes we made to the front entrance. We have more space for traffic flow now. Plus, I think the new coffee bar area will be a better place for me to meet and greet guests.

Our open house was a great add on to the day. I was surprised with the number of people who attended. It was good to see so many Center Pointers come to take a tour. We were equally surprised to meet a number of guests who came in response to the advertisements we placed in the area newspapers. CBS 42 surprised us as well by recording a segment for the Sunday evening news. Did any of you see the segment during the 5:30 PM broadcast?

Next weekend we turn our attention to the final message of our introductory series on God’s Glory. The message title is “Do All to the Glory of God” from 1 Corinthians 10:31. We will also participate in the Lord’s Supper at the conclusion of each worship celebration. I want God’s glory to consume us. If the remaining 49 Sundays are like the first three Sundays of the year, I think God’s glory will fill us.

That’s enough about Sunday. It is my desire to return to a daily routine of writing blogs this week. I plan to do that as soon as I turn the corner on my jet lag. Now there’s a blog—overcoming jet lag. Whew! I’m tired. Is it time for bed? It sure feels like it.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

This Can’t be What It’s all Cracked up to Be

Tom Brady is the quarterback of the New England Patriots. His team is currently on a 16-0 winning streak, with the possibility of going 19-0 if they win the Super Bowl. Brady was recently interviewed by Steve Kroft on 60 Minutes.

The interview took a serious twist when Brady made this vulnearable comment:

"Why do I have three Super Bowl rings and still think there's something greater out there for me? I mean, maybe a lot of people would say, 'Hey man, this is what is.' I reached my goal, my dream, my life. Me, I think, 'God, it's got to be more than this.' I mean this isn't, this can't be what it's all cracked up to be."

When the Kroft asked him, "What's the answer?"

Brady responded, "I wish I knew. I wish I knew. I love playing football and I love being quarterback for this team. But at the same time, I think there are a lot of other parts about me that I'm trying to find."

Wow! This guy has it all—according to the world’s standards. He dates actresses. He makes big money. He owns three super bowl rings. Again, by what the world says, this guy is the epitome of success, and he still says, “This can’t be what it’s all cracked up to be.” Even though Brady is surrounded by all the accouterments of success, it is apparent his life is empty.

If you had 60 minutes with Brady, what would you say to him?

First I would commend Brady for his honesty. I appreciate his transparency. Brady is more forthright than most people in his shoes. I would encourage Brady to remain open. His openness will lead to his answers.

Next, I would let Brady know that God has the answers to his questions in the Bible. For starters, the Bible has something to say about this thirst in Brady’s heart. This emptiness in his heart is there for a reason—it’s a desire God placed there. The Bible says,

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
Ecclesiastes 3:11

The Bible is clear; every human has a God-given desire for eternity in his heart. Yet man’s biggest problem is that he cannot quench that desire on his own. God must fill that void.

Obviously, I would communicate with the All-Pro Quarterback everything Jesus says about life, death and eternal life. I would begin with these truths:

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
John 10:10

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
Luke 19:10

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Mark 10:45

"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going." 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:1-7

Then, I would inform Brady that a heart filled with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the answer. The thirst in everyone’s heart is a thirst for meaning and significance. Super Bowl rings, dates with super models, endless wealth and everything else the world says we need is not the answer. The answer to life’s quest is a life filled with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul said,

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14

Finally, I would inform Tom that he is not much different from anyone else. Sure, Brady is mega-wealthy and extremeley famous, yet his struggles are the same as everyone else’s. Brady’s answer is found in God’s Word. And God’s Word will tell Brady that someone who has faith in the Lord Jesus Christ finds meaning and purpose in life. That is when I will give Tom the opportunity to repent of his life of sin and place his full confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ. Until then, Tom will continue to say, “This can’t be what it’s all cracked up to be.”

Monday, January 14, 2008

Chelsea Lee's Story

Three years ago I shared a powerful a story in one of my messages of a very brave girl. Her name was Chelsea Lee. Perhaps some of you will recall her story.

My mentor Harry Lucenay was Chelsea’s pastor. Chelsea was a courageous young girl who fought a long and arduous battle with cancer. The Lord took Chelsea home to be with him after living on this earth only 7 years.

Chelsea was the first one in her family to be born again. Soon after receiving Christ she requested Dr. Lucenay to come to her hospital room to talk about being baptized. She was too sick to follow through with that biblical command of immersion by water. That is when my friend, Harry, used his creative gifts to ensure the young girl’s heart’s desire was fulfilled.

Harry went to her home just days before she died to “baptize” her. The baptism was unconventional, yet meaningful. Harry anointed Chelsea’s forehead and face with peppermint oil as a symbol of her death, burial and resurrection in Jesus Christ.

Chelsea said to Harry during her baptism, that “the smell of my baptism in Christ is sweet.”

Soon after, Chelsea went home to be with the Lord.

My family had the distinct honor of sharing a meal with Chelsea’s parents, James and Melissa Lee before departing Hong Kong. As a result of Chelsea’s faith, her mother, Melissa was born again. Six months later, her father repented of his sins and placed his faith in Jesus Christ. One of Chelsea's aunts, received Christ in the automobile with Dr. Lucenay on the way to Chelsea’s graveside. An uncle, one of James's brothers made his profession of faith soon after driving home from the graveside.

James informed me that more than half of his family has come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ as a result of Chelsea’s faith and subsequent death. He has requested we pray for his eldest brother who has not yet been born again.

If you want to experience a very real blessing, then I encourage you to click here and learn more about Chelsea’s testimony:

http://www.chelsealee.com/

Take a moment to listen to her radio interview by clicking the Audio Clip from ‘RTHK’.

Only the Lord Jesus Christ can use the battle of a brave child, and her faith in Him to introduce so many others to their own salvation.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Trust In the Lord

Psalm 115:4-9

4 Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.

5 They have mouths, but do not speak;
eyes, but do not see.

6 They have ears, but do not hear;
noses, but do not smell.

7 They have hands but do not feel;
feet, but do not walk.
and they do not make a sound in their throat.

8 Those who make them become like them;
so do all who trust in them.

9 O Israel, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and shield.

Friday, January 11, 2008

A Report From Some of Our Missionaries

Alan and Melissa are really special people. They are missionaries of the Southern Baptist Convention. Fifty percent of our World Missions Offering goes to support more than 5000 mission personnel like these dear people. Alan and Melissa have been on mission in Asia for 14 years, and have spent the last four years in Hong Kong, where Alan is the Property Manager and Treasurer of the Hong Kong Baptist Mission.

During a meal with these folks, they recounted for us some recent stories and statistics about Southern Baptists’ efforts in mainland China.

More than 700 mainland Chinese students each year study at Hong Kong Baptist University. The IMB along with Kowloon International Baptist Church is targeting these students during their four years of study, and we are successfully reaching many of them for Christ before they return home upon graduation.
Taylor has befriended a new convert from the mainland. His name is Edward. Edward was recently baptized at KIBC. He participated in his first Lord’s Supper last Sunday, and he could not thank me enough for what he learned. It was refreshing watching him participate and learn from the Bible.

Brian spent the day with us the other day while we toured Lamma Island. Brian is a Chinese national who is not a believer and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, but he is a seeker. Maik, the student minister for Kowloon International Baptist Church, brought him along on our excursion so he could hear more about Christ. Brian is the President of the Chinese Student Union of HKBU. Imagine what the Lord will do through him once he repents of his sin and believes in the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am so thankful CrossPoint is part of the Southern Baptist Convention, where we are making a difference for the kingdom of God. Please pray for our mission efforts in this part of the world.