Charge That Mountain

We've been reading through Matthew at the house and we were in Chapter 14 last night. Chapter 14 is the story of John the Baptist being beheaded...that's a good bedtime story. "All right kids, let's read about the time they brought a guy's head out on a platter." My oldest wanted to know if the blood was running all over the plate...I've never really thought about that, but it probably was. I guess it's a fitting story with Halloween around the corner. Anyway, the other two stories in Ch. 14 are the feeding of 5,000 and Peter walking on the water. Let's focus on the latter. The story is pretty simple, Jesus is walking on the water (no biggie for Him) and the disciples freak out because they think it's a ghost. Peter says "if it's you Lord, give the word." "Come." That's all Jesus says, "Come." You may know the rest of the story, Peter climbs out of the boat and walks on water (a biggie for him). The obedience and courage of Peter is pretty remarkable when you think about it. We ask people today, "will you work nursery?" "Can you get to church a little early to greet people as they show up?" "Would you be willing to help serve in a ministry at the church?" Most of the time the response is not quite like Peter's. Maybe we don't see the need, have the energy, possess the drive, I'm not sure. I heard guy say this not long ago, "find a mountain worth dying on and go charge that mountain!" I'll end with that.

Launched!

It's official, the Jonesboro campus has given birth to a campus in Paragould. One Church two locations is now a reality for Crossroads. 10-10-10 was a very successful day! Last weekend we had 146 people at Jonesboro. This weekend we had about 400 total for both locations. 6 people formed a relationship with Christ this Sunday. It took a lot of faith, sacrifice, money, risk...all those words we like to avoid in order for this 2nd campus to become a reality. What if we would've backed out because the cost was too high? What if we said, 'let's just do what we've always done.' What if the battle cry was this...'don't rock the boat.' I can tell you what would've happened. When you always do what you've always done, you always get what you've always gotten. To be the Pastor of a Church that is willing to step out into the unknown and risk everything to reach people is something not every Pastor can say. Thank you Crossroads for being that Church. Can't wait till Sunday!