Among Us.

This past Saturday, at Cross Point Community, we had what we call "Serving Saturday." A chance for us to say "thanks" to the surrounding community by serving their needs, whatever they may be. Over 450 people showed up to help. An amazing day where God's love was shown to many many people.

As I looked around at everyone helping, I couldn't help but wonder what their own personal needs were. I was recently reminded that the person serving next to you might just be in need of a blessing themselves...

As I opened the storage building in Louisville, KY, I was floored. It was full. We loaded up every item in the building into the U-Haul and drove back to Nashville.

As I opened up the apartment door in Nashville, I was floored. It was empty. She had been sleeping on the carpet with a pillow and blanket... for 6 months.

She had showed up for every community group meeting and shared many things about herself. You would have never guessed that all she basically had was a roof over her head. Couldn't afford to hire movers to bring her stuff to Nashville.

As I watched 12 people from our community group use a Friday night to help unload the U-Haul, I was floored. The girls had started unpacking her dishes and were washing them all and finding a home for them. The guys were busy doing their best interior design impersonation, moving furniture around for the best "look."

This is what Jesus meant by "loving one another." Serving each other's needs by giving them your time and love.

As I left that night, I was floored. I had just experienced a community of believers showing selfless love towards one "among us." Let me never forget to bless those "among us."

My man crush

I am coming clean. It is time. I have a man crush on Pete Wilson.

Many of my friends have been aware of this ever since I started attending Cross Point Community Church several months ago and are probably planning an intervention soon, but I can’t help it.

Yes, he has great hair, dresses really well, loves LOST, has a beautiful wife and 3 of the cutest kids around, (he’s also taller than Keith Urban) but the real reason I have this man crush is that he is real.

We just finished a series at Cross Point called “Paralyzed: Frozen By Fear” and it was life changing for many.

Pete went first and shared his struggles and fears in his life. Something I have never seen a pastor do. He is not the pastor of the church that is on a pedestal. He is human. He is not a “preacher,” he is a friend. Because he went first, many were able to go second.

A man went home after learning about the fear of insignificance and burned $6,000 worth of pot, hundreds of people surrendered their fears by writing them on a card and placing them before the cross, and for me personally it has challenged me daily.

What is my fear? What is my wound?

I was taught to never say your fears aloud because the devil will hear it and attack you with it. So, I never did. Now if find myself not only writing my fear on a card and placing it at the foot of a cross, but also publishing it on the internet for the world to see.

I fear never sharing my life with someone else. Singleness.

I fear having my heart broken again.

I fear missing my purpose in life.

What I have learned through this series is that we are not wired for fear. We are wired for faith. I believe that God sent His Son to die on the cross for my sins and rose 3 days later. I believe by accepting that sacrifice into my heart, I will spend eternity in heaven with God.

So why do many of us trust God with our eternity, but not tomorrow?

Why am I so concerned about my fears? The answer is simple. I believe I control it. It seems logical to me that I would be responsible for my purpose in life and finding the woman of my dreams.

My fear problem is a faith problem.

One of the most common phrases in the Bible is “do not fear” and most of the time it is followed up with “for I am with you.” (ex. Isaiah 41:10)

So now that I know what my fear is and that my fear is a faith problem, what do I do about it?

Matthew 6:25-34.

Romans 12:2.

Unless I surrender my fears to God, I will continue to fear it.

It’s time for a transfer. Western Union style.

From: Me

To: God

Subject: My fears.

Price: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33

So there it is. For all to see. Except they are no longer my fears, they are now my surrendered fears. It might take a daily transfer for years, but those fears will no longer establish the limits of my life. No longer will they keep me average.

I was wired for faith, not fear. No longer will I be paralyzed.

I encourage anyone who is struggling with any kind of fear to go to www.CrossPoint.tv and check out the series. This entry came from my notes during the series.

I am crossing my fingers that the next series is not about “The dangers of a man crush”.

That would be tragic.

The plans of man

"When you plan your life on the success of plans that are subject to people and circumstances, your life will be one long, emotional roller coaster ride."

I read this in my morning devotional and it hit me hard. Like a ton of bricks. I am guilty of this. I have actually used the word "emotional roller coaster" to describe things I am going through. When I make plans for myself that depend on circumstances or other people in order to be successful, I am asking for trouble.

People aren't perfect.

Circumstances change.

There is someone/something that is perfect and has never changed though: Christ and his love.

In order to get off this emotional roller coaster, one must walk by faith. Easier said (or typed) than done, I know. It's a frightening thing to give up control over a situation and just walk by faith.

I am terrified of the unknown, and giving up something in favor of the unknown is paralyzing. Which brings me to a plug.

The church I attend, Cross Point Community Church, is starting a new series next week called "Paralyzed: Frozen by Fear". (Check out the website and take a look at the promo video).

For me personally, this news could not have come at a better time. It is past time to stop making plans that rely on others to complete.

It is past time to give up the fear and become fearless.

Cheering for the other team

There are times in my life when I catch myself looking at someone less fortunate than me and thinking, "I am glad I am not them." I continue on my way in my Banana Republic clothes driving a Ford Edge and pulling into a card access only parking lot for work.

It wasn't until church one Sunday night at Cross Point Community Church that my attitude changed. I walked in to see over 200 ex-cons and homeless people in the sanctuary. At first I was taken back a little. I sat down and waited for the service to start. The band got up and started playing then the next thing I knew I was worshipping the same God with people I thought were "less" than me.

I learned that night that everyone would be on the same level ground when looking up at the cross. Which brings me to a story that I read earlier. It's a story of a football coach at a High School that has all the best equipment, great support, and "good" kids that wanted to do something nice for a football team under different circumstances.

He arranged a football game against a maximum-security correctional facility. Not only did he do that, he asked that half the crowd cheer for them. Treat the criminals like they would their own sons. Treat them "normal". Something most of us would not do.

A game where cheering for the other side is better than winning