Connect the Dots

Early Saturday morning, the Islamic Center of Victoria was destroyed by fire. Talk of the center's destruction spread quickly through the Crossroads and it eventually hit national and international news. As we were getting ready for church on Sunday, our feeds were full of posts regarding the fire and Good Morning America reported on it so we knew that we would need to talk with our kids. We wanted to prepare them for conversations that they may have or overhear at church. Kristi and I talked with the kids for about 5 minutes or so. The big idea of the talk was simple: when it comes to those who practice Islam, they aren't our enemies, but they also aren't our spiritual friends. They aren't our enemies. Because they aren't our enemies, we don't wish for bad things to happen to them. Because they aren't our enemies, we will be build relationships that are considerate, respectful and loving. Because they aren't our enemies, if the f

5 Wrong Ways to Deal with Sin

Think that you are never wrong. You never sin. Those that think they are never wrong are impossible to live with and have a big problem. They have a big pride problem. The Bible warns us that those who claim to have no sin are liars. The first step to deal with sin is to get real and to own your stuff. Ignore the consequences of your actions. Every sin has consequences. Every sin has a cost. The Bible says that the wages of sin are death. The end game of undealt with sin is death. Some sins kill us physically. Some sins kill us emotionally or relationally. People who ignore the consequences of their actions are dying a slow death throughout their lives and don't even realize why: the consequences of their sinful actions is zapping all of the joy, success, and hope in life. To deal with sin, we must be sick of sin - ready to cease and desist from the thing in life that destroys us. This includes a change of mind and a change in actions so that we don't rep

1 in 10

In Luke 17, we see the love of God for people on display to ten men with leprosy. These ten men lived as outcasts on the fringes of society. Their highly contagious disease pushed them to the margins of life - sick, alone, and uncared for. Then, Jesus came on the scene. They cried out to Him asking for His pity. Jesus sent them to the priests and as they went along their way, they were healed. All ten were healed, but only one returned to thank Jesus. Only one threw himself at the feet of Jesus and said thanks for all that Jesus had done. Only one praised God because of Jesus' work. All ten were healed, but only one returned. This Thanksgiving, who are you? Are you the one who returns praising God and giving Jesus credit for all that He has done for you? Or are you like the other 9? Jesus has healed you, but you aren't returning to worship, thank, and give Him glory for what He has done. Today, be a person that thanks God for all that He has done. Be the on

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