This week our President publicly stated that he supports same-sex marriage.  At the same time he often talks of his Christian faith.  Let’s be clear that these two cannot co-exist.  Same-sex marriage is clearly prohibited in scripture.  Let’s just be really  clear…it is wrong in God’s eyes…it is sin.  Matthew 19 makes it clear that from the beginning God’s plan was for one man to marry one woman for a lifetime.

This is not an issue that evolves or changes.  Just because our culture is changing doesn’t mean that God’s standard is changing.  Truth is truth.

While we should always speak truth in love and we should always love people regardless of what choices they make in their lives (and we’ve all made plenty of wrong choices) we cannot ignore God’s standard.

Just some thoughts,

Jeff.

I was thinking today we all need some people in our lives that we have granted rapid access to in case of emergency.  When we face a crisis or if we were to veer off course in our walk with God we need some people who access to our hearts and lives.

By code the rapid access box has to be located near the main entrance.  It wouldn’t be any good if we located it at my house.  If we are going to let people help us we have to allow them to get close to us.  I hear far too many stories of people who veer off course and there is no one that is close enough to them to really help because they haven’t allowed anyone to get close.

We need to let people into our lives who really get to know us and who we will listen to if we start to head down the wrong path.  Do you have people like that?  I have a handful of people in my life that I trust and are close enough to me that they can see what’s really going on in my life.  If they came to me to speak some truth into my life — they would have my attention.  I’ve granted them rapid access.

Do you have people like that in your life?  You need them.

Just some thoughts,

Jeff.

We would probably never say that because we know better.  But how we spend our time and energy, what we get upset about, what consumes us says that’s exactly what we’ve done.  We’ve allowed the distractions of life to become more important to us than Jesus.

I realized that I need to work harder every day at keeping my life focused on Jesus.  I need to remind myself more often that the only opinion that really matter is His.  The only approval I really need is His.  The only future that matters is eternity.

While I’m here Jesus wants me to work hard at what I am doing and He wants me to point as many people toward Him as I possibly can.  But even in the midst of that He never wants me to take my focus off of following Him.

Just some thoughts I’m working through in my own life…

Jeff.

All the credit goes to God.  His power and work are unmistakable.  So often I am asked what we’ve done to foster the growth, etc. My response is we’ve done nothing — nothing different from what we’ve been doing all along.  So the only explanation is that it is God.

We have an amazing team here.  Great staff, great leaders and great volunteers!  They are great because they are letting God use them and they believe in our mission.

I don’t know exactly what will happen when we add the third service on Sunday, but I’m leaving that all up to God.  The best stuff happens when we trust Him.

I know Crosspoint is hard at work inviting their friends and neighbors.  I know that we’ve done all we can to prepare.  So bring on Sunday and let’s watch what God does.

Just some thoughts,

Jeff.

She has a pretty good life and so do we as Christ followers.  Our desires are a lot like our dogs.  We like to be near others.  No one wants to go through life feeling like we are alone.  We don’t have to.  God is always near.  We are never out of his presence.  Sometimes we can be content just to rest in His presence.  Other times when life frightens us we want to be a little closer so we can see His power at work. 

God is good with all of that.  He invites us to live in his presence.  He tells us He is our strength and refuge and we do not need to be afraid.  He is our rock.  He is our provider. 

Sometimes I think my dog wants to know she is loved and so do we.  If that’s what you are needing then you don’t have to look any farther than the cross.  God loves you more than anyone else ever can or will.

Sometimes my dog wants my attention because she has a need.  She needs to go out or wants to eat.  Sometimes we want God’s attention because we have a need.  Again He invites us to share our needs with Him.

I am more like my dog than I want to admit.  I am thankful that my Master loves me unconditionally and is there to care for me like no other.

Just some thoughts,

Jeff.

I am so glad I am part of a church family that loves and welcomes people for all ethnicities, backgrounds and walks of life.  When you walk into Crosspoint on any Sunday morning you will find african-americans, hispanics, caucasian, wealthy and not so wealthy  worshipping the God who loves us all.

I know there is ugliness and hatred in our society, but its not part of God’s plan and should never be part of His church.  I pray the diversity of our church continues to grow and anyone who ever steps foot on our campus feels welcomed and loved.

Just some (quick) thoughts,

Jeff.

Tuesday I got to spend a few hours at a Round Table event with one of these people.  Bob Russell has been one of  my mentors for many years, though until Tuesday he really had no idea.  Over the years I have watched him from afar, read his books, listened to his messages (preached quite a few of them in the early years) and attended seminars whenever I could.

What I saw and heard has deeply impacted my life and ministry.  Even Crosspoint bears some of the marks of his influence.  As I told him Tuesday, I am forever grateful for his example.

We all need people in our lives (private and professional) that we look to for direction and advice.  Even people who we only know from afar.  Who do you have in your life?  If you ever get the chance be sure to tell them what they have meant to your life.

Just some thoughts,

Jeff.

His request made me think several things.  First I am so thankful that our friendship is deep enough that he felt comfortable being so transperent.  It encourages me to trust my friends with some of my struggles.

I realized that his struggle is not unusual.  I think most if not all of us have something in our life that we struggle with.  We know what we should do and maybe even want to do the right thing but we struggle.  If that’s you…you are not unusual or alone.

We could all use some help.  We need someone to help apply some pressure and lovingly hold us accountable.  We need someone to ask us some tough questions or call us on the carpet if we’re dropping the ball.

The goal in our lives should be to grow in our likeness to Jesus.  No one ever suggested that is something we do all by ourselves.  We need other people in our lives who help to shape us and mold us.  We need people who God uses to help sand the rough edges away.

Where do you need some pressure in your life and who are you trusting to apply that pressure?

Just some thoughts,
Jeff.

In short form — Herman Osprey wanted to move his barn about 50 yards to higher ground to avoid flooding when it rains.  So his son devised a plan using steel tubing all around the barn.  His son’s plan was that if 344 people each lifted 55 pounds they could move the barn.  It worked.  344 people moved that barn 50 yards to higher ground.

It’s a great reminder than when everybody does their part — lifts their part enormous things can be accomplished.  Do you realize that someone is counting on you to lift your 55 pounds? 

Your church is counting on you to serve somewhere to do your part to help reach your community.  Your employer is counting on you to lift your 55.  Your spouse is counting on you.  Your children are counting on you.

If you drop your 55 then someone else has to try to pick up yours and theirs.  Wherever God has placed you in life, jump in and carry your 55 and see what can be accomplished together for His glory.

Just some thoughts,

Jeff.

Well today I finally decided to do it.  There are other things in my life, a few of them far more important than blogging, that I think about doing, put on my “To Do” list, feel guilty about, talk about but never do.  It comes down to just deciding I am going to do it.  Do you have things like that?  What have you been putting off that you need to just do?

I hope by making myself write today, that it will start a new habit for me.  The truth is that next week I will have to decide again and make myself just sit down and do it.

Whatever your “thing” is that you need to just do…I am hoping this will give you a little inspiration.  Now stop reading and just go do it.

Just some thoughts,
Jeff.