hiding in my office

Tonight we are hosting the Jonathan Nelson concert at Crossroads.   In addition to Jonathan performing, there are other local and semi-local churches participating.

The sound checks have been amazing and the front doors just opened, so the preparation phase has come to an end.  Now we wait for the actual event to happen.

I am currently hiding in my office.  Door locked, blind down, ice coffee on table.

I just need to be alone for a few minutes.

I LOVE hosting events like this.  I love to problem solve, I love to make a big deal over caring for people, I love to be asked 5 questions at once, and I love to watch the chaos slowing fade away as the finished product emerges from among the mess.

Outside all the activity connected to the concert the really strange thing about today has been the other people that have stopped by Crossroads.

I happened to be standing out front when two gentlemen came from an out of town church to look at our auditorium flooring.  They recently had devastating flooding in their church and are considering the type of carpet squares that we have in their newly renovated building.  I enjoyed talking with them and helping them.

Next a pastor from a new church plant from out of town, stopped in to check out Crossroads as a possible church for his local daughter and her husband.  I had the privilege of walking him all around our building and giving him material about Crossroads.  He loved the church and said he'll be back on a Saturday and will tell his kids all about us!  I love doing this!

As I sit in the momentary silence I marvel at the God opportunities I have had today.

I have absolutely NO IDEA, how I got the privilege of overseeing these kinds of events - I love this, I'll never forget the things I got to be part of here at Crossroads, and I pray this is just the beginning of amazing relationships with other local churches and sisters and brothers in our community!

privilege with responsibility

Most privileges come with responsibility. Can you think of any that don't?

We studied this recently in the "Lessons on Christian Living" booklet. I found it very, very interesting to think about. We studied from the perspective of Christian maturity. It takes an obedient life to grow as a believer.

But even outside of that - from a worldly point of view I cannot think of any kind of privilege that doesn't require responsibility. Wealthy people should live very generous lives - providing for those less fortunate. Highly educated people should teach those less educated. People in powerful positions of authority should govern honestly and fairly. The list is endless.

It seems in many cases that privilege instead brings the very worst out in some people. An attitude of entitlement and selfishness. Or the desire for more privilege.

Although my life may not look like a life of privilege based on what I own or my bank accounts, I count myself among the most fortunate on earth. My privilege comes from the Lord in blessings of family, dear friends and co-workers and the local church. The nice thing about this kind of privilege is there is no way I can ever act as if I deserve it, or earned it. It was given to me and I recognize the value far exceeds anything measurable on this temporary earth. If you abide in the Lord - I am sure you can express the same kind of thankful joy!

Mine is not a perfect life with everything going well all the time - but it is a life of privilege.