preparing for the weekend

The biggest difference I've seen between our culture and the international cultures that I've had the opportunity to visit, is the value that they place on relationships, far more than Americans do.

It's interesting when really thinking about that.

The less people have - the more they value one another and the more they help one another and the more time they have to give to others.

As I worked this morning just making sure I have all the projects for the coming weeks in the proper order on my calendar, I worked with the intention of being very organized so I could focus on everyone around me this weekend.

Preparing for the 988th service since I've been involved at Crossroads, I asked the Lord - what do you want from me?   What do I have to offer and bring to the ministry this weekend?

I realized by being very organized and preparing well - I could give time and attention, perhaps the greatest thing anyone can give.

I'll never grow tired of coming to Crossroads and totally trusting that God is going to do something amazing again, and again, and again, despite us!

I look very forward to talking to as many of you as possible this weekend - and I encourage you, spend a little time preparing even if you're not directly involved in the services and I bet God will meet you there!

no rules

I have been with several groups of people recently that seem to have no rules to live by.

People who are going through their lives with little or no moral compass, just doing as they please. They are not bad people, they are not hurting anyone else, but they are doing whatever they want to.

Relationships - no boundaries; commitment - none; spiritual maturity - no interest. And they all claim the name of Christ. I don't get it. I see no difference in their lives and those I know who do not claim the Lord.

This bothers me tremendously. I care about these people.

Of course only the Lord knows where they stand with him - judging them is not my intent. But, their lives tell others that there are no rules, or absolutes. Everything is gray.

I wonder when God looks down if many of His children look an awful lot like those He says He knows not?

2 hole punch

I am truly not sure if my hand was ever separated from my two hole punch today.

This is due to finally having a whole day to catch up. When I know I don't have time to properly organize and finish everything, I let it sit on email or wherever it is instead of printing it off and filing, or taking the action needed. Today I needed to regroup and as I sit at 11:30 tonight, I just punched my last paper. Crazy!

This is a good illustration on what happens with life in general. We put things off, we wait until we have to perform a task that we do not particularly enjoy. This just makes things worse.

This is particularly true concerning things in our lives that should be dealt with quickly. Not allowed to accumulate. When problems or problem relationships are ignored they become very messy, they become more unorganized and they get much worse in every way. Misunderstandings, unwillingness to forgive, and any issue unresolved is not good. It turns into a huge pile.

I encourage you to look at your desk, your office, your home and your relationships. What is accumulating that could be dealt with, finished and put away? Do it, deal with it, punch it like a hole punch does and attach it were it belongs... or you may become completely buried and unable to spend your time as God has intended!

a real date

We had so much fun tonight going out to eat with other couples!

We often eat out after church with others, but, tonight a group of us all went out to eat and then to a show. We ran into even more good friends at the show! It was so much fun enjoying one another and not being worried about when we had to be home or hurrying off to do anything else!

I am beginning to understand how important this is as I talk to others who are struggling in their relationship or some who seem to have no close friends. How vital it is to never stop working on your marriage and friendships! No one can do this life alone, God didn't intend us to not have relationships with others. We need each other and God needs what we collectively can accomplish!

I would like to have many more evenings like tonight, many more real dates!