Christmas Holiday Variety

We had a wonderful visit with family for the holidays. We drove up on Friday, which was Christmas Eve, and spent the day with Donna's family. Her little niece, Olivia was the main attraction. Last year she wanted nothing to do with us, but this year she warmed up nicely and provided plenty of photo opps that ooze with cuteness. 

Donna's mom and dad chose to do prime rib instead of the traditional turkey and dressing and it was delectable! 

Saturday was spent at my mom's with my sister Holane and her family. My brother Philip and his family arrived late Saturday afternoon and we all exchanged gifts and then dug into my mom's incredible pork tenderloin dinner she had prepared. (She and my mother-in-law had similar ideas about ditching the traditional turkey and dressing. Fortunately they both served it up earlier this year at Thanksgiving. The holidays is the only time I typically eat turkey and dressing and it's always a treat!) 

Saturday night we carried out the annual tradition of taking all the cousins to the movies. This year we took in "True Grit." The Coen Brothers remake of the old John Wayne classic is something I've been looking forward to for months and I was not disappointed! It was a great movie! In fact, I know the purists will hate me for this but I actually enjoyed it more than the original. 

Sunday morning Chase and I got up early and sat in one of the coldest deer blinds I've ever been in. We didn't see anything and Chase wasn't really impressed with the whole hunting experience. Later that morning we attended morning worship with my mom at her church. Worship services at a traditional, rural church is so different than what we're used to and we all decided we've never appreciated Pastor Coy Watson (our music director at Crossroads) more! After service we enjoyed some awesome Taco Soup and afternoon football until it was time to head toward the deer blind again. I was able to convince Chase to come along, but once again saw nothing. My nephew Jordy however, killed a big doe. Chase and I got to watch it field dressed and quartered by one of my cousins and it was a real interesting experience for Chase. 

Dinner with both families, photo opps with Olivia, "True Grit" with the cousins, church with mom and deer hunting with Chase - A lot of Christmas holiday variety and a lot of fun! 

The Wright Brothers and the Big Story of Christmas

In mid-December 1903, after several attempts, the Wright Brothers finally got their "flying machine" in the air for 12 seconds, covering 120 feet. They were so excited they sent a telegram to their sister Katharine. When she received the telegram which read "We have flown for  12 seconds" with a byline that said "Will be home for Christmas" she immediately took it to the local newspaper reporter. After reading the telegram, the man smiled and said, "Oh good! The boys will be home for Christmas!" 

Heres a reporter who's been given the story of the century - Man's first flight! But he completely missed it and focused on the Wright boys being home for Christmas! 

I think sometimes in the hustle and bustle of the Holiday season we miss the big story too. We get caught up in the announcement of some huge sale at the mall or the announcement of yet another Christmas party and we forget that the real story of Christmas is that God has sent us a Savior! Remember what the angel said to the Shepherds in Luke 2:10-11, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." 

God didn't send Jesus into the world just to give us a holiday. He didn't send Jesus into the world just so we could attend another party. He sent His Son into the world to be our Savior. That's the big story of Christmas! 

Christmas Around The World

Whew! Another Crossroads Church Christmas Production is done. We started planning it about six months ago and it far exceeded our expectations. This year's theme was Christmas Around the World. It was different than anything we've done before - with some really cool, new wow factors. Some churches choose to do the same program each year, we've always opted to try and come up with something different! It seems to be working - Over 4,200 people attended our six performances on Saturday and Sunday! Here's a sample of the 13,000 tickets passed out by members of Crossroads Church! Our folks always rise to the occasion and get the word out about our production. We appreciate their effort so much! 

As always, our Children's Ministry kicked things off with an awesome song and dance number written by our Music Pastor, Coy Watson. The performance featured a mass choir of kids in costumes from around the world, a dance team that put on some impressive moves and a Nursery parade of some of the cutest kids in the world representing kids around the world! After the Children's song we were set for the rest of the program.

The story line was about a ten-year-old girl (played by Shelby Matte) who meets up with her postman (played by Jeff LaBerteau) at the family mailbox. She's sending Christmas cards to four children she and her family sponsors in different nations around the world. Together, they begin to speculate what Christmas celebrations in those countries might be like. All this was on video produced by the always masterful Richard Gaspard and his crew. 

We began with Asia. Daphne Gaspard did a fabulous job singing Do You Hear What I Hear to a beautifully orchestrated arrangement by Coy Watson. What Coy accomplished setting these traditional Christmas songs within the context of specific cultural music genres was nothing short of spectacular! As Daphne sang, Aerialists Dillon Keith and Kimberly Adele from Dallas, Texas performed beautiful, breath-taking maneuvers on red silks lowered from the ceiling. (A true wow-moment! Hats off to Holane Davidson for tracking down these talented performers!) Next the track livened up and introduced a Chinese parade complete with jugglers, streamers, dancers and an incredible dragon courtesy of Rhett Wyatt and his crew. Rhett did an awesome job as always with the set. This year we decided to simplify things a little bit by creating five, four-sided 5' x12' shapes that swiveled, forming a backdrop for the four nations when all turned together. They were absolutely beautiful! Rhett's team, assisted by some of our Master's Commission students do a remarkable job getting props on and off the stage between scenes in a very short window of time. I'm always amazed by the way they pull it off! 

The next nation we visited was Mexico. Coy Watson, Richard Gaspard, David Baudoin and I hammed it up by covering the old Steve Taylor arrangement of Winter Wonderland Mariachi-style complete with ponchos and sombreros! Richard's verse sang in Spanish (opera-style) took it over the top. Michelle Sanchez arranged all the choreography for this scene and the following two scenes. She is a genius! Since she joined Master's Commission several years ago, our productions have really been taken up a notch each year through her involvement! She and her dancers: Mariah Hebert, Natalie Myers, Jasmine Chaisson, Carmen Calderon, Skylar Courville and Destiny Kennerson were all fantastic! 

After our visit to Mexico, we headed to Jamaica where John Charles did a terrific job covering a Reggae version of Here Comes Santa Clause. The band, made up of Coy Watson, Richard Gaspard, Beau Roy and Mark Conley were great as always. John really hammed up the song well, including his laugh and call for a few bars of Wipe Out which followed, complete with one of Michelle and her girl's incredible dance routines and a surfing Santa played by Kenneth Guidry decked out in surfing shorts and beads in his beard! Kenneth was very convincing and should consider buying a surfboard. (Or a sleigh!) Kids always get a kick out of seeing Santa in our productions and seeing him on a surfboard brought a smile to everyone's face. That's always been one of our goals: We are determined to make sure attending the Crossroads Christmas Production each year becomes one of those things families always include on their list of Holiday traditions! We've worked very hard to earn the trust of the community. We want them to know they're always going to see a spectacular production! We also want our people to know that, if they get their friends and loved ones to attend one of our productions, they will hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and get an opportunity to receive Him as their personal Lord and Savior! It's why we do what we do! 

The last nation we visited was Africa. The song began with five drummers: Val Melancon, Mike Williams, Richard Montgomery, John Charles and Stephan Clark all providing rhythm on different percussion instruments for Coy's arrangement of Little Drummer Boy. Brandy Robinson sang the lead while Neil Alfred and Monica Jean Pierre  provided backing vocals and Michelle's girls infused the performance with an exciting African dance. I've always liked the song, but I now have a new favorite arrangement! 

After our final video segment set the stage for an altar call, I stepped out to remind those in attendance that Jesus not only loves all the children of the world, He loves each one of them, individually. If only one of us had needed a Savior, Jesus would have still come to Bethlehem and He would have still died on the cross - just for that one! Many stood to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior and then I reminded them that now they will spend all eternity in the home Christ has prepared for all those who follow Him. There, together with fellow-believers from every nation, race, tribe and tongue, we will proclaim as one people with one voice that Jesus reigns! This introduced our next number by Jordy Davidson,  the old Newsboys hit He Reigns. He was joined by Master's Commission students dressed as different people's groups from around the world singing, dancing and praising God. They did an incredible job and brought the crowds to their feet!

The production ended with a stirring version of Some Children See Him by Kari Campbell. After her inspired performance, I stepped out to invite people to join us in an offering for Mission of Mercy, a ministry that feeds hungry children around the world, as well as an opportunity to pick up a child in monthly sponsorship through Food For the Hungry - Another great ministry making a difference in the lives of thousands of children every day!

The production was well-received and enjoyed by all and I am once again indebted to the dozens of people who worked so hard to give Crossroads Church and all our guests this weekend an opportunity to celebrate Christmas Around the World!

It's the most wonderful (busy) time of the year!

I love the holidays, but honestly it's a love/hate kind of thing. It's such a busy season that I think we often miss the purpose of the season in the busyness of it all! 

We took a quick trip up to North Louisiana to visit our families for Thanksgiving and really had a nice time, but it was rush, rush, rush. Since returning, we've had the pedal to the metal. Just a sample of our schedule: Last night, Chase attended the Youth Christmas Party at church. Today, we head up to Calhoun to pick up my mom and take her to see the huge Living Nativity my uncle's church puts on in Searcy, Arkansas. Tomorrow night, Donna attends the Ladies Christmas Party at church. Saturday and Sunday we host our four regular weekend services. Monday night we have a Sectional Christmas Party with the Assemblies of God. Tuesday we have our Church Staff and Leader's Christmas Party. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday we have rehearsals for the big Christmas Production at church. Saturday and Sunday we host six performances of "Christmas Around The World." (You get the picture!)

Two years ago we made the decision to cancel Wednesday night services at church in December because we realize people are so busy with the holidays and we don't want to just add to the mayhem! 

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the holidays! I love the decorations and the parties and the music and the family get-together(s). I love it all - It's just so busy! So I'm interested to know - What do you do to slow things down and enjoy the real reasons for the season? 

Bathrooms and Guitars: The Freedom to be Relevant!

The Free Church of Scotland voted this week (narrowly) to allow music in their services for the first time in 160 years! This was actually a huge controversy. Many within the the church actually believe that its sinful to use musical instruments in church services.

You know if I were the devil that's exactly what I would want Christians to believe! I'd want to convince them that using musical instruments was evil so I could assure that their services would never attract anyone to Christ! Meanwhile, I'd get to use music to influence people the way I wanted to influence them. While I was at it I'd try and convince them that the more dressed up they are the holier they are. Put everyone in suits and ties so they're really uncomfortable and too busy comparing themselves with what everyone else is wearing to really focus on Christ. I'd make sure sermons were long and boring too and never dealt with anything relevant in people's day-to-day lives.

Years ago, not long after I became a Christian, I began to use my musical talents in church. I was so excited I would go to work and talk about it with my friends. One 'religious' guy over heard me one day and pulled me aside and presumed to 'straighten me out.' He told me we shouldn't be using guitars and drums in church because they didn't use those instruments in the early church and he wanted his church to be like the church in the book of Acts! I was a very young Christian and didn't have a lot of tact, so I asked him "Do you have bathrooms in your church?" He assured me they did and I told him he better pull those toilets out and go pee behind a tree because they didn't have indoor plumbing in the book of Acts! He never tried to straighten me out again.

I hope the Free Church of Scotland (and all Christian churches) will truly be free, once and for all, from all the ridiculous religious ideas Satan uses to try and keep us from being effective in our mission to reach the lost and the unchurched!

Hotlanta

This week I traveled back to our former home, Atlanta, Georgia. I went there to pick up a replacement vehicle for Robin. Most of you know she totaled her 2005 Ford Escape a few weeks ago when a lady pulled out in front of her. (You can read about the original vehicle I purchased for her here or about the accident she was in here.)

A lot of you have been asking me why I would travel all the way to Atlanta to buy a used car. My logic is this - I shop for used cars online, willing to travel to another city to purchase them because I can get what I want instead of settling for what I can find locally.

We found the vehicle Robin wanted with all the options she wanted on it with low milage at the right price! ($3,000.00 less than the Blue Book value - Thank you Jesus!) It's a very clean little 2005 Mercury Mariner (which is really a Ford Escape with a little more stylish exterior). Robin was determined to get another vehicle like the one she had. She originally chose it because she felt safe in it and after the accident she felt so even more! Driving home from Atlanta gave me a chance to really test drive it and it seems to be a solid vehicle that should last Robin a good while. It's loaded - complete with a moonroof and CD changer and it even has four-wheel drive! (No mud-digging Robin!)

Purchasing the vehicle in Atlanta also gave me the chance to visit with some of my favorite people in the world! On Friday night I had dinner with the Rhoades family: (Bill & Helen, Jason & Amanda and their girls, Rhonda & Reece Carter and their boys and Carrie & Zach Brinegar and their little boy). Erin and Derrick Dunagan and Kristin and Keith Tressel also met with us. What wonderful friends! It was so good to see everyone and check out the cutest kid contest!

On Saturday morning I traveled down to Macon to visit with my dear friend Roger Brumbalow, whom I served at The Assembly of God Tabernacle in Decatur back in the late nineties. On the way down I stopped at the south perimeter and had coffee with Adam and Jamie Farley and their three adorable children! (That's right more fare for the cutest kid contest!) Pastor Brumbalow lives with his daughter Claire and her husband Clint and their two children. They have a beautiful home and Pastor has a very elegant suite with a nice back porch for sipping coffee. Pastor had a stroke a few years ago that left him paralyzed on his right side and took away most of his ability to speak. Despite those challenges he gets around extremely well, communicates effectively with limited words and hand gestures, still has his strong sense of humor and remains the remarkable man of character and integrity that he's always been. It's obvious he misses Becky - his best friend and partner in life and ministry - very much. (Read about this incredible woman here.) We had such a wonderful visit and then met up with Pastor's son, Keith and his family for lunch. (Alas - more cute kids!) I am so thankful that God put Roger Brumbalow in my life so many years ago. I owe so much to him!

I stayed over Saturday night so I could attend Northpoint Community Church in Alpheretta, GA. Andy Stanley's church is not only one of the largest in the nation, it is one we aspire to emulate here at Crossroads. I first heard Andy speak at Ed Young's C3 conference back in 2004 and it really changed my life and ministry forever. The service was awesome there at Northpoint and I even got to meet Andy before service!

I know all this sounds like a marvelous time in Hotlanta but here's what was really cool - I even had time to stop and enjoy a strawberry milkshake from Steak and Shake while I was there! (Why can't we have Steak and Shakes here in Louisiana?)

From the Cradle to the Grave

Today I officiated a wedding and a funeral, conducted a baby dedication and spoke at our Saturday night service where four people gave their hearts to Jesus Christ. 

I know it sounds like just another day at the office for a pastor, but I've never had all those things happen in one day's schedule before. It reminded me that ministry really places me in some of the most important moments of a person's life. What's so cool about that is - as a minister - I'm really there to represent Christ. God is the one who really matters in those important moments, and here's the great thing - He's always there isn't He? 

Whether it's parents dedicating their baby, a couple being joined in Holy Matrimony, a family celebrating the home-going of a loved one or someone committing their life to Christ, God is there making it all possible, and I get to have some small role in it. I'm so thankful that I do and I sure hope I represent Christ well. 

I have to say, it's an honor and a blessing to be there for people in those important moments of their lives - from the cradle to the grave. 

No more Nancy!

So Nancy is no longer the Speaker of the House. Good riddance! Can't say I'm going to miss Ms. Pelosi! But will the big sweep in the House of Representatives by Republicans really make a difference? Not unless their conservatism is fueled by strong moral conviction. If all their speeches were simple rhetoric, they will soon be caught up in the machine that is American politics. The only hope we have for seeing things turned around in this country is a true move of God.

I know people say religion and politics shouldn't mix, but I beg to differ! The only way a democracy like ours can survive is the influence of morals based on God's Holy Word. Our founding fathers knew this - lets hope the people we've just elected will figure it out!

"It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and Bible." (George Washington)

Sermon Material

Yesterday Robin and four of her friends were in a terrible accident. A woman pulled out right in front of Robin's vehicle and caused it to flip over, landing upside down. Miraculously, none of the girls were seriously injured. Everyone from the policeman who filed the report to the paramedic with the ambulance to the attending physician at the emergency room stressed how fortunate we were that the girls weren't more seriously injured. The paramedic told me almost all accidents involving a roll-over include dismemberment if not death.


We know the hand of God was on Robin and her friends, protecting them from what have could been a tragic situation. It is amazing that one person could climb out of that banged up SUV unscathed, but for all five of them to escape serious injury is absolutely miraculous! Were angels on assignment yesterday? You be they were! It seems the worst that will come out of this is a few scrapes and bruises (Robin got five stitches for a laceration on her forehead) and a new car - I'm afraid her little Ford Escape is totaled. At the emergency room she asked me, "Dad will this make it into one of your sermons?" A few hours later it did.

Growing Pains

When I was younger, I would get aches in my arms and legs and my mother would tell me that they were 'growing pains.' Her analysis didn't make it hurt any less, but the idea of the alternative sure put my pain in perspective! (No one wants to remain 3' tall for the rest of his life!) Believe it or not, churches have growing pains too. But, once again, consider the alternative! Surely none of us want to see the church stop growing. That means no one is getting saved - No ones life is being changed! Lets face it - As long as these kind of things are happening, the church is going to grow and inevitably experience some growing pains! But that's normal! Its to be expected!




Right now, our growing pains are related to parking. We have one means of entering and exiting a parking lot designed to accommodate hundreds of vehicles. Consequently, with a church our size the time it takes to get in your car and off our campus can take up to 15 or 20 minutes. Most of our people are very mature about this and are thankful we have this kind of 'problem.' Others have been less understanding. This week I actually heard about one man who hasn't been to church in over a month because he refuses to get 'stuck' in our parking lot again. Really? I wonder if it took Jesus more than 15 minutes to walk to Golgotha? I'm sure suffering and dying for our sins was a major inconvenience for Him! My prayer is, God please help us to grow up and learn to appreciate what we have and what you've done for us!

What's crazy is no one thinks its unusual to have to endure these types of 'inconveniences' when they go to an LSU game or a concert at the Cajun Dome - They're perfectly content to wait and be directed where to park. So let me get this straight - Its just the church that should have curbside convenience? I suppose otherwise, Jesus just isn't worth it, right? Give me a break!

Now that I've got that off my chest I thought I'd give you a glimpse of our most recent effort to make parking at Crossroads as convenient as possible. Its a 14-passenger shuttle that can get easily in and out of traffic to shuttle people to and from the church. If everyone uses this service like we think they will, we are prepared to buy a second shuttle and have them running before and after each service. Perhaps you noticed our Bio Swale Bridges we've built so our people can easily cross the drainage/green-space features in our new parking lot. The back two bridges are covered to provide shelter while you wait on the shuttle(s). They're fully equipped with lighting and ceiling fans for your convenience!

Now that I've had a chance to both vent and call your attention to our efforts to make attending Crossroads as convenient as possible, let me mention just one more thing. If you get here late this weekend and you see a white Chrysler Aspen parked at the very back of our property in the very last parking place on the farthest row from our church - that will be mine. Just one more thing I've decided to do to help with our growing pains!

Zeal In Ministry

We need zeal in ministry. Without it, ministry can become just another job. That's what had happened in John chapter 2 when Jesus entered Jerusalem and found the moneychangers at the temple. The temple represented ministry and these men had lost sight of that. For them it was just a paycheck - just another day of selling sacrifices. Jesus refused to let that go on!

John 2:15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the moneychangers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

Zeal will never let ministry become just a vocational prospect! One reason is because zeal will always drive a spear through immorality. Zeal will never let wickedness go waltzing into the temple, dishonoring that which is holy. Just ask Phinehas! His story is found in Numbers 25:1-10. God's judgment was being poured out on Israel because of the sexual relations men were having with Moabite women. Even as that judgment was falling and the leaders of Israel stood at the door of the Tent of Meeting (the temple of that day) weeping before God, one of the Israelites walked right into the Tent of Meeting with his Moabite mistress! Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the Priest grabbed a spear and, following them into the Tent of Meeting, thrust the spear through both of them, bringing an end to the judgment being poured out on Israel. God said of Phinehas that day, "...he was as zealous as I am for my honor among them." Zeal will not look the other way while sin walks in and out of church every Sunday. Zeal will take God's Word like a spear and deal with immorality through powerful conviction and compassion!

In Isaiah chapter 9, God spoke through the prophet about a coming Messiah. He promised us a Wonderful Counselor, a Mighty God, an Everlasting Father, a Prince of Peace on whose shoulder the government would rest and would be ever increasing - establishing both judgement and justice forever more. Then He said this, "The zeal of the Lord will perform this." Another reason Zeal won't allow our ministry to become just money changing is because it always gives us a New Testament! When we lose the zeal of the Lord in ministry, we have to look back - a year, five years, twenty years for a testimony of what God has done in and through our lives. Zeal gives us a fresh new testament every day! 

Isaiah 42:13, The LORD will march out like a mighty man, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a shout he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over his enemies.

Zeal secures victory over our enemies. Notice that the Lord stirs up His zeal in order to triumph! If God has to stir up zeal, what makes us think it will be any different with us? Today we need to stir up the zeal of God in our lives and ministries! There is no such thing as an apathetic victory! 

The word zeal in our English New Testament comes from the Greek word zeo. It literally means 'heat' or 'fervor.' Romans 12:11 says we should never be lacking it as we serve the Lord. The idea of zeal and serving are eternally linked - One cannot have zeal without using it to serve the Lord and one cannot really serve the Lord without zeal! Heat comes from fire and fire comes from the Holy Ghost. We need a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives so we can serve God with the kind of zeal He expects from us! Remember what John the Baptist said about Jesus? 

Matthew 3:11, “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” 

We desperately need that baptism today! Without it, we become like the Laodiceans. Here's what Jesus said to the leader of the church at Laodicea.

Revelation 3:14-19, These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.

This was written to the leader of a successful church that had grown apathetic and had lost its zeal. He thought everything was wonderful - attendance and tithing were up, they may have even been building a new worship center - but God said they were wretched, pitiful, blind and naked! 


God help us to see what you see in us - and God give us your zeal! 

A song called Steamboat

Two things contributed to this post: 1. Coy Watson and I are hosting a songwriting small group at church and this is the song I will share with our group. I wrote it about three years ago. 2. This is where my head is right now. It's Fall and every year at this time we book our annual family ski trip to Colorado. Steamboat is my favorite place on earth. Here's the song...

Steamboat

I'm in Steamboat Springs tonight

I can see the snowflakes falling

I can hear the mountains calling

You may think I'm in New Orleans

and you just might be right

But in my dreams I'm in Steamboat Springs tonight

Old muddy water can't bring me there

I can't get to Colorado on some cheap trolley car fare

I close my eyes, I stop and stare

at the beauty of snow-covered Aspens

the thin grey smoke rising from the cabins

a place like no other place on earth compares

I'm already there

I'm in Steamboat Springs tonight

The snowball fights, the hot tub's waiting

Out on the ice the kids are skating

You may think I'm in the Bayou State and

you just might be right

But in my dreams I'm in Steamboat Springs tonight

O, I'm here in Steamboat

O, I fear it's a dream though

A dream of a place I used to go

O, where we had some good times

So I go back in my mind 

to Steamboat

I'm in Steamboat Springs tonight

My heart is warm, my hands are freezing

After the storm we'll all go skiing

You may think I'm here in the Big Easy and

you just might be right

But in my dreams I'm in Steamboat Springs tonight

Warm winter weather is sure to please

You won't see a single snowflake falling here in New Orleans

I close my eyes, it's up to my knees!

So I whistle for the horse-drawn sleigh and

laugh at all the children playing

A place that always put my mind at ease

I am at peace

I'm in Steamboat Springs

It's up to my knees

So come go with me

to Steamboat

Piling up scrap lumber and playing nose tackle

Albert Haynesworth of the Washington Redskins is paid $100,000,000.00 to play football. His team came under new management this year and switched to a different type of defense which required Haynesworth to move from defensive tackle to nose tackle. His response was to protest by skipping the team's off-season conditioning program and practices as well as a mandatory minicamp. He was unable to pass the team's conditioning test until the 10th day of training camp.  This week he came out and said that his $100 million dollar contract doesn't make him a 'slave' to the Washington Redskins. He said that just because someone pays you money that doesn't mean they can make you do whatever they want.  Are you kidding me? This guy needs to be fired and have to stand in an unemployment line until he gets a firm grasp on reality. I can't tell you how much this mindset disgusts me! This is what's wrong with this country! 


Some of the best advise my dad ever gave me concerning my work ethic came one summer I was working as part of his framing crew building houses. I wanted to be on the roof nailing decking down with the other guys wearing a cool leather nail apron, swinging a hammer. Instead, dad had me piling up scrap lumber. When I complained my dad told me, "Son - It all pays the same. You're going to make $2.15 an hour whether you're swinging a hammer or piling up scrap lumber. Now get busy piling up scrap lumber." Someone needs to tell that to Albert Haynesworth! 

Me and Johnny Depp

I love my job! 

My favorite thing about my job is introducing people to Christ and helping people find the road that leads to life and successful living. 

Another thing I love about my job is the people I get to work around every day. My team is made up of my very best friends on earth! 

And then there are the pirate moments. The moments when we get to do fun, creative things like dressing up as pirates for the video roll in of our new sermon series Wine, Women and Song. The message series is a biblical look at the influence of alcohol, sexuality and music on our culture. It made perfect since to wrap that study in a package that included pirates, so we put on our eye liner, donned buccaneer attire and sang our hearts out. What other 40-something gets to do things like that? Just me and Johnny Depp! Did I mention - I love my job! 

Do you have a Jesus toaster?

When I saw this on MSN I couldn't believe it! Some company has designed an appliance than burns an image of Jesus on your toast for you. This of course is in response to the worship thousands have given what they consider the image of saints that appear through burn marks, rust and mildew around the world as a would-be sign to the faithful. Monopolizing on that trend, this company gives you an opportunity to create your own signs and wonders.

Now, I know this sounds ridiculous, but the truth is we do this all the time! How many times have we justified something by saying, "I believe God wants me to..." or "The Lord is leading me to..." Sometimes the things we say God is telling us to do aren't even scriptural! When we do that, aren't we just burning the image of Jesus onto our toast?

Don't get me wrong, I believe God speaks to His people! He has promised to lead us and guide us by His Holy Spirit. But the first and foremost way He leads us is by His Word! He will never tell us to do anything that violates what His Word declares. 

God warns us in the book of Jeremiah, "The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds."

There are times when we will want to do things that the Bible clearly condemns. Those are the times we must deny our own desires and follow the will of God. To ignore the scriptures and do what we want and then justify it by saying we prayed and God gave us a 'peace' about it, is to call God a liar and essentially fire up our Jesus toaster! 

Providence's Tap On The Shoulder

Last night we officially moved Robin into her Master's Commission apartment. Little Samuel has been dropped off at the temple! It's truly bittersweet. On the one hand, it's hard to think about the fact that my little girl will be living away from home for the next nine months. (Her room looks so empty!) On the other hand, we are so proud of her. 

She told me yesterday that this is a fruition of a dream she's had for six years! At a stage of her life where so many young people want to get out from under authority, discipline and structure, she has purposefully placed herself squarely under a more intense form of those virtues than she has ever known! God will do so much in her life the next nine months and all of it will serve as a foundation for the great things He will continue to do in and through her for the rest of her life! 

We enjoyed her orientation this morning with other XMC parents from around the country. It was so cool to look over the 2011 class of our Master's Commission program and realize that in 1991, our church launched the first MC program outside of Phoenix, AZ. Twenty years later, my daughter is going through that program led by one of the graduates of that first graduating class - Shawn Marcell, whose daughter Autumn is also going through the program this year! Providence sure has a great way of tapping you on the shoulder. 

Burning Books

Have you heard about the pastor in Florida who's promoting the 'Burn a Koran Day' this week? The only book-burning I am aware of in the New Testament happened in Acts 19. It was actually the owners of the books who did the burning, not someone wanting to burn books on their behalf. When we effectively introduce people to Christ who have been caught up in false religions, they will dispose of the trappings of their former life as the Holy Spirit leads them. Until that happens, I doubt burning the books they believe in will be that effective in leading them to Christ. 

Interestingly enough, Paul appealed to the people in Athens sense of religion even though they worshiped pagan gods. Instead of pulling down their idols or burning their religious books, he made the point that despite their religious fervor, God was still unknown to them. However they could know Him if they would truly seek after Him. 

I'm no fan of the Koran - It is a misleading religious book that many interpret in ways that are dangerous and harmful. Islam is responsible for leading millions into an eternity separated from God. However, the way to combat the effects of a false religion is not to pile up copies of the Koran and burn them. If we just take the time to point out the things missing in a false religion like Islam and then show the Muslim that what is missing in his religion can only really be found in Christ, he will be much more likely to receive Jesus as his savior. Then he can do some book-burning of his own! 

My friend, the Psalmist

The Old Testament book of Psalms is basically a praise manual. If it weren't for these psalms or songs we wouldn't even know how to approach God in worship. It's these musical compositions that inform us to come before God with singing, clapping, shouting, dancing - praising God with musical instruments and with our hands lifted high.

If there were no psalmists, there would be no psalms. These songs were written through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit by early songwriters like King David. We still have psalmists today. One of the most prolific psalmist I know is my friend Kari Campbell. Every week here at Crossroads Church we use musical compositions the Holy Spirit has inspired her to write to embrace and celebrate our God in song.

We felt like we needed to capture that celebration on CD and DVD and God willing - Wednesday, September 15 that's what we'll be doing. Our new Crossroads Church live praise and worship recording featuring Kari Campbell will be awesome! Don't miss it!

Music Review - No Far Away by Chris August

When I was a youth pastor, we had a monthly magazine for students and one of the things it included was a music review. I used to enjoy writing those reviews, so I thought it might be an interesting element to add to my blog.

I just recently picked up a copy of the debut project by Chris August called No Far Away. His first radio release Starry Night is tearing up the CCM charts and I really like it, so I thought I'd give the rest of the project a listen. I am SO glad I did!

Produced by veteran music producer Ed Cash (Leeland, Matthew West, Bethany Dillon), this debut release has more of the feel of something offered by a seasoned singer/songwriter than a new artist. The songs are poetic and crafted in an interesting way that presents a clear message without sounding cliche! A couple of my favorites that I suspect you'll probably end up hearing on Christian radio is the project opener You and I, that sounds like something John Mayer would write if he weren't so depressed and 7x70, a beautiful ballad that celebrates forgiveness.

August's voice is one of those that is immediately recognizable and one that I think will have a long shelf life on Christian radio. It is somewhat similar to Adam Young of Owl City - clear and powerful with just enough prowess to display some interesting turns on the melody lines without bogging things down and becoming 'showy.'

Chris August is a very talented young man, performing much of the music on the project himself with the help of Ed Cash and some other talented Nashville players. If you enjoy fun, energetic pop music and beautifully singable melodies, this would be a great CD to put in your car and enjoy over and over. I know I have!

Home Alone Turns Thirty!

What a shock to the system! Are you kidding me? The Home Alone kid turned thirty today? It seems like that movie just came out a few years ago. I was young and just starting out in my adult life! Where did all the years go? Did they leave for a Holiday Vacation without me?

I feel like I'm alone trying to defend my midlife from greasy bandits who want to steal all my time and energy and leave the water running.

I'll fix them! I'll connect a heating iron to the front door, tar and feather them at the window, pour water on the front steps to freeze and swing paint buckets down the staircase at them! You're not going to make off with my midlife greasy bandits! I don't care how old and creepy Macaulay gets!

Does this sound senile? Sorry, that wasn't me. That was the audio on some old movie clips I spliced together to fool you!

Building Mosques and Playing Nightclubs

Why did God give us the talents we have? Ultimately, they're for His glory. Often times, those same talents will benefit us as well, but they're first and foremost about Him. Let's say you're a carpenter. You have talent and skill that allows you to build a beautiful building. That building doesn't have to be a church to bring God glory. It would be great to use your abilities to build a place of worship, but whatever you build can glorify God if you do it in the right way. Wouldn't you agree? But, what if someone asked you to build a Mosque? Or a strip club? Or an abortion clinic? Would you still be glorifying God by using your talent to build those things? I don't think so.

What about the musician? On the one hand he has an opportunity to use his gift at a church that is bringing people every week into the marvelous light of God's love and grace and forgiveness. God is actually using His talent to help accomplish this! On the other hand there are bars and nightclubs where people go and drink alcohol until they get stupid and wreck their lives and destroy their families. Why would anyone choose to leave a setting where God is using his talent to bring people to Christ in order to take that talent and use it to entertain the drunkards destroying their lives. I will never understand this until my dying day!

The Bible tells us we are to come out from among them and be separate and touch not the unclean thing and He will be our God and we will be His people (2 Corinthians 6:17). I know that doesn't mean we drop out of every aspect of life on earth and live in a commune somewhere. However, there's got to be a place that this commandment fits into our every day lives: Perhaps like in building mosques and playing nightclubs.

She said "Yes"

Donna and I celebrate twenty-nine years of marriage today! Twenty-nine wonderful years with the woman I love! I am truly a blessed man.

To celebrate we went to New Orleans for a weekend away. We dined at John Besh's restaurant August. John is a Top Chef Master who is known all over the world! We enjoyed a wonderful meal in a beautiful setting. I love the architecture of downtown New Orleans.

After eating, we had tickets to see Brian Regan at The Mahilia Jackson Theater. Brian is one of our family's favorite comedians so needless to say, Robin and Chase were a little sore when they found out we were going to see him without them! Regan did not disappoint - what a funny guy! All of his jokes were new material we had never heard before. I'm thinking Comedy Central has to be doing a new live recording soon. Just a sample: What happens when you have second thoughts about making an appointment to visit with Native Americans? You have reservation, reservation reservations! (LOL!)

This morning we got up and went to the French Quarter. After breakfast we strolled around and enjoyed the work of local artists then went to the National WWII Museum and watched the 4-D Documentary produced by Tom Hanks called Beyond All Boundaries. If you haven't seen it, you should.

It was a great weekend, it's been a great twenty-nine years! I'm so glad that so many years years ago she said "Yes."

Stepping (Back) Up To The Mic

As a teenager, like many, I wanted to be a performer when I grew up. I took up the guitar at age twelve and started writing songs. I had a few bands through the years and thought, "One day I will do this for a living." Needless to say, it's not the path God chose for me. After becoming a Christ-follower, I almost immediately formed a band and started writing Christian songs, performing in youth groups, Detention Centers, Camps, you name it. I assumed it would be my ministry, but God had other ideas. However, music always had a role in the ministry God gave me. For over fifteen years I led worship in the three youth ministries I led and assisted with the music ministries in those churches. When I moved back to Lafayette to become the Lead Pastor here at Crossroads Church I no longer participated in the music presentation of our church. I've been very involved in selection, but hardly ever in performance.

Recently, our Music Pastor started having problems with his voice and needed some help with worship leading. I started taking on more and more of those responsibilities in our mid-week service until Pastor Coy Watson's voice has a chance to heal up. (He actually has a tear on one of his vocal cords, so please keep him in prayer. I miss his singing like crazy!) I must admit I have enjoyed getting back on the mic and I realize there's a satisfaction associated with this aspect of my calling that I have really been missing. This past weekend, I stepped out and did a cover of the Needtobreathe song "Something Beautiful." This is probably only the third or forth time I've actually done a solo at our church in over eleven years. I had a lot of fun doing it. I'm not going to give up my day job, but I might take on an assignment now and again just for old time sake.

The Doctor Is In(sensitive)

Let me say from the onset, I have only heard Dr. Laura's show a couple of times. I actually share many of her conservative convictions. From what I understand, she usually has very practical, many times even biblical advise for her listeners. Yesterday, she got it dead wrong!

If you missed the coverage of what happened, here's a brief explanation: An African American woman called into the show to complain about her Caucasian husband whose friends and family often make racial comments that make the woman really uncomfortable. The doctor immediately suggested that the lady might just be over-sensitive then proceeded to demonstrate some of the greatest insensitivity a person could muster. When the woman (very politely) informed Dr. Laura that they even use the 'N' word sometimes, the radio host pointed out that many in the black community call each other that word all the time and that it bothers her because it seems to be a double standard. She went on to point out that we now have an African American president, implying that people should just get over it and move on.

To her credit, Dr. Laura issued an apology today, but the damage is done. You just can't simply unsay the things she said. The interesting thing is, I think I understand where she's coming from, to a degree. No one should use the 'N' word and if someone is truly against racism, they should never justify the use of it under any circumstances. I also agree that it seems like the election of our first black president should have leveled the playing field a little bit and yet the opposite seems to have actually happened. Now if one doesn't agree with the policies of the president, they're accused of being a racist. There is a frustration rising among whites these days, but it does not give anyone a license to do and say the things Dr. Laura did yesterday. There are deep wounds in the African American community from years of bigoted mistreatment, but that doesn't give anyone the right to slap the 'racist' label on people who aren't.

I suppose racism may be more deeply rooted than ever before in some segments of both the black and white communities, but there are many of us that want it to go away once and for all and never rear it's ugly head again! It's true that some may be over-sensitive, but in my opinion the greater sin would be insensitivity! So instead of peddling bad advice to unsuspecting listeners, I would admonish Dr. Laura, Physician - Heal thyself!

A King Meets His King

R.S. King, a beloved pastor for over forty years here in Acadiana, went home to be with the Lord Monday at 91 years old. What an incredible legacy he leaves behind. This is one of a hand full of men who came into south Louisiana in the early 20th Century and paved the way for Evangelical Pentecostalism in this area. Without guys like Pastor King, Crossroads Church would not exist today and we thank God for this wonderful man and the ministry God gave him. He was a pastor's pastor.  When I first arrived in Lafayette in the mid 80's I rarely visited a hospital without running into the man. He was always there, reaching out to the sick and the needy. The Bible talks about those of whom this fallen world is not worthy and R.S. King would certainly fit in that category. He wore his name well. He was a king among men and now this king has finally met his King at his heavenly home! 

His funeral will be held at First Assembly of God in Youngsville Saturday, August 14 at 1:00 p.m. 

Celebrate Our Progress

Well, the day has finally arrived! After almost three years our plans are drawn, our financing is secured, our contractor is hired and this week, we break ground on our new Fifteen Hundred-seat Worship Center. Our contract states that it will be completed by October of 2011, just fourteen months from now! The expansion will include a large gathering area, a nice cafe and bookstore and a new office area for all of our staff except our Youth and Master's Commission personnel whose offices will be housed in our existing facility. That facility will be renovated and completely turned over to Youth and Children's Ministry, providing enough room for those departments to literally triple in size.

With our new auditorium we will be able to go to two weekend services and accommodate Three Thousand adults. Our Children's Ministry typically runs 1/3 of our adult numbers, so with just two services we could accommodate Four Thousand people and with three services we could accommodate Six Thousand people! That's more than twice what we're currently averaging each weekend!

I have no doubt that it won't take that long for us to need to go to three services! I can see this expansion taking the lid off our growth and allowing us to explode! We will draw up plans for a third phase the minute we need to go to a third service so we don't repeat the mistakes of the past.

I know the construction will provide plenty of inconveniences for those who attend our services week to week, but our people are so excited about making room for increase they will be thrilled to patiently endure the next fourteen months. The truth is, Crossroads Church has never been that convenient to attend as it is! People attend a church located in a very difficult location to get to (we're the church everyone can see and few people can find), endure difficulty parking and finding a seat, select from multiple services and bring their children up and down stairs to their classes because God is present in our services and lives are being changed!

Normally, when a store or a place of business has construction work going on, they'll post a sign that says "Pardon our progress." I think our sign will say "Celebrate our progress!"

Let the celebration begin!

Louisiana Laziness

Wow. This one hurt! A recent article in Business Weekly declared Louisiana the laziest state in America. Considering how lazy Americans are in general, it's a pretty insulting concept. The study states that a lack of access to fitness areas contributes to the laziness title.

I know I'm just one Louisianian, but I've decided to accept the challenge this article presents and get a little retrospective. I wouldn't say I'm real lazy, but I guess if I were comparing myself to my dad and the work ethic he had at my age, I'd probably pretty much fit the bill! He was a hard working dude! 

My Uncle Vernon, my dad's brother, preached for me a few weeks ago here at Crossroads and told about a time he and my dad dug a water well at my grandfather's house BY HAND! I can't even imagine it! I remember digging a grave for one of our dogs that died a few years ago and it almost killed me! I seriously wondered if I had dug the grave big enough because I was afraid they might have to burry me in it too! 

When it comes to my job/ministry, I'm not lazy at all. I'm very dedicated and diligent about what God has called me to. I refuse to grow 'comfortable' with where we are in ministry and I'm always working towards doing more and accomplishing more to the glory of God. However - at home - I really need to get off my behind! I have a farm with lots of demands in regards to fix-it-up and keep-it-up work that I often find even the thought of completely OVERWHELMING! Yet, I know if I would just commit myself to the disciplines my father had, my efforts would be so worthwhile. It would ultimately be so good for me and would leave a much smaller pile of wood, hay and stumble when I stand before my maker to answer to Him about how I lived my life in the laziest state in the union! 

Video Blog - The Making of the "Submerged" Message Series Video Opener

I hope you enjoy this little video blog we captured on the set of our new Message Series Video Opener called "Submerged!" It is a very interesting approach to film making and I know you're going to love the final project that I'll post here sometime early next week!

Subjects or Citizens?

I read recently that scientists have used new laser technology to solve a mystery. For years historians were baffled by a word that Jefferson had used then blotted out in his original Draft of the Declaration of Independence. They didn't know if he had misspelled the word or used a different one, but the word he ultimately chose was the word 'citizen.' Because of breakthroughs in modern technology, scientists have been able to make out the word he had originally written. Interestingly, he had originally used the word 'subjects.'

Wow! Think about that for a minute! This is the Declaration of Independence! He is declaring our independence from Great Britain! Yet he still, at least subconsciously, thinks of himself as a subject to the crown.

This tells me something about Jefferson. It tells me he had a hard time getting his head around the idea of being free. I don't think he had a hard time getting his heart around the notion, but his mind was a different story. 

I think we're like that sometimes. Jesus said in John 8:36, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." My heart believes that, but sometimes I have a hard time getting my head around that truth. The devil is able to convince me I have to do something I don't really want to do. I don't really think of myself as the free man Christ has created me to be! 

Proverbs 23:7 says, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." We need to see ourselves as Christ sees us. We need to see ourselves as the free men we really are, free from sin and no longer subjects of the devil! We need to declare our Independence!