Telling the Story Again

Once again we had the privilege of sharing The Real Story of Christmas this year at Crossroads Church. This was our seventh year to produce the show and we worked hard to scale our efforts after such an amazing response to the show last year. In order to reach even more people with the story, we expanded to two weekends and twelve showtimes - three on Saturday and three on Sunday the first two weekends of December. Our goal was to reach more people and make our crowds more safe and manageable. Last year we had several "standing room only" crowds and it was far from ideal. 

Our efforts paid off in some regards and failed in others. We did have a pretty major setback when the School Board decided not to allow us to put an invite in the hand of every child in the Parish like we have the past few years. However, that didn't prevent us from growing. This year over 15,000 people attended the show! More importantly, over 2,000 responded to the gospel! 

The premise of the show is so simple a child can understand it. The moment our main character - Grace Doll - admits she's broken and looks to the Toymaker for a new heart, the gospel comes alive for so many people and they immediately see themselves in the storyline and desire to become a part of the real story themselves! 

The aspect of our efforts that didn't work as well was spreading the crowds out over the twelve performances equally. The second weekends show were almost all at capacity, where the first weekend we had several shows that were pretty light. We are hoping next year, people will work with us on distributing the crowds more equally. We are considering offering online registration for seating as a measure to achieve this. If we are able to spread the crowds out, we literally could accommodate 20,000 people with our current schedule! 

Another real success for us this year was financing the outreach. It is very expensive! Over the past few years we have opened the show to sponsors, began selling concessions and merchandise and this year made a limited number of prime seats available for purchase. All this really paid off and allowed us to put on the production in the black! The reason this is so important is because, by underwriting the outreach we are able to tell the story again and again! 

Elsie Willow

We are so blessed to welcome the newest addition to our beloved family! Little Elsie Willow arrived just after midnight on December 17th! Weighing in at 8.7 pounds and 20" long, she is bigger than Ezekiel at birth - a wonderfully healthy baby girl! 

Her mom and dad are head over heals in love with her, Poppy and Lovey are completely smitten, Uncle Chase is already securely tied around her little finger and big brother Ezekiel thinks she's the cutest!

I love that she was born on the 17th! My birthday is January 17th. Similarly, Robin's birthday is January 8th and Ezekiel's is February 8th. Donna's birthday is September 11th and Chase's is February 11th. I don't know if I like this for sentimental reasons, or it just makes it easier to remember! 😁

We are so thankful for this little bundle of joy and so grateful for the blessing of enjoying our children's children.  

Get Back

A while back, Donna and I watched a documentary produced by Peter Jackson, the director best known for his work with The Lord of the Rings series. The special, which streamed on The Disney Plus platform, was called "Get Back." It featured footage that had been shot in 1969 during The Beatles recording of their last record. The plan then was to create a television special that would air at the same time the record would be released. That plan never materialized and a large televised concert became Plan 'B.' That too was scraped and the closest thing they came to producing, in the way of film, was the now famous impromptu rooftop concert above their Apple Record Studios in London. Jackson took all that footage and created this new documentary and it is nothing less than fascinating. 

Much has been written about the infighting that was going on during those final weeks of the band and you certainly feel the tension to a degree. However, you also see the friendship, camaraderie and respect the boys had for one another. They were British, so even their squabbles are filled with good manners and self restraint. 

One of the most spectacular aspects of the documentary is watching the construction of these famous songs. While producers, engineers, attorneys and tech crews are sitting around discussing the television special, the album, the concert and the like - Paul McCartney is over in the corner writing "Let It Be" - arguably one of the greatest songs of all time. As the cameras roll, we see Paul come in with the early workings of "Get Back" where, originally the JoJo character in the song had a last name - JoJo Jackson! We watch George Harrison introduce his idea for "Something In the Way She Moves" and we hear him ask John for advise on writing the line "attracts me like no other lover." Since he doesn't have those words yet, John encourages him to just use words that fit until he gets it. Suggesting, "Moves me like a cauliflower!" Their writing process is mesmerizing! 

I've always enjoyed the Beatles music, although it was released much earlier than my impressionable years. There is no arguing the point that their music laid the foundation for modern popular music. Getting to see some of that music created in this way was a real treat! Thank you Mr. Jackson!

Celebrating Pastor Denny

This past week we had the privilege of participating in the celebration of Pastor Denny Duron's 70th birthday. We traveled north to Shreveport and attended the Sunday morning service at SCC where Pastor Denny's daughter, Dawn Cherie Wilkerson preached a message that needs to be heard in every church around the world called A Hill to Die On. The Katina's were there leading worship. I haven't heard the brothers in a long time. They still got it! So talented! We enjoyed the service and then got to hang out with the Duron family and their close friends at a luncheon held at the church. 

That evening the place was packed out as Pastor Denny's children and grandchildren all shared what this amazing man has meant to them and sang songs that Pastor Denny has written, along with some of his all time favorites. It was magical! Pastor Denny has led such an amazing life! Along with winning national championships and preaching around the world, he is a Grammy Award winning songwriter!

I love Pastor Denny so much and Donna and I are so thankful that he and Deanza are a part of our lives. Their friendship has meant so much to us and their leadership has helped shaped who we are, how we live and how we love. 

While trying to think of the right gift to give a man who has it all on his 70th birthday I thought of getting him a Mont Blanc pen. I thought a fine writing instrument was the perfect gift for him to use to begin writing his memoirs - but then I realized, no - he will be using this pen to journal all the amazing things God will continue to do in and through his life! 

I even got the commemorative T-shirt! 

Surrounded By The Word

Our house has been framed up and this week Donna and I took the opportunity to inscribed the Word of God on the framework of our new home.

We chose scriptures for each room of the house. In the garage, which is the first part of the house you get to on our property we wrote,

Psalm 91:10, No evil will befall thee and no plague shall come near your dwelling. 

In the foyer we wrote, 

Psalm 100:4, Enter His gates with thanksgiving. Come into His courts with praise.

In my office we wrote, 

2 Timothy 2:15, Study to show yourself approved unto God.

In our pantry we wrote,

Philippians 4:19, My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory.

In the kitchen we wrote,

Matthew 6:11, Give us this day our daily bread.

In the laundry room we wrote,

Psalm 51:7, Wash me and I will be whiter than snow.

In our Master closet we wrote, 

Colossians 3:12, Clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 

And,

Ephesians 6:11, Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the devil's schemes.

In our bedroom we wrote, 

Proverbs 3:24, When you lie down you will not be afraid; when you lie down your sleep will be sweet.

In our living room we wrote,

Joshua 24:15, As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.

Also,

Philippians 4:19, And the peace of God that passes all understanding will keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

Above the fireplace where our tv will be we wrote,

Psalm 101:3, I will set no evil thing before my eyes.

In our dining room we wrote,

Psalm 23:5, He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

In our bathroom we wrote,

Exodus 23:25, I will take sickness from among you.

In our grandchildren's bedroom we wrote,

Proverbs 22:6, Tain up a child in the way he should go and when he is older he will not depart from it. 

Also in our grandchildren's area we wrote,

Acts 16:31, Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved - you and your house.

In Donna's office,

Proverbs 31:27, She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 

On our back porch we wrote,

Isaiah 26:3, You will keep them in perfect peace, those whose mind is stayed upon you.

I love that our home will be surrounded with the Word of God! 

Breaking Ground

It's finally here! We broke ground this week on our new home in the La Bon Vie neighborhood here in upper Lafayette. They should be pouring our slab on Tuesday and our builder says once the slab is poured we will be in the home within six months! We should be in before Christmas and maybe even before little Elsie Willow arrives! The attorney who handled the closing on our construction loan let us know our builder built his daughters home a couple of years ago and had her in within three months! That would be awesome! 

Our builder is Ali Malekian with AM Design Build and we have heard nothing but incredible things about him. It has been a pleasure going through the design phase with him and he has worked diligently to design the house we want within our budget. Kerry Emanis introduced us to Mr. Ali when we were looking at homes in the Couret Farms. He had just built a floor plan that we thought we might want to use in that neighborhood, but it didn't work out. However, we loved his work and when our lot became available in La Bon Vie we knew we wanted him to design and build our home. It has been a fun but challenging ordeal to get all our finishes, colors and materials picked out but we have it all selected and approved by our HOA. When it's completed it will look something like this... 

Our New Addition

We got the exciting news today that our next grand baby will be a little girl! We are ecstatic! 

I was in Alexandria at Presbytery meetings. Donna watched Ezekiel for Robin and Eli while they made her appointment. They came back to the apartment, brought him into his play room to share the news with him first while Donna got me on a FaceTime call. When Zeke came into the room, he had his Pooh Bear with him wearing a bow to let us know he's having a little sister! 

They are naming her Elsie Willow and Lovey and I are already smitten! 

The Jaquas

There are so many examples of how God has used our Leadership College to shape the lives of world changers, but none is more up close and personal than Paul and Michelle Jaqua. They came to us as teenagers and ended up staying with the program for over fifteen years - first as students, then as staff and ultimately as directors. They have poured their heart and soul into this school and I am forever indebted! 

The Jaquas have decided to step off the Lead Team and take a break from ministry. I am so thankful they will still be here in Lafayette and still be a part of the Crossroads family. I am going to miss having them around day-to-day - they are like family to me. 

Matthew and Mariah Ackman will be taking over as directors of the college in addition to their role as Student Pastors and I believe we have a bright future! Even in this succession, I see the fruit of Paul and Michelle's ministry as Mariah was actually introduced to Crossroads through Michelle. I love how God works. 

April Overview

Lots of great things happened in the month of April!

We had an incredible Easter weekend. We are still not quite back up to our pre-COVID numbers, but we had over 2,800 in attendance with 40 people responding to the gospel! We shared an illustrated message called The Seven Statements Jesus Made From the Cross. We combined clips from the Jesus of Nazareth movie with preaching and music for a true old school Easter Production! Many have described it as the best Easter message they've ever heard. 

We hosted the Louisiana Assemblies of God Lead Conference. It was a wonderful time and my friend Scott Holmes was elected Superintendent for a third term. It is always so good to get together with old friends and meet new ones at this annual conference. Each time we host it, all the district office personnel tell us they wish Crossroads could host it every year. So proud of our team that makes it happen. Our network is getting stronger and healthier all the time and I am so thankful. Louisiana has been through some rough times the past few years but better days are ahead! 

I got a new Jeep Grand Cherokee! I love it! It took some patience - I ordered it in January and it didn't make it in until the end of April - but it's here! It is crazy how the supply chains have everything backed up. I traded in my 2018 Ford Explorer and got a great price for it. Used cars are selling for unbelievable prices in this economy. I had a Grand Cherokee before the Explorer and loved it. I knew I wanted to go back to the Jeep product. It really was my favorite vehicle I've ever owned. So grateful for God's blessings in our life. 

Most importantly - We found out we are going to have another grand baby! Robin and Eli are expecting and Dumpling - that's what we are calling the baby until we find out what they're having - should arrive mid-December! We are ecstatic! Without a doubt, becoming grandparents has been one of the greatest joys of our lives. Donna and I are crazy about our little grandson and we enjoy him so much. We can't wait to have another sweet baby to fill our days with fun and have another sweetie to dote on. I know Ezekiel is going to be an incredible big brother. I can't wait to see if he's going to have a little brother or a little sister. I think Lovie is hoping for the sister! 

A Continuing Legacy

This week we said “goodbye” on this side of eternity to one of the greatest men I’ve ever known - my dad’s youngest brother and last surviving sibling, my Uncle Vernon. 

I was extremely honored to be asked to officiate his home-going service along with another cousin, Rusty Blan. Rusty and I both emphasized the spiritual legacy Uncle Vernon has left us with. He was married to my Aunt Carolyn for sixty years and pastored for forty-one years! I pointed out the fact that this legacy makes us more wealthy than we could ever realize. 

About ten years ago, I brought Uncle Vernon down along with his son Greg, who is also a pastor, to share a message on Father’s Day about spiritual legacy. It was one of the most powerful messages we have ever presented at Crossroads. At Uncle Vernon’s home-going service, at the end of my message, we played an excerpt of the sermon he had preached that Father’s Day - It was like hearing him from beyond calling us to commit ourselves to such a legacy. 

I am so thankful for the spiritual heritage I have and I sure hope I can inspire the next generation to follow the heart of God like those who came before me did. 

The Batman

 

Out of the plethora of superhero movies made over the past twenty years or so, my favorite by far have been about Batman. I loved the original Tim Burton offering with Michael Keaton playing the caped crusader, but the second wasn’t as good and then the franchise just got goofy from there.

Christopher Nolan saved the day by rescuing Batman from the campy turn films about him had taken in reminiscence of the old tv show. Nolan brought him back into the dark, believable world the first Burton film had achieved - but on steroids! I loved all three of Nolan’s films with the first, origin story competing fiercely with the second installment which featured Heath Ledger’s brilliant portrayal of The Joker. I really felt like no one would ever top Christian Bale’s version of Batman and Ben Affleck was proving my theory through the DC Film’s efforts to take on all the Marvel movies. But then Robert Pattinson came along!

I had no reference for him, as I have never seen the vampire movies and have no interest to - insert Stanley Hudson from the office here saying, “How many vampires am I supposed to care about these days?” With no perspective of what Pattinson is capable of as an actor I went to see The Batman with low expectations - boy was I surprised! In my estimation, Pattinson delivers a dark night that rivals Bale’s work and in moments even exceeds it. 

I love when a movie conveys a message - I’m a pastor always in search of his next sermon illustration and director, Matt Reeves certainly delivers on that note. We are carried along on Bruce Wayne’s quest to get revenge on his parent’s murderers by attacking crime and the underworld at every turn. One of the things that sets this film apart from every other Batman movie is the way Reeves includes Batman’s detective skills and interaction with law enforcement. At the end of the day - without giving up too much of the storyline - Wayne’s esteem of his father is ambushed and the super hero has an epiphany that his vengence-fueled violence leaves little difference between he and his prey. This revelation almost becomes his undoing and consequently, Gotham’s as well. However, in the final scenes we see the true hero surface, giving us a glimpse of what true heroics look like - serving one’s fellow man. I can’t wait for my next sermon about serving - I’ve got a great illustration waiting by pointing my audience to none other than The Batman! 

Property Owners

The first step toward building our new home took place today as we closed on a beautiful lot in the wonderful La Bon Vie development in Upper Lafayette. Kerry Emanis was our agent and Craig Ryan was our closing attorney - and will also be our neighbor! 

We can't wait to get construction started. Our design/builder believes we could be in by as early as October! Let's go!

New Board of Directors

I have been extremely blessed through the years with those who have served on our board of directors here at Crossroads. This year we had four members rotate off the board for a mandatory one-year sit down that our constitution and bylaws require. That opened the door for people to serve who have never served before and I am so delighted with the selections. 

Alongside Kenneth Fontenot, Brian Knott, Glynn Robin and our Secretary/Treasurer Devin Lantier, our board will now include Fred Chance, James Quebedeaux, Chad Thibodeaux and Larry West. We have some very important work ahead of us and I am so blessed to know the decisions effecting that work will be made by men who genuinely love our church and support our vision! 

Driving Out Darkness

 

One of my favorite quotes from Dr. King is, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness - only light can do that." 

We are in a series at church right now called "Shine." The premise of the series is that real faith shines! This week I used the MLK quote to remind our church that the light God gives us is to provide deliverance, not just distinction. It certainly provides distinction - and if there is no real distinction between us and the world around us we are not really walking in the light. However, God wants us to shine so those trapped in darkness might be delivered. For that to happen, we have to weaponize the light we have been given. It is God's Word that provides light for us and Ephesians 6 calls it the sword of the Spirit. We have to wield that sword to rescue others from darkness! 

So many Christians seem to be oblivious of the fact that we have an enemy and we are at war. The God in us is greater than the enemy we face. Light is greater than darkness and if we would weaponize the light we have been given we could send darkness fleeing in defeat! But we must LET out light shine. That's what Jesus instructed us to do. It is a simple little song we learned in the nursery as kids, but it is a powerful truth we should start walking in...

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine! Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!