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!