A 10 Year Retrospect

Ten Most Important Events of the Past Decade

10. Family Vacations

We've had some really great vacations this past decade. There was the summer Colorado vacation that followed the kids participation in National Fine Arts in Denver. There were the two Orlando vacations: One when the kids were younger and another when they were in their teens. There was the East Coast Vacation that included Washington DC, Williamsburg and Virginia Beach. There was the western vacation that included a trip to The Grand Canyon, our introduction to snow skiing and a Dude Ranch. There were two Caribbean cruises: The one Donna and I took to celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary and the Caribbean Cruise the church gave us for our ten year anniversary at Crossroads. And then the Colorado ski vacations that, for me personally, were the best. Those trips forever secured my LOVE for snow skiing and all things Colorado. God willing, I will visit Colorado every year for the rest of my life.

9. The DRIVE Campaign

One of the most challenging seasons of my life was spent casting vision for the expansion of our facilities, sitting down one-on-one with the top 100 givers of our church asking them to come on board with our fund-raising efforts and waiting out the two year campaign to see if the 4.9 million dollars pledged would come in. 3 million of it did, despite the worst financial recession since the Great Depression! We're confident the remainder will come in through The Over-Drive Campaign coming up in 2010. This season of my life stretched my faith like few things I've ever walked through.

8. Losing Jesse

Donna's brother died of colon cancer in 2004. He was way too young. Jesse was one of the most adventurous people I ever met. He played bass guitar in one of my first bands after I became a Christian and we spent a lot of time together. He loved life, loved to laugh and loved a challenge. I miss him greatly.

7. Ordination

I spent the better part of 27 years in ministry credentialed with The Assemblies of God as a Certified Minister. The Assemblies of God have three levels of credentials: Certified Minister, Licensed Minister and Ordained Minister. In 2008 I was finally ordained. It's ridiculous that I waited so long, but I'm very glad that I finally have my ordination. Since becoming ordained I've gotten more and more involved organizationally and I believe that will only increase as time goes on. I love our Fellowship and want to do my part to make it a better organization.

6. Disasters

All of us remember where we were when we first saw the images of those planes crashing into the World Trade Center. I was at home getting ready for work when my sister Holane called and told me to turn on the TV. Once in the office, I sat with employees glued to the television set, watching in horror with the rest of the world as life as we knew it changed forever.

Hurricane Katrina hit much closer to home. Going over to New Orleans with a team of men from Crossroads the day after the hurricane and pulling people off their roofs and off bridges and overpasses was an experience I'll never forget. I've never served in the Military, so I've never seen combat. Katrina was probably as close as I'll ever come. We had no idea what would happen to us. They were reporting murders and violence, but there was a need greater than our own safety and we saved lives that day.

5. Master's Commission

In 2004, for the second time, I launched a Master's Commission program at Crossroads Church. I am as proud of it today as anything I've ever done in ministry. Under the leadership of Shawn Marcell, a graduate of our first program here in 1991, Crossroads Master's Commission has become everything I dreamed it could be. It will continue to have an increasingly important role in our ministry in the days to come.

4. The C3 Conference

In February of 2004 Donna and I, along with our entire executive leadership team, attended the C3 Conference at Fellowship Church in Dallas, TX. It changed my life and ministry forever! Up until that point, I had enjoyed some success as a lead pastor but I was really a duck out of water. Ed Young and Andy Stanley showed us through that conference it is OK to be yourself. We came home, took off our ties, cranked up our amps and began to do church the way God created us to. A few months later we did a complete remodel of our facility that became known as the 6-day war and, as they say, the rest is history.

3. Losing Weight

After her brother Jesse died of colon cancer, Donna insisted I go get a thorough medical examination. My doctor had blood work and all the tests done and determined I was in mint condition with one exception: I was way overweight. I left his office determined to take it off and six months later I was 40 pounds lighter. I've put about 15 pounds back on since then, but for the most part, I have maintained my weight loss and at least some commitment to proper diet and exercise.

2. Buying the Farm

In 2002, after years of being renters, Donna and I became home-owners. We looked for 8 months for property to build on and just couldn't find it. We finally decided we would lookfor something already built and within a week found a farm out in Breaux Bridge. Our home was built in 1979 on 8 acres and it had never been remodeled. We bought it for a song, turned around and invested the equity we had in the home and have been working little by little each year to make it the place it is today. Last year we refinanced our mortgage and our home appraised for twice what we paid for it! (God is good) Our farm has also fulfilled the life-long dream for me of owning horses and now our little Springer Spaniel, Sophie. I am ready to become a breeder of fine Paint horses and bird dogs in the years to come!

1. Losing My Dad

In 2004 my dad died from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease. Both of these diseases are extremely debilitating and we watched the life literally shrivel out the strongest man I've ever known. It was extremely difficult. My dad was my hero. I owe everything I am to him. No one has ever had a greater influenced on my life. I miss him every single day. There is only one thing that kept the loss of my father from completely overwhelming me: I know that in eternity, I will see him again!

God is Faithful

She was petite and sweet with a southern accent that sounded like she just walked right out of Gone With The Wind. Her name was Becky Brumbalow. As a pastor's wife, she took her calling very seriously and carried out her ministry with class and compassion. Everyone loved her. You were thankful to have her as a friend. In the three years I served on staff with she and her husband Roger at The Tabernacle in Decatur, Georgia I never heard her say a single derogatory word about anyone. On the contrary, she was the one who always found the good in every person and every situation. She was kind and protective towards my young family. She bought my children gifts and always asked about 'Sister Donna.'

She used to tell the story of how, as a young pastors wife, things were really difficult. She and Roger were trying to make ends meet and, pastoring a small church with a young child in their home, finances were tight. One day she went to the refrigerator to make some breakfast for her little girl and the refridgerator was empty. Not even a egg to scramble. She said out loud, "God don't you care enough about us to provide a dozen eggs?" She went to her bedroom and cried herself to sleep. The doorbell woke her up, but when she went to the door no one was there. Then she looked down and saw them: A dozen eggs sitting on the doorstep. God had provided. It was like He was saying, "I know what you need." She told us that since then, over thirty five dozen eggs have come to her at different times. She said they came just when she needed to hear from God the most. Random people dropping by saying things like, "I don't know why but when I was at the grocery store today, I felt led to buy you some eggs." God is faithful.

Cancer doesn't discriminate. She fought the disease with all her strength, but it just kept coming back. This week Cancer thought it had claimed another victim - But Becky Brumbalow is no victim. She has fought a good fight, she has finished the race, she has kept the faith. This time the dozen eggs was the promise fulfilled - "I have gone away to prepare a place for you that where I am you may be also." Becky's at home. Becky's healed. We will see her again.

Weighty Issues

Weight has been an issue for me my entire adult life. A few years ago I found myself at 225 pounds - entirely overweight and unhappy with it. I made a commitment to diet and exercise and took off 40 pounds. Since then my good eating habits have deteriorated, I'm no longer exercising and (predictably) I've put 15 of those 40 pounds back on. At 200 pounds, It's not as bad as it was but it's not where I want to be and the truth is, I never lost as much as I should have. So today, 11/30/09 I'm starting over! Here's my goal - I want to lose 30 pounds. I know I can do it. All it takes is a little discipline in my eating habits and a commitment to get up and go to the gym every morning for an hour. I need the discipline. I can do this! I have a spiritual conviction about it. 3 John 2 says, "Beloved I wish above all things that you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers. If it is God's wish that I be in health, I should wish the same! I should work toward that objective. I regret that I haven't been. Today that changes!

A Christmas Carol

The Crossroads Church Christmas production this year will be called "A Christmas Carol." We decided to share our version of the classic tale in conjunction with the release of the blockbuster movie starring Jim Carrey. Ours is a modern retelling of the story. It features Carol Ebenezer - a middle-age 'Devil Wears Prada' type successful business woman who hates Christmas.

In Christmas past, little Carol was named for her mother's favorite holiday hymns that personify the spirit of the season, but a childhood tragedy leaves Carol bitter and mean in Christmas present, closed to any hint of celebrating the holiday and despised by her employees. A persistent witness from her assistant, Ms. Cratchit and an insightful look into Christmas future gives Christmas Carol an opportunity to reclaim her song!

We've written an all-original score and the production will be as close to a Broadway musical as anything we've ever attempted. I think it's going to be incredible!

The New (Used) Car

This week Robin and I drove over to Lake Charles and picked up her new (used) car. It's a 2005 Ford Escape. She loves it! She test drove this vehicle and a Mustang and preferred the Escape. She said she felt 'safer' in it. (What a smart girl!) God really blessed us with a great deal.

Since the kids were born, one of our goals was to bless them with a good car in their Senior year of High School that they can drive while in college. I am so thankful that God helped us to meet this goal with Robin. She's such a good girl and has been such a good student and I'm so glad we can bless her this way.

I know those who are reading will remember your first car. It's a really cool experience and Robin responded in typical fashion. She was giddy. Giggling the entire time. The truth is, I was too. Driving home from Lake Charles, I kept looking back in the rearview mirror and it seemed like Robin's smile took up the entire windshield of that car. My heart was so full I asked God, "Is this what you feel when you get to bless your children?" I think it is.

The Place They Tried To Kill The Dream

This past weekend I spoke for a pastor friend of mine in Memphis, TN. Pastor Matt Anzivino and his family were such gracious hosts and I had a wonderful visit with them. One of the things we did was drive by the Lorraine Motel - The place where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. The motel was converted to the National Civil Rights Museum in 1991. I didn't get a chance to go through the museum, but I will next time I visit Memphis. We stopped at the motel on Saturday night and just stood outside for a few minutes. I can't explain it, but a great sadness came over me as I looked up at the balcony where this great American hero was killed. Growing up in the deep south during that period of extreme civil unrest, I have a great appreciation for the accomplishments of Dr. King. As I gazed up at the wreath that marks the spot where Dr. King paid the ultimate price for the cause he believed in, I had a keen awareness of the fact that the election of our first African American President a year ago is directly linked to that sacrifice. They tried to kill the dream - but they failed!

Pies

I love a good piece of pie! Pie is such a great social food. We get together with our friends over a piece of pie and a cup of coffee and have a wonderful visit. Pie is such an everyday part of our lives, we have adopted a number of pie metaphors within our conversations. We call each other sweetie pie and cu-tie pie, we teach using pie charts and when we come into some money, we refer to it as a piece of the pie.

In the early 20th Century, Americans were struggling. There were pockets of extreme poverty across the country. God responded by raising up organizations like the Salvation Army, whose members would wade into that human suffering providing food and assistance while preaching the gospel. They reminded the poor and the downtrodden of the promises of God. Around the same time, labor unions were forming and they didn't appreciate the work of the Salvation Army. They felt they were offering false hope to people and they even coined the phrase "Pie in the sky" about the Salvation Army's theology. The term stuck and today, when we think of something that seems too good to be true, we call it "Pie in the sky."

This past weekend we kicked off a new message series at Crossroads called "Pies" by reminding everyone that God's promises are not 'pie in the sky.' God is trustworthy and His promises are reliable!

One of our families favorite restaurants is Marie Calendar's. We love it because their Pie menu is as large as their regular menu! As it relates to His promises, God has a menu. It's called the Bible. On that menu you'll find salvation, healing, provision, protection, peace, direction and comfort - just to name a few. Those promises can be relied on! 2 Corinthians 1:20 says they are in Him, 'Yes' and 'Amen' to those that believe! God is ready to serve us up a big piece of what we need right now!

Cousins

This weekend I got to spend some time with my cousin Greg Ables who pastors in Jenks, OK. He brought me in to speak at his church and we enjoyed catching up on old times, hanging out watching football and talking shop (ministry stuff). His wife Tina and youngest daughter Hayley were wonderful hostesses (his oldest daughter Whitley is away at college) and they have a beautiful home.

Greg's staff is a great group of guys that I felt an instant connection with. His church is made up of wonderful people and they are getting ready to plant a new church in a town a few miles away. I got really excited talking about church planting. It's something we hope to do soon at Crossroads.

Mostly, we talked about family. He shared with me how important my dad was in his life and in his father's life. (My dad was his father's oldest brother). We talked about what a joy our own families are to us and how much we hope to stay more closely connected to one another in the future.

Here's a picture of Greg and I in his office before the Sunday service. (Yes, that's a picture of General Lee hanging on the wall behind us. He's from Arkansas and no one ever let him know the South lost the war!)

Putting a Face On Ministry

At Crossroads, we’re asking God to help us to put a face on our ministry. We’ve discovered that we talk a lot about people who receive Christ through our church, people who’s marriages are saved, people who are healed in some way, but what does that ministry really look like?

In Acts 16, The Apostle Paul, after looking into someone’s face, launched perhaps the greatest ministry in the history of the church. That face belonged to a man from Macedonia who, in a dream asked Paul to come and preach the Word of God to him. If you think about it, the entire Bible is really a book of stories about individuals. The Bible isn’t just a book about courage; it’s a book about the courage of a little boy named David who God used to slay a giant. It’s not just a book about obedience; it’s a book about the obedience of a man named Noah who was willing to build an ark. The Bible isn’t just a book about opportunities; it’s a book about a beautiful young girl named Esther who made the most of the opportunity she was given to save her people. We’ve started asking, “Who are the David(s), the Noah(s) and the Esther(s) of Crossroads Church? They will put a face on our ministry!

The reason it’s so important that we place a face on our ministry is because God is interested in individuals, not just crowds. He certainly can move on crowds, like He did on the day of Pentecost when His followers were filled with the Holy Spirit, empowering them for ministry! However, that move of God wasn’t about a crowd. It was about the individuals in that crowd. Their stories make up the remainder of the New Testament. If we aren’t interested in putting a face on our ministry, perhaps it’s because we don’t really love individuals like God does: We just love crowds!

The most important reason to ask God to put a face on our ministry is because, when we do, people get to see Jesus. Remember what He said when he was asked by those who stood before Him in judgment to explain to them when they may have fed the hungry, clothed the naked or visited those sick and in prison? He said, “When you’ve done it to the least of these my brothers, you’ve done it unto me.” When we put a face on ministry, it’s the face of Christ!

Every occasion in the Bible when people looked into the face of the resurrected Christ, they were filled with worship, wonder and humility! That’s why we want to put a face on our ministry. So people will be filled with that wonder, that worship and that humility that only comes about by looking into the face of Jesus Himself.

Choosing The Right "Brand"

I got a message on Facebook from a young mom in our church this week that really blessed me. She wrote,

Hey pastor, Just wanted to share something with you... My son Nathan who is two years old took a crossroads magnet off of the fridge this morning and looked at it and said, "Jesus Loves Me!" How awesome is it that he associates the crossroads symbol with Jesus' love for him! It gave me chills and warmed my heart to know that a child as young as mine has that kind of understanding. God bless you and your family!

Several years ago when we changed the name of our church to Crossroads Church, we did so for a lot of reasons. We had been founded as Bethel Assembly of God Church. When the church moved to the corner of I-10 and I-49 and built the worship center we're in today, they added Crossroads Cathedral to the name. So we were Bethel Assembly of God Crossroads Cathedral. (It would barely fit on the letterhead!) We felt Crossroads Church was easier to remember, and didn't sound as denominational or religious. It also provided a catch phrase that capsulizes our mission statement: Reaching people at the crossroads of life. When we designed our logo, we were careful to make it contemporary and appealing. We really have bought into the idea that "branding" is important. We believe that just like Nike or McDonalds' success hinges upon how their product is branded, the church must be conscientious of what people associate us with as well. This email tells me our brand is working. You see, it really is all about the love of Jesus isn't it? If a little boy can look at the Crossroads logo and be reminded of that, then by the grace of God we're doing something right!

What We Have In Common With David Letterman and Jimmy Swaggart

It occurred to me today that David Letterman and Jimmy Swaggart have something in common. Most of you have heard by now about Letterman's confession this past week of having multiple affairs with women who were members of his staff. This revelation came on the heals of an alleged extortion attempt by a CBS producer who was trying to get some hush money from the star of The Late Show. As the story unfolded, I started thinking about how many people David Letterman has made the butt of his jokes through the years for the very sins he himself was committing and then it hit me: That's the same thing Swaggart did! Remember Jimmy Swaggart? The televangelist who confessed to sexual sin in the late eighties. Before the confession of his own failures, Mr. Swaggart used to rail on the failures of others pretty strongly. Instead of making jokes about them like Letterman did, he preached sermons. Sermons about how sinful all the people are who were doing the very same things he was doing in secret!

I guess we all do this. I guess we all have a tendency to focus on the things we hate about ourselves when we see it in the lives of other people. Our pride won't let us deal with those sins in our own lives, so we feel like we have to target the things we struggle with in someone else's life and call them out. Instead, here's what the Bible says we should do. Galatians 6:1, Brothers if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

I know there will be plenty of people who will line up to say Letterman is simply reaping what he has sown. That he had it coming! I've decided not to do that. I've decided to pray for David Letterman and his family. I'm praying for Jimmy Swaggart as well. While I'm at it, I think I'll pray for me and you!

A Pastor's Appreciation

October is the time of the year our nation has selected as Pastor Appreciation Month. As a Pastor, there's a group of people that I really appreciate and that's my executive staff. They are eight of the most talented, loyal, creative, intelligent and godly people I know. David Baudoin is our Executive Pastor over Pastoral Care, Marty Hoey is our Children's Pastor, Coy Watson is our Musical Director, Shawn Marcell is both our Student Pastor and our Master's Commission Director, Richard Gaspard is our Media Director, Courtney Lantier is our Accounting Director, Holane Davidson is our Office Manager and my personal secretary and Rhett Wyatt is our Properties Manager. In addition to being such incredible employees and department managers, these people also are some of my very best friends and I thank God for them. Pastor Appreciation month may be intended to be the month people show appreciation to their pastor, but for me it's a time I reflect on how much I appreciate the people God has surrounded me with. Any success I've known, any accomplishments I've made are because of God's grace and the wonderful team of people He allows me to work with every day!

Watching A Winning Season?

3 – 0! That’s the Saint’s record three weeks in to the regular season. I know it’s far too early to be making predictions, but who can resist? As a native Louisianian, I anxiously await each football season in hopes that this could be the year our beloved New Orleans Saints might have a winning team, might even make the play offs and, dare I say it: Might even go to the Super Bowl!

You’ve got to admit, the speculation is more substantial this year than perhaps any other season before. We have a legitimate running game, some great receivers, possibly the best QB in the NFL, a strategic, smart coaching staff and a much better defense than the one that cost us our chances for a successful season last year.

We face two undefeated teams the next two weeks and have a fairly difficult schedule throughout the remaining season. The Jets and the Giants both have to come to the dome for their showdown with the Saints and that should give us an advantage. If the Saints get past the Giants week after next, there should be no question about their potential!

I missed the first two games while on our cruise in the Caribbean. The Saints won both of those games, putting over 40 points up on the board in both games. Yesterday’s game began with the Saints opening drive resulting in a touch down. I didn’t get to tune in until after they’d scored and the remaining part of the game that I personally viewed, they struggled and were only able to add an additional field goal. As soon as I turned off the game to drive to a meeting at the church, the Saints scored another 17 points, beating the Bills 27 - 7. Could it be possible that they play better when I’m not watching? What a bummer it would be to have a winning season that could only be possible by my willingness to refuse to watch!

The Cruise

Last week our family enjoyed a 7-day Western Caribbean Cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas. The trip was a gift from our church in celebration of our ten-year anniversary as pastors of Crossroads Church. We had such a wonderful time and we're so grateful for this opportunity.

Our ports of call were in Jamaica, The Grand Caymans, Cozumel Mexico and a little island off the coast of Haiti called Labadee. In Jamaica we enjoyed a thrilling zip line course over the rain forest. In the Caymans we snorkeled over coral reef and a shipwreck. In Labadee we soaked up the sun on pure white sand bordered by sparkling blue ocean. Our favorite excursion was in Cozumel where we swam with dolphins! (What a thrill!)

The Freedom of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world (although Royal Caribbean has two larger ships they are introducing to their fleet in 2010). It is complete with an ice skating rink, mini-putt golf course, rock-climbing wall and a surf-simulator that was a BLAST!

The food was good, the shows were incredible and there's not a more restful vacation than cruising.

The best part of it all was seven days with our two teenagers completely uninterrupted by telephones, work, school, emergencies or any other distractions. At this stage of our kid's lives this type of time with them is rare and precious and we enjoyed it SO much!

Thanks to a wonderful church family for blessing our family with this trip!

The Late Show

I am very excited about our new message series for September called "The Late Show." It will be one of the most innovative series we've done. It was actually the brain-child of Eric Treuil and his wife Annabelle says his involvement is a dream come true. (LOL) Through the month of September we'll be discussing, from a Biblical worldview, those things that happen in the late hours of life. In week one we'll talk about end time events, week two will be called The Last Laugh, week three will be a message about regrets and on the last week of the series we'll talk about fruitfulness in the senior years. All of this will be presented within the context of a late night talk show, complete with a floor manager, theme music, monologue, Top Ten Lists, special guest appearances, you name it! For the first time in five years, I'll be wearing a suit and tie to church. (It took a stint as the host of a late night talk show to accomplish this?)

Now we know people come to Crossroads to have a true worship experience so we'll break away from the 'talk show' context to include a time of worship and a message from God's Word. This series will be fun, insightful, inspiring and a great opportunity to invite your friends to Crossroads Church. Get them here before it's too LATE!

What are the odds...

For the second time in five years, someone drove their car through the foyer wall of Crossroads Church. The same wall. What are the odds? I just can't get over what the mathematical odds might be on this. Vegas may want to get in on this action!

This time around, it was actually a member of the church. (There's a whole other odds-making opportunity!) Please say a word of prayer for her. She was taken to the hospital with some back pain.

The last time this happened, the insurance settlement allowed us to redo the entire foyer. God always has a way of bringing good out of a less than desirable situation!

People have been making some very keen observations. One is that we should consider opening a drive through church experience. (Rim shot inserted here) Others noted that the car came through the back-lighted wall mural that represents 'south' in our mission statement: Reaching "in" through discipleship. That's a pretty radical way of reaching in!

The Meaning of Love

This Saturday Donna and I celebrate 28 years of marriage! We were just kids when we made our vows, but by the grace of God we have kept those vows to one another and have grown more and more in love. It's funny, way back then we used that word so flippantly: "I love you." We had no idea then what the word really means. In 28 years, we've learned the meaning. In 28 years, Donna has taught me the meaning in the way she has stood by me, supported me, encouraged me, laughed with me, cried with me, raised two children with me, answered the call of God with me, traveled with me, dreamed with me, and the list goes on and on. I can honestly say she is my very best friend and there's no one I'd rather be around. She and I are so different and I'm so thankful that we are. I believe we complement one another and bring the best out in one another. It hasn't always been that way. We had to learn to appreciate the differences in one another. But what once created sparks has ultimately forged strength. If I had it all to do over, I wouldn't hesitate to look into the beautiful brown eyes of that young seventeen year old girl again and ask her, "Will you marry me?"

In Memoriam

Yesterday my dear friend Roosevelt Hunter crossed the finish line. Much sooner than any of us wanted, he said goodbye to this world and "Hello" to the next. He heard Jesus say, "Well done."

I'm going to miss him so much. He made me laugh so many times. He inspired me in so many ways. We've been friends since the late eighties. Jacob Aranza introduced us and we started regularly bringing him in to speak at Crossroads. The last time he came in was this past May. It was a great weekend. He preached with such passion. We enjoyed some great time together. Thank you Jesus for the opportunity to spend that time with him.

Through the eighties and nineties we worked the same youth camp circuit. Each week either I'd follow him at a camp, or he'd follow me. If I followed him, I'd always arrive to the news of revival the week before. I'd be challenged to pray harder, preach harder and believe God for the kind of camp revival that God and Roosevelt had brought.

Years ago I was working on a message called, "Why This Waste?" I made the mistake of telling Roosevelt about it. Two nights later he preached that sermon like he'd been preaching it for years. What a preacher!

I remember once when he was in, Roosevelt, his wife Eileen and I were going to get something to eat and we passed a place on University Street here in Lafayette where the "ladies" of the evening would stand out by the road. Roosevelt said, "I think that girl was a hooker." I told him, "That's not a girl." (It was a transvestite bar.) He said, turn the car around and let's go talk to them about Jesus!" We did. The owner of the club was so mad at us! Roosevelt was first and foremost a soul winner. He would talk to anybody about the Lord!

Roosevelt had the funniest laugh. It sounded like a cat on an old cartoon. He used to love to prank call me. He would only get a minute or so in to the call though and crack himself up and give himself away with that silly laugh.

Through the years we might go a year or so without talking to each other. We were both constantly on the go. Then he took his assignment at Southeastern and I became pastor at Crossroads. When we would finally connect it was like I just saw him yesterday. The past couple of years we've been able to keep in touch more. He would text message me pretty regularly. The last text I got from him he told me he'd been invited to speak at an event with Bishop Jakes (one of his heroes). He was so excited.

1 Thessalonians 2:19 describes the soul winner's crown that people like Roosevelt will receive from Christ. I want to be there to see it. I want to rejoice with him in the presence of our Savior. I want to hear him laugh that silly laugh again.

The Miracle Man

This week my good friend Jamie Chaisson returned to work. Jamie is our Grounds Keeper and one of the best guys you'll ever meet! Several months ago he was trimming some limbs and one limb swept the ladder he was standing on out from under him and he fell fifteen feet, landing on the concrete curb with his head, fracturing his skull, crushing the bones in the left side of his face, breaking three ribs, collapsing both lungs, lacerating one of his kidneys and herniating two disks in his lower back. The fall left him in a coma for five days with bleeding on the brain. He was in ICU for fifteen days. The doctors were amazed he survived the fall and they now call him the miracle man! He has been released by Workman's Comp with very limited restrictions that are to be reviewed in six months. He feels great and is thrilled to be back to work. He has been healed by the power of Christ! I am so thankful that God preserved the life and health of one of my dear friends. In addition to his role at the church, Jamie weekly helps me around my farm. He's like a member of the family, especially popular with the horses whom he cares for any time we're out of town. He and his wife Deanne are precious, giving, loyal, dedicated Christ followers and we're so blessed to have them in our lives.

Thieves

We're starting a new message series this weekend called thieves. Many who have never thought of themselves along these lines are surprised to find out the Bible says we're actually all thieves! Others are completely unaware that Satan's main objective is to rob us of all God has planned for us and that he is especially interested in stealing our dreams! The most shocking revelation we find in scripture is that God Himself will one day pull off the ultimate heist! Don't miss our explanation of these facts and more through out the month of August. Here's the video sermon opener the guys in the media department came up with. I'd love to hear your feedback!

Strong Language

In my message on poverty this weekend (Justice, Pt. 4 - The Pursuit of Happiness) I closed with the story of Tony Campolo who, while speaking to an audience of ministers some years ago on the subject of the poor and needy, grew impatient with the ministers' obvious indifference. They were unmoved, completely turning a deaf ear to his cries for compassion. In closing he said, "Today, thirty thousand children starved to death and none of you give a damn." They were shocked and appalled that he would say such a thing. "What's worse," He continued, "is you're more concerned that I used the word 'damn' than you are the thirty thousand children that starved to death today!"

You've got to admit it's a very 'in your face' observation. I actually wrestled with whether or not to share it. I knew some would probably be offended by it, even though I was simply quoting what Campolo said. (Ironically, I used the word damn instead of the word he actually used because I knew the real word he used would have upset people even more.) I think the fact that I had such a hard time deciding whether or not to use the story makes it even more relevant. If I'm going to be honest I don't grapple internally like that about the plight of the suffering. Why? Why am I more concerned about offending people in a service than I am offending the Lord of the thousands of people starving around the world today? Something has to change in us. We must get close enough to God to feel His compassion for the suffering masses around us. Then and only then will we engage in the type of justice that makes a difference. Then and only then will we lift our voice to call others into action as well, using as strong a language as it requires!

Sushi Evangelist

I love Sushi.

This is a fairly recent discovery. My taste buds have changed drastically over the past ten years or so and stuff I never would have been interested in before, I now can't get enough of! Like sushi.

The whole experience is cool: You get to watch your meal being prepared, You check off what you want from the menu and turn in your order and then you're brought a hot towel to clean your hands with. There's the soy sauce, the Wasabi and the ginger. There's the huge variety of preparations and the beautiful presentations. You get to use chop sticks and once you get good at it you can impress your friends. I think that's part of the appeal, there's something about introducing your friends to sushi. You want everyone to experience it!

My favorite Sushi restaurant is Shinto Japanese Restaurant on Ambassador Caffery in Lafayette. The LSU Tiger Champion Roll and the Sunrise Roll are unbelievable! You've got to try them!

I know what you're thinking. I sound like a sushi evangelist!

I can't help myself. I love sushi!

John Calvin's Video Venue

I'm all for theology. I feel I have a firm grasp on what I believe the Bible teaches. But if I'm gonna be honest, that's where it ends for me. I don't try and wrap theology around every aspect of my life. Don't get me wrong, my theology touches everything I do - I'm just saying I don't attempt to analyze everything in life theologically. I'm cleaning my pool today. I don't have to have a theological approach to that! People who do drive me crazy!

I subscribe to a weekly blog called Monday Morning Insight. It weekly features snippets of information that pastors might find interesting. Today, they included a blog-excerpt from a guy who was arguing against the idea of pastors using video venues to expand their ministries. Now I have no problem with someone having an opinion about something. Lord knows I have my share of opinions. But this guy literally wrote about the 'theological and ecclesiological considerations' of having a video venue. Really? Are you serious? How can there be a theological position on this?

I guess what I really want to know is why people feel like they always have to be right and everyone else has to be wrong? Is it possible there is a number of ways of accomplishing the same thing and that the way I choose might be different than the way you choose but that's okay? Where I stand on the issue of eternal security or the deity of Christ must be established by a fundamental understanding of scripture. Whether I use a satellite feed to accomplish multi-site church ministry is a personal preference that I seriously doubt John Calvin would be that concerned with!

Keeping Sophie Clean

Most of you know we have a Welsh Springer Spaniel named Sophie. She's an inside dog and to keep her clean and smelling good, I take her weekly to be groomed at Critter's Day Spa in Scott, owned by our good friends Abby and Judy Lantier. This past Tuesday I brought her home all clean and smelling lovely. Wednesday morning I let her roam the yard while I fed the horses and she found a pile of varmint excrement and decided to take a roll. Without being too graphic, it was black, runny and stunk to high heaven! Why a dog enjoys rolling in something like that, I'll never understand but when she came running up to meet me so we could go back inside she was a MESS! I was angry with her. Not because I had to clean her up, but because she would do such a thing and because it prevented me from bringing her inside where she would lay at my feet while I read my Bible and enjoyed my coffee (Our little morning ritual).

As I bathed her, between gags I saw the spiritual application clearly. How many times has God cleaned me up only to have me go out and roll in the filth of sin and selfishness. I know this makes God angry with me. Not because He has to clean me up again, but because I would do such a thing, and prevent the intimate time with Him that He desires and I so desperately need.

To keep Sophie from returning to the Varmint poo, I took a shovel out there and buried it. My solution: Remove the temptation! I'm looking for a way to do the same with the stuff I have a tendency to roll in. Remove the temptation and bury the stuff that makes me unclean before God. If it works for Sophie, maybe it will work for me.

The New Abolitionist Movement

Since the decision we know as Roe vs. Wade was passed down by the Supreme Court in 1973 there have been over 40 million babies aborted in the United States. This isn't the first time the Supreme Court has gotten it wrong. In 1857 they denied an African slave his constitutional rights, determining he was not a person, but property bought and paid for and therefore undeserving of protection under the constitution. When we think about that sort of thing today we consider it reprehensible! We ask, "How could anyone have let this sort of thing go on?" Perhaps 50 years from now they will ask the same thing about us.

What's worse? The complacency our forefathers showed in those days toward slavery or our own indifference today toward the plight of the unborn? Every day in America innocent, defenseless babies are literally cut into pieces and then suctioned piece by piece out of their mother's womb in the name of convenience! What will we do about this madness?

I want to be a part of a new abolitionist movement that will see abortion end in American in our life time! I want to make a difference and speak out for those who have no voice! I will raise my voice in protest, I will support our local pregnancy center with my money and my volunteerism, I will reach out with compassion to women in crises and I will never cast my vote for ANY political candidate who isn't pro life!

Flip Flops

We just wrapped up a message series called Flip Flops. The week leading up to the new series one of the ladies in our church who has a son serving in Afghanistan came in and mentioned that he and members of his platoon were in need of some personal items that the army doesn't provide. One of those items was Flip Flops to wear in the showers. We thought it great timing and did a promotion in the month of June for our church family to bring in Flip Flops and other personal items on their list. Our people really rallied around the cause and so far we've sent over 300 pairs of Flip Flops and over 400 pounds of other personal items such as flytrap sticky strips, baby wipes, bars of soap, lotion, multi-vitamins, sunflower seeds, protein bars and a host of other items the soldiers requested! Thanks Crossroads for coming through for these brave men and women protecting our interests abroad! Here's a shot of me and members of the Matson family boxing up the loot to send to Afghanistan.

The Yoke - Pt. 3

Another reason a farmer would harness an older, stronger, trained ox with a younger, inexperienced one was to help set the pace for the work day. If the younger ox didn't have the older one setting the pace for him, he would use all his energy early in the day and would then be unable to finish the work the farmer needed him to accomplish. This is what Jesus is referring to in Matthew 11:29 when He tells us to take His yoke upon us and learn from Him. He wants to set the pace for us.

So many of us fail to allow Him to do that. Consequently, we burn out quickly and we don't finish the work He's given us to do. Galatians 5:25 says, "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." So often we are either running ahead of God or lagging behind, but Christ wants to set the pace for us so we can keep in step with the Spirit.

When my family and I go skiing, Chase and I enjoy skiing the more challenging blue runs together. The problem is, Chase and I have two completely different methods of skiing. I use my skis to dig into the snow and make 's' turns all the way down the slope so I don't pick up too much speed. Chase, on the other hand points his skis down the mountain and just takes off 90 to nothing! Sometimes, along the trail we're on, their are side trails that lead to other parts of the mountain. Some even lead to lifts that take you to higher elevations. I often get frustrated when I can't access those trails because by the time I get to them Chase is past them on his way on down the mountain at break-neck speed! There's a spiritual lesson here. If we don't let Christ set the pace for us through the yoke of the Holy Spirit, we will try and get ahead of God. We will miss the turns He wants us to take and there are parts of the 'mountain' we will never see. There are elevations we will never reach.

Today, let's step into the yoke and let Christ set the pace!

Michael

Michael Jackson died Thursday and although I can't explain it and I never would have expected it, I feel sad. I've had a long history with Mr. Jackson.

I became a Christian about the same time he rose to megastar status with the "Thriller" album. In the years that followed Michael personified the 'enemy' for me because as a youth pastor I was trying to keep young people from being 'secularized' by pop music and MTV. I remember when the controversy broke about the alleged child molestation case, my take on it was, "Are you surprised? He's been molesting the minds of our children for years!" Looking back on it now I probably made much more of a fuss than I should have. I still believe music with a fallen world view can be very unhealthy for us spiritually, but I'm not nearly as uptight about it as I once was.

For all the fuss, I must admit Mr. Jackson was an incredible talent. The artistic side of me yearns to see the church be as creative with our message as he was with his craft.

Then there's the humanitarian side of Jackson's career that provokes me to do more to make a difference. From "We Are the World" to "Man In The Mirror," Michael confronted things that those of us in America's pulpits often ignore.

I realize that Michael Jackson was a very controversial figure. So a post like this will probably be met with controversy. There will always be those who demonize him, as I did for years. Who knows if he was guilty of the things he was accused? God does.

According to reports, Jackson was a Jehovah's Witness early in his career. (One more bizarre aspect of the man's story.) I know the Jehovah's Witness organization is way off-base Biblically, but I raise the point to say that Michael obviously had a spiritual hunger. I can only hope that someone was able to get to him through all the paparazzi and personal entourage and share the truth of the gospel with him. I hope the king of pop somehow met the King of Kings. It would be fun to moonwalk with him on the streets of gold one day.

Daddy Shoes

For Father's Day this past weekend I performed a song I wrote back in 1993. Robin was about 18 months old and when I would come home in the evenings from work and slip off my shoes, she would put them on and walk around the living room saying, "Daddy shoes, daddy shoes." I would get a big kick out of it. One day while watching this it dawned on me that I had some really big shoes to fill. My dad was such a great father. This song came out of that moment and I decided to share it for Father's Day during our Flip Flop message series. (That explains the Island theme in our auditorium). I hope you enjoy it. It's the first time I've performed it with a band. I think the guys did a great job with the arrangement. Props to Coy Watson and Tony Goulas. Also thanks to Richard Gaspard, who heads up our media department for cranking this edit out so quick so I could get it posted. I've got great friends!

Chase's Garden: The Old Ways

Chase has grown a garden the past 6 years as a 4-H project. This year he won First Place in his club and Reserved Grand Champion in the Parish. We're real proud of him. His gardening is one of the things he's learned that I think of as the old ways. There are so many of the old ways that aren't being passed down to this generation and I'm just as guilty as anyone of failing to pass them along. By the time I was Chase's age my dad had taught me to clean fish, skin a squirrel or a rabbit, change the oil in a car, sharpen a knife or an ax, saddle a horse, follow a compass, shine a pair of dress shoes, tie a Windsor knot in a tie or a slip knot in a rope, use a chain saw, start a fire and so many other things kids simply just don't do any more. These things may seem antiquated and irrelevant these days but somehow I think something has been lost if they're not passed along. I'd be interested in hearing about things your parents taught you that you haven't passed on yet.

The Yoke - Pt. 2

The reason a farmer would yoke a young, weaker, inexperienced ox to an older, stronger, trained ox was to keep him on the path. This is another thing we can learn from Christ when we accept His invitation in Matthew 11:29 to "...take my yoke upon you and learn from me..." One of the most common mistakes we make as Christ-followers is our tendency to get off the path.

The yoke of the Holy Spirit serves to harness us to the guidance Christ provides. John 16:13 says, "When He, the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all truth." Let's face it, sometimes following the leading of the Holy Spirit is a frightening prospect, but we can trust our guide!

There's a great story about a missionary who hired a native guide to direct him through one of the most dense jungles in Africa. For the first few miles, the path was clear but after a while the missionary couldn't see the path at all. He began to get concerned and asked his guide, "Where is the path? I can't see it." The native smiled and said, "At this point in the jungle... I AM the path."

What a great lesson for us as Christ-followers. Sometimes we can't see the path in life, but Jesus reminds us that in those moments, He is the path! (John 14:6)

Let's step into the yoke God has provided and allow Christ to keep us on the path!

Camp Courageous: Where God's love is contagious!

Our day camp is going on this week.

Over 350 awesome boys and girls are here at Crossroads enjoying Camp Courageous! This week they'll go swimming, bowling, ice skating, take in the new Pixar movie "Up" and much, much more! Most importantly they'll be challenged and encouraged with God's Word to have a personal relationship with Christ and be everything God has called them to be!

Over 50 volunteers and an incredible staff make all this possible. Thanks to all who are contributing!

Marty and Anna Hoey are the heart and soul behind all this fun and ministry and I'm so thankful to have the best Children's Pastors in the whole world serving along side Donna and I here at Crossroads Church.

The Yoke - Pt. 1

   Jesus invited us in Matthew 11:29, "Take my yoke upon you and learn of me..." It's hard to really grasp the meaning of this invitation outside of it's ancient agricultural context, but the disciples knew exactly what Jesus meant. The yoke wasn't only a device to harness the power of two animals but it was a mechanism by which a farmer could train a young, weaker, inexperienced ox by placing him in a yoke with an older, stronger ox that was already trained. Jesus was inviting the disciples to learn how to minister effectively by being yoked with Him. Today, the invitation stands and we can be harnessed to the power of Christ. 

   I believe the yoke is the Holy Spirit. Remember what Jesus promised in Acts 1:8, "You shall receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you..." Or, in other words, you will receive power after you've been harnessed to me by the Holy Spirit. We desperately need that power today. We have nothing to offer a lost and dying world in and of ourselves, but if we can just be yoked with Christ, we have HIS power to offer! 

   Years ago, in the Tournament of Roses Parade, a float broke down and held up the precession for quite a while as workers attempted to determine the cause. After checking out everything else, someone finally thought to check the gas tank and sure enough, it was out of gas. Think about that for a minute. Hours and hours had gone in to preparing this beautiful float. Intricate details were poured over to make sure it looked just so and yet, with all the careful preparation and attention they didn't think to fuel up!

   There's a message here about ministry. We so often make sure church looks just right and sounds just right but the real question is, "Have we fueled up? Are we harnessed to the power of Christ?" The truly amazing thing about this story is the float actually represented the Standard Oil Company. If anyone should have thought about checking the gas tank you would think it would be the Standard Oil Company! The same could be said of those of us who are Spirit-filled believers. If anyone should know how important the power of the Holy Spirit is, it's us!  It's time to step into the yoke.

The President's Allegiances

This past week, President Obama declared June Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Transgender month, fulfilling one of many campaign promises made to support the homosexual agenda. Interestingly, although he signed the legislation declaring May 7, 2009 the National Day of Prayer, he refused to host a prayer gathering at the White House as his predecessors George W. Bush, George H. W. Bush and Ronald Reagan had done. He said he prays privately. So his allegiance to the GLBT community is publicly carried out with pomp and ceremony while his allegiance to God is something reserved for a back room somewhere. Maybe it's because there is no allegiance to God at all! As this President continues to pursue the most radical agendas ever carried out by an American president concerning the issues of abortion, gay rights, the redistribution of wealth, the government take-over of private enterprise and the weakening of national security it is clear where his allegiances lie. Those allegiances are obviously not to the constitution, they certainly aren't to the American family and they in no way reflect an allegiance to God!

The class of 2009

In 1989 I sat down with Lloyd Zeigler at Carmen Hall in Phoenix, AZ and received a vision for starting a Master's Commission program in Lafayette. Twenty years later we are graduating the fifth class of this era's version of our Master's Commission program. They are an incredible group of young men and women. Twenty years ago I desired to see a program raised up that would help young people become true disciples while preparing for life and ministry. This graduating class personifies everything I dreamed a Master's Commission could be. I am so proud to be associated with the XMC class of 2009!

The Resistance

I love movies. Last night Chase and I took in the latest in the Terminator series: Terminator Salvation. It was everything I expected it to be: Unbelievable special effects, intense over-the-top acting (loved the casting of Christian Bale as John Conner), more explosions than any other movie I've ever seen - it had it all! The one thing I didn't expect was the effect it had on me spiritually. Yes, you read that right.

All through the movie John Conner communicates with pockets of human survivors across a devastated American landscape by means of radio. (It's 2018, after the rise of the machines and Judgement Day has already happened leaving... oh, never mind it's complicated.) The one thing from his broadcasts that I just can't get out of my head is how he signs off: "This is John Conner and if you're listening to this - You are the resistance."

It's not machines, but evil and sin that is taking over our world today and we are at war! Yet so often we offer so little resistance. What will I do to combat that evil? What will I do to rally fellow soldiers to fight in this spiritual battle? Believe it or not, that's what my first block-buster movie of the summer left me thinking!

This is Jeff Ables, and if you're reading this - You are the resistance.

Crossroads 2009 Easter Production "Proof"

Here's the video of the Easter Production I promised. Sorry it took so long but we had to get the file the right size to work with blogger. I hope you enjoy it and I'd love to hear back from you. It's real different from anything we've ever done but it was very effective and we had a lot of people make commitments to become Christ Followers.

Mom's face lift

It's not what you think!

We had an incredible Mother's Day weekend at Crossroads Church this past week. Interestingly, while we have historically been a little lighter in our attendance on Mother's Day weekend, this time around it was one of our largest services of the year so far (over 2,500).

We're in a series called "Facing the Future" and my Mother's Day message was called "Mom's Face Lift."

Have you ever thought about what the face of your child's future looks like? (Will it be bright and beautiful or scarred and disfigured?) I challenged moms to give their child's future a face lift by instilling within and insisting upon F - Faith, A - Attitudes, C - Character and E - Ethics that please God in the daily life of their child.

There's no question the complexion of my life today has been greatly effected by my mother's influence when I was growing up. She's an incredible woman that I love dearly! Happy Mother's Day mom and thanks for the face lift!

A decade

That's right we have been serving as the Lead Pastors of Crossroads Church for ten years now! Our first service was Easter Sunday, 1999. This weekend, the church surprised us by recognizing the ten year anniversary and gave our family a paid vacation: Anywhere we want to go. (We're pumped!) Devin Lantier and Spanky Arsement, two of my board members and best friends made the presentation. One of the things they did was have everyone in attendance who has received Christ under our leadership either during this ten years or the eight years I served as Youth Pastor to stand. It was SO amazing and humbling to watch as hundreds stood to their feet. We have so much to be thankful for. It's such an honor to pastor such a wonderful group of people! The thing that's even more exciting is the best is yet to come!

Proof

This past weekend we hosted an Easter Production called "Proof." It was actually a part of a month-long message series with the same title. It's our desire to provide people with the evidence that exists that proves that Jesus actually lived and died and most importantly, rose on the third day. There is historical evidence, philosophical and theological evidence, there is even scientific archeological evidence that is extremely convincing! We presented samples of that evidence through a drama set in a College Philosophy class with an atheist professor (played by Matt Avant - INCREDIBLE job!) who shares how a few Christian students challenged his beliefs with this proof. Recollections of those encounters were shared on video vignettes and featured our Master's Commission students playing these college kids. (They did awesome!) After each point we made about the different forms of proof that exists, our music team performed songs that celebrate the resurrection. (We have such a great music team!) The climax of the production came at the end of the drama as these students shared with their professor how the change Christ brings into our lives is the greatest evidence that exists. This segued into members of our church coming out one by one with 'chalkboard' testimonies that on one side declared what they were before Christ (i.e. - drug addicts, homeless, hopeless, gang members, adulterers, cult members, etc.) and on the other side declared what they are today by the grace of God! IT WAS SO MOVING!

We had 4055 in attendance over 5 performances and we had 196 decisions for Christ!

I plan to post the video on my blog in the next couple of weeks.