Tomorrow, we get to BE the church...

It may come as a surprise that tomorrow we are not having church--at least not in the traditional sense. Tomorrow, we are being the church in the most traditional sense possible.

Crosspointe has a partnership with Christian Community Action (CCA) an organization that "ministers to the poor by providing comprehensive services that alleviate suffering, bring hope and change lives."  CCA receives many requests from people in transitional economic challenges.  In most cases, the families are "the working poor" who have been hit by illness, layoffs or a major unexpected financial need. 

CCA often receives requests where the resources simply aren't there to complete the request for aid. Crosspointe is meeting the needs of some of these families that fall in between. We've divided up into teams.  Each team leader has called the family to find out what the needs are.  Then, each group is pooling resources to be able to not only meet that need, but go above and beyond where possible. 

It can be life changing stuff--both for those who give and those who receive.  Last year, when we did this we met the most incredible people. Two families which joined us beyond Christmas.  I share one e-mail received in September as one families journey took them back home...

I hold each and every one of you at Crosspointe in my heart and I could not have gotten to where I am in my life without your generosity. I so cannot believe how you blessed me and my girls.


We are doing extremely well here and I cannot express in words how "blissful" our lives are now that we are back near family. These are really good times. We found a good church here and I am looking forward to getting connected there with a small group.  I love my new job.............God has opened the windows of Heaven on us and it is a really extraspecial place to be in my faith. Love you guys so much...

A very real fulfillment of completing CCA's mission to "alleviate suffering, bring hope and change lives."   Which as it turns out, isn't only CCA's mission, but ours too.

The Ladies Ornament Exchange

Even as I type the words "Ladies Ornament Exchange" I want to laugh. Aren't the church "ladies" my mom's age? Apparently not, because the "Ladies of Crosspointe" all got together tonight for the annual ornament exchange. To be honest, it isn't so much of an exchange because there is actual theft involved.

Okay, maybe there is a bit more art to it than that. We each draw numbers, THEN, we steal ornaments from each other.

In the end though, most people seemed happy with the ornaments they wound up with. And there were some definite laugh out loud moments.

We also played Sudden-Death-Single-Category-Random-Spontaneous-Jeopardy. The "single category" was Christmas movies--and DeAnn Lee won with Sheila Joyce coming in a close second.

And now all that is left to do is the dishes. (And I'm really, really, really glad Chris left the homemade marshmallows. They were wonderful!)

Advent Conspiracy

[AC] – What is it?
It’s about putting Christ back in Christmas. Somewhere in the bustle of wrapping paper, packed malls and endless shopping lists, there is a story we long to connect with. It’s a story of a Savior who came to Earth wrapped in nothing more than human skin who would one day redeem the world one person at a time. And, despite our best intentions, somehow that story becomes nothing more than a footnote to our endless to-do lists during the Christmas season. What if this year was different? What if you could usher in a Christmas that put Christ’s story at the center of your family’s celebration? What if you gave gifts that lived long after the season had come and gone? And what if you could do all this while changing the world in a real way, one person at a time?

[AC] – Spend Less
Counter-culture consuming. Save the receipt. Give it at the next white elephant party. Wear it only when grandma’s in town. Let’s face it; we don’t necessarily need everything we get at Christmas. By changing our spending habits at Christmas and instead focusing on the gift we were designed to celebrate during this holy season, we’re pushing back on the consumer-driven culture that has somehow wrapped itself around the very heart of Christmas. Is the Advent Conspiracy against gift giving? No way (your kids can breathe a sigh of relief now). If anything, the Advent Conspiracy is about reminding ourselves that the best gifts of the season are found in the most unexpected ways.

[AC] – Give More
Relational giving. Whether it was that afternoon of riding bikes, the trip with dad to the ballpark, or that framed family photo, there’s something about gifts that come from the heart that mean more to us than any gift found from the sale racks. And no wonder. When God gave his only son He modeled the ultimate example of relational giving. By saying “no” to over-spending and “yes” to a very ancient way of expressing love, we have the chance to connect with The [W]hole Story in ways we’ve always hoped. What does this mean for you and your family? It could mean just taking one less gift out from the “must-have” list and giving one another a gift as simple as spending time together.

[AC] – Love All
Let the revolution begin. Christ, though He was rich, became poor to make many rich. It was in the Advent that Jesus entered our poverty so we would no longer be poor. With the money we save by giving relationally we can redistribute the money we saved to the least of these in our community and world through our missional partnerships. On Sunday, December 13th, our Gathering will feature our missional partnership with the Uganda Children’s Project and their annual Christmas Shoe Project. For $15 you can give a needy child the gift of an education by giving them the shoes and socks they need to attend school next term. We’ve set aside Sunday, December 20th to partner with our friends at Christian Community Action and bring Christmas to needy families in our communities.

[AC] – Families are renewed. Lives are changed. Christ is celebrated. Now that’s a Christmas to remember.

The [W]hole Story Mural

Across the [W]hole Story series, three of Crosspointe's artists created a mural. Since we are painting a series that is looking at scripture as a whole, the symbology that plays throughout took life in paint on the canvas. It was interesting to watch recurring ideas of trees (tree of life, tree of the cross, trees in Revelation), the dove (at the ark, at Jesus' baptism), the thorns (as part of the curse when Adam and Eve are exiled in the book of Genesis to the crown of thorns that Christ wore on the cross)....the metaphors used in Scripture caught meaning in context of the whole story--one of creation, fall, redemption and restoration.

The last circle on the mural is the part of the story where everything is restored. Where the "lion lays with the lamb."

We are all waiting for the ending to the story.

Guest Blog : Cathy Hutchison

One of the things I love about Crosspointe is the ability it has to prioritize mission over tradition. This Sunday, rather than normal worship and teaching, we made sandwiches. (Over 1200).

Crosspointe partners to pour resources into projects that others are doing in the community. For example, rather than employing a youth pastor, Crosspointe partners with Young Life. Rather than starting a benevolence ministry, we work with CCA and Metrocrest. This week, we poured our love and energy into the Soup Mobile which feeds homeless people in Dallas, daily.

For all the years I spent listening to churches frustrated in trying to support programs that were underfunded and understaffed, I have to say that I like this model much better. Belonging to a group of people--a SWAT team so to speak--who can mobilize to not only accomplish ministry goals in the community, but also support and encourage the people who run those ministries is very satisfying.

Sunday morning, we didn't make sandwiches instead of having church. We were the church. Making sandwiches.

Seeing Jesus in the Chaos

Chaos. That's the word I would use to describe the last ten days in my world. The exercises for today could not have been more perfectly suited for where I find myself personally. As much as I enjoy our public worship Gatherings, today was a day I met with God in a personal and very private way. I pray that the experience is equally as powerful to you. 

The Daily Examen is probably a new experience for many of you. In many ways, it is a chance to keep short accounts with God when it comes to the areas of rebellion and sin in our lives. The early Desert Fathers used this practice as a way to end their day. Today I used it to begin my day by reviewing the day just past. Taking the time to replay the day gave me a chance to zoom in on events of the day with an eye for areas in which I could have more accurately reflected Christ in my life. That was the natural way for me to use the examen. After working though those areas, I was able to return to those moments and contemplate where God was speaking to me. The phrase that God brought to my mind was, "Be still and still moving." It's a phrase that I have been returning to that reminds me of my need to lead and be from a quiet center while still actively pursuing God's purpose for my life. I wonder what word or phrase God will give to you.

I love the Jesus Prayer! What a beautiful way to enter into a time of quiet centering prayer before God. It recognizes both my sinfulness and need of God's grace as well as the promise of God to grant us mercy in our time of need. As difficult as it can be to sit in quietness and stillness, the spiritual rewards are amazing! I can't always put my finger on what God has done in me through this time but I know that it is both real and powerful. Lord Jesus christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

The Imaginative Meditation is an intense way to encounter the Scriptures in perhaps a new way. The concept of entering into the narrative to identify with the situation and even a character takes a one dimensional text and makes it come alive in 3D. I chose the account of the Transfiguration of Jesus in Matthew 17 and entered the narrative as Peter (Peter is an easy identification for me since my actions often mimic his). I was seated on the floor of my office with the bright overhead light shining down on me. As I entered the story and the bright light of transfiguration, I lifted my eyes toward the bright light, imagining the brightness that the disciples experienced. Even through my closed eyelids, the brightness of the light was inescapable. When I brought my head back down, I considered all the times in the past week where I have seen Jesus. I've seen him in the prayer of my congregation for my wife and family. I've seen him in the donation of airline miles so my wife could spend extra time with her grieving mother. I've seen him in the plant delivered by my neighbor who herself just suffered incredible loss. I've seen him in the meals lovingly prepared for my family. I might have missed these Jesus appearances if I hadn't stopped to look into the light. 

Thoughts from KALEIDE

Hey everybody, our amazing WORSHIPCULTIVATOR, Karen Vincent sent in her thoughts on this weekend's KALEIDE event, check them out:

"I had a great experience going through the time of spiritual exploration at the Kaleide event. Some of the exercises I had done before, and some were new to me. The most significant moment was during my time of communion. I’ve probably taken communion over a thousand times during my life, but this time it felt more personal. I could hear Jesus urging me, “Karen, take the cup! It’s for you. Everything I sacrificed for and everything I have to offer is for you, today, at this moment.”

After completing the journey, I walked past the place where I had my time of centering prayer. I was reminded of the one word that came to me earlier - empty. I had felt empty and dry, in need of something - anything from God. Again I felt like God spoke to me and told me that I no longer needed to feel empty. He had now filled me with His mercy, grace, and presence. I had just drank from His cup and was now filled.

Overall this whole experience reminded me that when I choose to set aside time for God, He is there, waiting for me. He actually desires to communicate with me. I just need to make room in my life so that He has the opportunity.

I’d love to hear from others of you about your experience at Kaleide and how it impacted you." 

Addition by Subtraction

Today is Fat Tuesday. A final night of riotous living for many before they retreat into their Lenten penitence. I'll never forget a Lenten experience I had while photographing an event several years ago in Chicago on Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. 

A young woman was hurriedly finishing her work at the venue where the shoot was being held in order to join her friends for a night of Fat Tuesday frivolity (when you read frivolity think copious consumption of alcohol). It was important for her to enjoy her evening since she had committed to giving up alcohol for Lent. Early the next morning when she returned to work I noticed that she looked a bit worse for wear from a late night of celebration. Over several cups of coffee she once again affirmed she was giving up alcohol for Lent. Late that evening as the shoot came to a close I wandered by the hotel restaurant. I noticed her there bellied-up to the bar enjoying what appeared to be an adult beverage. I jokingly asked her about her Lenten pledge. I'll never forget her answer. "What does God expect, I'm only human."

In many ways that is what Lent is all about - a reminder of our mortality. Traditionally the Imposition of Ashes by marking the sign of the cross on the forehead is accompanied by these words, "Remember that you are dust and to dust you will return." It's a way of recalling God's words to Adam after the Fall in Genesis 3:19. Lent is a profoundly powerful liturgical season. If following Jesus is equal parts addition and subtraction as the early Christian Mystics were found of saying, then Lent is all about subtraction. What will you subtract this season in order to make room for a deeper experience of the Divine?

I considered several things as options for subtraction during this season of Lent. A popular subtraction among the highly connective computer crowd is giving up blogging for Lent. I don't blog enough for anyone to miss it. (For what it's worth, if you do want to follow my personal blog, check out asouljourney.wordpress.com). I suggested that idea to several people today. One just about began to weep at the thought; another thought it was a superb idea. Since a caffeine subtraction for Lent would only punish my family and friends and draw way too much attention, I've decided to give up "quiet time" for Lent. Now you all know that I am a huge proponent of spiritual disciplines as a means of spiritual formation. I also have voiced my concern over something that is not once cited in any part of Scripture finding its place at the top of the list of things I was taught that every good Christian ought to be doing. So I've done "quiet time" for 25 years whether I got anything from it our not. Now I recognize that while "quiet time" isn't mentioned in Scripture, the spiritual practices in which I am involved while having "quiet time" (like Bible reading, prayer and journaling) are. 

So why give up "quiet time' for Lent? I believe there is a real danger that a fixation with having a daily "quiet time" can actually end up hindering our intimacy with God. How? Quiet times, like Lenten subtractions, often intimidate people so that they give up before they get started, certain they will not be able to keep the commitment. Others avoid it because the pace of life inevitably leads to inconsistency and then to feelings of guilt believing God is disappointed and angry over their missed "quiet time." Even those of us who have developed a pattern of "quiet time" can easily get into the habit of having our "quiet time," checking it off oblivious to the fact that God wants to speak into the rest of our day as well.

I wonder what we might think if we could see it from Jesus' perspective. I love what Kallistos Ware writes in Disciplines for the Inner Life: "We are on a journey through the inward space of the heart, a journey not measured by the hours of our watch or the days of the calendar, for it is a journey out of time into eternity." I believe this Lenten season can be a journey in the very heart of the Divine - if we'll allow it to be. 

Now remember I said earlier in this post that the way of Jesus can be expressed as equal parts addition and subtraction. By subtracting my "quiet time" I've opened up space in my life for meaningful moments throughout the day. Meaningful moments is my spiritual spin-off of the two-minute miracle technique physical therapists use to help patients overcome their resistance to exercise. They tell them that when the don't want to do whatever the exercise is that they need to do, they should say that though they don't want to, they will for just two minutes. Then when they finish that, they might tell themselves the same thing again. Before they know it, they're rehab-ing longer and longer and even enjoying it! 

What if we did the same thing with spiritual disciplines? What if instead of trying to cram a "quiet time" into the chaos of our lives, we injected several of these meaningful moments throughout the day? Two or three minutes of quietness before we exit our car for the workplace. Three or four minutes of prayer while we enjoy a mid-morning break. A short passage of Scripture written on a card to read while our call is on hold. Even a ten-minute journaling time during lunch. Perhaps they will foster a more intimate connection with God than our well-ordered "quiet times" this Lenten season. If you are interested in this approach, please email me and I will be glad to share ideas with you throughout the next 40 days.

Envy and the Mourner

We said Sunday that envy rejects the good life God has given me and obsesses over what God gives someone else. Does envy seem a trivial sin to you? In what ways does envy have the ability to distract your heart from all the good gifts God puts in your hands? 

We also suggested Sunday that the person who envies and the person who mourns both lack something. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not? From your perspective, how can this be a torment for the first and a blessing for the second?

Holes in a Good World

We began our new series Seven on Sunday based largely on the book of the same title by pastor, author and professor Jeff Cook. In it he suggests that the seven deadly sins are the force that creates holes in our relationships, our souls and our world. Conversely, the Beatitudes are Jesus' pictures of a restored creation. 

We spent quite a bit of our time Sunday considering the concept of sin. Most of us tend to think of sin as a thing or an action and not an absence. What do you think of the concept of sin as a void? Consider spending some time reading and thinking some more about the parable of the sower (Luke 8:5-8). In what way does God want to fill the voids in our world through you?

Cage of Assumption

What are the assumptions about God, yourself, others and the world that you need to challenge? How do you or how can you go about challenging those assumptions? In what ways have you recognized this week that your assumptions color your world? Inquiring minds want to know!

Randomize Your Routine

Here is the heuristic for this week. Don't forget, you can download this and a mobile version @ www.crosspointe.com

The Cage of Routine

Okay, I'll admit it! I had a ton of fun this Sunday watching folks adapt to the changes in our worship environment. It was especially pleasing to see folks wander about the main space looking for their favorite seat only to be asked during the congregational greeting not to sit back down in the same seat! Maybe I shouldn't be so gleeful but I think it helped get my point across: even good routines become bad routines if we don't change the routine. 

I really like the concept of spiritual formation as a holy conundrum. It's a conundrum because we've recognized that spiritual formation on our soul journey is about establishing holy routines - we call them spiritual disciplines. But as Mark Batterson says in his book The Wild Goose Chase, "even sacred routines become empty ritual when they are done out of left-brain memory instead of right-brain imagination." 

What sacred routines do you need to rupture? Do you ever find yourself moving through holy rituals with a sort of mindlessness? Are you bored with your faith? I'm looking forward to reading and hearing your responses to this week.

Responsible Irresponsibility

The web site Dorthy.com polled more than 2,000 people last November to see how people make promises before the New Year and how they keep them (or not) as the case may be. While women are more likely to make New Year's resolutions (74% versus 58% for men), they are less likely to actually keep them (14% versus 22% of men). Something to cheer about guys! However, before you get too excited, the combined numbers for people keeping their resolutions is 66% of people make them but only 17% keep them! 

Yesterday I wondered out loud what it would be like if each of us in the Crosspointe family made one simple resolution for the new year: to passionately pursue God in a year of adventure. What often holds us back from that kind of passionate pursuit of God are the cages we build or are built around us. Cages whose safety and predictability we've become comfortable with yet don't satisfy us. Many of us are flat out bored with our faith! As caged Christians we long for more but we settle for something far less than the adventure of true followership. 

I left you with several questions as we ended Sunday. I'm hoping that some of you will dive in and share your response to some of these questions or the topic as a whole. Why do we often choose the safety and predictability of the cage over the adventure God has destined for us? Do you ever wonder if you live as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death? Right now, where are you on the spectrum of playing it safe or living dangerously for God? 

Next week, I look forward to hearing your stories of responsible irresponsibility!