The Gate

The clock on the bottom of my laptop reads 11:22 p.m. And I'm trying to think how I can best articulate the thoughts I hope to share with you this late in the evening. You see, I've just finished reading an email I received in my inbox last week from one of my girlfriends. It talked about this crippled beggar in Acts 3.

Peter and John are on the way to the temple, and they pass this physically disabled guy by the temple gate. Now this temple gate just so happens to be called Beautiful. I mean, picture it--you're walking with a few friends to a local restaurant for dinner, and you pass a homeless guy on the side of the street. I don't know about you, but my first inclination is to turn my head the other way, to ignore his shabby, unclean appearance. But like the beggar in the story, this homeless guy takes a risk and asks if you can spare some change for a cup of coffee.

Now if we do the typical thing, we decline his request. We keep walking, because we have better things to do...we have somewhere to be...we have our stomachs to feed. And yet, I wonder how often we feel like the beggar--ugly, unattractive, broken, friendless, hopeless, and unworthy?

We live in a culture that cries out for independence, but turns around and dictates our acceptability based appearance. Our self-worth, despite gender, is wrapped up in societal standards, and because we don't know how to healthily view ourselves, we believe our value is contingent on our physical appearance. I know this...because I struggle with it.

This continual battle of self vs. Vogue or GQ tears at our inner value, leaving it null-n-void. It causes us to doubt our abilities, and faults us into believing that having a significant other is our "cool" card in life. If I have someone, than I must be somebody. But what they don't tell you in the magazines with the hot models is what to do when you breakup with your "other," your parents get a divorce, you lose your job, you think for the tenth time that day how undesirable you are, you flunk your econ test, and the list goes on.

I'm tired of feeding the mental lies that I'm not good enough, pretty enough, smart enough, strong enough....to be worthy of living confidently, full of purpose and meaning. And I know that I'm not the only one who falls victim to this self-defeated battle.

Guy or girl, single or married, graduate or student, employed or unemployed, Christian or non Christian--we all struggle with this societal plague. But I can't help but wonder what would happen if we decided to be like the beggar and quit sitting at the gate of Beautiful, and instead, decided to stand up and walk inside. I think, then, we'd experience the fullness life is meant to carry through an intimate relationship with Christ.

Let me hear your comments. I'm listening.

Robbie Seay Concert

Check out the Robbie Seay Concert & College Kickoff:

• What's the date? Friday, September 12, @ 7 p.m. in Crossings Community Church's Gym
• How Much? Cost: $7 for the concert; get your ticket at crossingsokc.org or at the door
• What is it? College Kickoff to follow--enjoy a conversation with Robbie, free food, and sweet giveaways on the 3rd floor.
• Where it's at? 14600 N. Portland Ave. ~ Oklahoma City, OK 73134
• Questions? 302.1225

distracted.

Ok so has anyone ever noticed how sometimes when you walk into a room that has the television on you forget about what it is was you were doing before you walked into that room? And then fifteen minutes later it's like you wake up and realize that there is life going on around you and you just zoned out.

Its amazing to me how television is like an uncontrollable force in our lives!  

For the past two days in a row I have sat in the living room at my parents house and done absolutely nothing but watch television.  I justified my actions by saying that I have gone nonstop for three weeks in a row and needed some down time - which is true for the most part - but still, Im positive that there are much more productive things I could have done.  What did people do before television?  I come home in the evening and turn it on and don't move from that couch until David Letterman comes on and its time to go to bed... Is there nothing else I could have done for four hours?  

I think my thought behind all of this television talk is that in the past two days I have come to the realization that the tv controls much of how I think, and act, and talk... And that is all due to how much time I spend watching it... And don't get me wrong, I am not bashing on television here, I love television as much as the next person... But it got me thinking about how different of a person I would be if I gave God's Word as much time as I give television.  Do I trust Gods Word to be as powerful and transforming in my life as I do the tv?  Maybe you don't watch that much television, but my guess would be that there is a "television god" for everyone of us.  Anyone have any thoughts?

Bowl at Boulevard

August 23...check it out...

Join us for cosmic bowling at Boulevard Lanes in Edmond from 10 p.m. to 12 midnight. Cost is $8 and includes shoes. Grab a friend!

Epedmeic.

There’s a pinch on the left side of my neck. I’m fully reminded of its presence at the limit of my mobility to turn my head. How old am I again, I ask myself? Despite my youth, there are days when I already feel like my life’s sped ahead to 50 years old—not that it’s an old age—it’s just not my age.

And then, of course, there’s this other “neck ache” possibility…this…this…”thing.” This “thing” gives you sweats and nightmares during the night, it steals away appetites and enhances others, it rumbles tummies and yes…it even gives neck cramps. Some call it a full schedule and one too many “I dos.” But its more common, everyday household name is…drum role, please…stress.

I wonder, what causes stress? Is it procrastination? What about devastation? Or maybe it’s magnification? (Sorry, the Dr. Seuss tirade has ended.) While I truly believe these options to be partly the flame that fans stressful moments in our lives, I can’t help but wonder how much patience or lack there of has to do with it.

You see, I’m a very impatient person. I like things the way I want them in the way I want them done when I want them done. Confused? You can relate. Surely I’m not the only lone soul who feels my agenda is better than God’s? Why is it that even though I know God’s plan and timeline is far greater than my concoction for life, I still battle to take hold of the reins and steer the horse, so to speak?

Lately, this is what I’ve been learning. Patience. Not patience that reluctantly and stubbornly accepts the time lapse between the asking and the getting, but patience that welcomes waiting…understanding that it’s not waiting at all. Rather, it’s recognizing that “in the wait,” there’s growth. God is trying to teach me something. He’s answering all those prayers I’ve prayed to look more like Him, to sound more like Him…to be more like Him.

But am I listening to the voice of growth or am I just hearing?

I’m not a patient person, but I’m not a masseuse either (clearly, because my neck cramp would be gone by now). Sometimes we do the things we don’t want to do to get the outcome we need to fully understand that life isn’t all about me. And just because I think I can’t, doesn’t mean I can’t. Just because I haven’t before, doesn’t mean I won’t.

What is God teaching you? Are you listening or just hearing?

Watch out, there’s a neck cramp epidemic going around!

What's Up at The Wharf...

Upcoming events at The Wharf:

This Saturday (June 28) at 12:15 we will meet at CCC to carpool to the OKC food bank to serve there, we will return to CCC at 3:30...

That evening we will meet back in the foyer of CCC at 5:30 to go to Celebration of Freedom together...

Sunday (June 29) meet at CCC at 4:30 to carpool to Warren Theaters in Moore to see GetSmart, you will need: $7 + cost of food at theater :: student id (for discount) :: a smile (its more fun that way)

July Community Group : Begins July 6 at 6 p.m. in the pavillion at CCC :: Topic = "Isolation Play - Putting on the full armor of God" - you bring yourself, we provide the fun, the dessert, and the volleyball...

Tents & Mountains

I climbed a mountain (or what felt like a mountain) last weekend. I went camping...in a tent. I'm not much of a camper, and I don't feel overly excited about those things that go "bump" in the night. But I do love a good experience, the kind that lends itself to a memorable story worthy of a life-changing challenge. Perhaps you might bare with me for a few minutes...

So, this whole camping thing...From cooking our food over the fire to sleeping outside under the stars (on an air mattress) to watching longhorns and buffalo (or is it bison...) in the wild, I took in the beauty of nature through this first-hand camping account. Saturday morning, though, is what put the icing on the cake so to speak.

I was with a rather large group of TwentySomethings, predominately males (it was almost a 3 to 1 ratio, for which any other time I would be most happy). However, the outdoors seems to ad the "ly" to man--bringing out the true guy within. That's how this whole idea of hiking (which I define as walking and climbing up a slight hill) turned into wading through snake invested weeds and scaling rocky mountainsides. (Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit...but you get the jest).

Between deep gasps for air and water breaks, I managed to survive the intense climb unscathed with only minor cuts. I realize, as I think back on that experience, that the hike--while physically challenging--created community in a way this group had never experienced before. True of any type of situation like this, the physical endurance and ability of each person varies slightly. But this didn't keep us from climbing together, ensuring that all climbers were safe and close to the group.

Life should be like this. So many times we live in isolation when life's circumstances throw curve balls in our direction. We allow the hidden "sticker" bushes to push us into tight, dark holes, believing all is best kept in secret. How untrue this is. Life is to be lived in community, where we intentionally make it a point to reach out to those around us, inviting ourselves to join them on this journey called life.

See, life is hard. Sometimes we're forced to climb rocky mountains, but oh, how we miss the view along the way when we do it alone. It's in those moments that our eyes are fixed on the incredible difficulty that lies ahead. That's why a good friend...a solid community...proves necessary during tough moments.

I finished the hike. It was hard, and I was tired...but I finished. And as I picture that landscape in my mind, I'm reminded of the view from the mountain top. It was breathtakingly beautiful. I'm proud of my achievement. But more so, I'm excited that I didn't have to go alone. The view from the top wouldn't have been the same.

What's your mountain look like? Maybe I could carry your pack for a while...

Rain

It's 9:30 p.m., and I'm lying on my bed listening to the rain pound against the window. I find it a bit ironic how similar life's circumstances are to the rain. There are those times when I think a tornado would be the best way to describe how I feel--how life is quick, unpredictable and scary. Then, there are other moments when it's as it is now outside my window.

I can hear the hail, wind and rain only growing stronger with force. I'm not afraid because I like storms and I'm familiar with these types. Oh, it still causes me, subconsciously, to be a bit more on guard, wondering if perhaps there might be extreme severe weather to follow. But the sounds are familiar enough to bring the reassuring comfort that things will turn out fine.

And then of course...there's that last type of rainy weather. It's the gentle, soothing rain--like that on a summer afternoon, the kind they make CDs of so people can spend 15 dollars to feel like they're sleeping in a rainforest. It's the kind you can dance in without inhibitions of lightening strikes or blowing winds...the kind that makes life a little more worth living because of the fresh feeling to follow.

For me, I've felt the hail storm in my life lately. I realize that life isn't worth living without feeling and emotion. However, it's that risk...that wondering...'what if I try this, and I fail; what if it doesn't work?' that makes it even more difficult. I don't like to get hurt or to hurt others, but this type of rain storm makes no promises of how we'll feel in the end. It simply invites us to take a risk.

So while there's much unknown, there is this one thing I've learned about this type of rain. I may not be able to control the winds or the strength of the hail, but I do determine how much debris I'll carry around.

So what's the forecast in your neck of the woods?

the wharf...

for those of you are are unfamiliar with what "The Wharf" is... It is the name of our new college ministry at Crossings... The Wharf in the dictionary is described as a place where boats can come and refuel and its passengers can rest... And so what better way to describe a ministry than a place to rest and refuel... Welcome to The Wharf!  

Hope everyone is having an awesome summer!  The RedHawks game was awesome last night... too bad we had to leave a little early due to rain... Thanks to all who showed up though!