Freedom!

Click to view messages Invite a Friend Forward to a Friend Midweek Experience Online Registrations Online Giving Freedom! From Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor...to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. You have been commissioned by God to be the bearer of this Good News! This week you have not only brought help to Haiti but to Calhoun County. A woman with 3 children came forward to tell her story of domestic violence and received direction for safety. This is part of the mission of Crossroads Church. This woman has lived through abuse for years while attending another church. Upon coming to Crossroads, she discovered a faith community that would support the safety and freedom of her family. This is a family that Jesus died for... a family Jesus wants the church to provide Good News to! Studies show that 1 out of every 3 people have been directly affected by issues of domestic violence and sexual assault. A new survey in Calhoun County is showing results that there are about 18% of people who would not seek counsel from their faith leader, and 22% who are unsure, mostly because they either have someone else they can talk to, feel discomfort talking to their faith leader about these issues, or think their faith leader would not understand. On a positive note, 33% indicated they would feel comfortable talking with their faith leader! (To participate in the survey click here.) We are grateful to be creating a community of support at Crossroads. Crossroads is hosting The 2010 Interpersonal Violence Summit for Calhoun County on Wednesday 2/24. This is a great educational opportunity for professionals that work with interpersonal violence issues and those interested in learning more about issues that impact the lives of those who have experienced violence. If you are interested in attending click here or to volunteer contact Gail. Sexual Assault Services and Safe Place serve our community in heroic ways in their times of deep distress (to get help click here). They are there to support in the legal and therapeutic aspects of sexual assault and domestic violence. Our church is a place for people to find the love of God and heal spiritually. Crossroads is living the mission to bind up the broken and proclaim freedom to the captive! To attend services and classes to grow in faith click here. God placed Crossroads in this region to be His hands and feet to those who are broken... who sit next to us in church and live next door... all the way to Haiti (click here for Haiti updates). Who is next to you that needs to hear the good news today? His spirit is upon us and you!

But now... through...

Click to view messages Invite a Friend Forward to a Friend Midweek Experience Online Registrations Online Giving But now... through... "But now, this is what the LORD says he who created you: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and...when you pass through the rivers,they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you.." From Isaiah 43:1-4 We love these words from God! The words God spoke through Isaiah are words we have been meditating and conversing with God about for years. God has spoken specifically to us through different words and phrases in this passage countless times. Same scripture, fresh understanding... every time we listen. While spending time with this scripture over the last few days I (Clare) am hearing the phrase "But now", and I (Scott) am hearing the word "through". We are continuing to listen and savor what God is speaking through this passage and these "small" words particularly. What we have learned is that the smallest word from God can change things... even your life! We are deeply encouraged and challenged to do something with what God has spoken... we are even more importantly deeply invited to experience connection with God in the process. If you remember, the word God gave us for the church in 2010 is year of connections. Connecting with God and people in ways that will bring eternity into the hearts of people that will lead them into eternity with God. One of the primary ways to connect with God is to listen for His word to us personally through His words in scripture. How about you... do you have time in your schedule to listen? Time to hear the words of the One who loves you and can give faithful direction to your life? Time to have a conversation with the One who listens to you? Here is a way to connect with God and His words today. Take about 15 minutes to 20 minutes... Silence: Begin in silence.Take a few moments to quiet yourself in God's presence turning your heart and mind toward Him. Use this moment to slow down... breathe in the truth that God wants to connect with you and breathe out the busyness and complexity of your life. (1 or 2 minutes) Read: Read a short passage of scripture aloud, slowly twice. Listen for a word that warms you, alarms you or invites you to pay attention to it. Stay with that word. Gently repeating and hearing it in your heart and mind. (4 minutes) Meditate: Sit in silence with your word. Allow the word to ruminate within you. Savor the word like a delicious piece of food in your mouth. Consider how this word connects with what's going on in your life today... what area of your life does this word touch...? (3 or 4 minutes) Pray: Talk to God honestly about your feelings. Does this word bring gratitude? confession? excitement? tears? trepidation? Fall deeply into prayer. Let all of your emotions and anxieties be played out without holding back. Journaling or drawing may assist you in this moment. (3 or 4 minutes) Contemplate: Now, rest silently in God's presence. Trust God that the words that have been shared between you are blessed. Trust the understanding, the working out of this conversation... and yourself into the hands of a faithful God who loves you. (2 minutes) Live it out! Is there anything God might want you to do in response to what you have heard? Look for the ways the Word of God will become flesh to your world... through you. Journal or tell a friend what you have heard and plan to do. Connecting with God and you through His Word, P.S. Learn more about connecting through our series There's an App for That. This week the app... faithbook