Who Do You Think You Are?

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Matt 16:15

Dear Friend,
This is a question we ask ourselves regularly. Just this week I (Clare) took time alone to hear who God says I am. It blew me away! I have heard God say so many things to me over the years but this fresh word gave me a new understanding about myself that is resulting in direction that is lighting me up! Then a close friend/mentor clarified this understanding with yet another word that took it to a higher level of energy and purpose! Then I (Scott) said, "Of course that is true about who you are...it describes you exactly...you didn't realize that about yourself?"

Who do you think/say you are? Or maybe a better question is who have you become because of what you believe about yourself? Are you the "you" that God created with words of faith, hope and love? Have you ever heard what He believes about you or are you the result of someone else's words? Someone who cannot possibly know who you were created to be. Are your inner conversations consistent with how God describes you?

Words definitely shape us. Demanding words can force you to strive and prove yourself to be good enough, smart enough...worthy enough. Negative or doubt-filled verbiage can hang over your head like clouds just waiting to dump rain on your parade. Are the words you experience ominous or luminous? Words truly have the potential to shape your soul and ultimately define your perspective and the meaning of your life!

Whose words are always in your head? What do they say to you? Do they impart courage, peace, and a deep sense of joy about who you are? Does that vocabulary linger in your heart saying "beloved child, pleasing, beautiful, called, created for good works..."? Do the internal discussions you experience impart energy, life, love, peace and purpose?

You have been educated about yourself based on the thesaurus in your mind. Today, listen to the wordbook of God! God's vocabulary brings health, peace, resolve and backbone. The world is then impacted by your enthusiasm, motivation, conviction, and dedication to be all God has made you to be. Living from God's description of you has natural and supra-natural power.

The scripture we began with in Matt 16:15 describes a conversation between Peter and Jesus. Jesus asks Peter, "'But what about you? Who do you say I am?' Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Jesus replied, 'Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.' Jesus knew who He was because He had been listening to the Father. Jesus had the words of his Father always in his head. He would only agree with people who agreed with the words of his Father.

The world needs you to know yourself and be yourself. Who do you think you are? Take the time to find out who God knows you to be.

"With God's Help I shall become myself."

Soren Kierkegaard

Practice this Truth
Find a place to be alone.
Read Matthew 16:15-19.
Ask God "Who do you say I am?"
Listen for words of life, love, belonging and calling. Those are the Fathers words.
Journal what you hear.
Meditate on those words. Let them linger.
Share with a spiritual friend/mentor that will support or help clarify these words.
Reject any words that are contrary.

Speaking words of life over you,



Sundays Live at Crossroads
"Real Change We can Believe In" Series
Listening to the promises of politicians can be exhilarating, overwhelming and disturbing! Who can we believe? Will this be another over-promised and under-delivered moment in history? Who can really bring "change we can believe in? There are some answers in the ancient words of Scripture that we think can help us discover the "change" we are looking for and help us determine what "change" is dangerous.
These talks will endorse no candidate or party, but tackle the issues we all care about with real hope for change and what scripture promises. What change is required to walk in health, prosperity, protection, intelligence, and a secure future? Using the book of Proverbs, we will build a campaign for whole life goodness.

©2008 Scott & Clare Loughrige

Economic Good News

Scripture for the week:
"And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant... Deuteronomy 8:18
Dear Tami,

"If a person gets his attitude toward money straight, it will help straighten out almost every other area in his life."-- Billy Graham

How do you feel about money? What would you change about your money situation? Do you think your attitudes about money could even change your life? Our economy?

Did you know that some financial experts are saying that the worst of the present economic problems are behind us? They're saying, "Don't panic, be patient." What we're experiencing right now is the result of what we've already done. It is truly a lesson in reaping and sowing. The good news is that even though you may be reaping a bad harvest from the last crop, you can sow for the next harvest! Get this . . . God wants to bless you! Still, those blessings may require change on your part.

There are ways to bring change to your finances.

First, change your attitude. God takes pleasure in the prosperity of his servants. Start thanking God for that truth and don't believe anything else. Choose faith and resist fear. If you've been foolish with money, ask God to forgive your misuse of the money He blessed you with.

Second, change your understanding. Take a class, read a book, talk to a financial counselor and get the understanding you need to prosper. (see offerings below)

Third, change your behavior. Take one step toward financial health from what you've learned. Let money serve you rather than you serving it! Increase your generosity . . . you will never out-give God. Be encouraged by the psalmist's words, "The LORD be magnified, Who delights in the prosperity of His servant." Psalm 35:27

We hope you'll join us this weekend for the Real Change We Can Believe In series. You will experience scripture and hear stories that can change your life . . . if you let them. Crossroads will also be offering a sign up for "Financial Peace University" with Dave Ramsey! Check out the sidebar. We pray for your prosperity so that God's covenant can be established in your life and on the earth.

Change we believe in,
Scott & Clare



"If money be not thy servant, it will be thy master."
-- Francis Bacon

P.S. Click here to invite a friend to the "Real Change We can Believe In" series.

Forward this email to a friend.

©2008 Scott & Clare Loughrige

What Are You Afraid Of?

Scripture for the week:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Proverbs 1:7

Dear Friend,

What are you afraid of? The economy, defense, health care, education...the future? Can things get any worse? Yes, they can. What "change" can remove our fears? Do you really believe change is possible? Can a candidate bring it? A political party? Or does real change only come from something or someone larger than life?

Maybe your fears are more personal. Maybe you've lost a loved one, a job, a relationship, your home or are facing a life threatening disease. What "change" can calm your fears?

From a spiritual perspective, fears can be the best fuel for change. Whatever you fear is limiting your life. For instance, if you're afraid of heights, you are limited to living down low. Your fear limits your freedom and keeps you from real change. When we recognize what our fear is, we can begin the process of learning what God says about it.

The fear of the Lord is not the kind of fear we experience that paralyzes us, but fear that liberates us from all other fears. The word fear here is better translated "reverence." It is the kind of reverence that says, "God is AWESOME, ABLE, LOVING, POWERFUL, FAITHFUL...." When we understand that nothing is higher than God, lower fears begin to diminish. The freedom to live in "real change" arises. When we trust the power of God we experience true knowledge, and a paradigm change occurs. We begin to see from the perspective of "no matter what is in front of us we face it with the All Powerful Mighty One." We stop looking for people to change our circumstances and look to God to change our understanding. When you use fear as a fuel to draw near to God and His ways, life truly changes.
If you are fearful right now, ask God what needs to change in you.

Ways to Face Fear:
1. Make a list of your fears.Write down the times this week when you were anxious, uneasy or fearful about your life or the world.

2. What does God's word say about the things you fear? Use a concordance or ask a spiritual friend or mentor.

3. What mindset or paradigm needs to change now that you know what God says?

4. Revere God and thank Him that He is higher than all of your low fears!

5. Keep meditating on the words from scripture and allow them to continually bring real change in your life.

Let the Spirit change your way of thinking. Ephesians 4:23 (CEV)



About the series, "Real Change We can Believe In
Listening to the promises of politicians can be exhilarating, overwhelming and disturbing! Who can we believe? Will this be another over-promised and under-delivered moment in history? Who can really bring "change we can believe in? There are some answers in the ancient words of Scripture that we think can help us discover the "change" we are looking for and help us determine what "change" is dangerous.

These talks will endorse no candidate or party, but tackle the issues we all care about with real hope for change and what scripture promises. What change is required to walk in health, prosperity, protection, intelligence, and a secure future? Using the book of Proverbs, we will build a campaign for whole life goodness.

©2008 Scott & Clare Loughrige

Do You Feel God's Support?

Scripture for the week:

2 Chronicles 16:8-9 "For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His."

Dear Friend,

Do you feel God's support or does He seem unreal, uncaring or miles away from you?

Our son Paul had a syndrome called triploidy. It was a syndrome incompatible with life. During the months of his illness and the time following his passing, Scott and I needed a close encounter of the God-kind. We were desperate for God's support. That support came in supernatural and natural ways. There were times God met us in ways that are not explainable and other times He supported us through faithful friends. In our darkest hours, we heard God audibly and experienced Him through people's acts of kindness.

You may be facing days of great challenge or maybe you need support for a small situation. Whatever the case, God wants to strongly support you. Isn't that amazing that God is looking through the earth to find people He can strongly support! Only one condition: Your heart must be completely His.

Who or what has your heart today? Is it image, success, money, leisure, education, skepticism or pride? Maybe it's fear, rejection, unforgiveness, anger, addiction or slothfulness. Do unhealthy behaviors or relationships have your heart?

The Hebrew word "completely" in this scripture is translated into several English words. Some of those words are: safe, finish, full, whole, peaceful, perfect, prosperous, restored, rewarded. A heart that is completely His is a heart that is at rest and enjoying life. The "completely His" heart doesn't fear the economy or the future. That heart isn't looking for fulfillment in things that won't satisfy. The life that is supported doesn't seek fulfillment in empty or destructive behaviors because that heart is whole. During the days of Paul's illness, no amount of money, education or success could support us. No drink or drug or activity could make us happy or whole.

We thank God for our son Paul's life. We learned some things in our 20's that have lasted us our lifetime. Through Paul's life we learned this; in order to have God's support, He must have our hearts...completely.

Completely His and enjoying life,

Our prayer for you: Father, bless our friends with a complete heart. Whatever life looks like today (good, bad or ugly) let their hearts be Yours and Your support be theirs. We pray You will do for them as You have done for us. We are grateful always. Amen

Spiritual Practices
Confess to God where you need support
Confess to God who or what has your heart
Ask God to forgive you, restore you and support you
Surrender your heart to God completely
Pay attention and watch God's support supernaturally and naturally
Share your journey with a spiritual friend

Invite a friend to the last message of the "Facebook" series. Are your friends connected to God? Here's a way to help them get connected. Click here.

Forward this email to a friend.

©2008 Scott & Clare Loughrige