Reid's Blog

Be the Church

reidrobinette — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 18:47:50 +0000

The idea, while not entirely original, was simple: take one Sunday out of the year and instead of going to church, ask the congregation to “be the church”. That’s just what we did and three years ago we had around 150 people sign up and participate in local projects that ranged from home repairs for elderly or under-resourced neighbors to serving meals at an inner city recovery ministry. This weekend I was part of over 400 people from Crossroads Community church who served.

Saturday, our day started early with a team who prepared a row-house for a new family to move into. We cleaned and painted and did repairs for most of the day and we returned Sunday for some final cleaning and bringing in furniture and kitchen supplies that have been donated. There weren’t any chants of “move that bus” at the end of the day but we hope the family will enjoy their new home.

Saturday evening I was a part of a free cookout at the city park. We had lots of people turn out from all over town who were appreciative of a free meal on a beautiful summer night. I remember practicing football at the park in the 70′s and never imagined I would be back to serve the way we did tonight.

We told the folks from Crossroads that were serving this weekend that the idea was not to pat ourselves on the back for doing good deeds once a year! Our hope is that we will be reminded what the church is supposed to look like all the time by being intentional about serving together this weekend. God willing, we will continue to not just go to church but “be the church” for the rest of the year

40 Days and counting

reidrobinette — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 01:45:15 +0000

Last week was the beginning of the season of Lent. I know in my circle of friends the ideas that are attached to this season are as varied as the experiences that birthed them. Some think of lent as the weeks in the Spring where you give up something…like chocolate ice cream, and this is supposed to somehow help you identify with Jesus. Others grew up knowing that lent was connected with not eating meat on Fridays without really knowing why. Some have no idea what lent is supposed to be but they have definitely heard about fat Tuesday and Mardis Gras which are both tied to the season of lent!
Yesterday we began the season at Crossroads by looking at the intention and passion that drove Jesus on the way to the cross. Luke 9:51 puts it this way, “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” We who would call ourselves followers of Jesus should move just as resolutely toward the cross the year. That’s what the season of Lent is all about.
If you have a resolve you’d like to share regarding your preparation for Easter you can share them here!

The Power of a Whisper Week 3

reidrobinette — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 21:42:27 +0000

This week we talked about times when we don’t hear from God and the importance of remembering His faithfulness even when we’re not seeing it. One way to remember is to look to the Scriptures that have been meaningful to you in the past. Bill Hybels talks about a “life verse” or passage that we can hold on to for a lifetime. Share the verses that have been most meaningful to you.

The Power of a Whisper – Week 2

reidrobinette — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 12:06:54 +0000

In week 1 we asked you to share about times in the past where you had heard a whisper from God. This week we’d like everyone to share what God is whispering to you now. These may be more “every day” promptings like slow down and pray or spend time with your kids tonight. Bill Hybels highlights these 3 categories of whispers to help you hear more clearly;

Assurance
Admonition (warning)
Action

Which ones are you hearing this week?

The Power of a Whisper – Week 1

reidrobinette — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 15:58:36 +0000

The infinite, all-powerful creator of the universe still speaks to people like you and me. This is the premise of our new series at Crossroads based on Bill Hybels book – The Power of a Whisper.

Over the next four weeks we’d like to hear from you. Each week you will have a chance to share and comment on how God still speaks. Our hope is that by developing an ear for the whispers of God our actions, attitudes and relationships will be increasingly directed from heaven as we continue to follow Christ here on earth.

Thanks for being part of the journey.

Share your whispers...

In the first week we would like to hear how God has spoken to you in the past. What were the circumstances and how did God’s prompting direct you.

Bigger than my suffering

reidrobinette — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 15:49:50 +0000

Yesterday we talked about God and suffering and looked at some passages from the book of Job that suggest the “formula” be good and life will go well does not really work. This raises all kinds of questions about good and evil, God and his role in the world and in our lives. I invite you to enter the discussion here to consider those issues as you live out your faith journey in the real world.
Linda shared some of her story and said among others things that God’s comfort cam in the midst of her pain and looked more like his presence than removal of the pain. That’s a re hard concept to grasp on a theoretical level. Does anyone have other real life examples?

Bigger than my fear

reidrobinette — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 14:47:49 +0000

As we began the new year we started a new teaching series yesterday at Crossroads. The idea behind the series is that even though the Bible describes God as all powerful, all knowing, all loving and always present we often live our lives like God is too small to make a difference in the way we face each day.
Yesterday Jim Powell talked about how God is bigger than our fears. One of the points that stuck with me was the scripture from Isaiah 43-
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.
For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior
The truth that stood out to me from Jim’s message was how God was not at all surprised or worried about people walking through deep water or through fire. In Jim’s words,”He didn’t respond by saying what in the world are you doing in the water?” The truth is we will face deep water and fire. But the truth is also God promises to walk with us. And that’s good news if God is as big as the Bible claims he is. When given the chance to write down a fear in light of this truth I was surprised at how many people took the chance to just name the “fire” they were walking through. Now the power comes in seeing that Gos is bigger than the fire.

Spend Less/Give More (Part 2)

reidrobinette — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 00:43:37 +0000

This week in the sequel to spend less I talked about giving more. But the more we talked about giving was in a very specific way. The challenge is to give your presence and not just presents this Christmas. The reason was simple: That’s what God did.
We all know that we’re supposed to give (probably more than we do). Most of us have experienced the joy of giving and may even believe it really is more blessed to give than to receive. But seldom do we stop to consider why? Giving it turns out upon some examination is part of the character of God; God is a giver. But you never find God giving anything a part from a relationship. God is a relational giver.
In an attempt to give like God I asked our congregation to take a risk; be a relational giver this Christmas. Don’t just give stuff without a relational context. If all you give is the stuff the person you are giving to only ever ends up with…you guessed it…more stuff. But if you give yourself (maybe along with some stuff or in some cases in place of some stuff) the person you are giving to gets so much more. The possibilities are endless. They might receive encouragement or hope or renewed vision ro who knows what as God works in and through the relationship.
So the challenge is give your presence. And if you have a great idea or a story of how it goes post a reply so we can share it with you.

Spend Less/Give More (part 1)

reidrobinette — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 13:20:39 +0000

This past Sunday we began to talk about spending less and giving more this Christmas. I realize the topic is one that makes some people (maybe many people) uncomfortable and so I wanted to make sure we were really clear as to the how and the why of “spending less”. The how was a specific challenge to buy one less gift this Christmas and give the money you would have spent to Bloodwater Mission who provides clean water to African communities. I thought it was important to specify we were not asking for leftover money- what’s left after I do my Christmas shopping. Nor were we asking for a large sacrificial gift to the church- I’ve already asked for that! What we were proposing was a very specific and intentional change in behavior- namely buying one less gift. That’s the how.
The why is to train ourselves to live in a way that models the love of Christ. There’s nothing magic about giving the $15 I would have spent on a cd for my friend to provide clean water for 15 people this for the next year (although its sobering to understand the impact it makes). But what happens in me, in my soul, when I begin to make decisions and take actions that are in line with the character of Christ is supernatural. Its the slow, never linear, always surprising process of becoming who God created me to be.
So if you don’t get a present from me this Christmas thanks God (and wait for your birthday).

All People

reidrobinette — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 03:38:00 +0000

Saturday was the annual Operation Christmas Child event some of the folks from Crossroads have hosted for several years. Over 150 people showed up from all over the area to pack 6400 shoe-boxes kids all over the world. Here’s a video from last years group.
I had a chance to talk to the folks before they served and I challenged them to think about what it means for Christmas to be good news for ALL people. People like me, who look like me, think like me, act like me etc. and people who are not like me, who don’t look like me, act like me, vote like me or even believe like me. If Christmas this Christmas is to be anything like the first one it will need to be good news for all people. At Crossroads we’re going to suggest some ways we can make that happen. If you have any ideas I’d love to hear them.