I'll Love You Anyways, Daddy!

Not too long ago, my son, Vincent (5 yrs), and I were heading into town to grab some things my wife needed from the store. Now, you have to understand something. I LOVE to tell my kids "I love you." I tell them, I show them, I make SURE they know. Besides...it's just really fun!! SO, we're heading out to get in the "soccer mom-mobile" and I say to Vincent, "I love you!" He replies back, "I love you, too, Daddy." I asked him, "Vincent, how do you know I love you?" He says, "because you tell me all the time." Then, he follows up with this statement, "but Daddy, even if you never told me that again, I would still love you." As they are at this moment, tears began to well up in my eyes. From the heart of a child.

It got me to thinking: "Is THAT our response to our Heavenly Father?" "Lord, even if you never did ANYTHING else to bless my life, I will love you!" "Even if you don't answer another prayer, I will love you." "Even if...I will love you!" What a perspective. I don't love God because of what He does or can do...I just love Him because....well...just because. He is!

CrossWay UPDATE 2/7

We're ON!! I'm up the hill, the lot is 90% clear, the heat is on, and we're going to worship Jesus with EVERYTHING we are!!! Be safe...hope to see you here!

CrossWay Church, 2/7, 10 am

Services are still ON for Sunday morning, 2/7 @ 10am. The drive way has been plowed, as well as adequate parking spaces. We look forward to seeing you in the morning! Please be safe. If you don't feel you can get out, then please stay home. But if you can...we'll be there!

That Great Hill

This morning I came up to the church where I work. First for those who are unfamiliar with me or where I pastor a church, let me paint you a picture. Our church is just north of Pittsburgh, PA. Winter here is cold, snowy, long, gray, snowy, expensive, and snowy. Sorry...no global warming here. Our building sits up on a beautiful picturesque hill on 17 acres of land, with a winding drive that completes the scene. Reminds one of something out of a Thomas Kinkade painting.

This beauty, however, comes with a cost! That hill, though it may be pleasing to the eyes winding up that hill, in the winter, it's a beast! This morning, I met a member of my staff at the bottom of this hill, and we hiked up this quarter mile drive in snow boots, as our cars could not make the incline.

As I began to huff and puff (listen...I just got through Thanksgiving and Christmas, and the imbalance of food and exercise had taken its toll), it made me think that my journey up this hill was nothing when compared to the painstaking journey my Savior made up His hill.

He traveled a hill that was not part of a picturesque scene. He was tired, bloody, dehydrated, and in much pain. Yet, not going up that hill was not an option. Something kept motivating Him, urging Him up that hill, to continue to put one foot in front of the other...just one more time. It was me. It was you.

I don't think I can ever drive up that hill again without thinking of what He did for me. I complain about the expense of plowing and salting that hill. I complained the other day about burning so much rubber on that hill that I needed new tires. He never complained. It was worth it to Him. I was worth it to Him. You are worth it to Him.

CrossWay 1/4/10, Weather Update

UPDATE (6:39 pm): NO PRAYER SERVICE TONIGHT!!! The hill is snow covered pretty good and I burned rubber all the way up. Stay home and PRAY!!!!!

Heaven's Gates & Hell's Flames

Heaven's Gates & Hell's Flames

November 8-10 @ 7pm

CrossWay Church

This weekend, our church is going all out. We're continuing an all-out assault on Hell's efforts to take claim to the lives and souls of people in our community. The Bible is clear about the fact that is appointed to each a time to leave this earth and face the Father. The goal of a Christian is NOT just to get to Heaven, but to get there with as many people as possible!

Last week, teams from CrossWay Church took this passion to the neighborhoods with the "Let it Shine" outreach, reaching out to about 800 people, with at least 500 of them being children!

This video is an awesome story of one life that was changed by what God did in her through the drama of Heaven's Gates & Hell's Flames.

A Line in the Sand

"But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15).

In 1836, Texas was in a battle for independence from Mexico. The conflict had come down to the battle at the now famous Alamo. Out numbered and under equipped, the soldiers at the Alamo prepared to give their lives for the cause of freedom. They believed in an independent Texas.

Legend has it, that shortly before the battle of the Alamo, Colonel William B. Travis drew a line in the sand. He gave each one of the men a choice. He told them that if they were willing to fight, even if it would cost them their lives, then to cross that line. All men but one, crossed the line. Even an ill Jim Bowie, had his stretcher carried across the line in the sand.

And though these brave men lost their lives at the Alamo, their courage and their honor became the pride and passion of a people who were motivated to continue what was started. The lost battle at the Alamo ignited a passion that carried them to win the war.

Today, see that there is a line for you. To cross that line is to say that I will live my life for Christ. No matter what it costs me, because it cost Him even more. I will sacrifice my desires for the greater desire of knowing that my life is honoring His.