Psalm 37:23-24 The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.
I hope I am not alone when I say I feel like I’m losing it – and feel this way most of the time.
On paper, I am a mess. I have been diagnosed as anxious, depressed, diabetic, and most recently with a seizure disorder. I have struggled with substance abuse, worked plenty of unfulfilling jobs, and had a series of romantic relationships that came to bitter ends. I have watched people my age and younger relocate to exciting new places, land their dream jobs, buy their own homes, and marry their soulmates. This has all taken place in the amount of time it took me to live what feels like nine different lives and move back in with my parents. Here I stand at the cusp of 31, and feeling like a failure of an adult. These are the facts. This is my reality.
But it is not my truth.
God has brought me through to this place and not to leave me to drown. I know He will continue to lift my head above the crowd as I follow the steps He is establishing for me.
Luke 3:23 “Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age.”
Just think of how quickly this man’s life changed: beginning His ministry, performing miracles, and bringing hope to the multitudes, dying with sin at the cross to SAVE US ALL - all in the course of three years. How incredible is that?!
What I am on paper may be factual, but it is not the end of me. The truth of who I am is not based on what people say or write about me, but to Whom I belong. The truth is what we speak in faith together every week during worship at The Crossing Church: I am deeply loved (even in my darkest moments), highly favored, greatly blessed, totally righteous (despite any mistakes), and destined to reign, because of Jesus. I will continue to declare this truth until I am where God is calling me to be. There is something so much bigger than me and anything I could imagine that He has at work for me and may be right around the corner.
The truth is what God has written and believed about us from the start. No matter your circumstances, your mistakes, or your shameful secrets – your identity lies in the eternal One who created you, and loved you so very much at your darkest moment that He gave His life for yours.
When it feels like reality is taking over, remember the TRUTH.
-Written by a student from The Crossing College
What is your “issue” right now? The one you don’t have the answer to, or the one that’s really dragging you down?
God has something to say to you about it!
Last weekend at the Zimmerman Campus, Pastor Jason talked about staying true to your faith when you feel pressured to conform to the stress, slander, depression, and other destructive tendencies of the world around you. At the end of the talk, he said something that hit me hard: “When you have a problem, don’t go rant about it on Facebook looking for advice – how much does that even help? Instead, go to the Bible! Find out the truth about your situation and get some real wisdom!”
That very morning, I had considered posting something on Facebook about my toddler’s defiant behavior. I was trying to figure out if I needed to “hold the line” or “choose my battles” (and let her have her way).
Every child is different and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to training, but I hoped that some other moms out there might commiserate and offer suggestions. The whole situation has caused a lot of tension in our home and a lot of hurtful words have been spoken. It needs to stop!
I thought twice about posting, though, when I thought about how many negative things are said about 2-year-olds. I didn’t want to open a door for people to explain away her behavior by claiming she IS “defiant” or “stubborn” or “bossy” or “in the terrible twos!” (all things I’ve thought). Not to mention – I don’t want to blast my child’s sin all over the internet!
So when I heard what Pastor Jason said Sunday morning, I thought, “Wow. That’s exactly what I thought about sharing this! Except – where in the Bible do I look?” As soon as that thought disappeared, the word “PROVERBS” replaced it. I shrugged it off in the moment. But later that night, when I was thinking about how cool it was that God spoke so directly to my situation in church, I heard it again, but this time it was more specific: “PROVERBS 10!”
Here’s what Proverbs 10 says:
10:1 – “A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother.”
10:10 – “People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace.”
10:17 – “People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray.
10:8 – “The wise are glad to be instructed…”
10:14 – “Wise people treasure knowledge…”
The more I read, the more clear my answer was: train your child to be wise. Help her make wise decisions and accept correction by showing her clear boundaries. This will set her up for success in the long run.
But God showed me even more than what I was looking for! Here’s HOW I need to set up those boundaries:
10:19 – “Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.”
10:11 – “The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain…”
10:13 – “Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding…”
10:21 – “The words of the godly encourage many…”
Basically – STOP TALKING so much! And when I do speak, it needs to be words of life. Words that encourage and help and bring wisdom.
Then I thought, “Great. How am I supposed to find those words?” In response, I heard in my head a very clear “JAMES 1!”
In James, God showed me that to get wisdom from Him, all I have to do is ask (James 1:5). He also let me know that this is just a test, and through it my faith will be strengthened and more joy in my family will be the result (James 1:2-3). I can get through this test by being “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry” (James 1:19).
Most importantly, though, God reminded me that “whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father” (James 1:17). This little girl – this “independent” (to put it nicely) 2-year-old – is a GIFT from God. In the heat of the moment, it might be hard to be slow to speak and slow to get angry, but that doesn’t change the fact that God entrusted ME with this beautiful gift. And if that’s the case, I can trust HIM (my Father) to give me the strength I need in that hard moment to give her the wise, gracious, and patient correction that she needs – just like God did for me through this whole process!
None of this understanding came about from my superior reading skills or knowledge – it came about because I believed what it says James 1:5 that God would provide the wisdom I need when I asked, and I believed John 16:13 when Jesus said that the Holy Spirit will guide me to the truth about my situation. And I believed that the Bible is living and active – that God speaks to us through it! (Hebrews 4:12)
As believers, we have the amazing gifts of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word. When we listen to His direction, we get the wisdom
and strength to get through any difficult situation we face.
I know this to be true, because I immediately practiced what I learned today – and my daughter and I had the best day we’ve had in a long time!
Now it’s your turn. Ask God to give you that wisdom – or strength, or peace, or comfort, or joy (take your pick; He promises them all for you) – and open the Bible. I can’t wait to see what He does in your life!
"Emma" and I were the best of friends. We met as co-workers, and throughout the next decade, I would be her confidant through many boyfriends. She babysat my kids, watched me go through a divorce, and our friendship evolved into a unconditional friendship (or so I thought).
Hello! I have struggled with addiction to methamphetamine since I was twelve. I am now thirty. I have been through a childhood of abuse, the loss of my father at age twelve, and my mother at fifteen. I went to Catholic and then Lutheran schools and was always judged and treated badly. I never felt accepted or welcome.
I had a period of eight years sobriety, had my children, and went to college. I graduated with my Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice Administration. During this time I wasn't in recovery, I was just not using. I did nothing to better myself emotionally. I relapsed after eight years sober, immediately following the death of a close friend. After this I had a CHIPS case with Child Protection, almost lost my kids, went to a few more treatments, etc.
I met the love of my life, Israel, when I was about six months clean. He is an alcoholic and was in recovery. We moved in together and I took on the role of a stay-at-home mom with his twin four-year old boys, and my four-year old son and seven-year old daughter. We started drinking together slowly. Only once in awhile and only a few. But eventually it ended up in a domestic situation and our lives fell apart.
I relapsed again using meth intravenously and I left home with my kids. We were both miserable and couldn't be away from each other anymore. We knew we needed help.
That's when we found The Crossing. We were immediately welcomed. People talked to us and the sermon spoke to us every time (and continues to!). The first time we attended I prayed that my cravings would be taken away. I haven't had a trigger or craving since that very moment, and this is a miracle, as I couldn't go a minute without thinking of using and entertaining the idea.
I currently have six months clean. I serve on the Quality Team, I went to an RTF session (Restoring the Foundations), and Israel and I both attend Growth Track. Israel also volunteered a lot of his time with the stage construction before Easter. We have grown together and see each other in such a beautiful way now. I love waking up and going to church every Sunday, and so do our kids. I am in my fifth week of my Masters program in Addictions Studies and I have huge goals and a vision for the future and what I can do to save lives.
My point is this: I never actually felt like I was in recovery or wanted to better myself until I walked in the doors of The Crossing. EVERY aspect of my life has changed. This is what was missing every other attempt at sobriety. I now have no fear of what's going to happen and I am now able to see the positive side of the negative experiences.
Israel and I are still facing the consequences and legal issues regarding the domestic situation we had and we have been fighting an uphill battle for almost a year now because of it. Even though this is happening to us, we wouldn't have done the work we have on ourselves and our relationship without that obstacle.
Now we walk with Jesus every day. We tithe and we are blessed in return. I just really wanted to share how much this church means to me and let you know that you really DO make a difference and you really really touch people! I am so grateful that I took that step into those doors! Thank you so much for making this all possible for us!
Before I knew I was pregnant, I was reading Jonah’s story to my 2-year-old, Eliza, from her little kid’s Bible, and something snapped into place: I would have a son, and his name would be Jonah.
It was like the sound of a seatbelt buckling, or when you dig a hole and drop a post into it – a perfect fit. I can’t explain it any better than that.
The catch, though, was that I already had carefully crafted names for ten potential Phelps children (approved by my husband), and Jonah was never on my radar. When I went to Dave with absolute certainty of “Jonah”, he wasn’t convinced. “I need to wait and make sure it’s right,” he said.
I puzzled over this for months. I knew God was trying to teach me something from that story of the stubborn prophet who God used to save thousands of people. Why on earth would he want me to name my baby Jonah? So random.
A week before my due date, The Crossing started a series called Life: On Mission – a 5-week series based on the book of Jonah. I could hear God chuckling up in heaven at his little pun; there was Dave’s confirmation.
What could this little boy have in his future? Before God even began forming him, He knew him by name. He knew the day he would arrive; He knows now when he’ll take his first step; He knows what he was created for. This boy has a future.
This is true for every human life.
Jeremiah 29:11 says, “I [God] know the plans I have for you, plans to bless and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”
This future didn’t start when we were born, though. It was before that, according to Psalm 139:14-16:
“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.”
Jonah (the prophet) was called by God to bring a message of salvation to a city full of lost and evil people. He ran from his purpose at first, but God got his attention (pretty dramatically) and put him back on course. In the end, 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness turned from evil and began a life with their Creator, a God who is gracious and compassionate, slow to get angry and full of unfailing love.
Regardless of the magnitude and severity of your mistakes, God sees you – just like He saw Nineveh – and wants to bring you into the light. He loves us with unfailing love. This theme is echoed through the entire Bible, ultimately shown by another man sent to bring people living in spiritual darkness into the light of love and grace: Jesus.
I don’t know what my new little man has in his future, but I do know that God has a plan to bless and not to harm him. The day that this boy chooses on his own to follow Jesus and walk into an abundant life of grace and hope and joy and peace… Only that day could possibly better than this one, the day of his (first) birth.
I know that some of you reading this don’t believe the same things as me, and that’s just fine. But, let me just say, without any agenda of trying to win an argument or prove that I’m smarter (because I’m probably not): The God of the Bible is real.
All I know FOR SURE is my own experiences, and over and over again, God has shown up in my life in countless undeniable ways, and my life is full of joy.
I’ve tried living life without Him, and I get by – but it sucked to know I would be alone in every situation I faced. My own efforts – or those of other flawed humans – would be my best hope for success and meaning in life.
When I follow Jesus, I know that all things work out for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28), that I can trust Him and He’ll make my next steps obvious (Proverbs 3:5-6), that I can commit all my plans to Him and He’ll make them succeed (Proverbs 16:3), and, more than anything else, every wrong thing I’ve done or will do in the future is already forgiven and being manipulated into something for my or others’ benefit (Psalm 103:12, Romans 8:28). That is the power and unfailing love of this awesome God.
When Jonah lived up to the calling God placed on his life, the world changed. I am convinced that when you step into the calling God placed on your life, whatever it is, the world would change, too. Give this God a chance to blow your mind –not just with how amazing He is, but how amazing YOU are, too – and how much he freaking loves you.
May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in Him. Romans 15:13
Written by Karli Phelps
Last weekend in the service, Pastor Kelly said that God uses our giving to the church in many ways that we may never know. I'm going to try to make a long life story really short, but I want to show how much of an impact your church has had in my life.
Ten years ago, I was married with two kids and had everything that life could offer: multiple houses, new cars, all the toys, six figures a year. Life was good. I was doing my own thing, but God had lessons for me to learn.
The owner of the company I worked for got caught embezzling money, and my job was gone. Less than two months later, my wife left me for my best friend. In just a few months, my life was turned upside down. I was left with NOTHING.
I turned to the most convenient fix: drinking. I turned into a bottle-or-more-a-day person for the next nine years. I eventually became extremely bitter towards God and church, and I turned completely away from Him. I just went deeper into the easy-out of drinking.
Fast forward a few years, and I met an amazing girl. When our son was born, God really gave me a heavy heart about the way I was acting in my life with my drinking and all of the relationship problems that goes along with that. I was determined to find something – anything – to help, so we started coming to The Crossing. This was just the beginning, because I knew God wanted my heart.
Pastor Eric made a comment about recovery. He talked about how it was a "thinking problem" not a "drinking problem", and how focusing on God and what He had for us instead of focusing on quitting would be one of the first steps to a new life. I quit drinking, and quit both of my jobs in the same day because of the bad influences that they provided in my life. I trusted God with the first step in what I knew was going to be a long road to recovery.
Fast forward one year to the beginning of 2016. God has been doing great things in my life. We have been able to come to The Crossing consistently since before the holidays. Every single service has been both encouragement to keep going in His promises and also a challenge to press on and not be complacent. I came into this year determined to make it one of consistent attendance and involvement in a church community, in order to grow spiritually and to make this year the start of something good in my life. God-good, not my-good.
At Christmas time, Pastor Kelly talked about not leaving 2016 the way we came in. Perfect encouragement! God designed that entire talk just for me! In fact, with every single talk this year, I feel like God has spoken directly to me with encouragement and a challenge.
God has used The Crossing – the talks, the people, the children’s ministry – to allow the seeds that were planted in my heart to begin to grow. I had tears running down my face this morning during the talk, because I know that God has more for me, even though I spent almost 10 years telling myself that my destiny was in a bottle, and that's all that I could have.
God has been doing a great work, but that is just in MY life; I'm one of many! Thank you for having a heart for what God wants and for allowing Him to work through you.
I started coming to The Crossing Church after several invites from my daughter. It was during the Chasing Happiness series, which I cried most of the way through. I didn’t have a strong Christian upbringing – it was definitely more guilt-based than grace-based. I remember being very young and my Grandmother telling me that God would get me back tenfold for every one of my sins. I think I believed in God more out of fear than out of true faith.
I started partying and using when I was 13 years old. I gave birth to my second daughter before I graduated from high school, was widowed by age 21, and had my third daughter shortly after. I had broken every one of the Ten Commandments in some fashion, had tolerated years of domestic abuse that I believed I deserved, and was on medication for anxiety and depression when I walked through the doors to The Crossing. Nothing I did could help me escape the guilt, shame, and resentment I felt from my past. The hardest part of feeling so hopeless was trying not to let my daughters see it in me. I had taken them to church when they were younger, and tried to teach them faith, but I wasn’t living it myself – and attending church just made me think of all the ways I had let God down.
When I walked into church I had not used for almost three months, and I didn’t know how to function. I had nothing to dull the emotions. I had no hope. After attending every week for a month, I was still hurting but I was also trying to fill up my mind and soul with all of the good things I was learning about God. Hearing every week that “God is for you, He is not against you”, “He forgives you… He’s not mad at you”, and simply “He loves you” – that planted the mustard seed of faith I needed. It made me HOPE!
Finally, I had a conversation with a pastor after a Tuesday night believer’s service where I bent a knee and asked Christ to lead my life. In that moment, my life changed. I have purpose. I am forgiven. I have hope.
Now I’ve been baptized, I get to serve on an awesome team, I’m attending The Crossing College - all because The Crossing has put those opportunities out there for people like me to increase their faith and hope and to grow in relationship with Jesus. It’s all about Jesus! I’m not perfect, but I’m saved – and it is because of Jesus and the outreach mission of The Crossing Church.
I am so very grateful to Pastors Eric and Kelly and the amazing staff at The Crossing Church. I’m grateful for your hearts and passion for Jesus. I’m grateful that you are living your calling of helping lost people find Jesus. You have passed that passion on to me! Truly, I thank you for bringing me to this place in my life.
Has there ever been a moment that you heard about The Crossing College and you felt that little twinge of, "Oooohh, I wanna do that!" and then the next feeling is some mix of excitement/fear/worry about money/determination/desire to know Jesus more than ever? Ok, then you're in the same boat as all Crossing College graduates! :D
Is The Crossing College a challenge? Yes. Will it teach you a LOT about your faith, grow you closer to Jesus, and help define your direction and purpose in life? Yes, Yes, YES! As you're making your New Year's resolutions, resolve to invest in and grow YOURSELF and become a 2016-2017 graduate of The Crossing College. Your life will be forever changed! Applications open in May, but start praying, planning and preparing now!
Here's the story of a current College student, Lynn. She's halfway through this year, and God has already shown up in amazing ways in her life! Borrow Lynn's faith as you read her story!
Britney Ahlmann, The Crossing College Director
I have a Bachelor’s degree, a cosmetology diploma, and work as a full-time waitress. So when I felt the desire to enroll in the Crossing College I thought, “Here we go again, another degree.” But this education is nothing like I have ever experienced before!
Since enrolling in The Crossing College, God has spoken to me as He opens up my mind, heart, and soul to His plan for my life. The college has given me direction and an education about God that I would not have had otherwise. It has led me on hard days to speak against shame and not accept defeat as I would have in the past. Now, I have a closer relationship to my Jesus and the tools to help me not only in hard times, but in my day-to-day life.
God called me to The Crossing College to do His work. He has a divine plan. I had no clue what that plan was, but I’m beginning to learn, as doors open and my relationship with Jesus deepens. I am grateful for the college because God is using it to show Himself to me; His works, His wonders, His plan for my life. I am here for a reason, and for that, I am so incredibly thankful. I am grateful that I listened to that still small voice that brought me to The Crossing College.
