So, have you had a chance to percolate on the previous article for a couple of days?
I’ve never written a ‘to be continued’ before but I thought I would give it a shot. If you haven’t read “I knew I was right” from a day or two ago please take a minute, or none of this will make any sense.
Honestly, the way I write, it might not make any sense if you read it anyway, but it’s worth a shot.
I decided to continue the article, or at least make it a two-parter when I saw that Acts 16 (the continuation of the passage we were looking at) appeared to be a contradiction of Acts 15. Continue reading “So, maybe I was wrong…”
Validation is that moment when you are proven right and you get to jump up and yell, “Booya, in your face, I knew it, that’s right, who’s your daddy, I own you, YES, I… AM… THE… MAN!”
And, your wife just sits there and rolls her eyes, again, because you have once again bested her in your knowledge of Star Wars Trivia. Even though she hates those movies and can’t tell the difference between a Jedi’s Padawan and a Sith Lord, you still sit there smugly in your moment of triumphant validation… you dominate.
I admit it, I am a validation junkie. I remember once being in an argum… er… discussion with my betrothed about an actor on a sitcom in which I was so sure of myself and desiring validation that I ordered it at a drive through: Continue reading “I Knew I was right”
Financial issues, health concerns, family matters, ending opening sentences with prepositions…
The only people who really have anything to worry about as it relates to their fears are the ones who say they aren’t afraid of anything. Take it from me, I’m an expert in fear as one who is afraid of a multitude of things (not a positive, of course, just a statement of fact)… everyone is afraid of something.
The problem is our fears tend to camouflage themselves. We see the obvious ones:
· “I’m afraid of dogs” – Well, you were probably bitten as a child
· “I’m afraid of getting pulled over by the police” – Well, slow down genius
· “I’m afraid of tornados” – Well, you’re not an idiot
· “I’m afraid of those creepy sounds downstairs in my house at night” – Well… Well, actually, I agree. Do you mind going down to check? Thanks.
The obvious fears we get. They are easy to spot, label and either accept or deny. The problem is many leaders are leaders because they have learned to wrestle these obvious fears to the ground and knock’em out with the classic sleeper hold! Continue reading “Bucket Theology”
Please imagine that really cool TV network “Now Announcing” music beginning here followed by this more than pertinent information:
Today, the CrossEyedLife announces a new category for it’s teaching/blog articles called Leadership Journals. I’ve noticed that many of the comments and the emails received are from people in leadership positions whether in small business or in ministry, so, I’m creating a new line of thoughts for our readers specifically for them.
Hopefully these articles will have principles that translate to all readers, as I really enjoy communicating directly with fellow leaders from time to time. So, whether you’re a CEO who crunches numbers and meanders through the marketplace maze, or maybe you’re a fellow under-shepherd smacking a few sheep back into the flock, or maybe your captain MOM of the good ship “OBEY ME NOW OR THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES”… I hope Leadership Journals has something for you!
Have you ever missed out on a good thing because you haven’t been willing to do the hard thing?
The obvious answers lie before us like broken toys on a toddler’s bedroom floor (man, I have to get some non-parental metaphors):
· The better body we always wanted, but never produced because sit ups cost more than Ding Dongs
· The training and education we were always going to pursue later when we had more time (you can stop laughing now)
· The career or life goal that was actually achievable, but never achieved because it required a change that you still haven’t found the words to share with “you know who”
· The savings account that never was because the flat panel, the ipod, the boat, the new car, the… oh, you get it!
When we get honest, this list of good things gone undone can get sickeningly long real quick, and what makes it even worse is we can add another page of how we are planning on starting them all tomorrow.
In every human life there are turning points, cross roads and transitions. Some are relational, some are financial, all are spiritual. This is a Biblical look at the CrossPoints of a human life
First, for a happily ever after relationship, you have to know what God has already said is blessable and what is not. Second, what needs to be done to affair proof your marriage.
This study of the first three chapters of Revelation will bring confidence to the believer that no matter what, we are fine if we are in God’s hand… even if the world comes to an end!
Studying the Great Commandment and its foundational teaching about what it means to be a Christian. Follows the model of Mark Batterson’s book called PRIMAL
This symbol was used by the first believers to identify each other and what they believed about their Lord. This Christmas we look at this symbol to help us remember what the real meaning of Christmas is.
We will never move from the status quo if we aren’t willing to be stretched and intentional about finding stretching opportunities. In this series we explore the basics of Christian maturity, seeking the Biblical direction of stretching UP, OUT and IN. So, put on your jogging suit and get ready to feel the burn. Let’s stretch into more than we’ve ever been before!
A series looking at the Super Villains of our lives that creep out in dysfunction, difficulty and dilemma. Approval Junkie, The Fabricator, Master Manipulator, Doctor Downer & Captain Cranium.
What does it mean to be apart of the Family of God…. roles, rights and responsibilities? What does the Bible say about the traditional family? About those outside the family?
Explore The “How To’s” of Family life together through a fun look at popular board games like Sorry, Monopoly, Battleship, Scrabble, Connect, etc. A family should play together!
It often gets lost in the elements of religion and cloudied in the chronicles of debate, but the heart of the Gospel is Good News! With a look at what the Gospel is and isn’t, and a look at the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, take a journey into the Good News that is… The Gospel.
A chapter by chapter look at the Gospel of Mark. With the repeated use of “immediately” and “at once”, the writer clearly communicates a sense of urgency!
Where People Find Purpose is a series that focuses on the Biblically-based purposes of the church and the believer: Connect, Grow, Serve, Reach & Worship.
Everyone has one, and here is one of mine… the “weird God story.” They are usually hard to believe (thus, the weird God story part), but they mean something to the storyteller.
In this case, I hope it means something to you, too.
I am totally excited about you stopping by the CrossEyedLife. I am the pastor of a multisite church that currently has campuses and partner churches throughout the state of Kansas (church website). I get to preach all the time and have so many of my messages reproduced on video that I wanted to get back to the basics and write out a few thoughts. Before I was in ministry I have a background in journalism and reporting. I have really missed writing, so, this blog is a joy for me.
While I love pastoring and leading this ever-growing organization, my favorite job in the world is being a family man. I have a beautiful wife of more than 20 years named Kathy and two awesome boys named Noah and Nathan.We all love Jesus, camping, the Dallas Mavericks and anything that goes good with ranch dressing.
Family is a priority for me, and not just in word but in deed. You’ll see that echoed in the articles on this blog, and I challenge you, if you know who I am, to hold me accountable to that statement. I’d rather write a really cruddy blog and raise great children, I’d rather pastor a tiny diminishing church and have a loving, adoring wife, I’d rather give up on career than sacrifice my family on the altar of ministry.
They say that a good preacher will only offer about 10 to 20% of what they actually know. I agree, preachers need to talk less, and I be one of those! So, an outlet for the other 80 to 90% of what I have prayed through, studied and journaled will often come spilling out through the pages of this blog. I hope you will enjoy some of the theological questions that are posed, the practical spiritual steps suggested and some of the gradeschool humor that I still think is funnier than anything else! My wife says I’m 11, but I prefer 13.
The title of this blog indicates that my goal for myself and all our readers is that the cross of Jesus Christ would be the focus of our eyes, the change agent of our lives, and the purpose for all that we strive. Cool, that kind of rhymed… I’ll bet I could fit that in sermon.
I post new articles regularly, sometimes as full written content and other times as a video usually shot from the end of my arm on an iPhone. We won’t solve any of the world’s problems, but we can scratch the itch on some of the deeper religious questions that seekers and new believers have. I want this blog to be more than just a place of information, I desire discussion. That’s why I allow open comments on every single article. I hope you’ll join the discussion!
I really, really want to encourage you to not just read this blog today, but click to the button on the side and subscribe to the regular feed. Of course there is no cost, and you’ll make me feel special… isn’t that alone worth the time and effort?
Finally, I hope you’ll join me in the social revolution as well and add me as a friend on Facebook and/or follow me on Twitter and we could be cyber buddies! You’ll find those connections at the bottom of this page.
I hope you spend a lot of time here, and I hope you’ll invite some friends and family to check it out as well. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch, I would love to know more about the readers who are part of the CrossEyedLife community. My e-mail is Andy@crosseyedlife.com. Hope to hear from you soon and many blessings.
I just spent the last week working with the students of Corn Bible Academy in Corn, Ok… okay, let’s get this out of our system… yes, they were the children of the corn.
Corny, eh?
I was completely impressed with the students and staff of this small Christian school and had a great time with them as a teacher/pastor for their spiritual emphasis week.
During the week we had a Q&A time which lead to this video on dealing with temptation. The focus verse is 1 Corinthians 10:13: No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (1 Co 10:12-13). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Also, stay tuned to the bitter end for the bloopers. I got real bored on the trip home. Four hours of, well, Oklahoma and Kansas. There’s a mind-numbing afternoon. Enjoy!
I just spent the last week working with the students of Corn Bible Academy in Corn, Ok… okay, let’s get this out of our system… yes, they were the children of the corn.
Corny, eh?
I was completely impressed with the students and staff of this small Christian school and had a great time with them as a teacher/pastor for their spiritual emphasis week.
During the week we had a Q&A time which lead to this video on dealing with temptation. The focus verse is 1 Corinthians 10:13: No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (1 Co 10:12-13). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Also, stay tuned to the bitter end for the bloopers. I got real bored on the trip home. Four hours of, well, Oklahoma and Kansas. There’s a mind-numbing afternoon. Enjoy!
Don’t you hate it when you have to practice what you preach? You know, those great moments of accountability that you prepare for your whole life while simultaneously praying never arrive. I’m not just talking about the little things either:
“Kids, eat your veggies,” and now a huge plate of asparagus stares you in the face
“Don’t drive like a maniac,” and now your 20 minutes away from a super important meeting that starts in 10 minutes
“Just chill out and quit worrying,” and now, well, you fill in the blank with anything. Am I right?
These little moments of accountability test our character everyday and threaten to label us “Genuine” or “Hypocrite” depending on our response.
Even if no one else knows, we’ll know.
But, every now and then comes a big test. Something that will really cost us something and totally begs the question, “Do you really believe all the junk you say?”
Which, by the way, is probably one of the best questions we could ever ask ourselves.
actor on a sitcom in which I was so sure of myself and desiring validation that I ordered it at a drive through: 
