There is an alarming ignorance of who God is and what He is like, even among professing Christians. This was shown in recent poll conducted by The Barna Group.NKJV), or another translation puts it, “Sit down, let’s argue this out!” (THE MESSAGE)NIV).

According to the poll, half of Americans who call themselves “Christian” don’t believe that Satan exists and fully one-third are confident that Jesus sinned while on Earth. Further, 25% dismiss the idea that the Bible is accurate in all of the principles it teaches.”

The pollster concluded, “Growing numbers of people now serve as their own ‘theologian-in-residence.’ One consequence is that Americans are embracing an unpredictable and contradictory body of beliefs.”

So it’s time to put our “thinking caps” on.

God wants us to think, not just feel.

The Lord entreats us in Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together” (

When you become a follower of Jesus, you do not have to “check your brains at the door.” Christianity is a reasonable, even logical, faith.

That is not to say we don’t need to have great faith to follow Christ, but it is to say the teachings of the Bible quite simply make sense!

We need to think and act biblically, not emotionally

Far too many people, when stating their opinion, will say, “I think,” “I feel,” “I believe,” or “My God would never do thus and so.”

We need more “The Bible says,” because then we will learn to think, feel, and believe the right things. This is called theology, and we neglect it at our own peril.

Experience is never to be the basis for theology. Sound theology, however, is the basis for experience.

C.S. Lewis gave this warning years ago: “If you do not listen to theology, that will not mean that you have no ideas about God. It will mean that you have a lot of wrong ones!”

We need, as Chuck Swindoll once said, “Sound theology without apology.” Because what we believe about God will affect the way that we live. As 1 Timothy 4:16 says, “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers” (

March 23

The Leader and Stress
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1

Have you discovered the differences between problems and facts? Problems are things we can do something about; we can solve problems. Facts are things we can do nothing about; therefore we do well not to worry about them. We should apply energy only to those things we can change. When we do, we can feel peace and act with poise, because we no longer beat our heads against an unbreakable wall.

Psalm 23 reminds us of what God alone can control and what we can control. It distinguishes between problems and facts. It defines God as . . .
Our possession
Our provision
Our peace
Our pardon
Our partner
Our preparation
Our praise
Our paradise

When we hit the wall may we find in Him everything we need!!

     Here we go, I’m all caffeined up- and blogging!  We are pretty fired up about the new website, so give us a shout out and let us know what you think.  

     Hey are you tuned into the new season of  ”American Idol”?  It is season 8 in case you wondered.  If  you are an “AI” fanatic you are more than aware what season it is and who the odds on favorites are.  This season has already made history and given us a lot to remember.  As I reflect on my TV addiction, I realize that the movement of Jesus has seasons too!  Often we fail to remember that God takes us through different seasons in the church.  That said, we have a lot to be thankful for around Crossroads these days with all the life change that is taking place, and new faces everywhere!

     There seems to be an added sense of energy and anticipation we all feel right now. For instance, I am blown away at how people are stepping up to serve, inviting people and connecting with each other!! All the credit goes to God of course, but it is pretty exciting to say the least.  As I said  recently at our vision nite, we are definitely in a growing season.  I used to think that we should always be in a growing season as a church but I have come to understand that unrealistic thinking.  Churches go through different seasons just like we do in our personal lives.   There are growing seasons, and strengthening seasons, even stagnant seasons (fun! fun!). Often when God gives takes us through a season we can get excited and think its just going to continue, but what is more important is what we do as a result.  If we don’t build up areas to support growth or enlist new volunteers to flex new ministry muscle, God may not see fit to continue to add to the church.  Acts 2:47 ” and each day the Lord  to their fellowship those who were being saved”.  Since this is a growing season, we are endeavoring to “up our game” to add needed structure so we can support the growth God is giving us.  I’m afraid if we don’t evaluate and act to match the way God is adding to our fellowship we’ll get stuck. I pray we (everyone that calls crossroads home) will do all we can to maximize this season God has given us.  

     If your a spiritual couch potato and have been just watching this season it’s time to get off your blessed assurance and get in the game! Jesus said “the night is coming when no one can work” Don’t let God turn the lights out on this season before you’ve done what you can!  If we do the natural, God is going to do the SUPERNATURAL!

God’s Best,

Dave