Refine Us

Relationships are difficult. They are full of give and take, compromise, love, grace, truth, mistakes, apologies.. the list goes on and on and on. You open yourself up to other people giving them permission to love you and to hurt you. They are scary and exciting and frustrating and refreshing. It’s not for the faint of heart. They’re absolutely worth the all the trouble we go to to have them. They make our lives…beyond ordinary.

All relationships are sacred, but perhaps the one type of relationship that seems be under attack the most, the hardest to maintain, the one that throws us for the biggest loops, causes the most heartache and joy…is marriage.

Marriage is a battle field,(do we have any Pat Benatar fans?)  and every marriage is different. Each person brings something totally different to the table. So…how do we do marriage well? How do we make marriage something worth fighting for? How do we prepare for marriage well? How do we recover from a marriage that left us brokenhearted? How do we seek to see and love the people with whom we are in relationships….like Jesus does? Where do we even start?

Those are tough questions, but essential to having relationships that make us better, that bring us closer to Jesus….that are beyond ordinary.

Next weekend, January 23-24, Justin and Trisha Davis, authors of the book Beyond Ordinary will be here for the Refine Us-Marriage Conference. They’ll share their story of joy and heartbreak and their journey back to each other. They’ll give us tools that will help us make our relationships extraordinary!

If you’re happily married, If your marriage is struggling, if you’ve been married for 38 years or 6 months, never been married, or you’ve been married and hope to be again, we encourage you to come. It’s for everyone. We were not created to do life alone.

Relationships matter, they are worth the work and worth fighting for! If you only do ONE thing this coming week, register for this conference. You will not regret it.  Click here to register.

See you this weekend!

Nicole Case
Web Administrator

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Simple, As it Should Be

I really like New Year’s Day. I think there is something beautiful about a seemingly clean slate, unwritten futures, and the possibility of anything happening. I like living in a world of endless possibility.

You should know, though. I’m terrible at resolutions. Absolutely the worst. I make a list of them and then….i forget about it when life gets back into normal rhythms and then i have an uncrossed off list of things i wanted to accomplish, and that never feels good.

Over the last couple of years, I’ve been picking one or two words I want to focus on through out the year. It helps me be intentional, it’s doable, and above all else, it’s simplified.

Our current series, Simple,  has really gotten me thinking about getting down to the simple of roots of what Jesus taught us. We are called to love. Love God. Love people. That is simple, right? Well, yes. But sometimes it’s hard to love people, right? Like sometimes hurt, and being right, and brokenness get in the way and we forget to love people. And relationships suffer because of it.

That’s why, this year, the word I’ve chosen to focus on is, grace. Jesus extended grace to everyone.Everyone. including the people who hated him. Shouldn’t I try to extend grace to everyone, too? Even the people who have hurt me, or don’t like me? Isn’t there more to their story, too?

I also think it’s important to extend grace to ourselves. Currently, I’m awful at this. I’m super hard on myself all the time. Sometimes we’re in the refining fire, and some times we are living the dream. It’s important to remember that Jesus is at work in every season. If i used more grace with myself in and the people around me, who knows how things might change. I think, thought it will bring me closer to being more like Jesus, and it will strengthen my relationships.

Speaking of relationships, we all have them, right? They all take work. Some more than others. On January 23rd and 24th Crossroads hosting the RefineUS-Marriage Conference, hosted by Justin and Trisha Davis, authors of Beyond Ordinary. Now, don’t let the “marriage conference” part scare you. Currently, I’m as single as you can be and I’m really excited about it. We are going to figure out what good relationships look like. How to have them, and how to navigate them when everything feels wrong. Those tools are universal. So, if you’ve been married and aren’t any more (for whatever reason), if you want to get married, you’re newly married, or if you’ve been married for a million years, COME! There is something to be gained for everyone! It’ll be the best $10 you’ll spend this January. Maybe even this year!

We’ll see you this weekend for week two of Simple!

Nicole Case
Web Administrator

Drifting

And just like that, it’s 2015.  Sometimes I’m amazed at how fast life passes me by. Blink, and the year is over! And sometimes, I’m amazed at how long it takes for a day to pass by. Like the entire day went by in slow motion.Time is a funny thing.

As I have gotten older, the things that impact me and bring me to my knees have changed.  Things that I never saw in my teens, I see weekly now. Cancer, divorce, and death all rear their ugly heads far too frequently. War, poverty, and violence fill up my view of the world. And if I’m not careful, these things can also change the way that I see God.   It’s a daily practice to make sure that I continue to believe that God is who he says He is and that I live my life like that. If I’m not careful, it’s actually quite easy to drift away from church, from reading the Bible, from prayer, from community.

Have you ever found yourself drifted in your faith? Blink, and it’s been a year. Try to get back from where you drifted from and it’s like every day is hard.  Do you have daily practices?  How do you make sure that God is getting the attention He deserves from you?

The beautiful thing about January 1’s is that it’s a great time to reflect on where we have been, how we got there, and then dream about where we want to go and what it will take to get there.  Crossroads wants to help you!  Perhaps you want to meet some more people and grow in your faith?  Our small groups are a great place to do that and they launch in January.  Maybe your marriage needs a little TLC?   We have an amazing marriage conference at the end of January you won’t want to miss. You can find details, here! Maybe you need some adventure and need to be inspired by God’s work in the world?   There are mission trips a plenty!  Maybe you’ve drifted and you just want to know that God exists and He loves you. Our upcoming series “Simple” will help you find your way back.

It’s never too late to try something new or to begin again. And after 2014, I’m incredibly grateful for that.

Lisa Adams
Director of Missions

Thank You

Merry Christmas, everyone! Now that the halls have been decked, the presents have been unwrapped, we’ve spent time with our people, as we begin to get back in to the normal rhythms of daily life, I want to take a moment to say, “thank you.”

Our annual mug sales were a huge success, again! We’ve sold out again this year raising over $15,000 for International Justice Mission! That’s incredible. $15,000 means a year of after care services for widows and orphans. $15,000 means fewer women and children are living in fear of losing their homes and/or their lives. $15,000 dollars also means training for 150 police officers, strengthening the justice system in Uganda! I’m so thankful for our partnership with IJM and the work they’re doing. God is moving in big ways and we get to be a part of it.

You’ve given the gift of hope, progress and change this holiday season. Thank you.

I also want to thank our volunteers. None of this could have been done without the help of our amazing volunteers. It takes a ton of planning, hands and preparation to get ready for these weekends. Thank you for your time, your willingness to serve and your great attitudes. Thank you for your help over that last three weeks. I am so thankful for the team of volunteers behind me.

It’s been an amazing year in Missions. We’ve seen God move in incredible ways. I can’t wait to see what 2015 has in store for us! So grateful to be in this with you!

Lisa Adams
Director of Missions

Waiting

I love this time of year. I love the smell of Christmas Trees, catching snowflakes on the tongue, all the sparkly gold ribbons everywhere, getting updates from friends and family near and far. It’s a the time of year when things seems to slow down and the world feels smaller, in the best possible way.

However, this season is hard for many of us. Weather it be saying goodbye to a loved one, strained relationships, a medial diagnosis, financial struggle, or uncertain futures, we’ve all had our share of struggle in the midst of “the most wonderful time of the year.”  In the face of those realities, it’s often hard to wait for things to get better, to turn around, to get some relief.

And isn’t that exactly what Advent is? The waiting? The uncomfortable anticipation of the One who has come to fulfill the prophesy. The One who’s come to make all things new?

This year, I’m mindful of, and praying for those people here and around the world who are waiting: for relief, for a better days, for God’s promise to be fulfilled. This year, I’m praying for those widows and orphans who live in fear of losing their homes and lives. I’m praying for the people who are enslaved, oppressed, and in the margins.

I pray with a hopeful heart that because of Jesus all chains have been broken. That the wait is over,the promise is fulfilled!

I encourage you to join me as I pray for those people who feel lost and forgotten this year. I also want to encourage you to join the movement of Jesus-like people doing Jesus like stuff, and find a way, either locally or globally, to bring relief to the people who are desperately waiting for something to happen. Volunteer in your community, sponsor a child, go on a mission trip!

A great way to help those who are being marginalized is by buying a Christmas mug! This is the last weekend we are selling them. 100% of the profit is going to support International Justice Mission!  Help bring hope and relief to those who are waiting on it!

Next week is Christmas, and we’d love it if you would invite someone to one of our Christmas Services with you. You can find the times and locations, here.  Let’s celebrate the One who came to change everything.  Can’t wait to see you!

Lisa Adams
Director of Missions

International Justice System

It’s that time of year when Crossroads kicks off our annual mug sales. We sell gorgeous, handmade mugs made right here in St. Paul! Each year, we use the profits of these sales to support one of our Mission Partners. Last year, it was World Vision. This year, the money is going to support International Justice Mission!

We are excited to announce a new partnership with an IJM office in Uganda! The money from these mugs will help the IJM staff in Uganda provide a year of after care support for widows, and orphans affected by property grabbing as well as train 150 police officers to strengthen the already existing justice system in Uganda. To read more about our new partnership and the mugs, click here.

We are so excited for you to see these mugs. They are gorgeous, and they’ll make a great gift for someone you love….or for yourself. The money supports a local, family owned company andsupports the amazing work of the staff of IJM who seek justice for the world’s most vulnerable people. To read more about International Justice Mission, click here. 

Lisa Adams
Director of Missions and Care 

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The snow beautifully blankets the ground and the trees. Your coats keep you cozy, and your cheeks are the perfect shade of rosy. There are twinkle lights, and great food. It’s amazing if you forget about the cold part. We are friendly to strangers. We are concerned about those who don’t have enough, we love our families and friends, we take time to honor traditions. We wave at neighbors, and hold doors open for people, we push cars out of being stuck, we help each other shovel and scrape, and dust off cars, sidewalks and porches, and the world just seems smaller.

It’s also the time of year when Crossroads kicks off our annual mug sales. We sell gorgeous, handmade mugs made right here in St. Paul! Each year, we use the profits of these sales of support one of our Mission Partners. Last year, it was World Vision. This year, the money is going to support International Justice Mission! We are excited to announce a new partnership with an IJM office in Uganda! The money from these mugs will help the IJM staff in Uganda provide a year of after care support of widows, and orphans affected by property grabbing as well as train 150 police officers to strengthen the already existing government in Uganda. To read more about our new partnership and the mugs, click here.

We are so excited for you to see these mugs. They are gorgeous, and they’ll make a great gift for someone you love….or for yourself. The money supports a local, family owned company andsupports the amazing work of the staff of IJM who seek justice for the world’s most vulnerable people. To read more about International Justice Mission, click here. 

We are excited to kick of the Christmas season with with you with the first sermon in our new series, A Reel Christmas! It’s going to be a great series! Can’t wait to see you this weekend. 

Lisa Adams
Director of Missions and Care 

‘Tis the Season to Go and Love

This week I had the pleasure of meeting with some of the local mission pastors and leaders in Woodbury and Cottage Grove. I love this group!  It’s diverse and cuts across denominations. It’s made up of people who are a lot like me as we all have this passion to see the church change the world. From our neighborhoods to the ends of the earth. We each have different ideas and dreams on how it gets done, but we all know that none of it gets done without Jesus. And you.

Each of us can be a part of Jesus’ plan to change the world. As we begin to prepare for the holiday season, many of us think about serving others. Most serving opportunities for Thanksgiving Day are already filled. So if you, like me, are just starting to think about how to serve this holiday season, here are some ways that you can serve right where you are.

1.  Consider inviting someone to your Thanksgiving Dinner. Maybe there’s someone at work who just went through a divorce and will be alone on Thanksgiving. Maybe you know a college student who won’t be able to go home for Thanksgiving. Maybe you have a neighbor who has been widowed and alone and would love to sit with a family and enjoy a dinner.
2. Consider being extra kind and generous. There are a lot of stores that are going to be open on Thanksgiving this year. Tipping your barista double what you normally do or offering to fill a strangers tank with gas are ways of expressing gratitude and kindness in tangible ways. Compliment a stranger. Let someone go ahead of you in line. Pay for the last minute whipped cream and rosemary for the person in front of you in line.
3. Consider being extra thankful to the One who gave us our lives. Get up 30 minutes earlier than you think you should and take that time to pray and read the Bible. Start your thanksgiving with a heart of gratitude which is sure to carry you throughout your day.  Make a list of things that you are thankful for and thank God for each and every one.

Imagine what a difference it would make in our world if every Christian did these things on Thanksgiving (or any other day for that matter). Imagine a flood of prayer, thanksgiving, kindness, generosity and hospitality! What a day that would be.

May this Thanksgiving be one where your cup of gratitude overflows and may we each open a floodgate,

Lisa Adams
Director of Missions and Care 

Tags: Missions

Thank You

I just want to take a minute to thank you all for the amazing Missions Weekend we had last weekend, it was a huge success and we could not have done it without you!

Thank you for being brave! We have heard so many great stories of people getting connected, saying yes, and stepping out to do the next thing Jesus is calling them to do. It’s so encouraging to hear about the new ways people are GO-ing in to their communities to love people well!

Thank you, Crossroads, for your hospitality. We have heard so many great things from our ministry partners about how welcoming and warm our community is here.  Here is a snip-it of what’s being said:

“I was so overwhelmed by the kindness, love and compassion that I experienced…. Words could never express the hope ignited in me that God’s people are interested in serving and being an answer to prayer!!” 

“The prayers, love, and support of churches like Crossroads are what enables our resident’s transformation into self-sufficient, abuse-free, God-centered women. Thanks for being with us, in this, and making a difference! ” 

Thank you for making our visitors feel welcome, for investing in their missions, and for allowing them a place to share with your their passion for God’s people.

Thank you for your help. Missions Weekend is something we plan all year for, and pulling it off is no small task. We couldn’t do with without the help of our amazing volunteers. You show up and do whatever needs to be done. I love working with you! Thank you for all you’ve done to make this weekend a success! We love and appreciate our volunteers so much!

I’m feeling especially grateful to be a part of this movement of Jesus-like people doing Jesus like stuff.

Lisa Adams
Director of Missions and Care 

Being Brave and Saying Yes

There are a lot of words that you could use to describe me, and I’m sure if you asked my family and friends they’d give you a laundry list of descriptors, among them surely would include things like “sassy” and “funny.” I doubt, though, that “brave” would make the top 10.  I don’t think I’m what you would think of as “traditionally brave.”

I think the bravest thing I’ve ever done is say “yes” to Jesus.  Saying yes to a life that might look different that anything I would have expected. Saying yes to the messy of the world. Saying yes to deeply rooted relationships. Saying yes to be part of something so much bigger than me. It has changed in me in ways I’m still discovering.

Everyone’s brave is different, but no less important. Some yeses have led people across the world to serve people who speak a completely different language. Others, have made space in their home and heart through adoption. Still others reach out in their community, building deep relationships with the people down the block.

I’ve realized that bravery is: being open and willing to let your life be changed through God.  Saying yes to what’s God’s asking. Saying yes to love people when it’s hard, when it’s messy and when it’s inconvenient.

This weekend at Crossroads Woodbury and Cottage Grove we have over 30 Non-profits and organization who will be in the auditorium willing to help you say your next yes. Come and meet the people and places that are making positive differences in lives both locally and across the world. Come and ask questions, get inspired and be brave enough to say “YES” to something.  Don’t forget to grab a Missions Catalog as well, for even more opportunities to serve.

Crossroads is excited to have these organizations with us this weekend. We believe in the work their doing, we love how they are saying yeses in hard places and we are all invited along on their adventures.

I can’t wait to hear about all the ways you’ve said yes to being brave and how it’s changed you and the world for the better.

Excited to blaze these trails with you!

Nicole Case
Web Administrator