Thursday, March 24, 2011

A Big "Ask"

Personally, the past 3 weeks of the Crazy Love series have been excruciating and exhilarating. Excruciating, because I've had to look at the "love" that I display to those I come in contact with throughout a day, week or month. As I've shared, it's been painful to take a bold look at me. Regarding the patient, kind, envy, ego, pride, and now this week, the rude and demanding aspects of me have been excruciatingly painful to realize and see.

However, it has been exhilarating at the same time because these 3 weeks I've been so aware of "walking in the Spirit" moment by moment. God's Word has had a profound effect on my behavior. Don't get me wrong, it's not always been easy, but I do like the "Spirit-filled" Crazy Love Tim better and I'm noticing that people do too! I trust you are letting God work in you as well. Now on to my BIG ASK!

All Church Spiritual Life Survey

It's always been my desire as your pastor to do everything we can to support and encourage your spiritual growth. Recently we've learned of a tool that will assist us as a church in knowing what’s helping you grow spiritually and what’s getting in the way. Therefore, I'm asking you as an attender of The Crossing to set aside 35-40 minutes this next week to take a Spiritual Life Survey.

• It’s completely anonymous.
• It’s extremely important.

Hey, I know you are very busy, but this is very important. The findings from this survey will shape our decisions about how to create the best possible ministry strategies to serve our church. Please use this link to access the survey; also feel free to pass the link along to all your friends who call The Crossing their church home.

Thank you so much. Do NOT miss this weekend. We're continuing in the Crazy Love series as we look at the topic of "Rudeness."

See you this weekend,

Tim Celek
Lead Pastor
The Crossing

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Days are getting longer, yea!

We had a great kickoff last weekend to the new series, "Crazy Love!" As I shared this past weekend, patience isn't one of my top virtues. Whether it's counting the people in grocery store check out lines, driving a car NASCAR-style or doing my best in a conversation to be fully present, often times I'm darting here and there. Yet this week has been different. Yea God!

This week I practiced the discipline of "slowing." I decided to let people go in front of me in line. During conversations, I was attentive. And for the most part, I've driven the speed limit. I can't say it was me because each day, as well as many moments during the day, I found myself asking for the power of God's Spirit.

This weekend we continue discussing "Crazy Love." DO NOT miss it! I've heard so many people say they are going to bring a friend. I hope you do as well. Something to remember if you attend church on Sunday mornings, THIS WEEKEND, the clocks "spring forward." It is a good news/bad news proposition. The bummer is we lose an hour of sleep. The good news is there will be more day light at the end of the day.

Whether you're ending your day by attending The Crossing on Saturday night at 5:30 p.m. or you're beginning your day on Sunday at The Crossing, 8:30, 9:30, 10, 11, or 11:30 a.m., I can guarantee you'll be glad you came.

See you this weekend,

Tim Celek
Lead Pastor
The Crossing

P.S. Remember to jump in a "Crazy Love" group. We have Connection groups on the campus of The Crossing or Community groups that meet in homes. You can get more information by selecting this link.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Ever been cut off in traffic?

Most of my time driving is on "two" wheels, either the scooter or the Harley. Very rarely am I in what I call a "cage", you know those things with four wheels called cars. So I'm ALWAYS lane splitting, zipping in and out of traffic, moving faster and getting places quicker than the average person. Believe me it's nice, real nice!!!

So here's an admission that I'm not terribly proud of, but often I turn into a freaking IMPATIENT "caged" animal when I get behind the wheel of a car. Nobody seems to go fast enough, or all you see are those red braking tail lights for NO apparent reason! In times like those, I wish I had a Bat-mobile or maybe some of you remember, Speed Racer's car. If I had a vehicle like that, then I could get where I need to go, how I want to go and at my speed.

However, the problem isn't the traffic, other drivers or that I don't have a cartoon like car. No, the problem is ME! It's my attitude and my actions that need altering. This might even seem silly to say in this context, but it comes down to the fact that when I’m behind the wheel of a car, I'm not very loving. Yep, that's right, not very loving!!! God says in 1 Corinthians 13:4, "Love is patient…" Therefore, when I'm being an impatient jerk of a driver, there's no love flowing. It's that clear.

Okay, here's the deal. I'm inviting YOU to a brand new series we're starting this weekend at The Crossing. It's titled, “Crazy Love.” The first topic is patience. DO NOT miss it. If you or anyone you know struggles with the issue of patience, make sure they come. It's going to be really good. The service times are Saturday, 5:30 p.m. and Sunday 8:30, 9:30, 10:00, 11:00 & 11:30 a.m. Did I say, it's going to be REALLY good? Don't miss out!

See you this weekend,

Tim Celek
Lead Pastor
The Crossing