Earliest Memories

I'm kicking off a new 3-part series this weekend titled "Memories." It has me reflecting about life; my life and the multiple THOUSANDS of memories that often swirl around in my mind. There are a ton of memories, both good and bad, that take up space on the hard drive of my heart.

You know how on computers you can empty the "trash can" of your deleted files? Generally, on both PCs and Macs, there's the dialogue box that says, "Are you sure you want to permanently delete these files?" This question used to bug me when I first starting using computers. I always thought when I initially deleted them that they were GONE. Yet now my computer was telling me they were still there and I had to take an extra step to FULLY eliminate them from the hard drive.

As I peruse, particularly the painful memories of my past, I wish, I really do, that I could permanently delete them. The cool part is that in Jesus Christ I AM a new person. So even without the ability to fully forget, with the Holy Spirit's power living inside of me, I can be set free from my past to live a reinvigorated life in the present.

They say there are two things true of every person, "death and taxes." I'm going to add a third, "memories." Mine aren't the same as yours, and vice versa, but we've all experienced things, some good, some bad. The question then is, how do we live a positive life of freedom in Christ right here and right now? Do not miss this weekend or any weekend over the next three weeks as we tackle this topic! It's going to be GOOD, really good!!!

See you this weekend,

Tim Celek
Lead Pastor
The Crossing

The OC Marathon and The Crossing Church

I'll get to the OC Marathon and The Crossing Church, but first a recap of Easter weekend at The Crossing! In raw numbers we were up 20% over last year's Easter weekend which is an increase of over 1,000 people. We were packed with adults and children which is both a good thing and a God thing. Yea God!

We were able to use the "new" auditorium fully and learn a bit of what we'll need to know when it opens full time in the middle of June. Sure we've got some bugs to work through, but a big shout goes out to all of you who attended either Good Friday or Easter weekend. Thank you for your understanding and patience. But most of all, thank you for inviting and bringing people to hear the life changing news of John 3:16, "that whosoever believes in Him (the risen Jesus Christ) should not perish but have everlasting life."

This weekend we kick off a new series and I'm pretty amped! The series is titled "Hope Lives." However, THIS Sunday is the OC Marathon. Due to the close proximity of the Marathon there will be various road closures which I'm convinced will cause back ups on the 55 fwy and potentially Newport Blvd. So please take a look at this link for what roads are closed and during what hours. The one thing I will say, don't let the inconvenience of a little traffic or road obstacles stop you from coming to church OR come on Saturday night at 5:30 p.m.

Either way, I WILL see you this weekend at one of our six services, Saturday 5:30 p.m. or Sunday 8:30, 9:30, 10, 11, 11:30 a.m. I'm sure looking forward to it.

Tim Celek
Lead Pastor
The Crossing

Good Friday & Easter Weekend at The Crossing

Jesus told them, "As you go into the city, you will see a certain man. Tell him, 'The Teacher says: My time has come…'"(Matthew 26:18). Growing up, I always wanted to have powers that would enable me to predict the future, albeit for the wrong motives. As I've grown, I've become convinced it's a good thing God didn't give me that supernatural gifting. Knowing what's going to happen, would've led to massive disappointment or debilitating fear or worry, possibly even premature celebrations.

Get this…imagine knowing you're earthbound to die a horrible death, yet having the forethought to know you'd be rising again! What a life! What responsibility! What love!

This entire weekend at The Crossing is ALL about the person who knew it all and did it all, Jesus!!! I'm really hoping you'll be attending Good Friday, THIS Friday, on the campus of The Crossing at either 12 or 7 p.m. (Childcare is provided). Get there early! We will be doing just what Jesus asked us to do, "remembering His death…"

Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 8:30, 10:00 & 11:30 a.m. is all about Jesus risen! There is a spectacular Children's program planned for children nursery through 5th grade.

The services on Good Friday are different than those on Saturday and Sunday. DO NOT come by yourself! Bring a friend, neighbor, co-worker, family member. It's going to be a great weekend at The Crossing (BTW, that statement has nothing to do with me knowing the future, only knowing I have a BIG GOD!)

See you soon,

Tim Celek
Lead Pastor
The Crossing

It's Friday...

One of the best sermons I've heard was titled, "It's Friday!" On Friday, April 22, we celebrate what we call Good Friday (The Crossing's Good Friday service times are noon and 7 pm). Back to the sermon, it was delivered by a man named Tony Campolo. I've included a youtube link:



This isn't the original, but you can watch and/or listen to a similar version of what I heard years ago. Here are some of the phrases from that message…for the completion of the phrase, you'll have to listen to the link.

It’s Friday. Jesus is arrested in the garden where He was praying. But…
It’s Friday. The disciples are hiding and Peter’s denying that he knows the Lord. But…
It’s Friday. Jesus is standing before the high priest of Israel, silent as a lamb before the slaughter. But…
It’s Friday. Jesus is beaten, mocked, and spit upon. But…
It’s Friday. Those Roman soldiers are flogging our Lord with a leather scourge that has bits of bones and glass and metal, tearing at his flesh. But…
It’s Friday. The Son of man stands firm as they press the crown of thorns down into his brow. But…
It’s Friday. See Him walking to Calvary, the blood dripping from His body. See the cross crashing down on His back as He stumbles beneath the load. It’s Friday; but…
It’s Friday. See those Roman soldiers driving the nails into the feet and hands of my Lord. Hear my Jesus cry, “Father, forgive them.” It’s Friday; but…
It’s Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, bloody and dying. But…

Join me Friday, April 22 on the campus of The Crossing, either at noon or 7 p.m. (Childcare is provided) as we celebrate "Friiiiiiiiidaaaaaay…" and we remember that Sunday is coming!

Tim Celek
Lead Pastor
The Crossing

Someone used my towel and then…

The freakiest thing happened the other day at the gym. I finished taking a shower, went out to get my towel and it's NOT there. Just minutes before, I placed it on the hook, now it's gone. There were other towels hanging on the various hooks, but none of them were MINE. Walk into the locker room and there is MY towel…in someone else's hands, drying off someone else's body. Incredulously I said, "Hey bro…that's my towel you're using!" And then, no kidding, the dude looked me straight in the eye and said, "Sorry, but it's not, it's my towel."

At that point, everything in me is saying, "Let it go, just let it go…" But I didn't let it go. I said, "Dude, that's my towel…bring your own flippin towel!" He resolutely restated his earlier phrase, "Sorry, but it's not your towel. It's my towel."

I'm thinking this is like a Seinfeld episode or maybe Ashton Kutcher is somewhere hiding and I'm being "Punk'd." Needless to say, I was TICKED! It wasn't so much that the guy used MY towel and then put MY towel in his gym bag and took it home with him. What irritated me was that he wasn't telling the truth! This wasn't a white lie. There wasn't even any gray to it…it was just a flat-out, bald-faced non-truth!

DO NOT MISS this weekend as we continue in the Crazy Love series looking at the phrase, "Love delights in the truth…" I'm telling you, God's Word is off the hook. This love stuff is rocking our worlds. Check it out! Bring a friend! Our service times are Saturday @ 5:30 pm and Sunday @ 8:30, 9:30, 10, 11, 11:30 am.

Also, make sure you get your Easter tickets. They're totally and completely free, but this year…you NEED a ticket. We want to make sure everyone has a seat. The ticket allows us to plan appropriately. So pick up your ticket this weekend on the campus of The Crossing. The Easter service times are Saturday @ 5:30 pm and Sunday @ 8:30, 10 & 11:30 am.

See you this weekend…btw, I hope the dude that took my towel shows up!

Tim Celek
Lead Pastor
The Crossing

P.S. In keeping with our desire to help everyone grow in their relationship with Jesus, we are taking a whole church Spiritual Survey. If you've not taken the Spiritual Life Survey yet, I sure would like you to do so. It's totally anonymous and secure. It will take you 30-40 minutes. Please use this link. This survey allows us to get a clear spiritual "reading" of our church. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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