More Stories from The Crossing...

From Kimber:
On Tuesday night we went down to the ocean to walk. Eli came with us to boogie board. We only stay between the two jetties so we can see Eli. This is the first time he was “alone”. There were a lot of surfers out there, but Eli wasn’t really near any of them. He was riding in a couple of times, I told him he has to stay where I can see him and not go out too far… blah blah blah… So I’m walking and I noticed that he started getting out to where the surfers were lined up… kind of far for my comfort level.

I started walking backwards so I didn’t lose sight of where he was. Then he was “in line with the surfers” and then a little past them… I started walking back kind of fast, calling Brian. Brian was like “where is he?” and I yell “he’s out too far, I’m gonna make him come back in.” I walked a little further and a big wave went by and I lost sight of him… then it got past and he was out PAST the surfers and out past the jetty – by like 20 or 30 yards…I could see him trying to paddle and kick but still going out even further… I started running and yelling to Brian “he’s out too far, he’s out too far” and Brian couldn’t even see him – I’m yelling “that’s his little head out there”… he was so far away he looked small. Brian handed me his phone and wallet and stuff and started into the water when a surfer started toward Eli… he was going to help him. He got him and pulled him in. Eli got caught in the under tow and was far out there… WAY far!

When he got to where he could stand up, the surfer told him “you should be able to touch bottom here, I’m going to give you a good push on this next wave and you can ride it in”… Eli got in and of course we were right there by then – Eli was crying and couldn’t catch his breath…. Then he told me “Mom, it was God, it was God…” He knew he was in trouble – he was trying to swim parallel to the beach, but was in a bit of a panic (as was I)… so, God love him, he thought to pray. He prayed “God, please let me keep my life and send someone to help me.” He said, laughing and crying at the same time, “IMMEDIATELY, I smelled Angel Food Cake”… it was so strong of a smell that he said OUT LOUD in the middle of the salt water thru his tears – “why do I smell Angel Food Cake??” And right then, the surfer was reaching toward him telling him to grab onto the strap on his board.

Needless to say HE was very shaken, I was very shaken, and I think the surfer might’ve been too. He never came up to us, but he did get his buddy and leave the beach as we were leaving too… - He didn’t come near us, but I did try to catch his eye to tell him thank you, but he wouldn’t even look at us… unless it was a different surfer, I don’t know… I was messed up at the time. Eli said the guy who came out of the water was NOT the guy who helped him… he couldn’t find that guy…

I would’ve just chalked this all up to “experience” – except Eli was ADAMANT that God saved him… (you know how you just KNOW…) He didn’t stop crying for about an hour (I still haven’t stopped…lol). All I could see was my son, my Eli, drifting farther and farther away in a big hurry… and I couldn’t get to him… I was still trying to remain calm and didn’t even THINK to pray at that point… and Eli was already praying. Yesterday morning, I got this email…

Who Can We Trust
Posted: 12 Oct 2010 11:01 PM PDT

We can come before God’s throne where…we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it. Hebrews 4:16

Don’t we need someone to trust who is bigger than we are? Aren’t we tired of trusting the people of this earth for understanding? Aren’t we weary of trusting the things of this earth for strength? A drowning sailor doesn’t call on another drowning sailor for help… He knows he needs someone who is stronger than he is. Jesus’ message is this: I am that person. Trust Me.
GOD IS SO GOOD



From Shel:

Having never gone to church in my life & lived with a "don't ask, don't tell" policy in my family about my religious beliefs, I can say I've always believed in God--or at least some sort of intelligent design. It's been Jesus as his son that's given me pause. I've been going to The Crossing for almost 5 years, but, I remained unconvinced. One day I had the opportunity to hear Lee Strobel speak & decided to read "The Case for Christ." I read all but the last 2 chapters, still unconvinced and put it away.

(This is God at work--or maybe only my subconscious at work) One morning about a week after putting the book away, I got up & saw the book on the floor of my bedroom door. I thought to myself as I was stepping over top of it, "weird, I thought I stacked that with the other books. Huh. I should really finish that book." And started my morning routine. Later, I decided to pick it up & read it. It was right where I thought I'd left it--with the other books. Not in my bedroom doorway.

I read the last (and critical as it turned out to be) chapters & the book spoke to me. I was so emotional when I realized everything I thought I knew was wrong. I wish words could explain how I felt. It's kind of like how you know that your family & friends love you--mentally in your head. If you have children, you can feel that love almost physically inside you. That day, I felt something a little bit like that. I FELT His love. In me. Like with my son, but MORE.

Now I believe. And every time I try to logic myself out of it, I just can't. You can't make up that feeling of overwhelming love. He showed himself to me & I am so blessed to have had that experience.
I am blessed & excited to be baptized Sunday the 21st! It will be my way of showing the world how I feel--the "don't ask, don't tell" policy is over.

Thank you!!

Extra Sleep & Politicians

Sometimes the cynicism level rises in me. Is that ever true of you? The elections were held yesterday. No matter your party affiliation, the thing you can always count on in any election are negative ads and constant chatter about change. Politicians are good at talking smack about change. However it’s just that, talk. It’s probably just my jaded viewpoint, but there doesn’t seem to be much action.

As Christ followers, many times we’re no different. We talk a good game, particularly when we’re caucusing with other Christians. Unfortunately our actions as believers are dubious at best or damaging at their worst. We don’t have the best track record. For the past couple of days I’ve been playing this game. I’ve begun each day imagining there’s a film crew recording my every move, each non-verbal, as well as everything uttered from my mouth. I’ve been picturing my day getting reviewed like the post game analysis on ESPN or Fox Sports.

Believe me, the commentary is quite humbling, particularly when it’s assessed in light of the grid of the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self control... Regrettably there are vast portions of my day where I’m not exhibiting these traits or character qualities. How about you?

The series we’re tackling at the moment, Two Faced: Saying You’re a Believer, but Acting Like You’re Not, gets at the very heart of this issue. If you’d like to improve your game, then make it a point to be at The Crossing this weekend. Plus, DON’T FORGET, this weekend is Time Change Weekend, clocks FALL BACK!!! Set your clocks back on Saturday night before your head hits the pillow. The good news is for all you Sunday attenders, you get an extra hour of sleep! YEA!!

Seeking to live a God honoring life,

Tim Celek
Lead Pastor
The Crossing

Plaza remodel

Plaza remodel from The Crossing on Vimeo.

Bring On The Brick

This weekend, October 30 & 31, we will be bringing our bricks onto the stage of the new auditorium. If you were here during the summer series of 2009 on Nehemiah, you know what I’m referring to. If you weren’t here at that time, but you are in the game supporting the construction of the new auditorium, don’t worry we’ll have some more bricks for you!

You won't want to miss this weekend at The Crossing!

Service Times: Saturday @ 5:30pm and Sunday @ 8:30, 9, 10, 11, 11:30am

Possibly the hardest act of all, letting go

Generally there is that “one” person or maybe two, where the impact of their life, deeds and words has left a scar, possibly even a deep wound on yours. It doesn’t matter most times if the wrongful action or verbal assault took place a month or year or even years ago, the pain still surfaces at the thought of the transgression.

The relationship gone bad might have been with parents or family members or a business partnership or co-worker, maybe a marriage or a once deep bond of friendship severed. The possibilities of the kinds and types and sizes of haunting memories of hurtful stuff is endless. No illustration could ever describe every occurrence of pain.

Yet the reality is, all this time later, many of us still hold onto the hurt. In doing so, we subconsciously know it isn’t really going to help, but we do it anyway.

This weekend we continue our series, Two Faced: Saying You’re a Believer but Acting as Though You’re Not. This is a CAN’T MISS weekend. I say that often don’t I, but this one truly is! Why? Because the topic hits us all. See here’s the deal. We are going to unpack the rough reality of letting the grudge go and stepping into the realm of forgiveness. Make plans now to attend! Invite someone to come with you.

You know me, I shoot straight. So I’ll tell you ahead of time, it will be good, but what you’ll hear might not be nice!

See you this weekend,

Tim Celek
Lead Pastor
The Crossing

P. S. NEXT weekend at The Crossing (October 30/31), we will be bringing our bricks onto the stage of the new auditorium. If you were here during the summer series of 2009 on Nehemiah, you know what I’m referring to. If you weren’t here at that time, but you are in the game supporting the construction of the new auditorium, don’t worry we’ll have some more bricks for you!

What is the deal with the rain?

It never rains in Southern California! Never, ever in October! Yeah, right? Bad advertising, I guess.

Sometimes people who call themselves Christians are bad advertisements too! We look pretty good on Sunday, but act in an entirely different way Monday through Saturday. Out of the same mouth we use to praise God, sometimes flows curses of the most foul kind. Often we say we “believe”, but then we act as though we don’t.

It’s that kind of hypocrisy that kept me away from even wanting to consider being a Christian. Now I find myself behaving the very way I used to find abhorrent. The name badge I wear at times could be Two Faced Timmie. Believe me, that’s not a good place to be.

Join me this weekend as we kick off a new series titled, Two Faced: Saying You’re a Believer but Acting Like You’re Not. Let’s wrestle with this issue together. With God’s help, I believe we can come out the winner.

In fact this is such an important topic, I want to encourage you to invite someone to come with you, churched or not it doesn’t matter. This is something we ALL fight against.

Our service times are Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 8:30, 9:30, 10:00, 11:00 and 11:30 a.m. We have Children’s programming, nursery through 5th grade at all service times. Our Junior High services are at 5:30 p.m. Saturday night & 10:00 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. Sunday morning. High School service times are 10:00 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. on Sunday.

See you this weekend,

Tim Celek
Lead Pastor
The Crossing

P.S. Please put your “patient” hat on this weekend and over the weekends ahead as you step on the campus of The Crossing. We’re excited because the construction has made its way into the plaza area. In fact, an outdoor baptismal fountain will be located where the coffee used to be. These are terrific times! Lives are being changed for Jesus. Yea God!!!