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
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
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
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
Thursday, April 7, 2011
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
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