SOME RIDES NEVER REALLY END

"The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.
Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps." - - Psalm 85:12-13

I don't know when you last rode a roller-coaster, but its been awhile for me. Still, I can remember the thing that all coasters have in common that scares me the most - - its that "clickety-clack" climb up the hill, waiting for the cars to careen over the top, scream down the hill and around the loop until the whole thing crashes to a stop, and you're not sure if you should be laughing or crying or both.

In a sense, Crossroads is getting to the top of that initial hill. Its kind of a cool vantage point, because you can see so much - - - so many connections in the community, so many new friends, so many chances to share Jesus with people who don't know Him yet. But you kind of have to take a minute at the top of the hill to realize and think about a couple of things:
1) Are we really ready to go over the top of this thing and hang on for the ensuing ride?
2) What is the track on the way down starting to look like?

Answer those questions, though, and you are well on your way to some alignment for your group or your church start. For us, the primary task always lies in connecting people to Jesus - - that's alot of possible conversations, so we're never totally ready to go over the top. In a sense, "going over the top" is simply believing God to provide and to protect, so if you can believe that, then go for it!! Make big, bold plans that are connected to a simple, coherent vision........we'd love to see at least 50 kids gathered at our neighborhood park every week, bringing their families, learning and growing with each other and hearing about Jesus all the way. Its a bigger vision than we have the means for, but its a little vision when compared to the size of the Harvest - - it just means we have to lean all the more on the Lord of the Harvest to see it happen.

This little roller-coaster ride is unique in every planting situation, but the same God is building track and putting us on it. If you want some Scripture to reflect a little bit on that thought, check out Psalm 85 - - I have read it about 30 times this week because it just jumped out at me Monday and I've been reading it since, seeing how God does work in our lives, how He builds track for us and goes before us - - - I hope it draws you closer to Him, too!!!

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Crossroads Ministries exists to connect people to Jesus in the midst of everyday life. If you are following Jesus now, find someone who is not and invite them to walk with you! If you're not following Jesus but you know someone who is, follow that person around, ask lots of questions. Wherever you are in your faith journey, we want you to know that there is a God who loves you and has sent His Son to live & die for you, so that you can live forever with Him!!!