http://visitccc.com/ What's happening in the Young Adult Ministries at Christ Community Church. This feed contains all young adult postings. en tserra@visitchristcommunity.com Copyright 2012 2012-05-10T18:06:04+00:00 Special thanks to those of you who "flexed" last night with us as we attended First Monday Men, Last Comic Standing. Congrats to Dan Gottwerth for winning the contest! CrossRoads meets next on Monday, May 14 at 7pm in the Student Center to continue our series, The Best Question Ever. Remember that Summer CrossRoads kicks-off on Monday, June 4.  Volleyball from 6pm - 7pm followed by pizza and the meeting in the student center at Christ Community. youngadults 2012-05-08T12:43:52+00:00 We have decided to call an audible on our Monday, May 7 CrossRoads meeting.  This scheduled meeting happens to coincide with First Monday Men, also on Monday May 7. Because this is the last, First Monday Men of the year, (and it should be a great one! - click here for all details) we are inviting all college-age/young adult men to attend First Monday Men. CrossRoads Ladies: Gretchen will still lead your time together. 7pm in the Student Center as usual. We can still all meet at Applebee's at 8:45pm. We will continue with Andy Stanley's video series, The Best Question Ever, on Monday, May 14 - 7pm in the Student Center. Remember that summer CrossRoads, which includes sand court volleyball from 6pm - 7pm, followed by pizza in the student center, begins on Monday, June 4. youngadults 2012-05-02T14:09:44+00:00 CrossRoads begins a new 6-week series Monday, April 16 - Monday, May 21 called, "The Best Question Ever".  Curious what the question is? Join us for the series! After this series, we will start "Summer CrossRoads" on Monday, June 4.  Summer CR always includes sand court volleyball, pizza, music and a message.  There's always plenty of time to hangout with friends. Hope to see you soon!  youngadults 2012-03-26T14:33:08+00:00 We have been working our way through the Biggest Loser Spiritual Discipline series now for seven weeks.  We have covered everything from prayer to simplicity to sharing our faith.  In the process we have been challenged to lose some old habit or at least curb them back to a respectable level.  But why all the fuss?  Do Spiritual disciplines really matter in the grand scheme of things? Let’s consider our best example of Christian living... Jesus.  Here is a guy that did everything well.  He loved God well.  He loved others well.  He was fully obedient to God.  He always followed the leading of the Spirit.  He never pushed His own selfish agenda but always lived out God’s will perfectly.  Not only is He the best example, He is the perfect example. Now I know you are thinking, “How can I possibly compare to Jesus?  There is no way I can even come close to living how He lived.  I will never do anything perfectly, let alone even know God’s will perfectly.  I am doomed to failure so why even try!” This is what I have to say to you: “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” (Romans 8:11).  We have the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish anything.  This means, and it really does, that we are able to be as obedient and loving as Jesus Himself if we live fully in the Spirit as Jesus did.  BUT, since we are subject to this pesky thing we call “the flesh”, we will not live up to that ability.  This is where the disciplines come in!  Disciplines are the tools we use to get into “spiritual shape”.  They develop in us better hearing for listening to our “trainer”.  They develop bigger muscles for “beating the flesh into submission”.  And they condition the heart to “beat” with a love for God and others far beyond our fleshly capabilities. It’s not hopeless, but you do have to get up and stop wallowing in self pity.  Tone up people!  Leaving the flabby fleshly desires behind and developing healthy habits grounded in discipline and focused on Jesus start with the first step.  The only one holding you back is YOU!!  youngadults 2012-03-13T14:41:43+00:00 OK - so let's say you've already missed one or two of the first two winter CrossRoads meetings. You've missed a lot!  Actually, other than the competitions we've been having, you can easily catch up by listening to the messages by clicking here. Deb and I also have podcasts after each message that kind of play "Monday morning quarterback" on the message given at CrossRoads the night before. It should be noted that the guys have taken an early 2 - 0 lead on the girls in the Biggest Loser competitions!  Girls, come on out and step up to the plate! CrossRoads meets Monday nights at 7pm in the student center at Christ Community Church. Hope to see you there! youngadults 2012-02-02T18:21:50+00:00 There is nothing like the first of January for making resolutions to start off the new year.  For some it’s about setting goals for losing weight, eating better, or overall lifestyle changes.  For others it means adding more exercise or eliminating extra sweets.  For you it might mean to quit smoking or drink more water.  Whatever the choice, we are filled with hope that the upcoming year holds greater success than the last. This is usually true of our Christian lives as well.  Most people decide to start a reading plan in January.  They commit that THIS year they will finally read through the whole Bible.  Others decide now is the time for joining a small group.  Others for cutting out less than desirable choices from their lives.  All done with great hope that this is the year that they will finally be that person they wish they were. There is only one problem with this.  It almost always ends in failure.  Why?  Because we look at the end point - losing 20 lbs. or reading the whole Bible, that when the moment comes that we trip up and overindulge or miss two days of Bible reading that we throw in the towel and say, “maybe next year”.   Living is not done with resolutions.  Living is done one day at a time doing the most we can within each day.  Hebrews 4:7 says, “Today if you hear His voice do not harden your hearts.”  Lamentations 3:22-23 “The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Every day is a fresh start.   Every day is a new chance to “get it right”.  And every day is a chance to fail knowing that a new beginning is merely hours away.  So don’t get stuck in the January rut.  Kiss those “doomed for failure” resolutions goodbye.  Instead, take each day as it comes building a healthy lifestyle both physically and spiritually and be amazed at the work God accomplishes in and through you. Join us Monday nights for “The Biggest Loser: Exercise in Spiritual Disciplines” and learn more about living healthy spiritual lives.  youngadults 2012-01-25T16:51:53+00:00 I'm looking forward to the start of CrossRoads on Monday, January 23 at 7pm in the Student Center.  As always, any young adult (college age/20something) is invited. Our new series, The Biggest Loser, will focus on what we might "lose" in our lives in order that our relationship with God might grow.  Specifically, we'll consider spiritual growth through spiritual disciplines.  Click the "CrossRoads" button on the left of this page for more details. If you are out of shape, join us for this new series! youngadults 2012-01-10T14:11:35+00:00 If you missed any of the messages give at CrossRoads during the fall, click here to listen. youngadults 2012-01-08T14:19:58+00:00 Thanks to the more than 50 of our college students and young adults who joined us at CrossRoads this fall.  We really enjoyed spending the time with you. Join us on Monday night, Jan. 23, 2012 when we kick-off our winter CrossRoads gatherings.  As always, we'll meet at 7pm in the Student Center at Christ Community. Hope to see you there as we start our new series, The Biggest Loser! youngadults 2011-12-20T21:00:13+00:00 Our rather lengthy, 13-week, chapter-by-chapter study on the book of Hebrews will come to a conclusion on Monday, December 12.  Thanks to the more than 40 of you who joined us at some point along the way!  Moving forward into the winter and spring, we will offer some shorter studies.  Our CrossRoads leadership team is currently creating a new 6 or 7 week study for January/February, 2012. Hebrews is an amazing work of God's hand teaching us that Jesus is supreme over all.  We no longer need an earthly "priest" to come to God - through Jesus' work on the cross, we can go straight to God the Father through trusting in His Son, Jesus.   The author of Hebrews also recognizes that this journey is not an easy one.  He encourages us to keep going!  He noted that we can only do that well through authentic relationships with other Christ-followers. If you are a college student or young adult and you feel like you don't have these kinds of relationships right now, consider joining us at Christ Community Church on Sunday mornings and at CrossRoads on Monday nights. If you'd like to talk more about Christ Community or CrossRoads, please contact me at sallen@visitccc.com or Deb Borrello at dborrello@visitccc.com. youngadults 2011-12-08T14:00:22+00:00 I love the book of Hebrews.  Part of the reason we are studying the book this session is because I am so enamored with it’s complexity and beauty.  I would love to give the author a big hug for so eloquently capturing the reality of the old testament combined with the role Jesus plays in, through, and over it.  I particularly liked the final section in Chapter 5.  The author has just spent the past four and a half chapters establishing who Jesus is in relation to angels, humanity, the Israelites, rest, and the beginnings of understanding His role as High Priest.  All of a sudden the author expresses, “...we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing...” (5:11).  How great is that?  The author goes on to say “for though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles...” (5:12)  And “everyone who partakes only of milk...is an infant” (5:13) “But solid food is for the mature...” (5:14). The author totally calls them out!  They are at a point in their lives where they should not only be leaving all the elementary teachings of Christ behind but should they themselves be able to lead and teach others the things they have learned and come to know.  In other words, instead of moving forward and becoming useful to the new baby Church they are actually stalled out in first and going nowhere. Which leads me to the point of this article... where do you fall on the “maturity” scale?  I know for a fact there are many of you who should have a more mature understanding of the Word and teaching others all you know but instead are a drain on the body constantly needing to be fed the basics like a baby.  You are content to remain in a place of Biblical ignorance and demand that others continue to pour into you what they know while only retaining small amounts. I am following the lead of the author in Hebrews and am calling you out.  If you have been a believer for more than, oh, I don’t know, let’s say 2 years, you should be moving into solid foods my friend!  You should know the difference between the new and old testament.  You should know the general layout of the Bible as well as an overall knowledge of the contents.  You do not need a seminary degree to be a mature Believer but you do need more than a Sunday morning message to get there! If you are still being fed milk when you should be eating meat then step up! Stop forcing others to feed you.  Open your Bible.  Start feasting on the meat.  Don’t just join a small group or Bible study but contribute to the maturity within.  There is too much to be done to waste time catering to those who refuse to grow up so give up the milk and grab a steak!!   youngadults 2011-10-26T14:33:04+00:00 So far we've worked through the first 4 chapters of Hebrews at our CrossRoads Merge meetings on Monday nights.  This coming Monday we'll look at Hebrews 5 where the author continues his theme of "Christ is greater than..."  In light of that, the author has a convicting message for Christ-followers: Grow up! Any young adult is welcome to join us at our CR gatherings.  We meet every Monday night at 7pm in the Student Center at Christ Community Church. Feel free to contact me, Scott, at sallen@visitccc.com if you have any questions about our meetings. youngadults 2011-10-04T14:25:46+00:00 A woman in my Bible study will be turning 90 in April.  She has been studying the Bible faithfully for longer than I’ve been alive.  In fact, she has been studying the Bible faithfully for longer than my life twice over.  Yet week after week she returns and not only does she lead but she also learns.  Tell me, what other books can one study for almost a century and still find something new every time?  Why is it with the Bible no one ever reaches the full saturation point of Biblical knowledge?  Hebrews 12:4 offers an explanation to this. “the Word of God is living and active...”  There are no other books I know of referred to as “living and active”.  Granted, there are those “choose your own adventure” books that offer a different array of choices with each read, but eventually one follows every possible path and no longer offers the reader new alternatives.  But the Bible?  The Bible is like the ultimate “choose your own adventure”.   It is more than printed letters combined into words arranged into coherent sentences and grouped into logical paragraphs.  It is more than just morality and ethical guidelines.  It is “living and active”. This is why my friend at 90 is still studying the Bible.  This is why she is willing to come out twice a week to hear and share the Word.  She knows there is still more for her to learn and more for her to pass on to others.  Her Lord is not trapped in the pages but rather reaches out and embraces her every times she opens the Book.  Her Lord holds her, encourages her, and leads her, and more and more she takes on the likeness of Jesus everyday.  This is why we need to remain diligent in our Bible reading.  The Word of God does not benefit me to sit on a shelf.  There is nothing special about the Bible if it gathers dust on my nightstand.  I will not change and grow and be convicted of my choices and behavior because I downloaded the app to my smartphone.  There is nothing effective about owning a Bible.  It is only effective if I open it and read it. This is my encouragement to you... be like my friend.  Be 90 years old and still passionate about the Word of God.  Open the Bible.  Read it.  Let if change you from the inside out.  Because that’s what it does.  The author in Hebrews knew it.  I know it.  Give it a chance and you will know it too.  Oh, and pass the WORD.  It WILL change someone’s life!    youngadults 2011-09-30T21:37:19+00:00 Last Monday, we launched our fall CrossRoads meetings.  We are working through the letter to the Hebrews one chapter each week. The evenings consists of teaching, Q & A, discussion groups and prayer.  You are welcome anytime. We meet in the Student Center at Christ Community Church every Monday night at 7:00pm. youngadults 2011-09-19T14:29:06+00:00 On Monday, September 12, 2011 at 7:00pm in the Student Center at Christ Community Church, CrossRoads will kickoff our fall gatherings. During our September - December, weekly, Monday night meetings, Deb and I will teach through the book of Hebrews.  The goal is to gain a greater undertstanding of this letter as well as apply its principles to our lives. The format will be teaching, followed by an opportunity for questions and answers. Next, we will break down into discussion groups.  Each group will have a leader who will guide you in responding to a few questions. Finally, your discussion group will spend some time in prayer. These nights will end promptly at 8:45pm. Any college student/20something is welcome and we hope to see you on Monday night, September 12! If you have questions, please contact Scott at sallen@visitccc.com youngadults 2011-09-01T13:32:11+00:00 During the first 3 weeks of our current CrossRoads series, God in the dark, Josh Evans, Deb Borrello and I taught from the Scriptures on trusting God in difficult circumstances.  Josh and I looked at how Jesus trusted His Father - of course, he did it humanly, yet perfectly.  Deb looked at how Old Testament Israel trusted their Father - less perfectly and more humanly. Over the past two weeks, I've interviewed both the Gottwerth and Dromeshauser families on how they have trusted God in life-changing situations. The Gottwerth's were faced with death and divorce. The Dromeshauser's daughter was born with a birth defect. Both families had similar questions: "Why this? Why us? God, what is going on here? This isn't what we excpected." They were broken-hearted and began to see God and themselves differently. Dan shared how "the heavens were closed" after the death of his wife. He relied on the people in his life to communicate God's unbroken love to him. Audrey and Jeff exerienced a deeper sense of God's work in her life. Both have concluded that their daughter was "knit together" by the God who doesn't make mistakes. They believe God has great plans for their little girl. Almost 10 years later, Rachel accutely feels the loss of her mother. Her relationship with God has "had it's ups and downs" but she continues to pursue God. Debi experienced the heartbreak of divorce. She's turned it into a fantastic ministry to others facing similar circumstances. The point of this series, and more importantly, what we see in the Scriptures, is not, "You should feel and act this way during tough times." Each of us might feel similarly, yet differently. However, Jesus did teach us to rely on God, His words and His character. To hold firm to the belief that God is good, in control and accomplishing His great purposes through the situation you are facing even now. God is our refuge and strength,an ever-present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give wayand the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,though its waters roar and foamand the mountains quake with their surging. Psalm 46:1-3 NIV youngadults 2011-08-09T13:21:23+00:00 Last night at our weekly CrossRoads meeting, Deb Borrello took us on a whirlwind tour of Exodus. It's amazing how many miracles the Israelites personally witnessed and then, as soon as the next obstacle came along, they feared the worst.  Well, at least it's amazing until we compare it to our own lives.  How many answered prayers have we experienced only to follow it up with, "God, are you really there?", or "God must not care." God did allow the Israelites to enter into situations where they needed to trust Him.  Perhaps it was only in those circumstances that they would learn to know Him more deeply.   Maybe you are facing a circumstance and are wondering what God is up to.  The Scriptures teach us (Romans 8:28), and we can learn from Israel's experiences, that He is at work in our lives (John 5:17).  He is doing something right now, even if it appears to be in the dark, that will draw us closer to Him. I pray that God would move you one step closer to Himself through whatever you face today. youngadults 2011-07-26T16:57:32+00:00 Have you ever found yourself “name dropping?” You know, when you subtly (or not so subtly in most cases) let it “slip” you know someone others would consider important. We learn early on that if we can’t be the one on top mere association with the person who is can make a difference on where we stand in the eyes of others. Why do you think people dig through celebrity trash cans? Seriously, we drop a name at just the right moment and before we know it we are surrounded by admirers who just want to be near us because we might be the closest thing to the real deal they will ever get. We then ride on the status of that person until it wanes or we find someone even better to associate ourselves with. It’s a process based on pride and it’s only worth it if it inflates our ego. So what if I told you the Bible instructs us to name drop? Matthew 10:32-33 is all about name dropping. Jesus is very clear - name drop Him to others and He will name drop you to His father; deny Him and He will deny you to His father. Not only are we told to name drop Him, He informs us He will name drop us! Imagine! Jesus, with angels, powers, and authorities in submission to him sitting there at the right hand of the Father (1 Peter 3:22) dropping YOUR name. “So Abba, check out (insert your name here). She/He is dropping my name! How cool is that?” So the next time you are tempted to “name drop” someone of earthly fame reconsider and drop the name of the one with eternal fame... “so let me tell you who I know...” youngadults 2011-07-18T14:38:40+00:00 I’ve come to realize I have an issue with trust.  As many of you know I love to rock climb.  I love to feel in control while scurrying my way up a wall.  New routes, new moves, new challenges all make me feel excited and ready to attack.  Until I get on the wall.  Then all that goes to the side and I begin the “what if” game.  “What if” my harness, which I’ve been using for years, all of a sudden doesn’t stay on the way it’s supposed to and I plummet to the ground?  “What if” the rope, which has supported many climbers and is in good condition, all of a sudden snaps and I plummet to the ground?  “What if” the hooks at the top that hold the rope in place all of a sudden pull out of the wall and again, I plummet to the ground?  “What if” my belayer is narcoleptic  and drops the rope or forgets what they are doing or all of a sudden and drops the rope or is raptured (which of course raises a whole new question as to why I was still on the wall when that happened but we won’t get into that here) and drops the rope and I plummet to the ground? “What if…” and I plummet to the ground?I know you are thinking that sounds ridiculous.  And I bet you are wondering how I can claim to love rock climbing.  Apparently I love rock climbing when I am in control.  When I know the rocks are secure and my skill is right on level with the climb I am efficient, controlled, and brave.  Take one of those elements away and I get sewing machine leg and a thundering heart.  Sadly enough I treat God the same way.  I love Him.  I really do.  But then the “what ifs” creep in.  “What if” this time, when I really need Him, I can’t find Him?  “What if”, even though He has always provided in the past, this time He doesn’t?  “What if” He doesn’t do what’s best for me, even though I know He can ONLY do what’s best for me, but this time somehow doesn’t?  “What if” He calls me to something more than I can handle even though He never has before and promises not to?  “What if” I have no idea what I’m doing and fail miserably and He doesn’t pick up the pieces?  “What if…” and I plummet to the ground!?I do not want to live this way.  Not only am I limited in my climbing but I am limited in my walk with God.   Yes, my harness may give, the rope may break, the hooks may come off the wall, and I may plummet to the ground but the chances of that happening are next to impossible?  And the reality of God?  He is God.  He does not fail.  He cannot fail.  Not trusting God is even more ridiculous than not trusting my gear!   Unlike my gear where there is the finite possibility of failure there is not even a remote chance God will let me plummet to the ground!  And on that I will put my trust!! youngadults 2011-05-17T12:52:44+00:00 The power to keep temptation from becoming a "gremlin" is within your grasp!  Through the Holy Spirit we are able to stand strong against Satan who seeks to destroy everything.   Don't be fooled!!  It only takes one little snack after midnight to change everything. Matthew 316After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, 17and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased."Matthew 4 1Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.  3And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 4But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'" 5Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written,
 'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU';
 and
 'ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP,
 SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'" 7Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'" 8Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; 9and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me." 10Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'" 11Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.1 Corinthians 10:13 13No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.James 1:2-4; 13-17 2Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.13Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.  14But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. 16Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.Questions for Dealing with Temptation Temptation:What will giving in to the temptation do for me?     fulfill a physical need?     meet a desire for power?     pledge my allegiance and service to someone or something other than God?What is/are the short term gain(s) of giving in to this temptation?What is/are the long term loss(es) of giving in to this temptation?What additional temptations could be unleashed if I give into this temptation?What scripture reference refutes this temptation? youngadults 2011-05-10T12:45:16+00:00 Christ followers know God's encouragement to Joshua: Be strong and courageous!  But what does that really mean?Last night at CrossRoads, we looked at the specific sources God gives Joshua and Joshua later shares with Israel, for true strength and courage:Promise – Joshua 1:1-5Power – Joshua 1:7-8Presence – Joshua 1:9Previous experience – Joshua 23:3Obedience to God's Word – Joshua 23:6Hold fast to God/Love God – Joshua 23:8,11 Join us next Monday at CrossRoads as we begin a 4 week series on the Gospel of Mark: new wine skins.CrossRoads meets on Monday nights in the Student Center at Christ Community at 7pm. youngadults 2011-03-22T12:36:55+00:00 The people of Israel have been dragging their feet through the desert for forty very long years.  Everyday the same thing - wake up, gather manna, eat manna, take down tent, walk through the hot sand, pitch tent, go to bed.  The same thing day in and day out.  While other nations are building cities and fortifying strongholds in THEIR promised land Israel is walking around the desert like homeless nomads.  Then comes the day the last of the faithless generation falls to the sand.  You can almost hear the collective breath being released.  Could it possibly be over?  Could the wandering finally cease?Commander Joshua is ready.  He has been wandering forty years because of the faithlessness of his peers.  He was ready then and he is definitely ready now.  I mean seriously, he is not getting any younger.  Time to move it out people!  First the Jordan, then Jericho, then the whole promised land!  With God at our side victory is assured!  MARCH!!!!How fitting to be journeying through the book of Joshua this month!  Join us Monday nights from 7-9pm in the Student Center and experience the ups and downs of Israel’s military conquest of the land of Canaan and what how it applies to you!February 28 - Obedience: Life and Death DecisionMarch 7 -  Keep it CloseMarch 14 -  Utter DestructionMarch 21 -  Strong and Courageous youngadults 2011-03-01T18:35:58+00:00 Every woman desires to be beautiful.  We will go to almost any length to achieve it.  We exercise to remain “healthy”.  We eat right to stay “thin”.  We expose our skin to chemicals or artificial light to “bring out our natural glow”.  We pamper ourselves with facials, wraps, manicures, pedicures to “relax”.  We even go so far as surgically enhance or alter our bodies “for medical reasons”. The truth is, women spend more time, more money, and are willing to take more drastic measures on beauty than any other area of life.What a shame it is all wasted effort.  It’s a game of Balderdash and culture is winning.  Culture has no idea what true beauty looks like so it creates it’s own definition and propagates it as truth.  Unfortunately my sisters, we are buying into the lie with every penny we own.  God Himself is the ONLY one who knows what true beauty looks like.  In fact, He wrote the book on it!  He has washed us with water and anointed us with oil. He has clothed us with embroidered cloth and put sandals on our feet.  He has wrapped us with fine linen and covered us with silk.  He adorns us with ornaments, puts bracelets on our hands and a necklace around our neck.  He has placed a ring in our nose, earrings in our ears and a beautiful crown on our head.  We are adorned with gold and silver, and our dresses are made of fine linen, silk and embroidered cloth.  We eat fine flour, honey and oil.  We were exceedingly beautiful and advanced to royalty.  Our fame goes forth among the nations on account of our beauty for it is perfect because of His splendor bestowed on us. (Ezekiel 16:9-14)It’s revolution time sisters!!  Let’s live like the exceedingly, perfect, beautiful women we are!!Beauty.pdf contains the pictures and scriptures from CrossRoads Merge “Girl’s Night 2/7/2011”  I encourage you use them as needed to refocus your “beauty” mindset and let God’s Words heal and encourage you in your battle against the lies.  And remember, my dear sisters, the next time you reach for your lip gloss: makeup, jewelry, cosmetics, etc. merely accent the beauty from within but are helpless to create it.  I love you all!!  youngadults 2011-02-08T17:35:13+00:00 Statistically February is the most depressing month of the year.  Why?  Because it's cold and winter seems like it will never end.  In light of that I want to lift your spirts and tell you about all the exciting things CrossRoads will be doing so you can enjoy the month and avoid the depressionWe ARE meeting on February 7th but it's going to be gender specific.  Guys - you are going to attend the First Monday Men meeting, cause, well, you're men.  Scott is pretty pumped about the speaker/topic and wants you all to join him.  Ladies - we are meeting in the Student Center to talk about the guys.  Just kidding.  We are going to have some girl time to learn from scripture and get to know one another better!  What's better than getting to know Jesus and each other!!  February 14th, as many of you may know, is Valentine's Day.  I personally do not care for a day that is designed to separate the singles from the couples but short of changing tradition I don't see it ending anytime soon.  In light of that, we are going to have a "Valentine's Day" themed evening guaranteed to be the most fun, least "couples" oriented CrossRoads evening ever offered.  You do not want to miss this!!  February 21st there is NO MEETING. The building is closed for the holiday.  Anyone want to go rock climbing instead?February 28th we will be starting a new 4 part series on the book of Joshua.  Scott and I will sharing on alternate weeks what we've learned in our reading/studying of Joshua and Israel as they come into the promised land.  After the "message" we will break into small groups and discuss further the implications of what the scriputre means in our lives today.  I am looking forward to where this takes us as a whole.Well I hope that gets you prepared for the month to come.  Please mark your calendars accordingly and let's make February fun!!!  youngadults 2011-01-24T16:57:20+00:00 January is CrossRoads ACTS OF SERVICE Month."If God cares enough to get involved with the needs of people, we need to care and get involved as well.  Active love is not a matter of following a "to-do checklist" or establishing a system of "rules" or "simple steps." Instead, it is a question of developing an attitude of humility, openness, sensitivity, and creative compassion. It is a matter of using our God-given gifts and talents in the service of others and pursuing the passions He has instilled in our hearts." (Focus on the Family - The Truth Project Tour 12).This month we are committed to live out what we profess.  That means getting down and dirty in our communities workplaces, or schools.  There are plenty of ways we can serve those around us if we just take the time to notice them and then step in and act.  What can you do?  Where has God placed you?  How can you go above and beyond your everyday life to change the life of someone else.  It may be no big deal to you but it could eternally change their world!!!!This month make a commitment to serve.  You can commit to hours (like Deb) or projects (like Scott) as long as you make the commitment.  Once you've decided on your level of commitment tell someone else so they can hold you accountable.  It can be hard to serve when our own lives want to crowd in.  That's what we have each other for!!  Grab a friend, tell them you are going to serve, then get out there and do it!!***Check back regularly for service opportunites I become aware of throughout the month.  There may be one in your own backyard!!!*** Blessings! youngadults 2011-01-05T19:17:39+00:00 For a man who does not consider himself a Christian he offers a very strong argument for seeking God in the matters of the state.  I am inclined to seriously consider his plea.“...how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly appealing to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings? In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible to danger, we had daily prayers in this room for Divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard and they were graciously answered… And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? or do we imagine that we no longer need his assistance?......I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth—that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that ‘except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it.’ I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better, than the Builders of Babel…We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and bye word down to future ages…I therefore beg leave to move—that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business…”- Benjamin Franklin, Constitutional Convention, June 28, 1787 youngadults 2010-11-22T15:51:29+00:00 All we have to do is watch the news and we are reminded time and time again how corruption and lawlessness is prevalent in our country and our world.  The phrases “laws were made to be broken” and “above the law” are imprinted on everything from the common thief to the heads of countries.  Romans 13:3-4 “For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.”  The purpose of the law is to protect and guard not lord over and intimidate.  The problem arises when the one “bearing the sword” is the same one who practices evil.  We only need look back sixty-five years to see where that can lead.  The hope I have and the one thing I can say in the face of these things - God’s law is higher.  This isn’t to say it is for us to act as vigilante and bring our definition of justice but to defer to the justice and righteousness of God.  He is not one to idly sit back and let man rise up and take His place.  The state is NOT God nor will it ever be.  We need to fear God more than man and know that if and when we are called to take a stand it will be for His glory and the furthering of His kingdom - not man’s and definitely not our own!!  Our God is a mighty God who is patient for a time but there is only so much He will tolerate.  I don’t think I want to be around when His patience finally runs out. youngadults 2010-11-16T03:50:41+00:00 Why is it letting go is so hard?  Liz put it best when she said it’s like we are holding onto things so tightly it’s as though we have six hands fisted around whatever it is we so desperately need to release.  Why?  Why do we stand, hands tightly clasped, never for a moment believing we can actually be free?  What if we just let go?  Do we even want to?  The worst part of letting go is the uncertainty of what will take it’s place.  We become attached to our baggage so much that the thought of letting go is frightening.  Do you realize by not letting go we are telling God He is not big enough to handle our situation.  He is not big enough to handle our sadness.  He is not big enough to handle our fears.  He is not big enough to handle things the right way.  He is just not big enough.  I’ve decided I want a bigger God than what I have limited Him to be.  I want a God who is trustworthy and able to handle anything and everything in my life and I want to let go.  I can’t seem to do it on my own so I am praying God pry my fingers from those things hurting me but I refuse to release.  Freedom, sweet freedom… “Help my unbelief!” youngadults 2010-11-08T17:48:09+00:00 What is it that drives us to want be the main character in the story?  I’m pretty sure it started with Burger King’s brainwashing that our burgers should be exactly how we want them.  From there is was a small step to assume everything should be exactly how we want it.  But what if Burger King was wrong?  What if it’s ok that our burgers are cooked so the majority of people are provided for instead of everyone being specifically catered to?  What if having our own stuff how we want it in our personal cosmos is actually detrimental to others?  We can only see from our perspective which means that for every person represented there is another perspective.  Whether we want to be or not our lives both locally and globally are woven together and a pebble in the pond of selfishness here causes a tsunami in the ocean of neediness across the world.  Bottom line - whether we acknowledge it or not there IS a macro story and it is God’s story.  He is the constant across time and space and denial does nothing to keep us from playing a part it merely defines what part we play.  youngadults 2010-10-25T14:09:21+00:00 Science and faith are very much interwoven.  It is not that where there is science there is no faith but rather the object of science’ faith that gives the appearance the two are incompatible.  Science uses the word “infer” where we use the word “believe”.  Where there is no tangible proof science relies on similar circumstances and experiences to “infer”.  We, on the other hand, where there is no tangible proof rely on scripture and God’s character to “believe”.  The walls between the two appear to be insurmountable when we allow lies and deception to cloud our understanding of the Creator God and His willingness to share His creation with the likes of mere man.  We need to let the revelations in science refocus our minds and hearts on the One who gifted us with scientific methods and understanding.  We do not need to waste time battling with those who deny science it’s true purpose.  To see beyond the surface to a world more beautiful and complex than we could ever imagine requires belief over inference and faith over fear. youngadults 2010-10-18T18:52:47+00:00