Greetings Crossing Family!
Since the beginning of creation some things just happen to us that are out of our control. When the sun comes up and goes down; if others will engage us with a cold shoulder, tenderness, or at all; pouring rain or radiant sunshine; illness from bad food, dirty hands, or just through the air. We have also been given the ability to make a multitude of choices each day. Choices that guide our life in a particular direction as we navigate the circumstances that we can’t control. We talk about choices a lot in our house!
As we are faced with difficult and changing circumstances in our world, and as it seems that we are losing more and more choices in the normal routines of our lives, the most important choices still remain. Will we choose to allow this “new way” drive us back to the “old way” in regard to personal responsibility of intimacy with God? Will we choose to grow and be formed through God’s Word, through worship, through practical love of others by engaging in unique and creative ways that challenge us, encourage us, and stir in us a deeper faithfulness to our God? Will we choose to praise Him in the midst of all of this uncertainty, to trust Him when we don’t have any idea what tomorrow will bring?
THIS IS HARD. I don’t deny that in any way. Grieving the loss of routine, of events, of face to face relationship - all of it - it is hard. We are in this together - God isn’t unaware or distant.
So…what does all of this mean for The Crossing? Until further notice The 909 is closed to any groups of people and we will not be gathering on Saturdays. We desire to be on the front lines of loving others and if this is how we can sacrifice for the good of others we will choose to view it that way. We look forward to God healing bodies and this world, and restrictions being eased. You will be informed as quickly as decisions are made.
I have sensed that God continues to lead us to “simple” through unique and creative ways of communion and connection. In our pursuit of God as The Crossing, we haven’t desired to create content but to facilitate formation in community. The reality is that content is available in abundance. Our Saturday gatherings will take place via Zoom (ID: 909-711-9009). As we are unable to meet face to face I will be providing more continual ways for us to be connected and formed through social media, text messages, and Tuesday and Thursday evening Zoom meetings to Connect-Study-Pray. My prayer is that this format will still give us the mindset of circular connection around the Table - our collective centering on Jesus - as we grow and mature in faithfulness. Posts and updates will be made on all of our social media and through the text messages. Please feel free to make sure your family is connected and any others that may not be connected in those ways [Text @ccc909 to 81010].
A few final thoughts…
* Please have grace. This is new territory, nothing will be perfect, and certainly nothing right now is ideal. However, I do believe that much good and much blessing will come through this unique time.
* You will receive and grow as you engage and participate. Just as we encourage you to participate on Saturday nights, we don’t want you to be on the sidelines during this time together.
* Be a compassionate and loving human during these times - to people in general, but especially to those that are struggling in a variety of ways.
* Regardless of how long this lasts, how uncertain or even dark things can appear or actually be, how much of our lives have to be adjusted - it is still ALL ABOUT JESUS. Trust, obedience, love. Let us be the people God created us to be. Let your LIGHT shine!
Please let me know if you have any questions.
I love you all.
Kiley
Since the beginning of creation some things just happen to us that are out of our control. When the sun comes up and goes down; if others will engage us with a cold shoulder, tenderness, or at all; pouring rain or radiant sunshine; illness from bad food, dirty hands, or just through the air. We have also been given the ability to make a multitude of choices each day. Choices that guide our life in a particular direction as we navigate the circumstances that we can’t control. We talk about choices a lot in our house!
As we are faced with difficult and changing circumstances in our world, and as it seems that we are losing more and more choices in the normal routines of our lives, the most important choices still remain. Will we choose to allow this “new way” drive us back to the “old way” in regard to personal responsibility of intimacy with God? Will we choose to grow and be formed through God’s Word, through worship, through practical love of others by engaging in unique and creative ways that challenge us, encourage us, and stir in us a deeper faithfulness to our God? Will we choose to praise Him in the midst of all of this uncertainty, to trust Him when we don’t have any idea what tomorrow will bring?
THIS IS HARD. I don’t deny that in any way. Grieving the loss of routine, of events, of face to face relationship - all of it - it is hard. We are in this together - God isn’t unaware or distant.
So…what does all of this mean for The Crossing? Until further notice The 909 is closed to any groups of people and we will not be gathering on Saturdays. We desire to be on the front lines of loving others and if this is how we can sacrifice for the good of others we will choose to view it that way. We look forward to God healing bodies and this world, and restrictions being eased. You will be informed as quickly as decisions are made.
I have sensed that God continues to lead us to “simple” through unique and creative ways of communion and connection. In our pursuit of God as The Crossing, we haven’t desired to create content but to facilitate formation in community. The reality is that content is available in abundance. Our Saturday gatherings will take place via Zoom (ID: 909-711-9009). As we are unable to meet face to face I will be providing more continual ways for us to be connected and formed through social media, text messages, and Tuesday and Thursday evening Zoom meetings to Connect-Study-Pray. My prayer is that this format will still give us the mindset of circular connection around the Table - our collective centering on Jesus - as we grow and mature in faithfulness. Posts and updates will be made on all of our social media and through the text messages. Please feel free to make sure your family is connected and any others that may not be connected in those ways [Text @ccc909 to 81010].
A few final thoughts…
* Please have grace. This is new territory, nothing will be perfect, and certainly nothing right now is ideal. However, I do believe that much good and much blessing will come through this unique time.
* You will receive and grow as you engage and participate. Just as we encourage you to participate on Saturday nights, we don’t want you to be on the sidelines during this time together.
* Be a compassionate and loving human during these times - to people in general, but especially to those that are struggling in a variety of ways.
* Regardless of how long this lasts, how uncertain or even dark things can appear or actually be, how much of our lives have to be adjusted - it is still ALL ABOUT JESUS. Trust, obedience, love. Let us be the people God created us to be. Let your LIGHT shine!
Please let me know if you have any questions.
I love you all.
Kiley