Dana and her team walk on stage to begin the music, I get excited because I love music, I love to worship, and the worship team do an excellent job. I stand to my feet and listen as an exhortation is made about worshipping the One True God. The first notes begin to be played or sung and my heart begins to rise as I recognize the song. I love this song I think to myself and lift my voice in worship, trying to get lost in His presence. Whoever is receiving the offering for the day comes up and encourages us to give. I am ready, my check has been written, envelop filled out, my offering descends into the soft velvet bag and will hopefully be used by God and I’ll get blessed because I obediently gave it…
I could go on but you get the idea. We all have our own things going on in our heads when we arrive on Sunday mornings. Mostly our thoughts are good. We want to worship, we want to give, and we want the word. We honestly want God to move and be glorified in our midst.
The problem is subtle. It creeps into our mind practically unbeknownst to us. This worship service has become about me. I want to be fed. I want to receive from the Lord. It is certainly not wrong to feel this way, in fact, we are encouraged to hunger after God. However, Luke records an interesting teaching by Jesus:
Luke 17:7 "Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come immediately and sit down to eat'? (8) "But will he not say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink'?
The Master eats first. Who is the Master? Why Jesus, of course. The mindset of the believer coming into the service is so often centered on what they will get out of the service. Let me stress again that it is completely appropriate and critical that we do receive from the Lord in a worship service. The issue is etiquette. The Master is served first. Our worship and giving, our attitude in whatever we do shouldn’t be in what we expect or like, rather we should be focused on serving our Lord, pleasing Him. Once He has been served then we may eat.
-John Spraker
Rock Club Director
Monday, September 21, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
What are we supposed to do?
It seems like the whole world has gone crazy. Everywhere we look there is evil going on it seems. There has never been a time such as this. We truly are heading toward the end of time as we know it. It is exciting and scary at the same time. We are not just to live for today—but for tomorrow as well. What do I mean by that? We should live like we are eternal now and live in a way that pleases God. When we have communion, do we leave the table and go out and betray our Lord by our lifestyle? What would Christ say about what we read, see, say, play, and do? Oh—it is just a game, a movie, a book or a habit. If it is against God’s word, it is against you and will harm you. Jesus said we cannot serve two masters; we will either love the one or hate the other (Matthew 6:24). How are you in your walk? Is Christ the focus of what you do each day or is He just to worship on Sundays? The priests in the Old Testament had to purify themselves from sin before entering the temple. This is not a bad idea for us. What would happen if each one of us asked God to convict us of the sin in our personal lives, cleanse us, and deliver us from every stronghold of the enemy? That would be so powerful! There is nothing stopping us from doing that—or is there? Have a blessed week in Christ.
- Pastor Connie Shinn
- Pastor Connie Shinn
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Body of Christ...
The summer has all but passed, the air is taking on the familiar feel of Fall and another great opportunity for ministry is in the books. Our annual Summer program at the New River Valley Detention center finished well, with over 15 salvations and an incredible opportunity to invest daily into the lives of incarcerated teens. We at Crossroads would like to thank all those who donated their time and resources to the cause of reaching these young people for Christ.
A question that is often asked of me and others who are involved in the same type of ministry is “Do you ever see any of the people you minister to on the outside?” or “Are you ever able to do any follow up?” and I have to confess this is one of the toughest aspects to this type of ministry. The people we minister to are from different localities, they often do not have a phone, and usually have no reliable transportation. So, to say that it is a challenge is an understatement and just when I might be tempted to be discouraged God reminds me we are only one small part of a whole body that God desires to use. There is a complete body to fulfill His purpose.
In the book of 1 Corinthians Paul writes;
(1Co 12:4) There are different spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them.
(1Co 12:5) There are different ways of serving, and yet the same Lord is served.
(1Co 12:6) There are different types of work to do, but the same God produces every gift in every person.
Because of the different parts of this body God is using at the Radford Worship Center, we are given the awesome opportunity to minister to people at their point of need. As a result, every month people we minister to on the inside (Jail or Detention Center) are ministered to through one of the ministries at the Radford Worship Center. What an awesome privilege it is to work with a church where I can refer someone who needs counseling or someone who needs food or medical assistance. We have parents whose kids attend the Rock Club and teens that are involved in LifeChange. What an awesome demonstration of His love! It is truly an honor to be a part of a ministry where, even in the depths of a Jail or a Detention Center, the practical love of Christ can be seen through the working of His Body.
-Pastor Ted Farmer
Director Crossroads Ministry
A question that is often asked of me and others who are involved in the same type of ministry is “Do you ever see any of the people you minister to on the outside?” or “Are you ever able to do any follow up?” and I have to confess this is one of the toughest aspects to this type of ministry. The people we minister to are from different localities, they often do not have a phone, and usually have no reliable transportation. So, to say that it is a challenge is an understatement and just when I might be tempted to be discouraged God reminds me we are only one small part of a whole body that God desires to use. There is a complete body to fulfill His purpose.
In the book of 1 Corinthians Paul writes;
(1Co 12:4) There are different spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them.
(1Co 12:5) There are different ways of serving, and yet the same Lord is served.
(1Co 12:6) There are different types of work to do, but the same God produces every gift in every person.
Because of the different parts of this body God is using at the Radford Worship Center, we are given the awesome opportunity to minister to people at their point of need. As a result, every month people we minister to on the inside (Jail or Detention Center) are ministered to through one of the ministries at the Radford Worship Center. What an awesome privilege it is to work with a church where I can refer someone who needs counseling or someone who needs food or medical assistance. We have parents whose kids attend the Rock Club and teens that are involved in LifeChange. What an awesome demonstration of His love! It is truly an honor to be a part of a ministry where, even in the depths of a Jail or a Detention Center, the practical love of Christ can be seen through the working of His Body.
-Pastor Ted Farmer
Director Crossroads Ministry
Monday, August 31, 2009
Jesus and the Healthcare Debate
Everywhere in our country the healthcare debate continues to rage. I recently heard a commentator ask, rhetorically, “What would Jesus say?” As he continued, he stated that Jesus did not ask for health insurance cards, that He was not concerned with people paying Him for healing, and that He did not turn anyone away. As the political environment has changed in this country, it has become necessary for believers to address political subjects because we carry a banner of righteousness that must not be furled and put away for the sake of political correctness or avoiding offense. As to what Jesus would say, I do not know. I am not Him. However, I do know what His Word says. This radio commentator was “concerned” with the helpless, the sick and those who are unable to help themselves.
Immediately, my spirit rose up within me and I wanted to ask him, what about the unborn? Jesus usually looks past the whiners, the complainers, and those with an agenda to the truly helpless and those who are truly unable to help themselves. I do not know what Jesus would say, but I know from scripture, that while He loves me, He must be more concerned right now with the slaughter of innocents than with the structure of my health plan.
In Genesis 4:10, God, confronting Cain over the murder of Abel, tells him, “Your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground.” God does not mention hearing Abel’s cries, but does say that He hears Abel’s blood crying out. Those of you who hurt over the abortions in this country, I assure you that God hears the cry of their blood and He is not ignoring it. We know that the blood of the innocent has God’s ear because Hebrews chapter twenty-four says that the blood of Christ cries even louder than that of Abel’s.
Leviticus 17:14 states, “the life of any creature is in its blood.” An embryo, a child in the womb, has a blood line. This goes beyond the physical. The fetal baby’s blood connection is spiritual as well as physical. The blood has a spiritual quality to it. That is why God hears the cries of the blood of the innocent.
What would Christ say in our current healthcare debate? Maybe He would look past the debaters. Maybe He would look past conservative and liberal. Maybe while the healthcare debate is important to Him (because it is important to his children) He would recoil at the notion of being dragged into the political facade.
Maybe He would address the innocent whose blood cries out to Him and say, “I alone created your inner being. I knitted you together inside your mother. Your bones were not hidden from me when you were being made in secret. Every day of your life was recorded in my book before one of them had taken place. How precious are my thoughts concerning you” (Paraphrased from Psalm 139).
-Pastor Jason Greene
Immediately, my spirit rose up within me and I wanted to ask him, what about the unborn? Jesus usually looks past the whiners, the complainers, and those with an agenda to the truly helpless and those who are truly unable to help themselves. I do not know what Jesus would say, but I know from scripture, that while He loves me, He must be more concerned right now with the slaughter of innocents than with the structure of my health plan.
In Genesis 4:10, God, confronting Cain over the murder of Abel, tells him, “Your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground.” God does not mention hearing Abel’s cries, but does say that He hears Abel’s blood crying out. Those of you who hurt over the abortions in this country, I assure you that God hears the cry of their blood and He is not ignoring it. We know that the blood of the innocent has God’s ear because Hebrews chapter twenty-four says that the blood of Christ cries even louder than that of Abel’s.
Leviticus 17:14 states, “the life of any creature is in its blood.” An embryo, a child in the womb, has a blood line. This goes beyond the physical. The fetal baby’s blood connection is spiritual as well as physical. The blood has a spiritual quality to it. That is why God hears the cries of the blood of the innocent.
What would Christ say in our current healthcare debate? Maybe He would look past the debaters. Maybe He would look past conservative and liberal. Maybe while the healthcare debate is important to Him (because it is important to his children) He would recoil at the notion of being dragged into the political facade.
Maybe He would address the innocent whose blood cries out to Him and say, “I alone created your inner being. I knitted you together inside your mother. Your bones were not hidden from me when you were being made in secret. Every day of your life was recorded in my book before one of them had taken place. How precious are my thoughts concerning you” (Paraphrased from Psalm 139).
-Pastor Jason Greene
Thursday, August 27, 2009
On How to Study the Bible...
Or, What You've Been Missing on Wednesday Nights...
Over the past few months I've been teaching a class on how to study the Bible. What follows is a summary of that class, in case you weren't able to make it.
First, here is a basic outline of steps for studying a passage:
Studying a passage:
I. Find a passage - find something that sticks out to you, whether it’s confusing or compelling. Try to focus on a few verses. Usually the size of a paragraph is about perfect. Normally, your Bible will indicate a paragraph break by the verse number being in bold text.
Example: 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (In this example verse 9 demonstrates a paragraph break by the number 9 being in bold text)
I. Forget everything you know about it (and everything related to it) - It’s important that we don’t just reinforce our beliefs, but rather allow the text to confront or confirm them. This is both the most difficult and most important part of the process. We are not studying the Bible to support our existing ideas, but to discover it's meaning (even if it contradicts our existing beliefs).
II. Read the text - focus on becoming familiar with it’s tone, only taking notes on what sticks out the most to you.
III. Read the text again - Take notes.
IV. Read the larger context - Take notes. By this I mean read the surrounding texts. Try to read the entire book, but in the event that it is too lengthy (Isaiah, Psalms, etc) read a few chapters ahead, and a few chapters after.
V. Read the text one more time – Now that you have a good idea of the passage, and it's context, you are better suited to determine which words and phrases are worthy of further research.
VI. Research Key Words and Phrases – using whatever resources at your disposal, study the aspects of the texts that you have determined to be relevant in step VI.
Here's a list of resources: All range from $18-25 a piece.
Dictionary of Paul and his Letters → Has entries pertaining to anything to do with Paul.
Bible Background Commentary → Has Cultural and Historical information sorted by Bible Reference
Finally, here's some advice about Bible study.
I. Study authors in scripture that have written multiple parts of the Bible.
1. Paul wrote everything from Romans to Philemon
2. Luke wrote both The Gospel of Luke and Acts
3. John wrote The Gospel of John, I-III John, and Revelation
It helps to study these authors, because it's easier to establish their vocabulary. By that I mean we can see how they use particular words in particular contexts. The additional material helps us better understand the author, and therefore better understand their intended meaning.
I. Study the New Testament.
II. - I am not saying the Old Testament isn't relevant. It is actually incredibly relevant. However, it's easy to be discouraged studying the Old Testament, because it is more foreign by nature, and therefore harder to understand than the New Testament. Once you gain some confidence in Bible study from the New Testament, move on to the Old Testament. Also, once you are more familiar to the Theology of the New Testament, you will have a better appreciation for the Old Testament.
-Ryan Lytton
Over the past few months I've been teaching a class on how to study the Bible. What follows is a summary of that class, in case you weren't able to make it.
First, here is a basic outline of steps for studying a passage:
Studying a passage:
I. Find a passage - find something that sticks out to you, whether it’s confusing or compelling. Try to focus on a few verses. Usually the size of a paragraph is about perfect. Normally, your Bible will indicate a paragraph break by the verse number being in bold text.
Example: 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (In this example verse 9 demonstrates a paragraph break by the number 9 being in bold text)
I. Forget everything you know about it (and everything related to it) - It’s important that we don’t just reinforce our beliefs, but rather allow the text to confront or confirm them. This is both the most difficult and most important part of the process. We are not studying the Bible to support our existing ideas, but to discover it's meaning (even if it contradicts our existing beliefs).
II. Read the text - focus on becoming familiar with it’s tone, only taking notes on what sticks out the most to you.
III. Read the text again - Take notes.
IV. Read the larger context - Take notes. By this I mean read the surrounding texts. Try to read the entire book, but in the event that it is too lengthy (Isaiah, Psalms, etc) read a few chapters ahead, and a few chapters after.
V. Read the text one more time – Now that you have a good idea of the passage, and it's context, you are better suited to determine which words and phrases are worthy of further research.
VI. Research Key Words and Phrases – using whatever resources at your disposal, study the aspects of the texts that you have determined to be relevant in step VI.
Here's a list of resources: All range from $18-25 a piece.
Dictionary of Paul and his Letters → Has entries pertaining to anything to do with Paul.
Bible Background Commentary → Has Cultural and Historical information sorted by Bible Reference
Finally, here's some advice about Bible study.
I. Study authors in scripture that have written multiple parts of the Bible.
1. Paul wrote everything from Romans to Philemon
2. Luke wrote both The Gospel of Luke and Acts
3. John wrote The Gospel of John, I-III John, and Revelation
It helps to study these authors, because it's easier to establish their vocabulary. By that I mean we can see how they use particular words in particular contexts. The additional material helps us better understand the author, and therefore better understand their intended meaning.
I. Study the New Testament.
II. - I am not saying the Old Testament isn't relevant. It is actually incredibly relevant. However, it's easy to be discouraged studying the Old Testament, because it is more foreign by nature, and therefore harder to understand than the New Testament. Once you gain some confidence in Bible study from the New Testament, move on to the Old Testament. Also, once you are more familiar to the Theology of the New Testament, you will have a better appreciation for the Old Testament.
-Ryan Lytton
Friday, August 21, 2009
What are you looking for?
Little thought today is given to wisdom. Our world looks at outward beauty, fame, position and many other things.
In Job 28:12 “Where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding live? No mortal knows where it is. It cannot be found in this world of the living…15 You cannot obtain it with solid gold or buy it for any amount of silver…20 “Where does wisdom come from? Where does understanding live? It is hidden from the eyes of every living being, hidden from the birds in the air. Decay and death say, ‘We’ve heard rumor about it.’ “God understands the way of it. He knows where it lives because he can see to the ends of the earth and observe everything under heaven…28 ‘The fear of the Lord is wisdom! To stay away from evil is understanding.’”
What are you searching for today; the things that will soon decay, silver, gold, or position? I challenge you today ask the Lord to help you to find His wisdom. Then find someone to share it with.
Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man that finds wisdom.
James 1:5 If any lack wisdom let him ask.
James 3:17 Wisdom from above is pure
Praise God He shares His wisdom to us!
-Carolyn Hanneman
In Job 28:12 “Where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding live? No mortal knows where it is. It cannot be found in this world of the living…15 You cannot obtain it with solid gold or buy it for any amount of silver…20 “Where does wisdom come from? Where does understanding live? It is hidden from the eyes of every living being, hidden from the birds in the air. Decay and death say, ‘We’ve heard rumor about it.’ “God understands the way of it. He knows where it lives because he can see to the ends of the earth and observe everything under heaven…28 ‘The fear of the Lord is wisdom! To stay away from evil is understanding.’”
What are you searching for today; the things that will soon decay, silver, gold, or position? I challenge you today ask the Lord to help you to find His wisdom. Then find someone to share it with.
Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man that finds wisdom.
James 1:5 If any lack wisdom let him ask.
James 3:17 Wisdom from above is pure
Praise God He shares His wisdom to us!
-Carolyn Hanneman
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
More of the Word...
I have been teaching from the book of Mark chapters 1-3. Learning and receiving from my students is a blessing. We have been looking at Jesus' Authority (power, right, and privilege) in preaching, teaching, forgiving sins, healing diseases, casting out demonic spirits, and being Lord of the Sabbath.
Our Sunday is a day of worship, rest and refreshing. Or minds, emotions, and body need rest and refreshing. Our spirits and mind need renewal and instruction from the Word. Should we not submit to Jesus' authority in our lives?
1 Corinthians 6:19,20 says, "What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."
Romans 12:1,2 says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed my the RENEWING of your MIND, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect, will of God."
Yes, I LOVE the WORD!!!
Psalm 119:48 says, "My hands also will I lift up unto Thy commandments, which I love; and I will meditate in Thy statutes."
Psalm 63:4 says, "Thus will I bless Thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in Thy Name."
The Word is not boring!
Jesus said in John 6:63, "My Words are spirit and life..."
Thanks for reading.
I love you.
Are you submitted and committed to Jesus???
- Jean Ratcliffe
Adult Bible Teacher
Our Sunday is a day of worship, rest and refreshing. Or minds, emotions, and body need rest and refreshing. Our spirits and mind need renewal and instruction from the Word. Should we not submit to Jesus' authority in our lives?
1 Corinthians 6:19,20 says, "What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."
Romans 12:1,2 says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed my the RENEWING of your MIND, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect, will of God."
Yes, I LOVE the WORD!!!
Psalm 119:48 says, "My hands also will I lift up unto Thy commandments, which I love; and I will meditate in Thy statutes."
Psalm 63:4 says, "Thus will I bless Thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in Thy Name."
The Word is not boring!
Jesus said in John 6:63, "My Words are spirit and life..."
Thanks for reading.
I love you.
Are you submitted and committed to Jesus???
- Jean Ratcliffe
Adult Bible Teacher
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