The Incarnation

God, the Messiah, became a baby for the sake of mankind. It was written by Mark Lowry 22 years ago.

Mary did you know that your baby boy would some day walk on water? Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that you’ve delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man? Mary did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand? Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod? And when your kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

Oh Mary did you know—-

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again. The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb—-.

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation? Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations? Did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect Lamb? This sleeping child you’re holding is the great I AM

HT: Stand to Reason

What is the Meaning of Christmas?

An evangelistic short film (10 minutes) from St. Helen’s Bishopgate in London on whether or not the Christmas story happened and what it means—featuring New Testament scholar Paul Barnett:

HT: Justin Taylor

Behold The Lamb of God

Without a doubt, my favorite “Christmas CD” is a non-traditional album from Andrew Peterson. Andrew’s genre is probably best described as folk. He is a great storyteller, and his Christmas album, “Behold the Lamb of God,” is sort of his magnum opus. Andrew describes the CD as “the true tall tale of the coming of Christ,” and this musical and worshipful presentation of the biblical story line—climaxing at the incarnation—was one of the first things God used to open my eyes to the reality that the Bible is one grand story, an epic with a massive plot about a glorious God and His mission to redeem the world. The song below, “So Long Moses,” (track 3) is my favorite song on the CD. It will take you on a journey with Israel from Moses to David and into the prophets, all the while building anticipation for the coming King. Listen to the whole album online and then buy the CD.

From Andrew’s website:

Named one of the 10 best albums of the decade, Behold the Lamb of God is a collection of songs about Jesus. Since 2000, Andrew Peterson and his friends have performed Behold the Lamb around the country, telling again and again this “true myth”, as C.S. Lewis called it, this tale that’s bigger than life, but is—astonishingly—true. The tour has become a yearly tradition not just for Andrew and the other artists on the tour, but for families and churches who attend the concert each season. The live concert, like the album, is a community effort, featuring singer/songwriters Jill Phillips, Andy Gullahorn, Ben Shive, Andrew Osenga and more, and over the years has featured artists such as Alison Krauss, Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken, Buddy Miller, Phil Keaggy, Sixpence None the Richer, David Wilcox, Pierce Pettis, Mindy Smith, Ron Block, Brandon Heath, Bebo Norman, Stuart Duncan, Eric Peters, and Randall Goodgame—all in the name of proclaiming the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ.

HT: JT

Getting Intentional with Advent

In a culture where commercialism and materialism have nearly taken over “the holiday season,” those of us who are Christians are left with a choice: do we allow ourselves to get caught in the rushing stream of commercialized nonsense, or will we fight against the current and swim upstream? At our Life Group last night we decided that we wanted to swim upstream. We want to be a people who are caught up in worship this season as we consider the majesty and the glory of the reality that the Almighty Creator God became a man. The King of Glory saw the brokenness of our world and our desperate need, and He entered into our broken world so that He could bring redemption. As we began to grow excited about a month of celebrating the glories and the implications of the Incarnation, we also realized that a Christ-centered Christmas season will not happen without intentionality.
Throughout church history, the Advent season was a season (beginning four Sundays before Christmas) when the Church would focus intentionally on the coming of Christ (the Advent). They would look back at His first coming (Christmas) and look forward with great anticipation to His second coming when He will bring His redemptive work to its consummation.

At our Life Group we were sharing ideas about how we can be intentionally focused on Christ this season. One person mentioned the use of Advent Candles. This is a fantastic tradition with a long history and several variations. Check out this post by Noel Piper to understand its purpose. Last year, Jamie and I read through Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus edited by Nancy Guthrie. It is “an anthology of Advent readings collected from the writings and sermons of 22 classic and contemporary theologians and Bible teachers” like Augustine, Martin Luther, Tim Keller, Joni Eareckson Tada, Charles Spurgeon, John Piper, Randy Alcorn, and more. I highly reccomend the book. This year, we have compiled a list of biblical Christmas songs, and we are taking time to work through the lyrics to understand and meditate on the truths in the songs. These are songs that we have heard or sung hundreds of times, but often we have been oblivious to the powerful and glorious truths that we are singing about. For example, consider the words of this classic line, “Long lay the world in sin and error pining, ‘til He appeared, and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn’.”

There is not one right way to celebrate the Advent of Christ, but we must get intentional. Please take a couple of minutes to share some ideas of practices that you have done or heard about so that we can all benefit. We need the Spirit to help us swim upstream this season, and we need community. May we approach Christmas this season with more anticipation, more worship, and more love for God than ever before.

Don't Waste Your Life - Free Audiobook

Every month christianaudio.com gives away a free audiobook. This month the free giveaway is Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper. This a book that God used to transform my life, and I highly recommend it. Put it on your iPod or mp3 player (or burn it to a CD if anybody still does that) and redeem the time you spend doing more mindless activities.
Here is a link to a sermon by Pastor John that can give you a taste of what the book is about.

Free PDF Downloads:
Don’t Waste Your Life (PDF)
Don’t Waste Your Life Study Guide (PDF)

God's Chisel

Psalm 139:14 tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and Genesis1:27 tells us that we are made in God’s own image. However, we know that we are not perfect, and that God continues to sanctify us. Malachi chapter 3 says “...for He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver…”, and Psalm 66:10 says “...For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined.”
Hopefully this video will help us remember that (A) we are sinners, and (B) because of the cross, God continues to love and redeem us.

Lead Me

Here is a challenging and encouraging song/prayer for us husbands and fathers.
‘Lead Me’ by Sanctus Real:

Visit the website of Sanctus Real to see the music video and the story behind the song.

Theology Matters

This short video promotes not only the study of Theology for the glory of God, but also a new book by Joshua Harris called Dug Down Deep. Here is a short comment from Josh’s blog about why he wrote the book:

Dug Down Deep is a simple introduction to basic Christian belief. One person described it as systematic theology disguised as something readable. I wrote it so that people who might not normally read theology would be able to digest it and understand how life-giving and important it is for living the Christian life.

One of my hopes for the book is that it would be a tool to help small groups take a first step in studying theology together. I have a particular burden to see high school and college-age students discover that sound doctrine isn’t just for old people, it’s for all of us. I also wrote it in the hope that Christians would give it to unbelieving friends as a way of starting a conversation about God, the gospel and the person of Jesus Christ.

A Part of This Great Story

On Sunday we talked about Our Role in God’s Story, the Story about the redemption of God’s Kingdom. The following quote about God’s Kingdom Story was posted this morning on a blog called Of First Importance: Living Each Day in the Good of the Gospel.

“The kingdom of God is the new and final age that began with the coming of Jesus. His kingdom is not part of the present age — an age where the flesh reigns; where people are divided, relationships are broken, and suspicion and competition dominate; where money, sex, and power are abused; where leaders are first and servants are last; where behavior is controlled by laws, and identity is defined by race, gender, or social standing; and where gifts and resources are used for the advancement of oneself.

Rather, the kingdom of God is the new age. It is the age of the Spirit (Matt 12:28). It is the age of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17). The kingdom of God is about the renewal, restoration, and reconciliation of all things, and God has made us a part of this great story of salvation.”

– Neil H. Williams, Gospel Transformation (Jenkintown, Pa.; World Harvest Mission, 2006), iii.

Every day Of First Importance posts a thoughtful quote intended to help its readers set their minds on what is of first importance: the Gospel. It’s a good place to visit regularly.

Listen Up!

“Why on earth does anyone need a guide on how to listen to sermons? Don’t we simply need to ‘be there’ and stay awake? Yet Jesus said: ‘Consider carefully how you listen.’ The fact is, much more is involved in truly listening to Bible teaching than just sitting and staring at the preacher. Christopher Ash outlines seven ingredients for healthy listening. He then deals with how to respond to bad sermons – ones that are dull, or inadequate, or heretical. And finally, he challenges us with ideas for helping and encouraging our Bible teachers to give sermons that will really help us to grow as Christians.”

• Where does the authority of a Bible teacher come from?
• Why is Bible teaching offensive?
• Why is it important to hear Bible teaching in church?
• How can we actually enjoy Bible teaching more?

These (and more) are the questions answered by this practical guide, which includes effective, hands-on suggestions for implementing each idea. All with the aim of helping us learn how to listen properly, so that through His word, God will make us more and more like Christ.

We will be going through this book together within the McQuinn/Jackl Life Group. However, even if you are not attending this Life Group, I would encourage anyone to read this book.

The Story

What is the Gospel? Well, that question could be answered in a number of different ways. Paul boiled it down to this powerful statement: “That Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” This is the gospel at its core, no doubt about it. But what about for those who don’t understand the problem of sin or the authority of “the Scriptures”? How do you approach the increasing number of people who believe in a “god of love” with the false impression that somehow “love” excludes the possibility of and demand for justice. Or what about the people who don’t believe in God at all. For these types of people — and for every professing Christian who does not yet understand that “the Gospel” is about more than getting your ticket through the pearly gates of heaven — we must get our minds and hearts around reality that we are part of a story, God’s Story, and we have a part to play in it. Take 10 minutes to view an online presentation of the story. It won’t be a waste of time.

Men's Retreat - Registration Deadline

Registration Deadline: Sunday, October 3


Topic: Gospel Centered Manhood


Location:
High Peak Camp
Estes Park, Colorado
October 8th-9th

We live in a world today with many conflicting messages about the nature if manhood. Rather than being pulled in every direction, we need to let God define for us what it means to be a real man. When you boil it all down, a real man – no matter what place in life they are in, what their personality may be, what roles they have – is one whose life is centered on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A Gospel centered life gives us our true identity, gives us the power to fight any battle, and defines how we respond in all our relationships!

Men, join us (and the men from the four other Crossway Chapel churches in our region) as we get away for a weekend to get refreshed, refueled and encouraged as we look at Gospel Centered Manhood together.
For More information Click Here

Chick Training - 1 Peter

This fall during Chick Training (our women’s Bible Study) we are going through 1 Peter. We are excited to see what God’s Word has to say about who we are in Christ and how to relate to the world around us.

We will be meeting at Wild Boar at 7:30 every other Wednesday, see the calendar for details.

Posted by Jamie

Welcome Levi Balloun

I know emails have been going around, but I wanted to let the Church know officially that Levi was born yesterday, September 13th, 2010 at 3:19 AM. Thank you for all of your prayers because I know in my heart that we were guided by the Spirit and given discernment throughout the labor process and that Levi and Danielle are safe and healthy and Danielle is recovering well. Thank you for all the acts of service too. You can read more about the labor and birth and watch a video on his blog.

Song of Solomon

Attraction, dating, courtship, intimacy, marriage, sex. These might be some topics that many churches would shy away from, but does God? To loosely quote Pastor Tommy Nelson:

Do we really believe that God gave us a feeling as perceivable as romance, a passion as powerful as sex, an institution as emotional and sometimes painful as marriage, and yet told us nothing about it?

Do we really believe that in all the wisdom of the Bible, God has left out a topic so important? Yet so many people have never been taught a Biblical perspective on these issues. How many of you have learned about sex and romance from your church and/or your parents? Now, how many of you have learned about sex from Howard Stern, Hugh Hefner, TV, movies and the like? We are blessed that God has indeed given us wisdom on these important topics. In his video series on the Song of Solomon, Tommy Nelson discusses topics that many pastors would not, topics that are vitally important.

2005 Song of Solomon Trailer from The Hub on Vimeo.

The series starts from the point of attraction and go all the way through marriage and even death, and would be edifying for everyone, no matter what kind of relationship you are in, or not yet in.

Something Amazing From Prague!

I just received an e-mail from a good friend and sister in Christ.  Kara Swindler is currently on mission in the Czech Republic for the foreseeable future, and The Crossing is actively supporting Kara in her ministry to a very dark and atheistic nation.  I praise God for what He is doing in the Czech through and for Kara and the people she is reaching.  Here is her e-mail:

An AMAZING event happened yesterday! We had 4 of our students in our apartment, not for English club BUT for a BIBLE STUDY!!!  Why is this so amazing?  It was their first bible study for all 4 girls. Three of these girls, Cristina, Jane, and Bara, became Christians in the last year and the other girl, Šarka, is not a Christian but wanted to come.  At the end of 4 hours of eating, laughing, and learning about God’s Word together – everyone asked where to start reading the bible? We all excitedly answered to meet weekly and study the gospel of John together. My 2 Czech roommates (also English teachers) Eliška, Zuzka, and I will be leading the bible study together. Please pray for God’s Words in John to reveal the glory of Christ to Cristina, Jane, Bara, Šarka as they venture forward. Also for God’s wisdom to be spoken through Eliška, Zuzka and I as we share the joy it is to know our God and Savior more and more! (see the picture of my roommates and I attached!) the LORD’s   Kara Swindler

She included this picture in her message:

For more information on Kara, check out her blog.

Act Like Men!

In 1 Corinthians 16:13, Paul issues the men in the floundering Corinthian church with this charge: “Be watchful; stand firm in the faith; act like men; be strong.”
Below is a video that we talked about at Man School this evening. Darrin Patrick—a leader of Acts 29 and pastor of The Journey in St. Louis, MO—has just released a new book called Church Planter: The Man, The Message, The Mission. The video below is a teaser for the book, and Patrick is calling out the men in our churches (pastors and leaders) to “act like men.” We have a generation of men who are seeking to prolong adolescence, refusing to take life seriously. Will this new generation of men lead the church to its demise, or will we turn from our laziness to courageous action so that we can be a part of God’s mission to redeem the world through the Gospel? Check out the video, and let’s act like men.

The Gospel Coalition

The Crossing is a member of The Gospel Coalition. This is a network of churches and pastors dedicated to keeping the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the center of everything we do. Watch this video to hear the heartbeat of The Gospel Coalition which is also the heartbeat of The Crossing.

God Provides A New Facility: 608 E Drake

608 E Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO 80525

The Crossing will now be holding our Sunday Gatherings at a church building at 608 E Drake Road (Drake and Stover). This building is an answer to prayer in so many ways, and even though The Crossing is not a building-centered church, this building will greatly facilitate us as we gather on Sundays to worship God together in community.

Join us this Sunday at 10am at 608 E Drake!