Author Archives: Crossroad Junction
Crossroad Nugget
Tragically, some throw off the limitations of pastoral monopoly, only to fall prey to the tyranny of apostolic hierarchy. When will we ever learn?
Repost: The Transformational Power of the Cross
The Transformational Power of the Cross
As we celebrate our freedoms this week in the United States, let’s not forget the fundamental power of the Cross to transform not only individuals, but whole cultures, societies, nations … and even history itself.
Unfortunately, however, there are Christian isolationists who deny God’s sovereignty over all of His creation – and the institutions He Himself has ordained for our good.
Frank Viola: It’s Time to Come Clean
Frank Viola:
Numerous witnesses, who know you, have confirmed your history of using your position of leadership and influence to sexually groom and exploit young women.
Your own former church, who knew you, issued public warnings after you sexually exploited a teenager over many months, who was half your age and had been your high school student.
Your first wife, who knew you, divorced you for these and other reasons.
Mr. Viola: Those are “facts”, not “slander”.
Until you stop the sanctimonious blogs, cover up and deception – and openly confess and repent – you remain a danger to all.
Crossroad Nugget
It’s not so much the idea of “clergy” that’s the problem, but laity. After all, we’re each called to be ministers of God to one another and to a waiting world.
Grace at Work
The ongoing work of grace brings wholeness and freedom from hurts and bondage.
See Life or Reaction?
Confession
A wonderful blog by Carl Austin on confession.
“If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven;
if you do not forgive them,
they are not forgiven.”
John 20:23
Over the past couple years I have become increasingly convinced that, beyond corporate worship and edification, the primary function of “church” is that of being a healing community. Church as a healing community is a group where Christ’s Body is truly evident in varied spiritual gifts, emotional support, shared resources, prayer and confession. A church as a healing community is one of the places where the “loving others” of the great commandment is made manifest.
Recently I’ve been thinking a lot about the sacramental duty of confession in the Body. I also suspect that confession is not an issue of much importance to most evangelicals. My background is both a bit Lutheran and a bit Roman Catholic, and I can recall one of my sanctimonious Lutheran sunday school teachers saying, “We don’t confess our sins to a priest, but directly to God.” The implication…
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Crossroad Nugget
Western jurisprudence has dumbed down liberty. It now means state-sanctioned vice, rather than individual freedom to pursue virtue.
Crossroad Nugget
God redeems His creation,
despite its fallenness,
and reconciles us to Himself,
despite our brokenness.
Repost: I Want More Religion (Part 1)
One of the biggest lies you hear these days among the “hip” crowd goes like this: It’s not about religion, but a relationship.
Love and Evil
Like the gnostic Marcion in the early church, some still elevate their own sensibilities over Scripture by denying that God’s righteous wrath and gracious love are fully compatible.
See Beyond Scripture? (Part 3)
Repost: Following God’s Presence
I am more at home in a jail cell, than in a church sanctuary.
Repost: Postmodern Idolatry
Will we submit to the spirit of this age, or the rock of ages?
An older, but timely, blog.
Neil Cole on Institutional Church
Critique of the Center Church by Tim Keller [Part 3], by Neil Cole
I like Tim Keller’s books. We even went to the same seminary and share many similar influences. But Neil Cole provides a needed critique on Keller’s latest book, which views churches as institutions.
Crossroad Nugget
God created us with both meaning and purpose. Some, however, want the passivity of “being”, without the intentionality of “becoming”.
“Why Don’t Matter. What Matters.”—Wisdom from Rose
Wow. An amazing blog…
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
–The Serenity Prayer, Reinhold Neibuhr.‘
‘Why’ don’t matter. ‘What’ matters.
–Rose Wilkins.
When I was a boy growing up in Arkansas, the most important person in my life, in very real ways, was Rose. Now, I have written about Rose before; she was our “colored” (that was the phrase) “maid” (so was that), but she was so much more than our colored maid. She was really the woman who raised me on a day-to-day basis, at least for my childhood years. Only about 30 years old herself, with a half-dozen kids of her own, active in her church and in the local chapter of the NAACP, she nonetheless gave much of her very great energy and faith to raising the Clark…
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Yup…
“If you want to know who the true Christians are, ask the poor, the imprisoned and oppressed. They will tell you.” ~ Gandhi
Crossroad Nugget
Without virtue, liberty is impossible.
Crossroad Nugget
Functional elders trump dysfunctional “apostles” any day of the week. They are, in fact, the worst nightmare of – and the best protection against – self-proclaimed and detached whomevers roaming among God’s people.
Crossroad Nugget
By the time you analyze, systematize and homogenize the move of God – well, He’s moved on…
Crossroad Nugget
Many would rather live a lie in peace, than live for truth.
Maturity
Crossroad Nugget
God gives different gifts, callings and motivations to different people. It’s OK to be different!
Crossroad Nugget
The older I get, the more I realize that maturity is having the wisdom to understand there are consequences.
Go and Sow
When the Gospel is more about gather and “come” than “go” and sow, it often becomes an institutionalized system of consolidated power, privilege, benefits and prestige.
Crossroad Junction 