January 2, 2007

Dear Friends of COLLIN CREEK CHURCH,

Isaiah 43:18-19, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing . . .” (ESV) God is far more interested in your future than He is in your past. In 2006, you may have really blown it and you may have made some decisions you're so ashamed of you hope nobody ever finds out about. Regardless of the failure you've had in your life, here's how you S.T.A.R.T. fresh.

S - STOP MAKING EXCUSES!

God says, “A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.” (Proverbs 28:13-TLB) He gets a fresh start. God’s Word says we need to stop making excuses, admit when it's our fault and get on with life. I've discovered that people who are very good at making excuses are rarely good at anything else. They spend all their energy thinking up reasons why they can’t do what they're supposed to do. So in order to Make A Fresh Start YOU have to . . . Stop making excuses.

T - TAKE STOCK

I need to take stock of my life. That means I need to evaluate all my experiences. I need to look at what I have left after the failure. If you want to make a fresh start in 2007, you need to sit down and do an evaluation in your life and take stock of your experiences. Regardless of what's happened in 2006, one of the things you still have – in fact, one of the things you have today that you didn't have last year, is more experience. God wants you to use those experiences. He doesn't want you to waste them. He wants you to learn from them and share on them. Galatians 3:4, “Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?” (NLT) None of the experiences of your life were given to you in vain. Each one has a purpose. Learn from them and share them with others. So in order to Make A Fresh Start YOU have to . . . Take Stock of your life.

Join us this Sunday at we look at how to Make A Fresh S.T.A.R.T. in 2007.

January 15, 2007

Dear Friends of COLLIN CREEK CHURCH,

• Often feeling sluggish, tired or fatigued?
• Afraid to look in the mirror? Unhappy with your appearance?
• Having trouble tying your shoes while seated?

Then you may be overweight!

The term overweight, is generally used to indicate that a human has more body fat than is considered useful for the optimal functioning of the body. Being overweight is a fairly common condition, especially for those in developed nations where food supplies are plentiful and lifestyles often do not involve a lot of activity. Recent studies have indicated that as much as 64% of the adult U.S. population is overweight. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overweight)

To hear some talk this is the greatest problem we face in the U.S. I say there is an even greater problem. Being . . . SPIRITUALLY OVERWEIGHT! When I use the term spiritually overweight I am referring to a Follower of Christ who has spiritual knowledge that is rarely used to function in a Christ-like manner. Being spiritually overweight is a fairly common condition, especially for those in a nation where spiritual food supplies are plentiful and lifestyles are generally apathetic and inactive. Studies among churches indicate that as much as 80% of church members are spiritually overweight.

James 1:22-25, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does.” (NIV)

Here is the Spiritual formula for determining your spiritual weight:

Spiritual Knowledge - Spiritual Action = Spiritually Overweight

Spiritual Action - Spiritual Knowledge = Spiritually Underweight

Lack of Spiritual Knowledge - Spiritual Action = No Spirituality

Spiritual Knowledge + Spiritual Action = Spiritually Healthy

What is your spiritual weight?

Janury 22, 2007

Dear Friends of COLLIN CREEK CHURCH,

This past Sunday we looked at “The Signs of a Spiritually Healthy Person.”

A SPIRITUALLY HEALTHY PERSON IS POSITIVE UNDER PRESSURE.

James 1:2, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds . . .” (NIV)

How do you handle trials? The first test of spiritual health is how do you react to problems? Do they blow you away? Do you get nervous and uptight? Do you grumble, gripe and complain?

What can help us stay consistently positive under pressure? A diet of Spiritual Protein. Spiritual Protein is sound theology – an understanding of God’s Sovereignty, Power, Love, Wisdom, Knowledge and character. Without this we can have all kinds of misguided ideas about trials, struggles and the hardships of life come. Think of Job’s (Job 4-37) friends, they had much advice for Job and his struggles, but it was not based on spiritual protein/sound theology about God.

Another thing that helps us stay consistently positive under pressure -- Spiritual Endurance Training. Physical Endurance is the measure of your body's ability to keep up an activity without getting tired. The more endurance you have, the longer you can swim, bike, run, dance, and play a sport before tiring out. Your level of endurance refers to how well your heart and lungs can pump oxygen-rich blood to your muscles. The more oxygen, the better your muscles work and the less tired you get. Spiritually speaking; struggles/temptations/difficulties in life, should get our spiritual heart pumping for God. Far too many Christians think it is spiritual to go through life without having problems. They have the misguided idea that problems are always related to their sin and God’s love. ȁWhat have I done?” ȁWhy does God hate me so?” The spiritually healthy do not seek to avoid trials, problems or struggles, but run with God in them. The activity of running with God in times of struggle, helps our spiritual heart to beat more for Him, more consistent with His heart and makes us spiritually stronger. James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance (endurance). Perseverance (Endurance) must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (NIV)

This week take some time to dig deep into God’s Word, seek to find something about the character and nature of God. Also, this week when trials come, and they will, don’t seek to avoid them, but tackle them head on with God’s help. Seek to see His power, love and wisdom in your struggle. Allow it to strengthen your heart for Him.

Let me know how you are doing!

January 25, 2007

CROSSDIRECTION.ORG IS PROUD TO DECLARE:

1. Website
   - The first version of the website on: http:// www.crossdirection.org
   - Please look it over when you have time and note any errors you encounter.
   - This is the first version, so it is pretty minimal, but still has pertinent information on it such as service times and event dates.
   - Once we complete the building we can take some photos of services to show on the site, as well as any other photos we would like to post.
2. Building
   - We now have around 40 chairs assembled in the building. It looks fantastic - thanks to everyone who helped out last night!
   - We will be getting another 30 chairs at some point, but we have plenty to start with
   - We have lighting purchased that Les will be installing this Saturday
   - We are only shy a few things and then we can begin having services in the building

Thanks,

Josh Stone

January 29, 2007

Dear Friends of COLLIN CREEK CHURCH,

This past Sunday we looked at “The Signs of a Spiritually Healthy Person.”

1. A SPIRITUALLY HEALTHY PERSON IS POSITIVE UNDER PRESSURE
   James 1:2, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds ...” (NIV)
2. A SPIRITUALLY HEALTHY PERSON LOVES OTHERS
   James 2:8, “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ you are doing right.” (NIV)
3. A SPIRITUALLY HEALTHY PERSON MANAGES HIS MOUTH
   James 3:2, “If you can control your tongue, you are mature and able to control your whole body.” (CEV)

On this subject God has truly been working on me. Throughout the morning I was continually challenged to either keep my mouth shut or use my words carefully. And on one occasion, my red face conveyed my failure in this area. I thank the Lord for His and your grace.

Let’s all seek to obey the words of Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (ESV) Let me know how well you are doing on buttoning up.

February 5, 2007

Dear Friends of COLLIN CREEK CHURCH,

What is so amazing about COLLIN CREEK CHURCH? YOU!

1. Young people in our church.
   1 Timothy 4:12, “Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” (NIV) We are seeing our children from the smallest to the college student – surrender to God and serving God in the church and in the community. Many of the young couples (40 and under are very active in all areas of ministry). It is exciting seeing the Lord work through you all.
2. Old people in our church.
   Psalms 92:12-15, “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him.” (NIV)
   Our mature crowd is exceptional. They walk the walk and talk the talk, it is a blessing to see them “proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him.”
   MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
3. United for people.
   Jesus prays, “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in Me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as You and I are one - as You are in Me, Father, and I am in You. And may they be in Us so that the world will believe You sent Me.
   I have given them the glory You gave Me, so they may be one as We are one. I am in them and You are in Me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that You sent Me and that You love them as much as You love Me.” (John 17:20-23-NLT)
   Three times Jesus prays for us to be unified in purpose! Anything that damages this unity is sin, let us remove any hindrances to this unity and serve the Lord as one for His glory (Hebrews 12:1-3).

Why is unity so important?

1. Empowering - We is more powerful than I.
2. Emboldens - We is more exciting than I.
3. Emblem - We is more of a picture of God than I.