Here is the Home Makeover House! As you can see there is a ton of work to be done. Our first big work day is this Saturday, February 27th. We would love to see you there. I will be posting Home Makeover updates after each big workday. I can’t wait to see how God uses this project as we “Live Love” in the community!

Click here for Compassion Magazine Article

This past October Cedarcrest hosted a Compassion Sunday in which over 140 children were sponsored. It was an amazing Sunday and has been an incredible blessing as many families in our church are now connected to children around the world in the mission to “release children from poverty in Jesus name.”

Compassion is an amazing ministry that we feel privileged to partner with. The most recent edition of Compassion Magazine documents the way God has used this ministry at Cedarcrest. It is an incredible honor to be featured in partnership with Compassion!

If you are interested in sponsoring a child through Compassion follow this link to the website or stop by the coffee cafe on Sunday morning at Cedarcrest.

I wonder how different we would treat people if we truly knew all that was going on in their lives. How would I react to someone who is rude or treats me unfair if I truly knew the back story and circumstances of their life?

We interact with people every day who have been through far more than we could ever truly understand. People are living with baggage and pain that affects the way they interact with others. We maybe see someone lash out or treat us in such a way that causes us to get defensive or want to write them off. The reality is if we could truly see all they are living through and all that is weighing them down we might be willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. Please hear me, in no way am I trying to excuse sin or give people permission to blame their circumstances for their poor treatment of others. What I am saying is that we should not judge a book by its cover.

As a follower of Christ I am called to be a beacon of grace, mercy and love to all I come in contact with. Every day we interact with people who are barely hanging on and looking for just a glimpse of hope. If I am going to live under the banner of grace I must be willing to also extend the gift of grace that I have received to others. Imagine how different our reactions to people would be if we sought to extend them grace instead of fight for our rights when we are treated unfairly. Remember, we can’t control the actions of others, but we can control our reaction to the way they treat us.

May we never forget that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

As you interact with people today think about the grace that you have received and seek to offer grace to others. Who do you know that needs a little grace right now? Who do you know that might be barely hanging on and could use a word of encouragement? If we only knew the back story of people’s lives, we might be willing to extend a little more grace.

A little bit of grace goes a long way!

This past Sunday after church Megan and I hopped on a plane for Madrid, Spain to teach a course at Sefovan Seminary on Church Leadership. After several weather delays and a brief 7 hour layover in London we finally arrived in Madrid 28 hours after the trip began! As I write this we are just getting used to the time change as we prepare to head back tot he states this weekend. Aside from the travel it has been an incredible week!

Spain is a country that is in desperate need of the Gospel and it is so encouraging to see this group of seminary students that is passionate about reaching this country. Less than 1% of the population in Spain are evangelical Christians. A large part of our discussion this week has revolved around reaching the lost and it has been so inspiring to see these students with limited resources passionate about reaching the lost! I am so grateful to have this chance to see the Gospel advancing in a place of incredible spiritual need. Weeks like this further stoke the flames of passion in me for the Vision of Cedarcrest to Reach our community, Connect the disconnected, and Grow in our faith! I can’t wait to be back and share more of what we have seen. Thank you for praying for us this week!

Sometimes our kids have a funny way of illustrating the point. This week our three year old son, Brody, had his Christmas musical at preschool. As this video clearly shows, he has had enough of Christmas music so he just decided to sit down in the middle of his class production. Oh the joys of parenting at Christmas!

Just remember, if Christmas is wearing you out, you are not alone! Maybe it is time for you to step back and reflect on what Christ has done for you instead of focussing on all you have to do for Christmas.

Sometimes you just need to sit down and take a break from the Christmas Chaos! Enjoy Brody’s demonstration of the “holiday spirit”! He’s the one in the white shirt on the front row sitting down.

As I think about this day I am overwhelmed with gratitude and humbled by the love and grace of God. He has guided us through an incredible journey and as we gather to celebrate all that He has done I firmly believe that this is just the beginning.

I hope you will join us Sunday, Decemeber 6th, at 10:00 as we celebrate this milestone day in the life of Cedarcrest Church. Bring somebody with you for this exciting service and make plans to stay with us to enjoy a time of food and fellowship after the service.

To God be the Glory, Great things He has done!

Thanks for submitting your photos. There will be more contests coming soon!

This verse has created a burden in me as I look at the way men live in our culture. Are we acting like men or are we acting like what we think men should act like according to our culture?

The bible tells us that there is a way that men should act. Manhood is a gift from God and we need to understand what manhood is really all about according to His design.

This Sunday we begin a four week study on biblical manhood. This series will challenge men to “act like men and be strong!”

If you are a man you need to join us. If you are married to a man you need to join us. If you are raising boys that you hope will become men you need to join us. If you known anyone who is a man you need to join us!

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday as we talk about “Manhood”.

To send an e-vite to someone click on this link: http://cedarcrestchurch.com/currentseries