Crossway Life

Several years ago, when Pete and I first married, we lived in an apartment in North Jersey.  We had to go to the laundry mat to do our laundry.  Lots of people do this, no big deal, right?  I DREADED it.  Perhaps my dread stems from the time the owner asked me in broken English, “What’s the matter with you?”  I had loaded the washer unevenly and the entire washer was shaking violently and making outrageous noises.  Only, I didn’t realize it was a problem; hence, my friend’s inquiry.  

I may have disliked the job of putting away the laundry even more.  My procrastination of this task was so bad that Pete would hum a carnival tune as he reached into the clean laundry bag to “win” the matching pair of socks “prize”.  I am laughing even as I type this.  I am so grateful for Pete’s humor and patience.

I knew, theoretically, what I desired in our home.  I just had no idea how to get there.   It no longer worked to think,” once this or that changes I will grow in this area”.  If one area of life became easier, other challenges were added.  I began to see that the area of home management was directly related to my role as helper and I needed to grow…and needed some help!   Uh, oh, now I had to admit that I was a messy.  What freedom!

Maybe you enjoy the peace that an orderly home affords, but have certain areas you just can’t get to.  Perhaps you have not had the advantage of a mother who was able to train you in home management.  It could be that you appreciate order, but don’t know how to get there.  (I fit into each of these categories, to some degree).  By design, we as women, have the unique privilege to look after the affairs of our household.  This is one aspect of Biblical Femininity to which we should give our attention.

By God’s amazing work on the cross, God is no more pleased with us when our home is clean and in order or in utter disarray.  Our standing before God is sure because of Christ alone.  We can add nothing to it, not even a clean house.  May God help us to grow, in our role as women, to reflect the powerful message of this glorious gospel, even as we manage our homes.

What’s a girl to do?

1.  If you are married, ask your husband if your home management reflects his priorities.  Make your husband’s priorities, your priorities.

2.  If you are single, determine what priorities you have for your home and if your home reflects those priorities.

3.  Study the topic.  Read books about cleaning, organizing.

4.  Use the Internet as a resource.  Google “home organization” or other topics that you need help in.

5.  Stalk people who excel in order and home management.  Ask them questions.  Observe their habits.

6.  Most importantly, pray.  Ask the Lord to help you grow.  It is good to live in peace and order.  He will help us.

Here is one particular resource that I continue to find helpful.  I am not suggesting this book as a guide for spiritual direction, but as a practical guide with helpful tips.

The New Messies Manual by, Sandra Felton

What resources or helpful hints have you found useful in your quest for home organization?

Community Days at Crossway Church is quickly approaching.  This weekend there will be a frenzy of activity around the Crossway property. 

We kick things off on Saturday with our huge, gigantic, colossal, enormous yard sale from 8am – 2pm!  It’s fun for the whole family with food, games and tons of great items to purchase.  Come and invite many people to attend.

Then on Sunday Morning at 10am we have our Community Sunday Service followed by a delicious picnic and the Crossway Mile in the afternoon.  This is a wonderful event to invite friends, family members, neighbors, co-workers and your family doctor just in case you need some medical help after the race.

Community Days is not just about the Crossway community but the local community we live in, so take advantage of this opportunity and invite a few people to attend these activities.

Romans 10 says, “So faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ.”  We are called by God to proclaim the Gospel to those who are perishing so that they might hear the good news of Christ.  One way we do that is by simply inviting and investing in the relationships God has given us.  So let’s start by inviting folks to our Community Days.  It’s an easy, low pressure way to begin. 

So . . . who are you going to invite this weekend?  Pray and ask God to give you a boldness to reach out.

The issue of abortion is a perennial front-burner issue politically, and this last election cycle was no exception.  Yet we know that this is an issue that transcends mere politics.  The true humanity of the unborn means that human lives are being taken in the devastating harvest that is the abortion movement, both in America and abroad.  While there are many areas for discussion here, I wanted to take advantage of this post to point you to a resource that I have recently read,  The Case for Life, a book by Scott Klusendorf.

Klusendorf does an excellent job of examining the most common arguments of pro-choice advocates, and offers effective counter-arguments.  He offers several key themes that can function as hooks in your mind as you have occasion to interact with someone who is pro-abortion, or who at least thinks that women should be free to “make up their own minds.”  He also engages the debate surrounding Embryonic Stem Cell Research (ESCR), a topic which I had not studied much previously.

Most importantly, Klusendorf is both clear and centered on the gospel.  He knows that as the death toll from abortion rises, many lives are affected, and not just those of babies that have been aborted.  Millions of men and women have played roles in this tragedy, and it is the gospel that offers them their only true hope.  In addition, his arguments seem fueled by genuine gospel-clarity, and are therefore gracious and careful.  He is not using hype and invective to stir up the rowdies, but is carefully and convincingly arguing the case for life. This book is clear and winsome, written by a man who has apparently had a great deal of experience in dealing with this issue apologetically.  If you would like to better understand the issues surrounding abortion and ESCR and how to helpfully respond, then I highly recommend this book to you.

As you read this post, about 3,000 young adults and singles (including approx. 40 from Crossway) are wrapping up the 4 day Next conference in Baltimore, Maryland.

In a word: wonderful…simply wonderful.

God has spoken clearly and powerfully to us as D.A. Carson, Josh Harris, C.J. Mahaney and others have preached on the topic of Jesus Christ.  These messages should be available for downloading in the weeks ahead at the Next website (www.thisisnext.org).

It has been refreshing to refocus on the One who matters most to the Christian heart.  Though our brains are nearly bursting and our bodies are wearing out (1am seems to be the average bed-time), it has been a long, cold drink from a pure stream.  Turning our eyes to Jesus will always have that effect.

I thank God that I’ve been able to enjoy this time with many of our beloved singles & young adults.

Down by the Inner Harbor

We kept this steel beam from falling...amazing.

A new movie coming soon and entitled Collision explores the topic of Christianity and whether or not it is “good for the world.” Featuring the recorded conversations between atheist Christopher Hitchens from Great Britain and pastor Douglas Wilson from the USA is quite provocative and well done. Here is a 13 minute sneak preview:

Here are a few thoughts from Justin Taylor [Between Two Worlds] by way of review:

• Hitchens believes that “vicarious atonement” (one man taking the sins of another) is deeply immoral. It powerfully reinforced to me the truth of 1 Cor. 1:23-25: the gospel of Jesus Christ cruficied and risen is simply foolish to the world; in reality Jesus Christ is “the power of God” and he is “the wisdom of God”; and God’s “foolishness” is wiser than men, and God’s “weakness” is stronger than men.

• I really liked that there was no “voice of God” narration. Which means that virtually the entire film consists of Hitchens and Wilson talking–making arguments, asking questions, responding, trading favorite P.G. Wodehouse lines, etc. The result is that you get to hear a lot of arguments–something very rare.

• The editing is evenhanded. It seemed to me that both men essentially got “equal time.”

• It was good to see the friendship between Wilson and Hitchens that has developed through their time traveling together and debating each other. One senses that Wilson is one of the few Christians that Hitchens actually respects.

• The music throughout is simply great.

This past Saturday was a wonderful day of blessing at the Heitland house!  The I/O and Young Adults so kindly gave their time and energies to a work day at all of the pastors’ homes.  I was blessed with the company of Joanne, Deanna, and Danae Bitterman, Juliana Goslin, and Rhonda Wenger.  These gals worked so very hard.  I had an enormous list of things that I hoped to accomplish and many on there that I thought we wouldn’t even get close to.  Those ladies finished my whole list!  They scrubbed walls, cleaned out my nasty freezer (some unsuspecting husband accidentally left the door open months ago and we had a serious thaw),  pulled weeds, moved furniture, and much more.  Thank you ladies for all your hard work and doing it with such a cheerful heart.  I was truly blessed by your work and your time spent here!!

 I thought I would also take this opportunity to share a surprising side of a certain family in the church.  Many of us know the Odell family well–a godly and respectable bunch. Since they live just around the corner from us, we have enjoyed getting to know them over the years.  This past year, Shannon, Elizabeth Anne, and Margaret have all taken turns watching our kids for Care Group.  They have been very faithful and responsible with their commitment.  

A few Thursdays ago, I was inside running around like a crazy person getting ready to leave for Care Group.  I knew the Odell girls would be here any minute.  I finally saw their car coming in the drive and saw Cameron hop out.  I thought nothing of it but was a little concerned when I saw EA drive away.  I went outside, greeted Cameron and asked him where his sister was going.  He had somewhat of a glum look on his face and said, “Margaret is sick, the twins have schoolwork to do, so I am your sitter for the night.”  He then hurried to add, ”I know the routine, Aaron in bed at 8, the girls at 8:30.”  Sensing my discomfort he continued, “I didn’t sign up for this!!”  My heart starting beating quite fast and I looked at him and said, “Are you serious?”  He looked right back at me stone-faced and said, “Yeah, I’m serious.”  I think I even asked him again and he assured me that he was serious.

I quickly stepped inside and whispered to Steve, “They sent Cameron to babysit.  He’s 10 years old, he can’t babysit!!  Go talk to him!!”  Steve was sitting there a little stunned and replied, “Well, it won’t do any good to talk to him, we need to talk to Abby.”  How do you tell someone that their child is too young  to babysit?  We sat there and stared at each other for what seemed like 30 minutes, but I’m sure it was only 2 or 3.  We could see Cameron outside with Claudia who seemed just as shocked as we were that they had sent someone just a tad older than her to babysit.  I kept whispering to Steve (in a very submissive way, of course), “Do something!!”  After what seemed like an eternity, the Odell car came back up the driveway and EA came out of the driver’s seat just busting a gut, laughing.  I took one look at her and realized that they had gotten us.  Gotten us real good.  That little Cameron is quite the actor and pulled one over on us.  We are still laughing pretty hard over this one.

Do you ever feel lost when you read your bible?  Is it difficult to understand the truths in which you’re reading?  Below are some helpful questions to ask your bible as your read it. 

These 14 questions came from Stephen Altrogge’s blog http://www.theblazingcenter.com/

1. Who is the author of the passage?

2. Who were the recipients?

3. What is the historical background of the passage?

4. What is the outline/structure of the passage?

5. Are any words repeated? Any significance to the repetition?

6. Are there any unusual words in the passage that call for more exploration?

7. How does the passage fit into the surrounding paragraph? Chapter? Book?

8. Why did the author place the passage here and not somewhere else?

9. In one sentence, what is the main point of the passage?

10. How would the original audience have been affected by the passage?

11. How does this passage connect to the overall storyline of the Bible?

12. How does this passage reveal Jesus as savior?

13. How does God want this passage to function in my life?

14. What kind of response does this passage call for?

What would you add to the list?