The Cross Orlando is a congregation of people living under the reign of God. We gather together regularly, we're working in all sectors of our city and are always looking for ways to better care for each other. But a great first step in meeting us, is to check out these blogs that our folks manage.
Try not to over think it. We’ve been talking through Isaiah 58 during our Sunday gatherings. It’s been challenging me to consider what devotion to God looks like. In the text, God expresses frustration with Israel; it seems as though they’re good at appearing spiritual, even doing spiritual things. Yet, their spirituality is portrayed as … Continue reading devoted
Read MoreLast Sunday we talked about the story where Jacob wrestles with God in Genesis 32. There are several ways that Jacob makes a bad role model. There is perhaps just one way in which he makes a good one: when he wrestles with God, Jacob ends up acknowledging that good things are blessings from God…not … Continue reading wrestle it down
Read MoreTwo Sundays ago we talked about what a miracle it is that people believe in Jesus, and that the church persists. There are so many reasons why Jesus is an unlikely christ (liberating king). There are so many failures stacked up in the church. The persistence of individual faith along with the continuance of the … Continue reading grace and mercy
Read MoreLast week we talked about the greek word ekklessia. It’s usually translated as “church.” In Matthew’s Gospel when Jesus asks his closest disciples who people say that he is, Simon (the leader) responds with the affirmation: You are the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus gives him the name Peter in that moment and says … Continue reading church
Read MoreI wonder what type of car Jesus would have had. Definitely some sort of utility vehicle, something that could go off road. Jesus spent a fair amount of time off the beaten path. It would need to have room for a crowd. Either a load of the boys in the back of the truck or … Continue reading Jesus and the boys
Read MoreI went to Lake Mary High School. It was longer ago than I like to admit/I can really get my head around. All its hallways are inside, I guess it was built before they started building florida high schools with exterior hallways. I have vivid memories of the hallways, the lockers, where the math wing … Continue reading cold and sleep
Read MoreRemember the time that Jesus’ parents lost him for a day or so? They eventually found him a days walk away, hanging out with the teachers at the temple. He was listening and asking them questions. In the way the story is told, Jesus sounds almost surprised that Mary and Joseph didn’t know where to … Continue reading pragmatically speaking
Read Morewhat really matters? I watched an old Doogie Howser MD episode recently. It’s a 90’s show that ran for a couple of seasons, I was the perfect age to think it was really cool. It’s a sort of “coming of age” story. This kid genius (played by Neil Patrick Harris) becomes a doctor at 16. … Continue reading Doogie Howser MD
Read MoreBusy, busy, busy. Mostly I really like being busy; I feel good when I’ve got stuff to do, when I know that I’m accomplishing things, when my job is clear and I know how to get it done. I don’t like when it becomes a default response, “how’s it goin?” “oh fine, just busy.” I … Continue reading Just Busy
Read MoreThe Bible is such a funny thing. It’s got to be the most common of the Holy Scriptures. Christians carry all forms of it and read it in all different sorts of ways. They consult it in trouble, read it in prayer, read large sections in order and take small sections by memory. Of course … Continue reading funny thing
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