We are starting something called Make a Difference Monday.  I actually came up with the idea after worship (that’s always a scary thing, me having an idea).  The way it works is that beginning Monday of each week we intentionally look for where God is at work in order that we might join with Him.  Now this isn’t a one day thing.  This is a week-long adventure!  Think of it as a way to put into action what we just learned from His Word on Sunday. 

This past Sunday we continued with our teaching series called The Great Adventure: Following the Holy Spirit’s Lead.  We focused on what it means to listen to the Holy Spirit as we looked at John 16:5-15.  If you didn’t have a chance to hear the message you can simply click on the link titled podcast.

The challenge for this week is to spend some time listening to what the Holy Spirit might be trying to tell us.  To get us started I’ve provided several questions to ask yourself.

Ask yourself:  Am I listening to the Holy Spirit as I stand in line at the grocery store?  Because maybe He wants me to begin a conversation with the person in front of me.  As yourself:  Am I allowing the Holy Spirit to lead me in making my budget and how I spend my money?  Because maybe He wants me to allocate the monies differently than I otherwise would.  As yourself:  Am I following the Spirit’s lead as I spend time with family and friends?  Because maybe He wants me to get beyond myself and be more intentional about how I love those He’s placed in my life.

Again, these are just some questions to get you started.  My hope is that the Spirit leads us to other questions that He wants us to wrestle with as we begin to listen to the truth that He’s speaking to our lives.  Who knows?  Maybe then we’ll begin to see the areas in our life that we tend to do our own thing, rather than follow His lead.  Maybe then we’ll begin to listen to the Spirit.

Have fun making a difference in your life and the lives of others this Monday and throughout the week!

It’s been said that the Celtic Christians had a special name for the Holy Spirit.  They called Him An Geadh-Glas, otherwise known as “the Wild Goose.”  Much like a wild goose, the Holy Spirit cannot be tracked or tamed.  And to pursue the Spirit of God, well, it’s nothing less than a great adventure!

As Christians, we need the Holy Spirit.  Without Him we operate by our own strength and end up accomplishing human size results.  But when we live in the Spirit, we cannot help but be different.  And the world cannot help but notice.

In the weeks to come, we will take a closer look at what the Bible teaches us regarding the Holy Spirit.  As we trust in the promises of the Spirit, we will be led away from discouragement and into lives marked by faith and the fruit of the Spirit.  Join us for this great adventure!  You won’t be disappointed.

Join Cross of Christ for worship and Kids’ Church on Sunday, July 11, 2010 at 9:30 AM and then stay for a FREE showing of Toy Story 3 (courtesy of AMC Theater).

Join us at Appaloosa Park (5575 S. De Gualle St., Aurora, CO 80016) from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, to worship outside and picnic afterwards!  We will enjoy God’s creation, worshiping Him in a natural amphitheater.  Grilled hotdogs will be provided.  Bring a side dish, drinks, and chairs.  Games and fun for everyone!  Be encouraged to invite your friends and neighbors for this special July 4th celebration!

When it comes to prayer, many have lost the simplicity.  In the midst of complex and busy lives, we have made prayer into what it was never intended to be – complicated.  As Christians we know we should pray, but do we know how to pray?  

If you would like to learn more about the Simplicity of Prayer, plan on attending this one night class on Thursday, June 24, from 6:30-8:00 PM at the Tallyn’s Reach Library (23911 E. Arapahoe Road, Aurora, CO 80016).

It’s a passage that is framed and hung on hospital walls.  It’s scratched on prison walls.  It’s quoted by the young.  And it’s whispered by the dying.  Do you know the passage.  It’s Psalm 23.  In the month of June we are going to be taking a closer look at this beloved passage of Scripture, in the hope that it will draw us closer yet to God.

We have an exciting new ministry beginning at Cross of Christ that we’re calling LOL (Living Out Life).  On certain days throughout the course of the year we will simply come together to live out life in fun and exciting ways!  Not only will this be a great way for the community of COC to fellowship together, this will also be a great way to live out life with others who are not yet part of the church.  Be encouraged to attend AND be encouraged to invite a friend! 

Our first event is this Saturday, June 5, 2010.  We will be hiking at Roxborough State Park.  If you can make it plan on meeting at Carino Coffee at Picadilly & Smoky Hill at 8:30 AM.  For more information, please contact Tami Payne by phone at 303-995-1525 or by email at paynetamara@msn.com.

If it’s true that the mission of Jesus was to bring the Good News for the here and now, and not just for the eternal future, how does my life need to change – here and now? 

Begin by discovering the Gospel in your community.  In other words:  Where is God already at work in my neighborhood?  In my city?  Where can I join with Him?

Then discover the Gospel in your own life.  In other words:  Whether at home, or at work, or at the store, where can I help people of all ages intersect life and the love of Jesus?

Once you’ve answered the questions above, go and be the Good News to someone!

This Friday (May 14) and Saturday (May 15) is our community garage sale.  It’s part of our Acts 2:45 Initiative.  As Acts 2:45 says:  “They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need” (NLT). 

That’s exactly what we intend to do.  A total of 100% of the proceeds will go to support our Hope Fund as a way to help people in need in our community.  The garage sale will start at 7:00 AM and end around noon both days.  The address is 22772 E. Briarwood Pl., Aurora, CO 80016 (the sale will be around the back at the garage).

For more information please contact Heather Meyer.  Her phone number is 720-810-4672 and her email is shenco_82@yahoo.com.  Thanks for your support as we continue to intersect life and the love of Jesus!