I am not saying that I am better than anyone else, in fact, if you pinned me down, I would probably admit to some things that may shock you. Although, with the knowledge that the man who wrote most of the New Testament admitted to at least feeling like the “Chief of Sinners” I guess it shouldn’t shock you that all men in ministry on this planet actually sin. (oh wait, there are a number of people who believe when Paul said that, that he was speaking of his former life and somehow had transformed to perfection) ~sarcasm~

Regardless, when I come into contact with various other people from various other religions, I always find it interesting that I often get looked down upon because of the type of ministry we do here at Crossroads.

You see, to the hardcore mainliner, we are watering down the Gospel. Because we are not having church the same way they are, we are not “creating disciples,” nor doing a positive work for the Kingdom. I have gotten plenty of “yeah buts….” as well. Like,

“Yeah but, I bet you guys aren’t baptizing people!” Well…..I think we are over 100 in the last 20 months.

“Yeah but, I bet your congregation doesn’t have any diversity!” Actually, we have plenty of folks from other races and we range in all age brackets. (usually this one is spouted by someone whose church actually doesn’t have any diversity, but they feel they are open to it as soon as “God opens the door”)

“Yeah but, you guys don’t have true salvations or transformations….” Funny thing, as I posted yesterday, I have never been in a place that has more people striving after Jesus who wouldn’t step foot into a church 2 years ago.

There are more…..and I bet you get the point.

I find it interesting that when Christians try to gauge themselves against other Christians they use a legalistic Religious measuring stick that Jesus never told us to use. Jesus said to judge people by their fruits…..well, there is a lot of fruit being produced at Crossroads and I thank God every day just for allowing me to be a part of it.

I find it interesting that we get judged the hardest by others whose ministries have not changed in 50 years and dare I say, bear little fruit.

I think this “Evangelizing the World” thing that Jesus asked us to do would go a lot better if we (the church) would work together to try to reach those who don’t know Him, instead of slamming the ministries that seem to be reaching people, even though they look and sound a little different than others. I often wonder what this country would look like if THE CHURCH started working together like we were THE Church and not just a bunch of CHURCHES.

THAT, I would find interesting….

~jfm3~

I will soon be an actual Executive Pastor instead of a construction worker here at Crossroads Church.

Since the day I came on full time staff, I have been inundated with projects. From the completion of the BLVD, which still isn’t completed, to the remodel of the downstairs area…..formerly our Childrens Church area that is now our Administrative Staff area.

Regardless, soon and very soon I will have an office, with a desk, a door and a phone. SWEET.

I am so proud of all the people that God has brought to this church that have abilities and skills to help where needed. I cannot begin to describe what an awesome privilege it is to simply be a part of such an amazing ministry.

If you don’t already realize it, let me assure you that God has some amazing plans for Crossroads Church in Columbus and the surrounding area.

I have never been a part of a ministry where literally, I am daily given news about a people who either never knew God or walked away from God that now have a passion for Jesus because of what God is doing at Crossroads…… If you are not a part of what God is doing here, I beg you to jump in and get your hands dirty for Jesus. You won’t regret it!! I promise.

And if you do, come talk to me about it in my new office space….lol.

~jfm3~

Yes, there are only 12 of you.

12 of you who are either the coolest people in the world, or 12 of you who are giant dorks just like me……not sure yet, but if I get an answer, I will let you know!! (jk obviously)

Actually, I am very grateful that there are people who are interested in what I have to say and actually don’t get infuriated with my opinionated ramblings! lol.

Anyways…..Pastor Rob and I have been remodeling the entire basement of the church over the last two weeks and I have not been on my computer AT ALL!! (not even to check the BILLS Messageboard)

So I apologize and pretty soon I will actually have an OFFICE at the church and once this craziness is over, should be able to resume a regular scheduled blog-cast!

~jfm3~

I am losing my little girl. She is only three, but regardless, I dread every day that passes knowing that at some point very soon, she won’t want to cuddle with me anymore, or fall asleep in my lap at night. It won’t be long before taking a nap with Daddy isn’t something she will look forward too and no longer will she look up at me and ask “You want to kiss me don’t you??!”

If you know me, then you know I am not a compassionate person. You also know that I am sarcastic and gruff, stubborn, straight forward and a guy who doesn’t show emotion. Essentially, I am the OPPOSITE Rob Slane! lol.

Regardless, that little girl has changed me in so many ways. Sure, the average person may not see it, but deep down, I have been softened by the hugs of tiny arms….. She has all of me…..and I think she knows it.

It won’t be long before she is talking on the phone with boys, and bringing them home to meet her Daddy…..to which I will be putting the fear of God into them every way I know how too. She will be back talking me and telling me how I am ruining her life…… And even the thought of “giving her away” to someone else……let’s not even go there.

I was thinking about a song a buddy of mine wrote about his little girl and it just about brought me to to tears. Roy Goudy wrote a song that I believe he titled “The Ghost of You” and it’s about how his daughter is now a bit older but he still sees her as a 3 year old. Running around the house, making messes with chocolate ice cream all over her face. He still can see her perpetually running everywhere she goes cause lets face it, 3 year olds don’t walk anywhere. Even though she is still there, so much of her is already a memory.

I am losing her. With every day that passes, she is one small step farther away from me. I see other parents with kids who are older now and I grieve for them inside while wondering if what I am feeling is normal. She is gonna grow up, I have to deal with it……but why is it happening so fast?

~jfm3~

Look, I have been a Christian most of my life, and throughout my life have had the debates on Christmas and Santa, Easter and the Bunny……and to be honest, I went to Bible College, so I am aware of the traditions and histories and rituals of said holidays and how they don’t pertain to Jesus…….whatever.

Is it a sin to teach your kids about Santa? I don’t know. Is it a sin to hide an Easter Basket on Easter Sunday with colored eggs in it? Who knows at this point. More importantly, is it right for a Church to hold an EASTER EGG HUNT for the community? I say ABSOLUTELY.

I know every angle of detraction there is for this one, from the paganist reasons to the “the church could have spent that money on the poor” reasons……and frankly, if those are your reasons, it seems to me you are just looking for something to complain about. Seriously, I just said that.

Jesus before He left this planet, gave His followers ONE job. That job, which most American Churches have walked away from, was to provide those who don’t know Him with an opportunity to meet Him. The best part is that those of you who are starting to get angry at the fact that I would use some gimmick plastic egg filled with candy as a “draw” for some unchurched person to come to our Easter service full well believe, or should I say, HOPE that people will magically come to your church when the truth is, they don’t know who you are, what you believe, why you are there and frankly, if your church burned down tomorrow, wouldn’t notice you were gone.

Angry yet? I hope so.

The Bible says to COMPEL them to come. COMPEL THEM TO COME. That doesn’t mean putting catchy phrases on your churches letter board by the street, the best of which I ever saw was, “If you love Jesus, Come on in!!” Well, what if you DON’T love Jesus? What if you are searching for the truth? What if you have questions?

Why do we try to force people to live by our rules and beliefs when they don’t believe what we believe? How can they understand anything when they don’t know anything about what you understand?

Jesus said to compel them to come in, if providing someone’s kids with some free candy jammed in a plastic colored egg hidden in a swampy field gets them to show up on Sunday, hear the Gospel and have an opportunity to accept Jesus, send me all the colored eggs you got!!!!

Our job is to get them in the door using any means necessary short of sin. After that, it’s in God’s hands.

Word.

~jfm3~

We were talking about doing a Worship series in our creative planning meeting today. There is a good chance I will actually get to preach during one of those weeks which would be an awesome honor for me.

As we were talking we were going over why people don’t worship and what the level of our congregations “knowledge” is with the actual definitions of worship.

On one hand, worship is not necessarily a “slow song.” Worship is a life style…..which sounds really churchy. But what I mean by that is that God created us to worship Him. Obviously, it is not possible to spend the entire day and night in a state of worship……so what does He want us to do?

Well, God created you and me for a purpose. We worship God with our lives when we are doing what He has created us to do. In short, that means, when we are perfectly living within His will for our lives. An Eagle soaring thousands of feet above the earth is worshiping God because that is what He created the eagle to do. An Eagle attempting to live it’s life in a chicken coup feeding on corn and nesting in a box is not worship. It is, at that point, outside of the will of it’s creator.

But worship is also a call to action. Worship is the outward manifestation of what God has done in your life. The Bible speaks often of dancing, singing, shouting, clapping and going crazy in adoration for our God.

I could argue quite convincingly that standing in the auditorium with your arms folded being a spectator is not “how you worship” but rather, how you observe. If you have bought into the idea that this IS how you worship then you are either lying to yourself, or you have no realization of what God has done for you……

When God shows up, worship happens. Don’t believe me? Read your Bible. I don’t think there are many examples of where God showed up and the dude just stood there with his arms folded. lol.

~jfm3~

Tim did it, and it is appropriate that I do it as well.

Even though I went on a rant the other day, there have been a lot of people step up to help. Some have donated countless hours…..and like Tim said on Sunday in his message, a lot of them you don’t even know the names of….. And you would never know that they are most of the reason we are able to have the Grand Opening next Saturday….

Names like-
Mark, Jackson, Leah, Steve, Andy, Joe, Bob, Ed, Kim, Mike, and many many others…. There have been entire Life Groups who have shown up to help…… it has been awesome to see people give of their time to see this vision come to reality.

I just want to say “thanks” to all of those who have helped, both those named and the ones who I have forgotten, missed or accidentally left off the list…… It is your sweat, dedication and hard work that will open new doors for people who need God to come to a place where they can meet Him.

You guys are awesome and as your Executive Pastor I appreciate everything you do!!!

~jfm3~

Ecclesiastes 7:18 – Is it good to grasp the one and not let go of the other? The man who fears God will avoid all extremes. (via Youversion)

I would probably be considered a liberal Christian by today’s standards, and I would probably be considered a heathen by the people I grew up with in Church as a young man.

More important than any label or judgment of me is the fact that I am myself. I am Joe Miller. Like it or leave it…..what you see is what you get. I am real. I don’t fake my faith, or pretend to be some super Christian. I depend completely on God, I make mistakes……don’t tell anyone, but I also SIN. (OH NO!!! Our Executive Pastor is a SINNER!!!) News flash, so are you. And every other person inhaling oxygen on this planet……and everyone who is inhaling things they shouldn’t be too…lol

My point? God looks at your heart. Did you hear me? GOD LOOKS AT YOUR HEART. He knows whether or not you are sincere in your belief in Him,….He also knows those who pretend to be all Holy and Righteous on Sunday and live like the Devil on Monday.

I don’t get caught up in the rules and rituals of old time religion anymore. I live my life trying my best to love others and help those in need. I pour my life out for my ministry and I give myself away for a cause greater than Joe Miller.

I allow the BIBLE to tell me what is right and wrong and I follow this heart Jesus gave me. He said if you read His scriptures and hide them in your heart, they will guide you and they do.

Paul also said we are not suppose to be “Of this world”…..but we have to live in it.

Am I saying you should live life like a heathen? Absolutely not. But you shouldn’t try to be some super spiritual Christian who walks on water, makes people believe you pray “without ceasing” and look down your nose in judgment to all others, especially non-Christians, meanwhile hiding the ugliest skeletons of all in your closet.

Here’s a thought…..just be yourself. Love your neighbor and your God, go to church, read your Bible and talk to Jesus. It will bring you balance and I bet you will be happier!

Love you guys.

~jfm3~

We are close to completing the new Kids facility, but there is still a long way to go. Myself and two other Life Groups will be here building furniture, toys and other things that need completed.

To be honest, between the building, Worship leading, the new project, the downstairs remodel and everything that goes into being the Executive Pastor, I find myself not at home anymore.

Not sure how many days straight it has been, but it has been a lot. Also not sure of how many 10+ hour days I have in over the last month…..but it’s also a lot.

I am overwhelming grateful for the people who have come out to help paint, build, clean, and whatever else…. But I am also a shade angered at those who have kids and have done nothing. If I may be frank for a moment, we are all busy. We all have “a lot” going on. We ALL would rather be at home enjoying the evening with our family or just vegging out….. But if we ALL did that, the building would never be done. In my opinion, if you have kids who will be using this facility for the next 20 years of their lives and you have not lifted a finger to help, shame on you.

Now that you feel guilty, here are things we still need help with…

Painting
Building furniture
Laying Ceramic Tile
Cleaning
Moving stuff from the old building to the new one
Installing sound gear and other media stuff
Building sets
Building the stage
Installing the new coffee bar
General help in multiple areas
Did I say CLEANING?

Joe out.

~jfm3~

This weekend we will be collecting the pledges and one time gifts for the Auditorium expansion. Essentially, we are looking to double our current seating capacity which, at the rate we are growing, is vitally important for us.

Last night at Worship Practice, Ed was praying that the hearts of those in the community who need God would be moved and that they would be open to receiving Christ once the project was over. Ed prayed that “the fields are ripe with Harvest” and it is true, they are.

But as Ed prayed it struck me. The Bible says that we will go and we will reap where we have not sown, which is exactly what we at Crossroads have been living. We didn’t build this building, we didn’t develop the land we own….

The Bible also says that we not need to worry about the Harvest, the Harvest is there waiting for us. It says that the Harvest is full but the workers are few….also a reality we have been living with at Crossroads.

What we need is for the current Partners of Crossroads the grab a hold of the vision and sow into this Ministry, with both their wallets and their time. This week, we need the hearts of our Church attenders to change and we need them to see God’s Vision for this ministry and for their own lives. If we come together and sow our seed, the Bible says we will see the Harvest.

The souls are there, they are ready, but we have to prepare the way for them! I hope you and your family are praying about how much God wants you to give this weekend! It is our time to sow…..don’t miss this opportunity!

~jfm3~