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.
Yesterday we kicked off Lent with some focused time for reflection and a meal together. We put together a simple guided prayer experience built around 4 psalms culminating with the imposition of ashes. As I worked on which psalms to include, and what reflection prompts to give, I thought about the traditional words spoken when … Continue reading Lent
Read MoreEvery time I go on a roadtrip, there’s a moment when I’m pulling into our neighborhood where it occurs to me again that I’m just a car ride away from places that feel very different from my daily life. Sometimes, when Friday gets here I have a similar feeling. It’s crazy that one more week … Continue reading roadtrips and fasting
Read MoreI’ve been wearing a jacket that a friend gifted to me almost thirty years ago. It was thrifted when he gave it to me, so I really have no idea how old it is. Simple, classic shape, well-made, warm…I’m into it right now. It’s cool how it still fits, and still works in with the … Continue reading past
Read MoreThis morning I read about Elijah and Elisha. It’s in chapter fifteen of The Story that we’re working through on Sundays as we gather. There are some crazy anecdotes in there. What stuck out to me first is how God actively works against so many of the Kings of Israel and Judah. It’s a classic … Continue reading How Long?
Read MoreI was explaining “post-christian culture” to a good friend the other day. I mentioned the term, somewhat off-hand, and he paused me for clarification on what I meant. It’s one of those ideas that is obvious, at first, then grows in depth and complexity the more you think about it. There are many ways the … Continue reading meta-narrative
Read MoreSome things are worth preparing for: thinking, planning, organizing, strategizing, discussing, prioritizing, buying, selling. The work is, sometimes, worth the effort. But not always. This time of year there always seems like a lot of preparing. For presents and people and parties and new years and end of year and in-laws and long lost friends … Continue reading On your Marks…
Read MoreWe put up a real Christmas tree this year. We’ve had an artificial one for the last several years, but it was kind of worn out. It’s a fun change. We have some patterns/traditions around how the tree goes up. The family decorates it together. We each have ornaments from all the previous years of … Continue reading patterns
Read MoreKeep going. I was reading chapter six of The Story (the synopsis of the scriptures that we’re working through together as a church) this morning. It covers the desert wandering and finishes with the death of Moses. Reading through the narrative arc of the scriptures as fast as this book frames it, different things become … Continue reading Keep Going
Read MoreOf course it’s cliche to say that the days are long but the years go quick. But, cliche’s emerge for a reason; they resonate with a lot of folks. It’s often hard to make sense of life walking through it, to know how things will resolve, what purpose events will serve. We often find ourselves … Continue reading going quick
Read MoreThis week we’ve been reading chapter 4 of The Story. It covers the Israelites in Egypt, Moses, plagues and Red Sea. It’s a very formative section of Israel’s history. I’ve enjoyed reconnecting with it. The God, as experienced by Israel, is so powerful and so personal. It’s a compelling juxtaposition. God both connects with individuals … Continue reading Forgotten God
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