Welcome

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.

terazzo, coffee, and kids

Pragmatism

by Ben

I can remember a couple times where I made a concious decision to give up trying to micro manage my future. In each case, it involved setting aside my notion of the ideal. What I thought was the ideal version of me, the ideal rhythm of life, the ideal way of making money, the ideal … Continue reading Pragmatism

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terazzo, coffee, and kids

Instinctually

by Ben

Our family dog will turn one year old this summer. He’s a standard schnauzer, about 40lbs and pretty smart. He’s figured out how to open the back door and even operate one of the locks. Mostly he’s a very fun addition to the house. Currently, what’s really entertaining us about him is how vigilantly he … Continue reading Instinctually

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terazzo, coffee, and kids

Listen

by Ben

Yesterday I had a really good conversation with a friend I consider very wise. He’s not in my everyday, every week or even every month routine. But whenever we connect he listens and speaks directly, with candor and from experience. I try to spend most of these conversations listening, if I can. I try not … Continue reading Listen

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terazzo, coffee, and kids

Recharge & Connect

by Ben

The other day I was in kind of a grumpy mood. It came on sort of unexpected and a little unexplained. Megan noticed, I’d been forded to miss a run I usually take. She encouraged me to hit the street, even thought it was later than normal. It was good advice. When you read the … Continue reading Recharge & Connect

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terazzo, coffee, and kids

A weird Interuption

by Ben

It can be hard to get yourself to care about eternal realities, things beyond the day to day. Each day, spouse, car, house, child, friend has so many little things that are so pressing. There is immediate gratification and frustration, relief and hardship in all of it. Good Friday is such an weird interruption. It … Continue reading A weird Interuption

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terazzo, coffee, and kids

The Main Thing

by Ben

I think there is value in pointing out injustice. It can be very helpful to expose what others are missing, to advocate for those who are often left alone. One story that I was asked to preach early on in my preaching life was the one about the time that church folk brought to Jesus … Continue reading The Main Thing

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terazzo, coffee, and kids

Me and Walter Mitty

by Ben

If I could fly, I wonder how much my life would change. At first, my thought is, I’d be going all over the place, just for fun. leaving the morning and heading to remote spots. Me and Walter Mitty out in the world. But then, I start to think…probably not really. Or at least not … Continue reading Me and Walter Mitty

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terazzo, coffee, and kids

Patient and Persistent

by Ben

Abraham, Isaac & Jacob. We’ve been talking through the major stories of Genesis during our Sunday gatherings this month. On Sunday we’ll consider Jacob, it’ll be our last week in Genesis. It’s interesting that the God of creation and life would associate so closely with three dudes. Our God is the God of Abraham, Isaac … Continue reading Patient and Persistent

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terazzo, coffee, and kids

Work that’s worth it

by Ben

If I had to fly regularly for work, I think I’d get really expensive headphones. I’d probably get tired of listening to things, but I’d love the extra quiet. Being so close to people so much, I think I’d like the control over what I have to listen to. Plus the extra quiet of good … Continue reading Work that’s worth it

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terazzo, coffee, and kids

Deep Past

by Ben

The last couple weeks as we’ve gathered on Sundays we’ve touched on the uniqueness of the ancient Torah texts. Stories that have been preserved for so long, through so much. Through all scientific theories, philosophical movements, technological advances, political evolutions and upheavals, relational complexities, theological debates and failure after failure after failure (of all kinds) … Continue reading Deep Past

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