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.
Ben's Substack
This week I’ve been in psalm 149. One of the phrases that stuck with me was the assertion, “God adorns the humble with salvation” It made me think of the wee little man whose home Jesus entered. A chief tax collector and known sinner. Jesus walks in, and after hearing about the tax collector’s…
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This week I’ve been in psalm 84. The psalmist describes, so beautifully the arrival at the end of a long journey. My heart and flesh sing for joy to the Living God Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars O Lord of hosts, my King…
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This week I’m in psalm 34. Taste and see that the Lord is good. The psalmist suggests that a way to “taste” the Lord is to “take refuge in Him.” Refuge isn’t a word that I use a lot. But as I close my eyes and consider…”when have I taken refuge?” two different memories come to mind. Several months…
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I’m spending the rest of the Church year in the psalms. This past week it’s been psalm 30. It’s a quick hit of a psalm, but with a pretty full spectrum of experience. The psalmist spends the first three verses promising praise. God’s been so good to them and they are grateful. The next two verses go…
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Several years ago my friends had a relative die way too young, like middle twenties. Roughly the last third of his life was really hard: substance abuse, arrests, mental instability, unstable housing. When he passed, it was no less sad for not being a big surprise. When we gathered to remember his…
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Rode my bike to work today. It’s been a while since I did that. I loved it. It feels like a little adventure, gotta pick out your route, watch out for traffic, get everything stowed away so it doesn’t fall out of your pockets, you feel the breeze and are less at the mercy of traffic and lights. It’s…
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In college I had a pastor who was very influential in my life. There are several specific conversations I remember and a few phrases of his that have really stuck with me. One of those popped into my head today: “Ben, sometimes action precedes attitude.” I don’t remember exactly what prompted that…
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A friend asked me how church was going last night. He’s not someone who I am church with, but I have known him for several years. It was a genuine question. He knows that church is a big part of my life, and he legitimately cares how things are going for me. I thought it was very cool that he asked.…
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I’m solidly in mid-life. It’s nice to realize that I’m still learning things about myself. One of the things I’m realizing about me is how much I like hitting a goal. I think that kinda hid from be for a while because I’m not overly competitive. I’m usually just as happy to let you win, as to win…
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It’s been a hot summer. I don’ t think that’s just my perception. I think it can be substantiated. hot. At our house, Megan has developed very strategic management of our thermostat. It seems like whenever I walk in the door the house feels cool. We have these classic Florida terrazzo floors, big…
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