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

love and serve

by Ben

If I remember correctly, I was in early elementary school when some neighborhood kids in middle school invited me to help them build a treehouse in the nearby woods. I felt so cool. The hideout was built between three trees and you had to know the right way to walk back into the woods and … Continue reading love and serve

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terazzo, coffee, and kids

Yard Work and Right Things

by Ben

Sometimes I think about starting a lawn maintenance business. Not to get rich, just to spend my days tidying up yards. I borrowed my neighbor’s edger the other day. Whoa! A good edger is a game changer. crisp little cut lines along the sidewalks and patio boarders look great. It’s odd that I get satisfaction … Continue reading Yard Work and Right Things

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terazzo, coffee, and kids

Fine Wine

by Ben

It occurred to me this week that Jesus doesn’t really talk about building an “army.” Some of us may have grown up singing songs about serving in the Lord’s army or marching onward as christian soldiers. But it’s not a metaphor that is used much for Israel or the church in our scriptures. It’s interesting … Continue reading Fine Wine

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terazzo, coffee, and kids

uniquely

by Ben

This past sunday we considered Psalm 8 together. It’s a pretty well known psalm: Lord, our Lord,    how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory    in the heavens.Through the praise of children and infants    you have established a stronghold against your enemies,    to silence the foe and the avenger.When I consider your heavens,    the work of your … Continue reading uniquely

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terazzo, coffee, and kids

keep going

by Ben

I was reminded this week about the simplicity of the Gospel. The central claim Jesus of Nazareth stands for is not hard to understand: there is a God, it’s not you—yet the God is dramatically on your side, as demonstrated by Jesus and his cross. Still, the simplicity of the Gospel does not mean it … Continue reading keep going

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terazzo, coffee, and kids

reading

by Ben

I was reading today about the authorship of the book Revelation. It’s a somewhat wild book where the author gets a prophetic picture of the end of all things. In considering who the writer of the book was, the commentator mentioned that we have writings from Irenaus, a second century church leader, that it was … Continue reading reading

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terazzo, coffee, and kids

Simple things

by Ben

A couple months ago we went roller skating. I was totally into it. We skated a lot when I was growing up. A friend of my dad’s owned a rink so Saturday mornings were spent there often. It’s cool how quickly the feel comes back to you, it’s one of those things your body learns … Continue reading Simple things

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terazzo, coffee, and kids

a specific good

by Ben

This past Sunday, as we considered the reality of the first Easter, it occurred to me that one take away from Jesus’ resurrection could be…that any good may happen. Though he’d spoken about it several times, it still seemed to catch his friends off guard. It was such good news, they had trouble believing it. … Continue reading a specific good

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terazzo, coffee, and kids

wins and losses

by Ben

Last night a group of us gathered at our church building and ate soup. While we did that, we talked about a time we made a mistake and shared an accomplishment we were proud of. It’s funny how both of those can be hard things to share. It can be tough to own up to … Continue reading wins and losses

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terazzo, coffee, and kids

new from the old

by Ben

I skipped my run this morning. There are several reasons/excuses I would like to provide, but they don’t change the fact: I decided there were things besides running on which I should spend the first hours of my day. I don’t regret it, necessarily. But I do miss the feeling I get in the middle … Continue reading new from the old

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