Monday, December 28, 2009

Holly Crosby

I'd like to introduce the newest member of the Crosby family, Holly. She is a 9 week old, Cockapoo - a mix between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle.
As a first-time dog owner, I must admit that I know very little (next to nothing actually) about dogs. All I know is this little bundle of joy puts the poo in Cockapoo.
Actually, Bekah is just as smitten with Holly as the rest of the family. It's just a bit overwhelming trying to potty train a dog in the dead of a Pocono winter. Also, adjusting to life with a 5 week old baby doesn't make it any easier.
One healthy piece of advice I've learned already when it come to dogs is this: it's really a good idea to consult your spouse BEFORE buying the dog and bringing it home to your kids on Christmas Eve. If you are looking for me this Christmas vacation, you'll find me in the "dog house."

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

The Spirit of Christmas

I've been thinking a lot lately about the spirit of Christmas and asking this question, "What is the spirit of Christmas?"
  • To the liquor industry, it comes in a bottle.
  • To Scrooge, it was a ghost.
  • To Hallmark, it comes in the form of sending a card. (Some 5 billion cards will be sent this year.)
  • To some, it's all about friends and family and sharing a meal together.
  • To many, it's giving.
Biblically, I've come to discover that the Spirit of Christmas is WORSHIP. All throughout the Christmas story, you read how people extemporaneously explode into worship for God.
  • Elizabeth worships God when Mary visits her.
  • Zachariah erupts into worship at the sight of his son, John, who would prepare the way for Christ.
  • Mary worships God when she resolves to carry out His purpose.
  • Angels worship. Shepherds worship. Wise men worship. All creation worships.
So, this Christmas, I've determined to see everything I do as worship unto God.
  • My time with my church family this Christmas Eve at our services will be filled with worship to God.
  • My time away from work with my physical family is going to be worship unto God. My family is a blessing from God.
  • The gifts I give to loved ones will ultimately result in worship ... because I recognize that I can only give because God has given to me.
Everything we do can be worship unto God if we keep Christ at the center.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Weekend Update

This past Sunday was a lot of fun at PCC. We are in week three of our series, Radio Christmas. Even though we had to cancel our first service due to the snow, we still had a great time and many people committed their life to Christ.

I want to take a moment to thank all of the Creative Arts Team for doing such an awesome job with this series. The music and worship has been nothing short of inspirational.

Also, the Children's Ministry Team did a fabulous job with the PCCKids Christmas program. You guys knocked it out of the park. It was the first Christmas kids program we've done in many years and I was so proud of all our kids and their teachers. Thanks!

This week don't forget to invite your friends to our Christmas Eve Services. We have two great services planned f0r 4:30pm and 6:30pm. Also, please bring a plate of your favorite Christmas cookies to share.

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Radio Christmas

We kicked off Radio Christmas this past Sunday. It was awesome. I was really surprised to have almost 1200 people in church considering the fact that we had 6 inches of snow late Saturday night.

The church decorations look awesome. I want to thank all the volunteers who came to put up the 22 foot Christmas tree which has 3000 lights on it. You guys are awesome.

We had 90 people make a decision to follow Christ as their Lord and Savior this past weekend. That's incredible. And we only had one person stand up during third service and scream blasphemy when the band performed the U2 song, "I still haven't found what I'm looking for." Those are pretty good stats if you think about it.

The band did an awesome job with the U2 song. I was so proud of them. They rocked the house. And God obviously used it for his glory.

I can't wait for this weekend. The band is doing the song, Eleanor Rigby by the Beetles. They've got some really cool creative elements that they are going to add this weekend too. You don't want to miss it.

Thursday, December 03, 2009

New Christmas Series

This weekend we begin our new series, Radio Christmas. In this creative series, the band is going to perform some of the top hits on the music charts and then I'm going to preach on the theme of the song.

So, this weekend, the band is doing a song by U2, "I still haven't found what I'm looking for" and I'm going to preach a message titled "Searching." We're going to talk about what people are looking for this Christmas and wrap the message around the Magi.

This is one of the most creative message series we've ever done and I'm totally psyched up about it. Please be in prayer this week for our weekend services. Invite your friends that are far from God and I promise to deliver a message (with the help of the Spirit) that will guide them to God's love in Jesus Christ.

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

First Wednesday

Tonight is our monthly First Wednesday service at PCC. I'm looking forward to getting together for a time of prayer, worship and the act of communion.

James 5:13, 17 says, "Is anyone of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise ... The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

Here are some of the things we will be praying about tonight:
  • For peace in Afghanistan
  • The kick off of our Christmas series this weekend, "Radio Christmas"
  • Help in reaching the lost and those far from God in this Mountain
  • The Christmas Offering
  • The Christmas Outreach (Winter Warm Up)
  • For healing from sickness
Please come anticipating God to do something special tonight. If you are in need of a miracle, come to First Wednesday!