Crossroads Talk

Hey, this is Randy Cook with Crossroads Community Church. If your checking my blog and see that I haven't posted in a few days, its because I am out of the office until Tuesday.

I'll see you back here then. If you like you can leave a message (comment).

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 12:26 PM | Permalink | Comments

Just a reminder that there are no services tomorrow December 31st.

Enjoy your day!

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 12:22 PM | Permalink | Comments

1. Great volunteers
2. Good connecting place
3. Our facility is fantastic

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 12:55 PM | Permalink | Comments

Have you made any commitments for 2007?

I would love to hear your's if you have. You can just post them in the comments below and you don't have to leave your name.

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 3:10 PM | Permalink | Comments

I just love Buckle! They have the greatest casual clothes.

I probably should have put this post up before Christmas, huh!

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 2:57 PM | Permalink | Comments

I'm sitting here the last couple of days trying to tie a bow on 2006. Man what an unbelievable year! God has done some amazing things in my life, in spite of my failings and fallings (I know its not really a word).....and even though I get it, I don't get it. Does that make sense? God loves me so much, and in spite of all my screw ups He still allows me to be apart of something that He's doing! That's a love I'm still trying to get my arms around!

We have this amazing God that is constantly pursuing us....where ever we are and whatever shape we're in.

You gotta love that!

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 8:39 AM | Permalink | Comments

Just a reminder that we will not be having any services on Sunday, December 31st.

Take this time and be with your family and friends.

If your looking for a great place to worship, try The Bridge Fellowship in Mt. Juliet. Just click on their name in the previous sentence and it will take you to their website where you can get all the info.

See you on January 7th, 2007.

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 2:20 PM | Permalink | Comments

All I can say is amazing, truly amazing!

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 7:16 AM | Permalink | Comments

Well wasn't that quick!

It seems like your prepare for months and bam! its over.

Well anyway, it was great to see all of you at our Christmas Eve services. We really didn't know what to expect and were quite suprised at the good turnout. Remember that we will not be having services this next Sunday, December 31st. We will resume our regular schedule on January 7th when we begin our new series, "Dealing with Difficult People."

Have a great week!

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 5:58 AM | Permalink | Comments

Boy you can tell its a holiday weekend.....everybody is out the door!

Back when I was in retail this use to just make me sick. Everybody could go home but me.

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 2:47 PM | Permalink | Comments

I have to make a confession here today, the 21st day of December in the year of our Lord 2006.

Here is my confession.....I hate or should I say strongly dislike those cheesy church signs that say things like:

"Sign Broken: Come Inside for Message"
"Forbidden fruits make many jams"

Give me a break.....all it makes me want to do is run from your church!

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 12:06 PM | Permalink | Comments

I was spending some time this morning just surfing around the net and see that you can tell that Christmas is getting close. How you ask? Nobody is making any blog entries, that's how!

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 11:46 AM | Permalink | Comments

Hey, I would love to hear back from you on what your looking forward to this Christmas. Just leave it in the comments section....

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 3:05 PM | Permalink | Comments

It's gridlock on West Main Street in Lebanon....it's so bad in town today that I saw a man and a woman almost get in a fight at Mickie D's. She was all up in his face, just because he blew his horn.

Chill people!

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 12:57 PM | Permalink | Comments

We hope to be making our weekend services available via "podcasts" soon.

Stay tuned....

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 3:57 PM | Permalink | Comments

We will be starting a new teaching series in January entitled, "Dealing with Difficult People."

This is going to really hit home with some of us and I wanted to give you an early heads up so that you can think about that person that you may "need" to invite.

It's going to be a great series!!!

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 3:54 PM | Permalink | Comments

My wife does all the shopping......it's great!

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 2:32 PM | Permalink | Comments

If your looking for a great way to start the upcoming New Year, consider following these ten ideas.

1. Today I will not strike back
If someone is rude; if someone is impatient; if someone is unkind . . . I will not respond in like manner.

2. Today I will ask God to bless my "enemy"
If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I will quietly ask God to bless that individual. I understand the "enemy" could be a family member, neighbor, co-worker or stranger.

3. Today I will be careful about what I say
I will carefully choose and guard my words, being certain that I do not spread gossip, slander or malign anyone in any way.

4. Today I will go the extra mile
I will find ways to help share the burden of another person. I will find ways to make life more pleasant.

5. Today I will forgive
I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way. (I will also work to forgive injuries that have been inflicted upon me in the past)

6. Today I will do something nice for someone, but I will do it secretly
I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another person.

7. Today I will treat others as I wish to be treated
I will practice the golden rule -- do unto others as you would have them do unto you -- with everyone I encounter.

8. Today I will raise the spirits of someone who is discouraged
My smile, my words, my expression of support, can make the difference to someone who is wrestling with life.

9. Today I will nurture my body
I will eat less; I will eat only healthy foods; I will thank God for my body.

10. Today I will grow spiritually
I will spend a little more time in prayer today; I will begin reading something spiritual or inspirational today; I will find a quiet place (at some point during this day) and listen to God's voice!

(originally quoted by Timothy Satryan)

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 5:56 AM | Permalink | Comments

And here it is.....sausage balls!

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 5:41 AM | Permalink | Comments

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 11:08 AM | Permalink | Comments

Yesterday was absolute proof that sometimes things are out of your control.

When I think about all of the planning and preparation that goes into a Sunday morning service, I am amazed at how most of the time they come together without a hitch. Yesterday we seemed to have a few hitches and regardless of the hitches, God still showed up and He still moved. It was all out of our control.

YO, YO, baby.....makes me realize how totally dependent on Him I really am.

See ya

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 11:07 AM | Permalink | Comments

Can you believe that the Titan's pulled out another one? Just further proof of being down but not out!

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 10:45 AM | Permalink | Comments

I was reading in Proverbs this morning, "Keep your word even when it costs you."
Man that hurts! "Even when it costs me?" Are you sure?

It's a cost most of us aren't willing to pay....sad isn't it.

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 5:40 AM | Permalink | Comments

What in the heck has happended to Sonic's tater tots? They just don't taste like they use too! Bring back the original tater tots!

If you want great tater tots in Lebanon, go to Snow White and ask for them to be well done....you'll love em!

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 1:40 PM | Permalink | Comments

Your past ever bother you? Ever felt like it kept you from experiencing God's best.

We're going to show you this Sunday how God can take your past and make something great out of it!

Be there and tell a friend!

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 1:35 PM | Permalink | Comments

One of the things that we value at Crossroads is excellence.....excellence in everything we do!

From the very start we decided that we would look for the best, hire the best and try our darnd'est (is that a word) to be the best. We would look at what works and what doesn't and make sure that we go with what does and try to do it better.

Now please remember that we just got this baby in the air and we're learning some lessons, but you can be sure that we will continue to reach for the stars baby!

Doesn't Crossroads sound like a place that you would love to invest yourself? Get jiggy with it and jump on board! You ain't got no excuse!

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 1:22 PM | Permalink | Comments

Ever wonder why God didn't answer a prayer?

Maybe we should take a deeper look when we don't get an answer.

The actual truth is that maybe we should change our perspective. I agree with something I read recently that said, "someday we will owe God as many thank-you's for the prayers He didn't answer as the ones He did."

Sometimes it's not about circumstances, but it's really about perspective.

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 9:26 AM | Permalink | Comments

Thanks to our A Number One worship guy.......I have arrived on myspace.

Give me a hit! www.myspace.com/randyscook

See Ya!

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 1:04 PM | Permalink | Comments

Sundays seem to come and go so fast. You spend all week getting ready and bam, its over.

I am forever amazed at how God works. Just when you think you have it all figured out, He's doing something completely different. That's why I love what I do. You never know what's around the next corner.

Invite someone to come with you this next Sunday.

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 5:31 AM | Permalink | Comments

I'm getting ready for tomorrow and I'm really excited about our new series, "Second Chances."

During Sunday's message I'm going to be reading from John chapter 1 verse 9 where it says, "The Word became a human and lived among us. We saw His glory-the glory that belongs to the only Son of the Father-and He was full of grace and truth." (NCV)

What a gift for a guy like me....I guess you could say I've been given a "second chance."

Hope you make it tomorrow!

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 12:19 PM | Permalink | Comments

We begin our new series this Sunday and one of the great things that I love about teaching is the power of scripture. I find it totally amazing that I can read a scripture today and get something out of it and then read the same scripture later and get something totally different out of that same text.

It just proves the fact that it is the living word!

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 1:58 PM | Permalink | Comments

The story of Jesus doesn't end with Jesus....it continues in the lives of those who believe in Him.

That's what we're about!

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 7:31 AM | Permalink | Comments

Man what a day already.

You ever get up and your ready to whip the world! Ain't nobody going to mess with you, this is going to be a great day.....you know what I'm talkin about! And then it goes south.....

I was eating at Cracker Barrell this morning with some friends and I had placed my order for "Mama's Pancake Breakfast" and when I ordered my eggs I forgot to tell them "scrambled hard," needless to say they came everything but "scrambled hard." I about threw up!

Oh well, maybe lunch will be better.

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 6:40 AM | Permalink | Comments

We're starting a new series this week entitled, "Second Chances: Discovering The Secret Message of Christmas."

If your looking to experience Christmas in a whole new way, this is your series. We're about to dive into three aspects of the Christmas story that I bet you have never even considered.

Take the time and invite someone! You'll be glad you did!

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 3:02 PM | Permalink | Comments

I'm sure you've seen that commercial that says, "sometimes life comes at you hard." And it really is the truth, life can be tough, it can catch us totally off guard and sometimes it just isn't fair.

Today was just that way, it just doesn't seem right! Why when people need God the most does He sometimes seem the farthest away.....that is a question I really can't answer, but what I do know is that He has promised to never leave us or forsake us.

If there is any lesson to be learned in times of unwanted, unxpected, unnecessary trials its this, "just trust Jesus."

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 2:40 PM | Permalink | Comments

Yesterday was an awesome day!

Each week we continue to see new people come and check out what Crossroads is all about. I have to tell you that I think some people are totally suprised...some in a good way and well the others, I just think they're suprised.

The truth is that church should be fun, we should be celebrating and not acting like we are at some funeral. Remember, THE GRAVE IS EMPTY! We are supposed to be celebrating and honoring Him with all that we are.

If you know someone that needs to know about Jesus, please invite them to Crossroads. It's a great place, a safe place where they can plug in!

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 5:36 AM | Permalink | Comments

Yesterday I had lunch with one of my friends at what has become one of my favorite places.

I'm just looking for the day when Lebanon gets a "Moe's" and a "Starbucks."

Keep praying!

Posted by Randy S. Cook at 9:22 AM | Permalink | Comments