For The Love Of A Boy

Erica Wright —  June 18, 2013
Boy - For The Love

Photo by TSGarp

So there’s this boy…

I know what you’re thinking. “Spare me. Is this some mushy love story about falling in love and living happily ever after?” Well, not hardly. Let me save you the trouble, there’s no happy ending. Not yet anyways. And as much as I’d like to say I’ve figured this one out, let me stick with what I know, the lessons I’ve learned through trying.

Almost nine years ago, I started as a freshman in college. I have severe anxiety when I think about that being nine years ago. One of the first social activities of my college experience crossed my path with that of a guy I would later call one of my dearest friends. After a year, I was in and believed with every ounce of my being that it was only a matter of time before we would end up together. What I have learned through this relationship, the dependence on God it has all but forced out of me, would astound you. As I think back on it, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. This relationship has pulled me through many lessons, one of which is a plaguing issue for women all over the planet. Body image. Continue Reading…

Category: Encouragements , , , ,
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What Great Love The Father Has For Us

Mike Mobley —  June 16, 2013

Great Love - Father Has For Us

This beautiful girl is nine months old. Nine months! Time goes fast. I can still remember writing the night before she was born. She is wonderful, silly, and happy all at the same time. The joy God gives me through her is priceless and words will never be able to articulate fully exactly what I mean. As you can imagine, since I am her father, I love her. Tears fill my eyes if I look at a picture like this or think of her for more than about ten seconds (not exaggerating there either). If I am sinful (which I am), and in no way am a perfect person or father, but I can love this girl that much, imagine how much God our Father who is perfect and sinless, loves us?

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” (1 John 3:1)

We are children of God. For those of us who believe and have chosen to follow Christ, immediately our sins are forgiven and we are adopted as sons and daughters of the King. Adoption has nothing to do on the child’s part, but everything to do on the initiative and pursuit from the parents. In this case, it’s God taking the initiative and making a way for us to come to Him through His Son Jesus and what He did for us on the Cross. Continue Reading…

Category: Devotionals , , , ,
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Head Knowledge vs Heart Knowledge

Mike Mobley —  June 14, 2013
Knowledge - Head vs Heart

Photo by joannawnuk

“Self-salvation through good works may produce a great deal of moral behaviour in your life, but inside you are miserable. You are always comparing yourself to other people, and you are never sure you are being good enough. You cannot therefore, deal with your hideousness and self-absorption through the moral law, by trying to be a good person through an act of the will. You need a complete transformation of the very motives of your heart.” – Tim Keller, The Reason for God

When you hear about Jesus, what comes to mind? Who is Jesus to you? Depending on where you live, chances are you might have heard the Gospel before. Even now as you read this you might be saying to yourself “bla bla bla, yes I know the Gospel…move on to the next topic.” When it comes to Jesus, do you know Him in your head or in your heart? Continue Reading…

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Broken Community

Chris Howard —  June 12, 2013

Community - Broken Picture

It was a broken community.

My mother and I lived with my grandparents in Denver for a while when I was young. Life on the block included many broken homes. Alcohol, physical, substance and even child abuse existed in more than one of the houses on our block. Alcoholism seemed to scream the loudest in our home through my grandfather, yet the thing that would be hardest for me to deal with over time was religious abuse.

Since we lived in the grandparents’ house, I observed their cult church’s rules that amounted to attempts to follow Old Testament restrictions in order to gain favor with God. Members weren’t allowed to celebrate birthdays, Easter, Christmas or play outside on Saturdays in observance of The Sabbath.

For me, The Sabbath seemed like a punishment as the weekend neared. I wanted to join the kids in the neighborhood as I watched them play outside on Saturdays from the window in my bedroom. My image of God was that of a mean father figure who didn’t want a kid to have fun. Continue Reading…

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Welcome Chris Howard

Mike Mobley —  June 10, 2013

Welcome - Chris Howard

We are really excited to announce and welcome a new member to the Before The Cross team – Chris Howard!

Chris has written numerous posts for us already such as Jesus and John Elway, Truth and Dares, It Pays To Pray, and The Little Lady’s Hand. It has been awesome to get to watch Chris share his passion for Christ and allow God to work through him in writing. You can read more about Chris on our about page. Here is what Chris had to say about joining the team: Continue Reading…

Category: Resources
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Let’s Build Each Other Up

Mike Mobley —  June 7, 2013

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:24-25

What does it mean for us to encourage one another? As the church we are to constantly encourage each other, continue to meet together, and build each other up each and every day. So then, how do we do this?

Build - Each Other Up

Photo by eyeidea

From Scripture we are to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” meaning we are to fire each other up to go out and serve the Lord and to serve our neighbors. I think what happens too many times is that we are tempted to think “church” is the building we meet at each week. Then we are tempted to have a once a week Bible study, and then go live our lives throughout the week in our “routines.” The Church, according to Scripture, is the body of believers for those of us who trust in Jesus Christ. It has nothing to do with a building or with studies, and it has everything to do with us, we are the Church. Continue Reading…

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