“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
This Holy Week I have one prevailing thought – LOVE. God’s love for us revealed on the Cross, the Resurrection and the gift of the Holy Spirit. I remain in total awe that the greatest act of love and sacrifice happened over two thousand years ago and it’s as relevant now as it was then. Who has that kind of sustaining love and power? God does.
In 1986 I went to a treatment center for addiction. I knew that God loved me; he never gave up on me as I played out the destructive melodrama of addiction. When I finally surrendered and earnestly asked him to help me, He was right there. The problem I had was believing I could love me, and if I couldn’t love myself, how could I love others, my family included. Love your neighbor as you love yourself. That was my real brokenness.
How do you get over that kind of brokenness? Well, there are a lot of steps to take and a lot of people to help you on your journey. But it’s the Cross and the Resurrection power of Jesus Christ that makes us whole. It takes that kind of love to transform a sinner like me. I am reminded at Easter that God had one more move to give us: The sacrifice of his son Jesus and the invitation to spend eternity with him. Easter changes everything.
I listened to a powerful message at church over the weekend. My take away: God has never forgotten us, but we at times forget what he has done for us. During this Holy Week may we remember what God means in our lives and may our thoughts and actions be pleasing to him.
“But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 (MSG)
During this Easter season make sure you attend your home church and continue your work in Celebrate Recovery. If you do not have a home church, I invite you to attend
Crossroads Easter services, the Holy Spirit will fill the services with love and you will be blessed.
Love God, love people, Jesus first!
Dana Cramer // Celebrate Recovery at Crossroads
Celebrate Recovery at Crossroads Church Calendar
March 26-April 1, 2018
Friday, March 23: Testimony Night
- 6pm: Our Hospitality Team is preparing a wonderful dinner for you. Please join us for dinner and fellowship.
- 7pm: Join us for an hour of worship and a special evening of birthdays, a Good Friday message and communion.
- 8pm: Open Share Groups.
- 9pm: Sold Rock Café.
Announcements:
- A new Women’s Mixed Issue 12-Step Group has started and meets every Monday at 6:30pm in room 211 at the Crossroads Loveland Campus. For more details, contact [email protected].
- A new Men’s Chemical Addiction 12-Step Group has started and meets every Monday from 6:30-8pm in the Crossroads Loveland in Room 138. For more details, contact [email protected].
- A new Men’s Mixed Issue 12-Step Group has started and meets every Monday from 6:30-8pm in the Crossroads Loveland Conference Room. For more details, contact [email protected].
