There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13
Please take some time on Memorial Day to honor the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms. As I go through this weekend having fun with family and enjoying a great baseball tournament in Kansas City, I can’t forget that this is made possible by the veterans who have served to protect our country, especially the sacrifice of our fallen soldiers. My namesake died in WWII, fighting alongside my father in the Philippines. My dad honored his friend by naming me after him, he never forgot. I too have not forgotten those who I served with and who I cared for and lost as a Navy Corpsman during the Vietnam War years.
Another thing I have not forgotten are the dark days of my past, before recovery. I don’t live there anymore, but on occasion I visit, why? So that I may help those in need as they struggle through their own recovery journey. I am convinced by my own experience and that of others that if I give my past to God, all the ugly messed up past, he would deliver me from myself so that I can be useful to others. He gives purpose and meaning to our lives and centers us on his love and mercy. Let us remember that we are saved not by anything we did but by His love and the Cross. Yes once we were fools and slaves to ourselves and this world, but we were set free. God will hold us up and give us life worth living, every step of the way. Life isn’t perfect but thank God it is full and lived out through his amazing grace.
“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3: 3-7
Love God, Love people, Jesus first!
Dana Cramer
Celebrate Recovery/Crossroads Church Calendar
May 30 – June 5, 2016
Friday, June 3: Lesson Night-Grace
- 6 pm: Our Hospitality Team is preparing a wonderful meal for you this Friday. Please join us for dinner and fellowship.
- 7 pm: Join us for an hour of Worship and a message from Nan on “Grace”
- 8 pm: Open Share Groups.
- 9 pm: Solid Rock Café
Tuesday Nights: We have an open share group meeting for men from
6:30-7:30 pm in room 140.
Notice: A new Men’s Mixed Issue 12-Step Group is forming now. Please sign up on Friday nights or contact
[email protected].
Questions? For more information, contact
[email protected], or call the church office at 970-203-9201.
