Rick Geiss throws the ball down the lane.

I received a strange letter today from an individual living on the east side (important detail). It contained this message above, and went on a tirade of how Christians are the 'vilest, most evil of people'. He stated that our real belief in Christianity is genocide, and our actual commandments are hypocrisy, greed, racism, 'mendacity' and hubris. He also says 'Try to imagine the torment of tens of millions of women who have been abused, raped, tortured and murdered by evil monsters who claimed to be followers of Jesus Christ.'

My response--------------->

Happy Easter to you too! I suspect much of your anger in this letter is still over your canidate and party losing so badly in the 2004 elections. But with the tone you have taken, it's no wonder why your ideas don't inspire anyone. People aren't drawn to anger and despair, but towards hope. You make many accusations against Christians, many making no sense whatsoever. Christians aren't perfect, but the vast majority love God and love people. Look no further than the recent hurricane in the gulf region, and followers of Christ are literally rebuilding that area from the ground. In fact, we just had a building team return from Mississippi on Easter. There has never been a dark hour of the church, because the church belongs to Christ, and God has been at work throughout time all over the world.

Your response?

Just a quick update on how things are going at the Easter musical. I was so excited as I walked to the orchestra pit last night, and passed 4 different individuals from Crossroads, all who have started coming since January. Not only was I blessed to see them, but each one of them brought their families, who don't attend the church. Way to go, guys! The crowd last night was the biggest I've ever seen at any musical we've done, and I know that over 500 salvation packets were requested, which were assembled by Crossroads Wednesday night! If you have not been to the musical yet, be sure to see it either tonight or tomorrow at 7! Or the 3:30 matinee today if you're reading this right now!

Crossroads is filled with people that have an interest in real estate, so I think many will find this article fascinating. Near Naples, Florida there is a new Catholic university and town being built from the ground up. It will be the 1st new Catholic university built in the United States in 40 years, and will be surrounded by a 'traditional values' community. The plans look gorgeous, much like the Orlando suburb of 'Celebration', built by the Disney corporation. To read more about this new city, click here. To watch an interview with the founders of Ave Maria, click here.

What wonders in life remind you of the glory of God? For me it's places like the Grand Canyon, and not just because there's hiking and rafting! The scale on which God can be creative simply amazes me. But it's easy to forget the power and majesty of God in our daily routine. Prepare to heat up your relationship with God tonight as we learn about how we were created to dwell in God's glory for eternity. We'll also discuss how the fear of God is part of this glory. See you tonight at 7!

Back in February I received a call from a young guy who had recently started attending our church. He was only 24, but had a long life filled with pain and addiction. He had called me up wanting some counseling, and we set a date. He called me a few days later, needing to cancel because something came up. The next time I heard from him was late last month, this time via a long letter stamped 'Wisconsin Prison System'

He explained that about a week after our cancelled meeting he was arrested for cocaine and violating a restraining order. He is now facing another year behind bars.

I went down to visit this individual last Thursday, and was allowed a telephone visit, with closed circuit television. We had never met before, and he started yelling at me. He thought I was his attorney! I slunched down in the chair so he could see me through the camera, and I asked if we could pray. His reaction really made an impact on me. He starting sobbing and almost fell forward out of his chair. He was starved for someone to invite God's presence into his life, to show that they cared for his soul. Like David's cry in Psalm 142:4, he believed that nobody saw any redemptive value in him. I prayed that he would open his heart to Christ's love, and that he would be able to learn the lessons that God is trying to teach him right now.

As I left the prison, I was struck by how we place ourselves behind bars. When we live life our way, apart from God, when we think we are most free, we are actually the most in bondage. As part of our current series, let's commit ourselves to totally submit to Christ in all that we do. Because there's no good reason for a Christian to ever put themselves in a prison of their own making.

Hilary Ledbetter sent me these pictures from 'ladies night' Saturday. They went to a pottery studio, Chili's, and topped the night off with fondue at the Banks'. She thinks the gals had more fun than the guys. Anyone want to dispute that?

Here the ladies work on creating practical pottery. Look out Pottery Barn.

Some of the facial expressions here are classic.

Zeal for fondue has consumed Crossroads this week.

Girl/Guy Night

I just returned from a great night with the OC fellas. The steaks were good at the Texas Roadhouse, and we hit the batting cages afterwards, as well as blowing the wad at the arcade there. We piled our tickets together, totalling amost 1,000, and bought lots of candy. A good night indeed. We're very blessed to have so many great fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

Any comments about the night? And what were the ladies up to?

Mike and Stef Harman bond last night at the chocolate fountain. Thank you Sandy Gudelsky and Kristin Banks for serving us once again!

Sarah Christiansen appears like she's done this before.

Crossroads in it's natural element: eating and laughing.

Notice the similarities between Mike Ganiere and Josiah Ditzer in the next photo.

Here's a new variation of a pacifier.

Josiah Ditzer's face shows that a trip to the chocolate fountain makes you experience wholeness as a person.

This Morning I was reading from Deuteronomy 28, and I was reminded of the value God places on obedience. Deuteronomy goes through many blessings that God desires to give Israel if they would keep all his commandments. This is the theme that our lesson will cover tonight in Crossroads. True belief in Christ means obedience, and I'm excited for the challenge we'll all receive.

Bonus! There will be a chocolate fountain tonight in Crossroads! This will be the closest thing you'll see to the chocolate river in 'Willy Wonka', and you'll actually get to enjoy it! I'll see you and a friend tonight!

Mike and Kelly Ganiere team up in April to teach from John Fischer's book 'What on Earth are we Doing? This class will take us through an apologetic for thinking for oneself as a Christian and then explores ways of thinking about the culture we live in. It is a call from the edge of a Christian subculture to get back out into the world and effect it for Christ and the gospel, and it provides a careful philosophical basis upon which to do so. There will be lively discussion! Crossroads Sunday School meets at 9:30 a.m. in C-112!

Click here to read Mike's latest blog entry on the Fresh Prince of Bel Aire!

Saturday, April 8th is Girls/Guys night, providing a great time to hang out with your Crossroads friends! The girls will meet at 2 p.m. in the south parking lot at church, where they will go to a pottery studio, catch dinner, and hang out. The guys will meet at 5 p.m. at Mike Ganiere's house, where we'll go out to eat and who know's what. It will be manly. For more information the girls can call Rachel Ziegler at 608-445-6667 and guys can call Jon Brooks at 414-762-2010