tool name

Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009

Religion 101: Coming to the crossroads

I commuted from Madera into Los Banos for eight years.

One day as I entered Los Banos on Highway 152, something on the "Welcome to Los Banos" sign caught my eye. It read, "At the crossroads of California."

For most of the day I continued to think about that word, "crossroads." I even looked at a map, and sure enough, there was Los Banos with 152 and 165 forming a cross through the city.

Now another way of saying "crossroads" is to describe it a "turning point" or "defining moment."

As with many folks, there have been numerous defining moments in my life.

One such moment was two years ago on Mother's Day. My wife, family and I were sitting at the dinner table when I turned to her and said, "I don't want to commute anymore."

Yes, I had already said "Happy Mother's Day" so don't get mad at me.

But there I was with everyone staring at me wondering what would come out next, and then I said it, "I want to move to Los Banos."

That got the ball rolling. My wife and I left our family and friends, bought a house in town, and often wonder what took us so long because we both love living in Los Banos so much.

As a result of our decision to move to our new community my wife and I are now empty nesters. Can you say "oh, happy day?"

But we're not the only ones who came to a crossroads. Yes, geographically speaking, our town is at a crossroads; however, spiritually speaking, we're all at a crossroads. The Lord tells us in Jeremiah 6:16: "Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls."

I believe there are three basic points to be made from this passage.

First, the "old, godly way" is the best way. My friend, it may not be a new thing, but it's the best thing because it's God's thing.

Second, the Lord tells us to "travel its path."

Third, after we've stopped long enough to consider and then decide God's best we will find rest for our souls.

Another way to describe this type of "rest" is "peace, security, confidence." One translation puts it this way, "My people, when you stood at the crossroads, I told you, 'Follow the road your ancestors took, and you will find peace.'"

I'm excited by this wonderful door of opportunity the Lord has given us at Crossroads Church. We're committed to advancing His Kingdom, not our own.

To declare His Name, not make a name for ourselves. At Crossroads Church you will find people, real people who will love you right where you're at. And while we're far from being perfect, we know He who began a good work in us is faithful to complete it.

Please visit our Web site at www.xrdschurch.net. We're on Facebook and Twitter, too. We will begin holding services in Los Banos on Nov. 7, at the Westside Union Elementary School gymnasium on Sixth street, across from the Post Office. Services begin at 6 p.m.

Religion 101 runs every Saturday written by a different pastor each week. Duke Marshall is pastor of Crossroads Church in Los Banos. You can reach him at www.xrdschurch.net.