Mushrooms, Car Salesman and Angels

So the time of rest and travel has begun. I am so thankful for the leadership and people of CrossRoads for allowing me this time to be away. I believe that this time will be spent reconnecting, refreshing, and renewing my life.

What I am looking most forward too is meeting new people along the way. I believe that we all have a story that we are waiting to tell. Our story of where we have been, we are now and where we believe we are going. As we say at CrossRoads, we all have either been, are now or will be at at crossroads. A place where our story has converged. A place where we ask what is next and which road must I choose that will lead to life change.

Over the last week I have the opportunity to meet many people who have been at this crossroad. I have met a car salesman named Mac who has been blessed by God to bless others. He uses his business as a front for ministry. His office is more than a place to finalize a deal, it is a place intended on finalizing a decision to simply follow.

I met a pastor by the name of Jerry who God is using to bring life change to a small community in Alabama. He has seen the church grow from 60 to 2000 in a little over 8 years. His story of Life Change once again encouraged me and reminded me that God is going to use CrossRoads to make a difference in our city, county, state and around the world. God used Jerry to make sure that CrossRaods willingness to serve Haiti was accomplished. He personally saw too it that the gift Crossroads sent was in the hands of Operation Compassion. Thanks Jerry!

I met a number of waitresses that reminded once again that we are called to serve. I was graciously served by Erin, Samantha, Genise, Brittany and Mallory, as well as James at my favorite spot Starbucks. Each one reminded me that life takes us down different roads, but we get the most out of life when we put others before ourselves. Thanks to the angels that where sent to serve.

I believe in God meetings. The times when all you can say is, "This is a God thing!" That is what I felt when a met Mark and Diane Holman. The couple in the picture above. While eating at Chili's they overhead me mention Bardstown, KY and that led to a great conversation and a story of God's divine guidance and provision. They were from Bardstown but over the last year had moved to Alabama to work, Mark is a chemical plastic engineer and Diane had worked for the State tourism here in Kentucky. But while visiting the great city of Foley, AL, she came in contact with a pizza place called Mellow Mushroom. She fell in love with the pizza and the atmosphere and talk Mark into looking at the possibility of buying into the franchise. After a number of setbacks, they continued to wait on God's timing and while they waited they did not sit on their backsides, they put their faith in action and began to serve. They took their time of waiting an used it to serve the local body. One would prepare the meals and the other served the meals at the church. The body of Christ with flesh.

During this time God was at work, as He always is, preparing the right place for them to serve. So beginning last May the opened the one and only Mellow Mushroom Pizza place in Huntsville, AL. The place is amazing and the pizza is incredible. But pizza and other delicacies are only the resources that God is using to help Mark and Diane lead people to the one true Source. They are using the opportunity to serve pizza, as their way of serving their employees and their customers. God is using them big time to make His name known. Their story is amazing and is what I look forward to experiencing more of on this time away.

So today take a moment and look around you. You may see an angel dressed as a pizza delivery guy, a waitress or a car salesman. Take a moment and listen to their story, it might just make your day.

On Sabbatical to get Radical

Pastor Ed (TOGL)