CrossWalk Stories
Anonymous - March 28, 2011
I was raised in a pentecostal church and still attended until just recently. I've had my ups and downs when it comes to faith. Or should i say ups and down in life. Im 21 years old and am married and i have a beautiful 7 month old son. It just so happens that everytime i get the oportunity to get closer to god I have this little evil voice in my head that leads me to trouble. I know God is good and Im greatful for everything that he has givin me. I've never attended a lutherin church and i dont know much about it. but i've been drawn to learn more. im from san diego but im visiting my aunt in Arizona and i see all these advertisments and i always look for new ways to get closer to God without having that downfall. i know we have obsticles in our lifes but ive been stressing so much about situations that are going on in my life that ive fallen into depression. i know God is with me always and i know ill make it out of this situation ok.
GOD BLESS U ALL!
Anonymous - March 27, 2011
In 2009 the economy hit me and my family hard. We decided to let our home go after a denied loan mod and a fallthrough short sale. We were overspending as a family and had to wake up. I found Dave Ramsey and soaked in what he taught. To get my finances and life in order I started browsing the bible because of Mr. Ramsey. I then decided to try church and when I decided I saw the crosswalk billboard on my way home. I saw that as an opportunity. I feel better now with the church lessons and with coaching friends and family on how to handle money. I hope church will help me help others as well in home finances.
Becky - February 2, 2011
Six years ago...I was going thru an incredibly painful time in my life. My marriage of 12 years was ending in divorce. I had two little girls that I was now trying to raise as a single parent.
I have been a Christian all of my life. I was born to two strong loving Christian parents. We attended church every Sunday. I was confirmed as a teen...and knew how incredible God's grace truly is.
Unfortunately, during this incredibly painful time in my life...church was the place where I was going for comfort...but felt the most alone. How I longed for someone...anyone...to stop me on a Sunday..and just ask me "how are you doing?"...No one ever did...
One Sunday...my daughter had spent the night with a friend ...and I was going to pick her up at CrossWalk..I had heard a little about it...and thought..."I'll just attend church there this week since I have to pick her up anyway."...
Never...ever...in all my years of going to church every Sunday...have I ever experienced what I experienced at CrossWalk that Sunday. I can't even tell you how many people reached out to me....they cared....they really cared...All I wanted was someone to ask...and they all did. Such an outpouring of God's love and Grace...
Pastor Jeff personally came to my house...he listened to my story....I could'nt believe it..He suggested how I could get involved....
Since that Sunday....I bought a house across the street from the church...got involved in a growth group...became a volunteer..setting up the greeting table...and greeted every Sunday. I sought out people who might be coming thru our doors going thru the same thing I went thru....knowing that when you are hurting... it is so difficult to reach out...when what you really need is to be "out reached"......
The people at Crosswalk are my family...I know they will always be there and they have been. God has had his hand in bringing me here..for which I am thankful every day....
Thank you CrossWalk....for all you have done and continue to do for my daughters and I.
Grace be to God....
Paul - February 5, 2011
My name is Paul and this is my story, i grew up not having any religion in my life. i went to a few churches as a kid and it purely selfish reasons and not to hear Gods message. When i was 16 i was really starting to party excessively and around 19 or i started using crack cocaine and meth. and then i just became a full blown meth. addict. for almost 15 yrs. i was in a downward spiral, with meth., came pornography and verbal and mental abuse to whoever i was with at the time. and being with people that would hurt other people for money and drugs. and i don't think i ever gave God one single thought. but one night someone broke into my house and tied me up and held a gun to the back of my head while they ran sacked my house i wasn't thinking about God. I just kept doing what the same old thing. When i finally got busted by the cops, i started to slow down a little, and when jail time or rehab were my only options i chose rehab. i spent 28 days in rehab and it was exciting and scary. keep in mind all my years of using i went to work everyday, i was a functioning addict. so i wasn't sure what living in the real world would be like not being on dope. I met a dude in rehab, and told me i should start praying to God, and i did, and things started to fit into place and it was cool. when i graduate from rehab i met a wonderful woman who God had put in my life.we worked at a womens half way house, and they had recovery meetings there and i met this guy who would be my sponsor in the recovery program, and he really insisted that i pray everyday and that i try to do Gods Will everyday, and i just felt awesome. and one day i felt like getting high again and i was driving to my dealers house and was crying and talking and praying to God and i ended up at a recovery meeting and that was a miracle, one of many.I don't have any kids of my own so God put 2 wonderful boys in our life, Julie has been such an inspiration to me and the boys Frankie and Noah and we have had them since 2004. Now its 2007 and we make the big step and start going to church, which i never ever would of thought i would become a member of a church, the blessings Julie and I have received because we ask God to guide us because we can't do it ourselves is amazing. and i struggle at times believing God has forgiven me and that Jesus died for our sins, because it is so amazing to me to know God is always there for me. and all the bad things that happened to me when i was using, God kept me safe. I have been a Christian for 3 and half yrs. and my life keeps getting better. Now in hind sight God was always watching over me because he has bigger plans for me. Faith, Family and Gods Will.
Now that i've told you most of the bad stuff, i can focus on how God put me at Crosswalk. at first it was really hard for me to put my trust in something or someone i can't actually see or touch. I really struggled with that. I just kept coming back to hear the message and i started reading the Bible, and that made a huge difference. and for me the Bible is truth and knowledge and comfort which i don't open as much as i should. It is an amazing book and it has giving me faith when i didn't have any. Sometimes or all the time i think we take alot of things for granted, and i often think that if they were taken away, you would really know all the blessings and miracles God gives you on a daily basis. I don't know what it would have been like growing up in a Christian household, i'm sure my life could of turned out differently but who knows. I've made lots of bad decisions and poor choices and i'm glad i ended up at Crosswalk. I really had some amazing miracles happen in my life, a few of them could of came right out of the Bible. I know i've only been a Christian for a short time, and God blesses me with so much already. everyday,month,year my faith grows stronger, and there is more to come......
Rachel - February 1, 2011
Hi. I'm rachel. The part of myself I had to overcome being a born again christian was understanding how to love jesus more than anything...or more than anyone. I didn't understand how to love jesus more tha my child. Once daphne was born I thouht I would never love anything more. Praying was kind of weird when she was born becouse I had nothing to loose before. But now I had this beautiful child that I loved...more than anything. I asked myself how could I love a god that could possably take her from me at any time and for any reason...I struggled with my faith becouse I didn't care my life rested in gods hand...but I really cared daphnes life did. Moms aren't prepared for this huge leap of faith...or atleast I wasnt. I realize now I do love jesus more than anything and daphne will never be taken away becouse we both will have an eternity of heaven together no matter what happens on this unpredictable life! We both love comming to crosswalk and after becomming a mother I have learned the meaning of blind faith.
Diane - February 1, 2011
I came back to God about 10 years ago - he never left me but I left him for a while. I started back to other churches but had no interaction - just went on Sundays. I now know without a doubt that God is in control of my life. The past couple of years have been filled with challenges and every time I wonder how I can handle it God shows me I can. But I didn't realize it was God taking care of me until I found CrossWalk. I met Pastors Jeff and Phil through Eagle School and everything just fell into place. My family life and CrossWalk became intertwined - and now I know my family and I are dearly loved children of God. We end one week and start our new week every Sunday at CrossWalk.
Diane - January 30, 2011
I started smoking in my teens and kept smoking on and off (mostly on) for thirty years. I quit several times, but always started again because the craving never really went away. Until the day I turned it over to God.
On June 8, 2009, I decided I'd had enough of the nagging cough, the nasty smell and the expense of smoking. I prayed to God, asking him to take the craving away, and then thanked Him for doing it with a confidence that He would do it. And He did, that very day.
I won't lie--I've been tempted from time to time. I live with two smokers, so temptation is always there. But every time I get even the slightest urge, I say a prayer--please, Father, take this unhealthy craving away--and thank Him for doing it--and the craving fades. Every time it gets easier.
The physical benefits have reinforced the good feeling that comes from quitting. My blood pressure is down, cholesterol is down, breathing is clear and I rarely cough. I don't miss cigarettes at all.
I couldn't have done it without God's help. After all, I tried to do it without Him several times with no success. I believe the key was (1) praying that He take away the craving, and (2) thanking Him with a confidence that He would do it. After all, He only wants the best for us. Why wouldn't He take away an unhealthy craving?
My next challenge--food. I've joined Weight Watchers for the fourth time. The difference this time--I've got my loving Father in my corner, ready to strengthen me in my times of weakness. I bought the book "Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire With God, Not Food" with will help me focus on the importance of God in my life.
My motto--I can do all things with His help, if I just go to Him in prayer, confident that He wants only the best for me.
Tom - January 27, 2011
CrossWalk Church has been and continues to be the best thing to ever happen in my life.
I was raised attending different churches but by 2001 had pretty much fallen away. I became a C&E Christian for a number of years, lacking any desire and making any excuse not to attend church on a weekly basis. I allowed life to get in the way. Then, in 2007 I was invited to CrossWalk by an old friend whom I had connected with at a High School reunion. I figured I'd give it a shot and am I glad I did!!!
In the time that I have been attending CrossWalk, I have rededicated my life to God. I learned what true Grace and Forgiveness are. I have found purpose, direction, meaning, and mission in my life. I have found intesnse, lasting happiness and made many new friendships that I now consider family.
Everything about CrossWalk is everything I desperately searched for and needed in a church. The true teaching of God's word, the upbeat music, the fellowship, and the fantastic people that make it happen. Oh, and don't forget the doughnuts... :)
If you're looking for a church to call "home" then give CrossWalk a shot. If you haven't stopped by in awhile, come on back! I know for a fact that I'm glad I did and I think you will be too!!!
God Bless!!