Take up your cross... no really.

I recently returned from the National Children's Pastors Conference in Orlando. Now first I must admit that I am not your typical children's pastor that you find at this conference. I refer to myself as a family pastor, wear jeans to church with a cool sweater vest, have a fohawk, and use facebook, twitter, and an Ipad. Sound more like a student pastor... anyways.

I also just realized that I ranted and that it had NOTHING to do with where I am going with this blog. But then again, it may...

You see, I approach ministry a little different than some do, a more radical approach. The approach where I take the scripture word for word in what it says and instead of trying to take a "modern gospel" approach where we try to apply and mold the gospel to the culture today, I try to mold my life to what the Gospel was, is, and always will be. Culture is ever changing, the gospel is not.

i say that to say that this blog may be a little more radical than some may like...

This past week a speaker spoke on Taking up your Cross and reminded us of something that I am going to borrow for the purpose of this blog.

"Any man who wishes to follow me, must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me!" Luke 9:23

How many times within the church realm have we used this verse? In fact I can hear one of my past sunday school teachers, in their sweet innocent voice.. Jesus said, "take up your cross and follow him." (said in the same way that you would greet a young child). It was not until recently that I gave this passage more thought.

"take up your cross." We say it so lightly and freely and almost in a happy tone that it does not make sense in the original context. Back in the time of Christ, if someone looked at you and said, "Take up your cross", guess what? You were going to DIE! Death was imminent at this point. Life was about to end. Yet we take the words written in red to passively. Jesus is saying, you must, "take up your cross," and not just yearly as a new years resolution, or monthly, or just on Sunday mornings. He says, "take up your cross, DAILY!" We are to DIE everyday. Die to self, the world, the temptations, and the list can go on. Even though the message leaves out the phrase, "take up your cross," I still like how it is put...

"Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat—I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I'm leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn't, you realize, pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the kingdom of God." Luke 9:23-27

WOW. We have to let HIM lead! We have to be ready to go and die, He did. Take up your cross, daily.

So are you like me, ready to fully die to self and let God take control? I stink at it, it is hard, scary, and especially difficult when you have a family that relies on you for strength, guidance, and provision.

Eventually I will share more to this awakening in my life, but until then, remember that we are called to come and die. Die in a way that lets Christ take control and not ourselves. And to that i say, Lord let it be unto me.