Crossroads Church - Pewaukee, WI

04/20/2025

Sleep wasn't any easier the second night after it happened...

Still fresh, the sight, sounds, and even smells of his death were haunting, traumatic, and humiliating. The crowd's cry to crucify, his body broken by scourges and spikes, and their own desertion of him and descent to powerless spectators.

Not just Judas, they'd all failed him and knew it. The dream was over and they were just as complicit in his death as those who'd ordered and carried out the ex*****on. Without him now, they were alone and beset by fears of an uncertain future and hostile powerbrokers who'd certainly come for them next.

Dawn of the third day brought an incomprehensible report of a moved stone, angelic messenger, and his tomb empty. Madness no doubt, but we ran anyway, hopeful, but not expecting much. Inside, what we saw was puzzling, indeed...

By evening, fear had again taken over our hearts and minds, so we locked all the doors and hunkered down. And suddenly, he was there, just there, right in the middle of us and all our fears in the blink of an eye. It was stunning!

With his hands and side, he revealed his PRESENCE with us. Then he spoke his PEACE to be with us and breathed his POWER into us. With that, our hearts were overjoyed, suddenly afire and ready to be sent as humble conduits of his love, grace, and reconciling good news! He Is Risen and our lives have never been the same!

Be strong in the love and grace uniquely found in Jesus! 😎
-Pastor Steve

04/18/2025

No Greater Love - Good Friday, April 18, 7-8pm

Come as you are... to this engaging service using live music, videos, the Lord's Supper, message from Pastor Steve, and opportunity to interact with the cross.

Focusing on what Jesus experienced Thu-Fri of Holy Week makes the joy of Resurrection Sunday all the sweeter!

As always, All Are Welcome! 🙂

02/23/2025

We've had some snow and bitter cold the last few weeks. Yup, our cars have been looking like gray, salt-encrusted fries that you don't want to brush up against with your clothes, much less even consider tasting!
Not exactly what Jesus had in mind when he told his followers, that because of their faith-following relationship with him, they were the "salt of the earth!" Back then, salt's main functions were as: Seasoning (adding flavor), Preservative (stopping decay to extend life of food), and Disinfectant (halting bleeding & infection to help healing).
Wouldn't it be great if our WORDS & ACTIONS toward others TODAY actually got progressively more and more like Jesus' because of his Resurrection Spirit living in and thru us? You know, TAKING INITIATIVE to be more kind, compassionate, and sacrificial toward others! You know, MAKING TIME to welcome, listen to, understand, and appreciate them, too! YOU KNOW, the way YOU would enjoy being treated every day!
That's what He's talking about! His DISTINCTIVE LOVE that moves outward from our hearts into real life relationships & responsibilities. Not some salty crust that hardens on the exterior of our lives, causing corrosion and inconvenience!
Instead, let's rinse corrosive counterfeits down the drain with the living water JESUS IS and OFFERS! Be strong in the love and grace uniquely found in Jesus! 😎

02/23/2025

We've had some snow and bitter cold the last few weeks. Yup, our cars have been looking like gray, salt-encrusted fries that you don't want to brush up against with your clothes, much less even consider tasting!

Not exactly what Jesus had in mind when he told his followers, that because of their faith-following relationship with him, they were the "salt of the earth!" Back then, salt's main functions were as: Seasoning (adding flavor), Preservative (stopping decay to extend life of food), and Disinfectant (halting bleeding & infection to help healing).

Wouldn't it be great if our WORDS & ACTIONS toward others TODAY actually got progressively more and more like Jesus' because of his Resurrection Spirit living in and thru us? You know, TAKING INITIATIVE to be more kind, compassionate, and sacrificial toward others! You know, MAKING TIME to welcome, listen to, understand, and appreciate them, too! YOU KNOW, the way YOU would enjoy being treated every day!

That's what He's talking about! His DISTINCTIVE LOVE that moves outward from our hearts into real life relationships & responsibilities. Not some salty crust that hardens on the exterior of our lives, causing corrosion and inconvenience!

Instead, let's rinse corrosive counterfeits down the drain with the living water JESUS IS and OFFERS! Be strong in the love and grace uniquely found in Jesus! 😎

02/16/2025

We got a healthy snowfall Friday night, so we enjoyed takeout Chinese food along with a live show hosted by our fireplace. Indoors or outside, I greatly enjoy gathering around a wood fire, watching the flames dance, listening to the wood crackle, and
feeling the warmth, it sends out!

Of course, the experience will only be short-lived if I don't pay attention to the fire, so its dance can continue! This involves adding & adjusting wood and making sure there's enough air for it to flourish! Even the liveliest fire and hottest bed of embers will grow cold and dark left unattended. I must actively engage with it!

Perhaps that's why the Bible uses the realities of fire to encourage us to be in an active, dynamic faith relationship with God. One that makes a positive difference in all of our lives and with the people around us. Paul tells Timothy to "fan into flame" his faith in Jesus Christ and the presence of God's Spirit within him.

Let's get to tending the fire of our faith in Jesus, making sure it has the fuel and air of God's love needed to dance into flame and bless the people around us! 😎

Be strong in the love and grace uniquely found in Jesus!

02/09/2025

You might have heard about a football game tomorrow of SUPER status, extensive promotion, and a potential Three-Peat. I know, you are BOWLED OVER at the mere mention of the upcoming spectacle and are SWIFTLY planning to watch both field and stands!
Big congrats Eagles & Chefs on getting to the big game. I mean Chiefs, my apologies Chiefs Nation! "Great Googly Moogly" please hand me a SNICKERS!
Now I have no idea if the Chiefs will get their three-peat, but I do expect the game to be very competitive and commercials to be reasonably entertaining. Best of success to both teams, now pass me the CHIPS & SALSA!
All this talk has got me thinking of two millennia ago when a Three-Peat victory of sorts occurred over THREE DAYS and continues to echo thru the ages- still making a positive difference in people's lives today! I'm talking about the culmination of Jesus' INCARNATION as a human like us, CRUCIFIXION for us, and RESURRECTION victory to share with & empower us! Here's a quick game summary using his words from his in-game hot mic:
PRE-GAME
> "I've eagerly desired to share this meal with you before I suffer."
> "This is my body broken & blood shed for you. Remember me!"
> "My soul is overwhelmed to death. Yet, I choose your will, Father."
FIRST HALF
> "You'll see Me sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One."
> "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing!"
> "Truly, today you will be with me in paradise."
SECOND HALF
> "My God, my God why have you forsaken me?" "It is finished!"
> "Why do you seek the living among the dead?"
> "Peace be with you!" I am sending you. Stop doubting & believe!"
Be strong in the love and grace uniquely found in Jesus!

12/29/2024

There will be no live stream this morning. Please feel free to watch previous messages on our YouTube channel. Have a blessed day!

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

10/26/2024

It was late, dark, and wet from heavy rains earlier as I drove home tired, but excited for the next morning's message, touchpoint meeting, and our plans to get away for a few days afterward...

Then I heard a loud thump toward the back of my car. Road debris? Tree branch? It took 30 seconds at 40 mph to get to, "Where's my phone?" Instant sick feeling, quickly confirmed by car and office searches.

Searching 600 yards of roadside by headlight, desperate and determined, down in the wet grass, my brain hit overdrive... "Can't lose those pics that may not be backed up!" "Don't have time for this!" "Got to find it!"

"Are you okay?" came a voice from a stopped vehicle. "Yeah, but I've lost my phone. Trying to find it." She continued, "Can I call someone?" It was then I recalled most phones can be located from a computer. So, I thanked her, went back to the office, and located it via laptop. When I found it- face down in wet grass, 15-20 feet from road, scratched up, but still working, I was overjoyed and ecstatic!

It reminded me of GOD'S risking, searching, finding, gap-closing, embracing, restoring, and rejoicing LOVE FOR EVERYONE OF US, described by Jesus in Luke 15. When we're lost, struggling, confused, in pain, at risk, frustrated, vulnerable, desolate, and/or desperate, GOD NEVER LOSES SIGHT OF US, NEVER STOPS BELIEVING IN US, and MOVES TOWARD US in order to help. Often working through regular people to do so! JESUS is proof of that!

“But while his son was still a long way off, his father saw him, was filled with compassion for him, ran to him, and threw his arms around him and kissed him!" -Luke 15:20

Let's receive and generously share this love! Be strong in the love and grace uniquely found in Jesus! 😎

09/21/2024

Morning walks, morning light, remind me of the One who is THE LIGHT!

When God walked the earth fully human in Jesus, he rubbed shoulders with humans like you and I. In encounters face to face, in small groups, and before large gatherings, Jesus did much more than merely speak and teach well from a safe distance.

He met people WHERE THEY WERE AT and lived with them UP CLOSE. He saw them, heard them, smelled them, felt for them, and profoundly REACHED THEM with the Light of God's greatness and love coming from within him. He BELIEVED IN THEM, recognized their value, served them, drew them to himself, challenged & transformed their perspectives, and ultimately died and rose TO SET THEM FREE. Light does that!

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” -John 8:12

LET'S BE PART of his light, sharing generously as we follow! Be strong in the love and grace uniquely found in Jesus! 😎

09/14/2024

Every now and again, you have days when you really NEED A LIFT! Well, we sure got ONE (in more ways than one) this week after noticing that five of our stage spotlights were burned out last Sunday.

Many thanks to those who generously helped and teamed up to...
> Get replacement bulbs delivered quickly!
> Let us borrow a uniquely helpful scissor lift!
> Protect carpet with 4x8 sheets of composite!
> Do the "high-wire" replacements 20 feet in the air!
> Reset stage & chairs for Sunday!

As Christ-followers, let's look for opportunities to be generous and serve others in all the relationships and responsibilities entrusted to us. Ultimately, that's what our time, talents, and treasures are there for! Be strong in the love and grace uniquely found in Jesus! 😎

09/07/2024

A friend's unexpected response stunned me and left me speechless for a few seconds. "Really, seriously?" I choked out. He nodded, then we both smiled...

I'd been telling a group of guys about the last time our family of four, with two in car seats, had gone camping in our economical four door sedan. I recounted the Tetris-like "fun" of utilizing almost every cubic inch in the trunk and back seat to get our gear inside. Also, how our car seaters had walls of gear stuffed between and beside them, such that, the back doors literally burst open, launching stuff to the ground when the rear handles were merely touched upon our arrival at the campsite!

When all our laughter subsided and I mentioned we were camping again, the friend said, "You should take our minivan this weekend!" Upon confirming his sanity, we gratefully accepted, had a much more relaxing time camping, and then bought a minivan the next weekend! We did wait a little bit!

I've never forgotten that friend's thoughtful generosity to me and my family which was such a blessing! As a Christ-follower, it reminds me to respond to the generous grace of Jesus in my life by trying to being practically generous!

You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor...
2 Corinthians 8:9

Let's be observant & generous toward others with our thinking, listening, attention, time, words spoken, and things, money & influence shared! Be strong in the love and grace uniquely found in Jesus! 😎

09/02/2024

New day dawning... Great is God's love, unfailing compassion, and faithfulness! 😎