Crossroads Fellowship - Waupun

12/28/2025

12/06/2025

WAY back in November of 1988, was the first time that I had ever ventured anywhere near Waupun, Wisconsin. All I really knew about the city named “Waupun” is that there were prisons there, and that Ed Gein was once incarcerated there. But after a brief phone call to a Mr. Bob Ward, head of the Pastoral Search Committee for the church, I was invited to preach the morning and evening service on the first Sunday of November. After the morning service, Michelle and I joined the Board of Deacons at the “Gander on In” restaurant for lunch where they peppered us with questions. By the way, the chicken there was excellent. Well, I preached the evening service and we headed home to Sparta, Wisconsin.

After negotiations with Bob Ward on the phone, we were invited back on the first Sunday of December 1988 to preach as an offical candidate for the Pastoral role at the “Assembly of God – Waupun.” Again, after the service the Board of Deacons peppered us with questions, only this time as an official candidate to fill the Pastoral role at the Church. The evening service was a sort of Q & A time followed by a special business meeting where the members would vote on me as the Pastor of “Assembly of God – Waupun”. The vote was cast and I was elected by the membership to be the next Pastor of “Assembly of God – Waupun.” I was excited, but also bothered that seven people voted against me. We left Waupun that night having not given an answer as to whether or not we would except the call to be the Pastor of the church (the 7 no votes bothered me).

I don’t mind saying that I was a little bit scared. Okay, a lot scared. We prayed, sought advice from family and friends. The then District Superintendent was a wonderful man named Omer Kalevig. He told us that seven no votes was a real huge win at “Assembly of God – Waupun.” He shared with me that the church had already seen three Pastor’s come and go in the decade of the 1980’s and that I would be number four. Brother Kalevig unknowing laid down the gauntlet and I picked it up. To be continued next week.

12/05/2025

12/04/2025

11/27/2025

Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:7

I've noticed that the Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of thanksgiving, and in the times we’re living in, these reminders mean even more. It's not just what’s happening around us that can make it hard to stay thankful, sometimes, it’s our own hearts. Our own human desires can pull us away from gratitude, making it tough to stay focused on all we have in Christ.

There was a time in my life when I was consumed with doing. Always striving. Always moving. Nothing ever felt quick enough, good enough, or satisfying enough. Even in seasons where good things were happening, they barely registered before I was chasing the next thing. Contentment felt just out of reach.

Looking back, I realize I wasn’t rooted in Christ the way Colossians 2:7 calls us to be. My heart was tied up in performance, accomplishments, and outward measures of success. But real contentment, the kind that brings deep peace—only comes from being built up in Him, established in the faith, and learning to abound in thanksgiving.

God, in His kindness, slowed me down and opened my eyes. I began to see that living with gratitude isn't just a nice idea, it’s the foundation for a life of steady joy and peace. It's what keeps our hearts soft, our eyes open, and our faith anchored.

Abounding in thanksgiving isn’t reserved for the big, standout moments. It’s a way of life that touches everything. It teaches us to appreciate both the obvious blessings and the ones we would otherwise overlook. It reminds us that all we have, every provision, every relationship, every breath, a gift from His hand. Living with a heart of thanksgiving keeps me rooted in the truth: God is faithful, He is good, and He is enough.