LRC, Houston - the weekends-free church in Houston, Texas

People who glance at the cross see differing images. I was taken aback many years ago when visiting a church in Ireland. It was Catholic of course. There were pictures and monuments everywhere; and everywhere Jesus was on the cross. So, I ws not shocked when a Catholic friend of mine visited me from Baton Rouge a few years later and and was upset that we had no Jesus on a cross. Besides, it didn’t look like a cross anyway.

I personally don’t see Jesus on the cross.

I see me, us, the church, on the cross.

I am in no way trying to downplay the event that took place 2000 years ago, I am just trying to bring it into the 21st Century. And in so doing, remember that there are two wood beams, not one. The American church primarily sees the cross as our victory (it is). But too many wear that victory like a cape around their necks, that blows in the breeze from their backs, allowing them to be super beings. The problem is, we wind up looking like Jack Black in Nacho Libre.

There are two wooden beams! Resurrection, but also crucifixion. You can’t have one without the other. It’s like the man who says I want to go to heaven, but I don’t want to die. We want resurrection, power, prosperity, fame, healing, and happiness, but we want to skip crucifixion.

Guess which comes first? Descent and then ascent.

Our ego hears that message loud and clear and it’s not going to let that happen. Crucifixion was a one time event for Jesus, not so for us. Few churches can afford to preach THAT GOOD NEWS: at least in America. Who wants to hear it? I didn’t. I don’t. But there are some times in your life that you know the rabbit hole is your only alternative. So, you dive. It’s dark and you cling to Jesus for all your worth. You have no other choice.

Who really wants to go there? I’ve found some who do. Want to join us?