Tom Allen

Last night was CHRISTMAS AT CROSSPOINT.  Four services.  Four awesome services.  Here's what was accomplished: *I think I can say with some sense of accuracy that we saw over 2,000 people come through our doors.  I say that based on the fact that we tracked the first 2 services well, and then there was the 6:00 service.  We had every seat filled, kids in parents laps, people lining all 3 walls, more chairs brought in, and even some giving up their seats and watching from the lobby. *We had hundreds of people decorating cookies, making ornaments, and taking family photos in the Factory. *We caused a traffic jam on Old Alvin road that backed up all the way to McHard Road. *Our "I Love Christmas" video has had over 12,000 views just since last night. *Jesus won a $250 gift card to Killen's Steakhouse. That's right! (Jesus Montemayor II) *78 First-Time Guests turned in Communication Cards. *And, most importantly, people came to faith in Chri...

Susan and I just got back from a week on a boat in the southern Caribbean.  I am, by nature, a learner, so I learned a few things on vacation that you might find helpful.  Some of these were little things.  Some, mind-blowing.  You be the judge. 1.    I am an extravert. Maybe that's not news to you, but it kind of was to me.  My wife reminded me more than once that it wasn't a requirement that I talk to everyone on the ship personally. (especially the non-English-speaking travelers) 2.  Life is better with friends.   I haven't always believed this.  I like my space.  I like my peace and quiet.  I like to be alone sometimes.  But, we actually made friends on the boat.  We would run into them, start talking, get lost in conversation and say, "Can you believe what time it is?".  One time they found us having coffee, sat down and started chatting with us...then I pronounced we had been talking 4 hours and we...

      Let's face it, most, if not all of us, have struggled through this one.  "If I REALLY believed...if I REALLY had faith, I wouldn't ever wrestle with doubts".  DOUBTS are for the uncommitted.  DOUBTS are for the unconvinced.  DOUBTS are for the...well...unbelievers.  Because DOUBT is the opposite of FAITH.  It's the opposite of true BELIEF.  DOUBT and FAITH are like oil and water...they just don't mix.         OK, let's consult the authorities on this subject.  Let's go straight to the Bible.  What does it say about FAITH and DOUBT?  The best source in all of scriptures has to be Hebrews 11.  It starts off like this... " Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see .   This is what the ancients were commended for.    By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what w...

     Ever heard that one?  Oh, my hand is up.  I heard that.  I heard it all my years growing up in a Christian home.  Christians aren't to hang out with non-Christians.  Why?  Because that's what the Bible says.  Duh!  1 Corinthians 15:33 says it plainly...“ Bad company corrupts good character .”  There it is.  Christians are not to be hanging around with sinners...lost people...unbelievers...people who don't follow Jesus.  It will corrupt their good character.  So, just say no!    If you're a Christian parent ...a good Christian parent, you'll get your kid in a Christian school, playing in a Christian T-Ball league, playing some good instrument (that is appropriate for use at church, of course), make sure their radio only tunes into KSBJ (God's Listening, right?), and most of all, DO NOT LET THEM HAVE FRIENDS THAT AREN'T CHRISTIANS...from good Christian families.  Real Christians.  If you ...

    I've read innumerable posts and been asked more questions than I can remember about the Pope's visit to America.  Two things have been surprising to me: 1.  How much media coverage has been allocated to his visit.  It seems that every show on television has been preempted at some point for coverage of the pope doing something.  Landing his plane, shaking the president's hand, riding in his Pope-mobile.  Everything he does is a major breaking story. 2.  How everybody...I mean everybody, has an opinion on his visit.  Some think it's the greatest event in their lifetime.  Other's are less impressed, but still put a really positive spin on it because it draws attention to Christianity, even if it doesn't happen to be their particular brand of Christianity.  Kind of the "all publicity is good publicity" mentality.     So, what's my take on this papal visit to America?  OK, I'll play along.  Here's some ra...

That's what we've been told...a sin is a sin is a sin...  Very democratic.  All sins are created equal.  That's what so many believe.  That's what I believed for most of my life.  So, we had to get that idea from somewhere.  So,...where? James 2:10 helps us out there.   " For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it ."  There you have it.  One sin.  All sins.  Equal guilt.  Equal sins.  I rest my case. But, is that what James is saying?  No, I don't think so.  In fact, James isn't talking about the equity of sins at all.  His point is a simple one.  Once we sin, we are sinners.  We are guilty in the eyes of a perfect and holy God.  Holiness and sin are like oil and water.  They just don't mix.  People who have been contaminated by the virus we call sin have a number of consequences directly related to that sin.  The major...

POOR GOD...That may sound a little strange to hear, but it really is true.  Seriously, He has to be the most misquoted guy who's ever uttered a word.  His words are even written down...in a book...that's inspired...by God (for Pete's sake!).  And He doesn't get a chance at rebuttal. For six weeks we'll take a look at a few of the misquotes, misunderstandings, and out-right misrepresentations of what God has said.  Obviously, we can't cover them all in six weeks, so we'll take a shot at a few others during the week.  How about this one... "If you had more faith, God would answer your prayers" Have a marriage that's on the rocks?  Well, if you have enough faith, it will all turn around. Get diagnosed with some life-threatening disease?  Enough faith...you get well.  Not enough faith...well, nice knowing you. Need a job?  Pray hard.  If you've got big faith, then employment is just a prayer away.  Not so much?  There's alw...

If your question had been, "Are you a racist?", that would simply have been too easy.  No.  I grew up in "really white" America.  My parents used the "N" word, without impunity, because it was the common term used in their homes growing up.  I went to completely white schools and had no black friends in my formative years.  So, the deck was stacked against me, but I overcame. I remember the 2 weeks my mom worked at our church in place of the vacationing secretary.  I went with her to work every day.  But, I spent all my days hanging out with the janitor.  She was black.  Her name was Ollie Tatum.  She and I had lunch together every day.  We became the best of friends.  When the 2 weeks were over, I asked my mom if I could kiss her good-bye.  She said "No".  I obeyed, but thought that was so wrong.  She had a problem.  I didn't. In my college days I made friends with people of color that I still cons...

As we pause to celebrate our nations's freedom and independence today, I hope it's more than just a day off from work for you.  I hope you pause and think of just how much sacrifice went into the things you and I take for granted. I hope you remember where that all came from, too.  This week, I was reminded that, although we only sing one, there are actually four verses to the Star Spangled Banner.  Verse four happens to be my personal favorite... Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved home and the war’s desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.” And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave! Maybe we should sing that one more.  Happy 4th!   In God is our trust!

This past week the Supreme Court redefined marriage in the United States to be any union between two people, regardless of gender.  Marriage, as defined uniquely by scripture, is a thing of the past in this country.   Few, if any, have been without response to this decision.  The Gay/Lesbian community have celebrated it as a great victory and a day for freedom and equality for all in America to finally be celebrated, as have most of the media and those with anything other than a biblical worldview.   So, the question is apparent:  How are we, as Christ-followers to respond?     SHOCKING?  Many have responded with shock that such a thing would happen.  I don’t understand that response.  I would have been shocked had it been decided any other way.  In case you haven’t noticed, we live in a Post-Christian time in a Post-Christian nation.  Fewer and fewer people, even those who attend our churches and cl...