Crossfire
Have you ever thought about how you got to where you are today? Sometimes it's good to think about how God brought you from one place in your life, to establish you in another.
The church that my husband Keith and I co-pastor is Crossfire. We believe this is the name that The Lord impressed on our hearts almost 10 years ago.
The first part of the name is Cross and represents the cross of Jesus Christ on which He willingly gave His life, so we could be restored back to our Heavenly Father. This is the foundation of our faith.
The second half is Fire and represents the presence of The Spirit of God, Who ignites passion and empowers the work of the cross in our lives.
The cross is such a beautiful picture of survival to me; I think of Jesus who literally saved my life. My home was filled with alcoholism....fear and abuse, but my Heavenly Father sent His son Jesus to rescue me....an 8-year-old child.
I grew up in a small church. I attended alone, but I felt like I had a new family. Sometimes, I was invited to a home for Sunday lunch. I loved the peace and joy I felt in their homes.
When I turned eleven the pastor shared a message that gripped my heart. It was about the love of God being an all-consuming fire and that His Spirit could awaken passion in us to live a strong and courageous life for God. So people gathered around the altar and I heard a beautiful sound coming from them as they prayed with tears flowing and hands raised.
Years before, I had asked Jesus into my heart, but I believed this was something new! As I knelt at the altar I felt the warmth of His love fill me deep inside. I let the tears fall as I lifted my hands and asked Jesus to baptize me with the Holy Spirit and fire. Something definitely changed in me. I had my very own personal survival-to-revival experience!
Little did I know God was preparing me for a life of ministry that began at 13 years of age. Now, over 50 years later I am married to a godly man and pastoring a church together with that same burning passion I felt around that altar at eleven-years-old.
Matthew 3:11
[John said], "I baptize you in water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I'm not worthy to carry. He [Jesus] will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."
Blessings,
Pastor Judy
