Oliver & Callie - Wedding Dance!

White Christmas!

December 26, 2010

Margaret gets her first "Player of the Week" award

Covenant Players Of The Week: 2010, 

Week Fourteen: Sam Bowman And Margaret Cross

Posted December 8, 2010 

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- The Covenant College athletics scene has

dwindled down to one remaining sport for the fall, 2010 semester; basketball.  Thus, it is only appropriate that this week's players of the week come from the men's and women's basketball teams in the form of juniors Sam Bowman and Margaret Cross.

Bowman receives the honor after his stellar performance on the road at LaGrange College helped the Scots down the Panthers for their first win of the season.  Bowman posted a game-high 23 points and a team-high 14 rebounds in the 56-48 winning effort, while also contributing with two blocks and a steal.  In the Scots second game that week, Sam contributed in all aspects of the game with 10 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals.

On the same night, the Lady Scots Margaret Cross also turned in a solid performance against LaGrange.  Although it was in a losing effort, her 20 points led all players and helped Covenant take a 34-33 lead into the half.  She also posted two assists and a steal in the game.

Sam Bowman

Margaret Cross

Backyard Deer Season

Pictures from this weekend

As a Dad of 4 girls

Margaret had 6 3's!

Lady Scots Rally From Behind But Come Up Short Against
Tennessee Wesleyan
November 18, 2009 - 21:46 — covstaff

Lookout Mountain, GA- In their first home game of the 2009-2010 season, the Lady Scots overcame an 18 point half-time deficit and took the lead over Tennessee Wesleyan with just over 5 minutes remaining. Sophomore guard Margaret Cross fueled part of the comeback with several clutch threes, one of which gave Covenant their first lead since early in the first half. Cross finished with a team high 18 points in her 24 minutes of play. Covenant's second half lead, however, was short lived as the Lady Bulldogs surged back in front on their succeeding possession and kept the lead for the remainder of the game.
"We responded well to our half-time adjustments" said Coach Smialek after the game. "Overall, the team played very hard and is continuing to improve. I'm confident that it will all come together soon." Covenant post player Erika Forland recorded her second double-double in as many games with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Brinkley Knowles added 17 points of her own.
The Lady Scots are now 0-2 on the year and will travel to Atlanta, GA this weekend for a small tournament at Emory University. Their next ho scheduled me game isfor Wednesday, December 2 at 5:30 against former rival Bryan College.

Where is your Cell Phone

The following stat reminds me of Margaret who goes to bed with her cell phone. Rebekah has Lynn cell phone most of the time. She stayed at the lake last weekend rather than coming with me as she had planned because she could not take Lynn's cell phone with her. I am still trying to figure all of this out and what is good and what is obsession with being available. It is a need to feel important that someone is thinking of you so they call you?

{I know there is safety issues especially for girls but this goes way beyond that!}

Singleness and the poor economy

This strike closer to home as Oliver is soon to graduate college and shortly after that Margaret too.

Cohabitation - Living together without the benefit of Marriage

Thought you might want to read about a rapidly increasing portion of our society. Ken

EdStetzer.com

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Cohabitation Study Posted: 10 Nov 2009 02:58 AM PST Remember that Bon Jovi song from the late 80s, "Living in Sin?" Well, I'm guessing half of you do. It's about "love" justifying living together as a married couple, without a marriage covenant. The song shouts, "I call it love, they call it living in sin!" Remember? Rock ballad, black and white video? Anyway, people are still talking about it and more people are living together today than they were back in the 1980s. At LifeWay Research, we wanted to know more. In June of 2008 (and September 2007), we conducted related surveys (thankfully, not about Bon Jovi) for a recent book on parenting, The Parent Adventure: Preparing Your Children For a Lifetime With God, by Selma & Rodney Wilson and Scott McConnell. In our study, we found that 6% of all parents with children under 18 years of age in their home are living with a partner to whom they are not married. To give this some context, we first determined that 69% of all parents are married and 31% are single. We asked these single parents the following question: Which of the following best describes you today? you are the only adult in your household (18% of all parents; 58% of single parents) you live with another adult family member (6% of all parents; 21% of single parents) you live with a room mate with whom you are not involved in a relationship (1% of all parents; 2% of single parents) you live with a partner with whom you are involved in a relationship" (6% of all parents; 19% of single parents) The 2008 survey was conducted among a representative sample of 1,077 American adults who have children under 18 years old in their household. A demographically balanced online panel was used for the interviewing and we have 95% confidence that the sampling error for the total sample does not exceed +3.0%. One other study in which we asked a similar question to determine current living situation was a study conducted in April-May 2007 among young adults ages 18-30 who had attended a Protestant church regularly (twice a month or more) for at least a year in high school. We asked all respondents: Please indicate your current living situation. I live with my parents (20%) I live with my spouse (44%) I live with my partner/ significant other (13%) I live with roomate(s) (11%) I live alone (9%) Other (3%) One of the key findings from this study reported in a story last year was that 70% of these young adults ages 23-30 had stopped attending church regularly for at least a year between ages 18 and 22. When we break out the question above by these "dropouts" compared to those who "stayed in church" during these years, we found a statistically significant difference in the percentage who were currently cohabiting. In short, among young adults who had attended a Protestant church regularly in high school, cohabitation is almost twice as likely among those who stop attending church regularly between ages 18 and 22 compared to those who stay in church. 15% of "dropouts" live with a partner or significant other 8% of those who "stayed in church" live with a partner or significant other Dropouts = adults ages 18-30 who had attended a Protestant church regularly for at least a year in high school but stopped attending regularly for at least a year between ages 18 and 22. Stayed in church = adults ages 18-30 who had attended a Protestant church regularly for at least a year in high school and continued attending regularly between ages 18 and 22. This study was conducted among a representative sample of 1,023 young adults ages 18-30 who had attended a Protestant church regularly (twice a month or more) for at least a year in high school. A demographically balanced online panel was used for the interviewing and we have 95% confidence that the sampling error for the total sample does not exceed +3.1%. It is probably not a surprise that those who are cohabiting are also more likely to be dropouts, but it does speak to some of the challenges in reaching adults in our culture. I'm interested in how you deal with people living together? How do you reach them, answer their questions, and minister to them?

Don't do the Math - have kids and trust Jesus

Karen's Sr. Pictures

Pics taken by Aphrodite Photography Inc.

Miracle in Franklin video

Take 5 minutes and this will challenge and encourage you! It did me.

Best Senior Class Ever!

The title of this blog is CROSS HAPPENINGS. Here is a significant happening.

Karen, my 4th of 5, said this the other night at the dinner table. "I am in the best senior class ever!"

This is the same girl that has been in 4 schools in 4 years of HS. The some one that begged to stay with friends in Albemarle and attend last year's school.

This is an answer to prayer - mark is down. A Cross Happening for sure. Thank you to all of you that pray for the Cross family and especially for Karen, [Kingbean, Kenny, King ...].

The picture to the right is from the 2nd retreat she has been on with her sr. class!

Pics from the Beach

A funeral, contacts and contacts

Today I went to a funeral for a long time friend, Max Stanton. As I was waiting for the worship to start I read from the Book of Common Prayer the following:

² Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

³ You turn men back to dust,
saying, "Return to dust, O sons of men."

⁴ For a thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night.

⁵ You sweep men away in the sleep of death;
they are like the new grass of the morning-

⁶ though in the morning it springs up new,
by evening it is dry and withered.

⁷ We are consumed by your anger
and terrified by your indignation.

⁸ You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.

⁹ All our days pass away under your wrath;
we finish our years with a moan.

¹⁰ The length of our days is seventy years—
or eighty, if we have the strength;
yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

¹¹ Who knows the power of your anger?
For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.

¹² Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

The pastor did a great job of pointing to Max's Savior while at the same time honoring the life of my friend and comforting the family.

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

From the funeral I returned home to have my lovely Rebekah look deep into my eyes showing off her new contacts - she is thrilled.

Before the funeral I met with some fellow church planters and pastors and we had a brain session on ways that I can contact people in a winsome way during the summer with the goal of sharing the good news of Jesus. I am very encouraged with their ideas and the synergism that it sparked in my mind.

So - a funeral reminded me of the limited days we have here, Rebekah's contacts reminds me that simple joys should be enjoyed like a happy little girl and contacting people for the Kingdom can really be fun - I will share some of the ideas in another post!

IT is finally a HOME!

Last night the Cross family officially made our house in Charlotte a home! How do you do that? You get all the female clothes in the house! We are here and the Lake house is again REVILO.

We miss Karen - leading a soccer camp in Albemarle, Margaret - at the beach with Kristen, and Oliver in CA on a mission Summer. But they will be here soon!

We had special prayer last night before bed thanking God for this home and asking Him to use us and this home for His glory. Pray that with us!

Will let you know about a soon to be house warming party!

27th Wedding Anniversary

Today is my 27th Wedding anniversary and it has made me think of the last 3 decades and the decisions I have made. I have thought of many wrong decisions (the Bible calls those sins) and the many good decisions. But this morning I started thinking about a decision I made not knowing what the outcome would be, but trusting God in the process (the Bible calls those faith).
I remember distinctly praying and fasting for a two week period about whether or not I should tell Lynn I loved her. She knew that if I said that, I was proposing marriage. I was in California and Lynn was in Birmingham, AL. Lynn was waiting having already declared she was ready to move forward. I just wanted to make sure that the life I had given to the Lord included marrying Lynn and becoming one flesh. It took faith and it was tested. I called her we were pre-engaged and through a number of situations Lynn broke up with me.
Now in my mind, God had lead me to marry Lynn but now it was in doubt. I stayed true to the course for about eight months sending Lynn letters (before texting) and calling on the phone but her parents were not in favor of this potential union and that hurt a lot. I had to determine if God was in favor of it. God worked over time and Lynn moved away from her folks. So I prayerfully wrote a letter saying that I loved her, believed we should be married but you cannot have a two-way relationship with just one person. So I remember saying something like this in the letter, “I have prayed much about this and have come to the place that either I will hear from you quickly that you want to pursue this relationship or have a good life without me.”
She called me quickly and 10 months later we were married. It was one of the best decisions of my life. I shutter to think what my life would be like without my Bride. God has used her so much in my life. He love, rebukes, intellect, parenting ability, but especially her walk with the Lord has been used of God to sanctify me and mature me. Because of her struggles - I have grown. Because of her strengths – I have been challenged. Because of her holiness I have been humbled. Because of her reading my back has hurt from moving all those books!
A principle that James Raiford taught me in Bible College was, “A faith not tested cannot be trusted.” He was right.
But one think I know – every decision Lynn and I have made including starting a new church in Charlotte (which is one of the scariest decisions) is easier because Lynn is my wife and the mother of my children. Thank you Lord and thank you Lynn. I am a blessed man.

She is now 18

Yesterday, Karen turned eighteen year old. So much has happened in 18 years. It has gone by so quickly. She has always been "our future lawyer" with her ability to debate. She is also the "tender heart" ready to hear of all her friends relationship issues. I am her Dad. I like being her Dad. 

Her future is uncertain. At one point I thought she would be that hard charging District Attorney, putting away the bad guys. Then I wondered is she would be the next artist of great renown. I will never forget her taking art lessons and coming home with a painting and I really thought the teacher had given her one of her own as a gift. But she really painted it - I am still amazed. The last thing she said she wanted to be was either a psychiatrist or a counselor. I do not know - I do know my kids have the ability to change their majors in college on a regular basis!

One thing has been a constant as I have prayed over her crib and ever since. That she would follow the Lord and allow Him to guide her steps. She has such a tender heart, a quick mind, tongue and temper. God can use them all.

I am proud to be her daddy!

She is also a pretty aggressive soccer player!