Together #forSalem

We often pride ourselves on our self-reliance, but sometimes the “what if’s” start eroding the confidence and happiness we thought we had. What if I don’t have what it takes? What if I don’t know enough? What if...? There’s a better way. We can find a reliable happiness when we change who we are relying on.  

We all think we know what will make us happy. We also think we know what will make everyone else happy… if they would only listen or see the truth. Unfortunately this attitude often creates more conflict than happiness. Maybe happiness doesn’t come from fighting for our own happiness.

The things we hope will make us happy seem to only work for so long. But Jesus promised us a happiness that would never run dry. How can we experience this true, lasting happiness when it seems like the world is falling apart?!

Happiness often seems like a fleeting dream that is just out of reach, especially now. But God actually wants us to be happy. Though it might seem a bit counterintuitive, he’s shown us how to achieve lasting happiness. Let’s discover together faith that works and how to be happy when the world is falling apart. 

Crosscreek is a church that is FOR Salem. But what is #forSalem? Where did it come from? What is it really about? And how can we all be a part of it? Let’s talk.

When unprecedented times come, they don’t just affect our daily lives but also our faith. Why is it that during life-changing events some people’s faith seems to grow while others’ seem to weaken? In this episode we discover choices we can make that turn unprecedented times into unprecedented opportunities to grow our faith.

One of the hardest aspects of our current reality is division and the isolation it creates. It’s difficult to allow others to really know who we are in such a polarized time. But there’s hope. There is a way, however, to not only fight division and isolation but to also allow God to grow our faith at the same time. Let’s rediscover the answer that has been in front of us all along. 

Sometimes we see real needs around us that we feel powerless to do anything about. But what if God has shown us these needs in order to grow our faith and help others at the same time? Maybe it’s time we put our faith into action and realize that real faith is developed in the real world.

For many Jesus Followers faith often seems like it consists of sitting in a church service once a week and listening to someone talk about Jesus. But knowing about Jesus and having real faith that transforms our lives are two very different things. It’s time to turn knowledge into a real faith for a real world… like really. Let’s Be Real.

Faith. It often seems like a mysterious power that either you have or you don’t. But in reality, those with strong, mature faith are no different than the rest of us. They have simply learned this secret: the faith we possess is the direct result of the actions we choose to take. In this episode, we explore 3 specific actions we can choose to take to strengthen our faith today.

You asked and we did our best to answer. Whether you agree or disagree with Crosscreek’s stance on some heavy issues, this episode will give you a chance to better understand Crosscreek and hopefully your own beliefs at the same time.

With the fog of the hazy unknown all around us it is often difficult to know what to do. But when we have a clear purpose, a purpose bigger than us, the unknown becomes an adventure we take one step at a time.

Although it may not feel like it, we DO have a few options as we face an unknown, hazy future. And if you think about it, there are really 3 basic choices when it comes to any kind of problem or adversity. Which will you choose?

When we face an unknown future it often feels like we are on our own. This feeling of isolation often brings fear and uncertainty. But when we realize we are not alone and that we are truly known, we can venture into the unknown future with confidence. 

The future always has been and always will be unknown. Often this fact creates fear and anxiety. But what if we could walk into the unknown with confidence and peace? The way forward is not as complicated as we might think.

We all know that feeling when we’ve eaten too much junk and how it affects our physical health. Many of us are feeling something very similar in our emotional and spiritual health right now. Maybe it has to do with what we’ve been allowing our hearts and minds to consume. How can we change our “diet” to improve our emotional and spiritual health? The answer can improve your entire view of the worl...

If we’re honest the religion most of us have experienced is often empty and lifeless. That’s why Jesus not only rejected religion but brought something completely different and so much better. Following Jesus isn’t about religious routines and rituals… it’s about experiencing a true and meaningful life now and forever.

Jesus forgives and restores, and he will never give up on you.

Religion makes us feel we are always one opinion, mistake, or sin away from being rejected. This makes us either hide who we really are, work really hard to stay in line, or simply walk away from the whole idea. Jesus gave us a better way. A way free of rejection and full of healing.

Religion and rules. They usually go hand-in-hand and are used for the powerful few to control those 'below’ them. Jesus created a new way… a better way. A way that prioritizes people over rules. A way that has provided freedom for millions of people.

Why are Christians so judgmental? If Jesus himself said, “Do not judge,” then why are the people who claim to know him the best often the best at judging others? The answer and the solution might surprise you.

What often keeps us from understanding the real Jesus is all the religion that's been wrapped around his movement. As we peel back the layers and take a closer look, we see that the same things we reject about religion Jesus also rejected. In this episode we discover that following Jesus doesn’t mean we have to change everything about ourselves and conform to religious expectations. Following Jesu...

Often winning means someone else loses. We win arguments and lose friendships. It puts us all in a constant spiral of anger and revenge. Following Jesus offers another way. There’s a better way to win. 

We pop in on Michael & Donna for another 'hearth session' at home as they sing Unstoppable God & Your Love Awakens Me. Despite all of the chaos, we hope these songs bring hope and joy and peace and life into your day. Feel free to sing along, or just listen.

"All you need is love." "Why can’t we all just love each other?" For many the idea of LOVE changing society seems like a naïve idealistic dream. “That’s not how the real world works,” we argue. Maybe we don’t understand REAL LOVE.