Our cup has overflowed with blessings this month. Last month, we featured Bob Cummins, Bound By Faith Ministries and this is the heartfelt blessing we received back from him:
‘Thank you so much, I am greatly honored that you featured my Cross Ministries! … I have given out quite a few of the Cross the World ones that I ordered from you! A 79 year old friend of mine cried when I gave him one! I am so excited with what The Lord is doing and how the Cross touches people! … God is GOOD!’
Here are more blessings from our CTW family:
‘Thank you! I am saved! I can’t wait to pass these out! My grandkids will love putting the crosses places for people to find. Thank you again! Have a great day!!’ Margie ~ PA
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‘I just wanted to thank you for what you do. The first crosses I received was really great. It is amazing the dialogue that can be opened by just presenting someone with a cross. A great way to introduce people to Jesus! Keep up the good work and God bless you all.’ Stephen ~ MO
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‘I received my cross in the mail from my sister. She received it at a physical therapy practice in North Carolina. As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted to have these crosses to give out at our church’s food ministry. We provide food for those in need in the community. We have seen a dramatic increase in our numbers during the pandemic. I rather like the thought that this one special cross from North Carolina will now become 200 in Virginia. Cannot thank you enough for your wonderful ministry! You are truly a blessing to all.’ Karen ~ Concordia Lutheran Church Food Ministry, Triangle, VA
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‘My sister has opened a new business and wants to be a good witness to all her customers. Could you please send her some crosses?’ Donna ~ MO
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‘I teach religious education and lead a Bible study group which includes male and female young soldiers. Because of the Covid-19, our Base chapels have been shut down. We are praying for the Base Commander to re-open them by Memorial Day. I hope and trust that we will see many more coming to the services when that happens. It would be such a joy to have your wonderful crosses to share with them, especially the ones who are going to be deployed to dangerous zones. Thank you.’ Carol ~ GA
It seems some new symptom, some new decision, some new protest, some new something or other springs up every time we open the paper or turn on the TV. Our world is spinning wildly and, while everyone has an opinion on what to do to get it under control, there is always someone else that disagrees. Shouting, challenging, impatience, disobedience, denial, and disregard … they all seem to be the new ‘norm’. This latest look at how fragile humanity is hasn’t been particularly tasteful. Too often, we forget that we are ALL in this together!
During these uncertain times, hopefully the conversations we have with God have become more personal, more proprietary. We all have issues we’re dealing with … some new found, others have been with us for some time. Whether we’re dealing with fear, anxiety, frustration or confusion, we continue to seek His wisdom and depend on His guidance. And, we continue to pray, pray, pray!!
As I was searching for something I thought would be helpful to us, I found this prayer I previously posted in September, 2016. I liked it then; I think it is even more relevant now.
THE FIVE FINGER PRAYER
Your thumb is nearest you. So, begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as CS Lewis once said, a ‘sweet duty’.
The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors and pastors. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.
The middle finger is the tallest and largest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the President, the Prime Minister, leaders in business and industry, as well as administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God’s continued guidance.
The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble, or in pain. They need your prayers day and night; you can’t pray enough for them.
And, lastly, comes our little finger … the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, ‘The least shall be the greatest among you.’ Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.
EVERY time we look at our hands and all the ways they serve us, we should remember this five finger prayer. And, we should remember how many ways we are to serve the Lord … and we should pray.
Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way. – Minnie Louise Haskins
We are so thankful for our Cross The World family and especially thankful for these folks who shared the cross during the month of May:
Clairemont Emmanuel Baptist – San Diego, CA
Augustana Care Health Center – Apple Valley, MN
St. Francis Hospital Pastoral Care – Tulsa, OK
Marcia – PA
David – CA
Jill – WI
Margie – PA
Stephen – MO
Donna – MO
Carol – GA
Concordia Food Ministry – Stafford, VA
The Deerfield – New Richmond, WI
A couple of notes from us:
First of all, Cross The World continues to thank you, our family, for your support of our ministry. We tell you all the time that we can’t do this without you and your faithfulness to us and God has been outstanding! This pandemic shuttering of businesses has been hard on all of us but we want you to know that, because we are a small ministry and our woodshop is remotely located (er, in the woods!), we have remained safe and healthy. Praise the Lord!! Additionally, we want you to know that we have not shuttered our doors to your needs. We continue to work as we always have to produce and ship crosses to you so you will have them available as you need them. We’re there for you! Don’t be afraid to let us know how we can assist you!!
Secondly, if you don’t want to wait to receive an email letting you know there has been something new added to our blog but would rather get an automatic notice, consider entering your email address in the ‘Follow Blog Via Email’ box located in the lower right hand corner of any page of this blog. Remember to hit the ‘Follow’ button too!
And, lastly, we invite you to visit the Covid-19 page. We’ve added some new things (the new entries will be printed in red). If you have something you want to share with your CTW family, send it to us and we’ll pass it on.
In a world on unrelenting changes, I am the One who never changes.
I am the Alpha and the Omega … the First and the Last … the Beginning and the End.
Find in Me the stability for which you have yearned.
In My Presence, you can face uncertainty with perfect Peace.
CROSS THE WORLD 