Each Journey Starts With One Step (Or Pedal)

All journeys have a starting point.  Some have asked where this CrossNAmerica journey got its origin from.. In my journey my prayers often include something similar to “Lord may my life be a vehicle to glory you.  Lord I want to make a difference through the power of Jesus Christ, Show me daily what I might do to fulfill your purpose through me.”

God has honored that prayer through the years in numerous ways.  Some have been more challenging than others.  Over the past couple of years I have sensed a greater calling.  I was unclear what that might be until the past six months.  While preparing sermons and reading to solidify my foundation for leadership, I was intrigued by a couple of messages.  Each I had heard a couple of times before, but as God was refreshing my heart he was opening my perspective as well. 

One message came from a presentation of the First Landing of those first settlers coming to America in 1607, stepping off that ship and planting a cross on the shore of  Cape Henry on the east coast of Virginia and dedicating this new land to the glory of God and the Gospel. 

The second message that intrigued me was from a message Louie Giglio from Atlanta has shared regarding Laminin, the glue that holds our body's cells together.  Check it out on Snopes at

http://www.snopes.com/glurge/laminin.asp 


As I read and began to see how our bodies are held together with the glue of the cross, Laminin, God spoke to me.  Everything we are as human beings and as Americas are foundationally glued together by the Cross.   Everything we are as a Nation is solidified by the Cross.   But as we know Scripture says it plainly and profoundly,

1 Corinthians 1:18  For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

The CrossNAmerica trip is first to make a witness of the significance of the Cross and secondly to raise funds for missions.  I plan to raise pledges per mile or single pledges to support any of the five organizations listed on this blog or any other worthy Christian mission effort around the world, locally of globally. 

 The trip will be along the Mississippi Trail from International Falls Minnesota (North to South) to New Orleans and then from Santa Monica, CA going east and end at Cape Henry, ie. Virginia Beach Virginia to complete the Cross.  We are planning a chase vehicle RV for safety and practicality.  

As I Cross Train however, for the ultimate long trip, I plan to organize Saturday morning gatherings for any church that would like to have some fun riding a short distance for the purpose of exercise, fun and pledge for a mission project they would like support of their churches choice, not necessarily one we have designated.

If you or your church would be interested in a day event, let me know.

Until Next Time,

Keep Cross Training, (Physically and Spiritually) 

Russ

Cross Training ...

As I begin this blog, it really is a beginning of a challenging kind.  I began this endeavor at the beginning of 2010 with really a goal of enjoying the outdoors, getting some exercise and maybe, just maybe needing to lose a few pounds.  I dusted the bicycle off, pumped up the tires and began to ride.  Well 10 months later I am down 70 pounds and new goals to ponder.  Through the journey God put a goal within my heart to begin a trip CrossNAmerica north to south and then west to east creating a Cross.  A total of some 5000 miles plus, knowing the trip is only built on the Wheels of Faith as Michael W. Smith sings in "A Little Stronger Everyday".
But to make the trip I need to continue to Cross Train, currently I am doing about 200 miles per week for my trip planned for 2012.

Well, I need to go Cross Train.  Talk to you later.