I am sorry I didn't post this earlier. I have stopped posting my blog on this web site.

Please see: www.crossculture.cc and click the "blog" button at the top. There you will find my updates from last week and the daily blogs from this point on.

Thank you for reading!

P.S. If you are on facebook, you can click "Connect with Facebook" and have the ability to leave coments and other things as well.

I will see you soon at www.crossculture.cc

Philip

I started falling asleep about 2 hours before church last night... not good, I felt mentally exhausted. I went to Kennedy coffee and learned that milder coffee actually has more caffeine. The barista made me a french press organic Mexican coffee, that rocked my world. I won't lie, I felt a little high. Hey, it was coffee, don't judge me!

Josh and Greg led us in worship last night. They rocked it! Josh wrote a song called "Hallelujah." All I can say is...wow!

Isn't it interesting how some people think it is their job to "fix" other people and point their sins out? Where do they get the idea that they are so great and sinless? Sinless enough to act like they are god to other people? If this person is you, I'll be your friend, you probably don't have many. Just a note. It is our job to love people to Jesus and Holy Spirit's job to convict them of sin.

In my arrogance and cockiness I believe that I have many gifts. OK, seriously now, I do believe I have some gifts, one for sure - vision. God has laid a HUGE vision on my heart and mind for Bentonville. I am so jakd to share it! I am ironing details this week, I will bring it to church this Sunday - be there!

I love Cross Culture - Church for the City! The people are great, we have a great time and Jesus is the boss!

I am in love with Jesus!

Legalistic people say: "You're going to hell." Jesus says: "I love you, come to me."

Started a new rigid schedule yesterday. I am both jakd and nervous about it. It is rigid. (I just like to say "rigid", it sounds cool. It really is rigid though.)

People falling in love with Jesus is what it is all about! Are you in love with Jesus?

Yesterday was a big day! We started our new series "Blank! Christians." There were definitely a few moments of tension. Yes, I did compare many Christians to rabid dogs.

Jesus is worth being passionate about!
Jesus was. And He still is!
As cliche and religious as it sounds, Jesus is alive! He is real, He is not just a character out of a history book.
To know someone you have to spend time with them.

I am so excited about the major players that come to Cross Culture, Church for the City. We have some people that really love Jesus and want to work do everything they can to make Him famous through their lives!

I did say "Jesus is my homeboy!"

Cross Culture, Church for the City is growing!

I love how everyone was engaging in so much conversation and we practically had to kick people outside! Great friends!

We are still tracking on our yard sale fundraiser. Still need more donations, ask everyone you know. It is spring cleaning time after all!

Jakd for next week. Bring someone with you! We are going to open a can! Oh yes! You know what I'm sayin'!

Do you get judged like I do? Whether to my face or behind my back people are judging me. Most of us judge other people.

I think about the religious of our day and from past years. It seems that their goal is to catch others in sin, in bad places doing bad things. In reading about Jesus, this is true even about Him so many years ago.

If we study Jesus we see that He lived a perfect-sinless life. So, when the religious tried to judge Him they had no ground to stand on. I love one response Jesus gives in John:

Again some of the people picked up stones to kill Jesus. 32 But he said to them, "I have done many good works from the Father. Which of these good works are you killing me for?" (John 10:31-32, emphasis mine)

Jesus said this around the time of the feist of dedication. People we asking Him to say that He is truly "Christ" or "The Messiah," He was explaining that He was. We find the above Srcipture after His statements.

I find several things interesting, here are a couple:

-In verse 31, it says "Again some of the people picked up stones..." Meaning, this had happened before. These people were quick to judge and condemn.

-Jesus was quick on His feet. He asked "Which of these good works are you killing me for?" I think I can hear Jesus sounding kind of smartalic-ish. I really almost laugh. It is such a great response.At the same time, I am challenged. Jesus knew that He was without sin. This tells me to do what God tells me to do. Avoid sin at all cost. If all someone can judge me for is good works, I am in great shape!

As a Christ Follower, I want to live by Jesus example. The religious people seem to be everywhere. Jesus lived without sin and did good works from and for The Father. Since most of us will not be able to avoid judgement from the religious. As Jesus didn't either. We should give good works as the only thing to be judged.

Do we share Jesus out of obligation or out of love for people? So many times people think that the act of sharing Jesus is just that an act. In reality we are sharing something or someone all of the time.

Does anger rule your life? If so, you are sharing anger all of the time. Selfishness? Pride? Whatever we allow to rule our life is what we are sharing.

I think that many of us have been trained that to share Jesus we have to do all of this work. When working for Jesus is great and we should. What's better is allowing Him to manifest Himself through us so more people will come to Him.

When Jesus walked the earth in physical body, people came to Him and were attracted to Him because of His teaching and miracles. Hey, who wouldn't be attracted to miracles? I would be absolutely amazed to see a blind person recieve sight, a lepor be healed or a lifeless person recieve their life back! Who wouldn't want to see that?

It is hard to believe that we could be sharing Jesus simply by the way we live; our attitude, actions, stories we tell and choices we make.
Has someone you know ever been so excited that they were radiating with joy and happiness? Didn't you want to know what got them so excited? When we allow Jesus to consume us and we allow Him to radiate through us, people will be attracted.

Furthermore, miracles. Have you ever performed miracles? Most of us will probably answer emphatically "no." In rality, many of us have already. And more of us will in the future.
Recently a good friend of mine helped me get my car fixed. Our fender had gotten mangled by the door. He got is straightened out and helped me put it back on. This friend was performing miracles.

In the recent ice storm in NWA there was a gentleman who made the news because of his selfless assistance to the elderly people on his street. He was cutting wood, cleaning yards and ensuring people had everything they needed. This guy was performing miracles.
When Jesus performed miracles like healing someone or turning water into wine, He was meeting immediate needs.

What kind of immediate needs can we meet?

Events, trips and and classes are great tools in your box. But, what tools could you use on a daily basis?

My questions to you: Are you living Jesus? Are you performing miracles? If not, why not?

If you or someone you know has performed miracles please share them. These stories are great examples of how we can join as well!

I took a walk through downtown this morning. My love for this city is growing more and more every day. The sound of cars echoeing off of the buildings. The sight of people running in and out of Java on the square for their morning coffee fix. The way the sun hadn't fully rose yet. The coolness in the air. The presence of God!

I counted 9 churches on my brief walk this morning. There are plenty more for sure! Bentonville is in part of the country that is considered the "Bible belt." There is a ton of religion here.
Why bring Cross Culture, Church for the Cityto Bentonville?
JESUS!

I believe that Bentonville along with most of the world is missing out on the most important person they could ever come in contact with. Jesus Christ. I beleive that if the people of Bentonville met Jesus, He could change their lives! I believe that this life change could result in more successful marriages. Happier home lives. Less depression. And, among many more things, more dreams!

Jesus changes things! Sure, His ways may not seem at first to be that attractive to all of us. But, from my experience, He rocks peoples world! He has by far rocked mine! I love Jesus with all of my heart!

Bentonville. Are you ready!?!

Christians are by far, too perfect! Doesn't it seem like to be a "Christian" you have to nearly be sinless? Isn't there a pressure to be sinless? Many times that pressure pushes people away from faith in Christ, instead of to Him.

Personally, I could never live up to the standard that many religious people, churches and Christians in general put up. It is easy to get discouraged when we screw up. We feel like we will never be able to be those "perfect" Christians.

I work hard to be the person God wants me to be, but I don't think I will achieve perfection until Heaven. Even Paul struggled with sin. Look at Romans 7:14-25. The difference between Paul and some of us is that he identified this and relies on Jesus. Many of us rely on ourselves, our own righteousness.

As Christians, we need to accept people the way they are and introduce them to Jesus. We do this by living like Him and loving like Him. We don't do this by setting rules and regulations. Restrictions cause rebellion!

Jesus changed my life! However, it wasn't until I really started to get to know Jesus (11 years after I got saved) that He truly changed me. Why? I didn't allow it. Why didn't I want to? I was overcome with rules!

I don't want to be that arrogant, self righteous, stuck up, holier than thou christian. Why? That christian is chasing people away from Jesus. I want people to want to meet Jesus!

By the way Jesus didn't come to condemn the world. Why do many of us Christians feel like it is our job to?

I was making coffee a couple of days ago and realized that I didn't really know how to make coffee. The bag says 2 tablespoons per 6 ounces of water. I measured my coffee pot, and discovered that the "6, 8, etc." doesn't mean 6, 6oz cups it means 6, 4oz cups.
I just felt like the coffee pot and I have never had an honest relationship. I feel like the coffee pot has been mis-leading me for a long time.

Had the coffee pot been mis-leading me? No! I have just been too lazy to learn what it means. I don't even remember seeing the instructions. I probably threw them away without a thought. Do I have a right to be mad at the coffee pot? No! Again, it is my fault. I have been the one mis-understanding it. Not the other way around.

What is it in your life that you are mis-understanding? Does your spouse do something? How about your co-workers? What about your friends or parents?

Call them up, go to their house. Discover what they really mean. Most arguments, fights and disagreements are caused because of a mis-communication - a mis-understanding.

Now that I have cleared the mis-communication between the coffee pot and I, I don't wonder anymore. I feel confident. Now, I can make some great coffee the way it was intended to be made.

Do you want to have ok coffee? Or, do you want to have it the way it was intended?

We did not have the internet for 2 days! A few years ago I would have thought that to be no big deal. These days, it's a big deal!

I have woke up in Bentonville for the 3rd time now! It is awesome! I really feel like Bentonville is God's city! I am so excited about being here, doing business here. Doing church here. And, living life here!

I spoke a bit about this Scripture last Sunday: "As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so continue to live in him.7 Keep your roots deep in him and have your lives built on him. Be strong in the faith, just as you were taught, and always be thankful." Colossians 2:6-7

At Cross Culture, Church for the City we are in a series called "Blank Christians, Discovering the First Six."

We are discovering who Christ is, who we are in Christ, what Christ did, how to live like Christ and more. I am so jakd about this series! Many of us have been taught for many years how to live by a certain set of rules and a certain moral code. We have even been given Scripture to back most of it. But, we are still missing something! Christ. We need to do Colossians 2:6-7 and "Live in [Jesus]." and build our lives on Him.

It is easy to say this, but a little bit more difficult to actually do it.... until we know how. Come to Cross Culture, Church for the City and discover Christ with us!

Forget the rules, remember Christ!

I have the song "Girls just want to have fun" stuck in my head. Come on, you know it. Whooaaoooa, oh, girls just want to have fun. I want this to go away!

My Carmen and Lily Grace are absolutely the most precious little girls ever! I love them!

Moving is hard work.

I have slept my last night in Springdale! Tomorrow I wake up in God's city, Bentonville!

Have you ever watched TV and seen those perfect husbands or wives? Ya know, the wife is always perfect? She never misses a beat? You have a good picture of her in your head? You are more than likely picturing my wife! Mindy is absolutely, by far the greatest wife ever!

"I am the Lord, the God of every person on the earth. Nothing is impossible for me."
Jeremiah 32:27 Enough said!

I love Jesus!

"I don't care about my own life. The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me—to tell people the Good News about God's grace." Acts 20:24

"I don't care about my own life." Wow! That is a powerful sentence. I wonder if I mean this when I say it. I think that sometimes I do but most of the time I don't. My mission in life is to bring people to Christ and help "believers" become devoted Christ followers. It is extremely hard to forget about self and go all out.

"Do you think I am trying to make people accept me? No, God is the One I am trying to please. Am I trying to please people? If I still wanted to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10

I love this! Don't many of us spin our wheels and wear ourselves out trying to make people happy. I give up on that (repeatedly). The Creator of the universe is the only one who deserves that.

I am a selfish person. I want whatever I can get. I want nice cars, a big house full of great stuff, new, trendy clothes and a lot of money! Can you relate to this? The attitude God is inspiring me to have is one that constantly pleases Him, it is selfless and sharing Him with others. I don't see a 52" LCD in there. God created me to please Him!

Since God knows everything. He knew we would be a selfish people. So, He gave us a gift, no, not a 52" LCD TV, something much bigger than that. He gave us a Cross with His only Son hanging on it. The TV would give us enjoyment for a few hours a week until the newer bigger one came out. When God gave us His Son, He gave us the opportunity to have an abundant and eternal life. Knowing Jesus inspires me to be selfless.

P.S. The "abundant" life He gives us is pretty great as well!

Someone leased our house Wednesday night! We need to be totally out by Sunday! WOW! I negotiated a deal for a sweet house in Bentonville yesterday morning. Unfortunately they called me last night and changed their mind. Plan B.

We don't have a plan B, we will probably find the right place today.

My kids are absolutely beautiful! My camera is broke or I would take pictures of them and let you see. Maybe soon. Lily's face has taken more definition, she is so cute! Carmen is growing her bangs out and she is looking more like a tweeny every day...she is only 5! They are my loves!

God is so good to my family. He's got us. The greatest choice we have ever made was to serve Him completely. With God everythng always works out in the end. I didn't say to our desire. But, it always works out in the end. I have come to a point in my life where I don't seem to worry about things I used to. Everything always works out in the end.

I want to rule my own life and live my own way. I have done this before. It doesn't work. Living for God is not exactly natrual but it pays huge dividends!

Mindy surprised me with a date last night! It was actually my gift for Valentines day. We went to dinner..... then, we went and saw this guy in concert:




T.I.

T.I. Has been one of my favorite rappers for a long time. I never dreamed I would see him in concert.
We were getting closer to barnhill (where the show was), then we turned on the street to go towards barnhill. I was like "No we're not!" I was like a little boy at Christmas. I've been to a lot of shows and concerts but never one like this. Anyway, my wife blew it out of the park for me. It was a lot of fun! "What you know about that?" Ha ha!

" 'If a person's fellowship offering to the Lord is from the herd, it may be a male or female, but it must have nothing wrong with it.2 The person must put his hand on the animal's head and kill it at the entrance to the Meeting Tent. Then Aaron's sons, the priests, must sprinkle the blood on all sides of the altar.3 From the fellowship offering he must make a sacrifice by fire to the Lord. He must offer the fat of the animal's inner organs (both the fat that is in them and that covers them)...' "
Leviticus 3:1-3 (emphasis mine)

Wow! What a bloody mess. Here a couple of points before the main point:

In Leviticus we see 4 different kinds of offerings, burnt, sin, trespass and fellowship. Then, there were 3 different fellowship or peace offerings. All of these included blood or food, and fire. They all happened in front of the tent of meeting.

We don't do these anymore because Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice. No more burning animals!

As I read through this scripture I was kind of shocked. See, these people (the Israelites) would bring there best lambs, goats, bulls etc. to be slaughtered and burned for The Lord. They did this out of confession of sin and worship! In this time, Jesus had not come so they still needed the tent of meeting and priest. Today, we have Jesus! Thankfully!

Here is what stood out to me pretty big time!

Each time the people wanted God to hear something or forgive them or whatever, they had to offer a sacrifice. They had to slaughter something.

Our tent of meeting is our prayer time. It is wherever we are when we go before The Lord. Here is my question: What are you slaughtering?

Here are some things that make a bloody mess in front of my tent: Greed, lust, pride, selfishness... ok, I could go on, but I will spare you!

Grab sin by the head and kill it!

I have been thinking about getting a tattoo for several months. Really, maybe more like a year. This is funny and to some probably somewhat shocking. Most of my life I have been against tattoos, thinking they were "sinful." Riiiiight! Anyway, I have never been able to make up my mind.

I think I have finally got my mind made up.

Are you familiar with coats of arms? Family crests? I have seen several versions for the "Becker" name. I didn't want that though. I want it to have special meaning, I want it to be custom.

I have drawn one up. I LOVE IT! It has several different symbols - 2 different Scripture titles - 4 core values in dutch, and a great design!

As soon as I get it designed (professionally) I will post it. After that, I will see if I can get it tattoo'd. If I can. Look out! Philip Becker will have a tat!

If you know a great designer that can draw to the tattoo quality, please hook me up! I am stoked!

I want you to never go hungry.
I want you to always have clothes that fit.
I want you to never have to experience sickness.
I want you to never get hurt by a guy.
I want you to always have shoes that you like.
I want you to have true friends.
I want you to do well in your education.
I want you to be liked by many people.
I want you to always have a good attitude.
I want you to love and respect your mom.
I want you to have a relationship with Jesus.
I want you to excel in everything you do.
I want you to have the latest and greatest of everything.
I want you to be optimistic.
I want you to never be hurt physically.
I want you to never walk away from God.
I want you to always seek after God.
I want you to be the best at your job.
I want you to never be hurt by me.
I want you to always feel loved by me.
I want you to have everything you could ever want.
I want you to know that I am here for you.
I want you to have a friend in me.
I want you to have the greatest dad in me.
I want you to be proud of your family.
I want you to have love in your heart for everyone.
I want you to know that you are my daughters.
I want you to know that I love you with all of my heart.
I want you to know that you both are equal to me.
I want you to never think I don't care for you.
I want you to always see me as a godly man.
I want you to marry someone who will protect and love you.
I want you to know that to me you are both angels.
I want you to believe and put your faith in Christ.
I want you to know that I discipline you because I love you.
I want you to have the best this world could ever offer.
I want you to know that you can.
I want you to know that I love your mom with everything in me.
I want you to be hard workers.
I want you to be honest and dependable.
I want you to never cheat.
I want you to never lie.
I want you to always respect others.
I want you to know that I love you.
I want you to understand that to me, you are gifts from God.
I want you to always love yourself.
I want you to never fight.
I want you to stand tall with great integrity and character.
I want you to know that God created you.
I want you to know that the Bible is The Word of God and it is True.
I want you to understand that I am not perfect.
I want you to know that I have committed my life to serving God.
I want you to know that part of serving God is loving you.
I want you to know that to me, you both are perfect.
I want you to know that you are absolutely beautiful.
I want you to know that I love you.
I want you to know that I am always here for you.
I want you to believe me when I say I won't judge you.
I want you to always come to me when there is a problem.
I want you to know that I want to give you everything humanly possible.
I want you to know that I love you.

Daddy

Have you ever popped popcorn in a pan? Ya know, versus bagged in the microwave?


You put the oil in the pan, heat it up then put the popcorn in. What happens next? The small seeds pop out into these wonderful white crispy yet soft kernels of goodness! I love popcorn!


Popcorn is absolutely amazing! Who would have ever thought that the little seed looking thing would pop into this wonderful snack?


I think that popcorn's are rebellious! I don't think they like status quo. Why do I say that? Look at the seeds. They are mostly all the same and boring. However, after a few moments in the hot oil they break out of that thing like Clinton broke out of his charges!


The little seeds turn into wonderful, creative kernels.


I am like popcorn. Not just because I eat so much of it. I once was a seed, the same as everyone, continually being shaped to be the same as everyone. God wanted more from me though. He wanted me to pop. He (figuratively) placed me in hot oil, I popped.


For us, the oil might be different parts of our life, maybe parts that we don't like. But God uses these experiences to craft us into who we are.... creative, different, full and full of opportunity!


Sometimes when you are pouring the seeds into the bag a few fall to the counter or stove.


Don't try to avoid what God is doing in your life. Jump in that oil and allow God to make you into a kernel!

Recently I had a conversation with a guy (who shall remain nameless) who had gone to a bar for his very first time. Mid twenties, first time. Incredible!

He went there to support a band that was releasing a new CD. No bad behavior...this time. Just kidding!

Anyway, we were talking about his experience and he said "I'm not a bar virgin anymore!" I thought that was hilarious!

This really got me to thinking. Two questions:

1. As "Christians" what are we virgins to?

2. What does it matter?

To reach this generation and the generations to come for Christ we need to get out of our religious shelter!

I'm not saying we should start going to bars. I'm especially not saying we start abusing alcohol. I am simply saying that we should put the hymnal down, take the tie off, shed the religious pride and start trying to reach our generation by being more like Jesus!

Would Jesus go to a bar or club today? I don't know. Would He do everything He could to connect with His culture? ABSOLUTELY! We know this because He did!

Generally, what kind of people are at church? Christians or, the religious.
Generally, what kind of people are in the world? Non-Christians.

What is the great commission? "So go and make followers of all people in the world..." (emphasis mine). "All people in the world." Not just the ones that grace the doors of the church.

Get into the world. Stop being so stinking religious and meet someone without judging them! Jesus would! Are you a "Christ follower"?

"God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life." John 3:16 (emphasis mine).

(This has not been an encouragement to go to bars or clubs. This is simply an encouragement for all of us to get off of our butts and share Jesus with the world... that isn't in the Church.)

We had our first Sunday in our "Financial Beginning" yesterday. God is doing great things!

I concluded my series on sex yesterday; "Sexual Charge." Talking about sex is always good.

I just talked to an attorney who said he could help me with some forms for Cross Culture. I kind of assumed he would give a free initial consultation...nope. $150 bucks for one hour of chatting. I don't think so. I mean, I know people have to make money, but come on! I don't even know if I want his firm to do this work. I just wanted to see what they could offer. Too bad.

I am starting a 6 week series on character this week. I think this will be a lot of fun!

Valentines day was a lot of fun! I baked a cake for Mindy amongst other things. We had a great time! It seemed that the saying this year was "love is all of the time, not just one day." This is SO true! But, I think most of the people saying this were the men who didn't do anything for their sweeties. If you can't get it together one day out of the year you probably aren't getting it together any of the other 364 days a year. Shape up man! She deserves your best....this is a whole-nother blog.

On the topic of other blogs: I was chatting with Bryan C. on V day and he mentioned something about not being a "Bar Virgin" anymore. I am going to blog about that this week. That will be fun!

In my talk yesterday I mentioned people going on diets and missing their food so much that they want to write love letters to cheeseburgers....I don't actually know anyone who has ever wanted to do that. I just though it enforced the point of not wanting to give up the food we like.

I went over my texting again last month. I need to either upgrade my plan or stop texting so much.

I feel like God is bringing me into a whole new realm of Christianity. I am very excited to see what He is going to do in and through me this year!

If you want to grill and you have a charcoal grill. Make sure you have lighter fluid...before you start the whole process.

There we go. Got some randomness out to start the week out! How about that!?

Happy Valentines Day! My wife, Mindy is my best friend. In honor of my love for her I am going to share a little bit of what attracted me to her.

The very first time I laid eyes on Mindy, she had a glow around her, similar to a halo only larger; circling her whole body. Angelic. I remember looking at her and being intimidated; not normal. "Wow!" Is all I could think.

We talked business. She is very business minded and entrepreneurial- hot! To this point I had never met a gorgeous woman with business skills and motivation. I was blown away!

If you know Mindy, you have probably noticed this. She has 1000+ smiles. Each of them beautiful. Each of them unique. Each of them saying something different. After 2.5 years of marriage I am still discovering new smiles.

Everyone likes Mindy. She is the friendliest person I have ever met. She is not one of those people who likes you to your face, then talks about you behind your back. She is genuine. People want to be around Mindy because she is a great conversationalist. She is great with people and a great friend!

She is solid. When she makes her mind up, it's done. When she says she is going to do something she does it. That is really nice!

In the first week or two with Mindy, I had lunch with a friend at Jim's Razorback Pizza. I love Jim's Razorback Pizza. I told him that my future wife would share this; Jim's Razorback would be her favorite too. Soon after, I went to Mindy's house for dinner, she had ordered pizza. That's right. Jim's Razorback Pizza! Sign from God?!

Mindy is similar to June Cleaver in her service. She does so much for me and our family. She does it with out complaining. I remember many of our first breakfast's: Scrambled eggs, toast and fruit. She does without expecting a return.

I could go on all day and make this blog into a book, I will spare you.

Mindy, you are the most beautiful girl in the whole world in my eyes! I love you with all of my heart. I have committed the rest of my life to you, you are my gorgeous bride! I love you!

Mindy, will you be my valentine?