The Crossing

The Crossing We're closer than you think! Centrally located between Anchorage & The MatSu Valley, and just a few miles from Eagle River. Life is better together! Join us! https://crossingak.org Fri, 25 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Fri, 25 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000 hourly 1 3600 SnapPages.com Give Thanks https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/19/give-thanks Mon, 19 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/19/give-thanks

One of the great rewards of climbing a mountain is being 'on top of the world.' After the non-stop grind of the climb, there is suddenly this RELEASE- this FREEDOM- that is hard to describe if you've never been there. The young people I take climbing are like calves released from a stall. They go bounding in every direction and forget that only moments beneath the summit they were in pain and maybe even thinking of quitting. In a very literal sense, a whole new world opens before them.

I understand it because I've never stopped feeling that way myself. That kind of RELEASE- that kind of FREEDOM- is available to every Christian who chooses to walk on the 'high road' in this life. Tell the truth. Refuse to take offense. Forgive immediately. Be gracious and kind. Focus on pleasing God and others. Be generous. Give thanks in all circumstances. SMILE! Simply put into practice all of the pleasant things that are a part of a God-honoring life, and you will be blessed! -Pastor Brad

Written on October 11, 2026

]]> Come To Him https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/18/come-to-him Sun, 18 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/18/come-to-him

Snow draws kids like a magnet. In central Alaska we have a full six months of winter, and often a bit more. In early June, with the snow finally gone, we treasure our long, sunny days. For years I have taken a group of teenagers to climb a mountain. With our snow gone for barely a month, where do those kids race when we reach the top of the mountain? To the snow, of course! There are some things in life that simply 'draw' us.

For example, even the most hardened atheist is touched by a group of five year olds dressed up like angels for a Christmas play. There is something beautiful and innocent and pure and right that everyone feels strongly. While the unbelievers don't know it, it is simply the Holy Spirit drawing them. The Scripture says that God has "placed eternity in the hearts of men."

Jesus also said, "If the Son of Man is lifted up (the cross) he will draw all men unto himself." All means ALL, but so many choose to resist Him. Surrender- come to Him- follow that inward drawing- that unmet craving in your heart. And not just once- come to Him every morning and throughout every day, and you will be blessed! -Pastor Brad

Written on October 10, 2026

]]> Live Life God's Way https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/17/live-life-god-s-way Sat, 17 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/17/live-life-god-s-way

I was officially bowhunting for elk or a nice whitetail or mule deer in Montana's Little Belt Mountains. The country I was in seemed absolutely desolate with no sign of game. An early snow and cold temperatures completely changed the hunt- from 'pleasant' to 'not so much.' Suddenly I came on bear tracks in the fresh snow. At this point in my life I had never shot a bear, and don't remember ever even seeing one while I was hunting. In a split second my senses were on high alert and I began tracking the bear, hoping to catch up with him, hoping to get close enough...

Signs of life gave me HOPE and MOTIVATION. Somehow life was BETTER than it was just a moment ago. This is the experience of every true Christian who belongs to a faithful Bible-teaching church. As you walk in the door you see signs of life everywhere! People are smiling, encouraging- catching up with each other and meeting someone new. And just like that, LIFE IS BETTER than it was a moment ago.

Friends, if you are in a dead, solemn church- if you are in a church where the pastor puts people to sleep- if you are in a church where the highlight every week is walking OUT the door rather than IN- find a different church! Find a church that brings life and hope and motivation to live life God's way, and you will be blessed! -Pastor Brad

I tracked the bear over the top of the mountain, but never caught up with him.

Written on October 9, 2026

]]> Lift Up Thanks https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/16/lift-up-thanks Fri, 16 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/16/lift-up-thanks

When the Army sent me to Alaska, I had no intention building a life here. They say, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans." I had no desire to go to Alaska and no desire to stay, but decades later here I am. I had 3 critically important meetings in Alaska that changed my life. First, I met Jesus. He began to change me for the better immediately. Though it was more than a year before I put all of the garbage connected to my old life behind me, the Holy Spirit was lovingly relentless.

Second, I met my wife, Laura. In many ways, she was my model for what it looked like to keep God at the center of life. When we first began our courtship, she told me that she wanted a husband who was a spiritual leader. Then she had to explain to me what that meant in practical terms, because I had no idea. Third, I met The Crossing church family. This is where I found strong biblical teaching, godly men for mentors, and a true community of people who honestly loved each other.

God gave us five beautiful children, dozens more that we helped to raise, and now has blessed us with grandchildren- thus far every one 'Alaska born.' Take a moment today to lift up thanks for Jesus, for your spouse and for your family, and you will be blessed! -Pastor Brad

Newest joyful grandson Ruger

Written on October 8, 2026

]]> Embrace Each Season https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/15/embrace-each-season Thu, 15 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/15/embrace-each-season

If you've read or watched "The Hobbit," you are familiar with 'second breakfast.' Here in Alaska, I refer to March and April as 'second winter.' Our 'first winter' starts in mid-October and runs through the end of February. It's our cold, dark winter. Our second winter has long sunshiny days and warmer weather. When I have the opportunity to get outdoors, I actually enjoy all of it. After winter we have five short months to explore Alaska, complete building projects, and gather fish, game, berries and firewood.

In the same way that seasons of the year determine much of what we do, seasons of life also bring continuous changes. Embrace each season. Choose to capture and hold fast the JOY of being an eternal child of God. BEAUTY surrounds us. Take a moment to thank God for the season you are in, and you will be blessed! -Pastor Brad

Second winter on an iceberg.

Written on October 7, 2026

]]> Invest https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/14/invest Wed, 14 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/14/invest

While food, clothing, and shelter (even money) are life's necessities, the richness of life is found only in RELATIONSHIPS. We were created to LOVE and BE LOVED. People who sacrifice relationships on the altars of fame, talent, adventure or wealth always wind up empty. The Reverend Billy Graham once spoke about meeting with one of the world's wealthiest men on an island paradise.

The man spoke of having a yacht, airplanes and helicopters, of being able to go anywhere and do anything he wanted, and then said, "But I am the most miserable man on this island." He had all the money in the world and yet never learned that the key to a happy, fulfilling life is to love Jesus and love others.

If you only love others (and NOT Jesus), you may well find a degree of richness in THIS life, but you will wind up empty at the end. Invest- put time and energy- into your relationship with God and with others, and you will be blessed! -Pastor Brad

Written on October 6, 2026

]]> Build Others Up https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/13/build-others-up Tue, 13 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/13/build-others-up

Years ago our dear friend Lana offered to do an outdoor family portrait for us. The night before the photo, the skies cleared and the temperature plummeted to well below zero. In order to get the photo she (and we) wanted, we had to race outside, smile, and then race back in to warm up. Then we would do it again and again. Originally we tried to stay longer, but our faces, fingers and toes were so frozen that we had a hard time smiling! But the picture that we see doesn't tell us all of that, does it? The same thing is true of every person that we meet.

We see the outside, but we don't see the life experiences that have shaped the person in front of us. We don't see their challenges, struggles or accomplishments. We don't know if the present moment is filled with joy and expectation or if heartache is just below the surface. This is why it is so important for us to be kind and considerate- to genuinely love people and to build one another up. The person you see goes so much deeper, and it is a gift to get to know them better. Don't judge by mere appearances. Encourage- give compliments- build others up, and you will be blessed! -Pastor Brad

Written on October 5, 2026

]]> Prepare Well https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/12/prepare-well Mon, 12 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/12/prepare-well

As non-residents, my dad, John Rud, and his hunting partner, Roger Stevens, could only get 'over the counter' doe tags. They had driven over 800 miles to hunt pheasant and grouse, but decided to go after deer as well. When they walked down to the creek behind my house, they were carrying fishing rods in one hand, shotguns in the other, and had their rifles on a sling. They were fishing Brook Trout, but were prepared for ducks and deer.

It's certainly true that people are successful at times without preparation, but it's equally true that preparing well dramatically increases your chances of success. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, "Do your best to present yourself to God as an approved worker who does not need to be ashamed, and who correctly handles the word of truth."

How can you correctly handle the Word of Truth? How can you be an approved worker? PREPARATION is the key. Whatever adventure, task or challenge is in front of you- PREPARE WELL, and you will be blessed! -Pastor Brad

Written on October 4, 2026

]]> Keep Trying https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/11/keep-trying Sun, 11 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/11/keep-trying

Six cows bedded together during the rut- that has to be a good sign. The next morning, there WAS a bull with them right where my hunting partner, Ray, had been standing the day before. But... once again, not a legal bull. Life is filled with 'near misses.' At times that leaves us disappointed, while at other times we are very thankful! I have had numerous 'near misses' over the years while driving- barely escaping an accident. I've also had my share of 'near misses' while hunting or fishing. For generations, Americans have taught their children a simple poem that addresses this- "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."

OF COURSE we should keep trying in the face of life's challenges and disappointments! Our only other option is to give up! In James 1:12 God says, "Blessed is the a one who perseveres under trial, because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." Keep trying! Persevere, and you will be blessed! -Pastor Brad

Ray at camp

Written on October 3, 2026

]]> Tell Them About Christ https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/10/tell-them-about-christ Sat, 10 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/10/tell-them-about-christ

Back in those days, central Montana was largely undiscovered and the hunting was the best I'd ever seen. You didn't even need permission to hunt small game on property that wasn't posted, and the upland game birds were so abundant that success was certain for anyone who could shoot straight and didn't mind walking for miles. So when Brad Griebenow's brother Mike and his friend came to visit us, we spent a day chasing sharptail grouse and hungarian partridge.

Hunting is a lot more fun when you have something to go after. I'd spent years still hunting for deer as a boy in Minnesota, and most years never saw a single deer at any distance. That country has tons of deer today, but it was different when I was a boy. Hunting where there is 'nothing to hunt' or fishing where there is 'nothing to fish' gets discouraging after a while.

Fortunately that will never be the case when we are sharing our faith. Jesus told some commercial fishermen, "Come! Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men!" While it's true that most of them don't FEEL IT, people need the forgiveness and life that Jesus offers. Those people touch nearly every part of our lives. You'll never 'hunt' for someone to tell about Jesus and come up empty.

And here's a simple truth about YOU- if you LOVE those people, you will TELL them about Christ, INVITE them to church, and PRAY for them to be saved. Begin with this prayer: "Lord, bring someone into my life today that I can tell about you or invite to church. Amen." Be blessed! -Pastor Brad

A nice limit of sharptails and a few 'huns.'

Written on October 2, 2026

]]> For Their Good https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/09/for-their-good Fri, 09 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/09/for-their-good

It was the day before the archery elk season opened in Montana's Little Belt Mountains. My friend Brad Griebenow and I had grown up together in Minnesota, and he was living with me in Montana (he's still there). We found the perfect valley. The bulls were bugling from all directions. We only had to wait one more day. Just before dark, two men walked into our valley, stood in the middle of an open grassy meadow, and began bugling in those bulls. We watched from the hillside in disbelief as the bulls stepped into the meadow, saw the men, and bolted out of the country. Just like that our opportunity was gone- our plans were ruined.

It's very true that our lives are impacted by the decisions of other people. Sometimes the impact is a simple annoyance, sometimes it's devastating. What kind of impact are you making on the world? Do you breathe life and love and encouragement and joy into those around you? Or is your influence more negative because you are wrapped up in yourself and unconcerned with the feelings and lives of others?

Friends make it your goal to be a person who BUILDS UP, not one who TEARS DOWN. It is every bit as easy to encourage as it is to criticize. Encouragement breathes life into a room while criticism drains the life out of a room. Let your impact on others be for their good, and you will be blessed! -Pastor Brad

Brad and Brad the day before the hunt.

Written on October 1, 2026

]]> Loving God And Others https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/08/loving-god-and-others Thu, 08 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/08/loving-god-and-others

As a young school teacher in rural Montana, I rented a house from a local rancher. In the front yard was a pond with large rainbow trout, and in the back yard was Ross Fork creek bottom, filled with Brooke Trout, pheasant, duck, whitetail and mule deer. This was the rancher's 'second' place, and consisted of 1,100 acres of mostly wheat and barley. He told me that he was going to sell the place (for more than forty years of my salary.) I said, "Ok, I'll take it. But I'm going to have to pay you $100 a month."

Believe me, that was good for a laugh. Of course, I would have purchased it in a heartbeat if I could have. Many good things in life will always be beyond our reach. It is good for us to remember that Jesus warned us about the emptiness of pursuing wealth in this life. It is truly no different than the child who collects a mountain of toys on the playground and keeps them all to himself. Why is that so ridiculous? Because it's a TEMPORARY treasure! At the end of recess, it all comes to nothing!

There is certainly nothing wrong with good things in life, as long as we don't allow our hearts to get tangled up in them. Jesus said that instead of that, we should store up treasure in heaven! How? By pointing people to Jesus. By loving them. By being kind and generous and thoughtful and forgiving. When you truly make the shift- when you truly make today about loving God and others- you will be blessed! -Pastor Brad

Brook Trout from my Montana back yard

Written on September 30, 2026

]]> Choose Joy https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/07/choose-joy Wed, 07 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/07/choose-joy

They say that even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every now and then. Many years ago, that was my experience, along with my Children's Pastor and good friend, Joshua Tiner. After 9 days of horrible weather, the skies finally cleared and the temperature plummeted. I called until dark as the raindrops froze solid on our tent. At the break of day, I was calling again, and soon, we heard the splash splash splash of a bull crossing the river and walking straight into our camp. It was a nice bull, but not quite legal (50" antler spread).

In less than 30 minutes, we called in another bull- this time a BIG bull, a HUGE bull. What was the single most important thing that led to our success? We DIDN'T QUIT! Thomas Edison discovered hundreds of ways to NOT make a light bulb before one finally worked- he DIDN'T QUIT!

In Galatians 6:9 God tells us, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we don't give up." Friends, Jesus is coming soon. Press forward. Be positive. Choose joy. Encourage those around you. Smile, Persevere, and you will be blessed! -Pastor Brad

Son, David, with the antlers.

Written on September 29, 2026

]]> Do Those Hard Things https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/06/do-those-hard-things Tue, 06 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/06/do-those-hard-things

I have a love/hate relationship with climbing mountains. When the sun is shining and I can set my own pace, it's mostly love. In wet weather, when my feet are slipping, it's mostly NOT love. But here's the thing- every single climb has a moment on the summit of 100% joy, and a moment of 100% satisfaction at the bottom when the climb is done. You see, the experience isn't always pleasant, but the goal is always worth the cost. Following Christ is a lot like that.

Learning to tithe and give generously was hard for me. Learning to sacrifice my time to serve youth or volunteer at my church was equally hard. Getting up early in the morning to spend quiet time with the Lord is hard. But all of those things are so worth it! My day is better. My health is better. My interactions with people are better.

By doing those hard things, we are able to keep life in its proper perspective. What hard things have you been avoiding? Diet and exercise? Spending time with the Lord before you start your day? Cleaning the house or garage? Do those hard things, and you will be blessed! -Pastor Brad

Written on September 28, 2026

]]> Let It Shine https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/05/let-it-shine Mon, 05 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/05/let-it-shine

The other night near Talkeetna at 2 a.m. we had an unusual sky. No visible stars, complete blackness and an amazing, bright moon. Just a single light shining in the darkness. This is the way the Bible describes Christ. John 1 begins, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made. Without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.

THE LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS, and the darkness has not understood it." The light shining was so bright that I could see the dark shadows of giant spruce trees clearly on the ground. THAT light- the light of Christ- is IN every Christian. LET IT SHINE!! Be a joyful, loving, bold witness for Christ, and you will be blessed! -Pastor Brad

Written on September 27, 2026

]]> Stay Connected https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/04/stay-connected Sun, 04 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/04/stay-connected

My dad, John Rud, is pretty remarkable. He took his first deer in Minnesota 75 years ago at the age of 11. He took his first deer with an arrow about 60 years ago, and this week added one more to his archery success. Yesterday the family went to my younger brother Jim's, ordered pizzas, and enjoyed the time together as they processed the deer and got it in the freezer. I wish I could have been there. One of the great sacrifices that many Alaskans make is separation from family. While we are still in America, it takes a long time and costs a lot of money for a family to go 'outside.'

Life is all about choices. I am confident that I am in the place that God has for me. I am equally confident that God can use you and me ANYWHERE that we happen to be- whether in our dream destination or just temporarily passing through. Reach out to someone living far away from you today just to remind them that you love them and miss them. Stay connected to the important people in your life, and you will be blessed! -Pastor Brad

Written on September 26, 2026

]]> Give Thanks https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/03/give-thanks Sat, 03 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/03/give-thanks

One of the great privileges of living in Alaska is the ability to harvest salmon for our families. In some places people put out subsistence gill nets, in some places fish wheels, but for urban Alaska, our opportunity comes through dipnetting. A family of four can take over fifty Sockeye, which provides a good meal twice a week for a year. But here's the thing- only those who have packed gear for half a day, driven for half a day, camped for 2 days, driven for half a day, and then unpacked and processed fish for 2 days really understand what this involves.

Most of life's blessings come with work attached. Years ago my good friend Larry gave us a roadkill moose. A friend of Laura's, new to Alaska, said, "I want one." I responded, "Do you know how to cut one up?" She got a confused look on her face and replied, "What do you mean?" She thought that someone just filled our freezer with packages of meat from a butcher shop. When we explained that she would have to do it herself, she said, "Oh! No, then I don't want one."

This falls into the category- 'Be careful what you wish for.' Laura and I have always tried to make the work as enjoyable as possible. We involved our kids before they even started school. Enjoy God's blessings, give thanks for the work, and you will be blessed! -Pastor Brad

Written on September 25, 2026

]]> Real And True https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/02/real-and-true Fri, 02 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/02/real-and-true

A young bull moose walked into our yard and fought it out with my whitetail deer archery target. Though he clearly won, I can't help but think that he was disappointed. Like that moose, it's not uncommon for you and me to be deceived- to be tricked- to believe something that simply isn't true. 'Scamming' people is now a global industry. While there is a degree of corruption throughout politics, lying, cheating, stealing, and attacking those who expose their crimes has become the entire political platform of the Democrat party in the last 20 years.

It's about DECEPTION to GAIN POWER, but that shouldn't surprise us. Satan, the great deceiver, did the same thing to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Twist the truth, lie, control. It's a simple and often effective game plan. This is also true in matters of faith. False teachers (led by deceiving spirits) lead people astray. This is why it's so important for us to distinguish between the counterfeit and what is actually true.

God said the Berean Christians were 'more noble' than others because they TESTED EVERYTHING THEY HEARD against the Scriptures to see if it was true. Don't be deceived. Don't allow evil to be called good, or good to be called evil. Discern what is real and true from what is counterfeit, and you will be blessed! -Pastor Brad

Written on September 23, 2026

]]> The Great One https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/01/the-great-one Thu, 01 Oct 2026 11:20:21 +0000 https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/10/01/the-great-one

Last night I enjoyed a view that few ever experience. Though the trees blocked most of my view, Mt. McKinley was right there. The Athabascans call it 'Denali,' which means, 'The Great One.' A more fitting name would be 'The Great Mountain,' because the God who placed it there is truly 'DENALI'- truly THE GREAT ONE. When Noah and his sons and their wives came off the ark, they began to repopulate the earth.

Very soon their grandchildren, with the whole world at their fingertips, began to forget about God. I can almost hear one of them saying, "I'm really not interested in religion. My grandparents were religious, but I have my own beliefs." That's how quickly people forget about God. It takes only one generation to utterly change a culture. We've seen it happen in America.

But don't despair, it will only take one generation to turn things around! Young people are coming to Christ in unprecedented numbers. They are turning away from the spiritually meaningless lives of their parents and grandparents, hungering for something deeper- something REAL. Like them, discover The Great One, and you will be blessed! -Pastor Brad

Written on September 24, 2026

]]> Walk Away https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/09/30/walk-away Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/09/30/walk-away

Sometimes the best course of action is to let opportunities simply 'walk away.' You are offered a better job, but you would be away from home so much that you'd miss your kids growing up... so you let it walk away. You have the opportunity to date a person who is interested in YOU but not in Christ... so you let that opportunity walk away. You are invited to go on vacation with friends to Hawaii and you'd love to go, but it's not in your budget... so you let it walk away.

Just because an opportunity is GOOD doesn't mean it's RIGHT. Life is filled with good things, good opportunities and good experiences. Pray first. Ask God if this is something you SHOULD do. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you and your spouse PEACE before moving ahead. And if you don't have peace? Let that opportunity walk away, and you WILL be blessed! -Pastor Brad

Written on September 22, 2026

]]> Show Them https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/09/29/show-them Tue, 29 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/09/29/show-them

By the time I shot my first moose in Alaska, I had already taken a lot of deer... but this was different in a BIG way. It was impossible to lift and impossible to drag. I didn't have a saw or a hatchet, and by the time I quartered it and got it home I discovered that I didn't even have room in our tiny apartment to process the meat. That's when a random hunter recommended that I take it to a local man named Bill Jones who would cut your meat in his butcher shop while you wrapped it.

The first time I pulled into his driveway I backed out- certain I was at the wrong place. I ended up coming back a second time. Bill turned out to be both a great storyteller and a great teacher, showing Laura and I everything that we needed to do to get an animal that big into the freezer. There are times in life when it isn't enough for people to TELL us, they need to SHOW us. This is why Jesus spent three years living every day with his disciples. He could have TOLD THEM the good news of salvation and how to live a Christian life in a matter of minutes.

Instead he spent three years SHOWING THEM. Your unsaved friends and family are watching you. Tell them you are a Christian, yes. Invite them to church, yes. But know this- when you SHOW THEM a life of optimism and joy and kindness and generosity- that's when your faith becomes REAL to them. Be blessed! -Pastor Brad

Bill outside his butcher shop.

Written on September 21, 2026

]]> Trust Him https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/09/28/trust-him Mon, 28 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/09/28/trust-him

The bull was ALMOST legal. I ALMOST came home with a moose... but not quite. You see, to ALMOST get something is to NOT get it. To ALMOST get the job is to NOT get the job. To ALMOST go on vacation is to NOT go on vacation. This is the story of literally millions of people in America who go to church every Sunday. They are ALMOST saved. They are ALMOST followers of Christ. After all, they believe that PARTS of the Bible are true. They believe that SOME THINGS Jesus said are true.

What their lost pastors don't know is that to ALMOST be on your way to heaven is to NOT be on your way to heaven. Jesus doesn't make room for 'almost.' Our faith is ALL, or it is NOTHING. He said in Matthew 12:30, "Whoever is not WITH me is AGAINST me, and whoever does not work WITH me works AGAINST me."

Come to Jesus just as you are. Confess your sins and ask Him to forgive you and to save you. Let the words of the beautiful old hymn be true for you- "I Surrender All."

Trust Him with your life and your eternity, and you will be blessed! -Pastor Brad

Written on September 20, 2026

]]> Change Me Shape Me Use Me https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/09/27/change-me-shape-me-use-me Sun, 27 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/09/27/change-me-shape-me-use-me

My priorities have changed over the years. I still love to hunt. I still try to fill the freezer, but if I'm going out for a few hours to call for a moose, I bring my Bible along. Jesus said, "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." I feel that intensely.

No matter what I'm facing, I open my Bible and God speaks directly into my life. After all, "The Word of God is living and active..." Can you pray this prayer with me? "Lord, CHANGE me, SHAPE me, USE me." Be blessed! -Pastor Brad

Written on September 19, 2026

]]> Thank God https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/09/26/thank-god Sat, 26 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/09/26/thank-god

Four days in the wilderness and we've pretty much seen it all. Heavy rain, fresh snow and warm sunshine. The sunshine is my favorite. I'm at an age where hunting out of a 'lodge' is starting to sound really nice. Go out and hunt hard all day and then come inside to a warm meal, dry your clothes, sleep in a bed...

It's only wishful thinking, but hey, a guy can wish, can't he?

At the moment the sun is shining and I'm starting to forget being aching and shivering cold. Fall is my favorite time of year... when the sun shines. But then, I love summer and spring... when the sun shines. Take a moment to thank God for two gifts- the sun and the Son- and you will be blessed! Pastor Brad

Written on September 17, 2026

]]> Be Patient https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/09/25/be-patient Fri, 25 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://crossingak.org/blog/2026/09/25/be-patient

There were so few deer in Southeastern Minnesota when I was growing up, that the 'gun' season only lasted 2 days. It was absolutely unheard of for someone to 'pass' on a legal deer. Even a 'spike' buck was highly prized. When I graduated from college and moved to Montana, I took this perspective with me. I shot the first whitetail buck that I saw, not realizing that it was a long, beautiful fall and that I would have dozens, if not hundreds of opportunities for better bucks. Later that season I had to pass on a trophy Mule Deer, because I had already used my tag.

Sometimes the best course of action is simply to WAIT. I've had to learn this lesson over and over again in life. I've purchased cars and homes that weren't right, and then had to go through the whole process again. So often, in life wisdom says, "Wait" when everything in us is screaming, "I want a solution NOW!" Be patient, my friends, and you will be blessed! -Pastor Brad

My first Montana buck.

Written on September 14, 2026

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