Tuesday, May 31, 2011

2 days of adventure

My hubby and I have taken full advantage of the past 2 beautiful days here in Ohio!

Yesterday we left home at 5:00 in the morning to meet my parents and head up to a huge flee market!  I spend $1.25!  Big spender - this amount bought 3 new flashlights (to be used for the music festival camping we will be doing later this summer) and a small retro cosmetic suitcase.  Upon returning home we headed to a favorite dinner spot and on to ice cream.  My calorie count including the Amish Restaurant at the Flee market had to surpass any previous day in memory.

Today we left home at 8:00 on a rousing bike trail ride.  Of course the trail lead us to breakfast!  How convenient.  We ran a few errands and ventured on toward Lake Erie.  We sat on huge rocks along the shore and listened to the waves slosh between them.  While looking far into the distance it was hard to tell we were only at Lake Erie.  It has a way of making you feel very far away.

Our trip took us to the home of Thomas Edison in Milan, Ohio and to a really cool coffee shop nearly hidden from view as well as a small classic car show.  I thoroughly enjoyed our day as we dreamed about the things our kids will have the opportunity to do the next few years as well as how thankful we are for all of our many, many God blessings.

I have no idea why God chose to bless my life so much.  It is not perfect and I am sure many people wonder what is so great about it.  To me it is amazingly generously blessed.  I have everything I need.  Honestly, I have everything I want.  Everything.

Monday, May 30, 2011

does creativity just happen?

I wish!

Today I have spent some time pursuing creativity!  I have been networking with other 'Directors of Programming' across the country picking their brains for suggestions or events I can attend - or creative processes or meetings they attend that I could shadow or SOMETHING to take me out of my little Crossroads box...

A couple of my best contacts have recently moved on to other areas of ministry so I feel like I'm kind of 'out there'...certainly not abandoned by our teams or staff, but just kind of needing something to point me at some new things I have not yet discovered on my own.  New ways to help 'create the need' and 'reveal the Savior' to those who are seeking.  Jesus was relevant when he walked the earth, He used stories and current things that surrounded the culture to teach those who followed Him or crossed His path.  That is why I can never stop pursuing creativity.

It takes no fancy tricks or gimmicks, that is not what I mean when I discuss creativity.  Instead I long to investigate every beautiful piece of His creation, everything that people consider moving and all the vast ways to communicate with our congregation.   We are all wired differently, music speaks to some, art to others, the written word to some and simplicity to others.  So my job is to investigate as many shapes and forms of these endless possibilities as I can every week - and I feel a need recently to learn from others.  So today I sent emails and made contacts with other leaders in my position.  I am praying there will be some divine appointments made as I lay myself open for suggestions and most of all to learn.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

weekend report

Every time the youth band leads us (each time there is a 5th weekend), I rejoice that Crossroads has such strong 'next generation' leaders emerging!  We plan to begin to add them individually to play with our adult teams as well so they gain continuous experience and are added as young adults to our main teams seamlessly.  As if they've always been there!  They are truly amazing, loving, talented and committed!

My favorite group is Gungor - So an added treat was their performance of "Call Me Out" - complete with stomping!  I enjoy them leading me in worship - and I plan to shed my headset and be in the front row during the final service!!

Our setlist:

Skit Guys: "Our Heroes"- Memorial Day video
Announcements:  Jesse Rider - Senior High Youth Pastor
Praise:  Take It All - Sublime
Praise: Awesome is the Lord Most High - Tomlin
Worship: Whom Shall I Fear - Brewster
Worship: You won't Relent - Jesus Culture
Special Music:  Call Me Out - Gungor

To watch our services live or later this week go to www.crossroadswired.com

To see what other ministries included in their services to to www.theworshipcommunity.com

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Memorial

I cannot imagine a losing someone on the battle field.  Especially as young as many of our service men and women are.  Such a loss!

The bravery it takes to go into battle and offer your life, believing you can make a difference in this lost world is so amazing to me.  And I cannot ever say thanks enough to the families that have suffered through such a loss.

Just know that I think of all of you often and I thank your loved ones personally for the freedom I enjoy so much.  May God richly bless your family and may you feel His presence as we remember our fallen heroes this weekend.


Thank you!

Friday, May 27, 2011

No blog but writing

I have been behind in writing I do for a couple other websites due to a busy schedule lately, so I put my blog on hold a couple days to get caught up. Not that it takes much time to write but I have to remain focused on watching for things that spark my curiosity or challenge me in some way in order to spark the writing.

One of the websites I write for is a Canadian Drama site and I always tell them the same thing, not to feel obligated to use my writing unless they feel it will meet a need in some way. What he said shocked me, he said one lady recently said "I feel like that Lori Biddle lady must be looking over my shoulder",I was Totally shocked that my writing resonated with others in ministry.

I tell you this to encourage you to use your experience no matter how limited you feel it may be. You may be able to help others avoid some of the mistakes you have made in ministry or in business or raising kids. Who knows!

I love to write and now I am all caught up and writing again here and wondering where else if anywhere I will have opportunity to put words together...hmmm.

Monday, May 23, 2011

my day off

I was SO anxious to clean out all of my flower gardens this morning.  Not so - heavy rain has hit Mansfield.  And so with MY plans forced to changed I was not a happy camper!

Then I turned on TV and began to see the horrifying images of the tornado damage west of us.  One shot showed damage to 2,000 buildings, mostly personal homes.  Can you imagine?  Perspective!

My very, very limited perspective affects my reactions daily.  IF I could see the big picture with each decision I make I suspect things might look very different in my life, my reactions to circumstances much more controlled or at least more eternal focused.  I would not choose to know the future even if given the opportunity, but it would definitely be interesting to see how my seemingly insignificant choices move me away from the best God has for me.  I am not interested in second best - I want my life to count!

So as my plans fell through for today - I will give Him today and see what happens...who knows, maybe my attic will get cleaned out.  Ok maybe some laundry done - while smiling!  ha ha

Live your day for Him!

Sunday, May 22, 2011

weekend report

Great teaching on Spiritual Gifts by Pastor Tim,  engaging worship and new House Churches  hosting open houses all week - God is so good!

Our Setlist:

Manifesto - City Harmonic

Announcements:  Bill Hill

Spirit Fall - Chris Tomlin

Apostles Creed - read with the congregation

This I Know - New Life

No One Like You - Crowder

Message:  I Corinthians 12: 7 - 12  Pastor Tim Armstrong

Exit Song :  Manifesto

To watch our services www.crossroadswired.com

To see what other ministries used in their setlists go to www.theworshipcommuity.com

Saturday, May 21, 2011

A morning of blessings

This morning blessed my life once again.  The precious words, broken English words that came from each orphan as they spoke to their American moms and dads was breathtaking!


I understand that the financial commitment to support an Asia's Hope orphan is a big decision but I am telling you, you cannot out-give God! And, what you get back as a family or small group or as an individual SO far exceeds what you give that you will not give it a second thought once you begin!

This video is Jim Beroth from Crossroads meeting his child for the first time and asking her what he can send to her with the next group that goes over! The rest of the orphans sit and wait for their turn to speak to their American mommies and daddies in the background!



Being associated with Asia's Hope has been one of the the most spiritually moving experiences of my life!  I encourage you as you see the brand new orphanages get built, to jump on board to choose an orphan to support.  The specific prayers for you that they pray EVERY SINGLE day are the most amazing prayers that will ever be uttered on your behalf...and as I've said before - the prayers of the orphans have to be one of the things God considers most dear - very close to His heart indeed!

now I study

I have felt a deep hunger for the Lord lately.  Almost as if I'm desperate to spend time with Him.  And, just as you hear me say each summer, now I can really study!

God has shaped me so that I am very visual in my worship.  It takes a visual to teach me and to make me feel something and to remember it.  And He has gracious given me these sunbeams this morning to point me clearly toward Him...

Being surrounded by God's 'outside' touches and awakens levels in my soul that being in town or inside cannot seem to awaken.

Before we leave this morning to skype with our Crossroads orphans in Cambodia, I soak this in.  I pray for many things, our country which seems so lost right now, my own children and their spouses or soon to be spouses and my church family and their needs and recent losses.

I count it a huge privilege to freely sit here and pray for anything God brings to mind, and study His Word. No one is bothering me, no one is threatening me I am free.

I leave you now with only a short time left to study this morning - but a very visually rich time of study this morning.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Milo needs you

June is here and summer is upon us.. I present to you without further hesitation or a due, without reservations or fears, with a great sense of pride and accomplishment overflowing with tones of infectious joy and rapture, not at all holding back, but looking ahead as a fool looking the wrong way down a one way street and expecting to see a car; and unfortunately standing in the middle of the road. and now what you've all waited so patiently for ......THE JUNE SCHEDULE....


This was the header on the June Magnification schedule that Milo, one of our worship guys sent out recently to our team!


I laughed so hard and it made me appreciate his ridiculous sense of humor once again!


I am SO thankful for our staff at Crossroads.


And please, if you haven't yet stepped out to serve within the ministry consider doing it right away.  Find an area of the church you are talented to serve in and offer your skills.  Summer is difficult for the church with many among us heading for 'the lake' or 'the boat' or 'the game' or who knows where...we need you.  God wants to use you.


Please grab that card in the seat back in front of you, and sign on up.  And who knows, you too may get the schedule sent to you with a mind boggling header like the one above from Milo!



Wednesday, May 18, 2011

leading

Leading is difficult, especially if it is for a long continuous time.  Things are bound to go wrong at some point.  An inconsistency may limit the the desire of others to follow you or cause them to question your integrity.  Your creativity or eye for detail occasionally misses the mark.  You rely on your own ability instead of including others.  You begin to believe you are infallible.




Pastor Rick Warren said the following:  The problem today is we don’t know the difference between being a leader and a boss. They are not the same. Dictators demand. Leaders model. You don’t lead by dictating. You lead by example. The Bible says, “Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care but lead them by your good example.” (1 Peter 5:3 NLT)


I have to confess, I have never enjoyed working for anyone I considered just to be my boss.  There have only been a couple of people in my life in the position of boss that I consider a leader worth following.  The others were only there by appointment.  Put into a position that we were forced to follow by the acceptance of our job.


So I must ask myself.  Do I lead as Jesus lead?  Am I willing to do anything to help get the job done - willing to lead by example?  Do people follow me because they have to or because they feel like my leadership is worth following?  I long to lead like Jesus lead.


He never asks us to do what He hasn't already done.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

what I learned today

I had the privilege of beginning my day with 2 John 7 -13.  John is teaching against false teachers and false doctrine.

I have always understood that there are many bad versions of Christianity but just recently, studying combined with Pastor Tim's keen focus on doctrinal truth has helped me realize just how uncompromising we should be about every detail in our Christian walk.

We scrutinized our coming choices of worship songs last week based on correct doctrine regarding the Holy Spirit.  Tim reminded us that the Holy Spirit is one of the most often misrepresented doctrinal pieces in Christianity.  You often hear 'baptism of the Holy Spirit', correct theology says we receive the Holy Spirit the moment we come to a saving knowledge of Christ.  There is no magical second step in being somehow baptized in the Spirit.  This would suggest something more 'we' have to do to get to that point.  WRONG!

So even in simple things like our music he leads us toward careful choices with our lyrics.  Always it is our desire to never compromise or settle for 'maybe it's ok'...

False teachers or bad church theology is sometimes hard to spot.  The most frightening false teachers do not refute EVERY single doctrine,  but they often don't believe he was Man as well as God.  Beth Moore said this, "the issue of Christ coming in the flesh is so vital because we "Enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus and only by His blood".

 God designed us with 3 parts similarly: body, soul, and spirit.  He equipped us with inner longings toward Him.    This spiritual longing is perhaps what fills the seats of many churches who do not present doctrinally sound teachings.  satan loves to use the spiritual longing and still keep people blind to the only real Truth of Jesus Christ.

It's vital that all pastors know what is being taught in the children's departments, woman's/men's ministry groups as well as from the pulpit.  I am so thankful that our pastor's are strong in their theology and can spot false teachers!

The toughest people to win to the Lord are those that consider themselves spiritual - they have a veil of deceit before their eyes.  Pray for them and walk wisely and always remember that although there are many 'good' things - there is only one Eternal enduring forever doctrine - that God sent Jesus in the form of a human to die brutally and then be raised from the dead so that through Him we can become the sons and daughters of God.

Monday, May 16, 2011

my day off

The Space Shuttle just launched!  It is just amazing what God has allowed man to discover (or think he discovers).

They are flying 3,000 mph into space - and all is going perfectly.  They just showed the control room - how I would LOVE to be part of that kind of directing!  All that unbelievable video, IT equipment!!  ha ha

God has designed the intelligence of man that allows such work to take place.  I wonder why?  Is it because He knew we would be curious and need adventures to expand our minds and abilities?  Although some of us seem to be more blessed than others in the brain power department - I think based on encouragement from parents and the right opportunity most of us posses these abilities if pursued.

I know one attribute that God forgot to bless me with is bravery!  I am a CHICKEN! So I would NOT be in the shuttle even if brilliant enough to be, I would be in the control room if brilliant enough to be.

My propensity toward safety has served me well - God given I think! Oh and speaking of God-given talent, I asked Pastor Tim if he thought it easier for those close to you to know your spiritual gift than you yourself.  He said that might be the case.

So what do you think my spiritual gifts are?  I would LOVE to know if you have an opinion.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

weekend report

It was the blessed beginning of our I Corinthians "Spiritual Gifts" series at Crossroads.  We worshipped, we learned and we fellowshipped...so good!

our setlist:

Where The Spirit of the Lord Is - Tomlin
House Church Pastor introduction video
Announcements - Deering Dyer
Worship - God of Wonders - Kutless
Praise - God Be Praised/Our God Reigns - New Life Worship
Worship - To Live Is Christ - Milo Sgambellone (our worship guy!)
Worship - Spirit Fall - Christ Tomlin
Message:  I Corinthians 12: 1-7 :  Spiritual Gifts - Senior Pastor Tim Armstrong
Exit Song:  Where The Spirit of the Lord Is - Tomlin

To watch our services go to www.crossroadswired.com

To see what other ministries used in their worship services go to www.theworshipcommunity.com

Saturday, May 14, 2011

creative God

One of my favorite things about Crossroads is the variety and changes that never stop happening here!

The contrast between the past couple of weekends with the steel set design and services packed completely full of countless elements compared to this weekend where it's a soft set design and simple straight forward worship!  Such a blessing.

It is reflective of God's creativity and how He wants us to live.

God made a intricate, specific, unbelievably detailed creation for us to enjoy and yet also created such a simple path to His throne.  Detail and simplicity.  Both equally celebrated in His magnificent creation and relationship with us.

He could have made everything the same color, the same taste just exactly the same but gave us so many choices and variety!

I watched yesterday as gorgeous clouds passed quickly below slow large higher clouds.  Then a hideously ugly turkey vulture flew into view as a beautiful butterfly almost flew in my face!  God is amazing, wonderful, omniscient and never ending.....

Friday, May 13, 2011

Pickers

It's interesting that several top tv shows right now are shows like Pickers and Pawn Stars. We all have to much stuff!

Right now my attic is too full - I cannot wait to get in there and re-organize. Most of it is my kids childhood stuff.

Here is my question- is it sinful to have so much that we have attics and basements full? and then there all the rented storage units - silly, what are we saving our stuff for?

So what do you think, is it actually WRONG to have more stuff than you need or use?

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

a ring changes everything

Our family changed tonight again - our son Eric proposed to Alyssa his girlfriend of three years! This required a Skype conversation with our daughter and son in law and a trip to Ashland to tell grandparents.

We love her and couldn't be happier!

It was ironic when they came home to tell us I was leading a small group of single young women!

Our God is an amazing God who chooses the man or woman that He created just for us if we trust Him and wait! (this was the topic I was teaching to the small group when they arrived home with the ring on the finger!!)

How exciting that a brand new partnership grounded in Him officially began tonight- can't wait to see how God will use all of our kids - all four of them!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

mothers day at Crossroads

Several churches used this musical this weekend to celebrate all that our mothers do for us.  But Crossroads rocked it!  Angie, Stephanie, Maureen, the boys (Jamie, Josh, Bryant) and all the baby doll moms never missed a step or note.

The other thing that made me so proud of them is it was performed with the Crossroads Band live!  Many other ministries used tracks, which of course is fine, but live took a ton of preparation and it was so amazing!!

Monday, May 9, 2011

weekend report



We had such a great Mother's Day at Crossroads this weekend! We performed the
"Mommy Rhapsody" just like several of you did and it brought the house down -
standing ovation! I will have the video of our performance uploaded to my blog
tomorrow.

We were also blessed by the teaching of Jeannette Chase - our Director of
Family Ministries.

Here is our list:

This I Know- New Life
Announcements - Jamie Koenig - Middle School Coordinator
Update on orphanage offering - Pastor Tim
God Be Praised/ Our God Reigns - New Life
Our God Saves - Baloche
Everlasting God- Brewster
Mommy Rhapsody - drama/musical
Message: Time - Jeanette Chase
Exit song: Everlasting God

To watch our weekend services on Monday go to www.crossroadswired.com

To see what other ministries used in their set lists go to www.TheWorshipCommunity.com

Thursday, May 5, 2011

family

I appreciate our families SO much!  Tonight we headed to Ashland to hang out with my parents for dinner.  It was so good!  Both from a food standpoint as well as such great fellowship.

I don't know what I would do without my family.  They support me, encourage me, comfort me and care for me.  Never any hesitation, never any condemnation just support and care.  I am very blessed.

I love listening to my dad pray -  when he approaches the throne it's sincere and kind of quiet.

Our families are not perfect, but they love unconditionally, and that's what I need most their love.



(this is a picture of our parents with Jocelyn and Aaron when they were here a couple of weeks ago)

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

learning and leading

I was reviewing one of our daughters Harvard final papers yesterday and this was a quote from it that I cannot get out of my mind.

 It is easier to be in control than to truly love and invest in relationships and the
betterment of others. 


I found this very convicting.

I find myself leading most of the time - both and work and in other various community involvements.

 When you lead and when you are very busy there isn't much time left to really know people, and sometimes I like it that way.  How sad that must make God.

And then I must look at the second half of the quote betterment of others...except for my family and close friends I don't know if I have the betterment of others foremost in my mind.  Or even as an intention that would affect my decision making.

How do you live for the betterment of others - by truly loving them.  And truly loving them means you put them before yourself.

I have probably learned more about how God really wants me to live this year than all the other years of my life.  Cambodia caused a great deal of change in my understanding of God's Word and it just figures, the older I get the more I learn from my kids!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

rain rain go away


This picture describes our continuous - flooding - non-stop blowing - rainy, rainy April...blah

Today I was sitting in a parking lot waiting for a phone call in order to determine what I should pick up and deliver to an ill friend for lunch.  While waiting - I sat spell bound as I watched a lady get out of her car with an umbrella that she placed over her shoulder.  The problem with this was - she was facing into the wind and so her umbrella proceeded to turn inside out immediately with one wild wire support arm sticking dangerously unattached straight out from the rest of it.  She turned her back to the wind to work on her umbrella, but kept the inside-out umbrella facing the wrong way.  There was no way it was going back to it's former position.

Finally, she realized she needed to turn the outside of the umbrella facing the wind so it would return to it's former order.  It worked!  Immediately she turned back toward the wind and put the umbrella right back on her shoulder.  And immediately it collapsed inside-out.  She gave it a good shake and proceeded to return to her car.  (Keep in mind it wasn't even raining - just blowing...)

After rearranging things in the back seat she reappeared with a different huge black umbrella which she held straight over her head and it nearly came down to her chin.  This one wasn't going anywhere!

All this to say - I am ready, so ready for sunshine and the care-free sense it brings.  No shoes when appropriate, no socks, no coats, no umbrella and no planing ahead - just get up and go out the door!  The sun causes me to read more, rest more, walk more, smile more and be outside WAY more!

Hey sun "come out come out where ever you are?"   I know it's back behind those clouds somewhere!  We are waiting here in cloudy, soggy Ohio and I don't know how much longer our umbrellas can last!

Monday, May 2, 2011

My day off

I had the greatest day off today!

My hubby came home and told me we were going to celebrate my birthday! We had not been able to up to this point because it fell on Palm Sunday weekend - so away we went to Columbus this was such a great surprise!

He had plans for me at the Apple Store - so much fun - I felt like a kid!

As we were finishing our day we got a call that one of our closest friends was going into surgery- so were able to stop by and see him too. We were very thankful all went well!

This day was well worth the wait !

Sunday, May 1, 2011

weekend report

Ok, so where in the world do I begin?  There is no way I can explain how this whole programming process became Easter and the concluded this weekend...so I'll have to submit a separate article to the Worship Community tomorrow.

Anyway, this weekend was the calumniation of our Cambodian Orphanage campaign, our "RePurposed" series and man did it end!

Our senior pastor asked us all to consider giving sacrificially in order to raise $50,000 on Easter weekend to build an orphanage.  A foundation had challenged us with a matching grant offer - an offer we couldn't refuse!  What you must know is we run our ministry extremely lean with a small staff in a very blue collar depressed area of Ohio.  So what God did was so supernatural no one could claim any responsibility in the final amount.  Our congregation in one week gave $344,000.00 dollars!!!!  This makes no sense whatsoever.

We have an orphanage that we support in Cambodia - those orphans pray for Crossroads every single day and they pray for their individual Crossroads sponsors by name and they fast for our ministry one day each month.

I am sure - it was these precious, precious prayers that has opened the flood gates of heaven and poured it down for them!  We have not had this kind of excitement in our ministry for a long time - our congregation has fallen back into love with our mighty God and have turned their focus on others despite our economy.

Our setlist:

Opening song:  All The Broken Pieces - Matthew West
Opening song:  Reaching For You - Brewster
House Church Pastor video:  Bob Lehew
Announcements:  Wendell Anderson
Praise:  I Will Boast - Baloche
Praise:  How Great is Our God - 7th Day Slumber
Worship:  Your Name - Baloche
Worship:  Stay Amazed - new version/Gateway
Sermonspice video:  New Creation
Message:  RePurposed Pt. 3 - Wendell Anderson
Orphanage Campaign result video:  Pastor Tim
Praise:  Awesome God


To watch our services go to www.crossroadswired.com


To see what other ministries used in their worship services this weekend go to www.theworshipcommunity.com