Thursday, July 28, 2011

Dan Fleming

One of the guys I have the privilege to do ministry with at Crossroads is Dan Fleming.

Dan is one of the most agreeable, talented and kindest men I know.  We love him as our Senior Worship leader at Crossroads, and Ashland High School students loved him for years as he lead their choirs to one award winning performance after another in the past.

Last Sunday evening we got to watch an Ashland choir reunion at the Ashland Bandshell.  It was so amazing to watch how after just 2 rehearsals - Dan had them back in form and it was fabulous!

Cody Roland in on the left in this picture.  He is now a member of our praise team and was once a senior high boy in Dan's choir!  Pictured beside Cody is Jim - our crazy talented sax guy at Crossroads.  Yes, and that's me taking in the sounds!

Way to go Dan - I count it a privilege to serve along side of you at Crossroads

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

taken out

This morning I am watching years of slumber party stains, marks from Sharpies excitedly creating posters advertising band concerts or Student Council campaigns, snagged threads of berber pulled by boy belt buckles as they wake in the morning after a short nights stay on the floor or our living room - be torn up and discarded...all remnants of years gone by.  Good - noisy years.

In a matter of a couple more hours, fresh - long awaited carpeting will fill several areas of our home.  I am very thankful yet sadly nostalgic as I watch these pieces of my family's life being carried out the door.




Then I remember.  God's entire message to us, is constantly involving 'new things' or changes.  Once man corrupted the earth all focus turned to new things.  Getting rid of the old. Giving us a way to Him through Jesus' sacrifice.

It's no surprise that the normal in our lives is change.  Moving toward the end of our lives, toward eternity with Him.  The choice we have is how we live this very short time here on earth.  Being nostalgic about things we have enjoyed here is certainly not wrong - but looking forward to what He has next for us, the ultimate goal is more right.

In Isaiah He speaks strongly about how temporary this life and earth are...perspective returns when we realize His plans are in place and we benefit in ways we don't understand .


Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or even come to mind.   Isaiah 65:17

To picture in my finite mind these words being spoken by God almighty was VERY moving to me today!  How Great is Our God!!

question

Is it wrong to deeply love the things of this earth?

Because I do.

I love my family - it consumes me.  I love my work - it consumes me.  I love the church - it consumes me.

Can I honestly say the Lord consumes me?  If He does, what does that look like?  I certainly don't do all the things I was taught to do - I miss spending time with Him often, I rarely pray without ceasing, my heart and motives are often not pure before Him, even my love and care for others is no where close to what I think He wants.

So how - while on the earth do I give Him the place in my life that He requires?  Does it take a catastrophe to push me to Him completely - to eliminate my self-reliance?  I pray not.

I do long for Him...my soul aches for Him - so is the journey toward Him or back to Him where we meet what He requires and where the fellowship occurs while on earth?  So pathetic in comparison to what He's done for me - how little I have to offer...yet it is all He requires.

His love for me makes no sense whatsoever...


Monday, July 25, 2011

my day off

Today began with clearing furniture from rooms and filling other rooms with the removed items so that I cannot enter, in order to be ready for new carpet.  That being done, I write!

I was reading the forward from a book on prayer and came across the most amazing description of God...

"Rising early one morning, I heard the baying of a score of deerhounds in pursuit of their quarry.  Looking away to a broad, open field in front of me, I saw a young fawn making its way across, and giving signs, moreover, that its race was well-nigh run.  Reaching the rails of the enclosure, it leaped over and crouched within ten feet from where I stood.  A moment later two of the hounds came over, when the fawn ran in my direction and pushed its head between my legs.  I lifted the little thing to my breast, and, swinging round and round, fought off the dogs.  I felt, just then, that all the dogs in the West could not, and should not capture that fawn after its weakness had appealed to my strength.   So is it, when human helplessness appeals to Almighty God.  Well do I remember when the hounds of sin were after my soul, until, at last, I ran into the arms of Almighty God."  A. C. Dixon


This so well describes our helplessness and our initial surrender and the safety we find in Him.

In addition it made me wonder why on an ongoing basis I always have to get myself into such a place of desperation that 'running' is necessary.

Why can I not remain in Him?

Remaining would = unbroken fellowship; trusting every day to Him; constant confession of sin; an understanding of His will daily; contentment

Not remaining = jumping ahead of His will - choosing mine instead; anxiousness; exhaustion; wrong choices; sin; busy

We only have this day, and so instead of getting into the place that a desperate chase must send me running to Him - I choose to remain in Him - those arms, the nail scarred hands, they long to surround me and today I will be still, I will remain.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

communion

Tonight I watched as people entered the auditorium for our communion service.

I saw a young man staring at his feet as he entered, never once looking up as if frightened to reveal his eyes in case someone might be able to see what he longed to hide.

I saw an elderly man who in the past attended with his family, a family now torn apart by lies and deception and divorce.  The loneliness and sadness on his quiet face said more than his words ever would.

I saw a man whose mind is brilliant and creative yet rendered useless by the bi-polar episodes that rage deep within him.

I saw an entire row of young girls visiting from China sitting with their hosts.  They looked excited to be there and interested in each detail of the service and in all of the people that surrounded them.

All of these diverse people coming from completely different circumstances yet intimately known by their creator.

I wondered as I watched them enter what was on their minds, what was troubling them or what they dreaded about next week.  I wondered if they knew this Jesus of communion is all they really longed for.


Tuesday, July 19, 2011

simple = joy

The more time that passes the more I appreciate simple.

I decided because vacation the past few weeks has put me behind and looking at the busy agenda the next couple weeks that awaits me, I would spend the entire day getting caught up on projects and administrative responsibilities today.

Tonight was a complete surprise.  My two young nephews and brother-in-law were in town so we all decided to go out to dinner.

How quickly I forget the attention span of younger kids.  I watched as my nephew Adrian ate with one hand and rolled the tiniest balls of paper I had ever seen - made from his napkin.  The minute enough food had been eaten to create a 'filled for the moment' feeling - they were restless.  I soon realized the intended use for the tiny paper balls.  They fit neatly into a straw.

Soon they were off to a safe corner of the parking lot - launching the paper balls at anything that moved or could serve as a target.  Grandma was warned not to leave anytime soon!

As if we hadn't had enough food, we car pooled to the Dairy Queen next.  We were lucky enough to get a table out front as people began to clear out.  The next thing I knew I was doubled over in hysterics as the boys talked us into playing telephone.  Grown adults whispering into one another's ears and laughing as all of us tried to pass the correct message on.  It was pointless - everyone was laughing so hard we couldn't talk.


And so, in the midst of all my big plans and future projects,  the simple won out as my favorite part of the day...again.


Monday, July 18, 2011

My day off

Finally another long awaited morning that begins on my deck.

I worked early into this morning before sleeping - simply to empty my thoughts. My final discovery of the early morning was a lunch in Cinn Next week for church creatives - sweet...connection, isn't that what we all seek?

After being with Crossroads for the past 15 years it is what I see people looking for the most. Many who come to the church already in relationship with the Lord just want people to do life with. The news and our culture is so negative toward the things of the Lord we feel like misfits ...as we should. This is certainly is not our home we truly are 'just passing through' . But God created us for community and that creates an urgency within us to bring others along with us and to not only have friends here, but for eternity!

There is a place deep in our soul that is unique just to us. It is a place that God created that only obedience to Him can fulfill - and that obedience includes serving in the area we are talented in and as Pastor Tim has been teaching us - we were created to use our God given spiritual giftedness.

There are things in this life that only you can accomplish because of your uniqueness. Think about that for a moment, the God of the universe made you exactly like he wanted you. Don't question what you perceive to be weakness, let Him use that weakness to glorify himself! If your were strong and perfect in others eyes - it would bring glory to no one but you!

Besides accomplishing what He intends when we serve, when you serve in the Body of Christ, your longing for connection is also fulfilled. Amazing how that works!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad



Saturday, July 16, 2011

La De Les

Our daughter Jocelyn and son-in-law's band La De Les is coming next weekend from Boston to Mansfield Art Center FRIDAY, July 22 !!  They play last - the other bands begin at 7:00 p.m.

Here is a live version of Cure - from their new Album.  Cure

Here is their facebook page!


They need your support to be able to fill their tank to get back to Boston!

Seriously, you will love it - see you there!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

friends indeed

Can people really be considered friends if it feels like work to be with them?

I don't think so, the people I enjoy spending time with the most are easy to be with, it takes very little effort.  My friends and I can pick up right where we left off even it it has been a long time since we have been together.  This is my idea of friendship!

So what about the people in our lives that require great effort in order to remain close - do they still count as friends?  The dictionary defines it like this.

Friends: a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.


This definition makes friendship sounds extremely easy.


I think people throw the word around too carelessly calling everyone a friend that they cross paths with more than once or twice.  To be friends with someone is costly at times, requiring investments of time and care.  That is why we can only have a handful of true close friends.  A small circle of friends is what God has designed for us.  This circle does not bring exclusion to those outside the circle, it instead allows those in the circle to support one another so completely that it's members are able to reach out and extend help to others knowing they themselves will be cared for and supported in anyway they have need.


The handful of people that I get to do life with, give me the confidence I need to move forward knowing even in failure I can return to their un-waivering love.  Now that's friendship!





creatively tired

For periods of time I feel full of creative energy and am anxious to work and begin new things.

Then for periods of time I feel stuck, as if there is nothing new under the sun and am unable to complete new things.  I hate this place.

I am somewhere in between right now.  Sitting on the edge of some new exciting additions to our ministry if God opens the door.  Yet - stuck in a place where my soul needs to be creatively fed and not sure how to facilitate the feeding.

Sometimes it is nothing more than becoming overwhelmed with the minutia of administrative requirements, other times it is just fatigue in the rush to complete more.

So I asked myself - if I could drop all responsibility and do anything I wanted what would I do?

I would learn how to work with cement, pottery and tile and make the projects I have been hoping to make.


I would take additional interior design classes.


I would attend a couple of creative conferences that were not directly related to my job.


I would spend more time at home then away from home.


I would throw all my 'old favorite' recipes away and cook all brand new recipes.


I would write a book and get it published.


I would walk on a beach more often.

....I better get started.











Monday, July 11, 2011

my day off

Have you ever looked around and realized that everything in your entire house is breaking down and needs replacing or major work...that is where I find myself.  Many things are just plain worn out!  So...we began our day by getting our home power-washed (on the outside!).  Being located in a semi wooded setting lends itself to our house getting covered with green nasty-moldy looking gunk.  So that was all washed away today just as a huge thunderstorm came rolling in.

Next I placed the phone call to schedule new carpeting.  Can you say 15 years of stains!  This was revealed in all of its glory this weekend as we donated furniture to our son's future apartment where his fiance moved in. As the furniture left the room, huge areas of stains were revealed!

After that we headed to figure out what to do about my broken down dryer.

Anyway, I am VERY thankful that our home and it's contents have lasted through small children becoming grown, endless bands spending the night and many, many, many parties with countless feet walking on carpets, sitting on couches and sleeping in beds and anywhere else they could find space to lay down.

These new things will be greatly enjoyed, but the era gone by that they represent bring reflection and mixed feelings.  If given the choice between rooms filled with laughter and music vs brand new things, I would choose the sounds of my kids voices and crazy laughter at dumb 'dad' jokes and continuous eating and grinding crumbs on the floor into the carpets.

I guess in one way I am more thankful than I can ever say for the stains on my carpets...


ok, ok...I am also thankful for new things and excited about our future - whatever God has in mind!




Jamie doing his thing

It took quite a bit of doing to write everything backward 'live' for our announcements this weekend.  But, if anyone could do it - Jamie could! Jamie is our Middle School Guy at Crossroads and he is amazing!

We shot this in front of a black pop up display with black fabric wrapping the camera and everything else.  We just used a pane of glass that is part of our main entrance in the church.

Here are the bloopers - I'll upload the finished announcement video tomorrow.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

weekend report

It was good to be in the house of the Lord this weekend!  I have been away 2 out of the last 3 weekends - vacation is over time to get to work!

Before we went on vacation we hosted the young adult/college kids at our home and set them loose on painting the cement forms I purchased - so the set design today is provided by our own Crossroads Young Adults!  They had fun checking out their work on stage!  ALSO, the announcements on video were an outstanding technical accomplishment!  I am trying very hard to connect this group of young people (the next generation of Crossroads) to the 'big' church by letting different aspects of their work and creativity be seen by our congregation!

The teams and Pastor Tim definitely did their work this weekend - it was a blessing to be here!

Our Setlist:

Where The Spirit of the Lord Is - Tomlin
God of Wonders - Kutless
Agnus Dei/Worthy (live)  - Third Day
Announcements:  Jamie Koenig (Middle School guy) - VERY COOL CONCEPT - Announcements behind glass.  He had to write everything backward!  Yay Jamie!
Message:  Spiritual Gifts Pt. 6 - Senior Pastor Tim Armstrong
Finish Your Work  - (Crossroads Original by Milo Sgambellone

To watch our Announcements done backward as well as all the other elements of our services go to www.crossroadswired.com

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

Have a blessed week my friends!


Saturday, July 9, 2011

my heart is in Asia

We received pictures yesterday of the newest 7 orphans rescued in Cambodia.

When I looked at those sad faces, I had to wonder what they must be thinking.  They had to be terrified to be taken away from what they know, even if it was horrible.  Were they wondering what was going to happen next, who was going to hurt them next or if they would ever be loved?  Or do they spend every day just trying to survive.  I don't know...

One thing I do know is this,  in a few months from now their countenance will completely change.  The look of distrust, neglect and worry will be completely absent from their faces.  It will be replaced with thankfulness and confidence that there will be a next meal and arms to hold them as they are loved and raised to know the Lord.

God changes things and God certainly changes people - these children are precious to Him and their lives just changed forever.

These are just the first 6 children rescued that will fill the BB7 orphanage that Crossroads is building.  We will be able to save 18 more to fill this orphanage giving opportunity for interested families to sponsor these children.

Pray for our leaders in Cambodia as they search for the special children that God wants them to rescue and as they try to carefully follow all the steps required to make these adoptions official and final!  We are eternally blessed to be given this kind of opportunity to save these little ones!


Monday, July 4, 2011

hard to be back


We are back.

I am once again sitting in my favorite place - my deck - writing.

A camping vacation is good for you on so many levels.  Being out-of-doors for 5 days in a row makes you appreciate even the most simple of conveniences.  FIRST - A shower that actually cleanses you as opposed to making you feel more dirty than before.  SECONDLY - it clears the normal noise from your everyday.  Usually I awake to an alarm clock, but, all last week I woke to the loud morning proclamation from the birds that a new day has begun.  Although you would assume the alarm clock would be a much louder awakening - the birds will not be ignored if you are in a tent as we were.  So each day they do the duty of announcing morning then it's off to the business of a new day, which can be summed up perhaps as survival.  The other noise difference from home - well, at least different unless our son's band is practicing, was provided by mostly hard-core Christian bands that played from 10:00 am until 2:00 a.m.  That's an interesting 'early in the morning' wake up call!  But SO much fun and SO passionate!


Our daughter's band is called La De Les, when the power went down on all the stages one afternoon they performed acapella.




































Both bands sold a huge amount of merch! That fills the gas tanks for the ride home!












Our son's band is called The Gun Show, they rocked the stage 4 times during the festival.














Besides the comfort of our own beds, tough things were waiting for us here at home.

- the loss of a young friend to heart failure


Ever since we received news of the loss of one our church friends our hearts have been very heavy.  He is of course dancing the streets of Heaven screaming praises to our God, but friends and family are horrified at life without this great man, father and friend ...

He seemed to have left us way to early - that is not for us to decide however.  God will use this dear man's passing in powerful ways, I am sure of it.  It doesn't make it easier to watch his family suffer with their separation from him.  So hard to see...

- The second tough thing was the loss of a van for our kids to get back to Boston the day following our return

The second difficult thing - though in no way a comparison with death, occurred with one exit to go after driving all night long,  our daughter's van threw a rod.  They needed to get to Boston the next morning. They would have to find another way to get there...

There are many ways to look at this - a blessing? Not that I can see.  The van was the first 'band' purchase for this young group of musicians and they worked extremely hard to pool their money so that musical gigs were something they could attend together.  Now, just a month after purchase it is perhaps
unrepairable.  We worked swiftly to find a mechanic capable of a fast diagnosis.

Then we discussed this...what if the breakdown of the van protected them from being involved in a horrible accident or some other dangerous scenario? They all know the Lord personally and I truly believe God's protective hand was involved even in the loss of the engine.  We may never know for sure, but I firmly believe and trust the Lord has great opportunity in each circumstance of our redeemed lives.

So - we are safe, we had a blast with our kids and watching them use their talents and now it is back to normal.  Whatever that is.