Friday, March 30, 2012

pictures of the night

My family teases me about constantly taking pictures.

My brother-in-law continually announces that some day we will all gather at our home and watch endless hours of mindless - pointless pictures that no one cares about.

I decided to prove how amazing my skills are by posting our family's Ashland evening for you to enjoy.




 Pepper on the shoulder!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

community

What is community?


Community -
a social, religious, occupational, or other group sharing common characteristics or interests and perceived or perceiving itself as distinct in some respect from the larger society within which it exists.

We launched our Brown Bag lunch for Worship leaders / Tech leaders last month.  This month our little community grew.

When asked what they wanted the purpose of the group to be it was unanimously voiced - fellowship.  They were looking for a place in which common characteristics and common experience immediately forms community!  We GET one another because we all work in ministry - we all hear the same things, we all experience the same disappointments and have common goals and dreams.  And we all never want to do anything else because our common purpose is what we perceive to be distinct from the larger society.  The larger society being Mansfield, the lost around us.  

We were the second group to meet in the newly renovated cafe at Crossroads, only the cafe team used it before we did.  It gave me just a glimpse of what this place can be - a meeting place - a connection point.  It seemed fitting that people representing a variety of local churches would connect here - even before our own congregation had the opportunity to be here.

I am anxious to watch the connections that take place in this new space.  God is good, and he never intended that any of us should do life alone.  We were made to thrive in community!




Monday, March 26, 2012

my day off

Everything is put away.

That's probably the best description I can think of to describe my day, at least so far.

I had tons of laundry it's done and put away.

I had a clean but full dishwasher - dishes are put away.

I still had some crystal dishes out from our Friday night dinner, they are now put away.

I also was dealing with a little bit of self doubt and a friend helped me to put even that away!



The final thing perhaps that needs to be put away today is my overly busy mind - I have probably sent 24 texts today.  Final Easter details - advice to a friend - details for a Wednesday lunch event at Crossroads and so many more!

Now my real day off begins - time with my hubby, his errands are also finished!

Hope the rest of your Monday is blessed and a whole lot of fun!




Sunday, March 25, 2012

weekend report

It was great to have Pastor Tim back from the Holy Land!  The worship was amazing and the message was so strong and really helped prepare everyone for Easter!  I cannot wait for the coming weeks!






Everyday I Live - Gateway
Announcements:  Deering Dyer
All Because of Jesus - Fee
Happy Day - Sublime
Lead Me To The Cross - Hillsong United
Holy, Holy, Holy (Savior and King) - Gateway
Message:  I Corinthians- Resurrection - Tim Armstong
Exit Song - Because He Lives - Crowder

We had a wonderful day of worship at www.crossroadswired.com

If you want to see what other ministries used in their worship services go to www.theworshipcommunity.com

hosting again

We've shifted some of our furniture (most of it originally from grandparents), to our kids.  This shift left our house rather empty!

Slowly, one thrift store at a time and a couple outstanding sales - finds our home able to host friends once again.

We have a huge list of IOUs.  So many generous friends who have us over often.

There is something about sitting around a table with friends.  A slower pace, discussing memories of days and events gone by and what we are thankful for.

And then there is the eating - God's blessings laid out before us.

We are hoping this is just the beginning of a long list of friends in our home for dinner very soon!!



Friday, March 23, 2012

staff brothers and candy

One of the things I love the most about working at Crossroads is hanging out with my staff brothers (and sisters) in the Lord!

The notorious candy dish - my grandfathers antique ashtray!
They are entertaining to say the least! At one point yesterday one after another stopped to eat from my candy dish. My candy dish seems to be the gathering spot many days.  As one guy stopped to grab candy, the next one passing by kicked the first in the back end...the next one passed by and kicked him etc. no pre-planning just spontaneous ridiculousness!  When I picture God 'delighting in His children' scenes like this come to my mind.  Just pure enjoyment of one another and the moment.

I find them more entertaining then any comedy show on tv.

I find them encouraging, God seeking brothers in Christ!

This picture doesn't show all my Crossroads brothers, some of them had to actually work yesterday! Ha ha!!

spontaneous gathering and laughter!
Anyway, I not only got a lot of work done yesterday but thoroughly enjoyed my day.

 I laughed often and very loudly!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

scars

My daughter was talking about a friend who works for a famous women's line of clothing/lingerie.  She is a believer and is considering stepping down from this job very soon.  She described how disgusting each day at work is as the designers work on the print design photos of the models.

She says she has never seen ANY model yet that hasn't had plastic surgery.  What we see is completely fake.

She said the designers laugh and make terrible remarks about the models as they airbrush and work diligently to hide all the scars that each model has.  Breast surgery, stomach reduction surgery and countless other enhancement surgeries - these body surgeries leave horrible scars apparently.  It takes a skilled graphic designer to make them look perfect, thinner and scarless.

She said some of the very most beautiful models have some of the ugliest scars that you can imagine.   Sad.

What would drive these beautiful women and men to be willing to alter their bodies for modeling?  I confess I have NO idea.

I remember times in my life certainly wanting to look a different way occasionally, a little bigger here, a little smaller there - but no one could have tempted me to make these kind of unnatural changes.

In the same regard we all have the ability to clean up and look pretty and tidy on the outside while hiding terrible, sometimes unimaginable scars that we pray no one sees.

Deep soul scars.

The lengths I've gone to at times to hide the inside scars surely must seem as extreme to my Savior as do the models' attempts at perfection.




Monday, March 19, 2012

a dream became

Tonight I had the honor to literally watch a dream become.

Become a reality.
Become 'owned'.
Become shared instead of belonging only to one.

Tonight rehearsals began for an original CD recording at Crossroads.


This was exciting.  A glimpse of what can be.

As I watched I prayed and asked that God would use this project in ways no one has imagined.

One of my hopes for this project is to take CDs to Cambodia for the orphans to use for worship.  How amazing that will be!

I pray many will share in this dream...

Soon all of you will have the chance to hear it and join us as we move forward into brand new areas as a ministry!!

Sunday, March 18, 2012

weekend report

We had a great weekend of worship!

Milo lead with a variety of creative sounds and instruments and took us to the throne!  When the drummer moved to the box drum and kicked it , I could see everyone moving around to see where that amazing deep booming bass drum sound was coming from.  Very original.

Tech teams were on-it leaving me free to walk the back of the auditorium making occasional suggestions but mostly just sneezing and coughing ...now home to rest!

Our setlist:

I'm Not Ashamed - Hillsong Live
Announcements:   Bill Hill - Elder
Your Grace Is Enough - Tomlin
Alive In You - Hillsong
Counting On Your Name - Hughes
From The Inside Out - Hillsong
White Flag - Tomlin
Message:  White Flag Pt. 2 - Jesse Rider - Senior High Pastor
White Flag shortened - Tomlin

You can watch our services on line at www.crossroadswired.com


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




Saturday, March 17, 2012

prayer life = leadership quality

I cannot get this statement out of my mind, "your leadership publicly will never go above your prayer life privately".

Whoa...

I have no desire whatsoever to be 'known' as a public leader, but, there is nothing I want more than to lead well with our teams at Crossroads, with our kids and others God asks me to lead.

So my prayer life determines how usable I am by God, how affective I am as a leader?  I guess my prayer life deserves some attention then.

I found myself worrying again the other day about something I had to lead, of course it was something totally out of my control.  After much time was wasted in worry I apologized to God for not bringing it to Him first before wasting precious time.  When will I learn?

So, back to leadership.  Although I take any leadership God gives me very seriously, if that seriousness was measured by how much I cover that area specifically in prayer it would be sadly lacking.

Can you join my confession of falling short?  Do you lead in an area that should be covered in prayer, is it?  I mean really covered?




This is right here and right now my first prayer toward a constant covering specifically over the areas I lead and over my leadership of them.



"Father...forgive me for always trying to do it on my own.  How disappointed you must be at my attempts to lead alone.  My heart's desire Father is to invite your Spirit to work through me daily, to make me disappear in my leadership, to lead with a pure heart and pure intentions.  To lead as you would lead.  Please change me, be seen through me and help me lead strongly in You and for You!" Amen






Friday, March 16, 2012

down with a cold

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE I CAN BUY THIS?
As I ache and blow my nose, I am all snug tucked in bed on this Friday morning.  Catching up on reading in between drifting back off to a 'scratchy throat sleep'.

I came across an authors' description of why she blogs and MAN did i resinate with this, "I can only see it, understand it, in the second living of it: the writing of it. Thus, why I keep blogging."


This describes how I feel about writing exactly!  Now this could indicate that I'm a bit slow, missing things the first time by.  But for some reason I need to write to really live it.  The every-day normal unnoticed things become important in the second living of it.  That is where the praise of our Almighty God comes from, from the simple 'recognized blessings' of seemingly unimportant detail. Although I know our very limited thinking and reasoning is COMPLETELY different than how God understands, I would guess it means more to him when we praise Him for little things that almost go unnoticed than huge things that are obvious to everyone.  The tiny surprises He hides along our path waiting to see if we notice.  


Sometimes in the BIG accomplishments there is little ongoing fulfillment, but in the simple things, this tiny part of your day can be appreciated over and over again.  Little things allow you to look forward with anticipation because it doesn't take weeks of work and preparation for the little learnings.  God just gives them - if we see.


My days and counters are often filled with sticky notes that mention an idea, or something small I noticed that can be used or researched later.  Yes, It takes a second touch and attention to gather them and review their purpose and to use the bits of information scribbled on them.  You may ask, isn't touching something, even an idea twice a waste of time?  I don't think so,  to review later gives me time to think about them, to notice other little things that support the original idea and to create from there.


Although most of you today, unlike sick me, are running full blast ahead,  take time to really live and take a closer second look at beautiful things God has given.











Thursday, March 15, 2012

everyone has a story

I am currently reading a book about the most important minutes in peoples' lives.  That defining moment, a moment when someone spoke encouragement into their lives, something that changed their lives.

I have been thinking about my own story and whether I can think of something so important that someone said to me that it changed me or the trajectory of my life.

I guess my thoughts go to times I was made fun of more than a 'words of wisdom' scenario.

Negatives shape us even more easily than positives - at least in my case.

If we hang on to the negative comments and circumstances of our lives does that mean we have a limited relationship with the Lord.  Are we unwilling to let them go and believe the fact that He loves us as much as anyone else?

Maybe I remember the negatives so much because there were so few of them.  When they came they seem shocking compared to my largely pleasant little life?  My life has been filled with WAY more good and pleasantness then evil or negative.

If forced then to identify THE moments they would be:


  • I recall several NOs I got from my parents - huge
  • Being loved by my hubby  (ok - so it's not one specific moment - but, they are the best moments)
  • Being encouraged by our young married leaders - mentors in our early marriage
  • Birth of our kids
  • When Tim hired me at Crossroads
  • When I believed I could lead for the first time

What are your most important moments in your life story?



Wednesday, March 14, 2012

american idol

I love music competitions.

I am enjoying many of the voices in the final rounds of American Idol this season.

I just worry about what will happen to these singers if they do achieve fame.

What is so appealing about fame?

Money, admiration, attention, importance ...what is it they are seeking?

Jessica Sanchez
I like Jessica Sanchez the best of the singers I think.  I just don't know whether to hope she wins.  In some ways I hope she doesn't in order to protect her from the demanding, demeaning throngs that take so much and give so little back.

In the Bible we are told the story of people who chose to keep their status, their current life instead of following Jesus.  It was just too hard to give it up.  I can't imagine the regret at the end of their lives when they realized all they had pursued, all they had considered more important than following Christ were 'as filthy rags' .

I think Heejan may be the one going home this week, he may be the lucky one!

Monday, March 12, 2012

my day off...and then some

Surrounded by friends and family this whole weekend and into my day off...what makes up a better day-off then having those kinds of blessings to remember and give thanks for?

We finally got all the kids together to celebrate birthdays!


We all gathered at Grandma Gatton's on Sunday to celebrate all the birthdays from the past few weeks as well as a couple next week!  So much fun to all be together!

Two of my favorite people Beth and Cam - soon to be Mr. and Mrs.!!

This is Bethany and Cam - I could not be more excited that they will be marrying this summer!  Two very amazing young adults that I love!  I had the honor of attending their wedding shower this weekend.

This is the sad state of our sweeper on the stage at church.



I laughed so hard this weekend when I saw what a sad state our old 'stage' sweeper was in!  It brought back memories of all the times I swept the church that I grew up in Ashland!  We have much nicer ones in the main parts of Crossroads, but the stage doesn't need much so I will try not to run over the poor cord as I sweep !

I bought a few new treasures today at a thrift store (my hidden passion - thrifting!!)  Well, maybe not so hidden.  Anyway just a laid back day, and a day that gave me time to consider all the non-life changing events of the past couple of days.  I am so thankful that I have nothing in particular to write about.

I thank my God that He has for some reason seen fit to give me a simple few days!


Sunday, March 11, 2012

weekend report


The worship teams that lead our youth often come into the auditorium during rehearsal and worship before heading to the youth!  This is Josh - an amazing young man worshipping his Savior before going to lead the youth!

This weekend as we launched the 'white flag' series, I watched while the theme song was performed with the audience seated.... one by one hands were raised.

I recognized the hands of a sister in the Lord whose husband just had surgery to remove some cancer - they are just beginning to walk through the process of his healing and yet I watched her willingness to surrender that burden to the Lord.

I wondered what the other hands raised were releasing to the Lord?  Burdens I may never know about...

It was a great weekend as we studied Daniel lead by our Senior High Pastor Jesse!

Our setlist:

Everything 
Announcements:  Bill Hill (Elder)
Everyday 
Rising
Holy 
Stay Amazed
White Flag - Tomlin
Message:  White Flag pt.1 - Jesse Rider
Exit Song:  White Flag


To watch our services on line go to www.crossroadswired.com



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

Saturday, March 10, 2012

orphans

Last night I attended a conference in Columbus designed to raise awareness to our responsibility for orphans.

It was very moving.  It accomplished exactly what it set out to do - cause us to think, to search our hearts and to stand before God with our answer.

I am open to whatever He calls me to do.  I plan to see what locally is going on in the area of Foster Care and orphan care.  I hope to participate, I long to make a difference.  Although I realize whenever God calls He never promises what the outcome with be - he simply asks that we are obedient.  Often sold out believers work for years before seeing any results and some never see them in this life time.   That makes no difference at all.  We simply need to obey.

God has gifted the believers of America with EXTREME wealth, even those we consider less fortunate are rich by the worlds standards.

How will you answer Him when he asks.."What have you done for the least of these?"

Can I stand, head held high before Him some day and hear "Well done thy good and faithful servant"?

Not unless an awful lot changes in my life.




Thursday, March 8, 2012

a dangerous moment

I witnessed a very dangerous happening the other day.

As my hubby and I stopped to get gas I noticed a gentleman beside us also preparing to fill his car.  The thing he did first terrified me!

He got out of his car with a cigarette in his hand, a lit cigarette.  Instead of putting the cigarette out, he stuck it into the crack in his trunk and proceeded to fill his tank with gas while the cigarette burned just  inches away.  If this had caused an explosion, we would have all gone up in smoke!

I wondered why anyone would put their family in this kind of danger as well as disobey a rule that was clearly displayed.  Maybe it was his last cigarette, who knows.

If you look closely on the left of his trunk you can see the cigarette!


I felt sorry for him, it made me sad that he couldn't be without a cigarette for even a few minutes.

I then wondered what I have in my life that I can't give up for even a short amount of time?  Seems like God uses people I don't even know to teach me things all the time.


Wednesday, March 7, 2012

@cccwired on Wednesday night

Tonight amazing... God-blessed...Crossroads was humming and strumming and painting and drinking coffee and teaching and learning and recording and hanging!

We had guys re-arranging and hanging speakers in the auditorium.
Guys writing and recording original Crossroads music.
Set design stuff being created and painted.
Every room in the ministry full of people taking classes.
Youth completely over-running the cafe doing karaoke and then going on to class.
Our Town Square being run with excellence by the Class Set Up Team.
Membership class with my handsome hubby!
CLASS set up team

Girls group studying
One of our adult classes
Milo, Scott and Austin writing new music!
Just me and my projector hanging out in the storage room!

The beginning of Set Design
YAY for good 'ole overhead projectors - my favorite design partner!




Ken hanging the speakers


I am so thankful I get to be part of this amazing Godly ministry!!



Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Question??

I wondered what all of you think about this...

I have noticed more and more main stream Christian leaders swearing and speaking with 'course' talk recently.  Not sexual just rough.

Does it just show my age to feel a twinge of shock when I hear the same words coming out of a 'man of God' as a man that claims no relationship to Him?

It has recently caused me to lose respect for several leaders that I previously enjoyed learning from.  Have you noticed this too?

I have always struggled with anyone who thinks they have to water down their stand in order to communicate with today's generation.  IN MY OPINION this is a deception straight from satan himself.

The world is desperately seeking the truth - something that gives their otherwise worthless lives meaning and purpose.  The amazing thing about God's Word is that it never grows old, it never needs updating and will ALWAYS remain current with no help from us.

So...why do I occasionally hear a pastor swear from the pulpit for emphasis?

I guess it's a sign of desperation to connect with the audience instead of resting in the complete Gospel of Jesus Christ.

No compromise is necessary and I believe it hurts the credibility of the speaker.

Ephesians 4:29


Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.


Ephesians 5:4


Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving


I don't claim to be an expert on today's younger generation, but they seem pretty desperate to find something completely different than what they see around them.  Compromising our speech drives them away - causes them to doubt that our relationship with Jesus is authentic.  Instead may we STAND OUT from the crowd - offering the hope they seek.

I pray that my words never get in the way of what God wants to say through my life!!












Monday, March 5, 2012

my day off

Hangin' with Eric and Alyssa
It was pretty much a perfect day off!



Slept in.
Spent the entire day surrounded by family and good friends.
Looked at houses with our kids.
Dreamed about what could be.
Laughed.
Ate.
Brainstormed on coming events.
Ate.
Drank way too much coffee.
Laughed.



Our day took us from one coffee shop to another.
From Mansfield to Delaware.
From Delaware to Dublin.
From Dublin back to Mansfield.


Aaron was creating really cool T-shirt designs while Beth was working on her wedding plans!

















I will never take these slow, God given days for granted.  I consider myself tremendously blessed and as I prepare to sleep tonight I will fall asleep thanking my amazing Lord.  I know not all days will be this easy and enjoyable so I am thankful indeed for a carefree day.

What does a good day-off for all of you look like?  Please leave a comment!

Sunday, March 4, 2012

weekend report

Another great weekend has come and gone already!  More first time families, record setting youth attendance and a buzz was in the air!

Our setlist:

Announcements on video

Counting on Your Name - Hughes
Alive In You - Hillsong Alive
Everyone (Praises) - New Life
All Creatures of Our God and King - Crowder
Give Us Clean Hands/Come To My Rescue
Message:  START Pt. 4 - Pastor Tim
Exit Song:   Counting On Your Hame - Hughes

To watch our services go to www.crossroadswired.com

To see what other ministries used in their services go to wwwtheworshipcommunity.com




Saturday, March 3, 2012

life in a day

We just watched the documentary "Life In A Day" - this documentary was created from videos all taken on the same day and sent in from all over the world. Interesting.

I found some of the American video embarrassing.  It went from foreign children happy just to have a blanket in a box along a street  -falling asleep with huge smiles on their faces to whining American's who had a bad day.

I had never watched it in it's entirety before.   I closed my eyes during some violent scenes but overall I was fascinated.  The world is SO different in some ways - yet exactly alike in most ways.

Despite their beliefs it was obvious that each culture had God created values and needs, even though they often didn't recognize them.

No matter which country we were watching, family or relationships were valued or at least endured, working for food and shelter was universal and the endless pursuit of belonging to something never ended.

We are not that different. We all have the same basic needs as well as the same spiritual needs.  God created us all and on any given day we all spend our lives in one of two ways - running toward Him or trying to run our own lives without Him.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

prisons from bricks of agreement


engaging in conversation with the enemy IS agreeing with the enemy.

I constantly stick quotes, ideas and portions of writings I find into computer folders.  I wasn't sure if I had ever written based on the above sentence.  I find it fascinating!

I don't know if there is anywhere that agreeing with the enemy causes more complete havoc than in ministry.  Ministry demands truth.

I have never felt more imprisoned than I have a few times in ministry when I have agreed with someone I know is wrong.  Even at the expense of those who are right.

What I have learned is that rarely does the enemy come blasting in, he implodes us from within.  He puts us in prison.  When we agree.

We agree to keep the peace.
We agree to seem nice.
We agree because we are in a hurry.
We agree because we want to be liked.
We agree out of laziness or tiredness.
We agree because to disagree is not Christian-like.
We agree as if we cannot recognize the enemy.

When we agree with the enemy we do not take a stand against evil, we take the easy way out.  It should make people question whether we even are a child of the King.  I want no part of that prison built from bricks of agreement.

I just don't like gray much...  that lukewarm in-between black and white.

Let's spend no time with the enemy.