Friday, September 28, 2012

what I saw today

I saw the road in ways I haven't seen it since the days we once rode motorcycles - up close!  My hubby got his old Willy jeep running so we took a ride.  I could see every crack, hole and bump on the asphalt just a couple of feet below us due to the fact it has no doors. I saw beautiful trees and horses and people walking and heard talking and laughing.  I wasn't closed inside a vehicle - I was moving yet outside.  It was a blast, but, seriously I didn't think I'd ever get my hair combed out!

A little later I was sitting at a store waiting for my hubby to come out and noticed this tree that was absolutely swarming with at least 40 birds.  They constantly moved from branch to branch as if they were playing a game of tag.  It was fascinating to watch.



I try to pay attention to what is going on around me but I wonder how many things I missed today - will I every get a second chance to see them? 

Thursday, September 27, 2012

watching nothing

Tonight was one of the few nights in a long long time that I sat down to watch tv.

I LOVE almost anything music related, or competition related, except Survivor.

So after watching XFactor (which I didn't find particularly inspiring), I could not find another thing I cared about AT ALL.  I even tried to care about the Browns, it didn't work.

With all of our technology, with all of the brilliant ideas and creativity, seriously?  This is all there is to watch?

Now I know why I don't usually sit down.

I think I prefer standing.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

a whirlwind

I have had a very, very busy day moving from one creative meeting to another.

  1. Staff pictures
  2. Impromptu meeting about youth worship plans.
  3. Choosing and approving all the Environmental Projection backgrounds for the weekend.
  4. Meeting discussing the updated sermon schedule.
  5. Directors pictures.
  6. Christmas music selection and discussion about video sites for Christmas support.
  7. Area worship leaders and technical leaders luncheon at Crossroads.
  8. Discussion/plan about the decorating of the gigantic communion table for the weekend.
  9. Programming meeting: planned service content and details for the next 2 weekends
  10. Discussion about our advertising strategy for our House Churches
Some of my buddies - Dan, Jamie and Jesse
In the midst of my Wednesday (which is always like this) I accomplish no work outside quickly grabbing the next meeting's notes or agenda and running down the hallway to be on time!

As I prepare to leave Crossroads, it feels I have accomplished nothing.  Then as I think back over each meeting I remember...

Area Church leaders coming together to encourage one another in fellowship!

  1. Current pictures on the website - finally!
  2. In preparation for one of my Thursday meetings - I gained great insights on youth worship!
  3. I was once again instantly caught up in worship as we tested the tempo, color and feel of the moving backgrounds and played the music for the weekend!
  4. I was very EXCITED as Pastor Tim showed us what is coming up within his teaching schedule!  My wheels are already spinning!
  5. Current Directors pictures for the website - finally!
  6. Very, very helpful discussion about Christmas prior to my next Christmas meeting.
  7. Always a blessing to meet with other local ministry leaders!
  8. I got to work with a very close friend as we discussed what would be used to decorate for communion!
  9. Always very gratifying to finish putting together our services.  This weekend will ROCK!
  10. House Churches are a tremendously important part of Crossroads, our plans are in the works to really let people know more about them!
Just because I am not leaving today with a ton of written work done or even details completely finished on all of my projects - does not mean I have not made progress. I did spend time with a lot of my closest friends and I did gain very valuable insights and vision for what is to come!

For today - even with all it's meetings - I give thanks!

Monday, September 24, 2012

my day off

This no driving is for the birds!

Please pray that I will have no other seizures so that I may once again begin to drive in early November!  My poor husband has to run me everywhere and it's getting very tough on his schedule!

Many of you have offered me rides, but when you want to go somewhere at night or meet a girlfriend for coffee it's weird asking another friend to take you!  (but I appreciate the offers!)

Today I left the house early with my hubby so I could be in town to get my haircut and spend time with girls at church tonight experimenting with some material for my art project for our November Vessel show.  My attempts went so so...

This evening of scrap-booking, needle-pointing, molding and various crafts lead to a decision to meet once a month, the first Friday night of each month at Crossroads to craft.  A small group is born.

So ladies of Crossroads (and beyond) if you have any kind of craft that you like working on, the first Friday night of every month Crossroads is the place for you!

You can check it out on facebook   http://www.facebook.com/CraftingAtCrossroads

 




Sunday, September 23, 2012

weekend report

This was another weekend that makes me extremely thankful to be in ministry and to sit under the amazing quality of God filled teaching I get to hear weekend after weekend.

Our setlist:

Where I belong - Building 429
All Because of Jesus - Fee
All My Fountains - Tomlin
Cornerstone - Hillsong
Holy - Redman
Message:  Lamb of God: Systematic Series Pt. 3 - Senior Pastor Tim Armstrong
Exit Song:  Holy

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

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

May God richly bless your week!

Friday, September 21, 2012

we must be ready

Today I was confronted with the need to always, every single minute of every day be ready to meet the Lord.

We stopped by to pay final respects to a gentleman who passed away from a sudden stroke.  His widow kept walking over to the casket and talking as if he were still there.  She missed him already.

After arriving home tonight I got a message from a friend telling me her son's roommate had just been killed in an accident.  Another passenger, also a friend was in critical condition.  They were both college age young men.

In an instant they went from healthy young guys to the hospital and to eternity.  My heart aches for the parents who suddenly have no son, who have a funeral to plan and furniture and personal belongings to retrieve from a college bedroom.

Neither guy had any idea today could be his last day.  Age has no bearing on when we will go.

Am I ready to meet the Lord?  I have searched my heart tonight for unresolved conflict and anything I need to ask forgiveness for.

I also asked the Lord to bring to my mind everyone I need to appreciate more, to thank, to spend time with and witness to...

Life goes fast, we must be ready...


Thursday, September 20, 2012

reaching out

Reaching out to the unchurched is what we are about. It looks all different ways but the message never changes. The Gospel is what our world is desperately seeking, they just don't know it. So whenever I have opportunity to reach out in creative ways I get very excited! Today I got to do see this in action.

Carrie is an amazing potter!
As we speak one of the Crossroads' artists is throwing pottery in the Coffee House at Crossroads. You may not consider this 'reaching out' but I do. It gave me opportunity to advertise in our community the fact that there are Crossroads artists! People are shocked that a church embraces the arts. This creates many opportunities to explain why we consider the artists' involvement important.

I also spent some time today talking with the Director of the Art Center about future partnering with our art group volunteering at community art events. More opportunities!

Finally I heard a story from our Director of Missions, Darlene that was unbelievable... She told the story of the ladies Beth Moore group at Crossroads deciding to bring in food items to contribute to the local food bank located at Grace Episcopal Church. Food items were brought in and stacked in the back of Crossroads. Darlene did not realize they were even there for a while. The ladies that donated the food prayed over it, specifically asking the Lord to multiply their donations.

 A few days later Darlene received a call from the Grace Episcopal Church telling her that if there was any way possible for Crossroads to contribute some food (it's not our regular collection time of the year), the Kokosing Company was willing to contribute $1.00 per staple food item. And even more then that they had someone who was willing to double that offer! Darling couldn't believe she was able to tell Grace that we had items sitting in the back of our church that she would be very excited to contribute. The lady from the food bank was so thankful and said they were going to use the Crossroads food items to create a display in the front of their lobby to encourage their own people to contribute! How exciting - this is reaching out into the community at it's finest.

I am thankful once again to be a small part of this amazing ministry!!

Sunday, September 16, 2012

weekend report

The Lamb of God...our whole service was built around it.

Such a powerful comparison - God's Son - the Lamb of God, sacrifice for sin once and for all~

We are learning the potential of our newest technological advancement, environmental projection.  This image ended our service as Dan and Milo sang "Mighty Is the Power of the Cross".  One last image to cement the teaching into their memory...



Our setlist:

For Who You Are - Hillsong
The Only One - Passion
The Heart of Worship - Redman
Rescue - Desperation Band
One Way - Hillsong United
Announcement video shot at sheep farm - featuring Jamie our Middle School Guy  (this is worth watching)

Lamb Farm Announcements from Crossroads Community Church on Vimeo.


Message:  The Lamb of God:  A Systematic Theology Series Pt. 2
Might is the Power of the Cross - Tomlin

to watch our services go to www.crossroadswired.com

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



Thursday, September 13, 2012

the lamb

Pastor Tim's continues his teaching this weekend on "The Lamb of God".

In my research I watched a video about the sacrifice of lambs as atonement for sin.  Further into the video it switched to shots of Christ as the one and only ultimate sacrifice.

I watched as soldiers beat him and nailed him to the cross and then stood back and laughed.  They laughed...

I was appalled when I pictured the 'real' soldiers in my mind laughing and throwing lots for his robe.

And then I remembered the times that I have watched or heard men I honestly thought were crazy due to their way out beliefs or horrible theological teachings. And I too have laughed at people I thought were surely false teachers. I remembered that they really did not know or believe He was the Son of God.  They thought HE was crazy.

Their eyes were blind.  They thought He was some crack pot making impossible claims and so they laughed.

Can you imagine their terror when the earth quaked and they heard a comrade say, "Surely this was the Son of God." The laughter ceased. 

What did they tell their families when they went home from work that night?

And how did they ever sleep again?

I can't in my wildest dreams imagine living with that kind of guilt and shame.  They killed the Son of God.

And yet, our everyday sins require just as much of a savior as theirs.  The video still plays within my mind and I bow my head to praise and thank him for His endless forgiveness.

I know this Lamb of God, and can barely express the worship my heart feels.


Monday, September 10, 2012

my day off

I am still reeling from the magnificent worship and teaching this weekend!

I don't know why, but, I feel like a new era of maturity and ownership of the ministry has begun.

Here are some of my observations:

  1. In our youth department this weekend the missions team unveiled the new youth missions strategy.  This plan gives opportunity to students to participate in a youth missions track with the ultimate goal (over a period of time)  a global mission trip.  The thing I LOVE about the strategy is it is ALL about spiritual growth along the way.  No one may participate that doesn't take part in mentoring, discipleship and local level missions first.  By the time they meet all the requirements they are well on the road to being a fully developed Christ follower!  Can you imagine the impact to our ministry?  This holds a very personal gratification for me in that my daughter Jocelyn will be leading some of the trainings/mentoring.  She went off to college and got a Bachelors in International and Community Development and is working on a Masters in International relations and religion focusing on Christianity policy and ethnomusicology and she got to come back to Crossroads and use her degree.  God is good!
  2. Greater participation in worship.  Our ministry is very geared toward the 'unchurched' feeling comfortable while learning about the Lord.  We've worked diligently to create an environment that feels familiar yet NEVER compromises worship or the teaching from God's Word.  When unchurched people fill the church you move them slowly toward maturity.  I think the age of our ministry has taught us many things, and God has created a hunger in our congregation for more and more and we are now reaping the result of them growing in the Lord and participating more fully in worship.
  3. House Churches have helped to close the back door.  People that longed for a more intimate setting can now get that at any of our house churches.  The timing was CRUCIAL to our ministry and it has been a great addition to the main ministry!  The time these families sacrifice in their own homes to serve our congregation is just unbelievable!
  4. Young Adults.  Maybe it's because I have been involved with my hubby in most of our churches weddings, that I realize these young couples' marriages are also significant steps toward our ministry maturing.  The marriages that are performed by the staff at Crossroads are pledging loyalty to one another as well as making plans to be involved as a couple after marriage.  They give me hope for our future.   This is a huge maturity step in my mind toward a long legacy at Crossroads-  Young adults fully involved and taking ownership of the ministry!
  5. Longevity in serving.  Although we are ALWAYS in need of more volunteers, I have seen a longevity in the areas of the serving in the ministry-  that makes me very happy.  When a volunteer takes ownership of his/her area it is so good for the ministry.  What people that are not involved don't know is - volunteering is what God calls them to do.  Not just to go to church, but to be a true part of the ministry.  He created each of us to use our talents to help serve one another.  There is no higher calling.  In my department we still have some of our original volunteers still faithfully serving which helps tremendously to encourage others to use their talents!  I am very thankful for this as well and it too is a sign of maturity.
Well, I could go on and on but won't.   I just woke up celebrating what God is doing at Crossroads and wanted to share. 

I am forever thankful that He chose to bring us all together at Crossroads!!

Sunday, September 9, 2012

weekend report

OK then, God gave us senses so that we could experience all that He has created.

This weekend we engaged nearly all of them as we revealed our new Environmental Projection.  Oh My Goodness it was good to be in the house of the Lord!!

I knew that this would be a step up to the visual part of our services, but I FAR underestimated how powerfully it would affect our worship.  It was engaging - to say the least!  We left feeling very blessed as a ministry to have a new tool of this caliber!  We are committed to do our best to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ in ways that we have only dreamed of previously!

Our setlist:

Lay Me Down - Tomlin
My Savior Lives - New Life
Cornerstone - Hillsong
Lead Me To The Cross - Hillsong United
Jesus Paid It All
The Lamb of God; Systematic Theology - Pastor Tim Armstrong
this was used during the "Cornerstone" sone



full image
this was the beginning of "Jesus Paid It All"

My Savior Lives
the final image of the service
close up of final image - brought people to tears...

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

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






Thursday, September 6, 2012

tired of the fighting

If you have spoken to me in the past couple of months you've probably heard me complain about the election and how ready I am for all the fighting to end.

I haven't watched the conventions because I cannot stop worrying about our country if I do.  And since I know worry is not pleasing to the Lord I just don't watch.  I did read an amusing comment this morning however, "should there really be credit given to any speaker (on either side) that fills a room with people fully dedicated to their party then gets standing ovations?  Should a speech given in front of enthusiastic peers count as truly influencing anyone?"  A small venue for the convention was chosen so that it would seem and sound more enthusiastic - every little detail of this election is completely controlled.  What looks spontaneous is anything but that.

I have prayed more about this election than any other in my life.  I think it's a crucial time in our country's history.  It think it's an election that we will always remember.  

But guess what?  God has already chosen our leader.  Our only responsibility is to be well informed, vote for candidates that support Christian values and true democracy, pray for all of our leaders equally and leave the rest up to Him.  It truly is In God I Trust!

There should be no fighting.  Freedom is being able to vote for whom ever you wish.

I love America.  And I thank God often that I got to be raised in a free country where I never have to worry about believing and worshiping Him freely, and where our needs have always been met.

God Bless America is something I pray God will continue to do, and that we will truly be able to say in God we trust as a country!


Wednesday, September 5, 2012

I'll make it short

I have been busy until nearly 11:00 each night for as long as I can remember, so I was tempted tonight to just crawl in bed without writing...again.

But, I was still very wound up when I arrived at home tonight.  So I'll make it short!

Tonight at Crossroads was amazing!

It was loud.

It was full.

It was exciting.

People of all ages filled the church as they came prepared to start another round of Fall classes!

Artist group
I had to lead my artist group in one corner of Town Square.  The last remaining unused space in the whole building!  A great problem to have.

You seriously missed a huge blessing if you weren't with us tonight!

You can still start next Wednesday, and I strongly encourage you to do so!

People came hungry to learn more.  That is just an incredible encouragement!!


Monday, September 3, 2012

my day off

This Labor Day morning we decided to drive to Ashland to spend a little time with my parents at an auction.  As always with my parents, it turned into gales of laughter, really bad coffee, embarrassing misunderstandings and on and on.

We started by arriving only to find out that dad wasn't feeling very well and would be late.  So Ron purchased a cup of coffee and almost spit it out it was so bad.  After dumping the rest out he drove off to Starbucks happy with an opportunity to get as far away as possible from the sale!

While waiting for our parents to come, we sat chatting as the auctioneer began.  

I finally noticed dad coming through the side door and waved for him to come sit with us.  My sister then took up the wave trying to get his attention.

The next thing I knew I heard the auctioneer say "I have $50" pointing toward us and then the auctioneer was saying, 'Stop waving your hands!!'  Still not realizing fully he was talking to us I suddenly noticed the sale had stopped completely as nearly 400 heads turned toward us.  I felt my face turn a hundred shades of red as I punched my sister to stop waving at dad!  I was never so glad my husband wasn't there in my life!

When dad finally got over to us and we told him what had just happened, he said he knew the auctioneer and would really tease him about yelling at his girls the next time he saw him!

Serious discussion about buying
We decided to get down from the stands and just walk around.  None of us were serious about buying anything,  we just went to be together.  (I half expected applause to break out when we left the stands!)

Below are some of the action shots!

Dad had a great idea! ha ha ha!

Surely no one would buy this hideous thing, let alone put it around their neck?  Sick!!
I wonder what goodies these once held?
We watched as people put all the things theywanted into one box!  Sneaky!




As we walked I began to wondered who had been the owner of all these things?

Were these things they had loved and worked all their life for, or just an accumulation of stuff they had bought over the years.

What had held the dolls?  Worn the clothes?  Read the books?

It always makes me realize that what we consider SO important - just ends up a pile of junk.


It was another exciting day off - filled with high-class goings on - and a whole lot of laughing!!
I had to wonder what little girl had once held these dolls?

Sunday, September 2, 2012

weekend report

A lot goes into every service at Crossroads that the congregation never sees!  Hours in planning, choosing just the right songs, videos, moving backgrounds, pre-service advertising on the screens, choosing what to put in the programs and on and on.  It's a blast seeking what would honor the Lord and support the thematic teaching of our pastors.  I decided to include some pictures that I took while filming just the announcement portion of our service as well as a couple other items of support from this weekend!



This is the innocent looking little hen that about removed Jamie's finger!

Jamie setting up Tim's teaching with the birds!
Our stage layout
Our setlist:
Yesterday, Today and Forever 
The Only One - Tomlin
We Fall Down - Tomlin
Holy, Holy, Holy - Milo
Counting On Your Name - Hughes
Video announcements at Bird Sanctuary:  Jamie Koenig - Middle School Guy
Systematic Theology Pt. 5: Senior Pastor Tim Armstrong
Exit song:  Counting on Your Name

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

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


Saturday, September 1, 2012

video without sound

This morning I turned on the tv while I was working on other things just for company.  I turned it to a music video channel, not one of the nasty ones, it was one running slightly dated music videos.  I turned the sound off.

Each time I glanced at the screen it made me sad.

As I watched I saw people that had worked their whole lives to become famous.  Here they were on screen in a full blown - huge production music video, the thing they used to dream of doing and they looked completely unhappy!

And it struck me, video without sound allows you to really SEE them.

No matter who was on the screen, famous face after famous face, no one looked happy.  No one looked fulfilled - they had what they thought they wanted and yet guessing from the looks on their face, it was full of emptiness and disappointment.

Someone now owns them.  A manager decides what they look like, what songs will be produced and what their image will be.

The world stage, the glamour and the money didn't equal satisfaction as they had once dreamed - you could see it on their faces and in their empty, empty eyes.

What is it about fame that is so alluring?

I saw another star who I thought came out of a fairly normal, conservative upbringing checking into rehab.  It is nearly impossible it seems to resist the stereo-typical lifestyle connected to stardom.

I shut it off, and realized once again - I want no part of being 'recognized' publicly.   To be unknown sounds perfect to me!

To live in a way that shows true happiness and satisfaction found only in my Savior is exactly where I want to be here in little 'ole Mansfield.