Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Final Christmas report

The flu took our family down after Christmas - so I'm just getting around to posting all the pictures!

It was a great time of gathering together with 4,000 of our friends at Crossroads as we celebrated the birth of Christ!  This is a sample of what our nights contained as we worshipped the King!

To watch the entire service go to crossroadswired.com


                                  I found a professional Japanese dance performance on-line
                                  that used this kind of background and we found a designer that
                                  created it for us.

                                                                    Silent Night

                                                      Shawn and Milo rehearsing

                                                                Student drummers

                                               

                                                            Shepherds rehearsing

                                                                           Banjo !

                                                     Our drummer Michael was amazing!

                                                                 Yay tech team!

                                                            Camera 1 - oh yeah!

                                                Pentatonix has nothing on our team!

                                             We have an amazing staff - while some served in
                                                the auditorium, others treated the children
                                                       attending to special gift packs!

                                                    My handsome son-in-law made sure we
                                                      had perfect front-of-house audio!

                                           Ok, so we stole the idea of the drummers in the
                                         middle of our auditorium from King and Country!


iPads started this song!

                                           Dan's love of directing just can't be squelched!

                                                         Our amazing team serving!

                                                    Nick and Eric leading worship!

                                                So thankful for our talented singers!


To see what other ministries did last weekend in their services go to www.theworshipcommunity.com

Friday, December 26, 2014

my Christmas

I just crawled into bed, yet even though completely exhausted from doing 3 different family Christmas' in one day, I'm still wound up.

It's also the first time today that I've been alone since 7:00 a.m. to think and to thank.

I said thanks to everyone who gave me a gift today, everyone that cooked great food or hosted us, but I really want to spend some time thanking HIm.

I'm again undone when I focus on the fact that God created us, watched us pull away from Him and the only way He could repair the separation was to send His only Son for me.

I have one son, Eric.  He is everything that I've ever dreamed a son would be and If I force myself to imagine having to send him to do something that I knew would cost him his life, I know I could not do it.

Yet that is exactly what God did for me.

Thank you Lord, for the precious gift of your Son, thank you for the family you've given me and thank you that because of that tiny baby, I get to spend all of eternity in your presence.

I pray you recognized within your Christmas the eternal significance found only
in God's gift!


Sunday, December 21, 2014

reflections on preparing well

I watched a new team be born this year in preparation of our Christmas services.

Senior worship leaders mentoring younger worship leaders, faithful team members encouraging one another lending hours of their lives to prepare well, a technical team with a new leader solving problems and preparing earlier then ever before.  A new Pastor speaking to us even before he arrives using technology - also caring much about being part of this incredible opportunity to effect people for eternity.   Preparing well.

All God asks us for is our best.



And so tonight we all come together to offer as our Christmas gift to the Savior of the world, our preparation.

It is not just about what our team is ready to present...
-it's an entire ministry poised to welcome people as they arrive who may not have been in church for years, or ever...
-it's special treats for the children in attendance - carefully prepared by loving volunteers that value each child enough to interrupt their own busy Christmas preparations to give their offering of service to the Lord.
-It's volunteers cleaning so that our building God has given us is excellent before the Lord.
-It's men carefully placing each chair in the auditorium so that extras can be added
-it's each person taking hand-fulls of invite cards to invite their lost friends and neighbors
-and coffee hand-picked by the farmers we love in Guatemala all ground and ready to be served

This is His church preparing well

And tonight all of this preparation will become the service that begins the journey of the lost- toward a new born Savior.



Friday, December 19, 2014

nearing the end

It's hard to believe that we are down to our last rehearsal tomorrow night at Crossroads! We are nearing the end of creating our Christmas service, several of us working together for the 18th year!

Many things are different this year, but one thing is the same, I still stand back every year and marvel that I get to be part of Crossroads and the things that God is doing in that place!

The process of our Christmas@Crossroads begins the same every year, with an idea, a concept, a single song or creative piece and it builds from there to become what God brings the creatives together to produce.  Something He allows us to form as our gift to Him - our very best - and He already knows what it will be, how it will be used, and who it will touch.  It takes my breath away to think of it.

We talked over the past couple of days about the ways God's used Christmas@Crossroads in the past.  And as our team went out to lunch together to celebrate Christmas early, and just to take some time together away from our work, we rejoiced as our new graphic designer, Allie, reminded us that just a year ago she and her husband came to Crossroads for the very first time at Christmas,  and now she's on our staff!  Amazing!

People took invite cards with renewed determination - with plans to invite people to come with them this year, and I cannot wait to walk out of the back hallway and see the crowds of people for the first time Sunday night!  I'm praying for them now as I finish writing this. 


As I drove around today I prayed God would create a fire within me for the lost in our community.  That He would bring creative new ideas to me that would help to reach people that desperately need to be surrounded by a church family that cares about them.

Please join me in praying for all of those that will hear about God's precious gift of His Son, this Christmas.  May all of churches in our community rise our voices and talents in unison to be the very loud - irresistible voice of God!


Monday, December 15, 2014

my day off

Nothing is running this morning at our house except the quiet swish of my washing machine.  My hubby is with his riding buddies for their weekly breakfast.  No TV is on, no music, no lights - not even my tree lights are turned on and as I sit in my favorite 'inside' writing spot I'm surrounded outside by heavy fog.  It feels like my house is wrapped in a warm foggy blanket - keeping the outside world out for just a little while longer.  I like the quiet warmness and the distance from the world's hustle.

I'm sitting here also wrapped in thankfulness, my Christmas is taking on an order that makes me feel ready. Yesterday's Christmas rehearsal was far more gratifying than I anticipated.  Everyone came prepared and we pushed harder then ever before to even have tech ready at the same time music was.  It brings hope early to the process and will let us walk away with joy filled hearts that the Lord has once again allowed us the privilege of presenting Him to a lost world this Christmas season.

I pray now that the Lord moves in our people's hearts to bring their family and friends along with them next weekend to discover perhaps for the first time what Christmas really means.

I pray all of your Monday's will hold some quiet reflection time - He's waiting....


Sunday, December 14, 2014

weekend report

It was such an inspiring weekend at Crossroads this weekend!  We celebrated God's protection, prayed for His healing, talked about the amazing coffee farmers we support in Guatemala, heard from God's Word and worshipped together!

Our setlist:

We Have A Savior
Announcements:  Stephanie McAuley - Coffee House Manager
Angels We've Heard on High - Tomlin
Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)
Pastoral Prayer:  Wendell Anderson
Broken Vessels - concludes
Our God (O Come All Ye Faithful)
Message:  God's Gift of Joy for You - Pastor Brian Boone
Exit Song: We Have a Savior

To watch our services go to www.crossroadswired.com

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

Thursday, December 11, 2014

the church

Today I got to watch 'the church', the real church as God intended.
The volunteers praying before beginning

Our GoMissions team has worked under the leadership of my precious friend Darlene, and organized the distribution of
the gifts that our congregational members had contributed for the neediest families in Richland County.  It was definitely a blessing to witness.

People sat and prayed and discussed their lives with Crossroads volunteers and I saw more tears of joy in one day's time then I've seen in years.  One lady said she had just told her children there would be no Christmas this year, but that she would try to take them shopping as soon as the holidays were over and she saved up some money by working overtime at the gas station.  Her husband had left her and she was trying to keep the family together. 

She was overcome with tears of joy as she watched the volunteers bring her children's gifts to the table where they sat.  They then prayed together and after sitting for nearly an hour talking, she made her way back home to her tiny house and 3 kids and unknown future.

The circumstances that were shared with our volunteers are stories that bring perspective to our own lives.  Days we feel sad or disappointed usually have no foundation when measured against the hopelessness of those we served today.

The Lord permitted us to serve people today that society considers less fortunate, but I don't know...  Sometimes those who have too much, who never have to wonder about having enough or the ones slighted I imagine.

I have to be very honest and say there are seldom times in my life that I've worried about going without something, and today I saw people that spend their lives feeling hopeless.  They needed help, and somehow the Lord allowed the people of Crossroads to fill that need.

As always with this event, we are the ones blessed the most.  Such a privilege!

Monday, December 8, 2014

my day off

I HAVEN'T HAD A DAY OFF LIKE THIS IN FOREVER!!!

My husband casually asked me if I'd like to accompany him to Lehman's Hardware Store in Amish Country and I said yes, and I'm so glad I did!







The only negative that happened all day long was when this guy - the founder of Lehman's, I guess Mister Lehman, walked by right when I was saying to Ron, "man, these prices are a lot higher than I anticipated..."  Open mouth, insert foot...he just kept walking!  I'm sure hubby was proud...
Well, at least I bought a couple things to make up for it!

He also took me to an Amish buffet and two of my favorite clothing stores in the world!  What a guy!!  Needless to say, he ended up not buying anything except a match holder for the barn, and I'm the one that did the shopping - happy to accommodate!

Tomorrow we take a trip to Ashland, my home town for a while to have breakfast with my parents and then who knows what!  So fun.

It's these kinds of days that make me really love my days off and I thanked the Lord as we drove for the gift of His son this Christmas season, an awesome husband,  an amazing new pastor and his family and all the great work I get to be involved in at Crossroads!

I pray you all get a restful great day off too very soon!

weekend report

It was a caroling style Crossroads service this weekend!

Our setlist:

Announcements:  live!  with Bill Hill in a lovely Christmas sweater
Christ Has Come - Milo Sgambellone
Joy to The World  - Milo version
O Come, O Come Emmanuel - Maher
Hark the Herald Angels Sing - Milo version
Silent Night - Milo version
Drummer Boy- Church on the Move
Message:  Pt. #2  God's Gift of Strength for You  - Pastor Brian Boone
Exit Song - Silent Night medley - Milo

To watch our services on line go to crossroadswired.com

To see what other ministries are doing in their services go to theworshipcommunity.com


Wednesday, December 3, 2014

worshipping like David

It always interests me when I study about worship that David was God's choice to use as an example, especially of private worship.

David was a regular guy that had big struggles.  He struggled with lust, committed adultery and murder.  Still God called him a 'man after His own heart'.

If God had chosen a more perfect man to use to teach us about worship, we would have all given up.  Instead he shows us how a repentant heart is perhaps the ultimate form of worship to the Lord.

If you picture a young boy sent out to stay all alone in the middle of huge open land to guard sheep, you can understand the things he learned.

First of all, I'd be so terrified I would be hiding, so just BEING alone at night is impressive and demonstrates great trust in the Lord.  As a parent, sending your young son out in the night seems crazy!  Does it mean he considered the sheep more valuable than his son?  Can you imagine that young man defending the sheep against seemingly impossible foes at times?   What a demonstration of God caring for us!

But worshipping out there in the great wide open spaces is something I can definitely relate to.

Give me a sky full of stars and stillness and I find myself instantly in worship!  Can't you just see it as a falling star drops from the millions of others - David jumps to his feet in worship and wonder?  Dancing alone in the night surrounded by sheep!

So how do we compare in our worship to the Lord each day?

Why do we find it so difficult to remain in worship each day?  The wonder of our God gets buried under our stuff and busyness.   As we move through our days He waits longing for fellowship with the very creation He made to worship Him.  Can we give Him our worship today?

Join me in opening this day in prayer and dedicating our day to Him and let's see what opportunities of worship He lays in our path this day.  Picture David getting blown away by God's amazingness- dancing alone
out in that empty field and do a little dance of your own today!

Monday, December 1, 2014

my day off

I'm finished with all the Christmas decorating I will do this year.  It's simple - consisting mainly of twinkle lights and old items saved from years past.  I added nothing new.  I like that.


Now I sit, which I haven't done in a while and reflect on the whirlwind of the past couple of weeks.

Just days ago you heard me describe my communion with the Lord on a level that I hadn't experienced in a while - while we were on vacation.  Not because He did anything different or moved closer toward me.  But because I was available.

I came home fully rested, renewed and ready.

The blessings that I've experienced since vacation have been too numerous to count.

The ones that come to mind are my job at Crossroads - working with people I adore, and last week working with Dr. Kevin Leman.  This man is a riot while being a wealth of knowledge and accomplishment yet remaining very approachable and Godly.  I LOVED my time working with him.

Following that weekend event, we created our Christmas set design discovering things I didn't know our Environmental Projection was capable of doing and continued working on Christmas@Crossroads.

This was a very special weekend, as I got to watch the young worship adults from the Student Ministry at Crossroads lead our congregation in worship!  Knowing we have this kind of young adult base gives testimony to the fact that we have a very healthy ministry.  Of course the biggest blessing to me personally was that my son and daughter and son-in-law were part of that team.  There is perhaps no greater earthly blessing than to watch your kids serve their Lord!

And finally yesterday we celebrated Katie and Garrett's wedding.  These are both Crossroads young adults that discovered one another after being at Crossroads together for years.  What a great night it was as I watched one of the girls that I got to build into during times of single girls groups and doing ministry together!  She deserved a great guy like Garrett!

And now, on my day off, we get to meet with a beautiful lady from across the world, who is here in the states for a short time.  Tutu is one of the most giving - loving - Godly ladies I've every known.  She serves with Asia's Hope in Thailand.  She hosted our kids years ago when they served 2 weeks with her.  So we'll all get to be with her in just a couple of hours!

The Church is not a building, it's God's people serving and caring for one another.  Gathering on the weekends to learn and to fellowship with one another.

If all you do is attend a church, but your life isn't connected to what God's doing during the week through that body of believers, then you're not partaking in what God intended for His Church.

I invite you perhaps as a New Year's resolution to get involved, really involved and begin not only to serve others, but to experience God's family in it's fullest!  It will change your life...forever!




Sunday, November 30, 2014

weekend report






We got a special treat this weekend when our Student Ministry worship leaders lead our worship services!  It's very exciting to see what the Lord is doing at Crossroads through our young adults as they serve the students of Crossroads!

Setlist:

Do You Hear What I hear - Deas Vail
Traditions Video
Announcements:  Jocelyn Nicolas
The Frist Noel (Holy Is The Lord)
Great Are You Lord - All Sons and Daughters
One Thing Remains- Stanfill/Nothing But The Blood of Jesus
Message:  God's Gift of Peace For You - Brian Boone
Exit Song:  Original song - Are You Not Like Me

To watch our services on line go to crossroadswired.com

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


Thursday, November 27, 2014

I'm so thankful

As I mix Ron's grandmas homemade roll recipe, and burn the first fire of the winter - I am completely full of thankfulness.

Why the Creator of the universe chose to call me to Himself is something I'll never understand.  It's abiding in His calling that covers my life in purpose.  That purpose fills every second with assurance that there is a reason for each day, that all I have to do is remain in Him and watch for opportunities to serve Him - normally by serving those around me.

The family that the Lord has surrounded me with is one of the areas of my life that I thank Him for continuously.  Always remembering how short our time here truly is by loving them deeply each time we're together.

Today I got word that my daughters' friend lost her father in an accident.

Today we also found out a friend from Crossroads has been given 2 - 3 months to live, completely unexpectedly.

As I bake my rolls I think of these families and can't imagine that they will be able to be thankful tomorrow or that Thanksgiving will even enter their minds.  As I bake my rolls I pray for them, and I tell the Lord of my thankfulness for Him in my life.

I'll think of them tomorrow as I express my thankfulness and love to my family and those we spend the day with.

I'm just so thankful...


Sunday, November 23, 2014

weekend report = Dr. Kevin Leman

What a weekend it was with more still to come tomorrow!

Dr. Kevin Leman was at Crossroads this weekend!   He taught the 3 weekend services plus a Sunday night seminar on marriage.   I've never laughed more in my entire life than I have this weekend!  And the really good news is there is still more to come!

Dr. Leman has an uncanny way of taking truths straight from scripture and presenting them in a way that is irresistible!  He makes you want your relationships to be as God intended and I'm sure many couples left tonight happier than they came!

We are blessed to have Dr. Leman with us and would love for any mom available to come tomorrow morning at 9:30 Moms Only Seminar - Or for anyone to come tomorrow night at 7:00 for 2 seminars on Parenting!

Just go to crossroadswired.com for all the details and to purchase tickets!

Our Setlist:

Traditions Christmas Video

Live Announcements - Wendell Anderson

Blues Intro - All My Fountains

All My Fountains
In Christ Alone
10,000 Reasons

Intro of Dr. Leman - Jeanette Chase - Director of Family Ministry

Message:  The Way of the Wise - Dr. Kevin Leman

Exit Song - Build Your Kingdom

To watch our services go to crossroadswired.com

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


Saturday, November 22, 2014

Dr. Kevin Leman in the house

There is an excitement at Crossroads right now as we finish preparing for Dr. Kevin Leman to arrive.  

It's so satisfying to me, that we are able to offer our congregation one of the most well-known, celebrated Christian psychologists in the entire country.  When it comes to working with Christian families and couples He's the guy!  God is so generous!
We've hosted enough celebrated people to be well grounded in the knowledge that they are just people like you and me that God's presented somewhat extraordinary opportunities to-  who have followed him obediently to serve the body of Christ!
Last night as I finished organizing all of his books that shipped in, I was thinking about the families that would touch each book.  Please join me in praying for every hurting family and marriage as well as young couples preparing for marriage.  May this weekend play an important part in their lives.
That's what Christianity is all about, new beginnings, and I couldn't be more thankful that we have this tremendous opportunity to play just a tiny part in offering those new beginning and strengthening our communities' families!  Please plan to attend this weekend and bring everyone you know with you!  Especially those who may be struggling in any kind of a relationship.
If you haven't already purchased tickets for the Sunday night, Monday morning, Monday night workshops, there should still be tickets available at the doors and we will have them available at the long information counter on your left as you enter Crossroads lobby this weekend!

Friday, November 21, 2014

when I sit and when I stand

In reading Psalms 139:1-24 this morning, I saw verse 2 once again, a familiar verse.

2.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

I know this verse, I've heard this verse before, the question is do I believe this verse?

IF God truly knows when I sit and stand and what I'm thinking about - I IF I really believe this - then WHY don't my life and especially my thoughts look differently then they do?

SO FRUSTRATING!

I do what I don't want to do, I think what I don't want to think...

THAT'S why even every movie and TV show matters and all kinds of trivial things matter so much.  Every conversations matters AND every thought matters.

Does it support what I 'say' I believe?  sometimes...

All I can do when I'm reminded of this is to grab onto it today - turn my day over to the Lord and fight against the enemies interruptions of sights and sounds!

Do you want to join me as we start this day IN HIM - to grab onto these verses and SHOW the Lord we do believe He sees all be the way we act and talk today?

I claim His promise that He'll never leave me - and in Him I'm about to walk out of this house determined to remain IN HIM!

Here we go!

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

does SOUL require suffering

A profound question:

Does soul require suffering to make itself known?  Ortberg asks.

My whole life I've heard hell-fire and brimstone threatening sermons about the devil taking my soul  (except at Crossroads!), a faith driven by guilt (my parents had complete control of me playing on my sympathies and guilt).

I grew up honestly believing that until you suffer, really suffer - you may never be close to the Lord.

So I ask you - is that true?

The other things I heard as a child into young adulthood, were glowing testimonies of these amazing people that withstood torture and rose above unbelievable odds to lead many to the Lord.  Deep in my soul even then I wondered if I could ever live up to this and be that kind of Christian.

Even the flannel graph was creepy!

Still I knew there was more to each of us than just our outer shell and mind - a soul - that's what sets us apart in God's creation!

Ortberg says, "We speak of the soul as a source of strength, and yet we speak of it as fragile."

So confusing!  Are we supposed to understand it, or doesn't it matter?  We just somehow know there's more to us then just flesh and bone because the Bible talks about it a whole lot!  So it must be important.

I seem to re-discover my soul when I'm on vacation, especially if water is involved.  The obligations melt away, the to do's are postponed and I remember again, what I accomplish is NOT who I am.

In times alone or away from distractions my mind, heart, body and soul function perhaps closer to what God intended.

Vacation was great and I intend to hold it close and yet move forward into this new season that requires our very best, both externally and for us to closely guard and nurture our souls so we are ready for God's next things.

Are you?

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

refilled

If you didn't read my blog yesterday - you may want to start there.  I'm going to write a series of articles about my discovery of how worn-out I've been, both spiritually and physically.

And you can't lead when you aren't where you need to be 'in Him'.

Some people may wonder what horrible mess I'm referring to, I hear all the time that I have the perfect family and life.  They have nothing to do with my own self-care and abiding in Him.  It's not that it has to be a terrible catastrophe to feel separated from the Lord, rather, it's not being as fully emerged in Him as I've been designed by Him to be,  when I'm not surrounded by Him that's what  leaves an unexplainable longing and other things fill my day.

When you get super busy it's easy to just 'stay' there because it's habit and somewhat rewarding, but you soon realize any satisfaction is temporary if you can't evan appreciate the journey - be fully in each moment.

I started each morning of vacation listening to this song (click on the HERE link).  There's only one thing that draws my soul toward Him when I'm studying His Word more than nature, and that's music.  I'm convinced that Kari wrote it just for me!  Please listen to the words when you have time to really Hear them!

HERE

Before I studied each day on vacation, I would listen to this just to focus and get myself ready.  You should try it each morning for a week!  POWERFUL!

When my heart was focused and I stopped crying - I opened the book I will always love called "Soul Keeping".  It is the most powerful - personal book I've read in years.  I received it for attending the "STORY" conference  a couple months ago.  It was worth the cost of the conference to me.

Let me leave you with this today from John's book, he had the privilege to spend time with Dallas Willard a USC professor and a person believers that knew him referred to as a "soul curate".  His deep understanding of the things of the Lord caused John to cry when he spoke of his relationship with God.  When John asked Willard what he needed to do to stay spiritually healthy Willard said,

"You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.  There's nothing else - hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day."

Sounds so simple.  So that's my pursuit - to listen to the Lord.  To be fully present when I have an opportunity to listen to and minister to others He places in my path.  And to not feel one bit guilty for resting more then I have been for a very long time.

Will you join me in this seemingly simple move toward Him?

Monday, November 17, 2014

it's been a while

As some of you may know, we just got home from vacation.

It was the first traveling vacation my husband and I have taken for quite a while.  It was glorious!


Although we had a group of us on the trip - each day everyone did exactly as they pleased and if anyone got bored - there was always a rousing game of euchre or 'oh heck' going on.  I won in euchre but was a disaster in the other.

All that to say, the Lord knew exactly what I needed and He graciously gave it to me.

It's easy to be so busy that you miss your life, your God opportunities, being fully engaged and getting proper rest.  That was the cycle I've been caught in for a while now.  I'm not a victim, I allow it and quite frankly love it.  I love to work and communicate and to see what I can help to create.  But this cycle breeds stress and tiredness.

So as I packed for vacation I knew I had a powerful book or two to take - reading is how I unwind, and I was able to read as much as I wanted to on this trip - couldn't put them down and God used them in a mighty way!  Ortberg is officially one of my favorite authors now!

I want to spend this week writing a little about what I learned each day - I'm still trying to process it all.  As I read I realized I was nearly empty - my soul was weary and begging for focused renewal.

Let me explain this important fact I learned, the difference between busy and hurry from John Ortberg's book.

Being busy is an outward condition - it occurs when we have many things to do.

Being hurried is an inner condition - a condition of the soul.  It means to be so preoccupied with my life that I'm unable to be fully present - unable to occupy this present moment.  I cannot abide in God with a hurried soul.

And I realize I've been hurried for a very long time.  The beginning of the end to hurry started this week - I engaged with my Savior like I haven't for a very long time.  The longing in my heart can only be filled by Him and NOTHING else.  I know all of these things in my head - but my heart, my soul was not satisfied with all the hurry so I really want to continue taking steps in abiding...

For a number of years I've claimed I Corinthians 9:26 & 27 as my life verses and one of the books I read on vacation talked about how important having a life verse is - so here are mine.

Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way as not to beat the air;
but, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

Who would have thought that one of the greatest lack of disciplines we could have is to hurry? 








Thursday, November 6, 2014

serving and sewing

Tonight I had the privilege of not only serving some of the ladies of Crossroads, but serving WITH some of my good friends!

We taught the ladies and girls that came how to hand sew hems, repairs and replace buttons!  It was good to watch ladies with great talents share their knowledge with other women.

As we worked with them, we heard the weekend worship being prepared in the background, laughter coming from the office area as the GoMissions team worked on preparing all the children's gift lists and also the grunts and strains of the Aikido class down the hall.  A church, on a week night serving, preparing and pushing God's kingdom forward!  No where I'd rather be than in the local church!
Jean assisting a young lady with her stitching

teaching hand-sewing


Jeanette and Patty preparing the treats!

Jackie demonstrating hemming

Milo and the team getting ready for another amazing weekend

Melissa cracking the whip with the vocalists

GoMissions team preparing the Adopt-A-Charge cards



Tuesday, November 4, 2014

freedom wasn't free

This morning I've been thinking about all the people before me that sacrificed so that I can vote today.

People that gave their lives for MY freedom
People that bravely fight behind the scenes to try and keep God values alive in the US

I am free to walk into a voting place without harassment, without fear of any kind and vote for who I think would please the Lord with their decisions.  Will any candidate really change things for the better?   We may never really know!   What we have to walk away believing is that God is in charge - and we just exercised a practice that very few places around the world get to participate in!

This may not always be the case - so I plan to take FULL advantage of my rights today.

If you're not planning to vote today then you've fallen into the enemies trap of believing your vote doesn't count.  That's crazy!  There ARE honest people involved in the process - I personally know a couple of the people behind the desk at our voting location and they LOVE the Lord with all their hearts!

Is every candidate honest ?   No.

But, how cool would it be if God chose to turn the evil to good in the US and give his people a new voice - don't you want to be part of that?

I'm not pushing either party - it has NOTHING to do with that - the fact is our freedom was purchased with a huge cost and we honor those who gave their lives, and limbs, and quality of life for us!

And, by not voting you have NO voice - you have no right to complain - and some day you may not even have an option to vote.  Please don't give that right away.

Freedom wasn't free.





Sunday, November 2, 2014

weekend report

This weekend, well, it took my breath away...

Precious friends serving on our praise teams, tech teams, children's ministries, student ministries, missions team, parkers, greeters, coffee house volunteers, offering counters, communion team, iCenter, resource center, hostess to our praise team - I could just go on and on and on but I'll show you just a glimpse of our ministry instead!

Pastor Brian - a gift straight from God!

Some of our students (and leader-Jocelyn) selling candles for summer mission's trip

Two of my praise-team girlfriends in the greenroom before the service.

Faithful Dan - in his 18th year of leading

We 'borrowed' Mia from the Student Ministry band
Mia stepped in last-minute when we had no drummer - she did an AMAZING job!


A fall communion!  Love our communion volunteers!!

Praising Him!

Eric - High School Pastor - preparing to lead worship with his sister

Jocelyn rehearsing "It is Well" - beautiful - preparing to lead the students

Jesse - Middle School Pastor with his father - Mike and faithful side-kick preparing technically for the students!

Leah - popping corn for the Pre-Teens - it filled the ministry with a buttery amazing smell!

The greeters getting the low-down on when the doors open & close and all the details!

Kristin - our children's coordinator making even the nursery EXCELLENT!


some of the earliest to arrive each weekend - I call them 'the coffee club'

Our amazing worship team

Our Setlist:

Announcements:  Kick off of our 10th year of Adopt A Child!

Build Your Kingdom Here
All My Fountains
We Believe

Message:  Choices Pt. 3 - Choose Unity - Pastor Brian Boone

Communion:   Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)

To watch our services go to crossroadswired.com

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