this is the day...

I woke up with bits and pieces of scripture swirling through my head. 

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it"

"Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me"

"I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me"

Today is the kind of day, well, that I'll be glad when it's over.  It's so packed full of to do's, that I woke up wishing I was going to bed instead of getting up!  How sad!

When I'm overwhelmed in any way - the Lord is there beside me.  He has given me this day.  He wants me to fully live it - experience Him - and use it for eternity for Him.

I am to rejoice in this day - it's God that strengthens me!  I don't have to do anything alone - ever!  What blessed truths!

I encourage you as you face what may be a tough day, lean fully into Him - I'll be there leaning too!

what I learned today

I'm reading John Ortberg's book - Soul Keeping.  I love it.

He poses so many questions about our soul - that really make me think, and pray.

One question is "Does soul require suffering to make itself known?  Doesn't that just make your mind spin?

The reporting of all the violence, of apparent freedom slipping out of our fingers, especially as believers, makes me fearful if I let it.   It captures my soul, if I let it.  Before I read the above quote I was laying in bed the other night wondering if physical suffering will be required of me down the road due to a loss of freedom.  The enemy loves to make me fearful.

You can worry about the future continuously to the point it controls everything you do, or you can trust Him.

Matthew 6:25 & 26
 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[a]?

Actually the opposite is true - we can LOSE single hours of our life by worrying!  Stress kills!  God designed us and He knew to live in optimum physical and mental health - we cannot worry - we need to rest in Him always.  He designed us to need Him.

Our soul is a mystery to us, but it's funny how you KNOW it exists.   I've often said  - my soul is weary!

It's interesting how many examples of references to our soul that even secular movies and advertising use to connect with us.

I guess it's definitely true, a God shaped hole exists in all of us - even the people who don't acknowledge it react to things that touch them deeply!

Care for your soul today, rest in Him!

Weekend Report: Crossroads Chapter 2

This weekend is the weekend that begins Chapter 2 of Crossroads officially.

We called our second pastor - David Vance.  He also informed his current congregation today that he was leaving.

So crazy how there can be such rejoicing on one hand and such loss on the other.  While our congregation clapped I can imagine it was quite a different reaction in his current ministry.

I am SO thankful for strong leadership that never wavered - and a healthy ministry ready to move forward...and so we worshiped!  And it was topped off by baptizing 8 people this weekend!

Pastor Brian - our interim pastor has been an amazing gift from God!

The praise team lead us so strongly!

Our setlist:
Prayer Video   http://www.faithit.com/max-lucado-before-amen-surprise-stats-pray-americans/#.VEgKPzvA1LI.email

Announcements & Welcome on video

Down To The River and Pray
Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)
Man of Sorrows

Pastor Search Update - Chairman of the Elders - Mike Sloan

Celebration Song:  God Is Able

Message:  Choices:  Pt. 2 Choose Prayer

Exit Song:  God Is Able

To watch our service live go to www.crossroadswired.com

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

today's wisdom - from the young

A very wise young person I work with encouraged us today to bathe our days in prayer in preparation for the next chapter of Crossroads.  The enemy would love nothing more than to crush us - distract us with trivial struggles or side-rail us completely as we enter this next phase.

This young friend is wise beyond her years - and one by one today the staff went around the room and talked about the area they wanted prayer for, or the area they felt responsible for and what they considered the very most important ministry areas to cover with prayer.

It was moving, as it came to me I couldn't even speak as I choked out the words that caught in my throat - as I thought about the deep-deep passion I feel to pour my life into every aspect of what's presented from the stage at Crossroads.  I was overwhelmed by the burden I feel for our congregation and for our community.

Each word that's spoken, each song that's sung-  I scrutinize over changing even the most tiny detail until finally being satisfied with it, until I finally feel it's worthy to be placed before the King of Kings.

There's great debate whether it's better, perhaps even more spirit filled - to be more fluid and 'let it happen' vs. the 'highly organized' version of worship services.  When His Word talks about offering Him our best I believe it also applies to the preparation that goes into presenting the Word of God - maybe even more than any other setting...I don't know.

I only know, I lose sleep at night, I analyze everything and my heart REJOICES when I see the brilliant staff we have around us - leading us fearlessly and confidently into yet another weekend of worship.  NOTHING except a soul won for eternity pleases me more.

I love the unselfish way the entire staff serves the ministry as a whole and celebrates any accomplishment no matter who it is.  Anyone who holds someone else back or doesn't offer everything they possibly can toward making them successful should step aside in leadership.    Pushing others past you should be the goal.  Cheering them on - celebrating their success - and then stepping into whatever God opens up for you.

And so tonight I not only cover my own area of ministry in prayer - I pray for us all.  I pray for intense unity and a time that pleases the Lord like no other.  I thank Him for my fellow staff members and the amazing support from all our volunteers and Crossroads' friends!  And I can't wait to worship tomorrow at Crossroads!!!  See you there!

care for the helpless

The reason we are having a silent auction right now at Crossroads you may ask?

It's to help care for the helpless among us.  Those single mom's who are considering abortion.  It's for the girls that have been told it's no big deal to end an unplanned pregnancy.  It's for Richland County - hoping and praying we can make some small difference in desperate situations.

We are not to judge those who find themselves in desperate situations, even if you could argue that 'it's their own fault".  The scriptures never say, Unless it's their fault - never!

Psalm 82:4  Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”    

There are many verses in the Bible describing what our reaction as believers should be in regard to those weaker than we are, the poor and the less fortunate.  God is honored when we care for those around us.

And so Crossroads is recognizing and supporting the work of one of our local mission partners this weekend by having a silent auction to raise money for those that Richland Pregnancy Services care for.

Please make a donation or purchase a beautiful piece for someone on your Christmas list!   Go to the Crossroads website and click on the scrolling Silent Auction window and register for your bidding number and place your bid- www.crossroadswired.com!  You'll be able to keep bidding at Crossroads Sunday until 1:00 and then we'll send the winners home with their purchases!!

Can you imagine some day finding out your purchase or donation saved the life of a baby?  I can't imagine one dollar of my earnings going to a greater cause!!

You're welcome to stop by Crossroads between 8:00 and 4:00 tomorrow and take a look at the items before the weekend if you'd like to!   Join me won't you and let's give the hope of Jesus to someone by supporting our local mission partner - RPS!

weekend report

So.....

Crossroads was hopping this weekend and so filled with the Holy Spirit I can hardly describe it!

silhouettes of our amazing team

It is possible to teach on super difficult subjects while carefully proclaiming that any sin can be forgiven by the God who created the universe.   The ache He must feel as He watches His creation make terribly decisions and then suffer under the guilt and regret the decisions bring...And still He loves us, forgives us and calls us His own...amazing.

Our setlist:

The Lord Reigns - Gateway
Jesus Loves Me - Tomlin
One Thing Remains - Stanfill
Oceans - Hillsong
Video: Choose Life - SermonSpice  http://www.sermonspice.com/product/44355/choose-life
Message:  Choose Life - Pastor Brian Boone
Special Music:  Tears Fall

artists painting the final addition to our silent auction

one of our high school groups

faithful volunteer Doug serving in our Elementary room

my hubby leading a new membership group

Chrystie on the final special of the day

Tears Fall - an amazing ending to our services

Sound-guy Aaron

couldn't resist the silhouette shots

Worship was so sweet

My favorite instrument on stage this weekend

To watch our services go to crossroadswired.com

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

Have a blessed week!

life keeps on moving

As I find myself sitting here in the video booth at Crossroads, waiting to cue up a video honoring a young woman's life that was taken by the horrible disease diabetes.

I too lost a 40 year old brother to this disease.  I absolutely hate what it does to the body it overtakes.

The thing that always catches my attention at any of these kinds of losses is the fact that life all around us just keeps on moving.  Totally unaffected by the hearts that mourn this morning.

While people inside Crossroads struggle to make sense of a life cut so short -- people beside us buy their weekly groceries at Kroger or shop for thematic crafting items in preparation for fall celebrations or early Christmas preparations at Hobby Lobby.

When something so totally consumes you personally like the loss of a loved one,  it's shocking to watch the total disregard of everyone around you.  Not that they knew this girl or her family, but, because of being so totally inside this loss, saturated by it - it's hard to watch as traffic drives by and people laugh walking down sidewalks...

I am speaking to both myself and you as I encourage you this day to really 'see' what's around you.  Consider what others may be dealing with and have the mind of Christ always considering others before yourselves -

what I learned today

One of my best friends in the world, Deering recently talked about how much more relaxed and less stressed he finds himself since he doesn't have cable anymore.  He's unplugged from the negative 'doomsday' blathering of the news media.  I wonder how sad it makes the Lord to see us sitting in front of the hypnotizing spell of our TVs- filling our minds with whatever they want to say?

I've always watched music competition shows on tv and HGTV - that's about it.  And it's largely because they amuse me, I don't have to think and sometimes they even get my creative juices flowing!  Beyond that, I don't need information from the tube.

That may seem like mindless watching, but I came out of a childhood of doomsday proclamations every time I walked through the doors of the church.   I spent nights awake following fiery threats from the pulpit and endless 'don't you dare do anything wrong!' warnings.  It made me always feel 'not good enough'.  Throw my aunts continuous evaluations into the mix and it's a wonder I ever walked back in church again!

But even in my most doom and gloom filled days, there were true believers around me, including my parents, that got it.

What God intended to bring to the earth was grace - not threats.

Phillip Yancy said this in an excerpt from Vanishing Grace
God entered our world and demonstrated in person that nothing — not even death — can separate us from God’s love. That the story of Jesus has this main theme: “For God so loved the world that He gave . . .” That human existence will not end with the imminent warming of our atmosphere or the gradual cooling of our sun, and my particular destiny will not end with death. That God will balance the scales of human history not by karma but by grace, in such a way that no one will be able to accuse God of unfairness.

No one will be able to accuse God of unfairness....WOW!  I guess that means that looking back it will be obvious that His grace was there, just waiting to calm our fears and release us from guilt and the worry of not being good enough...

Our fellow non-believing friends desperately need to hear the Gospel of Grace!  Grace-filled eyes are my goal today - Lord Jesus, let me see everyone whose path I cross with YOUR EYES today - the eyes that held so much love for us that you gave up your own life...

weekend report

We had another blessed weekend at Crossroads with Pastor Brian!

God's reassurances in the middle of the world's chaos is His gift to us!

The worship was strong and the fellowship was sweet!  It was good to be in the house of the Lord!

Our setlist:

Be Lifted Higher
Lord I Need You
Forever Reign
Nothing Ever (Could Separate Us)
Message:  Beyond The Battle - Brian Boone
Exit Video:  I will Fight
http://www.faithit.com/super-charged-motivational-preaching-join-fight/#.VCAexZW_fBU.email


To watch our services on line go to crossroadswired.com

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

another day is done

I am sitting in my bed because I'm so dead tired, taking care of some email and going to sleep early!

Looking back over my day, I wondered if there was anything positive and of lasting eternal value at all?

I woke up with a headache after the pie baking evening at Crossroads last night.  (Wendell and Jeff are sure it was the sugar!)  Because of not feeling great I slept an extra hour then went straight to the Crossroads Directors meeting.

I love this group of people more than I can describe!  They care about what's going on in our ministry and in one another's lives.  And they challenge me personally.  Today was no exception.  I always leave thinking...

I went immediately to a lunch meeting with a technical genius guy and Arnie, and it was also very stimulating!  I again left there thinking!  I hope this meeting results in new friendships!

Next I cooked dinner at home for my hubby and son Eric, we enjoyed having him with us  - I cannot even begin to describe how often I praise the Lord that I have a Godly family following Him!

And now I find myself thinking about all the thinking I did today.

Was this day as God intended my day to be?  Do I just turn my days into what pleases me?  How many pointless - possibly hurtful words came out of my mouth today?

Words.

It's funny what some consider one of my gifts can also be my biggest weakness.

They are one of two things - either a blessing or a curse.

If there is anything between those two extreems it may be pointless words I guess - that sound a lot like BLA -BLA - BLA to those in ear shot.






Oh how I want especially my spoken words to draw others toward the Lord or toward a Godly decision in our ministry, or however He needs them to lead others...

I pray you hear the words deep in my heart tonight Lord - the words no one else will ever hear.  May those hidden words always be the deep longing for you that I feel right now.

the 'looks' of ministry

I don't know about any of your ministries, but ours constantly looks different and in many cases unexpected!

Tonight was no exception - 5 of my friends and myself, offered a pie making class and it was quite the hit!   I only HOPE their pies turn out ok when they bake them at home tonight!

But what I watched tonight was worth any work that was done, or any other work that wasn't does as the case may be - because we saw a large church become small as ladies learned from one another and laughed and ate together. 

Here is some of what you missed if you weren't at Crossroads tonight.

Ready and donning an apron!

Friends with different pies!

My good friends preparing for the evening

Peeling fresh apples

new friends

Staring with Prayer.

Jean demonstrating her - bake in the paper bag apple pie!

Jocelyn did it, perfect crust!

It was very good to be in the House of the Lord tonight, and I'm thankful to all the gals that came out - more good times to come!

PS>  The only negative was I didn't realize on the other side of the wall from us was our Healthy Beginnings Class ...I heard rumors that several girls that were supposed to be in that HEALTHY Class attended ours instead!  Whoops!

my day off

I often joke about once we create and execute a service at Crossroads, I forget about it.  No matter how dynamic if I'm not careful to be fully engaged it can become a 'checked off item'.

This morning as I enjoyed (kind of) a cup of instant coffee, (anyone who knows me knows this could potentially ruin my day - (Crossroads' Coffee House did not have any bags of Lousanteville to purchase yesterday).. I'm still relishing yesterday's services at Crossroads.

The process of 'team' means all the names of 'who did what', disappears into a seamless crescendo of effort completed as the worship comes pouring out of the congregation in response to God's touch on our week's work.  For the God of the Universe to allow our team to participate in this ending to our week's labor causes a praise to build up within me - never to be adequately expressed.

 Tomorrow I turn my attempts toward Christmas - please pray for a break through!

Before I begin to craft the pieces of a crucial service like our Christmas services, I feel completely overwhelmed and unworthy.  But, as I cover the pieces in prayer - God's assurance washes over me and reminds me that all He expects is one pieces, one attempt, one try at a time.  All I have to do is build the framework and invite the team in - and together we complete it.  No service is one persons' efforts or ideas, it's always collaborative or it will hold no appeal or value to the masses.

So on my day off - I just listen to and look at all the Christmas pieces I've collected in my desktop folder all year long.  The pieces that could possibly fit together to form what we've dreamed of, or could simply become pieces that lead us on
to other things - things not yet discovered.

Please pray that Christmas at Crossroads will be a pouring out of prayerful work that fills eyes with wonder and hearts with understanding of the new born King...

weekend report

These pictures of our amazing choir and praise team kneeling to pray before the services began this weekend, say it all!   When you see 30 people take a knee for prayer - you know that something special is about to happen!!  We are blessed beyond compare!  And our teams were ready when you arrived this weekend!

It was just one of those weekends - you knew everyone on stage and in the tech areas were there to serve, and the result - we worshipped - OH how we worshipped!

Our Setlist:
Opening video announcements
Opening Praise images video
I Lay Me Down
In Christ Alone
Here in Your Presence
How Great Is Our God
Message:  Beyond Religion
Exit Song:   Lay Me Down

To watch our services go to crossroadswired.com

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

tonight

Tonight I lead our services at Crossroads Community Church.  Am I ready?

The responsibility of leading goes much deeper than simply showing up and doing a job.   My position allows me the ability and right to give orders, make suggestions and just plain boss people around.   But, that's far from leadership.

The result of good leadership means someone is following you.

Do they follow because of a job description?  Yes, if they are paid to!   Otherwise not for long.

My prayer for myself tonight is to lead by example, to lead by caring for even the smallest details and by loving those I lead, and most of all by being pleasing to my Savior.

And only through prayer and humility - to play a small part in bringing alive the Gospel message to many.  To visually and audibly engage every sense of their need for a Savior through our services.

"I need thee, oh I need thee...every hour I need thee, bless me now my Savior I come to thee."

Please join us at Crossroads this weekend and meet the only one who can meet your needs...

chicago

I'm currently in Chicago at the STORY conference for creatives.

This conference fills my creative tank - and it confirms that I'm not crazy, (although there may be some that would argue).  I'm surrounded by people here that process things the way I do, they work the way I do and my work makes perfect sense to everyone here.  That's very satisfying and worthwhile!

deep dish Chicago pizza

Matt Knisley - storyteller, Author & Photographer

Sharon Irving - singer & songwriter

STORY

Opening segment - STORY

This first day of STORY has been a day of inspiring speakers encouraging all of us to use our crafts to tell the stories that need to be told.  Stories that communicate truth, stories that tell others that we have the same struggles they do, and stories of redemption.

God's given each of us a story that only we can tell, a story He's created us to tell!