a different Christmas

 This will be a different Christmas for sure!  

My daughter's first baby arrived early so I had the privilege of being down in NC with her for the past week 1/2.  What a joy to see how amazing she and Jared are parenting this little one, already pointing him to Jesus!  I have loved every moment of it!

Being here also means I'm less involved then normal with Crossroads' Christmas.  I still have responsibilities but missing all the final meetings and tweaks to the plans.  Christmas was always one of my favorite ministry seasons although some of the pastor's I've worked with didn't particularly love it - ha ha!

It's always a magnificent thing to watch everything fall into place as God's hand touches our work and forms it into exactly what His will is.  None of us ever dreamed COVID would still be controlling much of what is happening around us by December, but alas it is.  Still, I see God's leading even in things like Pastor Dave's suggestion for live animals this year - and the fact that they have to be outside.  This removed all worry about COVID by wearing masks and being spread out from one another in the fresh air!

It gives everyone at Crossroads the opportunity to invite anyone they've been wanting to invite to church to stop by...even if it's just to see the animals!  Please use this opportunity to invite families, even if you don't think they'll stay for the service it may be Step #1 in getting them to Crossroads.  Meanwhile inside the Gospel of Jesus will be celebrated through beautiful song and God filled teaching! 

Everything we plan is intentional, everything pointing them to the Savior! We'll have people out with our animals in front of the church to welcome everyone and chat with them about Christ's birth - we just need you to help us get those people here!  We'll even have a camel!

Remember if you invite people with Elementary aged kids or younger, there will be children's services just for them at all of the 5:00 p.m. services - December 22, 23 & 24.  

Even in the ugliness of all the sickness, we can still safely worship and honor King Jesus while remaining a safe distance from one another! I'll be back from NC soon and hope to see you there!

a friend named Dan

 I have a friend named Dan.  

Nearly half of my life has been spent working in ministry with him, first at a Lexington church and then at Crossroads Church.

But I've always known of him even before we met.

His reputation in the community as the top choir leader, traveling with high school choirs around the country winning top honors everywhere they went, while leading congregations in worship was very well known.

He's a guy I admire for many reasons.  He has lead me personally to understand what true worship is as I've sat in worship services under his leadership!  He's treated me respectfully as I became his boss for many years even though he was the more qualified of the two of us at times.  And the early reasons I looked up to him was based on how ugly his experience was many years ago with his Christian community involving unfaithfulness, unfair loss of his job and sin in a previous local ministry, as well as his personal battle with illness.

I know many people who disagree with one thing in their church and leave instead of staying to work it out.  No church is perfect.  He never left until now as he retires.

I've seen him remain in the Lord, searching for His will and faithfully serving as he lead us in worship!

Talent is one thing, but a lifestyle that points people to the Savior is what I long for and that's what I've seen in Dan.

As Dan retires from Crossroads, I just wanted him to know how much I look up to him and how much his dependable, talented, kind leading will be missed!!  May the Lord bless you Dan in this new season!