so thankful for opportunities

Yesterday I got to attend the "Gifted To Lead" conference.

Got to see Nancy Beach again!

Anyway, what a blessing to be challenged by such strong leaders. Challenged to lead strongly and confidently. Challenged to admit we were created with leadership gifts and to work hard to develop them. Challenged to follow God's leading in our lives always.

They described with shocking detail the 'ways' I have often felt in my leadership journey. Times I felt stupid for blurting out some idea that no one understood - times I didn't speak out and wished I had, especially when it involved things I was concerned about and shrugged it off instead of speaking honestly - and times of God moving in ways so far beyond our own doing.

I am thankful for all the people in my life that have pushed me out of my comfort zone - have told me 'you can do it' - have given me the opportunity to succeed and to fail.

I am thankful for those friends and volunteers that work under my leadership - I feel many times so sorry for you as my attention wonders to and fro - I feel proud of you as you create and serve and push to further God's Kingdom - and I love the longevity that so many of you have with our ministry, this speaks volumes to me because these days commitment is so rare.

It was a great day of learning and basking in a leadership surrounding - just soaking it all in. I am very thankful, so thankful!

what I learned today

In Nancy Beach's book "Gifted To Lead" she quotes Betsy Cohen... "Our society creates inevitable comparison and inevitable dissatisfaction." Nancy goes on to say, "Our God is so serious about the problem of envy that he specifically addresses coveting in the Ten Commandments!" She goes on to talk about how she has had to sacrifice in some areas to do what she feels God has called her to do. But how Satan time and time again makes her feel jealous or inadequate especially in domestic areas.

Why do we all compare, why do we waste so much time gossiping, being jealous, wanting what others have.

This discontentment has to slap God right in the face! How dare we not be happy and satisfied with the very place that the God of this universe has placed us?? HE created us- He has placed each of us right where He needs us to be! Is it not our own decisions that create our problems? I know it is in my case for sure!

Any time I'm low on cash - MY fault because I couldn't be patient and just had to buy something I didn't really need. Any time I loose a quality relationship MY fault - I at least have to share in the blame. Any time I have made a wrong decision - MY fault usually because I rushed ahead to solve it on my own ignoring God's timing. Any time I am jealous - MY fault - no one has the power to make me feel that way!

I say this to say we make a decision to be jealous and covet, or not to. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

POWERFUL - that is what I learned today!

my day off

It has been a relaxing day off! Went to leasurly browse at my favorite store Gabriel Brothers, picked up a few things at a couple other stores and mostly was just home!

I spent some reflective time trying to grasp everything that went on at Crossroads this weekend...I am overwhelmed that God would bless us with such great guests and opportunities.

The possibilities with the Satellite broadcasts we can provide for our community is very exciting! As I recapped the events in my Elders Report today, I was blown away by the evaluations I looked over. Crossroads hosted 34 different churches at the Beth Moore event - when does that ever happen? About 1/3 of the ladies that attended the Beth Moore event, turned in evaluation forms, but out of those 19 Crossroads' ladies recommitted their lives to Christ and 15 ladies from other ministries also recommitted their lives! Now, that could definitely have impact in this community!

Then as I thought through Nancy Beach's impact I heard the words ring out "Wow"! Nancy encouraged our congregation to 'see' the miracles and opportunities around them. She asked us to slow down and enjoy the "wow" moments and things that God created, including us!

Beginnning last night as I was cleaning up in my office, one volunteer at a time passed my office and yelled "Wow" at the top of their lungs! OK, OK so the message was amazing, but say wow to God not me!! ha ha I even got a Wow text today! Well, I guess that just proves everyone was listening, and for that I am thankful! And for Nancy's tremendous ability to stir our souls I am thankful!

I have enjoyed today, a true day off!

weekend report

I don't even know where to begin...Nancy Beach from WillowCreek did our weekend teaching and it was amazing. This came on the heels of hosting the Beth Moore Lifeway event Friday and Saturday...

and preceded the first ever Crossroads Car Show. We were so excited by the car show participation as 89 cars registered!

Our Setlist:

We began with Mustang Sally to bring our Announcement Guy to the stage to advertise our Car Show. Very fun!

Announcements: Bill dressed in rolled up jeans, leather jacket, white socks and sun glasses to support the car show!

We created a cool beginning with scripture reading intermittently between the vocalists singing, eventually inviting the audience to stand and join in.

Holy God (Doerkson)
How Great Thou Art (Baloche)
Indescribable (Tomlin)
Forever

Pastor Tim introduced Nancy

"Wonder" - Nancy Beach

To see what other worship teams did across the United States go to Fred McKinnon's

preparations

We are almost done preparing for a huge weekend at Crossroads!

We began to prepare tonight for all of our weekend guests by bathing our building in prayer! A beautiful beginning to a long amazing weekend. The quiet reflective atmosphere that our prayer team created was so perfect for a time of asking God's protection and blessing over our weekend!

We have the privilege of hosting a Beth Moore simulcast event Friday and Saturday, then hosting Nancy Beach from the WillowCreek Church Saturday night and Sunday.

Our weekend (weather permitting) will end with a huge car show. This will be a great opportunity for unchurched people to walk through the church and maybe, just maybe decide it is a place where they can begin their spiritual journey.

To watch someone, even one person begin their spiritual journey is why we all do what we do!

weekend report

I hate to see this OT Southern style series come to an end, it's been a blast. Today we ended with a lot of energy following a somewhat stressful week of preparations. God was good, so good!

SetList:

Pre service we ran last weekend's outdoor baptism pictures...not many dry eyes in the house!

Opening Praise: Let God Arise
Praise: Majestic
Praise: Your Grace Is Enough
Worship: Revelation Song
Special Music: After The Rain
Announcements: Pastor Tim talked about everything coming next weekend to Crossroads.
-BETH MOORE event: we are hosting the CCN satellite 2 day conference Friday/Saturday
-NANCY BEACH: Nancy will be coming from WillowCreek to teach next weekend
-CAR SHOW: we are located on the Main drag in town and will be hosting a huge car show next weekend as well (I'm tired already!)

Special Music: David Did Dance : Lauren Talley - artist

Message: David and Goliath (amazing message asking us all "what is the giant in your life?")

Special Music: Long As I Got King Jesus: Vickie Winans - artist

I am not a fan of Southern Gospel, but, this weekend I become a convert! AMAZING kicking specials!

If you would like to see what other ministries around the country used in their services go to Fred McKinnon's site.

To watch our services on Monday go to www.crossroadswired.com May God richly bless your week!

leading regardless

Occasionally everyone that is in the role of leadership feels like they shouldn't be there...I find myself feeling that way the past couple of weeks. I don't say this to evoke sympathy or any compliments, so please don't think that. I'm confident in my calling still I feel lately that I should be leading more confidently by now...

When I question my ability and strength I look to the Lord and also to other Godly leaders. Today I came across this excerpt from Nancy Beach one of my favorites. Nancy is a teaching pastor, writer and former leader of the Arts Teams at the WillowCreek Church. If even she feels this way it encourages me greatly!

Nancy said in her blog today concerning speaking at a very large conference recently, "I spoke about the issue of women leading in the church. As I walked up on stage to speak to the 3200 attenders, I took a deep breath and simply had to trust that God had given me a message to deliver and my job was simply to deliver it. I knew I could not control the response, nor should my own sense of worth be defined by whether the talk was well received..." Of course her talk was well received because she is amazing! But, even amazing, well known leaders struggle not to base their worth on what they do. Our worth of course is found only in God and our obedience to his calling.

The same day I found this from Nancy, I also found an article from Andy Stanley who had very encouraging words to leaders. Andy said, "as a young leader I was tormented by the assumption that I should know what to do in every given situation...the more responsibility you assume as a leader, the more uncertainty you will have to manage. The cost of success as a leader is greater uncertainty, not less!"

At first glance, these words may not sound very hopeful or encouraging, but knowing how both of these leaders have similar struggles, encourages me. So, I will continue to lead as God allows and try to keep my focus on Him instead of my shortcomings. I pray you are each encouraged as well as you lead wherever God calls you!