weekend report and stuff

I decided to include all the pictures that described most of the highlights of my week.

They ranged from musical worship moments, teaching reminders of why the Reformation matters, students dedicated to putting in the rehearsal time required to be an important part of our ministry,  new beginnings downtown - an excitement to see what God has planned, to private family times of celebration and just taking in the 'good times' of family being gathered to love.  I know I am blessed, I don't know why so much - but, I'm beyond thankful for all of these little important things and give all the credit to a God who loves me despite myself!

A time of worship during our Reformation weekend

A visual opportunity of response for our congregation - the doors were covered
by the end of the weekend.  Powerful!

I know I talk about it endlessly, but the students worshipping is a great encouragement to me - I love stopping back and
spending a little time with them too!   This coming weekend at Crossroads will be the first time our students have lead
without any adult leaders on stage!  They work super hard to prepare - I hope you'll be there it's going to be super powerful!

I timed it just right this past week and caught Father and Son
Ritchey installing our beautiful City Center sign for all to see.
A declaration that Crossroads cares about our community and
wants to serve it any way we can!

I can't explain what a perfect description this
visual is of our grand-baby Margot, a princess
dress with a Spiderman Football...all is well!

I don't think I ever see anything less than full-blown joy
when any of our grand-babies are with grandpa!
This was the perfect ending to our week - in Ashland celebrating
my mom's birthday!

Our Setlist:

Announcements - Jesse Rider

A Mighty Fortress

Glorious Day

This I Believe

Bumper Video

Message:  Why the Reformation was Necessary and Still Is - Doctor Dave Vance

Exit Song:  We Believe

To watch our services go to crossroadswired.com

Another blog you would really enjoy is my daughter Jocelyn's blog - you can read it here: 

https://jocelynnicolas.com/home/2017/10/23/adoption-a-new-identity

  - Do

approaching 200,000

Although I've become very unfaithful to blogging in recent months, I still would like to continue writing if the Lord gives me content!   Today I was trying to add some gadgets to my blog and I noticed the stats that I rarely look at.

It's crazy to think I'm almost at 200,000 views.  That is just plain crazy!  So I thought I'd see 'where' the views are coming from and this is what it shows.

Pageviews by Countries Entry Pageviews Russia 71 Ukraine 68 United States 67 China 7 Germany 7 Netherlands 6 India 4 France 3 United Kingdom 2 Kenya 2

Over seas is greater then the US.  That is really confusing!  But it continues to show me how very, very important it is to dedicate everything in my life fully to the Lord.  What he can take and use is so much more profound than anything I could ever create or dream up!

I want to know these viewers, I would love to talk to each and every one of them!

I am humble, and thankful, and just blown away by the opportunities God provides.  Thanks to all of you who find time in your lives to read this - it mean so much!

tryin' to be wise

I've been trying really hard to be wise - and it's not working so well.

I've been trying to be wise when friends come with problems - even though I know full well they just need a listening ear - not solutions from me.  Tryin' hard to be wise…

I'm trying to be wise with my care about the ministry.  I sometimes act as if it's my ministry and have to draw myself back hard - and lift my eyes upward to once again focus on the only reason I'm in ministry.  Tryin' hard to be wise…

I catch myself worrying about who's not there, it's a normal summer but it feels way more personal this summer.

I was blessed when I found this today on my favorite author's blog.

 The very Son of God had a ministry to 12. And even one of them abandoned Him. Forget the numbers in your work. Focus on the net value of  your work. 

May I be wise when I talk to even one.  Who knows, I may have been called to ministry just to reach one!

I give up trying to be wise in the eyes of the world - and will follow and listen and wait…patiently.

home again

We are home again.  So once again we are trying to get back into a routine. 

In some ways I don't want to get back into a routine - I liked our disrupted routine that found us in Cambodia the past 2 weeks.  I liked seeing our daughter and son-in-law and loving on rescued children, and giving them gifts and listening to plans for the future and dreaming dreams that can only be accomplished by God.

So now back home I want to still have God dreams.

I've returned home longing for a God restored country - saddened by the fact that we seem to be stepping further and further from God.  I've returned burdened to pray for the US like never before.  It was interesting hearing reports about the US from other countries' perspective.   I've been praying for our leaders, asking God to reveal Himself to them.  I've been praying for revival and that people will realize that we have an amazing country - that's it's worth working hard and valuing the freedom that we have and fighting for it.  But most of all I want to pray because I am burdened for them to know my Savior - not so that I can remain comfortable in my 'plenty' and convenience.

As we heard reports about Russia and the Ukraine I listened and prayed for both countries as well.  Even though I cared for those people I didn't know, it didn't really become real to me until I was looking at my blog stats...

People in Ukraine read my blog.

It stopped me in my tracks.  How in the world would anyone over there read my blog?  I longed to see who it was - to talk with them - to pray with them.  It made that country and their conflict seem so much more real.

Again as I write, I am humbled by the fact that these words are read.  It makes me even more committed to cover them in prayer so that these can be words from experiences God gives me and allows me to share. 

No blog but writing

I have been behind in writing I do for a couple other websites due to a busy schedule lately, so I put my blog on hold a couple days to get caught up. Not that it takes much time to write but I have to remain focused on watching for things that spark my curiosity or challenge me in some way in order to spark the writing.

One of the websites I write for is a Canadian Drama site and I always tell them the same thing, not to feel obligated to use my writing unless they feel it will meet a need in some way. What he said shocked me, he said one lady recently said "I feel like that Lori Biddle lady must be looking over my shoulder",I was Totally shocked that my writing resonated with others in ministry.

I tell you this to encourage you to use your experience no matter how limited you feel it may be. You may be able to help others avoid some of the mistakes you have made in ministry or in business or raising kids. Who knows!

I love to write and now I am all caught up and writing again here and wondering where else if anywhere I will have opportunity to put words together...hmmm.

our words out there

We all have words 'out there' for all the world to hear and maybe also to see.

I recently have been questioned about a comment I made on Facebook. When I looked back at the comment I realized I didn't mean it the way it read at all.

Good grief at the very least if I'm going to throw my words 'out there' - I need to carefully examine the intent and the way it sounds before putting it 'out there'!

Friends I know that have no love lost with Facebook and other on line communities do have some legitimate concerns. Misunderstandings, unkind opinions, no face to face interaction, and the ability to make ourselves look and sound so Godly or the opposite!

So I ask myself why do I think it is important to put my words 'out there'? I don't do it because I think what I say is important.

Never in my life, NEVER, have I ever been consistent with a journal or much of anything in the area of study or writing. This blog is my first consistent endeavor. Except, I pray - my growth spiritually and the consistency of my marriage!

What I find it does is make me more aware throughout my day. Watching for something significant to happen - enjoying just a little bit more whatever I'm in the middle of - or best of all, learning more. Learning by paying closer attention, taking notes or focusing more. This is why I write. It began selfishly for me.

But...when one of you come up to me and tell me it challenged you, or you learned something or most of all the you were encouraged...I cannot describe the feeling and complete shock! So if in my own attempt at consistency you come along - well, that's just cool and I thank you so much!

blogging from Asia

You can follow my son and daughter's journey through Cambodia and Thailand by going to Jocelyn's blog - CLICK HERE and Eric's blog - CLICK HERE!

Please pray for them to stay safe and well and to experience God big time! Thanks!