Doubting Doubts - Crossroads

I FINALLY had a day at home to crawl around on hands and knees and scrub and clean all those hidden nooks and crannies - trimmed a few weeds and now am preparing to head to church.

While cleaning I re-listened to the past 3 weekends of the Doubting Doubts series.

It's been great so far.   The idea that it's not a sin to doubt has resinated with everyone I've talked to.

My church experience growing up was loving but made us feel guilty about everything we did wrong, even guilty about doubting anything that was being said.  I'm so thankful for freedom from that guilt now and look forward to learning more this weekend!

Don't let the Mother's Day celebrations keep you away, bring everyone with you and we'll see you at Crossroads!

there was a man

There was a man from our area who said Crossroads was his church.

We did not know who he was.  He had never filled out a card introducing himself to us.

And then he died.  This made us very sad.

The same week there was a man who passed away that we had known through previous jobs, who was always the life of the party.  He was one of the only men I'd ever been around who was intoxicated in public.  He was one of the only men I'd been around who had no concept of right or wrong.  He did what he wanted, when he wanted with no apparent purpose, goals in life or any care about living for anything beyond current satisfaction.

And then he died.

A few years ago there was a man, a very wealthy, one time very influential man I knew who passed away.  This was an older man that at one time started businesses, helped children with their educations and all sorts of generous things. A man I looked up to.

And then he forgot that God's blessings on his obedience was the source of his success, and he wanted even more.   More women, more alcohol and fewer real relationships.

He once put his arm around me sobbing, telling me to promise him I'd always be a good girl.

And then he died.

I've thought a lot about these men recently.  Can lives exist virtually unknown, unappreciated, unable to live strongly until the end?  The things of this world are fleeting and can be destructive.

I've been troubled thinking about these men.   I wish I had known the first gentleman - I wish I could know everyone at Crossroads, impossible of course.  It's so necessary to be connected in groups or ministry areas at the church in order to be known and do life together as God designed us to.

These men reminded me again about how vitally important every single day is and that hope only comes from the Lord.

why pray

Do you ever wonder if prayer really is necessary?

The Bible talks about it a lot, this is just one of many passages.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

I wonder if God tells us to pray constantly because He simply wants us to communicate with Him - He wants to be close to us? He already knows what will happen next so I sometimes find myself wondering if it's really necessary.

Is it another area of our lives in which He just plain asks for obedience?

I believe it's partially about relationship. I know when I really pray consistently, He fills my mind with himself - gives me a heavenly mind-set, one that's not concerned as much with life circumstances. He also gives me confidence to move ahead in the direction He's making obvious to me. Without prayer I'm just a participant in this earthly life - losing my focus on why I was created in the first place, and unconcerned with 'what could be' in Him.

What an insult to Him, when we don't spend time in prayer - except of course when we're in trouble!

Prayer is also vital in regard to the church, and powerful when our voices raise together!

I found these 4 things that happen as a result of unified, consistent prayer from a body of believers! 

 
1.The Word gets preached with boldness.
2.The church remains unified on mission together.
3.The world hears about the hope of the resurrection.
4.God’s blessing and favor is upon his people.
5.The community is changed by infectious generosity.

One of the events we're considering during the days leading up to our 20 year anniversary this fall, is a prayer event. It seems to me the only response that makes sense, a time of thanking Him for what He's accomplished through Crossroads, and the only thing we can offer to the Lord that will have any affect on our future as a ministry!

What an amazing opportunity we have, we weren't just created and sent along our way alone, He asks us to communicate with Him without stopping....that's crazy good!

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!

good and bad

As I looked out my window this morning, so happy to be inside with a warm fire burning and coffee in my mug - I realized that most things could be both bad and good.

This breathtakingly beautiful snow can be good in the sense of yet another demonstration of God's nature performing as He designed.  To give rest to the animals that sleep, the plants that go dormant and even allowing the lawn mowers to be put away for a time.

It provides hours of play for children sledding down the hills and building forts and snowmen while at the very same time being a bad thing as well.

The cold has caused everyone more financial cost than normal to heat their homes and to clear the roads.  The schools have been closed more meaning the students will probably lose some vacation in the warm weather.

Good and bad.

That applies to almost everything I can think of.

People
Food
Governments
Religion
Business

I choose to enjoy the snow today to see the 'good'  - it makes me slow down and stay home and focus on Him.  I could never live where seasons never change - I would find it boring - so I'm very thankful He gifted us today with a bounty of snowfall! 

I will try to remember the 'good' in the snow as I try to make my way to church later today...enjoy the beauty of this day everyone!

What I heard today

It happened again today - this time in the hair salon I heard a girl say, "we just knew God called us to start this"...

Really? For sure?

They left their church with another couple and a staff member to start another church.   And she was so excited that they had 15 people.

Really? For sure?

It scares me how often I hear "I'm called" as the platform to start something someone wants to do.

I'm sure there have been times God has worked this way but I find little evidence in His Word of this.  I watch as people just decide their called to do something where no need exists beyond personal dissatisfaction with their current circumstance.

I understand this sounds very judgmental - I'm simply stating what I heard again today and describing the disappointment that filled my soul at the ease with which people leave things in the name of our Lord.

I think we may all perhaps be surprised some day when He reveals what 'being called' really means.

volunteers

volunteer: A person who freely offers to undertake a task.

I grew up in a church, so I've always volunteered in a variety of ways.

As a child our family cleaned the church and did all the yard work.

As a young married couple we voluntarily lead the youth group and a traveling young married's worship team.

By the time we had kids, we were ready to begin to volunteer in whatever age group they happened to be in at the time.  (It didn't take long for me to see this was NOT my gifted area!)

As so we moved on to the Board of Trustees, Sunday School leaders, my hubby to the Elder board and the rest is history.

Despite the volunteer heavy upbringing I had - I never expected others to serve.  Just because I had been taught to didn't mean others were, so it didn't upset me when they didn't, although I knew they were sacrificing a HUGE blessing.

But these past 17 years at Crossroads - I think I've seen the most unbelievable things, behind the stage not on it.  The quiet people that serve and don't care if anyone ever knows... I find them fascinating!!  Maybe that's why my favorite Bible stories have always been the ones about the under-dogs, the unexpected heroes!!

Don't get me wrong - my whole position on staff revolves around the up-front ministries and the amazing Godly people that are gifted to serve there.  I adore them!

But, that volunteer that no one knows about - they're very special too.  They volunteer out of obedience and don't need to be checked up on, they're faithful and honest and just as important as the most well-known among us!  And Crossroads is what it is today largely due the the tremendous volunteers we have cleaning, and greeting, and making sure we're secure, and providing child-care/teaching, and parking even in the winter and making coffee, and singing and running tech areas and helping in the office during the week...I could go on and on but I'll just say this...

Those of you who volunteer at Crossroads and serve with a joyful heart - will share in the eternal reward and celebration of every soul that comes to know Christ as a result of stepping through our doors!!

Thank you - I love you all!!

everyone is gifted

I don't know if another organization exists on the earth that provides opportunity to use everyone's giftedness like the church does.

The church cannot operate in it's fullest capacity without the gifts and talents of the congregation.  It was created to 'need' everyone and it provides opportunity for each person attending to serve in an area they love and are equipped to

Today I witnessed this in action.

setting up to photograph all the art

3 or our talented Crossroads' artists helped me prepare for the auction on Friday.  One of them, James is not only an artist but brilliant with soft-ware, creating website all things I have no concept of - and so, we photographed art and listed art and uploaded it to the webpage he created for us.  silent auction bidding

The other artists who also provided gorgeous art items for sale - worked to organize everything and prepare every item for photographing.  Something that would have taken me 2 days to accomplish alone.  Together they worked as a team - each one using their gifts and talents.  It was awesome to watch!

Elsewhere in the church was Greg constructing things, and hanging things and making sure everything everywhere was running smoothly!  Helping us with anything we needed.  A blessing to serve with!

I also saw people gifted at hospitality preparing for a class that would take place later in the day - making sure each item needed was ready and waiting.

I could go on and on - but you get my point...  The church needs what each of you are talented to do!  You weren't created that way just to keep it to yourself !  Bless the entire congregation at Crossroads by  serving in the area that you are the most excellent at, not just ok, your most talented area and see how God uses you!  I dare you!

what I learned today

And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. And when evening came they went out of the city.

(Mark 11:15-19 ESV)

Protecting and defending the integrity of the church is something I take very seriously.  Obviously Jesus did!

I question my motives often as ideas come and I pray constantly for clarity of vision and purpose within my daily ministry.  You see it's very easy to slip into worldly ways of accomplishing what you decide needs doing.  It's much more difficult and takes tons of discipline to 'wait on the Lord' as I should.

Leading in ministry is terrifying when you consider the amount of responsibility you carry in regard to God's church.  Today's scripture reading was a great reminder about the responsibility we all bear in protecting and caring for the integrity of Crossroads- the physical church.

I assume however, it refers also to the way our lives are to be set-apart from the rest of the world.  We are called to something different than the world around us understands. We should never be surprised when the lost have no regard or understanding of this.  Our lives are the church, and our relationships are the Body - we are called to a high level of living that only Christ can help us abide in.

Today I learned again to clean and purge and live a life that is a worthy representation of Christ in each word I speak today, in each motive I follow, we are the church.

Milo needs you

June is here and summer is upon us.. I present to you without further hesitation or a due, without reservations or fears, with a great sense of pride and accomplishment overflowing with tones of infectious joy and rapture, not at all holding back, but looking ahead as a fool looking the wrong way down a one way street and expecting to see a car; and unfortunately standing in the middle of the road. and now what you've all waited so patiently for ......THE JUNE SCHEDULE....


This was the header on the June Magnification schedule that Milo, one of our worship guys sent out recently to our team!


I laughed so hard and it made me appreciate his ridiculous sense of humor once again!


I am SO thankful for our staff at Crossroads.


And please, if you haven't yet stepped out to serve within the ministry consider doing it right away.  Find an area of the church you are talented to serve in and offer your skills.  Summer is difficult for the church with many among us heading for 'the lake' or 'the boat' or 'the game' or who knows where...we need you.  God wants to use you.

Please grab that card in the seat back in front of you, and sign on up.  And who knows, you too may get the schedule sent to you with a mind boggling header like the one above from Milo!

too busy to write

We were at the church preparing until late again tonight, but we found a little time to spend with cousins from Texas as the families all went tubing yesterday!

Squeezing in the fun!

church = the best

I loved my church growing up, but I still felt at times that we settled for less then excellent. In leadership at times, in the quality of the furnishings, in the approach to ministry. And don't even get me started about the lack of creativity...

At times it was like we just decided to let the world have all the excellence!

I have worked recently to create connections with the local art center and the academy in Mansfield that provides lessons to many of Richland County's top musicians. I want the church to be a place where excellence and creativity abound.

This video recently circulated showing SUCH creativity in the church. Sadly they had to take down the comments because people were leaving such hateful comments. Why would people criticize a ministry for being so 'cutting edge' and current? I say - this is great! click here

Would the Lord bless us with artistic creative ability and then not want it used in church? I don't think so!

happy at work

I was looking forward to getting into work today. I know there are some of you who may not feel the same way. You probably think working at the church makes it easy to be happy, at least in comparison to your job.

But, consider this. Unless you are living in disobedience to the Lord, you are right where He wants you to be. You are right where He needs you to be. And you are where others need you to be.

I encourage you to go to work today anticipating God meeting you there.

There is nothing magical about a church building, like I work in. It's the Holy Spirit and the people that gather that make it a kingdom building tool and a place of learning and fellowship. Today without the congregation here, it is where I work. I feel privileged to have a job, and to have a position that is not just a job. You can feel the same way if you are willing to treat your job as if you believe that God has placed you there! Try it! May God bless your day!

what I learned today

What do you think about this statement..."Nothing that is not radical is Christian"

I was reading today and came across that statement - can't get it out of my mind.

When you take a hard look at the Bible it never tells a story that I can think of where ANYONE lived happily ever after. Not that Christianity offers no happiness and ONLY struggle - it offers a hope, peace and eternal perspective like nothing here can offer. It seems like the people that were used the mightiest were always edgy, not sitting comfortably in pews living within the American Church CONSUMER mindset that I see.

WHEN did we begin to think church was ALL about us?? This is so different then anything I have ever read about in the Bible except when I read descriptions of the Pharisees! I don't want God to think of me in this way.

So American church - sorry...I do believe it is time to live radically! Drop the "it's all about me" mindset and get up and let's get moving. OBEY - serve - give and affect the world around you! Dare to live edgy - move into areas for Jesus that make you nervous, you'll probably find the people that need Him the most! Get out of your 'pew' so to speak, and into the streets - a pilgrimage of sorts and let's effect Mansfield - shake things up!!

Radicals for our Lord - I learned today that the true church may not look so much like the America buildings called church that we see all around us. We are the church and we are NOT contained by walls!

a loss

As we watched our daughter perform at a local church's music festival tonight, we talked to some of the congregation while we watched. What we heard made us sad.

They talked about the fact that they just recently lost their pastor, he quit. They are devastated! They have lost several leaders and are really scared and struggling.

Now, one thing I know for sure after being in church my entire life, there is always two sides to every story, so I certainly do not know all the details. However, as I listened to this guy pour out his heart and concerns about the church he loved, my heart was broken for him.

Why is the church such a hotbed of trouble, arguments, intolerance and disrespect? Because the enemy knows if he can turn us against one another we will destroy ourselves - as well as our testimony. This of course makes our claims to know Christ look ridiculous and false. The lost want nothing to do with it.

I can only imagine how the Lord feels as He watches what we turn His church into! His church, the church He died for, the church He loves...

Please pray for Tom, the guy I talked to tonight. He was really hurting and longed for peace in his ministry.

guns

I came across this tonight :

(not naming names) Church will be hosting an Open Carry Celebration for all who support 1st and 2nd Amendment rights. It will be held on Saturday June 27th, the weekend before July 4th. We are asking responsible handgun owners to attend this service openly wearing their sidearm. This will be a Cold Range Carry meaning handguns must be unloaded and in a secure holster.

Area gun store/firing range owners will be invited to attend and tell about their services.

There will also be a raffle to win a handgun. All that is asked is that you bring a sidearm, a friend who has a sidearm and a canned good for local food bank.

So what do you think? Should churches get involved in these type of issues, in politics? I would love to hear your thoughts!

worship poem

Rich teaching combined with authentic worship tonight at Crossroads - amazing!
It caused these words ...

I lift my hands to God
Offering Him my praise
For He alone is worthy of my praise

Longing to dance with abandon I remain reserved
As David did - I long to dance
Settling instead for the appearance of control

Control comes from the earth not heaven
For in heaven every earthly thing forgotten
Face down we will fall on our face in front of Him

No longer will the cares of the earth influence
For finally we will be truly free
Free for eternity to worship our God

Just a glimpse of true worship I saw tonight
An awareness of His presence filled His church
Again tomorrow I will worship Him, forever I will worship Him!

weekend report

Oh my - church can be fun! I was so anxious to begin our weekend! We have so many new young team members, they bring such energy and are so anxious to serve...it's contagious!





Service Order:

• Beautiful Day
• You Are Good
• Our God Reigns
• Blessed Be The Name
• On My Knees - special music
• FaithHighway video - "Do You Pray?"
• Message: Prayer Pt. 1

I love being at Crossroads right before everyone begins to arrive, I love watching the church awaken! Here are shots from a few of the areas of the church early this morning.

These shots are taken of our cafe, greeters preparing for the service, our security team, technical areas, Jesse - our youth guy (shorts in February!), the early morning coffee group, the band, our childrens' areas, and just a lot of good friends fellowshipping! Our community coming together, using their talents to serve others! How amazing the weekend was!

If you want to see what other ministries around the country and the world were doing this weekend click here!

We stayed late today to work on next weekend's drama and are looking forward to it!

gracious responses

“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Peter 3:18

Grow in grace, not in only one type of grace, but in all forms of gracious response.

Gracious response, although I have never seen these words used together before, I knew exactly what it meant when I read it today. It was referring to something I am not very good at. My responses are quite often not well thought out, just a reflex to what someone else says.

A great friend and one of our Magnification Staff Steve, and I have two secret words we say to one another over our headsets. If one of us sounds less than kind to our amazing volunteers, Rabbit Ears is our code for "that didn't sound very nice"!

Gracious: 1. pleasantly kind, benevolent, and courteous.

Response: 1. an answer or reply, as in words or in some action.

If someone was describing how you generally respond would this be the phrase they would use to describe your response? Gracious response? Occasionally maybe, but if you're like me, not often enough.

I wonder how it felt to be perfect, without sin, and still to be verbally abused and accused like Jesus was? Are we shocked that The Pharisees taunted him and tried to trap him with their words, that the crowd yelled crucify Him and the cock crowed as Peter used his words to deny he even knew Jesus. Are our words so much different? Don't our gossip and angry words deny we know Him? Don't they divide the church and distract us? Don't they make it much harder for the lost to see Him in us?

It is dangerous to write about this. What I write about, people have a right to hold me accountable to. I want to respond this way... graciously. He died for ungracious responses, for dishonesty, for pride, for unkindness, for His church, for me.

weekend report

We had a great weekend. Saturday started out slow because of the weather but by second service on Sunday we were full and loud! Everyone came ready to kick off the Christmas holiday.

My programming team rocks, I have no idea how they find such thematic elements. I am not just talking about things that are generally thematic, I mean very specific lyrics, mood, everything. Why I ever tried to do so much myself in the past I have no idea!

Our series is called 'The Name' and the set list was extremely thematic and not just Christmas!

We did the following set:
Opening (amazing) instrumental Lost In Paradise
Opener Angel We Have Heard (hillsong)
-announcements-
Praise Angels From The Realms of Glory (Tommy Walker)
Worship (scripture transition) Wonderful, Beautiful, Glorious
Worship Blessed Be The Name
video transition - Rediscover the Nativity Story
message - Wonderful, Counselor
Ending Special Music Your Name

see our service at: www.crossroadswired.com

(If you are interested in what other churches did this past weekend go to http://www.fredmckinnon.com/myblog/2008/12/07/sunday-setlists-20/ )

The flow of music and elements, so obviously prepared the congregations heart for what was to come in the message, it was cool to watch! Of course Pastor Tim rocked with the message God had laid on his heart. I have never seen him more excited about a Christmas series! God was present this weekend, and it was good to fellowship with other believers!

Despite a suffering economy, and many I talked to or heard about this weekend that are facing lay off and loss of jobs, it feels like the Spirit of God is moving among His people - preparing us to draw together. The ministry may take on a stronger look of caring and sharing then ever before. The church may finally come closer to being the church as God intended because we no longer can be self sufficient, but actually need one another and our God.

That is what this series represents, The Name above all names, the Name that provides comfort, strength and our physical needs. I am very excited about this Christmas season at Crossroads and the opportunity to minister to His people.

Join us Wednesday at 7:00 for a very special Christmas MidWeek!