what I learned today

Exodus 35:35 & 36 ESV
He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, or by a weaver--by any sort of workman or skilled designer.

"Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the LORD has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the LORD has commanded."

The only place I feel like I really fully concentrate and dream of what God has intended - is at home on my couch.  With views like the glorious snow today - my breath is taken away and my thankfulness for life in Him accelerates!

my view as I pray

When I 'go' to work, it's spent communicating things that need to be discussed, bouncing ideas off one another about how to do something better, encouraging one another and constantly working out the details - which is exactly what we're supposed to accomplish 'at work'.  But I can't often fully develop an idea or move on a God inspired thought - too busy there.  Isn't that ironic?

I HAVE to complete the bones of our Christmas services today in order to present them to the team - only after the bones are committed to - do the details and creative pieces get pursued!  Pressure, if I except that - but what I plan to do today (with your prayer) is sit and let God use my ears to listen and my thoughts to form around the message He wants to use us to communicate.  There is nothing self-pleasing in this process - or God cannot work.  I place my attention fully on Him right now and only dream of what He could choose to do through our services in people's lives.

The Christmas services will be called

BEHOLD...

art shows

Why you ask do I think it's important to host art shows at the church?

One reason is because everyday I see such ugly, brutal, evil artistic mis-uses all around me that I find highly offensive!  I become determined to use any opportunity for Godly expression artistically that I can help to facilitate!

This is important.

Artists were historically used in highly regarded positions and were significant contributors in various eras of history both Biblical and secular.

Artists of course are not to be more highly regarded then any of the rest of us.  But they need to be  given opportunity to express themselves using their God-given ability and maybe, just maybe they can  give us just a glimpse of His magnificent beauty!

Can you tell I love artists?  All kinds of artists - I find them all fascinating and I count it a HUGE privilege to spend time learning from them!

The next art show coming to Crossroads is called 'the Vessel' and will be up in Town Square from November 24 - December 2!  And for the first time, because the Coffee House is opened Monday - Friday the show will be available for viewing all week long!

Are you an artist - you are welcome to join in as we create the Vessel!

what I learned today

I communicate with quite a few worship leaders and other people around the country that are involved in creating worship services, or contributing in some way. It is always very encouraging to see that we are leading many of the same songs and elements in worship.

In communicating this week with one leader I learned his father had unexpectedly passed away. He was of course devastated, but went on to lead worship. Wow! It could only be a supernatural power that would allow someone to carry on and even lead under this kind of horrible experience!

I don't like to be away from God's people - even in tough circumstances. I draw comfort from them. I don't think the congregation realizes what it means to those of us who create and lead the services each weekend - what it means just to be with them. To lead God's people - it is why we work hard, why we seek God's leading, why we pray and rehearse and prepare as best we can. What I learned today was that I am part of something far greater than myself, or even greater than our ministry. I am small part of a whole - the whole being the body of Christ that is spread across our amazing country and the world!

I like to create

I was challenged by a fellow ministry blogger to answer the following questions, so I'll give it my best shot!

What ignites that flame inside you to create? Honestly, it can be anything. Some of my friends laugh at me as we talk and I start say "we should do this, or we should try this ..." So although it sounds terribly simple - any new idea, any problem that needs to be solved, any creative challenge that needs to be tackled gets me going!

What sparks that passion inside you? This is easy to answer, the thought that something I help to create might be the element that finally makes it click for a non-believer is all the spark I need to get me all fired up! I say almost weekly to someone nearby - I still can't believe I get to do this every week!

How do you channel your creativity into a finished product? I brainstorm when given an assignment or when I decide to create something new, and then I move into the creation process quickly. I set a time line, contact the other people I need to pull off the creative assignment, I stay involved in the project especially in the early stages. I feel it is very important to make sure early on that things are on course so people don't spend time going the wrong direction.

What do you do when you struggle to create? I pray a lot! I create a new team, quickly! When I discover that I am short handed, or don't have the right group of creative talent that I need, I create a new small group/team. It's much easier than it sounds.

I never hesitate to ask for help, but honestly we have so many creative people in our ministry I usually can find someone that can help me get over the hurdle pretty quickly. My senior pastor and my husband are both very creative and can usually make suggestions that get me moving again. My biggest problem is waiting longer than I should to ask for help!

How do you celebrate your wins? I celebrate with everyone that helps in the process. I write tons of thank you cards weekly expressing my thanks and telling any stories that I hear from people whose lives have been changed due in part to their work.

Do you enjoy your creative process? Love it, even when it is difficult.

How do you share your creative elements with others? On our church website, YouTube, GodTube, facebook, and my blog.

It is with awe week after week that I come to God thanking Him for the privilege of creating!

programming tomorrow

We will be programming tomorrow again live at 1:00. Just click on the 'watch live' box on the left and you can watch us create the next two week's services. We hope to see you then, oh I mean we hope you see us live!