many words spoken

Today there were many words spoken - by me!  Shocking I know.

The average woman speaks 13,000 words each day.  Today I seriously think I may have spoken 50,000!  Meetings began at 7:30 a.m. and ended WITH NO BREAKS BETWEEN at 4:00 p.m. 

One of the meetings I attended today was our staff book study where we continued our study of the book, Simplify.

In today's chapter we looked at the idea of being a Builder or a Buster - with our attitudes, our words etc.  So I wondered how my words affected people today?

Some were words about the future of Crossroads, some were words about our worship service details, about future services, about future leaders and all the details between.  Were they pleasing to the Lord?

I believe today I got to participate in building.  And I couldn't be more excited!  I'm certainly not claiming perfection in the execution of every single word spoken, but my heart was hopefully a reflection of God's heart.

Oh how I wish every time I opened my mouth my words were God words - being used to build His kingdom, never being used to defeat or discourage.

As Jocelyn lead our study today, she read how Willow Creek encourages their staff to spend 15 minutes praying for the Lord's guidance over their day before they step foot in their building.   I am going to try very hard to commit to this practice each day. 

Pastor Dave has been sharing his vision for Crossroads to be the catalyst for change in our community - I'm guessing a commitment like this from our entire congregation before entering their workplace could help make that kind of change very possible.

Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Will you consider joining me in this commitment - to first of all honor the Lord with our words and actions each day - but to then be used as an agent of His change in our community?  Let's begin tomorrow!

today and yesterday I talked

I had to laugh looking back at my past 2 days.  I spent nearly every minute of them talking.

I have been so busy preparing Christmas details and then regrouping to launch the JOHN series that I was way behind on meetings and discussions with staff members and friends.  So at the beginning of this week the talking began and just ended.

Now I have lots of notes, many new ideas, more assignments, the beginnings of solutions that need to be completed and more meetings to schedule.  A new year has begun...

The good thing about the amount of meetings and discussions concerning plans, work related changes, goals and ideas is I have plenty to work on.  The problem is I already had enough to work on!

My new strategy?

No more talking.

(my friends are breaking into gales of laughter)...

a whirlwind

I have had a very, very busy day moving from one creative meeting to another.

1. Staff pictures
2. Impromptu meeting about youth worship plans.
3. Choosing and approving all the Environmental Projection backgrounds for the weekend.
4. Meeting discussing the updated sermon schedule.
5. Directors pictures.
6. Christmas music selection and discussion about video sites for Christmas support.
7. Area worship leaders and technical leaders luncheon at Crossroads.
8. Discussion/plan about the decorating of the gigantic communion table for the weekend.
9. Programming meeting: planned service content and details for the next 2 weekends
10. Discussion about our advertising strategy for our House Churches

Some of my buddies - Dan, Jamie and Jesse

In the midst of my Wednesday (which is always like this) I accomplish no work outside quickly grabbing the next meeting's notes or agenda and running down the hallway to be on time!

As I prepare to leave Crossroads, it feels I have accomplished nothing.  Then as I think back over each meeting I remember...

Area Church leaders coming together to encourage one another in fellowship!

1. Current pictures on the website - finally!
2. In preparation for one of my Thursday meetings - I gained great insights on youth worship!
3. I was once again instantly caught up in worship as we tested the tempo, color and feel of the moving backgrounds and played the music for the weekend!
4. I was very EXCITED as Pastor Tim showed us what is coming up within his teaching schedule!  My wheels are already spinning!
5. Current Directors pictures for the website - finally!
6. Very, very helpful discussion about Christmas prior to my next Christmas meeting.
7. Always a blessing to meet with other local ministry leaders!
8. I got to work with a very close friend as we discussed what would be used to decorate for communion!
9. Always very gratifying to finish putting together our services.  This weekend will ROCK!
10. House Churches are a tremendously important part of Crossroads, our plans are in the works to really let people know more about them!

Just because I am not leaving today with a ton of written work done or even details completely finished on all of my projects - does not mean I have not made progress. I did spend time with a lot of my closest friends and I did gain very valuable insights and vision for what is to come!

For today - even with all it's meetings - I give thanks!

what I learned today

I learned that I can cram a whole lot of excellent meetings in one day! Very productive and fun at the same time!

At one of my meetings this is who greeted me...everyone is trying to stay warm right now I guess - even the ducks!