a Crossroads Christmas

It's so difficult to believe how many Christmases we've created at Crossroads!  This year was particularly meaningful.

Just the way the live actors combined with the amazing music and pre-shot video to tell the amazing story of God sending us His son, it felt like the story came alive in front of us.  We considered how a human mother was chosen by the God of the Universe to give life to His son.  A mother who herself had spent her life waiting for the Savior of which she'd been told.

During the process of preparing the services, through the discussions we had with Pastor Dave and Jocelyn's beautiful writing, I felt like I understood just a little bit more of how shocking that would have been to receive the angels' news.

The way the Lord chooses to use His children to be part of His story is always amazing!

Here are some pictures of the process to create Christmas at Crossroads.

We had a blast creating the services!  Here
Pastor Dave was doing a crazy commentary keeping us laughing!

We practiced like crazy

We made trees

Ernesto was so good!

Our beautiful dancer

These were some of the paper rocks we made!

I can't even guess how many hours Jackie Crawfis spent
building our set - such an amazing job!

We had an extraordinary string section!

Each song was carefully chosen to help tell the beautiful story!

Abi played the part of Mary beautifully!

Our 3 shepherds - Kevin, Hayden and Eric

 I love Monty's stand-up bass

Our amazing quartet!

Sherri Stewart played beautifully for us in the lobby!

Eric's beautiful video work added so much to the production.

It was an unbelievable privilege to help tell the story and to know that a few people came to know the Lord through our work!

Thank you all for attending, we pray it made your Christmas a little more special!

my day off

Nothing is running this morning at our house except the quiet swish of my washing machine.  My hubby is with his riding buddies for their weekly breakfast.  No TV is on, no music, no lights - not even my tree lights are turned on and as I sit in my favorite 'inside' writing spot I'm surrounded outside by heavy fog.  It feels like my house is wrapped in a warm foggy blanket - keeping the outside world out for just a little while longer.  I like the quiet warmness and the distance from the world's hustle.

I'm sitting here also wrapped in thankfulness, my Christmas is taking on an order that makes me feel ready. Yesterday's Christmas rehearsal was far more gratifying than I anticipated.  Everyone came prepared and we pushed harder then ever before to even have tech ready at the same time music was.  It brings hope early to the process and will let us walk away with joy filled hearts that the Lord has once again allowed us the privilege of presenting Him to a lost world this Christmas season.

I pray now that the Lord moves in our people's hearts to bring their family and friends along with them next weekend to discover perhaps for the first time what Christmas really means.

I pray all of your Monday's will hold some quiet reflection time - He's waiting....

trying to program

I have spent time over the past few days trying to prepare to lead a programming process that will prepare a worship series for later this summer.

When doing this I watch videos, read drama, look for creative readings anything that may give me even one inspiring thought or idea.

I am usually disappointed because rarely are there many elements available to purchase or watch of high quality that fit exactly what we are trying to focus on.  But I keep trying.

Something that I found over and over on several of the most reliable sites is the question "what does worship mean to you" ....and they would go through all the scenarios such as, I like this style, I like quiet, I like hymns, I like contemporary, I, I, I, I, "what does worship mean to you".  And it struck me - it makes no differences what YOU or I think it is, worship is what God thinks it is.

If we are each truly in love with our Lord, it wouldn't matter what kind of setting we were placed in, familiar songs, loud music, historic music, contemporary readings, funny drama, serious monologue...it should make no difference as long as they are Biblically based and theologically correct.  We should worship Him.

"What is worship" it should be - I am in love with God and cannot wait to express that overwhelming love for Him! Whether through music, speaking, praying, working or just living - constantly increasing in love for Him.

I recently heard someone describing a conversation they had with a Christian leader in a foreign country saying he would NEVER allow his children to visit the US until they are much older. His reason was that we have too much stuff to need or worship God.  We are too satisfied, too spoiled and too self sufficient to need Him.  I really think this is why I so often feel distant from God - it's my stuff and my schedule, I don't know that it allows for me to really know Him.

I desire Him deeply and long to know Him more.

Worship is not what we think it is or should be, it's what God deserves and what He demands of our lives.  Does your daily walk worship Him? Would other people in your daily life feel you worship with your choices and everyday life?     Really?

Easter is coming

Time to get ready for Easter! I am very excited about the coming weeks, we are working diligently to prepare everything. Drama rehearsals have begun, the artists are hard at work preparing an Easter project and Dan and Milo are preparing the music packages.

My kitchen currently contains many pieces, shapes and styles of tile for my project. A good friend at Crossroads was kind enough to give me old or left over tile to use! Thanks to the Frankhouses!

Right now it's a mess, hopefully by the end of the night I am hoping it will take shape. I am very anxious to see the artists work in the next couple of weeks. This will be our first project since forming the Artists Small Group, a great, great group of very talented people!

This Easter art collaboration project is a great example of how many disconnected, individual pieces of work all come together to create a masterpiece. Much like what takes place when Christ followers come together to serve and grow closer to one another and closer to their God. I am so inspired by artists and musicians and actors and photographers and writers and anyone who loves to proclaim their love for the Lord in creative ways! Ok, so ...back to my project!