my day off

As I sat outside on this glorious morning having some quiet time with the Almighty, today's study was on waiting.  That sounds familiar - Pastor Dave's been taking us through the book of Habakkuk!

The interesting part she discussed about waiting was what they did while they waited.  She talked about the fact that there's always work that can be done during the waiting.  Sometimes it's simply being quiet before God and doing some soul-searching and making ourselves available.  And other times there's actual physical work that needs to be done just to prepare us for what God's going to reveal at the end of the waiting.  Like Noah did while he waited for rain!

So to those of you in a season of waiting, take great encouragement from the amazing people God used in the Bible that waited, possibly much longer periods of waiting than God may ask us to be in.

I don't feel like I'm waiting right now, but still I'm asking myself as I write this, what is God's plan for this day before me?  How can just a day-off affect eternity for His glory...I guess I'll just remain in Him and wait and see what He has for me as I put one foot in front of the other and enter this day!

my day off

This day was all about family!  It's an honor to live within 20 minutes of all of my family except for my sister who is just an hour from Mansfield.

God is so generous to our family.

I had the privilege of starting my day by taking my mother-in-law whom I dearly love, to lunch and then grocery shopping.  We had a great time and I ended the shopping trip by printing off some amazing pictures I've been waiting to frame, mainly of the grandkids!

I then went home to cook dinner for my son's family and my hubby.  Following dinner we all ended up in the upstairs bedroom that's been converted into a toy room.  Here we played with Legos and danced to children's songs like "Old McDonald's Farm and Twinkle Little Star".  So fun!

I am SO thankful for this kind of simplicity.  Some may consider it trivial - I consider it life-giving.

And so as my day off comes to an end I'm filled with ribs, and 'guess why the chicken crossed the road' kids' jokes, the hum of the dishwasher and a reluctant glimpse at tomorrow's calendar still clinging to today's memories...

Thank you Lord for simple days and precious memories and being completely surrounded by family.

my day off

I often talk to people at church that speak of the things and places that help them relax after working all week.   Places at The Lakes, amazing vacations or beautiful places to eat out.

Again, I guess that's just not my idea of a day off.  Waking up when I want to, eating oatmeal on my deck, enjoying perfect weather that allows me to read God's Word and pray outside...these are what my soul longs for!  And today, finally, I have that type of morning to enjoy.  I am forever grateful!

Before going outside,  I sorted and created piles of laundry to be done, pulled my little laundry rack out to our deck and settled into my favorite chair - I drew in a deep breath and as I exhaled I began to praise Him.

When all is well praises are sometimes few.  When you walk through trials your appreciation deepens for even the most 'regular day'.

My devotions took me to several scriptures this morning, one of which was found in I Timothy - telling of Paul's persecution and his words that remind us that ALL who believe will be persecuted...

Persecution can of course come in all shapes and sizes, it can be physical, mental, imagined, disappointments that we choose to dwell on, mistreatment from people we considered friends and on and on....

So far today it's peaceful and event free - this time prepares me for what lies ahead.  My schedule is no more demanding than anyone else's, but the Lord knew how much I needed a regular day - and I rejoice in it and rest fully in it!

my day off - loved ones and legos

Last night was one of my favorite nights in a while.

Our home was full of toddlers to 87 year olds and everything in between as we celebrated birthdays.  We missed our beautiful daughter Jocelyn as she lead the Cambodian mission team back home, but somehow managed to get everyone else together!  A true accomplishment!

We celebrated our son, Eric's birthday and our Son-in-Law Aaron's birthday as well as my Brother-in-Law Rob's.

As I walked upstairs and took this picture, it occurred to me that all 3 of these men are pastors.  And as the night went on the 3 of them became engaged in a lively theological discussion that was fascinating, well at least the chunks of it I caught between building lego helicopters and eating!

A living room completely full of loved ones and legos - I love my 87 yr. old dad hanging over the railing!
Pictured here:  Rob and Cristy Barlow: John and Amanda Forbes: Russell and Janice Forbes; Eric and Alyssa Biddle
with Oliver and Margot; Ron Biddle; and Colleen Gatton (I'm behind the camera)

Our son's old legos - now the property of his son Oliver!

Of course...the tutu angel was there!

If the Lord gives you extended time with family - please make very sure you stand pure before Him with your love for one another pouring forth at all times.  This is not to say that there won't be rough times perhaps - but even in those times there are choices to be made...

Will we waste this day sitting in the bitterness of yesterday?  Or will we treat it as if we may never be together again - and step into one another's lives as fully as we are able?  This choice helps us remain in the place called 'no regrets', and keeps us ready for whatever the next day holds.

Love one another...and on frustrating days, consider breaking out the Legos!

my day off

Boy oh boy has it gone fast!!

I basically spent my whole day shopping with Ron's mom, stopped to see the grand babies briefly and now I am trying to finish my Christmas shopping on-line!

I'm looking very forward to my last couple hours today however.

I'm getting ready to begin my Christmas Devotional time.  I'm very much looking forward with most of my personal Christmas preparation behind me, to sit down and begin to spiritually prepare.

This time of reflection, preparation and focus will be followed by a relaxing hot tub experience and then sleep.  I take none of this for granted.

I am very thankful to the Lord of the universe for caring enough to reach down through all of my junk and busyness - straight to my heart and that he keeps tugging me toward Him.

May our focus be laser focused this season.  This Christmas too will soon be passed, existing only as a distant memory and my prayer is that my life has made a difference during this precious time!

my day off

Today was a huge blessing as I got to be with my family all day.

Visiting places together, walking outside together, cooking, eating home made salsa that we made from a CRATE of tomatoes a friend left on our deck, cleaning, planning...

I will never take my family for granted or tire of spending time with them, and now I am ready to return to work because my heart is full.

If the Lord allows, later this week I'll be sitting by my dad's side yet again at a tractor pull I care nothing about, but I care about he and my mom, and I can never thank them enough for the sacrifices they've made over the years for our sakes.

I still remember not being able to fall asleep as a kid at night until I heard his car pull into the driveway following his night-time factory job.  A second job he was forced to take when everyone stopped getting their hair cut.  Just knowing he was home let me rest.

It's funny to understand we have the same affect on our grandkids.  Total trust.  That's weighty.  But it's also the best thing in the world.

I'm just full of thankfulness and I know the thankful is directed straight to the Lord.  Without the bond we have in Him - there would be no common love, care and commitments that bind us so tightly!

Have a great sleep - and let's wake up tomorrow all committed to loving our families well, with His love!  Good-night!

My day off

1 load of laundry is the extent of my cleaning today I've decided!  Protest!

Outside my window today I see little patches of orange and yellow, and although I LOVE the fall in Ohio, I am not prepared for what lies beyond it.  The horrible predictions for this winter are already out there so I choose to pretend it's further off then it is.

I'm trying to decide what will make it feel the most like a day off - the older you get the more you think about making time count.   And we were created to rest.... and spend time in the Word.

As I studied in Daniel today the devotion I was studying ended with this prayer, Father, capture the hearts of those lost in kingdoms of their own making — ourselves included — and seize our affections for you and you alone, the only true King. 


Kingdoms of our own making...whoa.  

I'm trying to view any potential conflict  or decision making first through the eyes of examining my own heart - does any push-back come from my 'selfish kingdom'?  From a 'how dare you question me' attitude?  I sure hope not, but what a question to use before reacting?

"My day-off prayer...Lord I'm SO interested in living for you, seeing with your perspective, understanding those that need help and that need you, and for a day of rest.  Amen."

my day off

I have an opportunity this morning to serve a new group of people who will be meeting at Crossroads, and I couldn't be more excited!

Pastor Dave is an encourager of identifying passion areas within our jobs, so I've been thinking about the things that I love doing, and serving guests at Crossroads, communicating the message of Jesus thematically through the inclusion of creative pieces within a service or event, and producing events are definitely my favorites. During the Leadership Summit I saw a post that said "18 Friday's until Christmas", so as soon as the details of the Summit ended I was looking through my Christmas notes again.

I have two primary areas of focus and development right now, our next teaching series and Christmas - so here we go!

I get asked occasionally what my job entails, so I thought I'd list some of what's involved.  I'm considering offering a CLASS in the Winter that would allow a few people to create a service or event, and the opportunity to hangout behind the scenes one weekend.  We'll see!

When we create a new series these items are involved:

• Pastor decides on title and content of the teachings
• We brainstorm about a fitting 'visual'
• A video promo is usually shot or created to use for advertising within the services as well as on Social Media
• Our graphic designer begins to develop the ideas for print:  this visual will be used on the Pastor's Notes; Background on the stage; advertising; archives for messages; website
• Worship team works on thematic song selection for all the services falling within this series
• I write scripts for all of the announcement segments
• We shoot any videos that need to be used as transitions or featured pieces
• Meticulously go over every element in each service in our programming meetings to make sure they all connect and support the topic and that nothing distracts from the teaching.
• The organization of any additional artists or set design work

I could continue, but you get the idea.  I'm blessed beyond anyone I know, I love what I do and as I'm enjoying my day off, I have just been praising the Lord from whom all blessings flow!  

my day off

I only left home once today - and thoroughly enjoyed the slow pace of the day!

Out to eat with hubby for brunch following Vern's vet appointment - just to get nails cut and regular monthly med supplies, quick stop at grocery story and then home for the day... so appreciative of this opportunity!

I'm trying very hard to get a slow 'groove on', time to calm down a little and focus on important things like I did today!

Things like:
Pulling weeds
Sitting
Trying not to cough (cold hanging on)
Planting just a few flowers
Chopped lots of fresh things today: strawberries, tomatoes, celery, lettuce, sliced chicken for dinner = healthier diet
Holding Vern
Washing and folding clothes
Reading
Praying
Loving my cheapo Walmart deck chair

The thing that caught my attention several times today was, when on a slower pace, I find myself noticing what God's provided and giving thanks almost constantly.  No wonder He talked about a day of rest, and Jesus often had to 'get away' from the crowd and all the demands.

I followed His example today and I could get used to this!  A great day off!

my day off

This was a true day off - SAMS Club, Walmart - high-class living!

Spending time with my hubby and family and camping out with my grandson - INSIDE - well, it just doesn't get any better.

As I walked through thoroughly stocked shelves of merchandise and groceries I wondered how my brothers and sisters in the Lord were doing today around the world.  I have no idea why I get to live in such provision and they don't.

One crazy thing after another kept coming on the radio and across my news feeds concerning everything from young children suing parents for equality,  the mess that Greece is in financially -  to a massive man-hunt in Ashland County right now... our world is upside-down it seems.

I spent my day thanking the Lord for His grace, but understanding that the He NEVER promises we'll be comfortable, or safe, or protected from what we see others around the earth experiencing.

As I enjoyed a day full of freedom, I thanked Him for His provision, I rested more fully in Him and kept singing the phrases I can't get out of my head from one of the songs this weekend -

Letting go of my pride 
Giving up all my rights
Take this life and let it shine

Letting Go of my pride - Giving up all my rights...this is exactly where the God of the Universe needs me to be, on my day off.

my day off

I can't even count how many friends in the past couple of weeks have talked about how fast time is going.  It has come up over and over - and not just from people my age...

It's caused me to really spend time thinking about how God wants me to spend my time. - my day off.

I believe He is honored when I rest, when I actually take a day off, but I find myself so swamped on my days off that it interferes with my accomplishments!

And that's where I am right now as I sit down to journal.

I look at what takes my time and I must admit, most of it I suspect God could care less about - it's not what He needs from me.   That's a particularly difficult battle we who are on staff in ministries fight - does our work count as God time since we work for a church?   Or is that in His sight our job and He cares more about the rest of our lives?  Interesting to think about.

First of all I understand  - God has no interest in my 'strivings' - there's nothing I can earn with my work.  If that's true - why do I feel like I always need 'to do'?  American mindset?  I sometimes feel like my life could be best summarized with one of my dad's many phrases - I tend to 'Put the Cart Before the Horse'!  Waiting is seldom in my dictionary.

All of that to say - I'm spending time with Him this morning on my day off - so thankful for that, and I really do care about the priorities of my day, I care that they honor Him, enrich other's lives and accomplish tasks that need to be done - I'm striving toward always being available to Him.

I guess that's truly what it's about, just being available to Him so we don't miss what could be the best things instead of trying to control everything.

If I focus on Him will it slow down the pace of living?  I don't know - but I'm determined to give it a shot - again!

Will you join me today - making room for the very one who created our days?

my day off

Yesterday afternoon included my second bike trail ride in so many days and surprisingly I don't feel too badly!  It's not called a ladies cruiser bike for nothing - we chatted happily with no pressure at all to finish at a certain time!  (meanwhile our husbands kept lapping us trying to hit some ridiculous target amount of miles for the day!)

Kimberly Fleeson and me on our Townie's

Later yesterday, we got our grandson to keep a couple of nights while his parents are vacationing.  So we have been outside as much as possible enjoying the magnificent weather.

I came across these seed pods and I was completely blown away by the exquisite detail God the creator took the time to use with this small plant branch.  They were almost spider-web-ish.

 Every time I'm with my grandson I love him more and tonight I let him lay on my bed a few minutes before transferring him to his own bed just to settle him down.

He came to bed with a little - very old matchbox truck in his hand, and I watched in wonder as he held that little truck  I thought I was watching his father.  This car had been our son Eric's, and it was as if it was 25 years ago.

This was the perfect ending to my day off!  precious fleeting time...God is so good.

my day off

I usually give a report at the end of my day off - but today, for the first time as long as I can remember, my hubby and I both slept in and have no plans.

Some people may consider having no plans as being disorganized and the concern for nothing getting accomplished may be what you think of.  Well, to ease your mind as I sit here in the glorious sun hitting my couch - my washer and dryer are running - so at least there will be clean clothes!  Beyond that - nothing is ok!

I wonder how many people around the world wake up everyday not knowing what their day will hold?   It may even be the majority of the world - I don't know.

To me, it's a luxury I treasure highly so I sit in this moment thankful for simple things like a good nights rest and the warm sun.  And joy floods my soul.

Before I blogged this morning, I read this from John Calvin, "If God contains the fullness of all good things in himself like an inexhaustible fountain, nothing beyond him is to be sought by those who strike after the highest good and all the elements of happiness."

Worship of God is an end in itself - really the ultimate goal of our lives.  Worship is not an outward ritual - it is our expressed satisfaction in Him and Him alone.  It changes our hearts which changes our outward actions and loves and life.

Space and silence creates authentic worship - not song selections and rehearsals.

Today - in the stillness, there is more room than normal for my worship - it makes me remember how important starting each day like this is to my soul and to my relationship with almighty God.

In our busy - over-extended lives I suspect 'stopping' is what our Savior seeks - it's perhaps the highest form of praise we can offer Him.

my day off

Vacation was so very good!

Still loving this guy after 36 years!

All kinds of new friends on vacation

And now we're home...but, my day off coming at the end of a week long vacation - could not have been better in any way.

Breakfast with our kids, grandson and my parents started the day amazingly, followed by...

Staying home all day with my hubby - he worked on taxes and I finished 6 loads of laundry, waded through emails and took care of necessary communications about coming concerts and other events.

I LOVE being home - it was just a day to come back home and prepare well for the coming week, and it was just what I needed.

As we headed off for vacation last Sunday, I accidentally forgot my iPad, the book I planned to read and my phone.  I think it was possibly a Divine intervention and I didn't miss any of them...at all.

Since I forgot to bring the book home I wanted to read, I grabbed an old John Piper book I had at least partially read years ago - Desiring God.  It was completely captivating and exactly what I needed to read.  Divine.

More about what I took away from that book tomorrow - but for tonight I just want to encourage all of you to search for a deeper walk with the Lord.  Walk away from your stuff and be available.

Read - pray - detach - renew.

I was reminded again how 'off' our understanding of who God is and what He created us to be truly is.  Now to move forward in that knowledge - determined to continue learning and following and loving Him more each day.

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....

my day off

I HAVEN'T HAD A DAY OFF LIKE THIS IN FOREVER!!!

My husband casually asked me if I'd like to accompany him to Lehman's Hardware Store in Amish Country and I said yes, and I'm so glad I did!

The only negative that happened all day long was when this guy - the founder of Lehman's, I guess Mister Lehman, walked by right when I was saying to Ron, "man, these prices are a lot higher than I anticipated..."  Open mouth, insert foot...he just kept walking!  I'm sure hubby was proud...
Well, at least I bought a couple things to make up for it!

He also took me to an Amish buffet and two of my favorite clothing stores in the world!  What a guy!!  Needless to say, he ended up not buying anything except a match holder for the barn, and I'm the one that did the shopping - happy to accommodate!

Tomorrow we take a trip to Ashland, my home town for a while to have breakfast with my parents and then who knows what!  So fun.

It's these kinds of days that make me really love my days off and I thanked the Lord as we drove for the gift of His son this Christmas season, an awesome husband,  an amazing new pastor and his family and all the great work I get to be involved in at Crossroads!

I pray you all get a restful great day off too very soon!

my day off

I'm finished with all the Christmas decorating I will do this year.  It's simple - consisting mainly of twinkle lights and old items saved from years past.  I added nothing new.  I like that.

Now I sit, which I haven't done in a while and reflect on the whirlwind of the past couple of weeks.

Just days ago you heard me describe my communion with the Lord on a level that I hadn't experienced in a while - while we were on vacation.  Not because He did anything different or moved closer toward me.  But because I was available.

I came home fully rested, renewed and ready.

The blessings that I've experienced since vacation have been too numerous to count.

The ones that come to mind are my job at Crossroads - working with people I adore, and last week working with Dr. Kevin Leman.  This man is a riot while being a wealth of knowledge and accomplishment yet remaining very approachable and Godly.  I LOVED my time working with him.

Following that weekend event, we created our Christmas set design discovering things I didn't know our Environmental Projection was capable of doing and continued working on Christmas@Crossroads.

This was a very special weekend, as I got to watch the young worship adults from the Student Ministry at Crossroads lead our congregation in worship!  Knowing we have this kind of young adult base gives testimony to the fact that we have a very healthy ministry.  Of course the biggest blessing to me personally was that my son and daughter and son-in-law were part of that team.  There is perhaps no greater earthly blessing than to watch your kids serve their Lord!

And finally yesterday we celebrated Katie and Garrett's wedding.  These are both Crossroads young adults that discovered one another after being at Crossroads together for years.  What a great night it was as I watched one of the girls that I got to build into during times of single girls groups and doing ministry together!  She deserved a great guy like Garrett!

And now, on my day off, we get to meet with a beautiful lady from across the world, who is here in the states for a short time.  Tutu is one of the most giving - loving - Godly ladies I've every known.  She serves with Asia's Hope in Thailand.  She hosted our kids years ago when they served 2 weeks with her.  So we'll all get to be with her in just a couple of hours!

The Church is not a building, it's God's people serving and caring for one another.  Gathering on the weekends to learn and to fellowship with one another.

If all you do is attend a church, but your life isn't connected to what God's doing during the week through that body of believers, then you're not partaking in what God intended for His Church.

I invite you perhaps as a New Year's resolution to get involved, really involved and begin not only to serve others, but to experience God's family in it's fullest!  It will change your life...forever!

my day off

I often joke about once we create and execute a service at Crossroads, I forget about it.  No matter how dynamic if I'm not careful to be fully engaged it can become a 'checked off item'.

This morning as I enjoyed (kind of) a cup of instant coffee, (anyone who knows me knows this could potentially ruin my day - (Crossroads' Coffee House did not have any bags of Lousanteville to purchase yesterday).. I'm still relishing yesterday's services at Crossroads.

The process of 'team' means all the names of 'who did what', disappears into a seamless crescendo of effort completed as the worship comes pouring out of the congregation in response to God's touch on our week's work.  For the God of the Universe to allow our team to participate in this ending to our week's labor causes a praise to build up within me - never to be adequately expressed.

 Tomorrow I turn my attempts toward Christmas - please pray for a break through!

Before I begin to craft the pieces of a crucial service like our Christmas services, I feel completely overwhelmed and unworthy.  But, as I cover the pieces in prayer - God's assurance washes over me and reminds me that all He expects is one pieces, one attempt, one try at a time.  All I have to do is build the framework and invite the team in - and together we complete it.  No service is one persons' efforts or ideas, it's always collaborative or it will hold no appeal or value to the masses.

So on my day off - I just listen to and look at all the Christmas pieces I've collected in my desktop folder all year long.  The pieces that could possibly fit together to form what we've dreamed of, or could simply become pieces that lead us on
to other things - things not yet discovered.

Please pray that Christmas at Crossroads will be a pouring out of prayerful work that fills eyes with wonder and hearts with understanding of the new born King...

my day off

Psalm 143:8 Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.



You probably have guessed, I'm once again blessed to be in my favorite spot…

I saw this scripture this morning posted by a worship pastor that I talk to from time to time and it just resinated with me in the special place God has given me to renew and reflect.
My day off always starts in the right way when I begin here, with Him,  un-distracted and un-burdened.  It was also a very fitting verse based on recent conversions I've had - where I've tried to help lead others through times of transition and discussed trusting God as the key part of that decision making process.
Even if I'm not making life-changing decisions - we still make decisions that matter for eternity everyday.  Will I share my faith if given the opportunity or will I be too worried about people's opinion of me?  Will I decide what to watch on TV or the internet based on the fact that the Holy Spirit is right there with me - God himself dwells within me.  My body and mind are not my own.  How will I spend this day that I'll never have back again - working my hardest at the job God's provided and placed me in, or complaining about my job or circumstances?  
God knows exactly how many days, hours, minutes, seconds he's ordained me to live on this earth - they belong to Him not me.  Do I live that way - even when no one sees me?
That is my prayer this morning as I sit here soaking in His creation - worshipping Him for being God - that I live this day to glorify my God!
Let us all live a day of worship - blameless before Him - recognizing opportunities to live for Him - worshipping Him with our lives.  Have a great, great Monday!

my day off

For a 3rd Monday in a row - I'm on my deck!  So thankful!

Just read these words on one of my favorite bloggers site  - "The Power of Pondering"...  and that's what I'm doing right now - following an 11 hour work day yesterday - I sit and I Ponder!  How good!!

My pondering brings me to a remembrance of something that literally stopped me dead in my tracks yesterday.

All I was doing was walking from Crossroads to Kroger to pick up some lunch items for my video team (we stayed and shot another Mayhem commercial yesterday), and the Lord chose that moment to reveal bitterness in my life.  I stopped walking and felt tears come to my eyes!  A revelation from the Lord is no mystical experience, nothing scary or magical - it's simply a moment when He actually has your attention so He exposes something you're wrong about.

The only part you play in the whole thing is whether you're teachable, willing to repent and WILLING be RELEASED from it.   The reason the Lord wants us to repent is so we can live in FREEDOM from what bothers us, torments us - His love is not withheld until we release it, there's not this big punishment coming if we don't repent - He reveals it so we can live in harmony and freedom from the burden of sin!!!!

He knew my heart was longing for freedom from caring about this trivial thing I was hanging on to.  And also in that instant He reminded me I'm to PRAY for my enemies - not hate them.  And so I did.

Today I have prayed a second day for them - and am beginning to see the massive rock of annoyance I've been carrying...so foolish to waste even 1 minute controlled by the enemy.  HE LOVES to distract us from the Lord!

So from my deck I encourage you all today - spend a little time pondering and make your heart open and invite God to reveal whatever He chooses!