unity - Community Night of Worship

Unity = the state of being united or joined as a whole.

This is what we experienced at Crossroads last night.

As pastors linked arms and prayed, as we learned about Light Our City, an opportunity to serve our community together, and as we lifted our voices in worship - we stood unified in Christ.

My devotions today said this, "Christianity is even stronger than a bloodline, it's a Christ-line we all share.  It is what makes the Church body a family."

Acts 2:44 "All the believers were together and held all things in common" 4:32 that they were of one heart and mind"...unity!

I was so thankful for the church leaders that sacrificed time this week to be part of the Community Night of Worship at Crossroads Tuesday night, what a demonstration of how walls can break down and we can stand as one!

Community pastors standing united

The crowd starting counting down the countdown - they were excited to worship!

So thankful for this young man that stepped in when someone had to cancel.
His spoken word was amazing!

I loed this shot of Darin our drummer, & Shawn our bass guy just having fun!

Our Crossroads praise team was such a great part of the night!

As I stood at the back and shot this picture I imaged being together with these brothers and sisters for all of eternity!

Our amazing GoMissions team - worked to explain our Crossroads' Light Our
City grocery shop event and sold shirts!

Stephen and Milo

Brandi and Jon

Crystal, Matt and Kristin

Jocelyn and Josiah

Milo, Dan and Adam

Everyone came prepared to worship together and to bring 'light' to our beloved community!

And we left saying, "It was good to be in the house of the Lord"!

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!

final cry in Cambodia

Tonight was the final time I will cry in Cambodia...well at least I think so!

Our team treated all the orphanage directors and wives of Asia's Hope in Phnom Penh. These amazing people were so thankful and precious! Our team sat on one side of a huge table with the directors across from us. In broken English we spoke of the things of the Lord and then Ron prayed.

He thanked God for these amazing leaders, these people who spend their entire life giving these beautiful children a home and teaching them to love and serve the Lord.

What made me cry was as he prayed - I heard every pastor/director murmuring agreement and praise very quietly, almost silently to the Lord they love so completely. Of everything we have experienced it struck me as quite peculiar that my soul would find this spiritual moment so moving.

As brothers and sisters in Christ our hearts were truly united before the throne of God in those brief moments - I knew I was in God's presence. As the prayer ended, it took me a few minutes to gain my composure.

The fellowship continued although we didn't know them well and they didn't understand all that we said. I am pretty sure this is what the word communion truly means and I feel blessed beyond words.