I woke up this morning right at that time of the day when it moves from silence outside to one bird, then two, then hundreds.
Why does God care about this kind of detail? How did He program into the birds the exact time each day to utter their first chirp of praise? Why is it important that they chirp at all, they could all just sit there and not utter a sound?
I guess He cares because He knew we would be listening. He made available to us the ability to use His birds as our alarm clock if we are listening.
Listening...God cares very much about listening. Just as He gave us the birds and all of nature to speak to us of His creativity, His love of variety and the power of His love for us, He is speaking still...I am trying to listen, to pay attention. This week it is important to listen to what God said long ago.
God spoke and the earth was created - In the beginning ... He also spoke... It is finished - through the lips of His precious son.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
weekend report
Where to begin...WOW..Many aspects I loved this weekend - amazing music, art displays, time during worship to participate and reflect - not even responding except to bask in God's presence, powerful teaching, live art...WOW
The time intensive elements were extraordinary, but the most moving moments for me:
-Senior Pastor surrounded by his own young children standing in the front row...(they are typically in kids classes - but I assume wanted to be in for worship and watch the artists)..very, very moving!
-Artists painting wasn't as moving to me as when they stepped away from the individual easels moving toward one another...stirring!
-Band memb
er's father sitting in the crowd with tears running down his face as his son moved from playing the bass to painting to singing...powerful!Response to God is why we lay our work at His feet each weekend- and the response was strong!
This is a picture of our finished painting when it was all brought together.
Our Set List:
Opening Easter Promo ( Three Days Later Chris McGowan (purchased from Sermon spice)
Welcome: Pastor Tim set the service up perfectly - inviting them to worship ...
Special: Lead Me To The Cross Hillsong United
Special/Praise begins...: Jesus Messiah Tomlin
Praise: Sing, Sing, Sing (Artists moved to the canvases during the end of this song)
Worship: You Are My King
Worship: The Wonderful Cross (Artists met in the center of the stage - placing all the canvases together to make one big picture (this idea came from theworshipcommunity.com site) I believe Fellowship Church performed this with a different song- we used it within worship.
Message: The Cross of Christ
Ending Special: Mighty Is The Power of the Cross
Our Creative Arts Small Group really did an awesome job this weekend! The pictures don't do the projects and worship justice...but it helps to see them just a little bit!
I CANNOT WAIT UNTIL NEXT WEEKEND !!!!
If you want to see what exciting elements other ministries used in their services this weekend click here FredMckinnon.com
Tune in Monday to watch our services at www.crossroadswired.com
Saturday, April 4, 2009
the Gregs
There are some created to be in front and others who enjoy being behind. I love working behind the scenes and o
ften find myself in the company of the Gregs!
We have two Gregs on our staff! How lucky can we get?
These guys are a faithful, hardworking, talented staff duo that we couldn't do without! They are also both on our Elder Board.
Greg #1 helped me hang the Artist's Cross Display this morning and to prepare the canvases for our artists to paint on stage as well as touch up painting to name just a couple jobs on his day off.
Greg #2 helped park cars, clean the building after tonight's services as well as get extra chairs ready in case we need additional seating. This is only a short list of what both of them do for our ministry on any given day.
Between the two of them, they keep us up and running and we would not want to be without them! I consider them both close friends and love being on staff with them as well! Let's hear it for the Gregs!
ften find myself in the company of the Gregs!We have two Gregs on our staff! How lucky can we get?
These guys are a faithful, hardworking, talented staff duo that we couldn't do without! They are also both on our Elder Board.
Greg #1 helped me hang the Artist's Cross Display this morning and to prepare the canvases for our artists to paint on stage as well as touch up painting to name just a couple jobs on his day off.
Greg #2 helped park cars, clean the building after tonight's services as well as get extra chairs ready in case we need additional seating. This is only a short list of what both of them do for our ministry on any given day.
Between the two of them, they keep us up and running and we would not want to be without them! I consider them both close friends and love being on staff with them as well! Let's hear it for the Gregs!
Friday, April 3, 2009
just hours remain
Only a matter of hours before our first Palm Sunday weekend service begins! I cannot wait! Take a look at the 'way behind the scenes' preparations for this weekend and next...very exciting...Painting
waxing floors
practicing
cross collaboration art project
Easter meals for the needy in our community
lighting designed and on and on...
One of the greatest things about preparing for the coming weekends is working with all the many, many faithful volunteers that help me! I cannot say enough about how vital each person is to our ministry, each one comes with unique talents to help us create the services. Without them, no services - simple as that!
I hope you feel right at home
when you join us, we will be waiting for you!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
betrayal
betrayal: to seduce and desert
This was the last in a list of definitions for betrayal, and I thought it was the best. Have you ever been betrayed? I have been and it hurts!
It's a difficult thing to get over. It affects future trust. Repeated it can make you feel like you are the one that something is wrong with instead of the offender.
I have been studying about the final days of Jesus' life as we prepare for Easter. He was betrayed. He did nothing to deserve betrayal and He did nothing to avoid it although He knew it was coming. Can you imagine watching Judas take the bread and cup knowing what it represented?
People lied about him, tried to get close to Him for whatever gain it would bring them, tried constantly to trip him up with man-made religious rules, threatened Him and ultimately killed him. But, it was an insider that betrayed Him. A member of the inner circle that knew He would be in the garden.
This world is sinful and men will go to any length for position, praises of men, and even financial gain as did Judas. When betrayal comes from within the inner circle then it is safe to assume they really never were a part of it at all.
This was the last in a list of definitions for betrayal, and I thought it was the best. Have you ever been betrayed? I have been and it hurts!
It's a difficult thing to get over. It affects future trust. Repeated it can make you feel like you are the one that something is wrong with instead of the offender.
I have been studying about the final days of Jesus' life as we prepare for Easter. He was betrayed. He did nothing to deserve betrayal and He did nothing to avoid it although He knew it was coming. Can you imagine watching Judas take the bread and cup knowing what it represented?
People lied about him, tried to get close to Him for whatever gain it would bring them, tried constantly to trip him up with man-made religious rules, threatened Him and ultimately killed him. But, it was an insider that betrayed Him. A member of the inner circle that knew He would be in the garden.
This world is sinful and men will go to any length for position, praises of men, and even financial gain as did Judas. When betrayal comes from within the inner circle then it is safe to assume they really never were a part of it at all.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
tomorrow begins in 6
Tomorrow is a day that I need to accomplish more than most days. I have some amazing volunteers coming to my aid as well as staff spending their day preparing everything for Palm Sunday weekend and Easter. Pray for us as we do our best to remember each item that needs to be taken care of.
Our prayers go back to you as well. We pray for our congregation as they invite friends and relatives to our next two weekends. For many people these weekends become a turning point in their lives. People come to church on Easter, this makes no sense to me if they are not already Christ followers, but they do! So we need to be ready, and that takes prayer and lots of it.
I look forward to what tomorrow will bring even though it will be somewhat overwhelming, at least in my own strength. Tomorrow begins in about 6 minutes, so I need to go, just wanted to ask you to pray for us as we prepare for the most amazing time of the year!
Our prayers go back to you as well. We pray for our congregation as they invite friends and relatives to our next two weekends. For many people these weekends become a turning point in their lives. People come to church on Easter, this makes no sense to me if they are not already Christ followers, but they do! So we need to be ready, and that takes prayer and lots of it.
I look forward to what tomorrow will bring even though it will be somewhat overwhelming, at least in my own strength. Tomorrow begins in about 6 minutes, so I need to go, just wanted to ask you to pray for us as we prepare for the most amazing time of the year!
lean in close
Couldn't sleep this morning, woke up worrying about all the details that have to come together for Palm Sunday weekend and Easter. (As if worrying is going to help anything). So, after laying for a while I decided the best thing to do is make coffee, spend time in study and prayer...then make a list.
Of course God had exactly what I needed to hear waiting for me. It was the scene where John is reclining against Jesus. Can you imagine leaning close to Jesus? This put everything I have to accomplish into perspective.
In the context of our daily lives how can we lean into Jesus? We lean by surrendering.
All I have to do is read about the misconceptions the disciples had as they followed Jesus, and I ease up on my lack of 'getting it right'. They seemed to be clueless much of the time about what was going on physically right in front of their eyes. They could touch it, lean on it, physically spend time with it and still didn't fully grasp what they were experiencing. When they leaned on Him, they could feel His breath. Think of it!
I know I'm repeating what I've written about before, but I find great comfort in their humanness. Occasional forgetfulness about the scope of God's generosity and a loss of perspective on the only reason I am here on earth is to be understood. But, to carry the burden of trivial earth junk on my own back, that is a choice.
If I chase obedience and surrender to only Him allowing my earthly life to 'lean in close', keeping my eyes glued to His face, then who cares about the order of details being accomplished? Who cares about grumbling or untimely 'suggestions' from those sure there is a better way of doing it? And quite frankly, who cares if I don't get every single detail perfect?
I care only from the perspective of my disorganization hindering the simple message of Christ being clearly presented with a God ordained excellence. That's what I care about. Organizing the details so that others have the opportunity to 'lean in close', laying their very best at His feet.
Of course God had exactly what I needed to hear waiting for me. It was the scene where John is reclining against Jesus. Can you imagine leaning close to Jesus? This put everything I have to accomplish into perspective.
In the context of our daily lives how can we lean into Jesus? We lean by surrendering.
All I have to do is read about the misconceptions the disciples had as they followed Jesus, and I ease up on my lack of 'getting it right'. They seemed to be clueless much of the time about what was going on physically right in front of their eyes. They could touch it, lean on it, physically spend time with it and still didn't fully grasp what they were experiencing. When they leaned on Him, they could feel His breath. Think of it!
I know I'm repeating what I've written about before, but I find great comfort in their humanness. Occasional forgetfulness about the scope of God's generosity and a loss of perspective on the only reason I am here on earth is to be understood. But, to carry the burden of trivial earth junk on my own back, that is a choice.
If I chase obedience and surrender to only Him allowing my earthly life to 'lean in close', keeping my eyes glued to His face, then who cares about the order of details being accomplished? Who cares about grumbling or untimely 'suggestions' from those sure there is a better way of doing it? And quite frankly, who cares if I don't get every single detail perfect?
I care only from the perspective of my disorganization hindering the simple message of Christ being clearly presented with a God ordained excellence. That's what I care about. Organizing the details so that others have the opportunity to 'lean in close', laying their very best at His feet.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)