what I learned today

What do you think about this statement..."Nothing that is not radical is Christian"

I was reading today and came across that statement - can't get it out of my mind.

When you take a hard look at the Bible it never tells a story that I can think of where ANYONE lived happily ever after. Not that Christianity offers no happiness and ONLY struggle - it offers a hope, peace and eternal perspective like nothing here can offer. It seems like the people that were used the mightiest were always edgy, not sitting comfortably in pews living within the American Church CONSUMER mindset that I see.

WHEN did we begin to think church was ALL about us?? This is so different then anything I have ever read about in the Bible except when I read descriptions of the Pharisees! I don't want God to think of me in this way.

So American church - sorry...I do believe it is time to live radically! Drop the "it's all about me" mindset and get up and let's get moving. OBEY - serve - give and affect the world around you! Dare to live edgy - move into areas for Jesus that make you nervous, you'll probably find the people that need Him the most! Get out of your 'pew' so to speak, and into the streets - a pilgrimage of sorts and let's effect Mansfield - shake things up!!

Radicals for our Lord - I learned today that the true church may not look so much like the America buildings called church that we see all around us. We are the church and we are NOT contained by walls!

my day off

Woke up.

Read.

Took mother-in-law to breakfast.

Worked in flower beds.

Stood very close to two HUGE tom turkeys who walked right between my hubby and I as if they could care less that we were there. (I think they were trying to act tough in front of the female).

Got soil delivered.

Worked in flower beds.

Stood side by side with my hubby working in flower beds as we watched the same two HUGE tom turkeys make their way back across the road as if we weren't even there.

Ate dinner.

Wrote this.

Going to bed. Not a real deep day of reflective self examination or focused time on trying to solve the worlds problems...

yet good.

part of Easter service

I wanted to put this video up from Easter even though you may have watched in on the church site. This segment is the portion that followed Pastor Tim's teaching on the woman at the well and features the monologue, the painting and song that my daughter Joci sang. Enjoy!

Easter 2010 from Steve Browning on Vimeo.

weekend report

The Amazing Jesus series by Pastor Tim - is truly amazing! We are using original art each weekend for our background slides and the Crossroads' artists are just doing a beautiful job!

We put announcements into the middle of worship to try to incorporate them into the service asking the congregation if they have ever considered serving and giving to also be part of worship. You can see how we did this by watching the services on line tomorrow.

You can also see how we used the sketches by watching at www.crossroadswired.com

Our Setlist:

Pre-service worship: Heaven Song - Wickham
Pre-service worship: Offering - Baloche
Praise: All Because of Jesus - Fee
Praise: Awesome is the Lord Most High - Tomlin
Worship: Awesome God
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Shanna and Stephanie
Worship: Awesome God continued
Worship: Your Love is Amazing - Crossroads original by Milo Sgambellone
Worship: God You Reign - Brewster
VIDEO: The Storm - Sermonspice
Message: Amazing Jesus Pt. 2: The Storm Calmer - Pastor Tim Armstrong
Exit Song: God You Reign

To see what other ministries used in their playlist go to theworshipcommunity.com

a taste of slow

I often move at a blinding pace - I like frenzy! The challenge of juggling a lot of activity and detail is exhilarating, but it takes a tole. Fuzzy thinking, lack of creativity and exhaustion.

Today I am moving at a reflective pace - cleaning - laundry - homemade broccoli soup...the open windows welcome the smell of the fire from the woods where my hubby is burning brush - clearing a wedding site.

At this pace I not only notice the smells but experience all the sensations that slowness reveals.

Why is it even with an understanding of Sabbath and the amazing experiences that quiet slowness allows, that I still move so quickly? I would have SO been Martha not Mary!

For today I have tasted the flavor of slowness and it is so good!

protective or exclusive

There is a fine line between being protective within the ministry vs exclusive. A recent visit by a person that didn't quite meet the criteria of one of our groups lead to quite a discussion.

Should they be invited in even though they weren't quite at the same level as the rest of the group, or is it more important to keep the group closed not risking the unity and possibly the quality of discussion and leadership development? Tough call.

If you begin to compromise the 'requirements' needed to belong to a group does the group collapse? Or...does this exposure instead give opportunity for the group to step up - to make their faith real and to become a witness and in this way take steps toward leadership that could never be taught? We shall see.

The group decided unanimously to open their group and their hearts to this newcomer. The right decision I suspect...

Kay Warren is coming

Crossroads is about to be blessed by a visit from Kay Warren!

Kay is a very accomplished teacher and author. She wrote and co-wrote, "Dangerous Surrender and Sanctification" among others. She is very involved in the fight against HIV and has brought great attention to this devastating disease and the people affected by it. Kay is the wife of Pastor Rick Warren from the Saddleback Church in California, and we are so fortunate that she is willing to come and spend a weekend with us on May 1 and 2.

I spoke at length today with her assistant, Paulette who I have come to love across the miles! We discussed every detail of her visit and it is going to be amazing for our congregation!

Sometimes it feels like no one else could possibly understand the challenges and loneliness we experience in ministry. Then you come to know others who have experienced the same struggles...they come along beside you and you become so overwhelmed with thankfulness that you are able to continue strongly. You give thanks to the Lord and you look for opportunities to pass the blessing on to others.

The blessing began the day Kay said she would come. And now we prepare to become just a little piece of Kay's life.