the middle of writing

In the middle of writing - I write.

I was working on a writing yesterday when I had another concept - so I left what I was writing to write something else.

I have many ideas. I feel everyday that I don't have time to write about everything that I want to, to try the new things that interest me or experiment with possible new projects.

Too many things to learn, to try, to experience.

So how should we manage our precious God given days - producing what needs to be created? Discipline. The thing that encourages my creative writing the most is discipline. Seriously.

When I am disciplined my mind is programmed to create -to be aware -to notice what is happening around me - to remember a deadline is coming. Without discipline I drift - dream too much and accomplish little. To write in the middle of writing is the highest point of my creativity. Ideas on top of one another. Words coming quickly, endlessly begging to be written.

All of us have triggers that cause us to produce at our highest levels. What do you require to be most productive? Please share so we can all learn!

little taking on big

Today I saw the most interesting thing in front of my house. I saw a bird that was hysterically happy! He was working as diligently as he could on a very large snake that had been killed on the road.

Now think of this from his perspective...giant worm! It surely was the happiest day of this little birds life!

I feel this way often, as if I'm little taking on big.

With God's help I have had the opportunity to try some things that are impossible in my own strength and ability. And every once in a while He grants me the David vs Goliath victory. It's then that I feel the same happiness that the little bird felt!

PS ...that was one ugly snake - although it was thought provoking!

graduation complete

Tonight we celebrated the college graduation of both of our kids by inviting some friends that influenced their lives.

It was a great time of looking back at old photos and laughing; as well as sharing stories about our kids. Here are a few pictures...

weekend report

Our Spiritual Maturity Pastor Wendell Anderson stepped in for our Senior Pastor who injured his back and is awaiting diagnosis this week. He did such a great job despite the fact that he didn't know until Friday that he would be filling the pulpit! God was good!

Our setlist:

Pre-service: Breathe On Me- Hillsong
Pre-service: As It Is In Heaven - Harris
Announcements: Green Screen video of babies doing announcements
Praise: All Because of Jesus - Fee
Praise: My Savior Lives - New Life (shortened)
Praise: Glorified - New Life (Piano intro)
Praise: Blessed Be The Name - Redman
Message by Pastor Wendell Anderson
Exit Song: Glorified - New Life

To watch our services go to www.crossroadswired.com

To see what other ministries used in their worship services this weekend to go www.theworshipcommuntiy.com

tests and trials = pruning

Although I do not claim to have deep theological understanding, God has filled His Word with tons of practical teachings and everyday examples for common folk like me.

This morning, following the heavy rains of the past couple days, I spent about an hour working on our flowers. There were many, dead, soggy, damaged blossoms that needed to be removed. I noticed the dead blossoms also on the deck - the pieces that had become useless to the plant and fallen away.

As I began to work on them and started to see the beautiful results of my work, it dawned on me exactly what God was talking about when He uses the gardening analogy of pruning in the Bible. As areas of our lives become dead, and things need to be removed He promises to prune them just as a gardener does with dead branches. He cannot tolerate dead areas of a believers life and so He allows trials or uses other people, whatever it takes to prune them from our lives.

John 15:2
Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

Growing up I often thought when I saw a true believer suffering through trials, that maybe they had done something wrong. Now I know it is just the opposite! Those he sees potential in, those who can make a difference, those who love the Fathers dearly - they are the ones He tests and allows what we perceive to be negative circumstances to enter their lives.

I love that the Lord brought this simple example to my attention this morning. The examples of His nature teach us so much and demonstrate the amazing attention to detail He created around us...FOR us!

Pruning is a promise, not a maybe for those who are His children...the beautiful results of testing and trials yield a bounty that an easy life can never offer.

building the kingdom

There was a period of time, not too long ago (as I began to feel old with the pace of ministry), when I was worried about who would carry on at Crossroads. Those worries are fading more and more daily.

The leadership at Crossroads is working diligently to build into the lives of the youth and young adults of our ministry. This focus is already paying huge dividends as young people understand that this is their ministry as well as those of us who are getting up there!

Emily is one of our outstanding youth - talented in many ways. Her monologue at our Communion service was outstanding, and I am so thankful for the amazing talent of many of our young volunteers!

We had a difficult audio beginning to her monologue- so bear with it - it clears up momentarily. I wanted to share this to encourage each of you to build into the next generation and let them know how much we need them to help build God's kingdom!

privilege with responsibility

Most privileges come with responsibility. Can you think of any that don't?

We studied this recently in the "Lessons on Christian Living" booklet. I found it very, very interesting to think about. We studied from the perspective of Christian maturity. It takes an obedient life to grow as a believer.

But even outside of that - from a worldly point of view I cannot think of any kind of privilege that doesn't require responsibility. Wealthy people should live very generous lives - providing for those less fortunate. Highly educated people should teach those less educated. People in powerful positions of authority should govern honestly and fairly. The list is endless.

It seems in many cases that privilege instead brings the very worst out in some people. An attitude of entitlement and selfishness. Or the desire for more privilege.

Although my life may not look like a life of privilege based on what I own or my bank accounts, I count myself among the most fortunate on earth. My privilege comes from the Lord in blessings of family, dear friends and co-workers and the local church. The nice thing about this kind of privilege is there is no way I can ever act as if I deserve it, or earned it. It was given to me and I recognize the value far exceeds anything measurable on this temporary earth. If you abide in the Lord - I am sure you can express the same kind of thankful joy!

Mine is not a perfect life with everything going well all the time - but it is a life of privilege.