Is it possible to be both happy and sad at the same time? I think I am…
I am SO happy and blessed to have our son Eric in our Christmas production this year at Crossroads!! I told Pastor Tim today - wait until your kids become adults and they start to lead YOU in church. It's just something that's indescribable!
At the same time I am missing our daughter and her husband more than I can possibly describe! I don't understand why the Christmas holiday makes me so homesick for them? Our family gets together constantly so it's not like we only do at the holidays…I guess it does hold special memories.
With my mom facing surgery this Thursday I have to remember that it's an unusual Christmas anyway. A Christmas of
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Monday, December 16, 2013
Christmas takes preparing
Tonight we were at Crossroads preparing for Christmas, preparing for you!
Our prayer before rehearsal was for God to use our preparations, our rehearsals to honor Him and to use us to help tell His story to someone who doesn't know Him- the story of the Savior!
I would really appreciate your prayers for our teams as we prepare this week. The team is made up of amazing people that love the Lord and love to use their talents to serve Him.
Here's just a glimpse of BEHOLD!
Our prayer before rehearsal was for God to use our preparations, our rehearsals to honor Him and to use us to help tell His story to someone who doesn't know Him- the story of the Savior!
I would really appreciate your prayers for our teams as we prepare this week. The team is made up of amazing people that love the Lord and love to use their talents to serve Him.
Here's just a glimpse of BEHOLD!
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Crossroads at it's most amazing
Adopt-A-Child is happening right now at Crossroads! Many think this is just a chance to meet the physical needs of some of Richland County's most needy children which is EXTREMELY needed but unless you attend this event you miss seeing and feeling how God is honored in this, and how far reaching this event is.
I have to give a shout out to one of my closest friends and one of Crossroads greatest assets! Darlene Rudrick heads up our Missions area both local, national and international while working a full-time job! She has one of the greatest 'Jesus views' of people that I've ever known. She sees people as God sees them - never judgmental, never caring what it costs her physically, mentally or spiritually. she challenges me with her life!
During Adopt-A-Child we send people home with gifts for children who may not otherwise have Christmas - we send people home with gifts that may have entitlement attitudes - we send people out that may be walking through the doors of a church for the first time - and we send people out that accepted the Lord while here, whose lives just changed forever.
You see it doesn't matter if we're thanked, or met with excitement, we do this out of obedience to the Savior that came as a child so that we could accept this precious gift - the ultimate gift of eternal life!
This morning one of our volunteers got to lead a young adult woman to the Lord! i immediately ran to the cookie room and told all the volunteers' there that their serving allows them to share in the eternal celebration! They said, "that's true, we're one big team no matter what our 'job' is at the Adopt-A-Child event"! Awesome to see that realization come across their faces …
We are here until 3:00 or 4:00 today - stop in or call the Crossroads office and ask how and when you can help!!
I wanted to show you some pictures of our day here at crossroads…
I have to give a shout out to one of my closest friends and one of Crossroads greatest assets! Darlene Rudrick heads up our Missions area both local, national and international while working a full-time job! She has one of the greatest 'Jesus views' of people that I've ever known. She sees people as God sees them - never judgmental, never caring what it costs her physically, mentally or spiritually. she challenges me with her life!
During Adopt-A-Child we send people home with gifts for children who may not otherwise have Christmas - we send people home with gifts that may have entitlement attitudes - we send people out that may be walking through the doors of a church for the first time - and we send people out that accepted the Lord while here, whose lives just changed forever.
You see it doesn't matter if we're thanked, or met with excitement, we do this out of obedience to the Savior that came as a child so that we could accept this precious gift - the ultimate gift of eternal life!
This morning one of our volunteers got to lead a young adult woman to the Lord! i immediately ran to the cookie room and told all the volunteers' there that their serving allows them to share in the eternal celebration! They said, "that's true, we're one big team no matter what our 'job' is at the Adopt-A-Child event"! Awesome to see that realization come across their faces …
We are here until 3:00 or 4:00 today - stop in or call the Crossroads office and ask how and when you can help!!
I wanted to show you some pictures of our day here at crossroads…
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| Crossroads auditorium |
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| every gift is placed in gift bags |
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| a precious time of prayer with all the volunteers |
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| Eric - Alyssa and Oliver chatting with a young mother who came for her babies' gifts This makes me more proud than anything they could do! |
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| precious hand-made tags by a dear lady on every single package |
Monday, December 9, 2013
my day off
This weekend was one of the very first weekend's I've taken off from Crossroads in 15 years and just spent the day at home. Although I have to admit the reason I took the week off was in case my mom needed me additional nights following her surgery last week. She didn't, so I just watched our services from home. We are blessed with amazing praise and tech teams indeed!
Today I just have a few cards to finish and I continue the journey through time by capturing all my family's videos on my computer to create DVDs for Christmas for everyone.
Brother, talk about reliving the past!
God blessed us by making it possible for us to sell our first little house and purchase a double that we could rent one side of - allowing me to be home with our kids. This was priceless.
Day after day I could let them sleep in, and run around the house in pjs or just diapers. I video taped a whole lot! As I watched videos of Eric chattering and laughing as a 2 yr. old in the tub, and listened as Jocelyn sang her way through every room of the house, memories came flooding back. My life is moving fast. And my kids are moving even faster!
I ache for lost friends that ONLY have this life. That only have these memories.
All of us that God has extended grace to in the form of a Savior, we are the blessed ones. We understand that this is temporary in a very good way, not sad way. We live life to the fullest not in the way the world does - but using our memories, our past good or bad, to grow closer to Him and move toward Him.
As I write my final few Christmas cards this morning, that's what Merry Christmas means to me.
The future, not the past.
Today I just have a few cards to finish and I continue the journey through time by capturing all my family's videos on my computer to create DVDs for Christmas for everyone.
Brother, talk about reliving the past!
God blessed us by making it possible for us to sell our first little house and purchase a double that we could rent one side of - allowing me to be home with our kids. This was priceless.
Day after day I could let them sleep in, and run around the house in pjs or just diapers. I video taped a whole lot! As I watched videos of Eric chattering and laughing as a 2 yr. old in the tub, and listened as Jocelyn sang her way through every room of the house, memories came flooding back. My life is moving fast. And my kids are moving even faster!
I ache for lost friends that ONLY have this life. That only have these memories.
All of us that God has extended grace to in the form of a Savior, we are the blessed ones. We understand that this is temporary in a very good way, not sad way. We live life to the fullest not in the way the world does - but using our memories, our past good or bad, to grow closer to Him and move toward Him.
As I write my final few Christmas cards this morning, that's what Merry Christmas means to me.
The future, not the past.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
what I learned today
It seemed fitting to read Luke 1 today before I finished (hopefully) all the creative details of Crossroads' Christmas services.
Out of the whole passage what caught my attention was a portion of Mary's conversation with Elisabeth.
Over and over again in the Bible God talks about the needy, the humble, the servants when all the world values are the complete opposite characteristics.
Luke 1: 51-53
"He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
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he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty."
Mary knew who she carried in her womb and she knew what God's promises were for the coming Messiah - what he would do for His people. She rejoiced!
Can you imagine being the parent of a child that had been written about for years and years before his birth? Everyone that read the scriptures knew what was promised. Sadly many didn't believe Jesus was the Messiah, mainly perhaps because He didn't come the way they thought He would.
They expected a mighty King - someone who would overthrow evil earthly kingdoms and lead His people strongly. Did they make up their own version of what the Messiah would be?
Just as the scriptures discuss above, it's the humble and the hungry He ministered to and worked through. The healed witnessed to others, the shepherd boy killed giants, the widows last mite was used to demonstrate to generations that followed what our hearts should be like in order to really give.
The proud - even the proud spiritual leaders of the day refused to except a baby born of a human mother who quietly lead most of the time.
God's way of overthrowing governments and evil is to usually use an unlikely man or woman. Someone who is powerless in the world's eyes. Or someone who has been reduced to nothing in order to be used.
I try to see Him through all that I have and most of the time I don't see Him clearly. It's difficult to need a Savior when you have all that you need now. The humble, needy and sick need Him immediately - with no effort they see He is their only salvation.
Perspective comes when I quietly and honestly look at how fast my life is passing and ask myself -
"will anything I've done or bought or spent my time doing withstand the scrutiny of eternity?"
Out of the whole passage what caught my attention was a portion of Mary's conversation with Elisabeth.
Over and over again in the Bible God talks about the needy, the humble, the servants when all the world values are the complete opposite characteristics.
Luke 1: 51-53
"He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,and the rich he has sent away empty."
Mary knew who she carried in her womb and she knew what God's promises were for the coming Messiah - what he would do for His people. She rejoiced!
Can you imagine being the parent of a child that had been written about for years and years before his birth? Everyone that read the scriptures knew what was promised. Sadly many didn't believe Jesus was the Messiah, mainly perhaps because He didn't come the way they thought He would.
They expected a mighty King - someone who would overthrow evil earthly kingdoms and lead His people strongly. Did they make up their own version of what the Messiah would be?
Just as the scriptures discuss above, it's the humble and the hungry He ministered to and worked through. The healed witnessed to others, the shepherd boy killed giants, the widows last mite was used to demonstrate to generations that followed what our hearts should be like in order to really give.
The proud - even the proud spiritual leaders of the day refused to except a baby born of a human mother who quietly lead most of the time.
God's way of overthrowing governments and evil is to usually use an unlikely man or woman. Someone who is powerless in the world's eyes. Or someone who has been reduced to nothing in order to be used.
I try to see Him through all that I have and most of the time I don't see Him clearly. It's difficult to need a Savior when you have all that you need now. The humble, needy and sick need Him immediately - with no effort they see He is their only salvation.
Perspective comes when I quietly and honestly look at how fast my life is passing and ask myself -
"will anything I've done or bought or spent my time doing withstand the scrutiny of eternity?"
Monday, December 2, 2013
my day off
I actually have several days of vacation left so I am taking them this week before all the surgeries begin.
Before my day started I sat down to begin reading the scripture that Pastor Tim will base his next series on. I wanted to refresh my memory with the passages so that I can prepare to focus on what's next after Christmas.
As I walked to my living room to read, I noticed how foggy it was outside. My Christmas tree cast tiny sparkling lights on the window against a foggy backdrop.
One of the verses read, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
It just confounds me how often God gives me a physical example to support His Words when I focus and pay attention!
Despite the fog, the darkness - His son came - The light overcame the darkness….
I cannot wait for Pastor Tim to systematically teach us these truths after Christmas.
My day off started perfectly and I'm convinced I accomplished a ton because I gave Him my first moments - my best most focused moments! Why I don't ALWAYS give Him first place in my life I have no idea !
He waits for me to reach out of this darkness - to reach toward the Light so that I follow Him through my days, not my own earthly agenda...
Before my day started I sat down to begin reading the scripture that Pastor Tim will base his next series on. I wanted to refresh my memory with the passages so that I can prepare to focus on what's next after Christmas.
As I walked to my living room to read, I noticed how foggy it was outside. My Christmas tree cast tiny sparkling lights on the window against a foggy backdrop.
One of the verses read, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
It just confounds me how often God gives me a physical example to support His Words when I focus and pay attention!
Despite the fog, the darkness - His son came - The light overcame the darkness….
I cannot wait for Pastor Tim to systematically teach us these truths after Christmas.
My day off started perfectly and I'm convinced I accomplished a ton because I gave Him my first moments - my best most focused moments! Why I don't ALWAYS give Him first place in my life I have no idea !
He waits for me to reach out of this darkness - to reach toward the Light so that I follow Him through my days, not my own earthly agenda...
Sunday, December 1, 2013
weekend report
Nothing, Nothing, Nothing better than being in the house of the Lord !
I'm thankful for another amazing weekend with my brothers and sisters! Instead of writing I thought I'd just show you all the worship that was going on! Setlist is at the bottom of page! Enjoy!
Our Setlist:
The Lord Reigns
As We Pray
Lord I Need You
Revelation Song
Message: Famous People You Should Know Pt. 4 Naaman: Sr. Pastor Tim Armstrong
Ending Special: Worn
To watch our services online go to www.crossroadswired.com
To see what other ministries used in their services go to www.theworshipcommunity.com
I pray your week is full of blessings!
I'm thankful for another amazing weekend with my brothers and sisters! Instead of writing I thought I'd just show you all the worship that was going on! Setlist is at the bottom of page! Enjoy!
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| Main Auditorium |
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| student ministry |
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| video booth |
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| audio booth |
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| just one of our children's rooms |
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| coffee house |
Our Setlist:
The Lord Reigns
As We Pray
Lord I Need You
Revelation Song
Message: Famous People You Should Know Pt. 4 Naaman: Sr. Pastor Tim Armstrong
Ending Special: Worn
To watch our services online go to www.crossroadswired.com
To see what other ministries used in their services go to www.theworshipcommunity.com
I pray your week is full of blessings!
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