after 54 years

You would think after 54 years I would have a ton of self control and maturity.  I swear sometimes I feel like I'm going backward!

This week I have experienced the full range of emotions and opportunities to react in a Godly manner and have failed miserably in several cases.

I can only assume this calls for more dedicated time to study and to be quiet and listen instead of endlessly giving my opinion and adding constant comments.  Deep in my heart I honestly don't believe that I know it all - not even close to what I should know.  And yet I feel free to share what I think and try to control situations instead of just waiting on the Lord.

I sometimes can't hear Him through all my chatter...

And still He chose to bless my week!

*Despite all my noise He brought me unexpected gifts this week.
     A friend stopped by the church and said I was on her mind and gave me a beautiful unexpected gift!

*He gave me new offers of help and serving in the ministry.
     Friends that already serve decided to bless our staff with the offer of lunch once a month!
     Another friend serving in my area said his son was now interested in getting involved!

*He gave me a great outcome to one difficult situation.
      God blessed me with quick results from what started out difficult.  Some times it may take tons of           time before we have understanding about why something happened.  This week God allowed me to see amazing resolution quickly!  I saw the 'why' right away!

*I received approval for a creative event I hope to plan for next year.
      This feeds my creativity.  I am thankful for these opportunities!



My prayers for several years now have been simple to the Lord.

Reveal has been the word I have used more times than I can possibly count.

-In regard to myself:  Reveal my sin Lord
                                  Reveal how you want me to spend my life.  (I beg Him almost daily)

-Where I see brothers and sisters walking away from the Lord:  Reveal their wrongs Lord

-In regard to our ministry:  Reveal my leadership weakness Lord - never let me lead someone away from you...  I'm not sure anything scares me more than the thought of someone watching me.  How I act, how I work, how I live and walking away from the Lord because of me...

After 54 years I am still learning, I am still failing and I am still in desperate need of my Savior every single day.  The biggest change in me?  My desire for relationship with Him grows every single year.  And every passing year I move one year closer to an eternal audience before Him!!!

my day off

All clothing $1.00 at the Hospice Thrift store today.

That was an exciting way to start my day off!  I hit it right when it opened got 2 coats, an Express pair of jeans and corduroy skirt and shirt for my daughter, and 2 other tops for $7.00!  I then found a vintage expresso machine for $10.00 that is listed on Ebay with a starting bid of $79.00!  Not a bad start to a day off!

I continued by running additional errands with my mother in law including SAMS Club where I found a pair of sandals for $4.81!  (can you tell how much I LOVE deals!)  We then had a luxurious breakfast at Mansfield Resturant and then back home for a short while.

I quickly started to cook 3 meals to have in fridge to get my hubby and me through the rest of the week without cooking again!  Well worth the time it takes and the mess it makes!  Then it was off to the Coffee House!

This evening I lead a drama team meeting while the Coffee House at Crossroads rocked out with amazing music and fabulous coffee and coffee cake from Buckeye Bakery - SOOO good!

It was an evening when I got to see a plan come together before my eyes.

The Coffee House was to be a place where community happens and it DID!  A gentleman I didn't know even asked me for a visitors packet from the iCenter which I gladly provided!  Who knows what doors into people's lives this will open for us.

Crossroads Actors busy planning

Packed house

Fever Fever - excellent (can you see the actors in the background goofing around?)

Jen Irwin hard at work on her November Crossroads Art Show - 'Vessel' art project

The Coffee House was brimming full of creatives and coffee drinkers and excited young adults eager to hear the bands that played.  People enjoyed the coffee and one another and in the process everyone fellowshipped and was encouraged and for a few hours we were our own little community of artists, and actors and musicians and coffee enthusiasts! And it was good, very good!

weekend report

It was good, so good!

I love the services at Crossroads.

Sometimes I wish I wasn't on staff just so I could walk in and just see what God has waiting!

The entire service this weekend was well planned and well executed by men and women of God, leading us in worship and leading us in teaching - and I was SO thankful to be part of it.

Soooo thankful for everyone that worked so hard and was used of God in mighty ways!

Our setlist:

Leah Hart - opening welcome video/announcements

God Be Praised/Our God Reigns
Oh How Sweet - Crossroads original by Austin Hart
Forever Reign - Hillsong
Revelation Song - Gateway
Holy Is The Lord - Tomlin
Message:  Systematic Theology Pt 4 - Tim Armstrong
Ending worship:  Holy Is the Lord - Tomlin

To watch our services on Monday go to www.crossroadswired.com

To see what other ministries used in their services go to www.theyworshipcommunity.com

beautiful things

Today I saw beautiful things.

I began my day working with one of the most dedicated worship leaders I have every known.  Dan.

His heart to lead God's people to the throne in worship is so evident every time I talk with him.  We worked on the next worship package of music today, our congregation will get to participate in this worship package in a few weeks, they will be blessed.

As I drove around early this afternoon I saw an entire field of sunflowers.  The sun was shining on them brightly and they were breathtaking!  My hubby was driving and talking on the phone so we didn't stop, I'll have to get him to stop tomorrow.  They were beautiful!

And finally I get to spend the evening with good friends.  In friendships I find unequaled beauty!

God reveals himself in an endless variety of beautiful places, and people and friends.  He is good all the time!

another day gone

Looking back over my day I wondered, what did I do that was important or enduring?

Aaron doing pour-overs outside!

I began by hurrying around to prepare for a table at NC State's business fair.  Crossroads had been invited to have a table because we are an NC State internship location.

The boys took charge at NC State!

We had opportunities to advertise the Coffee House as well as invite people to Crossroads. The Coffee House is already accomplishing what we had hoped for, a place for people to gather and experience community!  Aaron handed out flyers for this Monday nights concert to very interested students.   Many people took information about the church as well as internships and coffee coupons.

This was the first time in as long as I can remember that I had a chance to be out in the community during a work day, really talking about our ministry and inviting people to come. Today one person after another came to us to talk about Crossroads!  It was awesome!

God's summer bounty!

Next, I returned to the church for a few hours of work then I headed to my family's house for dinner in Ashland.

My dad and Ron look so serious but, my dad just
had not reached the punch line yet!

Tonight was special, we got to spend time with a nephew who had moved out and had not been with family for a while.  He called each of us this week to say he was coming home and wanted to spend time with us - so we had a huge blessing being back together tonight!  Even better than my mom's butterscotch pie!

My dad turns even a heart felt prayer into a time of muffled giggles and hurried eye closing as he begins to pray (intentionally) while everyone is still talking.  It's always anyones' guess whether he didn't hear us talking or is once again just being ornery!

Although another day is gone, I end it with thanksgiving on my lips to my Savior.  His love for me is evident in allowing me to be part of a ministry that impacts so many lives.  And I am so grateful for being around long enough to see the next generation rise up to continue the ministry, perhaps stronger than the last.

And then at the end of my day to be surrounded by family that make me laugh hysterically and that love me and have personal relationships with God.  It wasn't just another day - it was a God-filled blessed day!

my day off

I have little sentences and statements and thoughts written everywhere.

Today I ran across one that really made me think.  I have no idea where it came from, but it's profound.

"Christ is glorified as perishing people become eternally satisfied in Him."

Whoa!

Picture perishing people - no matter what the circumstance and the contrast of moving from suffering or perishing to eternal satisfaction?

I cannot imagine a bigger contrast.

Eternal satisfaction.

I stay satisfied for hours and perhaps more accurately minutes at a time.  How this must break the heart of God.  Contentment in this world is completely impossible.

sat·is·fied/ˈsatisˌfīd'

Adjective:

Contented; pleased.

Am I?  Are You?

weekend report

We are in week 2 of Pastor Tim's Systematic Theology series.  The teachings have been amazing and our congregation is so anxious to be here for the entire series!

OUR SETLIST:

I really looked forward to using 3 of our own originals on this weekend's list!

Praises To The King - written by one of our worship pastors - Milo Sgambellone
Everlasting God -  Brewster
Yaweh - Tomlin
Beautiful Mighty - (our own) Chris Draper
Your Love Is Amazing - Milo Sgambellone
Awesome God - (shortened)  Hillsong
Video Intro:   Leah Hart
Systematic Theology Pt. 2 - Senior Pastor Tim Armstrong
Exit Song:  Awesome God

To watch our services on Monday go to www.crossroadswired.com

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