tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69356242024-03-04T23:15:44.924-06:00The Crossers' Life in Ministry and Missions"Using our life to point others to Christ"mcrosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733355479057822556noreply@blogger.comBlogger303125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935624.post-13098219298038755572015-01-14T14:04:00.001-06:002015-01-14T14:04:40.856-06:00Unselfish Birthday WishesI love the trend of unselfish birthday choices. There's nothing wrong with having a birthday or getting presents. Yet, if you're looking for the moments in your life where you are can have a large impact, birthdays could be on that list. Birthdays are usually a time when the limelight is directly shining on you, so what better way to use that stage than to share about your faith or kickstart a project with meaningful impact. Haley G. is one of our HP students who is doing just that.<br />
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Blackbox International is a Christian organization that exists to holistically rehabilitate sex-trafficked boys age 16 and under. There is an estimated 400,000 boys who are trafficked each year and Blackbox is making a difference. However, they need help. Haley wants to help.<br />
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This year on her birthday on January 19, Haley is raising money and awareness for Blackbox International. She wanted to do something different this year instead of just having another year of cake and presents. Her plan is to raise money from school, church and Facebook friends, then use the money for Blackbox. Her goal is to raise at least $200 to help another boy come into the organization. All the money raised will be given directly to Blackbox to make this happen.<br />
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I'm praying that her efforts are multiplied beyond what she hoped for, not only to encourage her faith but help Blackbox as they seek to assist 'the least of these'.<br />
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If you would like to help Haley in this, please contact me at <a href="mailto:matt@hp4christ.org">matt</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">@hp4christ.org</a>. Or contact her directly if you know her personally. Let's partner together to battle to help rescue these young boys made in the image of God.<br />
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You can read more about Blackbox International at <a href="http://www.blackboxinternational.org/">http://www.blackboxinternational.org</a><br />
mcrosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733355479057822556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935624.post-81229159691756571702015-01-06T15:55:00.000-06:002015-01-06T15:55:54.231-06:00Helping Students Keep Warm and Stay in School
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tulsa, Oklahoma - I would like to introduce you to Sarah
W. Sarah is one of our High School students at Highland Park. She is
actively involved in HPyouth. She is smart, athletic and a follower of Jesus
Christ. And she is doing something extraordinary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last summer, we took our students to a CIY Move conference
in Macomb, Illinois. Move is a week-long conference that aims to change youth
and change the world. Sarah, along with many of our students, was challenged
throughout the week to advance her faith and grow stronger in her
commitment to follow Christ.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One video and challenge in particular hit her hard. The
story of Ruby. Ruby is a High School student that chose to give up her birthday to raise money for a family to have a new house in South America. At the end of
the week, we challenged our students to consider what they could do this next
year that God was laying on their heart. Sarah decided that she wanted to do
something like that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After returning home, she shared with her parents what was
on her heart and in her mind. Together they decided on a plan. Sarah would use
her birthday in January 2015 to impact many poor underprivileged children in
the Tulsa area. Project Elf is an amazing organization dedicated to helping
children get the basic things they need for life and school. They provide them
with coats, pencils, toothbrushes, combs and more. Sarah wants to help them.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0jYPhZSTaiqzKtrpDJLTVCbYIKHJwXcj79hTMoaqJXy7NUaCv2gLNCc__shHsEf5zLeYmd3FPEN01UOz3Eu0TK1siKaj6aoBjzP3o-HDGeG6ZhQ9HwgON3Qvbi6W-jWwVDVB/s1600/WP_20141213_003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0jYPhZSTaiqzKtrpDJLTVCbYIKHJwXcj79hTMoaqJXy7NUaCv2gLNCc__shHsEf5zLeYmd3FPEN01UOz3Eu0TK1siKaj6aoBjzP3o-HDGeG6ZhQ9HwgON3Qvbi6W-jWwVDVB/s1600/WP_20141213_003.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, in January 2015, Sarah is attempting to get many
donations to help Project Elf be an even bigger impact than normal. The
Children’s Ministry at Highland Park has already gotten behind her. The Middle
School students of HP took time out of their Christmas party to go shopping for
donations to surprise Sarah. Maybe by this point, you’re wondering how you
could partner with her too? On Sunday, January 11, there will be a box next to
the HP Caboose (the student information table in the downstairs lobby). In that
box, bring any of the items in the list that follows to help support Sarah and
Project Elf. This will also underscore to our students that they too can change
the world for Christ. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Items needed:</span></div>
<ul>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tennis Shoes</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Socks</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Underwear</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Backpacks</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Heavy Coats</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Winter Hats and Gloves</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Composition Books</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pencils</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Binders (2 in)</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Markers</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pocket Folders with Brads</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tri-Fold Science Project Boards</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Toothbrushes</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Money and Wal-Mart Gift Cards can also be given.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
mcrosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733355479057822556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935624.post-74219214893455971542013-10-03T10:49:00.003-05:002013-10-03T10:50:59.480-05:00My Thoughts after Meeting our DaughterI wanted to get down some of the thoughts I have had since I wrote the "<a href="http://crosserslife.blogspot.com/2013/09/an-open-letter-to-our-adopted-child.html">Open Letter</a>" and subsequently meeting our daughter. We started the DHS adoption process last November/December. In the beginning of the year we went through hours and hours of training. In late spring and early summer, our schedule got busy with Jacob graduating High School and going on various Youth Ministry trips, so the adoption process slowed down a bit. We also needed to set aside some money to get Italian background checks to complete our application. Toward the end of the summer, a family generously gave us the money to get our background checks and it was back on! <br />
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The week that our background checks were completed, our profiles were matched with four kids. Our daughter was one of them. The four kids' case workers would need to review our profiles and determine if we were a good fit from their perspective. Throughout the next month we prayed that God would send each of the four kids to a godly home and He would send whichever child to us that He chose. We asked Him to make it clear. We asked Him for guidance. And we asked others to pray with us.<br />
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God made it clear. Our daughters name was sent back to us for consideration. We went to DHS and saw a couple pictures of her. We couldn't take anything with us, so we had to keep her image and profile in our memory. We decided to follow God's lead and move ahead with the adoption process of our daughter.<br />
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Last week, we had a meeting to find out more about her. We actually got to keep some pictures (that we can't post - sorry!) and info about her. We also got to see a video of her talking to her Adoptive Parents. She was staring into our souls. It might have been at that point that all was lost. I was smitten. Tears came to both our eyes. I felt like I was looking at my daughter in that video. At that moment, I wanted to reach out and hold her, protect her and make sure she knew that she was loved.<br />
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From that night on our love grew. Each day felt like eternity was increasing as we waited, first to pray and make the final decision to move forward, then to wait for the night we would meet.<br />
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That night finally came. We met our daughter on October 1, 2013. We can't tell you specific details about her, other than her age (she's 13), but we can tell you that she is adorable, lovable, friendly, sweet and likes to laugh and sing!<br />
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Today, I get to pick her up from school for the very first time. I am excited. Angie will be waiting at the house for us, getting dinner ready and hanging out with Kevin. We will get to hang out and get to know her better for a few hours. I told our daughter on the phone which car to look for and that I would be standing on top of it waving my arms. She giggled and said that wouldn't embarrass her, she would just tell everyone that I was her new Daddy. My heart turned to mush as I soaked up her words. <br />
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Some may say that she is lucky or fortunate to have a forever home, but I would say she is such a sweet special girl that we are blessed beyond words that God has chosen her for us. Picking her up today cannot come soon enough.mcrosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733355479057822556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935624.post-16276261662442397372013-10-01T13:51:00.002-05:002013-10-01T13:52:44.432-05:00YM Tip Game Idea: Bucket BallI created this game as a fun icebreaker for our students. I call it Bucket Ball.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphlY7GtrYli-4hO6Hpyep5lwvnED6MCKe3oLk0R3grA4kwes3P-b9XDOZdsglEsFdFKCMUn3aZC08zKo5roFWQyIuSbGlymMt4Xv6Cm6RvKgdDiS8ev2PFygclxByBxIwQjew/s1600/YMBucketBall.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphlY7GtrYli-4hO6Hpyep5lwvnED6MCKe3oLk0R3grA4kwes3P-b9XDOZdsglEsFdFKCMUn3aZC08zKo5roFWQyIuSbGlymMt4Xv6Cm6RvKgdDiS8ev2PFygclxByBxIwQjew/s400/YMBucketBall.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Bucket Ball is set up with two long tables, end to end. On one end there is an igloo, bucket, clean trash can, etc... From the other end students line up taking turns trying to make a shot. After their attempt they go to the back of the line. If their attempt is good, there is a score. If their attempt failed, they must retrieve the ball and place it at the end of the table in front of the shooters. The next person in line does not have to wait for the person getting their ball if there is another ball left in front of them.<br />
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Here's how we played it.<br />
Items needed:<br />
For one set-up - two 6 foot tables, one container and five practice tennis balls.<br />
For teams or multiple set-ups - Simply create the same set as many times as you want teams.<br />
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We played with two teams of 6.<br />
Rules: <br />
1) Everyone must attempt their shot.<br />
2) Cannot cross the end of the table.<br />
3) Must bounce the ball at least once (we did change this after a couple games, but still fun as a rule).<br />
4) When a ball makes it in the goal, it stays in. This means there are now less balls to cycle through shooting team members.<br />
5) First team to five balls in wins.<br />
<br />
We played best two out of three games wins.<br />
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Objectives: Relationship building, icebreakermcrosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733355479057822556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935624.post-42383303464924684792013-09-29T17:51:00.001-05:002013-09-29T17:51:40.024-05:00An Open Letter to our Adopted Child
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To our adopted child…<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have wanted you for ages. In fact for years before you
were born, we wanted you. God has been preparing us for you for a long time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe it’s better if I start back at the beginning. When I
was a child I remember being drawn by the idea of adoption. I pretended that I
had ‘adopted’ my stuffed animals. When I saw news stories about kids without
parents, it broke my heart. I remember watching movies like Disney’s Rescuers
and Annie, and my emotions were tugged. TV shows like Different Strokes
highlighted adoption while embracing the different colors of God’s children. As
I grew older and I saw movies about the defenseless, the fatherless, and the
lonely being protected, I was inspired. God was preparing me for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I know your mom played with dolls growing up, caring for
them, loving them, teaching them and feeding them. Some of her favorite movies
were about orphans….and singing (Annie and the Sound of Music). She watched
shows like Little House on the Prairie which showed her a story of adoption. They
had a home daycare where even as a young teen your mom got to love on real
babies, playing with them, caring for them and feeding them. God was preparing
her for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When your mom and I started dating we shared our desires to adopt.
The idea had grown in each of us before we met and now we shared something
special in God’s heart. We discussed our shared desire to adopt teens. Our
dating years came and went. They flashed by as we finished High School and
started college. Yet, God gave us many opportunities for practice and training
with our nephews and nieces. We had no idea what God had in store, but know
this…He was preparing us for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We married while attending a Christian college and soon
after we started supporting a child from Compassion International. This was a
small way to help a child in need. We prayed for and invested in the life of
that child. Our classes taught us more about God’s love. God was preparing us
for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a couple more years at college, we joined a team of
church planting missionaries going to Ancona, Italy. We experienced highs and
lows on the mission field, but through it all we saw God’s plan for Italy and
our lives. During our time in Italy, we once again thought of adoption. Our
normal travel schedule was that we would be in Italy for two years and back in
the states for six months. We found that Italy wouldn’t allow foreigners to
adopt Italian children and there were hurdles with adopting children in America
while we were living abroad. We remembered an orphanage that we knew in an
Asian country and sent them an email. We heard nothing. We looked at other
opportunities, but didn’t really get anywhere. Months later, God led us to move
to another city in Italy and help lead a church plant there. We were packing
our things in Italy and coming back to the states to raise awareness and a team
when we received the apology email from the orphanage. They had received our
email but it went to their junk mail folder. They told us they were happy to
help us adopt, but because of the move it wasn’t the right time. It seemed God
was still working through us and preparing us for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While we were in the states preparing ourselves and our new
team, we took a training course called Perspectives. The course looked at God’s
heart for the nations. The presenters would often give us suggestions of events
and opportunities that helped us keep a heart open to the nations. We went to a
few of the events. One event was at a church that was hosting a group of
orphans from Russia. There were teens and older children that spoke and sang in
a choir. Their stories and the stories of other children like them shook us. We
felt the increased pull of adoption, but not at that time. God wasn’t ready for
us to adopt at that time, but He used their stories to continue molding our
hearts. God was preparing us for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At a Christian concert in late 2008, we heard two different
pleas. One was for Compassion International and the other was for an
international adoption agency. We were still preparing to return to Italy, and
while we talked seriously about the adoption challenge, we felt that that at
that time God was wanting us to get back involved with Compassion International
after a few years absence. Again, we provided financial resources for food and
Bible training for a child around the world. Again we were praying and loving a
new child, even if it was “long distance”. God was preparing us for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After almost two years of preparation, God sent us back to
Italy – to the city of Verona. Three months after barely settling in, we
received the kind of phone call you would never want to receive. My brother was
in a terrible car accident and we needed to return to America. We came back to help
our broken hurting family even while we also were broken and hurting. It would
take God the next few years to heal our brokenness. However, through this
tragedy God transformed us from an Aunt and an Uncle to substitute parents of
our niece and nephews in the place of my brother. Their ages ranged from 14 to 21.
Looking back, we realize God had been preparing us for this. And through this too
God was preparing us for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In 2010, our church showed a video from the 111Project. This
project has brought attention to the need of churches to see how they could make
an impact in the foster system. This pulled at our hearts and brought to mind
how God had given us a desire to adopt. Since my brother’s accident we had been
taking care of him at home. We were still figuring out how this worked and what
a normal life looked like for us. Yet the thought of being there for a child in
need hit us hard, yet we waited as God healed our hearts. God was still
preparing us for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In 2012, life seemed to turn a corner. I became an elder at
our church and we began to become more involved in local ministry again, even
as we continued to take care of my brother and his kids. Later that year, I
would even become the Youth Minister at this same church. Throughout the year,
close friends of ours waded through the waters of local adoption through DHS
and it seemed to be less difficult than we imagined. We saw once more that
children needed forever families, but this time we saw it in Oklahoma. God was
preparing us for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In November, right after Thanksgiving in 2012, we were
watching news that had been recorded on our DVR. We rarely watch the news, but
this time we had seen something that drew our interest. While watching, a
segment for “Waiting Child” came on. Waiting Child shows an interview with a
child that is waiting to have a forever family. Your mom and I both remember
seeing these interviews on TV when we were kids. So because of a bit of
nostalgia and actual interest we watched. And after watching it, we looked at
each other and rewound it to watch it again. Reality hit again that there truly
were kids out there, teens that were longing to have a family that loved them
and right here in the same state! We spent the next several days talking about
it. God was preparing us for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We decided to move forward and find out more about local
adoption, then start the process. That is how we got to this point of meeting
you. We cannot wait to meet you, hold you, love you and guide in a knowledge
that honors God and brings others to Him. God has prepared us for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You will be part of a family that loves the Lord, likes to laugh,
enjoys games together, celebrates life joyfully, comes together in difficult
times, knows the importance of praying together and longs to tell others about
Jesus. God has prepared us for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And I want to tell you something, you are God’s child. And
you are made in His image. This is something that we believe fully. And you are
made with a purpose. God wants to use you in His kingdom, to use you in His
story. You will be magnificent in the adventure that God has planned for you,
if you choose to follow Him. God has prepared you for Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We already love you and that love will only continue to grow.
We look forward to being together as a family just as God has prepared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Love,<br />
Your Dad and Mom</span></div>
mcrosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733355479057822556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935624.post-67940842652108865472013-03-01T09:12:00.000-06:002013-03-01T09:12:52.910-06:00HPYouth Harlem Shake EditionSo after watching CIY's new Harlem Shake CIYmove Edition our Youth Group created this:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/QRnPGkuu3JY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Here's the CIY version too:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/MQr1wEaWMGc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
mcrosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733355479057822556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935624.post-87166859510127804042013-02-22T17:15:00.000-06:002013-02-22T17:15:49.736-06:00Screwtape's Old TricksLast Sunday, I preached at Highland Park. For that sermon on Patience, I wrote a new letter describing what C.S. Lewis' demon characters Screwtape and Wormwood are up to now. Here's the letter below and also the link to find my sermon online.<br />
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It’s easy to be patient, when you’re in control. <a href="http://www.hp4christ.org/#/media">www.hp4christ.org/#/media</a><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My dear Wormwood,</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It’s been far too long since
I last wrote. Since our tutelage ended, I have closely followed your illustrious
career. I remain impressed with your creative and numerous efforts to advance
our cause. I must admit to the bursting pride for you, my famous pupil, as I
regale your unparalleled victories to those who know that it was I that
instructed you. Your ability to convince your Assignments that comfort is a
sign of their development is nothing short of genius, AND I might add the
perfect culmination of the very lessons of which I imparted to you. I truly
taught you well. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">You are to be commended. Your
most recent Assignment has methodically eliminated from her life anything that
might produce the fruit she desires. That fruit is something that we want to,
dare I say, MUST avoid. And the Assignment before her, has crippled himself by
evading suffering, pain and trouble in a deluded attempt to avoid the very
battle for which he longs.</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Through the practice of not
requesting the enemy’s assistance, they are become more and more defense<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">less</b> and farther from the hope of which
they originally desired. They have become like mice in a serpent’s cage.
Destined to become our prize meal. </span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Alas, I have more to say
than just glowing accolades of your fine body of work. There are pockets in
this world that have uncovered the notion that if they ask their leader for the
tools of the Fruit of his spirit, He will come to their rescue. Things like
joy, peace and patience, among others. All of which, are potent enough to knock
even a celebrated tempter like you off of your high perch. In their distress,
they call out, realizing they aren’t alone in this war. Their leader comes to
their rescue every time, but we have to throw everything at them so that they
forget this truly battle changing fact.</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It is therefore imperative
that we deflect their attention from their leader, so that once more they will
become like a solitary wounded antelope in the Serengeti, just waiting for the
assumed fate of death by ravaging. Strategically, we ought to encourage their
assumed slights and vengeful wrath which completely distorts their vision,
ruins their witness and disrupts their tasks of inviting others. </span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The real delusion is that
they think they won’t know suffering if they do not ask to be trained in these
areas of improvement. In this world, there will be pain and sorrow no matter to
what side of the war they belong. It is flawed thinking that nothing bad will
ever happen to them if they avoid the fight. This flawed understanding is
precisely what we want them to continue to think. </span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And now my request. My hope
is that you might join us at the University to train those tempters unequipped
and ignorant in the best methods for fighting the battle of today. I implore
you to reply immediately for time is of the essence. Even now, our chances for
advancement are slipping, but not without reach. However, if word gets out, the
powerless will become wise to the resources at their disposal provided by their
leader. And the efforts being made against us in certain parts of the world
will become the norm rather than the exception.</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sincerely,</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Your Uncle Screwtape</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
mcrosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733355479057822556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935624.post-89191392400883122322013-01-17T11:54:00.000-06:002013-01-17T11:54:04.510-06:00Twenty One Pilots - New Fave Group of 2013I recently came across a musical duo named Twenty One Pilots. After youth group (A|Zero) last night I was playing it and several students were asking who was playing. After a few listens I fell in love with their eclectic style. I've now listened to their new CD "Vessel" dozens of times. My original thoughts were they were an amalgam of Eminem, Rufus Wainwright, .FUN, Matt & Kim, Owl City and Passion Pit. Every once in awhile they have a Mumford & Sons vibe on the song "Heart of Gold" and on my favorite song "Screen" there is a little bit of light Reggae. It would have to be light Reggae, because more than that I wouldn't have cared for it as much. The song's great, but the lyrics are amazing. I imagine a crowd of believers at a conference like <a href="http://www.ciy.com/" target="_blank">CIY</a>, singing the refrain...<br />
<br />
"We're broken"<br />
"We're broken"<br />
We're broken people"<br />
<br />
Over and over again with arms outstretched to God.<br />
<br />
Here's a great answer to why they chose that name! "Ok so, I (Tyler) was in theatre class and we were studying a play called "All My Sons" written by Arthur Miller in the 40's. It was about a father who ran a company that provided parts for airplanes used in WWII. He then found out that his parts were faulty, so he comes to a moral crossroads:1. He can take the parts back and not send them out, but he will lose a lot of money in a financially tough situation. He would also taint his business and his name and be known as 'unreliable' in his trade. But this would ultimately be the 'right' thing to do. or,2. send the parts out, make the necessary money to provide for his family, not taint his name, etc. He ends up sending the parts out and twenty one pilots died because of it. His son was a pilot in the war who had lost his life. There was no evidence to prove that it was directly related but his daughter blamed her father for her brothers death. He ended up committing suicide at the end of the play. Here's how we make it relevant: I feel like we are all constantly encountering moral crossroads where the decisions that benefit the "now" will have consequences down the road; but the decision that might seem tough and tolling right away will ultimately be more rewarding. What is our purpose for playing music? We are constantly asking ourselves that question. The answer can change all the time, but for right now we are just going to stick with something as simple as "we want to make people think."mcrosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733355479057822556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935624.post-67127834508261099482012-12-19T22:18:00.000-06:002012-12-19T22:18:35.075-06:00December 2012 NewsletterHere's our December 2012 Newsletter. Right click on any of the pics below and choose "save link as..." to download the pdf.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thecrossers.com/newsletterart/crossers.news.2012.12.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOEijNSetzKh5ADFtU8MCl7j4K6k1TlfjPwF9PB0yqz-ctmnkRK7F5E6AgYOjQpQndi_T55gmhNrGVHOlm3EJ11wy4D9C8RhTqNl0cW6PtR8IDNnp4ualkUIgh2yysMNV1-Hn/s320/2012.12.01.front.tn.png" width="247" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thecrossers.com/newsletterart/crossers.news.2012.12.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheal5plQXZzAo3awW8hZ1LDb7OT7gZ2_X2bMhNe4hI3xV5VCi6Mp0lEq9_Up1vAkjm9uKWTOoslTDu8zJ37VegRRrp3g5KPLVO5BEoMRxb1SMixt4bVpDMRMJ7vgUiR93TkwPZ/s320/2012.12.02.back.tn.png" width="247" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.thecrossers.com/newsletterart/crossers.news.2012.12.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsv0xaKnzieHg2z0ZJKOWTvON5EMQRcMG4V7NDuQHHxTfnv2b0AAld94A9JlWVMyk_RGZbji0cZ4c2pY1s4JcaXGbcGvJLmgYLy3Kob-QDSgsiwyI8-llXiLlBnt0gumNCcJ2/s200/2012.12.QRCode.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />
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<br />
<strong>QR code scanning info -</strong><br />
* What is a QR code? It's kind of like a bar code but it can contain much more data, contact info, web addresses, etc.<br />
<br />
* How do I scan this on my device?<br />
<ul>
<li>Windows 7 Phones with 7.5 (mango) update can use the bing vision search. [if you don't have this update try PhraseMeme Scanner (found on the windows marketplace)].</li>
<li>Android phones/tablets try QR Droid (found on the Android marketplace).</li>
<li>iPhone/iPad try QR-Reader (not tested personally).</li>
<li>Blackberry try QR Code Scanner Pro (not tested personally).</li>
</ul>
* How do I read it on my device? You'll need a reader with pdf support (PDF reader).mcrosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733355479057822556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935624.post-34206031996661928092012-12-18T17:57:00.000-06:002012-12-18T17:57:23.962-06:00A Mind DividedAs you've read in my <a href="http://crosserslife.blogspot.com/2012/11/crossers-update-important-announcement.html">previous post</a>, I am in the middle of a transition. Angie and I have been vocationally part of <a href="http://web.teamexpansion.org/">Team Expansion</a> for thirteen and a half years, now I am starting as the Youth Minister for <a href="http://www.hp4christ.org/">Highland Park Christian Church</a> in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This month, I am playing double duty. I am still full-time with Team Expansion (but also planning to use some of my remaining vacation days) until December 31, 2012, but also beginning my role at HP. Some days, I feel like my mind has multiple compartments in which my neurons keep racing back and forth. My day may start with me working on Team Expansion transition tasks and then I move onto planning for HP. Then after lunch, I might go to a meeting then finish the day working on administration/financial details for the eventual closing of the books for Team Expansion.<br />
<br />
Because my time with Team Expansion has meant so much, I do want to make sure I live in the moment of my exit as a vocational member of a great missions organization (you might remember I'm staying on as a volunteer to continue some of the projects I've been working on). I don't want to wake up in February and think, wait...it's already over? So, I am trying to remember the years and milestones of which we have been a part. <br />
<br />
Of course, certain things come to mind readily....the first stages of planning for the work in Ancona, going through the arduous task of learning another language (and yes, I still practice it from time to time), the first gathering of believers in Ancona, the first outreaches, the first short term group, seeing a church formed in Ancona, the planning for the work in Verona, the survey trip to several potential and spiritually needy cities in Northern Italy, working on several creative resource projects for different countries around the world and on and on.<br />
<br />
Other things, less monumental, stand out too, eating panserotti at Etrusca in Perugia, going to my first soccer game in Perugia, eating pizza by the slice at Pizzeria Centrale, watching the American style football team "The Ancona Dolphins" play in a 2000 year old stadium in Ancona, laughing with various team members over the years, fellowship with Italian Christians, walking down ancient alleyways and taking literally thousands of photos. Our memories cannot be contained within one post, short or long. I keep thinking of more like, going to the beach in Ancona, eating at Desiderio (all time favorite restaurant)<br />
<br />
---------------------------------<br />
As I paused writing this post and walked into the kitchen, I was happy to learn that Angie was making homemade pizza! She had already made the pizza dough earlier and was rolling them out. While this isn't Desiderio, it's pretty close. I miserably tried to help her throw/roll one of the pizza doughs, but apparently I need more practice and Angie fixed it for me.<br />
<br />
With pizza prepping to go in the oven, and us getting ready to watch the DVR'ed Survivor finale, I'll close this post. Throughout the month, you'll continue hearing from us and seeing changes on our website and social media. Thanks for reading and caring about us.mcrosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733355479057822556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935624.post-56641193408037828532012-11-19T15:17:00.000-06:002012-11-19T15:17:32.204-06:00Crossers' Update: Important Announcement
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">To the friends, family and ministry partners
of Matt and Angie Crosser, Team Expansion Missionaries…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">For 13 ½ years Angie and I have been working
for Team Expansion, a mission agency that seeks to reach the least reached
people and plant biblical churches in those places. With Team Expansion, Angie
and I have travelled to three cities in Italy and back to the states again,
pouring our lives into missions and creating missions resources along the
journey.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> That journey is coming to a close.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Yesterday, I was confirmed to become the new Youth Minister of
Highland Park Christian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Highland Park has a love for
the surrounding community and heart for missions. In fact, for the past decade,
Highland Park has been our largest supporting church and we have been they’re
largest supported mission. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">We’ve been with Team Expansion since leaving
college, so it will be sad to close this chapter of our lives, but exciting because
I intend to remain partners with Team Expansion as a volunteer. This will allow
me to continue working on several of the long term projects of which I’ve been
involved in the past few years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Art always has been and will continue to be
one of my passions, but another passion for the past 20+ years has been youth
ministry. That is why I actually went to Ozark Christian College, so that I
could receive training to do youth ministry. After two part-time youth
ministries in college, I started my post college phase doing international
youth ministry with Team Expansion in Ancona, Italy. So, I will continue pursuing
both of these passions, art and youth ministry, as I seek God and His desire
for my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">I will remain full-time with Team Expansion
through the end of 2012 and tie up loose ends in January 2013. If you are a supporter
or supporting church, we ask that you continue supporting this ministry through
the end of December. In January, we will finish up the 2012 annual finances,
create our final newsletter and mail out year-end reports to all supporters
along with IRS receipts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">I have been volunteering as a youth sponsor
at Highland Park in various capacities for the past year or so. I will start
with some part-time hours in December and begin full-time hours in January
2013, as Highland Park Christian Church’s new Youth Minister.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Angie and I request your prayers as we
navigate this transition over the next couple months into the beginning of the New
Year. Thank you to all of you who have partnered with us in prayer, financial
support and encouragement. We have made life long bonds with many of you and
are humbled to have been partners with you during the past 13 years of this adventure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">We will continue to dialogue with you throughout
this transition and really do hope you will join with us in our excitement to
start the next chapter of our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">In Christ and for His Kingdom,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Matt and Angie Crosser</span></div>
mcrosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733355479057822556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935624.post-20907624538211418132012-09-25T16:36:00.000-05:002012-10-23T16:38:03.859-05:00September 2012 NewsletterHere's our September 2012 Newsletter. Right click on any of the pics below and choose "save link as..." to download the pdf.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thecrossers.com/newsletterart/crossers.news.2012.09.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9l6GX3hwsuvObr6MUAG0GQ2MTeDFW53lj6uO6vzNyEyLohwOuDa-8lPeXCRPV5JlC_sKsttBUx7t4FRNh4xDief6ZvNeKGVTwVHvSuhX6DJ7JoVgXQScfitDMKktLJKFUCOw/s320/2012.09.01.front.tn.png" width="247" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thecrossers.com/newsletterart/crossers.news.2012.09.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34fVK2BRYOFmNZu57IE7vd0ZdB69I-rbvn6b87H5InQZ-oMbtdEIhx9AaTYjvoNMGGsJWT5UmmWd7GRZDCuO4MpJUMc_0kvDZIEzRrcLNTDv7TtmlMdE1r5KU9y0Wqv26cUBx/s320/2012.09.02.back.tn.png" width="247" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thecrossers.com/newsletterart/crossers.news.2012.09.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltBZUgVVYWynignCvdWYJqg16lJIUTzsW13DXMTfAQkk8VGAdYKTN6FuopeBVG7naDIf32AquyqDTTdmHohUlHdGZzDBqgKcldISR5ArrnWMW9IfDRJdunWy7sa1-cUbFVN9Q/s200/2012.09.QRCode.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<strong>QR code scanning info -</strong><br />
* What is a QR code? It's kind of like a bar code but it can contain much more data, contact info, web addresses, etc.<br />
<br />
* How do I scan this on my device?<br />
<ul>
<li>Windows 7 Phones with 7.5 (mango) update can use the bing vision search. [if you don't have this update try PhraseMeme Scanner (found on the windows marketplace)].</li>
<li>Android phones/tablets try QR Droid (found on the Android marketplace).</li>
<li>iPhone/iPad try QR-Reader (not tested personally).</li>
<li>Blackberry try QR Code Scanner Pro (not tested personally).</li>
</ul>
* How do I read it on my device? You'll need a reader with pdf support (PDF reader).<br />
mcrosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733355479057822556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935624.post-51639176173073793202012-08-15T13:38:00.000-05:002012-09-13T13:39:08.536-05:00August 2012 NewsletterHere's our August 2012 Newsletter. Right click on any of the pics below and choose "save link as..." to download the pdf.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thecrossers.com/newsletterart/crossers.news.2012.08.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvahLh-zd70tRc8Q6iL9Vx8tudXHobjQtSCV3eTPBuO9rxOhKI5kIh9oD1nKWb5ytaMQ_3P4YJmw056ZO9hGrVq1Lu5bv9y1sWW2x4vMGtjJtw8mxWcvsntg6nguOF4HQoK2qt/s320/2012.08.01.front.tn.png" width="247" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.thecrossers.com/newsletterart/crossers.news.2012.08.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWD3vKQ5xR3_AP-v0KpxUrtj-aO3jxTG00dQsAr0fl9Yj6ysoJX9KDhe-vFu6oVwtlKZI5eL3sDFWYFlgZUcHYLs5-Ovjhc_l_9hEpwhxWWEAHxpQUoijE7G5L9ZfU_vlfAhB/s320/2012.08.02.back.tn.png" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thecrossers.com/newsletterart/crossers.news.2012.08.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbMg_6Yt5AuINE_anFW-GfoLLQO1RACT5KrUKe3mK5a-B-is-HUdfUu4H5Ih8HVA5S6DBrT3rQnY05D3s1nSa8X5zTKTjYEelAoDFqyFa2dUk73m-bHNKB25K4tdVTWao_2XG/s200/2012.08.QRCode.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<strong>QR code scanning info -</strong><br />
* What is a QR code? It's kind of like a bar code but it can contain much more data, contact info, web addresses, etc.<br />
<br />
* How do I scan this on my device?<br />
<ul>
<li>Windows 7 Phones with 7.5 (mango) update can use the bing vision search. [if you don't have this update try PhraseMeme Scanner (found on the windows marketplace)].</li>
<li>Android phones/tablets try QR Droid (found on the Android marketplace).</li>
<li>iPhone/iPad try QR-Reader (not tested personally).</li>
<li>Blackberry try QR Code Scanner Pro (not tested personally).</li>
</ul>
* How do I read it on my device? You'll need a reader with pdf support (PDF reader).<br />
mcrosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733355479057822556noreply@blogger.com0220 Center36.11808 -95.9128436.1164765 -95.9153075 36.1196835 -95.910372500000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935624.post-4836707190254219752012-07-26T14:18:00.001-05:002012-07-26T14:20:05.005-05:00The Mingling of ImmortalsA couple days ago, I was running some errands and popped into a local store. I found what I needed and went to the checkout. There were three people in front of me. There were two girls in their twenties, who were checking out at the register and a young Muslim woman was directly in front of me. The girls' dresses were very short and skimpy. Almost instantly, the contrast between their short short dresses and modestly dressed Muslim woman was striking. One was modestly dressed and the other two weren't.<br />
<br />
As the girls in front left, I felt compelled to say something to the Muslim woman. I wanted to tell her thank you for dressing modestly, but wasn't sure what was the best way. Then her husband came in. He was also of Middle Eastern descent and dressed in a sort of casual European soccer outfit.<br />
<br />
When they were about to leave, I stopped him and said, "Could I just tell you that as a Christian, I appreciate that your wife is dressed modestly."<br />
<br />
He seemed happy, yet thought maybe that I was confused. Thankful for the gesture, he gently said, "But we are Muslim".<br />
<br />
I replied, "I know, but I still appreciate her modesty."<br />
<br />
At that point, he was visibly pleased. He told me that she is from Bahrain and when she first moved here two years ago, she found it very difficult because of how she dressed. The cashier then interrupted us to get my signature on the slip, which abruptly ended our conversation. We exchanged smiles, as they left and I finished my transaction.<br />
<br />
I wanted to keep talking with them. I wanted to tell them that my wife and I understand dressing different in a different culture. I wanted to ask them what burdens they have faced living in a new place and share our cultural mistakes and success. I wanted to reach out to them. I have no idea how many friends they have here, they may have many or none. In that brief meeting of three souls, I wanted to do my best to represent Jesus to them. I may not ever see them again. I can only hope that any other Christians they meet will treat them as Jesus would.<br />
<br />
In me it was the stirring of the Spirit.<br />
<br />
Every time you come in contact with another person, it is a meeting of souls. Souls are eternal, either spending eternity in Heaven with Christ or condemned to separation from God in Hell.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">And now, I am kicking myself a little. Not because of talking with them though, the only regret about that is the conversation wasn't long enough. I'm kicking myself, because I don't listen as intently every time I meet someone to hear what plans God has for me with them. Each missed opportunity is lost and I pray that God keeps my eyes open and uses me every day in every situation, whether gassing up the car or paying a bill. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">The interchanges we have as we go through each day are not important. Oh they may seem important at the time, but in reality they are only important inasmuch that each soul is moved closer to God in that moment.</span>mcrosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733355479057822556noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935624.post-91079041236881112132012-07-16T13:31:00.000-05:002012-09-13T13:32:19.860-05:00July 2012 NewsletterHere's our July 2012 Newsletter. Right click on any of the pics below and choose "save link as..." to download the pdf.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thecrossers.com/newsletterart/crossers.news.2012.07.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtsaXv8QWzOCGo5WObJPs6-lDf1OxHdbdpdjZqwq_7TeYbfhrWWH_8w0HidF_KxIQkLSyYyUav42xKySbB4X5xrOl8jelK0loPx-JL-nIZrdQKxq1-0l0nb4-IPKHnxBnAxoM/s320/2012.07.01.front.tn.png" width="247" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thecrossers.com/newsletterart/crossers.news.2012.07.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFw4rnzW9FJOaxsCim5rrzlXe4ZBpAWXUj244MFym_eNJ-VHiF23GOOHAwOFch9Few_T7ceT6LkIDoE6rviwnIKdSh0QhwttknejFBsM2iIu3hnIay2eYUWLdVieEP5yrfTQX/s320/2012.07.02.back.tn.png" width="247" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thecrossers.com/newsletterart/crossers.news.2012.07.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8PHIRhYWMLaJ8CeaGuCDkquWTaPDjzNi4nqK2bF121fooLUkKntRQKK9eDJnTL18FWf60mx8AoZU5i0TU4-gPpDz8-8c-fgELjkKn8zDJqdBTjbTrDYTOdWW0b_v0-HRpzZV/s200/2012.07.QRCode.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<strong>QR code scanning info -</strong><br />
* What is a QR code? It's kind of like a bar code but it can contain much more data, contact info, web addresses, etc.<br />
<br />
* How do I scan this on my device?<br />
<ul>
<li>Windows 7 Phones with 7.5 (mango) update can use the bing vision search. [if you don't have this update try PhraseMeme Scanner (found on the windows marketplace)].</li>
<li>Android phones/tablets try QR Droid (found on the Android marketplace).</li>
<li>iPhone/iPad try QR-Reader (not tested personally).</li>
<li>Blackberry try QR Code Scanner Pro (not tested personally).</li>
</ul>
* How do I read it on my device? You'll need a reader with pdf support (PDF reader).<br />
mcrosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733355479057822556noreply@blogger.com0220 Center36.1178742492972 -95.91283321380615236.117473249297205 -95.913450213806158 36.1182752492972 -95.912216213806147tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935624.post-45715933735474047852012-06-11T13:25:00.000-05:002012-09-13T13:26:56.538-05:00June 2012 NewsletterHere's our June 2012 Newsletter. Right click on any of the pics below and choose "save link as..." to download the pdf.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thecrossers.com/newsletterart/crossers.news.2012.06.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsQviC0-X9ydO5RniRe5TGcxGpn-8zzXyPHDbbIRfxzZJ1V4WRSQd2GeuEzgnnmewH_7pgCzTbx7XROjly1pERKiSdYPWtXXrex9emsDbEXt4r-6dWxQAah-MNNLAh1kCPfPP/s320/2012.06.01.front.tn.png" width="247" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thecrossers.com/newsletterart/crossers.news.2012.06.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlCqipz0KrDPJHnvqVZ8_67UbEYrWUra5uGlapUk0e6Qbm7TJNPW2YWOB6y1UXN1xKGTMNm2zvO2_jKyczIJIL2esIWYw8CmUY2EaL9BN1u9ZfLNkScr1VkQqaJ7kGHFN2M8s/s320/2012.06.02.back.tn.png" width="247" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thecrossers.com/newsletterart/crossers.news.2012.06.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXQxoQC2ooXS78iy5ZxlKTDdKaNILgruyGBfseWC5ZlW4S-LXWSqwbNT8UutVaAFsknj2aD4pqh5DQebZOldPLLylHJENbQBlVaXLAAS-bxfIIkSwdxwgkr8TrlxNgqGqZqxF/s200/2012.06.QRCode.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<strong>QR code scanning info -</strong><br />
* What is a QR code? It's kind of like a bar code but it can contain much more data, contact info, web addresses, etc.<br />
<br />
* How do I scan this on my device?<br />
<ul>
<li>Windows 7 Phones with 7.5 (mango) update can use the bing vision search. [if you don't have this update try PhraseMeme Scanner (found on the windows marketplace)].</li>
<li>Android phones/tablets try QR Droid (found on the Android marketplace).</li>
<li>iPhone/iPad try QR-Reader (not tested personally).</li>
<li>Blackberry try QR Code Scanner Pro (not tested personally).</li>
</ul>
* How do I read it on my device? You'll need a reader with pdf support (PDF reader).<br />
mcrosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733355479057822556noreply@blogger.com0220 Center36.117978251050708 -95.91287612915039136.117176751050707 -95.914110129150387 36.11877975105071 -95.9116421291504tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935624.post-16671150258909211322012-05-10T13:16:00.000-05:002012-09-13T13:18:11.436-05:00May 2012 NewsletterHere's our May 2012 Newsletter. Right click on any of the pics below and choose "save link as..." to download the pdf.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thecrossers.com/newsletterart/crossers.news.2012.05.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdXb2RNyV6_jgzoiTnAQIosVpix0XFKB0bgt1_OuYqJvrcjb9HY_-QDIE7oagbiCeAGrEiqN0kd3v0U1lgEUz7bhgOsEk57N2aoNbIjkNSwx6Y8uz5JeCDh8_pLqZ2goiznLT/s320/2012.05.01.front.tn.png" width="247" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thecrossers.com/newsletterart/crossers.news.2012.05.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhfivvxN5hklIdOOD9vqnXTFccUbShh5rqpWGe6xfZUdUjZczX1RB54vG_6lwOnrLHRkc9F4VzJ0E5a1rw4QgOGeuAw4PEEDzAwzMbWraYJnFxGzEdENOJVWV9qipwsv0GrUJ/s320/2012.05.02.back.tn.png" width="247" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thecrossers.com/newsletterart/crossers.news.2012.05.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitr3cG1v1hrInE2sqgN3-f4QkbhkA6lieSwNACVLmijWbvCR_Ozs0Dtd-U5h8Y4cTHblnW2XnQs-spNmcf5Kqhyjyur_8iR4t1QH6cPrbyz8zCnjjUxnBABo0gu-yIYMYY7ZdZ/s200/2012.05.QRCode.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<strong>QR code scanning info -</strong><br />
* What is a QR code? It's kind of like a bar code but it can contain much more data, contact info, web addresses, etc.<br />
<br />
* How do I scan this on my device?<br />
<ul>
<li>Windows 7 Phones with 7.5 (mango) update can use the bing vision search. [if you don't have this update try PhraseMeme Scanner (found on the windows marketplace)].</li>
<li>Android phones/tablets try QR Droid (found on the Android marketplace).</li>
<li>iPhone/iPad try QR-Reader (not tested personally).</li>
<li>Blackberry try QR Code Scanner Pro (not tested personally).</li>
</ul>
* How do I read it on my device? You'll need a reader with pdf support (PDF reader).<br />
mcrosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733355479057822556noreply@blogger.com0220 Center36.11808 -95.9128436.1164765 -95.9153075 36.1196835 -95.910372500000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935624.post-59933219983984590182012-04-23T13:10:00.000-05:002012-09-13T13:13:09.084-05:00April 2012 NewsletterHere's our April 2012 Newsletter. Right click on any of the pics below and choose "save link as..." to download the pdf.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thecrossers.com/newsletterart/crossers.news.2012.04.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHy56OcaWOHYl2XNykc4fv4VHEf6kby-yyYNHdjUzlO_qXXXwPoMtthczr8NlzHhwvXkEbKQB4L2dUJuQ-nYWFMhBEZWOr0gnxu_F6_-PqTh14vp7erYDRMg_eGTtvcFzrUxYr/s320/2012.04.01.front.tn.png" width="246" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thecrossers.com/newsletterart/crossers.news.2012.04.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQXRG9z9fQvzGvy6tWoy0Pcp56PUKfz4T8p3ZZSdN9CG3uoNfyJQBMe_5kXNenOX6NfRaMfjThEYvQ6bfrWqKxnmkcD_8fXUoAgi6MYMQyhgiS8hwOJ3V38Of2VtKaun9u7IU/s320/2012.04.02.back.tn.png" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thecrossers.com/newsletterart/crossers.news.2012.04.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoYwG9dEU1DmRqD8AirHW7jt2wXVAXoC4Q6T47s3-zlADh1QBf8Rwv6sRrgUoOyt8_JJ8cw9TIGd9pq19JaTtMURaSvWZfCTYMlVo5fJgsh2Sy1hMf0kYmHcyKRIxOR9LAFOB/s1600/2012.04.QRCode.png" /></a></div>
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<strong>QR code scanning info -</strong><br />
* What is a QR code? It's kind of like a bar code but it can contain much more data, contact info, web addresses, etc.<br />
<br />
* How do I scan this on my device?<br />
<ul>
<li>Windows 7 Phones with 7.5 (mango) update can use the bing vision search. [if you don't have this update try PhraseMeme Scanner (found on the windows marketplace)].</li>
<li>Android phones/tablets try QR Droid (found on the Android marketplace).</li>
<li>iPhone/iPad try QR-Reader (not tested personally).</li>
<li>Blackberry try QR Code Scanner Pro (not tested personally).</li>
</ul>
* How do I read it on my device? You'll need a reader with pdf support (PDF reader).<br />
mcrosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733355479057822556noreply@blogger.com0220 Center36.11782224836881 -95.91285467147827136.117020748368809 -95.914088671478268 36.118623748368812 -95.911620671478275tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935624.post-17783669020859312752012-04-19T13:03:00.002-05:002012-04-19T13:03:08.217-05:00Studio/Office Open HouseThis Saturday is the Open House of my Office and Studio. It's the place where many of my projects come to life. I wanted to take an opportunity to show our family, friends, supporters and prayer partners the inner workings of what I do. Angie and I are getting excited as we finish preparing it. We talked about h'orderves last night, which is just another aspect of creating! And in one corner of the office there will be a prayer station. There you will be able to look over a list of prayer needs, spin a globe and pray for various missionaries and people groups around the world. It's on the campus of Highland Park Christian Church in the 2:20 Center. It will last from 2-4PM and you can come and go as you please. Hope to see you there!mcrosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733355479057822556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935624.post-71630757282625771102012-04-06T17:12:00.000-05:002012-04-06T17:12:14.522-05:00Hello Organizational Project Idea Tracking!Ever since I started doing artistic projects, long before that became my job/mission, I have searched for a good visual tool for tracking the projects that I'm working on. I think I may have found it. It's portable, completely customize-able, at-a-glance-functional and works as a funnel of the idea process.<br />
<br />
I looked and looked and finally figured out I was going to have to make something. The really ironic thing is that I am deep into technological wizardry. I have a laptop, desktop, smartphone (since 2004 or so), mp3 player, tablet computer and graphics tablet, among other things. Usually, the more advanced futuristic, the more I like/use it. However, I came to the conclusion that I needed something more organic, something analog.<br />
<br />
So what does this homemade organizer look like? Here's some pics of the tools and how it turned out.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrEKaRJhfW9xqopmtHpjWYVX07FYxs03jvNIJKcl8moyPIV1GtyeBk_asbHn-PnDM2YTv_RYwpz7cQYkr9UOTffGedXw4R6Jf4VXITYSn8Rl8mn9_OM3hG1Eq9DEEmT1gTqP_/s1600/2012-04-06+16.30.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrEKaRJhfW9xqopmtHpjWYVX07FYxs03jvNIJKcl8moyPIV1GtyeBk_asbHn-PnDM2YTv_RYwpz7cQYkr9UOTffGedXw4R6Jf4VXITYSn8Rl8mn9_OM3hG1Eq9DEEmT1gTqP_/s320/2012-04-06+16.30.45.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="text-align: center;">First I bought some <a href="http://www.moleskineus.com/volant.html" target="_blank">Moleskin volant notebooks</a>, <a href="http://www.post-it.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Post_It/Global/Products/Notes/" target="_blank">3M bright colorful post-it note</a>s and <a href="http://www.post-it.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Post_It/Global/Products/Catalog/?PC_7_RJH9U523000P60II85TCFL1863000000_nid=VFCXP4DBCBgsCX1PKLXQN2glT8NXMXMRL7bl" target="_blank">3M post-it durable tabs</a>. Of course, you could use any small notebook, but after living in Italy and filling several Moleskin journals, I am a little partial to the brand. Besides they have some new very colorful soft cover styles in the volant line. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7Zkt4lhQQcMfpQxqILL6gznhCNioEufTyB2eGuupcLC9xwO2TVs4UomfU0jyRS7L6t4LjmoVqY0X9W4-UrNctuBq3GZyXGAhZv9cCH9OaNBk49Dm1YiONJGFCKlOZx14uLen/s1600/2012-04-06+16.29.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7Zkt4lhQQcMfpQxqILL6gznhCNioEufTyB2eGuupcLC9xwO2TVs4UomfU0jyRS7L6t4LjmoVqY0X9W4-UrNctuBq3GZyXGAhZv9cCH9OaNBk49Dm1YiONJGFCKlOZx14uLen/s320/2012-04-06+16.29.30.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Then I took a tab and placed it on each subsequent page starting with the second. I purposefully skipped the first one, because the cover didn't naturally open to it, it opened to the second page. Every time I placed a tab, I wrote on it the title of a different project that I am working on. After placing a tab and title on each page (I indented the tabs as I went, to make them easier to see at a glance), I put a post-it note on each page.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vA81n2MrKDykPKfPxjE63AgPoI1ULKMAieqp9tFYhslm1i5axOooh7sdIRaYg0tSz0xNQE2vydwRb7ks2waYdeQ7JGo5PzCgZkM62UcAPzftpBtCuGyy0hGA03yXslElWaUi/s1600/2012-04-06+16.28.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vA81n2MrKDykPKfPxjE63AgPoI1ULKMAieqp9tFYhslm1i5axOooh7sdIRaYg0tSz0xNQE2vydwRb7ks2waYdeQ7JGo5PzCgZkM62UcAPzftpBtCuGyy0hGA03yXslElWaUi/s320/2012-04-06+16.28.58.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vA81n2MrKDykPKfPxjE63AgPoI1ULKMAieqp9tFYhslm1i5axOooh7sdIRaYg0tSz0xNQE2vydwRb7ks2waYdeQ7JGo5PzCgZkM62UcAPzftpBtCuGyy0hGA03yXslElWaUi/s1600/2012-04-06+16.28.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vA81n2MrKDykPKfPxjE63AgPoI1ULKMAieqp9tFYhslm1i5axOooh7sdIRaYg0tSz0xNQE2vydwRb7ks2waYdeQ7JGo5PzCgZkM62UcAPzftpBtCuGyy0hGA03yXslElWaUi/s1600/2012-04-06+16.28.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vA81n2MrKDykPKfPxjE63AgPoI1ULKMAieqp9tFYhslm1i5axOooh7sdIRaYg0tSz0xNQE2vydwRb7ks2waYdeQ7JGo5PzCgZkM62UcAPzftpBtCuGyy0hGA03yXslElWaUi/s1600/2012-04-06+16.28.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vA81n2MrKDykPKfPxjE63AgPoI1ULKMAieqp9tFYhslm1i5axOooh7sdIRaYg0tSz0xNQE2vydwRb7ks2waYdeQ7JGo5PzCgZkM62UcAPzftpBtCuGyy0hGA03yXslElWaUi/s1600/2012-04-06+16.28.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
Then I can write notes on the post-its referencing the project. If I fill those up with ideas, I can place new post-its on top of the originals.<br />
<br />
The concept is that when a project is completed, I can take it out, tab and post-its. Then if I want to archive them, and most I do, I bought a couple extra volant matching notebooks (each color actually comes with a second notebook with the same color cover, just darker).<br />
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Voila! This does not replace, <a href="http://www.evernote.com/" target="_blank">Evernote</a>, <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/" target="_blank">Dropbox</a> and the myriad apps and devices I use, but it does make it so I can quickly and easily scan across all the projects I am working on and determine what needs attention next.mcrosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733355479057822556noreply@blogger.com0Tulsa, OK, USA36.1539816 -95.99277535.9488471 -96.308631999999989 36.3591161 -95.676918tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935624.post-29219459814784108532012-04-06T16:47:00.000-05:002012-04-06T16:47:08.961-05:00Book Read - Imagine: How Creativity WorksI just finished a book last week that has made me think so intently that I am ready to pick it back up again.<div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0547386079/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_g14_i3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=01BPBT09DDGE5SN17C0W&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4MAsJIdGjGkAmDk54p6zN2OMTTs_MSzswgmRxgUqzSOrw-tQU5Usu88K1hrlz3JOqUCCcpHByg2tUuiSQZhQUBRWvlWY7Bed5KcoOxr06_2nLVTuHN7GU8nyvmreZPhXBAMo/s400/tumblr_lx8kx2jhCB1qfugqmo1_500.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
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Here's a description from the book - </div>
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<i>Did you know that the most creative companies have centralized bathrooms? That brainstorming meetings are a terrible idea? That the color blue can help you double your creative output?<br /><br />From the New York Times best-selling author of How We Decide comes a sparkling and revelatory look at the new science of creativity. Shattering the myth of muses, higher powers, even creative “types,” Jonah Lehrer demonstrates that creativity is not a single gift possessed by the lucky few. It’s a variety of distinct thought processes that we can all learn to use more effectively.<br /><br />Lehrer reveals the importance of embracing the rut, thinking like a child, daydreaming productively, and adopting an outsider’s perspective (travel helps). He unveils the optimal mix of old and new partners in any creative collaboration, and explains why criticism is essential to the process. Then he zooms out to show how we can make our neighborhoods more vibrant, our companies more productive, and our schools more effective.<br /><br />You’ll learn about Bob Dylan’s writing habits and the drug addictions of poets. You’ll meet a Manhattan bartender who thinks like a chemist, and an autistic surfer who invented an entirely new surfing move. You’ll see why Elizabethan England experienced a creative explosion, and how Pixar’s office space is designed to spark the next big leap in animation.</i></div>
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<i>Collapsing the layers separating the neuron from the finished symphony, Imagine reveals the deep inventiveness of the human mind, and its essential role in our increasingly complex world.</i></div>
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<i><br /> http://www.jonahlehrer.com/ </i></div>
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Disclaimer: It's got a few curse words, but the principles are great, if that helps you make a more informed decision.</div>
</div>mcrosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733355479057822556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935624.post-15591968419392912922012-03-31T00:22:00.000-05:002012-03-31T00:22:36.184-05:00The Reward of a Completed ProjectSo I finally did it. I finished a project that I started about a year ago, when I moved into my new office studio. I had decided that I wanted to paint five different colored paintings to hang along the long wall in my office and I finally did it. It seems kind of silly to be excited about finishing decor for my office, but there might just be something else there. I mean, what would you think if you went to a doctor's office and there was nothing hanging on his walls, no magazines on his tables and maybe no tables? I know what many would think, "is this guy for real? Or is he going to still be here tomorrow." It's kind of like putting down roots.<br />
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So, by completing this project, it's like I'm showing the roots that I've been planting all year. I've been in this specific role for two years now, and I feel like I have been hitting my stride the past several months. I have down or am doing projects for places such as Peru, Venezuela, Northern Africa, the Lisu people group, Taiwan, and Spain. This is on top of the general resources that I am creating that can be used anywhere in the world! The paintings mean that I'm putting down roots and am in this for the long haul.<br />
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The five paintings also represent something else....creation. God created the heavens and the earth and everything in them. When I see the different colors of the paintings, I think of water, earth, sky, springtime, the sun and fire. I see God's creation. My paintings pale in comparison, but my goal is to give God glory in everything I do, whether it is explicitly or implicitly reflecting Him.<br />
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On April 21st, from 2-4pm, we will be hosting an Open House at my Studio/Office. If you are interested in coming, please write me so that I can get you more information. And you can see the paintings in person!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsiIixnX6BybUNNfjtKeZUCiz5qsOT4rscCRYr3f23DfL1kA7bfmHzlrDbIUGrzSP95aKnCuxb_Ncm_Vgjn6wxsIxnrFC5L386GY2x31K0Jpyg9E-s9ryWBuG_A-WvShxrEvE/s1600/2012-03-30+19.02.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsiIixnX6BybUNNfjtKeZUCiz5qsOT4rscCRYr3f23DfL1kA7bfmHzlrDbIUGrzSP95aKnCuxb_Ncm_Vgjn6wxsIxnrFC5L386GY2x31K0Jpyg9E-s9ryWBuG_A-WvShxrEvE/s400/2012-03-30+19.02.47.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />mcrosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733355479057822556noreply@blogger.com0Tulsa, OK 74135, USA36.1005816 -95.925121136.074922099999995 -95.9646031 36.1262411 -95.885639099999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935624.post-9387798799901088232012-03-17T17:08:00.000-05:002012-04-11T17:18:23.349-05:00March 2012 Newsletter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's our March 2012 Newsletter. Right click on any of the pics below and choose "save link as..." to download the pdf.</div>
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<a href="http://www.thecrossers.com/newsletterart/crossers.news.2012.03.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgURci5UyFhFrKI4__9xKfWfpmyAbTJCQH2LkLI-MyhzAYsU81qHNLSQ8MZoBM8yF2aUAcnGnu4CFrgcEd4BHscUC3Azj7eBfwzAUXnlHsb2coxF6W1EyHdhnjX_l9ydz6R_xHr/s320/2012.03.01.front.tn.png" width="247" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.thecrossers.com/newsletterart/crossers.news.2012.03.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoCIp2uC3_p0YqrAh6cOXvTS8lOlgirAvvRaXrVibwdMZ0ue_E_If6yMHuL17XYcIGoeVtkyeN-AQ15uhKolJQRxIyLmWIPAu6lm-qBp0vUTLSCI_g4zy9ypPSW1hsgiHt-pK/s320/2012.03.02.back.tn.png" width="247" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.thecrossers.com/newsletterart/crossers.news.2012.03.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0u9yv3pJCkuXw4cToaB7Ra_4Zciu41OX_C3zs3Rl63qcLX_PN6bplH1JxlOBQPxxi-y4TjiNQuJjDZM2LsbsF3NAqb20lFuKcAVQ47PMerxFPSjzmpiQbGErntAGpsglsGji/s200/2012.03.QRCode.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<strong>QR code scanning info -</strong><br />
* What is a QR code? It's kind of like a bar code but it can contain much more data, contact info, web addresses, etc.<br />
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* How do I scan this on my device?<br />
<ul>
<li>Windows 7 Phones with 7.5 (mango) update can use the bing vision search. [if you don't have this update try PhraseMeme Scanner (found on the windows marketplace)].</li>
<li>Android phones/tablets try QR Droid (found on the Android marketplace).</li>
<li>iPhone/iPad try QR-Reader (not tested personally).</li>
<li>Blackberry try QR Code Scanner Pro (not tested personally).</li>
</ul>
* How do I read it on my device? You'll need a reader with pdf support (PDF reader).<br />mcrosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733355479057822556noreply@blogger.com0Tulsa, OK, USA36.1539816 -95.99277535.9488471 -96.308631999999989 36.3591161 -95.676918tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935624.post-54853572859413013802012-03-16T15:44:00.000-05:002012-03-16T15:44:25.720-05:00New Storytelling Project For Oral-Based CulturesI transitioned from our missions ministry in Italy to a missions ministry using creative arts to spread the gospel less than two years ago. My most forefront goal has been to create resources, tools and art that can be used by any of the 320 <a href="http://www.teamexpansion.org/" target="_blank">Team Expansion</a> missionaries around the world.<br />
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I have already had several highlights...For instance, developing a one of a kind missions focused VBS curriculum, <a href="http://www.jumpvbs.com/" target="_blank">JUMP VBS</a>. Another has been creating illustrations for the first children's curriculum for a secure/closed country.<br />
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Now, I am really pumped about a new project that I am working on. It is to take a current, helpful training program and convert it over the next year into large-size illustrated flip chart that can be used to teach/train people in villages where it is impractical or improbable to use modern digital teaching methods. The end goal primary user is someone who wants to train/teach his tribe that is oral-based and uses the classic storytelling methods that have been passed down through the ages.<br />
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Once I start completing images, I'll place some on my art blog, <a href="http://mattsketchpad.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Matt's Sketch pad</a>. Now back to work that I love doing with a purpose of spreading the gospel!mcrosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733355479057822556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935624.post-3387410925996354262012-03-12T01:16:00.000-05:002012-03-12T01:16:05.105-05:00Coffee at Doubleshot in TulsaAt the beginning of March, I was extremely busy putting together our brand new display and booth for Edmond Christian Church's World Outreach Sunday. I needed a boost of caffeine and a place to work that was close to the hospital where my mom was having her first round of dialysis, so I went to Doubleshot at 18th & Boston in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The atomosphere makes it easy to create and the solitude makes it easy to concentrate. The bonus is the great coffee, some of the best in America that actually reminds me of coffee in Italy! Maybe it's because they have an Italian coffee roaster and espresso set-up? Here's a pic of the latte I had that day.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_sBs7wkLAYxsyS8j3l4shv0vc7FirnLx4Y1-y2myjE1B5VmSE11akreY2mNlykRNJptT4uymkRLc8DCeAJd4pf9GjljC_MkPsv5TQMb7BN0HBfv0k_3unpU3hrKGqjAgUSNZ/s1600/Doubleshot+Coffee+in+Tulsa+WP_000429+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_sBs7wkLAYxsyS8j3l4shv0vc7FirnLx4Y1-y2myjE1B5VmSE11akreY2mNlykRNJptT4uymkRLc8DCeAJd4pf9GjljC_MkPsv5TQMb7BN0HBfv0k_3unpU3hrKGqjAgUSNZ/s640/Doubleshot+Coffee+in+Tulsa+WP_000429+(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />mcrosserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11733355479057822556noreply@blogger.com0