Joann Edwards

Sharing the Big Idea Anytime and Anywhere

Is it summer? For real? We had our first "Boatin' Big Idea" discussion group in the family room at Camp Flathead this week instead of on the Barnacle... Cold and rainy weather didn't put a damper on the discussion, but we're looking forward to a dat (like today) to cruise around w/friends and share the Big Idea. I'm excited (and hopeful) that the weather will be better by next Tuesday! And, excited about the prospect of doing the Big Idea as a family over the holiday weekend July 5. I was part of a planning meeting this week about the July 5 Big Idea, and I can tell you it's shaping up to be GREAT. We'll all be able to say that we can connect w/God and others anytime and anywhere through the Big Idea.

Still have a couple of spots available on the boat email me (joanne@keystonecc.org) if you're interested!

OMG: Why Singing? Staff Devotionals (Blessed Be Your Name)

Here's a second devotional based on a favorite worship song, by Joann Edwards:

“Blessed be Your name in the land that is plentiful, where your streams of abundance flow”… and

“And blessed be Your Name when I’m found in the desert place, though I walk through the wilderness, blessed be Your Name.”

These words attempt to paint the best and the worst of life. They serve to remind me that my balance is found in God, and that I must lift my eyes up and praise God everyday…good or bad.

It’s easy for me to lift up God’s name in praise when things are going well, but not so when life takes a dive. In fact, when things are their bleakest, it doesn’t take much for me to start blaming God for my troubles instead.

That’s why I love this song, because when I sing it, I’m reminded that what ever I’m experiencing whether it be pain, sorrow or joy and peace and the lessons I learn are gifts from God, that I’m not alone and that my heart (must learn to) choose to say, Lord blessed be your name…

Blessed Be Your Name

Blessed Be Your name in the land that is plentiful, where Your streams of abundance flow, blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name when I'm found in the desert place. Though I walk through the wilderness, blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise. When the darkness closes in, Lord still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name when the sun's shining down on me. When the world's 'all as it should be' blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your Name on the road marked with suffering.  Though there's pain in the offering  Blessed be Your name

You give and take away, You give and take away
My heart will choose to say Lord, blessed be Your name

OMG: Why Singing? Staff Devotionals (Who Am I?)

Some of us on staff were asked to write short devotionals for our favorite worship songs to prepare for this past week's message. Publishing them did not quite work out as planned, so I thought we would post a couple here: This one is written by Carol O'Connell.

Who Am I?  Whenever I sing this song, it causes me to pause and reflect on just that, Who Am I?  While watching the inauguration of our President Barack Obama, I was awestruck by the number of people crammed together; millions of Americans were hoping to see and hear from our newest leader. 
Seeing this vast number of people made me wonder just who am I amidst all those in the universe? I am just a speck.  And yet, the Lord of all the earth knows my name, and cares to feel my hurt.  Those days when I feel down and alone, this song comes to my mind and helps me remember that I am not alone, the Lord knows who I am, looks on me with love, and He is the one that calms my soul; not because I have done anything to deserve His love, just because I am His.

Who Am I?   Casting Crowns

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth, would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt. Who am I?
That the bright and morning star, would choose to light the way,
For my ever wondering heart.

Not because of who I am. but because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done, but because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean, a vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling, Lord you catch me when I'm falling, and you told me who I am.
I am yours. I am yours.

Who am I? That the eyes that see my sin would look on me with love
And watch me rise again Who am I?
That the voice that calm the sea, would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am,but because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done. but because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
And you told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
'Cuz I am yours.
I am yours.

Everybody's Doin' It!

Blogging... Everyone's doing it, in fact Keystone's been kind of behind the times, getting into the game late. But we're ready, we're just going to do it.. Adding the following blogs to our typepad suite:

• The Big Idea Blog
  • Individual, Team, Adult group and Children's weekend materials beginning with the new series, Eat This Book

• Prayer Blog, revised and simplified coming July 2008

• Keystone FAQ Blog, coming August 2008

Crazy Little Thing About Crazy

The crazy little thing about this Crazy Little Thing About Love series, is just how it's hitting home. Week one's Crazy Cycle has been downloaded (video/audio and Big Idea discussion) 96 times, and we've copied an additional 34 CD copies so far. Week 2 Crazy Respect is racking up similar numbers. This coming weekend we're wrapping up with Crazy Love.

My husband and I talked to one woman this weekend about the series, and she mentioned that even though it was not the first time she's heard it, (see loveandrespect.com) it's never outdated, it's always refreshing and great to be reminded how God created men and women differently AND He shared good, practical ways we can learn to communicate effectively together.

Gene mentioned that you could borrow some loveandrespect.com materials from us...but we've only got one set and I've been inundated with requests. So check it out directly on their website and we'll see what we can do to get more materials in. Thanks!

Send us your Prom Pictures!

We're looking to collect prom photos for an uncoming series at Keystone. We're planning to use them to create a fun slide show during the service. Have some? Email them to us at snapshots@keystonecc.org.

What's up with the crazy weekend service times?

Keystone Eastside summer service times are changing to 9:40am and 11:10am on April 20. What's up with that? Where (besides the Spaulding Campus, 9:50am and 11:10am) do you see any church with such weird service times? Actually, there are some good (and some just different) reasons we have such "unique" service times at Keystone...

1. Our "tag line" is "Something's Different" so hey that's one
2. Eastside has parking challenges so folks need a few extra minutes to hoof it!
3. We are committed to making room for new friends (it's the mission thing) to encourage even more new friends to not only check out Christ, but take steps in their spiritual journey with Him. To that end, we've tracked attendance trends since Keystone began (13+ years) and really, seriously these times allow for the most balanced services. As soon as we adopted these times at Spaulding, we saw the closest split in attendance we've ever experienced (and Eastside's stats show up the same). This way we don't experience overcrowding (which is a big turn off for visiting folks). It's also easier on all of us who serve at the weekend services, we can make sure we have enough folks to cover in the various areas...way better than guessing!
4. And let's not forget Saturday Unplugged on Spaulding, 5:30pm...Who'd have thought that so close to dinner would be a preferred time? I can tell you from experiencing it myself, its the perfect time to take in an evening service with friends and shoot out to dinner afterward!

We know it's kind of crazy, but it's Keystone!