Dedications & Acknowledgements
Dedications
THE CROSSROADS website is dedicated to the Glory of God the Father, to His Son our Messiah and Bridegroom and to the Holy Spirit, who fills, guides, prepares, and brings us into The Eternal Bridal Chamber.
Secondly, I dedicate the website to the memory of my late parents - James M. Barton and Evelyn C. Barton who taught me, "You shall know The Truth and The Truth shall make you free." They are now part of the Hebrews 12:1 "great cloud of witnesses" that surrounds me.
Finally, I dedicate this website to my husband and covenant sojourner - W. Craig Carman. Craig is a retired Associate Professor of English and Philosophy. Since our marriage on June 10, 1977, he has taught me new ideas and concepts that increased my understanding of God's world and drew me to each new part of my journey. The scope of his reading material and his insights are beautiful gifts. When I hear him say, "Nan, this is wonderful. I have to read it to you," I know it is time to stop and listen. Without him, this project would still be an "idea" in my thoughts.
Acknowledgements
First, I remember with joy my mentor, Dr. Fred H. Hall and his wonderful wife Birdie Jones Hall. Dr. Hall was a dentist and lay Biblical scholar with a gift of teaching. His teaching style made scripture “come alive.” In his Bible classes, I learned to connect Moses and the Prophets to the new Covenant.
I give thanks for Pamela Brown, beloved friend and travel companion for over 20 years who continues to ask important questions while cheering me on in this endeavor. Pam also serves on The Crossroads Ministry Accountability Team.
I wish to thank the known and unknown Messianic Jewish believers who preceded me in my journey. Their individual and collective insights have answered many questions and “shined The Light” on otherwise obscure passages of scripture.
I give thanks for Yochanan ben Yehuda and his wife Hannah whose lives intersected with mine on October 2, 2001. The story of our meeting and its impact on my life is in my autobiographical essay entitled, The View From An Engrafted Wild Olive Branch. The music from Galilee of the Nations sets my heart to praise. On March 28, 2008, Heart for Israel Ministries presented its first teaching conference. For all of these I give thanks.
I wish to thank the Reverend Cathie Leimenstoll. The name of this website – The Crossroads – was born out of a conversation with her. I told her I felt as though I was standing at a crossroads with ideas coming toward me from all directions. Cathie agreed and then replied, “I think this is your calling.” After our conversation, I read Jeremiah 6:16 and realized The Crossroads is the only place I will “find rest for my soul.”
During the development phase of this website, The Reverend Mike Potts, the Reverend Pat Smith, and Youth Director Phillip Eubanks presented an excellent series of sermons on the Ten Commandments as God’s Law Written on our Hearts. Their sermons and insights increased my confidence and served as confirmation of this project. The name of the curriculum portion of the website – Yeshua/Jesus – The Word Made Flesh from Creation to Revelation – grew from conversations with Pat Smith. Thank you, Mike, Pat, and Phillip.
Reverend Byron Spradlin and Reverend Larry Moshell of Artists in Christian Testimony, Intl encouraged me and gave insight into how The Crossroads fits the larger mission of A.C.T. Intl. Thank you, Byron Spradlin, Larry Moshell, Chris Burnett, and Lanette Strimaitis for your patience and encouragement during the start-up of this ministry. Although The Crossroads is no longer a ministry department of ACTIntl, I give thanks for the assistance ACTIntl gave to The Crossroads from June 2007 until October 2010 and for the continuing oversight ministry it has for so many artistic believers.
Missy Herrington, beloved friend, and graphic artist, listened to my heart and to her own understanding of the foundation scriptures and created the beautiful Crossroads ministry logo, business card, and stationary. Thank you, Missy. Thanks also to Dulany Printing for turning Missy work into products I can use.
Dawn Bunetta assisted in locating the beautiful photograph of Anton Shevchenko entitled Crossroads. Anton’s amazing gift of photography, his permission to use his work plus his beautifully written tribute to those who lost their lives at the Babi Yar Concentration Camp in Kiev, Ukraine, is beyond words. It is a picture of redemption of place at its most graphic level.
The questions and comments from those in The Crossroads discussion groups gave insight into areas that needed clarification. I give thanks for them – Alpha, Betty, Bonnie, Debbie, Kristie, Mary, Pam, Rita, and Tina. I also give thanks for my cousin, Gay who lives in another state and gives feedback as an online participant. Many other friends have cheered the project from the sidelines even though their schedules do not allow them to participate in the group discussions. Their name are too numerous to mention. God bless all of you.
Janet Carr of Argo Partners helped me “dream extravagantly” and served as coach and primary advisor of the website. She continued to ask pertinent questions, not the least of which, “Who is your audience?” Her insight and skills proved essential in its final development. Betty Druett completed an intermediary reading of the text; her comments lent insight and clarity. Thank you, Janet and Betty.
Finally, I wish to acknowledge Jeremy Scott and the development team at Keystone Business Solutions of Hendersonville, Tennessee for taking the bits and pieces in my collection and turning them into this amazing website.
Shalom From The Crossroads
Where New Covenant and Ancient Paths Connect
Nancy B. Carman