Life at the Bridge

Does going to church help you with the "rest of your life?"

2011-11-15T12:38:00.000-08:00

"There's a lot of life in between Sundays."

I often make this statement when speaking to our church family about the importance of RELATIONSHIPS for our spiritual health. What I typically mean to imply is that we need one another. It's that simple. Sunday services are good, but there are 6 1/2 other days in the week, as well. Even if the sermon was challenging and the worship was inspiring, the "real life" of the "real world" can be hard.

So what are we supposed to do about that?

Make more friends? Invite someone to Starbucks? Have deeper conversations? Join a small group? I suppose the answer to all of these suggestions could be "yes," if you can. The truth is we DO need to pursue new friendships, make time in our schedules to get together, talk about stuff that's meaningful, and connect with others in community. In fact, I'm guessing we all long for this quality of life, at some level. But let's be honest: if it were EASY, we'd already be doing it.

John Maxwell said, "Most Christians are already educated far beyond our level of obedience."

We all know relationships are important.
We also know that spiritual growth is important.
And sharing your faith is important.
And raising up godly children is important.
So is Bible study.
And tithing.
And serving in a ministry.
And let's not forget obeying God's Top 10 List (you know, the ones carved in stone...twice!)

KNOWING is not the problem for many of us.
DOING is the hard part.

So my question is this: How can the church help?

In other words, beyond sermons & songs on Sunday mornings, how can we better equip you to LIVE for Christ in the real world? I have some ideas that I trust would be helpful, but I'm interested in hearing your thoughts. For example: Do you need help establishing a consistent devotional life? Would you like some helpful tips on biblical parenting practices? Need real-world insights on how to strengthen your marriage relationship?

I think the Home Depot slogan says it best: "You can do it. We can help." if this is true of a home-improvement store, it should be true of the Body of Christ. With the Gospel at work, we should be a life-improvement store! In 2012, we'd like to refocus on our God-given task of making disciples, so let's get to work!

Get Connected in October

2011-10-06T13:16:00.000-07:00

Hope you are having an awesome week! I want to give you my Top 5 ways to connect with BCC family during the month of October.

1. Follow us on Facebook! This is the best way to get reminders about what's coming up. Also, starting last week, we've begun posting the weekly bulletin on the BCC website. (Find it here.) You may want to print a copy to hang on the fridge, or put on your desk at work.

2. Come party with us!
a) The TX/OU game is this Saturday October 8th @ 11:00am, and our tailgate party begins at 10:30am. Whether or not you enjoy watching football, this will be a fun atmosphere.

b) "The Blessed Life" lunch on Sundays. This week, we're eating chili, while we watch a DVD lesson about financial health. (There's no cost.)

c) Sunday Night Fellowship on October 9th & 23rd. Watch for details to find times & locations nearest you.

3. Attend the new series, WALLS: Life Begins on the Other Side. This week, I'll be sharing how Jesus can help you break through the wall of GUILT. There's no reason to keep hanging on to the pain of your past -- rather, embrace the love, acceptance & forgiveness that only Christ can give.

4. Invite the friend(s) you've spent the last 60 days praying for & serving.

5. Join our team of volunteers for the Family Night Outreach on Sunday October 30th, 5:00pm to 7:30pm. This will be a great way to connect with other Bridgers, while serving our community in a tangible way. Just see Michele McLain this Sunday for more info.

It's an exciting time to serve at The Bridge. God is about to do something BIG in our midst. Please continue praying with me that we will be found faithful to the opportunities He is sending. As Luke 10:2 says, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

Just think...this is one prayer you can actually answer yourself!

David

Religion or Relationship?

2011-08-02T08:07:00.000-07:00

My wedding day was June 18, 1994. On that date, I officially became a married man. We held the ceremony. We tied the knot. We said, "I do." We have a certificate to prove it (as well as 4 kids, 2 dogs, and a mortgage...but those are for another post). June 18th was a very significant day for Michele and me, but it marks neither the beginning nor the end of our relationship.

The date our relationship truly began was March 26, 1992. That was the night I met this beautiful girl from Beggs, Oklahoma in a Whataburger in Waxahachie, Texas. She was wearing a blue denim shirt with a Mickey Mouse sequin tie. That was when I first saw her green & brown eyes up close & personal. That was when I saw her smile. That was when I found out she loved Jesus, loved basketball, and loved Larry Bird. (It was the trifecta I had spent my life looking for!)

From that night on, I pursued a relationship with her. I wrote letters (remember those days?). I stood at a pay phone in a dorm hallway with a pocket full of quarters, hoping time would stand still for just a few more minutes. I sent cards, gifts, flowers. It was long-distance relationship for the first few months, so I planned trips to Oklahoma as often as I could. And somewhere along the way, this "like" turned to "love" and I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.

Eventually, there came a ring and a question. Then, a Yes. Later on, there was a wedding...and a honeymoon. A few years later, there came one baby, and then another, then another, and finally one more. All in pink, no blue.

The family grew.
The waistline grew.
And all the while, the RELATIONSHIP grew.

But along the way, I've learned a valuable truth: My relationship with my wife is at its best when I continue to PURSUE her. She's already "mine," right, so why pursue something I've already caught? Wrong! If I want our relationship to keep growing, I must pursue her heart. July 18, 1994 was a great day, but what about August 2, 2011? The wedding day is gone, but TODAY is a new chance to love her. I don't value the contract, I value the intimacy. I don't value the certificate, I value the marriage. And it's still up to me to pursue the relationship with the woman I love.

I am finding this same principle applies to my relationship with Jesus. I remember some "good times" we've had. The day I first trusted Him for salvation. The day I was filled with the Holy Spirit. The day I sensed a call to preach. Many other highlights jump out at me during our long-lasting relationship, thus far. But if I want this relationship to keep growing, it's still up to me to pursue Him.

He says, "Seek me, and you will find me."
He says, "Draw near to me, and I will draw near to you."
He says, "Fix your eyes on me."

My relationship is over three decades old (going on four), but what really matters is TODAY. If I will pursue a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus through daily prayer, meditation, reading the Bible, He will fill every longing of my heart. If not, I am left with "RELIGION"...and who really wants more of that?!?

Try this today, and see what happens:
A thoughtful deed for your spouse, and a prayerful moment with Jesus.

And watch both relationships grow deeper, right in front of your eyes!

Love, Acceptance & Forgiveness

2011-02-03T10:35:00.000-08:00

Lately, it seems I am spending a lot of time thinking about GRACE. It's such a common word that perhaps we don't often stop to fully examine its meaning. (neither will attempt to fully define it in this post, so don't worry...) For now, let me just point out that all of us are sinners, both by nature and by nurture, and that we need our sins to be removed/forgiven in order to have relationship with the holy God.

In Ephesians 2:8, we learn that salvation comes "by grace through faith, not by works, so that no one can boast." In other words, what we couldn't do on our own, Jesus did for us by his death & resurrection. Here's the key: GRACE cannot be earned. It is a GIFT. I'm not worthy of it, I don't deserve it, and I can't work for it.

The problem, however, is that although we all want to RECEIVE grace, we often have a hard time GIVING grace to others. Especially those who have hurt us. Those who have failed us. Those who are different from us. We just have a hard time loving them unconditionally, accepting them as they are, and forgiving them when they fall.

Recently, I read a book by Jerry Cook that made these 3 simple, but powerful, statements. Together, they sum up what GRACE is all about, particularly the grace we are called to extend to others:

LOVE is not license.
ACCEPTANCE is not agreement.
FORGIVENESS is not compromise.

Once we can get past the fears of "lowering our standards" or "compromising our beliefs," we'll realize that God's GRACE is bigger than our small ideas about righteousness. This world is a mess. People are broken. What they need is NOT religion -- they need Jesus. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. That's good news for me, so it should apply to my neighbor as well, right? So why would we ask others to "straighten up" BEFORE we will love and accept them?

They don't need a lecture. They need God's GRACE...and He wants you to give it.

Can I change?

2011-01-08T10:36:00.000-08:00

At BCC, we speak with conviction about "changed lives," because after all, it's a pretty obvious truth in Scripture. Just take 2 Corinthians 5:17 for example: "If anyone be in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things are passed away, and all things are made new." Kind of hard to miss, isnt it? God sent his Son to change lives. Jesus died & rose again for changed lives. The Holy Spirit guides & empowers changed lives. Changed lives are the goal for any church, any ministry, any believer.

But what about me? I sometimes wonder, "Am I changed?" (or at least change-ING...?) I confess that I often ask this question. At times, the answer seems like an easy YES, but that's usually after a few good days of disciplined Bible reading, praying, and sin-avoidance. You know the feeling...it's like you're finally starting to figure this thing out. Finally learning to ride a bike better. Almost ready to take off the training wheels. Look mom, no hands!

Then just when I least expect it...I hit a rock, blow out a tire, and crash. Never saw it coming. I pick myself up, wipe off the dirt, and climb back on the bike. Good as new, right? Wrong! Nope, this time, the failure leaves a bruise -- and I'm left disappointed, discouraged, depleted... During these times, the answer seems like a resounding NO. Me, changed?!? Nope, it's just the same old me making the same old mistakes. Can you relate? Trust me, you're not alone.

But don't be fooled. There's more to life change than just stringing together more good days than bad ones. Life change is about a relationship with Jesus. Your "new life" is NEW because of what He did, not what you're trying to do better. Jesus changes lives. He's changed mine. And He can change yours.

If you're trying to do it on your own, well...good luck with that.

Blind Spots

2011-01-04T07:42:00.000-08:00

Everybody has blind spots. That should be no surprise to you. The real question is, do you know what they are? Chances are you don't. That's why they're called "blind" spots. My quick temper that wounds the hearts of my kids. My dry sarcasm that's not really funny after all. My bad breath. My body odor. That piece of hair sticking up in the back of my head. Those sneaky extra pounds gathering around my waistline. (I always blame the dryer for shrinking my pants...). Often these things are clearly evident to those around me...so why am I always the last to know?

Because I don't want to see them.

As Jack Nicholson's character shouted in A Few Good Men, "You can't handle the truth!" I believe it is our human nature to deceive ourselves. We want to think the best of ourselves. We forgive our own mistakes easily. We give ourselves the benefit of the doubt. We know what we meant to say...

But what if my version of reality is actually wrong? More importantly, what if my assessment of my own spiritual life is wrong? If I really got honest, it might hurt too much...

On Sunday, I began a new series called, "Let's Get Real." The primary text for the series is 2 Corinthians 13:5, "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?" We'll be spending the next few weeks getting honest about our spiritual growth (or the lack thereof). The goal is for each person at BCC to recommit themselves, not only to spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, stewardship, and service, but also to new personal relationship with Jesus!

What are the blind spots the Holy Spirit is revealing in your life? What are you doing to change in those areas?

2010 -- Year in Review

2011-01-01T21:00:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I have a confession to make. I am a sucker for all those year-end TV programs that highlight the best and worst of 2010. It really doesn't matter the subject -- sports highlights, news stories, movie reviews, political developments...even all those sad, celebrity marriage break-ups -- put together a Top 10 List, and I'm yours.

Why? I guess I'm just fascinated by the passing of time. There's always a sense of awe with how much can happen in 365 days. So before I launch into 2011, I wanted to spend some time making my own list of memories from 2010. The list is a combination of both personal and church family memories, and they're in no particular order. So, here goes...

1. Madelyn learning to walk. It was our fourth (and final?) time to watch, and it's been awesome every time!

2. Going on a Caribbean cruise with my whole family (including my wife & girls, and also my parents and aunt/uncle).

3. Playing early-morning pick-up basketball games with the CEO of 24-Hr. Fitness. (Thanks for the invitation, Justin. Sorry you had to watch me from the sidelines most of the morning...)

4. The SNOW DAY in Austin!!! It was so awesome to have snowball fights and take my girls sledding in an ice chest. Those were some of the biggest flakes I've ever seen...not just in Texas, but anywhere!

5. Having the incredible honor of speaking at Melba Parker's funeral service. This dear saint is dearly missed, but her life was lived to the fullest for the glory of God and the love of her family. Thank you, John, for the privilege.

6. Meeting Jason & Kim Nichols, and having a front row seat to watch Jesus changing their lives!

7. Our mission trip to Haiti in September. I was so glad that both Madison and Macy were able to go this time. I'll never forget preaching in the Mission of Hope church, and getting to experience the waterfall up in the mountains. Haiti is a breathtaking place!

8. The Amazing Race couples night w/ BCC family. We had a memorable evening with the race, alone, but the THREE speeding tickets made sure the night would forever live in infamy! Unbelievable!

9. Ruben is finally here!! On Sunday December 19th, he flew in from Haiti and surprised me by walking up to me in the parking lot after church. I was stunned! But Michele's reaction was even better... We're so glad you're here, Ruben (but not as glad as Amy!). Welcome to Texas!

10. The "Leave Your Mark" campaign. (From the first vision meeting in our living room, to the leadership banquet, to the commitment service -- it was exciting to see God taking all of us on a faith journey together. The best is yet to come...)

Well, as with all of these lists, I'm sure I've left someone or something out...but this is good, for starters. I would love to hear your feedback on my list, or better yet, tell me yours! The key to looking back on the year is to reflect on God's faithfulness. All too often, we let the stress of today and the preoccupation with tomorrow crowd out the blessings of yesterday. God is so good!

So, what are YOUR memories of 2010?

How to Give at Christmas

2010-11-30T12:32:00.000-08:00

For most of us, Christmas means time with family, good food, crazy light decorations and opening presents. Let's be honest: The majority of Americans love to unwrap gifts on Christmas morning. But what would your holiday season be like if you didn't focus so much on the gifts you get, and instead focused on the gifts you give?

Recently, I found this article by Dave Ramsey (author of Financial Peace), challenging all of us to give like no one else. So what does that mean? It means you need to get out of your comfort zone, think outside the box, and find ways to bless others. Whether you give some money to help a needy family with bills or give your time and energy to a shut-in, there are plenty of ways you can give like no else this Christmas.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1.Buy several winter jackets at a discount retail store and deliver them to the homeless in your community.

2.Pay the power bill for a family who is struggling financially.

3.Purchase a restaurant gift card for a young couple who are new parents, and offer to babysit their kiddo for free.

4.When checking out at the grocery store, hand the cashier some cash and tell her you want to pay for a needy family's groceries.

5.Take a single mom on a Christmas shopping spree for her kids.

6.Clean the home of a shut-in and cook for them. Stay and chat with them over dinner.

7.Bless your pastor with a Christmas card or gift.

8.Call your church and ask them if they know a family in need of gifts this year. Then, purchase a gift for each family member and drop it off at their doorstep on Christmas Eve.

9.Shovel snow, rake leaves, or pick weeds for an elderly couple in or near your neighborhood.

10.Next time you fill up your gas tank, give the clerk $50 and tell him you want to pay for someone else's gas bill.

There are all kinds of ways that you can give like no one else this Christmas, so get busy! Hopefully, this list helped you brainstorm a few ideas of your own!

Never Give Up

2010-10-22T22:43:00.000-07:00

I was reading tonight and came across the story of Admiral James Stockdale, the highest-ranking US officer taken prisoner in Vietnam. During 8 years as a hostage, he was tortured regularly, and had no reason to think he would ever be released or see his family again. Yet despite his horrific circumstances, Stockdale became a beacon of hope for other prisoners in the camp. He developed secret methods of communication to fight effects of isolation, and taught other prisoners how to create coping mechanisms to deal with the enemy's torture tactics. In short, he kept faith alive in a situation where most people would have long since let it die.

According to Stockdale, what separates people is not the presence or absence of difficulty, but how they deal with the inevitable difficulties of life. His own life experience confirms the powerful belief that one can actually come back from difficulties STRONGER, not weaker.

The Stockdale Paradox states that "in every circumstance, you must retain faith that you will prevail in the end regardless of the difficulties and, at the same time, confront the most brutal facts of your current reality...whatever they might be."

Leave Your Mark

2010-10-22T22:30:00.001-07:00

Over the past 4 weeks, I have been sharing a series of messages entitled, "Leave Your Mark." The main text for the series is Esther 3:14 -- "Who knows but that you have come to a royal position FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS?" Simply put, this is our time. This is our destiny. We have been called by God to shine like stars in the universe (Phil. 2:15).

Of course, this series has also been part of our first-ever capital fund-raising campaign. So, I want to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has stepped out in faith to support the vision of The Bridge Church. However large or small your financial gift, thank you for leaving your mark on this generation.

Now, I encourage you to give as much as you can, as fast as you can! Let's watch and be amazed as God performs miracle after miracle in the lives of our church family. As we take that "next step," He will always make a way where there seems to be no way. Thanks for going on the journey with Michele and me. We love you all!

Shift Your Focus

2010-06-29T18:47:00.000-07:00

About a month ago, I attended District Council -- an annual meeting of Assemblies of God pastors in North Texas. The focus this year was on church planting. More specifically, on CHURCHES PLANTING CHURCHES. The guest speaker shared 3 paradigm shifts that we must have, if we are going to effectively build God's Kingdom in our city. Hope you are challenged by them, as much as I was.

Here they are:

1. We need to shift the focus from OUR problems to GOD'S problems.

2. We need a shift from SCARCITYto ABUNDANCE.

3. We need to shift our focus from building a MONUMENT to building a MOVEMENT.

Each of them has challenged me in a personal way, as well as sharpened my focus as pastor of The Bridge. I pray that God will help me to be a DOER of the Word, not just a HEARER only... Is this your prayer, as well?

More Than Words

2010-06-27T20:49:00.000-07:00

Shared a message this morning by this same title -- and it is really sticking with me today. (Funny for a preacher to be impacted AFTER his own sermon, huh?) I just can't stop thinking about God's strategy for reconciling mankind: He didn't TELL us about His love, He SHOWED us! Talk is cheap. Even God knows that...

So think about it: "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen the glory of the Father." (John 1:14) God sent Jesus to reveal His glory. Now, Jesus sends US to reveal His glory, through our lives. But we have to do more than TALK -- we need ACTION...the kind of action that reveals God's glory!

That sets the bar pretty high, for me. Is my life GLORIOUS? (no laughing please, this is a serious question!) Here's the kicker: I'm a preacher, so that means I "talk" for a living...but now I'm realizing that it takes "more than words" to reach this generation. What a bummer -- now I have to get my hands dirty...

What does God have in mind for us?

2010-05-25T14:53:00.000-07:00

Great quote from Henry Blackaby's book, "What The Spirit is Saying To The Churches"...

"God is at work around us, and to accomplish this work He personally communicates His will to His people, inviting each church to join in his activity in specific ways. It is not for us to dream our own dreams of what we want to do for God. This is never the pattern of Scriptures. God already knows what He is purposing to do through those He calls to Himself. And He's waiting for us to adjust our lives to His purposes so He can work powerfully through us to redeem our lost world."

and here's the kicker...

"When we hear His call and respond appropriately, there will be NO LIMIT to what God can and will do through His people."

This morning, I spent some time dreaming again about the future of The Bridge, but more than ever before, I want to pursue God's dreams--not my own. Ever stop to wonder what He has in mind for us?

More Blackaby...

2010-05-03T10:43:00.000-07:00

"If Jesus provides the model for spiritual leadership, then the key is not for leaders to develop visions and to set the direction for their organizations. The key is to obey and to preserve everything the Father reveals to them of his will. Ultimately, the Father is the leader. God has the vision of what He wants to do. God does not ask leaders to dream big dreams for him or to solve problems that confront them. He asks leaders to walk with him so intimately that, when he reveals what is on his agenda, they will immediately adjust their lives to his will and the results will bring glory to God."

Criticism

2010-05-03T08:45:00.000-07:00

I love this quote by Henry Blackaby, in his book Spiritual Leadership:

"Criticism has its most devastating effect upon the immature and the unsure."

How true this is! At times, I've been guilty of the IMMATURE part, without a doubt. When I carry my feelings on my shoulder, it's easy for one challenging word from a friend to offend me, wound me, or knock me off course. That happens all too often when I am not actively growing in my relationship with Christ. I get it.

But the second one hits even closer to home: UNSURE. To the leader who is prone to be a people-pleaser, criticism can be devastating (as Blackaby says). You want so badly for people to follow you, respect you, love you, come to your church, read your book, and so on... So, as long as that stuff matters to you, you're at the mercy of the feedback. If they're happy, you're happy. You need the praise to affirm yourself. You long for the compliments, for without them, you are left with a bunch of "what ifs"...

What if they leave?
What if they stop giving?
What if they don't believe in me anymore?
What if our relationship changes because of this conflict?
What if I'm wrong about this decision, after all?
What if I'm about to blow it?
What if our church collapses?
...Ceases to exist?
...Falls off the face of the earth?!?

But the real question should always be, "What did God say to me?" If I know that, I can lead well. And if I don't know what He's saying, I better find out! Whatever it takes. And until then, whatever the crowd says is meaningless--good or bad. Praise or criticism.

Maybe Solomon said it best, "Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you."(Proverbs 9:8)

See What's Not There

2010-04-21T08:36:00.000-07:00

When I read about Abraham, I am always taken back by his OBEDIENCE. Throughout his life, the faith-tests were dramatic, and he passed them with flying colors:

(ch.12) "Leave and go to a land I will show you"
(ch.21) The birth of Isaac, when Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90
(ch.22) The sacrifice of Isaac, the son of promise

He met every challenge, it seems, with simple yet strong faith:

"Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what he had promised." (Romans 4:20-21)

In the same passage (v.17), "...the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were."

So I ask myself, Do I see the same "obey-first-and-ask-questions-later" kind of faith in my own life? All too often, the answer is no. But the Bible unwaveringly says that obedience is better than sacrifice. So, Lord, help me to trust in you more, "being fully persuaded that You have the power to do what you've promised!"

...and to remember, that YOU see what's NOT there...and say that it IS!

Dig New Wells

2010-04-19T07:14:00.000-07:00

Sometimes my spiritual life loses its sizzle. It goes flat. Becomes predictable. Routine. It dries up, like a well that's empty. Remember the story in Genesis 26, where Isaac re-dug the wells of his father Abraham (the ones that had been stopped up by the Philistines), and then went on to dig new wells? A few observations come to mind...

1. Abraham's wells were clogged because of an enemy attack. Often the Bible uses water to symbolize the presence of the Spirit of God. So, by putting dirt in the wells, the enemy tries to cut off, or dry up the flow of God's Spirit in our lives. What can we do? Start cleaning out our hearts, and prepare to re-dig those wells!

2. If we want God to expand our territory, or enlarge our effectiveness, we need to search for NEW places to dig wells. Where is God leading you? What people or community might he want you to reach into?

3. The hard work of digging wells turns to CELEBRATION when the water springs up! (Gen. 26:32 -- "We have found water!!!")

Ideas for digging new wells:

- Take a closer look at my personal prayer time (both quality and quantity)

- Find a "deeper" book to read, that will challenge me at the soul-level, not
just sharpen my skills as a leader (ie, C.S. Lewis over John Maxwell, or Watchman Nee over Rick Warren, Dietrich Bonhoeffer over Andy Stanley)

- Rediscover personal WORSHIP, not just the Sunday morning kind, by choosing a CD over talk radio while driving.

- Take a 3-day fast (not enough to kill me, but enough to get my attention!)

What new wells are you digging?

Marketing "Evangelists"

2010-04-18T19:23:00.000-07:00

Had an interesting meeting with Paul Ebisch (of AG Credit Union) on Thursday. We spent about as much time discussing the mission of the Church, as we did "money talk" for our future building program. In addition to his banking experience, Paul runs a marketing firm...so he shared a lot of wisdom about attracting people to use/purchase yoru "product." (At BCC, Jesus is the product, right?)

It's a well-known fact that the best form of advertising is word-of-mouth. Every other marketing strategy pales in comparison. Satisfied customers are gold! What's fascinating is that the term "evangelist" is commonly used in marketing circles. It describes customers/clients who enthusiastically share their story.

* The businessman who gets "the regular" at Starbucks.
* The college student who buys Tom's Shoes.
* The dedicated grocery shopper who goes all-organic @ Whole Foods Marketplace
* The movie-goer who tells you about the latest "must-see"

These people are true EVANGELISTS. They are sharing their own GOOD NEWS...and we listen, don't we? Sometimes, we'll even try a new drink, eat at a new restaurant, or go to that movie -- just because they say so.

Kind of makes me wonder what I am truly an evangelist of...

Facts about our Community

2010-04-14T08:55:00.000-07:00

Recently, I received demographic information about the community where our 73 acres are located, in Hutto. As most of you know, the land is located near the intersection of 130 Tollway and Gattis School Rd/C.R. 138. The actual address is 747 County Road 138, Hutto, TX 78634.

The following facts are reflective of a 10-mile radius from our property:

Population: 277,214 people. This represents and increase of 190,987 (or 221%) since 1990. Wow!
Projected growth between 2009 and 2014: increase by 23% (64,597 additional persons). During teh same time period, the US population is projected to grow by 4.9%.
The racial/ethnic diversity in the area is considered extremely high.
Major generational groups: Survivors (age 28 to 48) make up 36% of the population.
Family structures: Can be described as somewhat traditional, due to the above average presence of married persons and two-parent families.
Faith receptivity: is decribed as somewhat high when compared to national averages.

There is too much data to share in this posting, but I want to give you one last category. The question was, "Which household concerns are unusually high in this area?" The answer:

Achieving a Fulfilling Marriage (30.7%)
Developing Parenting Skills (20.1%)
Finding a Good Church (18.4%)
Time for Recreation/Leisure (29.2%)

Let's begin praying for God to show us how to address these needs, and share the love of Christ in a tangible way. In other words, what "BRIDGES" can we build to reach the people in our community?

Community Matters!

2010-04-12T09:28:00.000-07:00

Challenging quote from The Connecting Church, by Randy Frazee:

Community matters. That's about like saying that oxygen matters. As our lungs need air, so our souls require what only community provides. We were designed by our Trinitarian God (who himself is a group of three persons in profound relationship with each other) to live in relationship. Without it, we die. It's that simple. Without community where we know, explore, discover, and touch one another, we experience isolation and despair that drive us in wrong directions, that corrupt our efforts to live meaningfully and love well.
The future of the church depends on whether it develops true community. We can get by for a while on size, skilled communication, and programs to meet every need, but unless we sense we blong to each other, with masks off, the vibrant church of today will become the powerless church of tomorrow. Stale, irrelevant, a place of pretense where sufferers suffer alone, where pressure generates conformity rather than the Spirit creating life -- that's where the church is headed unless it focuses on community.

What does "Community" mean?

2010-04-12T08:39:00.000-07:00

The Bridge COMMUNITY Church.

OK, so we all know what a "church" is. And we've unpacked the concept of a "bridge" as a metaphor for the Gospel. So, let's take a closer look at what "community" means...

First, The Bridge Church is a community of faith. When it's working as it should, the Church is better than the tightest family, the closest friendship, the strongest partnership. Is it just having common values? Is it just enjoying fellowship together? Is it just uniting around a common goal? In some way, it's all of these...but more. The Church is not just a club, or social gathering-- it is a group of people who share a sense of LIFE PURPOSE, which inherently, cannot be accomplished alone.

In other words, we need each other (corporately) to accomplish what God intended for us to do (individually). As believers in Jesus Christ, MY life's purpose and YOUR life's purpose are the same: to share the message of the Gospel with as many as possible. So, since we share the same purpose, live in the same town, attend the same church...we ought to be working together to accomplish this God-given mandate.

But let's go one step further.

How can we "work together" if we aren't "living together?" (...and no, I'm not suggesting we all sell our homes and move to our 73 acres in Hutto...although, that might be really fun!) Acts 2:42-26 offers a vivid description of both the means and the end of biblical community:

The "MEANS" was pretty straightforward:

They devoted themselves to apostles' teaching
and fellowship
and breaking of bread (this is both potluck dinners and Lord's Supper)
and prayer
many wonders and miracles were done
they were together and have everything in common
they had garage sales and gave the money to the poor
they met in temple courts AND in homes

The "END" was also obvious: "And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

This is COMMUNITY. A group that's living life together...so we can work together...to share the love of Jesus Christ in a tangible way with as many as possible.

So, here's the real question: What would that look like at The Bridge Church?

What's in a Name?

2010-04-08T21:20:00.000-07:00

It's a simple name: "Bridge Community Church."

But when you think about each word individually, our name says a lot about who we are, and what God has called us to do.

Let's begin with the last word first: CHURCH. We are a church. That's a no brainer, right? Other descriptions might be: a church family, a local church body, a congregation, or a fellowship of believers. Whatever it's called, I think we all get the idea...

Next, the first word in our name: BRIDGE. Let's take a little time with this one. Perhaps you've seen an illustration of something like this: Imagine a great chasm (like the Grand Canyon) between Holy GOD and Fallen MAN. This great divide is caused by SIN, and the only thing that connects the two sides is the CROSS. Jesus is the only mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). In a sense, through the cross, Jesus “bridged the gap,” making a way for man to come to God, or be reconciled to Him (2 Corinthians 5).

Simply put, our church wants to "bridge the gap" between God and the world He loves, by sharing the love of Jesus Christ in a tangible way. We do this through servanthood, acts of kindness, compassion, outreach, etc.

Notice the urgency in this quote from The Church of Irrestible Influence, by Robert Lewis:

As the church engages in a third millennium, it looks across a terrifying, and ever-widening, chasm between itself and the world it is trying to reach. Six out of ten Americans believe the church is irrelevant. As it stares across that chasm, much of the church no longer believes it can influence the world. The question is simple: What impact is the church having on the community?

And another one:

Without its own bridges to the world, church life—in time—fades into isolation, self-congratulation, and finally, irrelevance.

Ouch! With God's help, we must guard our purpose with diligence. We cannot afford to turn inward, and neglect the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. We must "build a bridge" to a lost and hurting world, both around the world...and around the corner.

That brings us to the middle word in our name: COMMUNITY.

I'll discuss that more in the next blog posting...

EMPTY -- New Series in April

2010-04-06T18:55:00.001-07:00

EMPTY: Living a Life of True Abundance

2010-04-06T17:54:00.000-07:00

If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. (1 Corinthians 15:14)
This past Sunday was Easter. For those who may not know, Easter Sunday to a pastor is like Super Bowl Sunday to an NFL quarterback. (...not that I am the Peyton Manning of preachers or anything! I digress...) Simply put, this is the biggest day of the year for churches. Big attendance. Lots of new faces. Pastel-colored dresses. White shoes making their springtime debut. Pictures in bluebonnets after church. Lunch with Grandma. It's quite the celebration...
And along with the excitement comes the annual question of what to preach. The basics are obvious: the Messiah riding through Jerusalem on a donkey. The last supper. The betrayal and arrest in Gethsemane. The ridiculous trial. The mockery, beating, crucifixion, and burial of Jesus. All hope is lost. End of story. Right?
(Insert Carman's 80's classic here, "It may seem like Friday night, but Sunday's on the way!")
So then what? On the morning of third day, some of Jesus' followers go to anoint his body with spices, but make an inbelievable discovery: his tomb is EMPTY! An angel is standing there, instead, and tells them that Jesus is risen. In amazement, they run to tell the others. Over the next 40 days, Jesus makes multiple appearances in both public and private settings. He talks with some. He eats with others. He even lets them touch his hands and side. He does all of this for one very specific purpose: to prove He was ALIVE!
So, back to the pastor's challenge. How do you tell this timeless story in a "fresh" way? How can you hope to "out-do" last year's Easter celebration? You may only get some of these listeners once a year, so you'd better make it a good one! Right? Wrong. This year, I just didn't want to "hype" the Resurrection.
Not because I don't think it's important. Quite the contrary. In fact, I am convinced that the Resurrection is the most significant event in human history. But I just wanted to keep it simple this year: Jesus' birth was unique. His life was extraordinary. His death was necessary. But it's his Resurrection that closed the deal. He is ALIVE! He is risen! His tomb is EMPTY!
And because of this truth, the enemy is defeated, my sin is forgiven, my hope is secure, and my life has meaning. I guess you could put it this way:
Because the tomb is EMPTY, my life is FULL. (John 10:10)
Thank you Jesus!

Thanks for the Kindle

2009-10-13T08:25:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, I was totally surprised by a gift at the end of the worship service: a Kindle from Amazon.com. To be honest, I had heard of them, but had never really seen, held, or salivated over one...yet. But as many of you know, I love to read, so I was thrilled to find out that this one device can hold 1,500 complete books! And it came with one book already loaded, "The Prodigal God," by Timothy Keller. Now, only 1,499 more to go...

(Plus...it will read the books aloud to me while I'm driving, which keeps my hands free for driving, eating, and talking on cell phone. Just joking, Mom.)

Anyway, thanks to all of you for gift, as well as the kind words of encouragement. Michele and I are so blessed to have the privilege of serving at The Bridge. We love our church family, and we are excited about the days ahead.

God is good!

I'm back!

2009-10-08T20:11:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since my last post. Yes, for all of you who are worried about my well-being, I am fine. There is no shortage of things to write about...but there seems to always be a shortage of time. (which is a myth, by the way...)

The truth is: we all make time for what is important to us. Right?

Sometimes I wonder whether or not anyone ever reads these posts. I start rationalizing that my life is busy enough already, without the added pressure of my self-imposed creative writing assignment deadlines. Besides, wouldn't the time be better spent working on Sunday's sermon, or reading a new book, or mowing the yard, or watching the American League Baseball Playoffs? Why exert all that mental energy composing thought-provoking insights for an imaginary audience? What's the use?

And then, something interesting happened. I bumped into a friend at HEB, and they asked why I hadn't updated the blog in a while. (Hmmm...) Then, I asked a new family at our church how they found out about us, and their answer surprised me. They came across our church website, and subsequently my blog, and were intrigued enough to visit. (Wow.) Not to mention there are a few of you who constantly encourage me to keep writing--no matter what, just keep writing. (You know who you are.)

Gradually, I came to realize three things about my blogging:

1. The discipline of writing is its own reward. I want to always keep thinking, learning, and growing...so why not write about it while I'm on the journey?

2. God can touch lives (through this blog), even when I never know about it.

3. The blog can be utilized more effectively to communicate vision to our church family. For example, we are having an outreach event on October 30th (www.fallfunfestival.org), and I want to encourage you to be praying for God's will to be accomplished on that night. We are going to demonstrate the love of Christ to our community in a tangible way...and it will be an awesome night.

Anyway, I'll keep writing, and you keep reading. And if something touches your heart, challenges your beliefs, inspires you to grow, or just makes you laugh...let me hear from you.

Is that a deal? God bless you.

It's Not About You (Sorry about that...)

2009-08-20T10:28:00.000-07:00

It was one of those moments when time seemed to stand still. A guest speaker was standing in front of our church family, and he said these simple words:

"As a believer, almost nothing that happens in your life, good or bad, is about you."

What?!? What do you mean it's not about me? Everything that happens in my life is about me! (Well...I know that's not supposed to be how we view life's ups and downs, but in reality, that's kind of what happens, right?)

I got a raise. (Translation: God must really think I'm awesome!)

I got laid off. (Translation: God must be really mad at me! Uh-oh, I'm screwed...)

My kids are healthy. (Translation: God loves us more than the Johnsons, because their poor kids always have allergies, asthma, and ADD. How sad...)

I have a car wreck. (Translation: Why, oh why, did God ever put me on this earth?!? I'm the most persecuted human being that ever lived! Please God, take me now! I can't take this anymore...)

And so it goes... Why did this happen to me? Why can't I ever get a break? Why aren't my prayers being answered? What could possibly go wrong next?

But hold on just a second. What if the whole "big picture" of all humankind was actually NOT about you? What if your job status didn't reflect how much God loves you? What if your kids' health was just because they eat right and exercise? What if your car wreck happened because you were sending text messages during rush hour on I-35?

What if it's NOT all about you? Instead of wondering why God never seems to answer your prayers...here's a thought: maybe he wants to use YOU (in your present circumstance, good or bad) to BE the answer to someone else's prayer. Maybe the ultimate goal is HIS GLORY being revealed...not YOUR HAPPINESS being preserved.

If that's true, instead of it making you really, really disappointed (that all of Heaven isn't watching "Truman Show," with you playing Jim Carrey's character), let me offer you another perspective: God loves you, He trusts you, and He believes in you enough to USE YOU in His eternal plan. He knows you can handle whatever comes your way--good or bad. And because of your trust in Him, He knows He can trust you to be a blessing to others.

Cool thought, huh?

Like the opening line of Rick Warren's best-selling book, The Purpose-Driven Life, "It's not about you."

Actually, it's all about Him.

Jesus Encounters

2009-08-19T04:39:00.000-07:00

Consider this quote:

"Any revelation from God's Word that does not lead us to an encounter with God only serves to make us more religious. The Church cannot afford 'form without power,' for it creates Christians without purpose." (from Bill Johnson's book, When Heaven Invades Earth, p. 87)

So I ask myself, "Do I really desire to encounter Jesus when I read the Bible and pray...or am I only fulfilling some religious requirements, because that's what I am supposed to do as a Christian?"

Seem like I'm splitting hairs? Look more carefully...or should I say listen more carefully to the distinction here. It's not enough to be informed by study. It's not enough to be inspired by worship music. It's not enough to be instructed by your spiritual leader(s).

You need an ENCOUNTER with Jesus.

And I need one, too, because that is the only hope I have of being changed into the man He wants me to become. And it's never a "done-deal." The process is never finished. But when we encounter Jesus, we will experience his life-changing POWER. And here's the disturbing part: without him, we ourselves become fulfillments the solemn prophecy about the last days, regarding people "having a form of godliness, but denying its power" (2 Timothy 3:5)

Ouch...

Welcome to Texas!

2009-08-19T04:17:00.000-07:00

One more thing about Kelly Brown...

They have an annual outreach event to new international students at UT. It's called "Welcome to Texas." There are 2 parts to the event: a huge BBQ dinner-on-the-grounds, and then 2 weeks later, a square dance celebration. (Trying to get a mental picture? Just imagine lots of red & white checkered table cloths, picnic tables, straw cowboy hats, denim overalls, and photo ops with real longhorn cattle...)

Got it? Now, instead of a bunch of red-necked country folk wiping BBQ sauce off their chins with red bandannas...imagine the cowboy hats being worn by a Vietnamese pre-law student, or a Tanzanian engineer. In fact, you don't have to imagine; you can actually go and see for yourself. The 2nd of these two events (the square dance) will happen next Friday night, August 28th on the UT campus. If you're interested in attending, contact Kelly yourself (isfm_austin@yahoo.com).

FYI: Check out this list of countries represented last Friday night at their BBQ dinner (the number of students from each country is noted, as well) :

Australia 8
Austria 4
Belgium 1
Brazil 3
Bulgaria 1
Canada 1
China 31
Denmark 2
England/Great Britain 4
France 9
Germany 6
India 22
Indonesia 1
Italy 8
Japan 3
Kazakhastan 1
Korea 10
Macedonia 1
Mexico 6
Netherlands 1
Norway 2
Paraguay 1
Peru 3
Poland 2
Puerto Rico 1
Scotland 4
Singapore 6
South Africa 1
Spain 2
Sri Lanka 1
Taiwan 33
Ukraine 1
Vietnam 4

No Milk Without Manure

2009-08-19T04:00:00.001-07:00

I was talking to a friend of mine yesterday about spiritual growth. He's a missionary to the University of Texas, particularly the international student population. For the last 21 years, Kelly Brown has been the leader of ISFM (International Students Friendship Ministries). We were talking about the many challenges of ministering to such a wide range of cultures. It takes constant work to evaluate, plan, implement, re-evaluate, re-plan, and re-implement (and so on...) effective ministry strategies.

So many ethnic groups. So many languages. So many cultural barriers. So many attempts to build bridges. (...and so many failed attempts to build bridges.)

The work is never done. The strategies are always changing. The satisfaction is ever elusive...

But, even though it's a challenge, Kelly shared one of the Proverbs that has often encouraged him, and kept him focused during this season: "Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest" (Prov. 14:4). Then he shared his college-ministry-translation: There is no milk without manure.

The work of God in our lives will always be just that: WORK. But it is necessary for effectiveness. Sure, you can have a perfectly clean barn without any animals in it...but you would also have no milk, or eggs, or whatever else you get from barns! There is always a "mess" in ministry...but changed lives are always worth it!

You Can't Keep It To Yourself!

2009-08-19T03:50:00.000-07:00

One year ago TODAY (August 19, 2008) I did the unthinkable. On a 146-yard par 3 (that’s a golf hole, in case some of you aren’t into the world’s greatest life-long sport), I hit a perfect 7-iron that hit the green, bounced twice, and rolled right into the cup. It was a hole-in-one!

I couldn’t believe it! I’d never hit one before. I’d never had a friend to hit one. In fact, I’d never even seen one at all…except for on TV. It was awesome! And immediately, the first thought that came into my mind was, “I’ve got to tell someone!”

(Luckily, my friend Justin was there to witness this extraordinary athletic achievement—OK, so it’s not exactly like breaking the 4-minute mile, but it was still pretty cool for a hacker like me!)

As soon as I got back to the car, I started working my way through the contact list in my cell phone. I called my wife, my parents, my golf buddies, my fourth-grade math teacher, my dentist, and even returned a few of the “wrong numbers” in my call history. After all, wouldn’t want to leave anyone out, now would I? (The following week, my name even appeared in the Austin American Statesman, where they document all the hole-in-ones from local golf courses. And yes, I still have the newspaper clipping, along with the ball, which I will pass along to my children when I die.)

So, you see, this was a big deal! Ranks right up there with world peace, Haley’s comet, and the invention on Blue Bell ice cream. This is the kind of news you have to share! It must be told.

Now, time-out. Let’s pause Sportscenter for a moment, and ask yourself one simple question: Does Jesus mean so much to you that you have to share Him? Is it impossible for you to keep quiet about Him?

When you get a chance, read 2 Kings 7. It tells the story of 4 lepers who make an incredible discovery. When they realize the miracle that has taken place in front of their very eyes, they make a powerful statement: "We're not doing right. This is a day of good news, and we are keeping it to ourselves." (v.9)

Wow! Enough said...

Breaking News: Austin Man Reports "Healing" of His 2002 Ford Expedition

2009-07-21T21:53:00.000-07:00

Two quick stories about random unexplained coincidences that pointed me toward God. (A.K.A. "miracles," but more about that later...)

1.) About a month ago, I had to make a one-day round trip from Austin to Dallas (and back, of course...that's why they call it a round trip) to pick up Michele & our two youngest daughters. For several weeks prior to this, the A/C in my vehicle had been getting gradually worse, and was now blowing air that was warmer than the heater. Coolant leak in the system, I guess...

So that morning, all the way to Dallas, I was sweating profusely, praying for a miracle, and dreading the reaction that Michele would have when she realized there was no A/C. (Did I mention that we are in a long stretch of 100-degree days in Texas, and the daughters in question are 2 yrs. old and 6 mos? Important facts to the story...) By the time I arrived in Dallas, picked up the family, caught a quick lunch, and started back south on I-35, the strangest thing happened: I suddenly realized that our A/C was blowing cool air! In fact, it was running colder than the day we bought it 5 yrs ago! Could it be true? Was it a mirage? How long could it last in the heat of the day?

Well, let me just say it blew with arctic force, and nearly formed frost on my nose. For 2 1/2 hours, we rode in frigid comfort. It was a miracle! ONLY GOD could fix an air conditioner for a road trip in Texas! (The funny thing is the next morning it was back to being broken...and it hasn't worked since.) Hmmm...

2.) The same vehicle in question soon had another problem: the front window on the driver's side stopped working. It died while in the "down" position; because of the heat and no A/C, I just left the windows open all the time...and now, I had no choice! For 2 weeks, the front window had stayed down, both day and night, and even through a rain storm. (Thanks to Josh for taping up the window while we were gone! You 'da man!)

Then today, another strange occurrence: I saw dark storm clouds gathering above me, so I pressed the button to raise the window (purely out of habit), and suddenly it started working! No explanation. I didn't do anything new. A broken window was healed! A dead power motor came to life! The Resurrection strikes again!

Sound a little crazy? Yeah, I guess so. But I've recently determined to look for God-appearances in everyday life. Random unexplained coincidences that point me toward Him. Miracles.

(Now, if He could just do something about my tempermental weed-eater...)

Snake in the Grass

2009-07-15T08:41:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard someone say, "Better watch out for old so-and-so; he's a real snake in the grass!" Well, after this morning's brush with death (OK, maybe that's a little exaggerated), I'll have a new appreciation for the phrase. Let me explain...

Early this morning, I went outside to water the flower beds. As I walked over to the side of the house to turn on the hose, my heart raced as I heard a rustling sound at my feet. I looked down, just in time to see a large black snake slither out of sight into the tall grass along the fenceline. (I had nearly stepped on him!) By the time I went to the garage, got not one but two shovels, and returned to the scene, the snake was gone.

I should've been glad, but instead, I couldn't stop wondering where else in my yard he was hiding. You see, may I remind you I have 4 daughters...and so far, none of them seem to be particularly excited about snakes. So, I spent the next 30 mins combing the tall grass around the A/C units, along the fence line, in my overgrown flower beds. Never did find that guy...

There are probably lots of lessons to be learned here (never water the flowers in flip-flops; always carry a shotgun with you before 7am; teach all family members how to suck the venom out of a snake bite; move someplace where they don't have big, black snakes!), but I want to share one simple observation:

My grass is too tall.

You see, if I had done a better job mowing, edging, and weed-eating my lawn, it would have been a less-attractive hiding place for snakes. (As any golfer knows, if you always keep your ball in the fairways, you don't have to worry about those "Beware of rattlesnakes" signs. Snakes like the security of the "rough" more than manicured greens. Duh!) So, because I have allowed my yard to become a residential dream for reptiles...it's no wonder he moved into the neighborhood.

Now, let's bring this closer to home. In my spiritual life, I need to be careful not to let the enemy slither undetected into the tall grass. I want my heart to be safe. I want to protect my family from danger. So, the tall grass of temptation needs to be mowed regularly. The weeds of unforgiveness make a great hiding place for the enemy of my soul. As the 23rd Psalm says, "Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil." Be alert. Watch and pray. Guard your heart.

Always, be on the watch for a snake in the grass...but also, keep the grass short enough that you can see him. (...and then chase him away with not one, but two Holy Spirit Shovels!)

The Secret Place

2009-07-14T06:13:00.000-07:00

Do you have a "secret place" where God meets with you?

A place no one else goes but you Him?
A place you "hide away" with Him to learn His ways?
A place where He "works" on you?
A place where He's making you more like Him?
A place where you seek wisdom?
A place where you find strength for each day?
A place where He renews your hope?

A secret place.

Last night, I heard Rick Dubose share a message on "The Secret Place," and I was challenged! I am humbled by the reality that God wants to meet with me...but I allow the busy-ness of my life to crowd Him out. In essence, I have often "stood him up," left him there waiting, day after day, with nothing but weak excuses and promises that things will be different next time. If I treated anyone else that way, I would either be an absent-minded knucklehead, or simply a jerk! (Lord, forgive me. You deserve better...)

Consider this: Jesus appointed the twelve to be disciples..."that they might be with him." (Mark 3:13). That's pretty much everything to a follower of Christ. Just be with Him.

Find your secret place...and go there! He's waiting...

Drink Coffee, Do Good

2009-07-11T14:54:00.001-07:00

Just a reminder: all of the coffee we brew on Sunday mornings is from Land of a Thousand Hills. This is a ministry based in Atlanta, Georgia that serves the families of the victims of the Rwandan genocide, by helping them begin new lives by earning a living producing some of the world's finest coffee. (...in my humble opinion)

In addition to the FREE coffee we brew & serve in the lobby, you can purchase bags to take home ($10), as well as t-shirts, coffee cups, travel mugs, and more.

A cool thing happened this week. Some officers from the Pflugerville Fire Department dropped by our office for their annual inspection. As they walked through the lobby, they noticed the LOTH display, and inquired about it. Before they left, they had purchased 2 bags for themselves, and were very interested in checking out the website to learn more about the ministry in Rwanda.

(And oh, by the way, we also have an emergency light bulb that needs to be replaced...but they were so nice while writing us a warning! Gotta get right on that...)

You never know when something as simple as the coffee you drink will be an opportunity to witness for Jesus Christ. So, keep up the good work: Drink Coffee, Do Good!

I Don't Think I Fit In Here...

2009-07-11T13:56:00.000-07:00

These are some of the most awful words I hear as a pastor: "I don't think I fit in here." And when I do, it makes me want to scream into a pillow, or eat chips & salsa, or go for a 3-mile run--anything to let out a little frustration, but without doing something I'll have to repent of later. I want EVERYONE to fit in here! I want everyone to find a place to worship, a place to serve, a place to hang out, a place to grow, a place to find healing, and a place to "get the inside jokes." Is that asking too much of a local church? I don't think so.

So, why do these words bug me? Did the person who uttered them say something wrong? Is it their fault? NO, of course not! I appreciate the straightforward honesty. But to tell you the truth, there are lots of reasons for someone to say this, and it's not always easy to tell what's really going on in their lives. For some, it's a genuine cry for help. For others, it's a selfish cry for attention. For some, it's the prodigal son desperately wanting to find a home. For others, it's the older brother who's frustrated that he's no longer the center of attention. Try to follow me here...

No one can ever really know the heart of a man except that man, himself. But, for those making a cry for help, this is what I think is going on inside their heads:

"I really like this church, and I've been coming for a while. The worship is inspiring, the sermon speaks to where I am living, the children's ministry seems to be effective...but something's missing. I'm starting to wonder if I truly belong here, or if anyone would miss me if I was gone. Am I developing any true friendships? I definitely feel like I am 'buying-in' to this church's vision, but I still don't feel personally connected. Maybe, it's me. I don't think I fit in here..."

If the words above are like a page torn from your journal, please hear this: You DO belong here! A local church is a family where everyone has a seat at the table, and also, helps with the dishes afterward. The local church is an army where every ranking officer has orders that must be followed, in order for the battle to be won. The local church is a body where every single member is important (including eyes, ears, pinky toes, colons, and vocal cords). The local church is awesome--but it's not-quite-as-awesome-as-it-could-be unless everyone goes along for the ride!

The Bridge Church is in transition. That's obvious to see...but the day we STOP transitioning to the next thing God has for us, will be the day we start dying. (And in case you can't discern the rhetorical irony here...I don't intend to let that happen on my watch.) Change is uncomfortable. If we're not careful, things (and sometimes, people) will get lost in tranistion. And we can't let that happen either.

So the next time you hear your brother or sister wondering aloud if they fit in here... look them in the eye and say, "Yes, you do!" Then take them to lunch, invite them to a small group, go to the driving range together, pour them a cup of Rwandan coffee, or give them a big hug and say, "I love you man!"

(Now, to be honest, some of my jeans don't fit like they used to, but that's another issue...)

LOST: My ox named, Rover

2009-06-22T14:30:00.000-07:00

Recently, I read a few verses from the Bible (Deuteronomy 22:1-4) that challenged my understanding of "ministry." At first glance, the passage seems culturally irrelevant, but it contains powerful truth. These verses describe an age-old tendency that many of us have:

When we see someone else's problem, instead of getting involved or helping them out...sometimes it's easier to look the other way. To do nothing. To ignore it.

But that's not what the Bible says here. Instead, it says when you see an ox or sheep wandering around (insert dog or cat , if it helps you relate better to the story), do not ignore it. Rather, go and find it's owner. And if you don't know who it belongs to, take it home with you. Give it food, water, and a bath! Then, when the owner comes, give it back to them gladly.

3 times in 4 verses this phrase is repeated: Do not ignore it. Why?

Could it be that God's Word is pointing out how callous I have become? For someone who thinks he's a servant-leader, what if I'm a selfish-leader instead? Surely not. When my brother has a need, I would never ignore it! (...or would I?) Do I only help people I like? Or only when it's convenient? Or only when there's life-&-death hanging in the balance?

After all, this isn't an emergency room visit; it's a lost pet, for goodness sakes! How big a deal is it, anyway?! Don't sweat the small stuff, right? Wrong! Because what's "small stuff" to me might be "big stuff" to my brother.

The point is: Do not ignore it. Care. Listen. Be there. Get your hands dirty. Get some mud in your floorboard.

And don't just take my word for it; try this one on for size:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus... (Philippians 2:3-4)

Pumped up about popsicles!

2009-05-13T20:18:00.000-07:00

I am so excited about Saturday! I can't wait (and neither can my kids) for the Deutschenfest parade coming up on May 16th. We've got our green t-shirts ready, we're practicing our smile in the mirror, and we're praying for divine encounters with the people in the crowd. (OK, maybe only 2-out-of-3 of those things are real...) It's going to be a blast.

What are we doing on Saturday? About 75 volunteers from BCC will be walking the parade route passing out frozen pops. Instead of riding on a cool float, waving at the crowd, or throwing candy on the street, or even having our band play Christian music--we want to do something unexpected. So, we've got 6,000 little surprises, frozen & ready!

In case you don't "get it," here's the Big Idea: We want to "build a bridge" with the community by serving people in a tangible way. Love in action. Kindness on display. And why? Because I think sometimes you have to show Jesus before you can share Jesus. It's kind of like going the second mile. Offering someone your coat. Giving without expecting to be repaid. It's like giving a cup of cold water in Jesus' name...except instead of water, it's a popsicle!

Who knows, maybe next year we'll give away pints of Blue Bell. Nothing's Too Hard For God, right?

Wanted: Mentors

2009-05-11T13:12:00.000-07:00

Happy (belated) Mother's Day to all of you! And in case I forget to tell all of you dads on or before June 21st, Happy Father's Day, too!

Yesterday, I shared a message about the need for mentors in the church today. But this wasn't just some sort of theoretical idealism talking--it's a topic that is fast-becoming a passion of my heart. I keep asking myself, where are all the spiritual fathers (and mothers)? No matter where I am in my spiritual journey, there are individuals who have gone before me. And there are others who are following behind me. Which points to something very interesting:

I am BOTH in need of a mentor...and I must be a mentor to someone else.

So I ask myself, are either one of these happening in my life? What about in yours? If I am a Timothy, where is my Paul? And who are the Timothys that need me to be their Paul? What should I be receiving from my Paul? What am I supposed to be giving to my Timothy? When should we meet? How often? What should we talk about? Should this person be my pastor? Could it be my spouse? Will they come and find me, or should I go looking for them?

You may be thinking, "Yeah, yeah, yeah...and which came first, the chicken or the egg?" (OK, so this may seem a little overwhelming, or a little too intensive for you. But my point is simple--Jesus told us to make disciples, and that can't be done on Sunday mornings only. Three worship songs and a sermon don't cut it. Too much of "LIFE" happens in those other 6 days. There's got to be more to this spiritual life thing...

So, let me paint a picture for you:

We need people taking other people under their wings. We need big brothers & big sisters. We need older couples investing in younger couples. We need college students spending time with 5th-graders. We need Mr. Grey Hair (or NO hair) taking Mr. Spiked-Hair out to lunch. Or to a ballgame. Or on a fishing trip. And then instead of talking about the NBA playoffs, or the economy, or the stinking weather--we actually dive in head-first to conversations that really matter in view of eternity! Let's talk about things like my prayer life, my marriage, my relationship with my kids (and how I can improve as a dad), my ministry calling, my finances, my fears, my physical health, my understanding of Scripture, or even my struggles with temptation.

For some, this may be too weird, or too intrusive, or too time-consuming. I get that--I really do. It will take time to do this. The time you devote to a mentorship will be taken from something else--your family, your hobbies, your yardwork, or even your sleep. Nonetheless, I can't help but believe it would be worth it in the long run...not to mention, it's what Jesus told us to do!

(NOTE: For those of you who question the biblical imperative for this stuff, take a quick glance through 1 & 2 Timothy, and Titus chapter 2. Let me know what you think...)

Got tickets?

2009-03-22T21:11:00.000-07:00

Hope you got your tickets...to the gun show! (Like father, like daughter.)

3 out of 4 ain't bad

2009-03-22T20:38:00.000-07:00

I've just got to say that I love these girls! Most of you know that I have 4 daughters, but only the oldest 3 are pictured here. Tonight, I had a conversation with them at bedtime that was eye-opening, to say the least. We talked about life-after-death, the reality of the rapture, the book 90 Minutes in Heaven, inviting friends to church, sharing Jesus at school...and of course, the new Hannah Montana movie coming soon to a theatre near you.

I'd love to tell you that we got all the issues covered, the questions answered, and the problems solved. But I'm a dad, not a superhero. The truth is, these talks aren't always so theologically-charged...Far from it! In fact, more often we're debating who took whose flip-flops, and where so-and-so's favorite skirt has disappeared to.

All I can say is these are the moments I want to hold on to. They don't come along often enough, but when they do, I don't want to miss a thing. Too many nights, I go through the motions. The words just roll off my tongue, almost without thinking: Are your clothes picked out for tomorrow? Anyone need to potty again? Is your backpack by the door? Get in bed. I'm counting to 10...1...2...3...It's not funny girls! I said get in bed! Daddy's serious. It's already 30 minutes past your bedtime, so let's move it! Alright, we ready to pray?! Dear God, thanks for the day, forgive our sin, bless everyone we can think of, bless the missionaries, bless those less fortunate than us, help us have a good night's sleep. Amen. Love you girls. (Kiss...hug...kiss again...hug again...one more kiss...one more hug...and that's it! Done. Lights out. Dad's gone.)

A word to all the dads: cherish the bedtime talks! (And bonus points if you can work in some eschatology next time...)

Thanksgiving in March

2009-03-16T09:02:00.000-07:00

I was just thinking about how good God has been to me. As Dave Ramsey (of Financial Peace University) would say when asked how he is doing, "Better than I deserve." Amen to that! Wonderful church family, great service yesterday, moving locations soon, 5 incredible women in my life, 2 dogs I like most of the time, spending 3 days in OK for Spring Break, loving the in-laws, quiet small-town mornings, fresh coffee & my Bible...need I go on? We're healthy, we're happy, and we're heaven-bound (oops, that almost sounded like a Southern Gospel song title!).

Anyway, God is good...and I'm thankful. Now, bring on the turkey & dressing!

What are you thankful for? I'd love to hear some of your thoughts--don't make me wait until November...

I Love the Rain!

2009-03-11T20:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, the high was 80 degrees. Today it was 48. Wow! Another unpredictable day of springtime weather in Texas... And the only thing better than a 30-degree cold front overnight is a 30-degree cold front WITH RAIN!!! Three days ago, I finally let my angel-soft, lily-white legs see some sunshine, as I left the house for the first time in shorts. Today, it was a wind-breaker, hooded sweatshirt, and earmuffs. (OK, so I don't even own earmuffs...but this would have been the day to wear some, if I did!)

Now, for me, a cold rainy day in March was just what the doctor ordered. But for my daughter, it was a different story. Her third-grade class was supposed to have a picnic lunch at Zilker Park after their visit to the Children's Museum, but the rain changed all that. Imagine the scene: twenty grumbling third-graders eating Lunchables in the warm, dry confines of their classroom, feeling betrayed by the weatherman and cheated out of their field trip. (Cue the violin music here...) It was a sad sight.

So, what's the difference? It's all about making a CHOICE. I choose joy. I choose life. I choose the glass being half full. I choose to love the rain. So just because the rain fell, my spirits didn't have to. Think about it: my yard got watered, my car got washed, my raincoat got worn, my windshield wipers got used (OK, now that's a bit of a reach!), my home air conditioner got turned off, and my Starbucks gift card got redeemed. That's a pretty productive day, huh?!

In his classic book, Here and Now, Henri Nouwen says this about JOY:

"Joy is essential to the Christian life. Whatever we may think
or say about God, when we are not joyful, our thoughts and words cannot bear fruit...Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day. It is a choice based on the knowledge that we belong to God and have found in God our refuge and our safety and that nothing, not even death, can take God away from us."

Philippians 4:4 says, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"

Nothing's Too Hard For God!

2009-03-03T12:54:00.000-08:00

The wristbands are in! For those of you who are interested in wearing your official "faith gear," we've got you covered. After giving away nearly ALL of the orange NTHFG wristbands on the very first Sunday we intriduced them, we knew we needed to order more...and did we ever!

We have 1,000 to be exact! (That should be a good start, don't you think?) So come 'n get 'em this Sunday March 8th--take what you need, but please use what you take. Some of you have asked about how many you can get, so let me share a few thoughts:

1. These wristbands can be powerful tools to share your faith in Jesus--and I definitely want them to be used (not just sitting in a box somewhere)!

2. Although they cost around $.50/each, we have chosen to give them to you FREE of charge. I simply believe this is an investment into the kingdom, so it's "worth it" for BCC to purchase them if you'll use them. Think of it as "Jesus-advertising."

3. Someone may ask, "What if I want 10, or 20, 0r more?" That's fine, but again, please don't take more than you will use.

4. If anyone wants to contribute money for the purchase of the wristbands, YOU CAN! Just designate your check or envelope as "NTHFG wristbands."

5. How can they be best utilized? First of all, PRAY for divine appointments; allow the Holy Spirit to prompt you when & how to share your faith. Next, be ready when people ask you the obvious question, "What does your bracelet say?" (Easy one!) Also, recognize the many great opportunities all around you--especially regarding financial fears, due to the economy. You are probably already having daily conversations about the economy, the bailout, job layoffs, foreclosures, bankruptcy, and the future. Rather than allowing those conversations to stay negative, hopeless, and discouraging...why not set a different tone?! Share your trust in God as your firm foundation. Spread JOY! Offer HOPE! Share FAITH!

Remember this passage in Ephesians 4:29: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Colossians 4:5 says, "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

OK, just one more... "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have (in Christ Jesus)." (1 Peter 3:15)

Let me conclude by encouraging you to WEAR ORANGE WITH PRIDE!!! (I'm referring to the wristbands, of course! Boomer Sooner...) Pick up a few on Sunday, and continue to spread the message to a world that desperately needs to hear: NOTHING'S TOO HARD FOR GOD.

No Testimony Without a Test

2009-02-28T08:58:00.000-08:00

Don't you hate it when someone says, "I know what you're going through"? When you're hurting, you really don't care to hear lectures, pep talks, and motivational speeches from people who have supposedly "been where you've been." A hug? Yes. A $100 bill? You bet! But empty words from some cheerleader on a sugar-high? Don't bother. It's like losing your job and having Bill Gates put his arm around your shoulder saying, "I know how you feel." Yeah right!

Let's face it, when life hurts, talk is cheap.

But what if someone really did know how you feel? What if they had walked a mile in your shoes? What if they sat where you sit? Now that would be different. You might actually be willing to listen, because you might learn something! You could ask questions...and get real answers, based on real experience.

Think about this: God turns obstacles into opportunities. Every pain in my life becomes an opportunity to share God's love, grace, faithfulness, and provision. Even when I don't see the "good" in tough times, two facts are always true: 1) God is there to help me through it; and 2) God wants me to use my pain to help others. I've reminded of this twice in the last week...

1. I heard about a family in Caldwell, TX who lost everything they owned in a house fire last Saturday. Immediately, my heart was broken for this family of six (mom, dad & 4 boys, ages 7-13), not just because it's a sad story...but because I have experienced a fire myself. In 1986, our family lost our home to a fire. I have often shared about how grateful I was to receive my first shirt, jeans, and 3-pack of Fruit-of-the-Looms after the fire. We stayed with a family from church for several weeks, until a rental home could be found. Eventually, life returned to "normal," but I'll never forget the feeling of huddling together with my family on the front lawn of my home while firefighters rushed in and out. The sights, sounds, and smells of that afternoon are still with me today.

2. I got an email from a missionary friend, Dick Herman, whose father was just diagnosed with a brain tumor. Immediately, my heart was stirred for him, not just because it;s a sad story...but because I have experienced the news myself. In the late 1990's, my dad was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I remember hearing the news of his stroke, the subsequent diagnostic tests, and the eventual surgery. I remember saying goodbye to him just before he was wheeled into the OR, and wondering if I would see him again. I remember the days, weeks, and months of recovery. I remember the way God provided for my family's finances in the most unexpected ways. Eventually, life returned to "normal," but I'll never forget the slurred speech, starry looks, and gentle seizures during those early days. The sights & sounds are still with me today.

So, what does all this mean? Twice in one week I heard sad stories. But twice in one week I was ready to respond. Why? Because the pain of my past became an opportunity for God's love to shine. My test became a testimony...and it was time to share! You may not have been through a fire, and you may not have watched your father recover from surgery, but you've still got something to share. So share it, and let the healing begin...

Life During Lent: Getting Rid of "IT"

2009-02-27T15:17:00.000-08:00

Sorry it has taken a few days to get back to you guys about my "Lent Life." I have thought a lot about this, and I keep coming back to this simple truth: I should give up something I would actually miss. For me, that's Diet Coke. (Yep, it's that simple...my apologies to those of you who were expecting something more!) IT doesn't necessarily have to be deep, or complicated, or of some "spiritual" value--IT just needs to matter to you. In other words, every time you get ready to eat, drink, watch, read, drive, play, or rent IT...you need to stop and think, "Nope, not this time. I'm giving IT up, so I can draw closer to Jesus."

So, that's my subtraction. Diet Coke.

Now, for the addition: I know I need to spend more time in prayer--that's a given. So that's #1: Get up 30 mins earlier to spend time with God.

Here's #2: Journaling. I have done this off-and-on for years, and although I usually get a lot out of it, I just seem to drop off after 3-5 days. Then, I start again 2 weeks later...then again 3 months later...then Michele has another baby, and I stop for a year! (In fact, come to think of it, that almost makes me want to stop journaling altogether! Yikes!) Maybe some of you are asking, "What's journaling, and why do it, anyway?" (Well, I think that would be a great subject for another blog entry.)

And for #3, I would like to blog more, during the 40 days of Lent. Sound strange? Here's my thought--I want to share what God is teaching me, and I want to hear what He is doing in your lives, too. This can be quite a season of refreshing for all of us, and I want to create the forum for us to edify & encourage one another. What are you learning? How are you growing? What's the hardest part? The most rewarding? You get the idea...

That's enough for now. I'd better be quiet so you can talk... (I'm going to go make a nice tall glass of Diet...water.)

Do You Observe Lent?

2009-02-24T23:12:00.000-08:00

I've been in church most all my life, but I've never observed the season of Lent.

Not really sure why, but my family didn't talk about it. And my church didn't teach about it. And so I certainly didn't think much about it. That is...until recently.

First, a brief explanation: Lent, in some Christian denominations, is the forty-day-long season of fasting and prayer before Easter. The forty days represent the time Jesus spent in the desert, where according to the Bible he endured temptation by Satan. Different churches calculate the forty days differently. The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer—through prayer, penitence, sacrificial giving, and self-denial--for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the events linked to the Passion of Christ and culminates in Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

So, in other words, this is a season of self-denial for the purpose of reflection and eventually celebration. But I wonder, do any of you in the Bridge Family observe this "holiday?" I've heard the phrase, "I'm giving up such and such for lent," but I've never really taken the time to personalize a response from my heart to the Lord.

This year, I want to.

Mark Batterson, pastor of National Community Church in Washington D.C., describes the Lent observance (or for that matter, FASTING in general) as being a two-fold process: SUBTRACTION and ADDITION. The following is an excerpt from his blog (http://www.evotional.com/):

"What do you need to subtract from you life? It might be a bad habit or waste of time or something that is permissible but not beneficial. Last year I gave up television for forty days. This year I'm giving up soda and candy. I know that doesn't sound super spiritual, but if you knew how much I love vanilla coke and gummy bears... What do you need to add to your life? You can't just subtract something. You've got to add something to your spiritual routine. I'm going to add an hour to my day. How? I'm setting my alarm clock an hour earlier than I normally do. I want to give God more of my most precious resource: time. I'm believing that subtraction and addition will result in multiplication. "

As part of our 10-week challenge (which of course lasts longer than 40 days), I would invite you to join me in the observance of Lent. Spend some time praying about your response, and then go for it! And whatever you do, remember it is a two-fold process--subtraction and addition. To put it another way, we need both fasting and feasting!

I'll let you know what I decide--but in the meantime, I would love to hear from the rest of you.

P.S. -- The "official" start of Lent is Ash Wednesday, which is February 25th. (So you'd better hurry!)

Give Me 10 Weeks

2009-02-24T21:54:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday, I issued a challenge to the Bridge Church family: Give me 10 weeks, and I'll promise you growth. Sounds easy huh? The thought originates in some real-life experience...some real-life weight loss experience, to be exact. Here's the story... (OK, just pretend that you care & keep reading!)

About 10 years ago, I needed to lose some weight. (Actually, I still do...but that's not the point here.) A health-conscious fitness-nut friend challenged me to devote 10 weeks to a dramatic, but reasonable, lifestyle change. He promised that if I would follow his instructions, I would see significant weight loss and improved overall fitness. I agreed. (I pretty much had to, because I was running out of clothes that fit...and I couldn't afford any new ones! Can I get a witness?)

The plan was simple:

1) No sugar (or soft drinks, candy bars, cookies, ice cream, or anything else that tasted sweet).

2) Exercise a minimum of 5 days/week, including both cardio and weight training. (I had never done either one.)

3) Make "better bad choices" (for example: pretzels instead of chips; carrot sticks instead of candy bars; diet drinks instead of regular; skim milk instead of whole; regular Cheerios instead of Honey Nut; need I go on?) And Numero Quatro... (This was the big one)

4) Keep a JOURNAL of it all! (every bite I ate, every mile I ran, every pound I shed, every notch in my belt...EVERYTHING!) He knew something that I didn't, but was about to learn: Journaling produces accountability, which is the key to discipline, which is the key to success.

So, I started right away. I was so desperate for change that I was ready for anything! So, I crossed my fingers, closed my eyes, and climbed on the scale to find out exactly where "ground zero" was. It was scary! But I was not to be deterred. Starting that day, I ate better, exercised more, journaled regularly, and felt more healthy. I was sure that the results would be great, and I couldn't wait to see how much weight I had lost in just 2 days!

But there was one more piece of advice that my "trainer-friend" shared: You can't get back on the scale for at least 4 weeks. What?!? Why couldn't I weigh after a few days, or even after a couple of weeks? Because my friend knew it would take time to see results--and he didn't want me to become discouraged by slow progress, and end up quitting in frustration. So I agreed (reluctantly).

Four (long) weeks later, I climbed on the scale and was shocked to realize I had lost 16 pounds! It was really working! Now that I had seen some results, I knew I could go the distance. I was ready for the long haul. Before long, people started to notice I was slimming down. Then my clothes started fitting better. Then I even started feeling stronger. Then I started posing in front of the mirror without my shirt on... (OK, I better stop there before you start having disturbing mental images. What's that? Too late? Sorry about that.)

The point is this: I was GROWING! (or in this case, shrinking--but you get the idea.) I believe the key to it all was the JOURNAL.

So, I started thinking... How many of us are frustrated by our lack of spiritual growth? We want to be spiritually "fit," but often seem to fall back "out of shape." We wish God felt closer to us. We feel lethargic at church. We wonder why our prayers aren't answered. We confess that the Bible seems dull, if we even try to read it at all. But if we could just STOP and LOOK at ourselves, we might see the true problem: SPIRITUAL LAZINESS.

Now, back to where we started, here's the challenge: Give me 10 weeks, and I'll promise you growth! I could give a list of simple steps to be followed (like the example above), but we're all at different levels in our spiritual maturity, and we all have different needs. Anyway, here's a few ideas:

1. Read the Bible for _____ minutes each day. (fill in the blank...but make sure it stretches you)
2. Pray for ____ minutes three times each day. (you eat 3 meals a day, right?)
3. Listen to a worship CD, or worship music from your ipod.
4. Turn off the TV 30 mins earlier at night, and spend some time reflecting on the day.
5. Try to memorize a verse of Scripture. (something that strengthens your faith)
6. Listen to a sermon from your favorite pastor while driving, instead of the radio.
7. Create a Top 10 List of the most urgent prayer needs (but don't include any needs of your own--only others!)

(I could go on and on making suggestions, but you need something that's personally tailored to your needs and "fitness level.")

And don't forget the most important part: KEEP A JOURNAL of it all. By keeping a record of your "exercises," you will be more likely to hold yourself accountable.

Thanks for taking the challenge. Let's see what God can do in your life--and in our church--in 10 exciting weeks!

Facts About Flipper's Family

2009-02-14T12:54:00.000-08:00

I'm not exactly a marine biologist (in case you didn't know), but recently I learned some fascinating facts about dolphins. OK, in the spirit of full disclosure, I should tell you that my "research" consisted of listening while my 8-year-old daughter, Macy, read a library book to me for her homework. I digress...

Just listen to this stuff, and take from it whatever you will:

1. Dolphins are mammals. (Don't worry, it gets better.)

2. They live in the water. (OK, I'm just joking about this one!)

3. Once they give birth, the parents continue to nurture their young for life. In other words, they stay together as a family unit, and demonstrate many "human" characteristics regarding relationships.

4. Although they live exclusively in water, they require oxygen to survive. (Just seeing if you're still with me...) Therefore, they have to return to the surface regularly for air. This fact is very important, because it leads into the last one. Are you ready?

5. When a dolphin is injured, the other dolphins in it's school (or family) do something incredible: they gather underneath the wounded dolphin and lift it to the surface so it can breathe. Think about that! The dolphins instinctively know that they must join together, work together, lift together in order to help their fallen friend. I can't think of a better picture of what the church is supposed to be about.

And let's take it one step further. Although the healthy dolphins want to help the wounded one, not one of them can do it alone. It would be too hard for one dolphin to singlehandedly support the weight of another, no matter how "willing to help" he was. The burden is just too great for one to bear--or even two to bear. It takes the whole group. Does any of this sound biblical? You be the judge.

"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not just please ourselves." (Romans 15:1)

"Consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4)

Bear one another's burdens. Love your neighbor as yourself. I could go on and on, but you get the idea. God's desire is for us to love one another deeply--even sacrificially--so that His Glory may be revealed in us. This is what the church is supposed to be. One family. One body. One school of dolphins! So, when you are wounded, I will be here to help. And when I am wounded, thank you all in advance for lifting me up, and giving me some fresh air! I love you guys. Thanks, Flipper...

Thoughts on Fear and Friendship

2009-01-20T20:26:00.000-08:00

The thought occurred to me today that fear is worse when experienced alone. It's true. Fear about your health problems. Fear about your financial struggles. Fear about your future plans. All three of these fears are real, and they are being experienced by some dear friends of mine at the present time. In each case, the fear is so real...it almost takes on a life of its own. Fear begins to overtake faith. It crowds out hope. It erodes peace. It triumphs over trust.

But think with me for a moment. Is fear as intimidating when shared with a friend?

Consider these terms: Loneliness. Isolation. Depression. Rejection. Discouragement. These words have a lot in common, don't they? Like birds of a feather, peas in a pod. Now, consider another list: Laughter. Warmth. Encouragement. Community. Acceptance. Sounds better, huh? When you think about it, these words are totally incompatible with the former list. Their worlds cannot coexist.

In other words: It's hard to be lonely when you're laughing. It hard to feel rejected when you're watching a game with the guys. It's hard to be depressed on the golf course (OK, well actually, that's not so unusual...) It's hard to be discouraged when your friends believe in you so stinking much!

Psalm 23:4 says, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil , for you are with me." That last phrase is the key. Why shouldn't I fear? Because You, O Lord, are with me. You are my Friend--a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Listen, for any child of God, the truth is you are never alone. That's a given. He is always with you...yes, even in the valley of death. But just in case His love feels too distant to make a difference, here's an idea: Call a friend. (yeah, like an earthly one!) Pour some coffee. Share your hurts. Open up a little. Let them love you, and you'll soon find out that fear has to flee, because true godly friendship wins every time.

What is God "calling" me to do?

2009-01-19T07:05:00.000-08:00

For the past few weeks, the messages on Sundays have been focused on the WORK that we are supposed to do, as believers in Jesus. 1 Corinthians chapter 3 teaches that every person will one day stand before God to have his/her "work" judged. Verse 13 says, "his work will be shown for what it is," and verse 14 says, "it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work." (Heavy stuff, huh?) One more thing: only if your work survives will you receive a reward.

So, the questions start rolling in like waves at the beach: What is my work? Am I doing it? Will my work survive the fire of God's judgment? Will I receive a reward? What if I'm not exactly sure? Can I know for certain that God is pleased with my work? The answer to the last question is YES! You CAN know what pleases the Lord. (Ephesians 5:10 says, "find out what pleases the Lord.")

So, let's take it one step further... Ephesians 4:1 says, "Live a life worthy of the calling you have received." Ask yourself an important question: "Do I have a CALLING?" You're thinking that stuff only applies to pastors and missionaries, right? Wrong. Every follower of Jesus is called to do something unique for Him. So what is your calling? Your purpose? Your job to do?

I encourage you to spend some time TODAY asking God these questions. Then, ask again tomorrow. And the next day. And the next. And keep asking, keep praying, keep searching...and God will begin to show you things. I promise He will, because He is a "rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)

And for those of you who are interested in further study, I would like to recommend a few resources that have greatly inspired and challenged me. You can pick them up at Barnes & Noble, or order them online from Amazon.com. Here they are: Visioneering, by Andy Stanley; The Dream Giver, by Bruce Wilkinson; and What On Earth Am I Here For?, by Rick Warren. Any of these would be helpful on your journey. Enjoy the search!

Duty or Delight?

2008-10-07T11:26:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about how God must view my "relationship" with Him. I've heard all the analogies about parenthood...you know, how a loving parent could never stop loving their kids, even if the only reason they ever call is when they need something. "Hey Dad, I love you...and by the way, can I have $20 bucks?" or..."Hey Mom, love your hair...and by the way, can I spend the night at a Jamie's house?" or..."Mom, Dad, you guys are the greatest! Can I borrow the car Friday night?"

You get the idea...

But I want my relationship with Jesus to be more than that. And sometimes it is, but sometimes it isn't. The whole idea of prayer should be more about knowing Him, and less about getting something from Him. Psalm 37:4 offers an incredible promise to all those who know God, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Encouraging, isn't it? But in an effort to claim the latter part of that verse (giving us the desires of our heart), I often skip right past the first part (delighting in Him).

Which brings me back to this simple question: Is my prayer time a DELIGHT or a DUTY? Do I pray because I want friendship with Him, or because I want something from Him? The cool thing is that Psalm 37:4 tells us that one leads to the other--as long as we keep the right perspective. It ends up something like this: "God I love you, and you already know what I need, so let's just talk a while and I know you'll take care of that other stuff later."

Sounds more like a true relationship, huh? Of course, the alternative is always an option: "Hey Jesus, you look great today...and by the way, can I have $20 bucks?"

Father's Day News of a Fourth!

2008-06-18T13:15:00.000-07:00

OK, the news is out: Michele and I are having another baby. (Whew! It's hard to keep something like that in...) Although we actually found out on the day before Mother's Day (ironic, huh?), we didn't share the news with the church family until this past Sunday, Father's Day. Wanting to wait until after the "official" doctor's visit, seeing the heartbeat, and telling our daughters the news...NOW I'm ready to let the whole world know! Praise the Lord!

In case you don't know our "story," Michele and I consider ourselves so blessed to be parents. After our first 2 daughters were born (2 1/2 years apart), we thought we wanted one more. (Maybe a son?) But what followed was 5 years of unexpected disappointment, as we struggled with infertility. Then during a season of prayer & fasting in early 2006, God spoke to my heart that we were going to have another child. (Long story...much too long for this blog, but still really cool!) Sure enough, in October of that year, Mackenzie Faith was born.

And now...she will have a little "something" of her own (brother or sister yet to be determined, or maybe I should say yet to be revealed, since actually the baby's gender is obviously already determined, well, you know what I mean...). At any rate, our new baby will arrive around Christmas time. Thanks to all of you who have been praying for us, and thank you for sharing our joy at this exciting news. Isn't God awesome?!

June 15th is coming...

2008-06-03T21:35:00.000-07:00

Just a little reminder that Father's Day will be here "Sooner" than you think.

(NOTE: This hint is directly intended to spark creative and expensive gift ideas in the hearts of wives & kids. In case you need suggestions, most men like ice cream, golf clubs, fishing gear, and gift cards to Academy Sports, Home Depot, or Fuddrucker's. Please do NOT attempt to spoil your #1 dad with a surprise Chuck-E-Cheese's pizza party or a Bed, Bath & Beyond gift basket. Just trying to help...)

Pot of Gold at End of Rainbow

2008-06-03T21:24:00.000-07:00

My apologies to those for whom this image forever ruins their love for the classic song, "Somewhere Over The Rainbow." But hey, you've got to admit it's a pretty cool picture...

Headlines of Healing

2008-06-03T20:57:00.000-07:00

A woman with a severely damaged knee is told she may never walk again...but later takes up mountain-climbing in Colorado. Another woman with a wounded wrist regains full strength and movement. A young diabetic begins to lose his vision due to complications from the disease...but returns to the doctor for more tests and is completely cleared. A young woman tells of a time when she collapsed and fell, was believed to be dying...but she awoke 3 days later to find her family making funeral arrangements(...which they immediately called off!).

Cool, huh?

These were just a few of the stories shared during our worship service Sunday. In all, there were 7 changed lives who testified of experiencing miracles of healing--and more surprisingly, nearly 50% of the congregation who stood, indicating they, too, had been healed at some time in their life.

What made the difference? In every case, people prayed in faith for God to heal...and He did! I still believe in divine healing--and even though I don't understand why ALL people aren't healed immediately when we pray, I will keep praying. God is faithful and I know He answers every prayer of faith--so just believe!

Back to Sunday, at the end of our service, the altars were filled with those in need of healing. And so we prayed! If you are one of those who came forward, please let us know when your miracle comes--because I want to be the first to celebrate with you! I am waiting expectantly, and I believe the miracles are on the way! (read Luke, chapters 8-9 for more of the miracles of Jesus; your faith will be increased, so be careful...)

March Madness with a Twist

2008-03-19T11:24:00.000-07:00

I recently read a blog from one of my good friends, Tom Goodman, pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Austin--so I'm passing it on to you. Although I am an Oklahoma Sooner fan at heart, I can't help but root for the Longhorns, too, in the upcoming March Madness college basketball tournament. Gotta represent... Anyway, this article will add a little something to your interest in the tournament--because it's about HEARTS, not hoops. Enjoy...

"Horns Coach Under Construction"

Maybe you missed today's Statesman article about UT men's basketball coach, Rick Barnes. Kirk Bohls points out that Barnes has dropped the swearing, started eating healthier, and developed a more serene sideline persona that has positively impacted his team. His players and assistant coaches have noticed, and their remarks on the change show up in the article.

Down in the closing paragraphs, you get a hint about what's going on:

"Ask him what's on his iPod," assistant coach Russell Springmann coaxed.

If Barnes isn't breaking down film of Austin Peay before Texas' NCAA tournament opener in Little Rock, Ark., on Friday, there's a very good chance he's listening to one of the sermons from Matt Carter, a preacher at the Austin Stone church where Barnes and his family attend services. They are members of Lake Hills Church in Westlake.

The coach also takes part with his wife Candy's daily devotionals and reads from books she has given him, such as Billy Graham's "The Holy Spirit" and Minneapolis preacher John Piper's "Don't Waste Your Life."

"The journey's real important," one Barnes confidante said. "Having self-control is never a bad thing."
I'm hoping to hear more about this life change in the near future. Life-change in Christ is noticeable! While few of us are as high-profile as a UT head coach, all who follow Christ have people watching our lives. Would your life-change be worth a Statesman article?

God is a Know-It-All

2008-01-14T20:12:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday, I began a new series of messages called, "Scrubs." The text for the series is Psalm 139, which is filled with references to the omniscience (all-knowing character) of God. By itself, that's an awesome thought! Just think: God knows everything! All the facts of the scientific world. All the figures of the mathematical world. All the formulas of the engineering world. He knows every species of the animal kingdom, every star in the solar system, and every symptom in the medical profession. He knows it all.

Yes, it's true: God is a know-it-all.

But here's the kicker. He not only knows everything there is to know about everything...he actually knows ME! (And since you're reading this, let's make it personal: He knows YOU!)

Read Psalm 139 and see for yourself. If I go up to the heavens, God's there. If I go to the depths, He's there. If I go to the far side of the sea, yep, you guessed it--He's there. In the light, in the dark--either way, He's still there. He knows my thoughts. He knows my words before I speak them. (That's scary.) He sees me when I sit and when I rise. Today, tomorrow, all my days were numbered before one of them came to be. Get the picture?

He's a know-it-all. But that's OK, because here's the coolest part. He loves you as you are. That's real love. Morning breath. Bad hair. Wrong-side-of-the-bed mornings. He sees it all...and He loves you. Road rage. Pressure at work. Sneaking that last piece of chocolate cake before bedtime. He sees it all...and He loves you. Blown fuses. Blown tempers. Blown promises. He sees it all...and He loves you.

Don't you just hate "know-it-alls"? I used to...but not any more!

"I'm not being fed at my church..."

2007-12-20T13:29:00.000-08:00

The following quote is from Steven Furtick of Elevation Church. It deals with the frustration many Christian leaders feel when trying to meet the ever-increasing demands of the people under their care. Certainly there are always those in need. But also, there are those who just need to grow up (Hebrews 5:11-14). Which are you? Maybe both. Wherever you find yourself, be warned: your reaction to this rant will be interesting! You may be offended. You may shout, "Amen!" You may think of someone who needs to hear it. Or, you may just be pricked in your own heart. But you'll definitely have a reaction.

OK, so here goes...

____________________________________

Proverbs 26:15
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.

What a great picture of nominal, noncommittal church attendees! We all know that one of top 3 reasons people leave churches is the (infamous) claim:“I wasn’t getting fed there.”

Maybe you weren’t.

Or maybe the church set the table, presented the bread of life, and you were too stinking lazy to bring it back to your mouth, chew it, swallow, and digest it, like a big boy.

You know, I don’t mind helping my 2 year old eat his Easy Mac. But if he can’t pick up a fork and bring the food to his mouth by age 20, we have a problem.

Churches are filled with those who have known Christ for decades, and still need a bib, a high chair, and want Daddy to do “open wide, here comes the airplane” tricks with the fork before shoving it into their mouths.

I try to serve up the Word, hot and fresh every single Sunday. But if you refuse to apply it, study your Bible and pray some during the week, join a small group and dig deeper with others…If you refuse to bring it back to your mouth, I can’t help you.

Get your own fork, and learn to feed yourself. Stop burying your hand in the dish and spitting out every thing that doesn’t give you a spiritual sugar high. Eat some vegetables. Serve. Pray. Practically apply the Bible to your life.

And I’ll keep cooking…

Life has pain, God has plans...

2007-12-15T20:31:00.000-08:00

Today, I attended the memorial service for Karen Witter, the Brookhollow Elementary fourth-grade teacher who died two weeks ago. It was an emotional gathering, as many of her friends and colleagues shared their memories of this special woman. Unique dresser. Passionate leader. Discerning counselor. Faithful friend. But as I sat and listened to the stories, my mind kept wandering back to the 19 children she left behind: her students. A good number of them were in attendance, and I am sure their lives have been forever changed by this unexpected turn of events.

Here enters Cindy Tyson. Mrs. Tyson is the teacher who will take over Mrs Witter's class, and help these students complete their school year. As I stood and talked with her from behind the buffet table of finger foods, the conversation centered around the task that lay before her. For the next 5 months, she will not only be a "substitute" teacher, but also a counselor, mentor, mediator, healer and friend. Hers is not an insignificant role.

What really spoke to me was this: she said she feels, more than ever before, that teaching is her "calling." Formerly a 5th-grade teacher with a class of her own, Mrs. Tyson had most recently been working a part-time support position at Brookhollow. Now, she is the one who is stepping to lead Mrs. Witter's class through some of the darkest days of their young lives.

Like Esther in the Bible, she was "called for such a time as this." And she is ready. But one last thing, get this: Mrs. Tyson also lost her 4th-grade teacher in the middle of the year when she was a child. She hadn't even thought about that in years, but in a recent conversation with her new class, she suddenly realized that she could truthfully say, "I've been where you are." Isn't that powerful?! Who better to care for those students that someone who has felt their pain?

Listen to this:

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10)

Do you see? A teacher "prepared in advance" to minister to 19 hurting students. Only God could do that! And just imagine what things in your future He is preparing you for today! Be encouraged today for you are "God's workmanship," and He has big plans for your life...

Saying Thanks is not enough...

2007-12-07T06:48:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is our Volunteer Appreciation breakfast. Since we do not have a building at this time, and therefore couldn't have our annual warm-and-fuzzy all-church-family Christmas dinner gathering, this breakfast is all the more significant.

2007 has been a big year! The church we have in December'07 is dramatically different from the one we had in January '07. With God's help, we've come a long way...and we just want to say "Thank you" to everyone who has worked so hard this entire year. If you are a "volunteer" (which is pretty much everyone in our church with a pulse!), come hang out with us Saturday morning. We'll have catered food, give-aways, and lots of laughter -- and the best thing is: it's all FREE!

Meet us at Glad Tidings from 10:00am to noon. Hope to see you there! We love you all,

David & Michele

First steps are fun to watch

2007-12-06T10:52:00.001-08:00

Over the recent Thanksgiving holidays, my 13-month-old daughter, Mackenzie, began walking on her own! After all the waiting, and cheering, and practicing, and working with her...it finally just happened. One day, she did it. No fan fare. No parade. No celebration. When the time was right, she just decided to walk.

First steps are great, but what makes them hold-your-breath suspenseful is the constant risk of falling. Maybe a better title would have been, "Falling is fun to watch." One step, two steps, fall. One step, fall. One step, two steps, three steps, fall. Every time Mackenzie fell, she looked up at us and laughed. The more she fell, the more she giggled. And do you know why? Because she knew that her mom or dad would be there to pick her up, dust her off, and set her on her feet again. Because she knows she is loved, the falling is not failure. It's just another opportunity to get hugged!

Maybe that's how we could look at our own failures. They are not the end--they are just falls in between steps. So the next time you fall, look up. Let God pick you up, love you, and set you walking again. He knows very well that one day soon, you'll be running!

It's finally here...

2007-12-06T09:26:00.000-08:00

For several months, I've been thinking about starting a blog. "Why?" you're asking. Well, besides the annals of thought-provoking insights that are sure to fly off my fingertips for your your reading pleasure (OK, maybe that's a bit of an overstatement...), I thought it would be a great way for us to keep in touch. As the lead pastor of The Bridge Community Church, I am excited about the future of our church! But at the same time, I am aware of the challenges that await us. As a "homeless church," we are always in need of more "together" time. No building does not have to mean no bonding. In fact, we must stay connected--both spiritually and relationally--if we want to be a church that God can use to reach the people He loves.

So, here it is. But let me clarify what "it" is... And perhaps it would be easiest to start by saying what it is not:

1. It is not the church newsletter
2. It is not the pastor's diary
3. It is not an online sermon resource

So what in the world is the purpose of a "bridge blog" from the pastor?

"Life at the Bridge" will be a place for us to meet, interact, share our hearts, and do life together. I will share my thoughts about how God is working in our church body. And I hope you will respond by sharing your hearts, as well. Think of it as online living room. Just come in, kick of your shoes, sit down by the fireplace (you can tell I'm writing this is the winter, huh?), sip on some hot chocolate, and let's talk about God. We are a faith family--so this can be our family room.

Bottom line, I want you to be encouraged, educated, challenged, and maybe even changed by what you read. (Pretty big build-up, isn't it? Well, let's just see how it goes.) Who knows, maybe our God will teach us all a little something as we commit to loving Him and loving one another...

I love you guys,
David