Connecting People to People and People to God

Your Neighborhood Connected

It's possible that I'm jumping the gun on this.  But I'm so excited I'm not sure that I care.  So if you're a Bridge attender and really like surprises, don't like knowing about really amazing stuff in advance and are just in general boring then don't read the rest of this post.  Trust me.

It's been bothering me for sometime and just the past few weeks have I been able to articulate my bother into coherent thoughts and then eventually coherent words.  Currently we meet at the  corner of Taylor Road and Pughsville Road.  For the past, almost, 2 years we've been carving out our space on the map.  In many ways a church plants greatest challenge is to validate itself in the eyes of it's community.  In a weird sort of way the mentality is if you gain a certain number of people then suddenly you are validated in the eyes of the community and with that validity comes staying power.  

Ahh... but that is not the purpose of the church, either the Church universal or The Bridge Church.  We are validated by our focus on Jesus Christ and our fulfillment of connecting people to people and people to God.  Rather than ask our neighbors, neighborhoods and community to validate us what if we look outward and search for ways to redeem THEM.  Now if you're part of our community at large then that might sound demeaning to you... it's not meant to.

We, the church, realize that those outside the church have many of the exact needs that those inside the church have.  We all have a desire and need to have healty relationships, we all want a healthy marriage and strong family.  We don't want to have to worry about money and somehow we're all frantically trying to figure out how to add more hours to our days rather than cutting things from our hours.  All of these areas in our lives need to be redeemed that is why The Bridge is passionate about connecting people to people and people to God.  Freedom lies in that connection.

Starting December 7 we are starting an effort called "My Neighborhood Connected".  You can read more about it at www.thebridgechurch.tv.  Stay tuned for updates and how you, whether you attend The Bridge or not, can get involved in this incredible effort to connect people to people and people to God.

• Pray for your neighbors, neighborhoods, and immediate community.
• Identify your neighbor.  What do they worry about?  What are their hopes and dreams?  What do they want for their families and children?  (Probably the same things as you!)
• Invest in your community.  How can you invest, both for your good and the good of your neighbor?  When we get connected we all win!

  Click on the map to get interactive.  Type in your address to see where we're already connected.  If you want to be added to the map leave a comment or send an email to info@suffolk-bridge.org.
  

5k

I let Heather use my garmin so I was left to pace myself and run by feel not gps.  So it was me and my cheap walmart watch.  The weather was cool but not windy.  I would say high 30's-low 40's at start.  I felt strong from my warm up and knew I had a chance to hit my sub 22:00 goal.

First mile was spent picking off slower runners and letting the crowd thin out.  I needed a 7:15 mile or better for mile one.  I passed the marker at 7:10.  Perfect, especially considering much of the mile is a gradual uphill climb.  I picked it up a little, ran through the water stop and got in good position for the turn around.  I noticed that I was on a slight downhill so I stretched out my stride.  I hit mile two marker at 13:54.  At this point I knew sub 22:00 was mine if I really wanted it.  Meaning if I was willing to hurt a little bit and push myself.  I decided that today I would be a man and go for it.  So I did.

The third mile hurts the worst.  At this point I focus on running tall, keeping my head up and maintaining good form.  I also start picking runners to pass, one, then the next, then the next.  You do that for 4 or so minutes and then the rest is just raw determination.  I had .25 mile left and it was time to kick.

I rounded into the homestretch and saw the clock.  I saw "20" and knew I would make sub 22.  I just wondered how low it would be.

I crossed in 21:20, so the winner is Kristy.  She only missed by 5 seconds!  

So Kristy, pick the place and me, you and Heather will go to lunch sometime.  Please not Chili's.  I hate that place.  :)

Jesus

I've been thinking about Jesus a lot this week.  I don't know what came first my thoughts on Christ-less religion or my thoughts on Jesus being central to the christian faith.  At first it seems like a no brainer that Jesus CHRIST would be at the center of the Christian faith.  See Christ-less religions; like Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, paganism and so many others are one thing.  They are Christ-less religions.  From the beginning they state they do not regard Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  He might be a prophet, teacher, good example, or something else entirely but never is Jesus toted as their token savior while holding no emphasis or power in the mysteries of the faith.

Then we come to Christ-less Christianity.  In my mind a far more destructive teaching and theology that the religion above.  Because in Christ-less Christianity we put Jesus on the center stage, right where he should be and then turn off the spot lights and get something good going on the side stage.  Every now and again we might mention that Jesus is central, he's on the center stage, you can check him out if you want to but the real show is over here.  

I heard the words clear yesterday while I was out running that if I were to ever preach a Christ-less message of salvation, that I would be preaching death.  If I were to ever tout self-help, salvation through morals, or some other type of non Christ salvation that I would be preaching death and that my lips would serve God better sealed than to be allowed to speak such lies.

I commit to preaching the crucified and risen Christ.  There is power in the cross, there is power in the Christ.   May we worship him forever.

Thanksgiving to New Year's Pound Package

Most people gain about 10 lbs per year.  Some people lose it while others don't.  I'm sure most of those pounds come between thanksgiving and new years.  I've got a few tips that will get you through the holidays without putting on excessive weight, in fact, if you're disciplined enough you can drop weight during the season where everyone else is gaining.

• Water is your friend; before you sit down for your holiday feast(s) drink a regular sized glass of water.  Drink it quickly.  If after your first plate you plan to go back for more then drink another glass.  If you still feel the need for more then you are an eating machine.
  
• Plate it.  I know at parties and meals when the spread is out it's tempting to grab a cookie here and a snack there without ever putting it on the plate.  As if by not plating it we get around that its not the best food choice at the time.  Plate your food.  Commit to only having one plate.
  
• Just because food is there doesn't mean you have to eat it.  Eat when you are hungry.  The flip side is if you know food is going to be present then don't eat before going into the party eat light that day so you have the flexibility to eat some party food. 
• The opposite strategy is  useful too.  If you know you aren't at the point where you can have the self-control to only eat a little or a few of your favorite things then commit to not eating while you are there.  Eat a good sized meal before arriving so you know there is no possible way you'll be hungry.

Remember the holidays are about people, not about food.  This might be the year, in order to reach a goal or milestone, you need to skip out on that piece of pie.   It's not a forever decision, the pie will be there next year.  But it's a step in reaching the goals you've set for yourself.

Vision

I came across the blog of Perry Noble and he was talking about Pastor's not quitting.  While I don't need that word right now I do love how his encouragement not to quit...is about vision.

Reasons 1-4 are here

#5 - There ARE People Who Believe In The Vision God Has Given You!  
I used to allow myself to think that the one or two idiots/bloggers out there who were attacking me were the majority!
I used to allow myself to think that the two or three negative emails I would get were the opinions of the masses.
I was wrong!
When you cast a compelling vision…it will fire some people up and piss some people off…
And the ones that are pissed are usually the most vocal.
But you can’t allow the pissed to trump the passion God has placed inside of you!
AND…you’ve got to understand that there are people ON BOARD!  People DO BELIEVE in the vision God has placed IN you…the one like Jeremiah 20:9 describes!
Don’t focus on the critics and skeptics…focus on the ones who buy in, who ask the right questions and focus on the right issues…and who will charge hell with you!
They are IN YOUR CHURCH!  Find them…pour into them…and begin a revolution!!!
DON’T QUIT!!!

5K Predict my time

Ok it's that time again.  I'm running a 5K on Thursday and I'm giving you the opportunity of winning lunch, my treat.  The person that guesses my time or closest to my time wins.  It's that simple.  

1. If two people chose the same time then the first person to guess wins.  So don't pick the same time as someone before you.
2. One guess per person.
3. If a couple/family guesses together 1 person gets lunch not the whole family.
4. We'll go by my watch time at the race (you'll just have to trust me.)

Some information that might help you.

• I ran this race last year.  It was my first running race.  My time was 28:43
• I ran a 5K in Feb in 26:23.
• I ran a 10K in May in 53:10.
• I ran a 5K in July in 24:22 (I got a little lost)
• I ran a 8K in September in 37:52  

The forecast for Thursday is low 50's and mostly sunny.  Guess using the comments section.  Guesses will be taken until Midnight Wednesday. 

Wonder about Wonder

Tomorrow it's very possible that I will at some point be planted on my couch, or someone's couch watching the Redskins play football.  That's possible and even likely.  What's even stronger than likely, in fact, I can say this with complete confidence that I'll be right; at some point while watching that game I will emotionally invested.  I will be disappointed in Clinton Portis doesn't play.  I will celebrate when Moss makes a catch, I will groan if someone fumbles the ball.  I will be emotionally invested.   I will find something to cheer about.I had some awesome father/son time with Nathan, my 3.75 year old today.  We were walking out of a store and I was holding his hand.  He was using my hand as a super launcher booster to get maximum elevation out of his jumps and then landing hard on the asphalt.  He did this a few dozen times and then said "Dad, it's not breaking."  "What's not breaking?"  "The ground."  I almost laughed out loud and explained to him that he wasn't heavy enough to land and break the ground.  It seemed to make sense to him and we walked to the car.  I love the fact that in his mind he should be able to break the ground if he landed hard enough.

So why is time with God such a question mark sometimes?  Why when I read my Bible, sing in a worship service, or preach the word of God I've got the big question mark over my head if I'll have something to cheer about.  I think it's doubt.  Genuine, not from God, doubt.  There is good doubt and bad doubt.  This is bad doubt.  

God free me from my doubts.  Remove the question mark, give me faith.

Can't eat list

Last week I covered the topic of the safe list.  The list of foods you can keep on hand and keep in mind.  These are foods that are high on the healthy scale and low on the junk scale.  They should make you feel satisfied while not sabotaging your plan for the day.

Today I want to cover the opposite type of list.  The can't eat list.  Wait, don't go yet.  Back to the topic of self-control some people just don't have it.  It takes a militant mentality to make weight loss a success.  There are several foods that had to make their way on my can't eat list.  Some of them have made it off but still others never have and I don't think ever will.  Many of these are carry overs from the way I used to eat.

• Donuts or pastries of any sort.  Betcha can't eat just one.  For me, this was true and I found it best to never touch one.  I still haven't had a donut because I don't believe I have self-control over these items.
• Cake.  This is one of those I have incorporated back in.  Its easier to only take one piece of cake, especially if it's cut and serve on plates.
• Chips.  We found a good substitute for regular potato chips was the single serving bags of baked lays.  I'm usually not fond of the single serving size of anything because of cost but this was a great tool in portion control. 
• Candy.  I'm a candy fiend.  I always have been and assume I always will be.  Only I don't eat one piece of candy.  I eat the whole bag.  I avoided this but never touching it.  

Probably it's a live and learn.  You know what your no no foods are and if you don't know you will soon.  The problem isn't that there are bad foods just foods that cause you to lose control.  How ironic it is that the foods on my list are not very filling, nutritious, or good for you?

 

Uncharted

These waters are uncharted and it's exciting.  On tuesday of this week I met with the man that I'm accountable to in regards to well... just about every arena of my life.  I can't tell you how much I look forward to these meetings because every 4 months whether I want it or not I have this meeting.  I always leave encouraged, empowered and with a fresh perspective on the task God has called me to (that's old skool talk for "vision").

As we were seated at the restaurant on Tuesday and after he had heard all the incredible things God has begun to do in The Bridge he prayed for me and essentially he prayed for us.  In his prayer he says "May they be a showcase for your glory."  All I could say was Amen.  That is my prayer for my life and for our church.  May we be a showcase for His glory and not ours.  

I've spent the better part of my week meeting with the ministry leaders of The Bridge and working with each other to ensure that we are on the same page.  What I have found in common in each of these meetings is several things:

• Passion for the fresh vision God has for us.
• Willingness to change for the sake of reaching others for Jesus Christ.
• A high level of sacrifice and commitment to the cause.
• Trust in me and in others that we are working toward the same goal.

Those are considerable things and I can't tell you what an incredible week it's been.  

To wrap this up I was reading and the author began to talk about glory.  Kabod in Hebrew and Doxa in Greek.  They both imply a heaviness, weighty.  What an incredible way to describe man's chief end- to glorify God and worship him forever.

May we grasp the weight of God this week and seek to know that glory.  God free us from the fairy view of you as if you are tinkerbell sprinkling magic dust around our prayers.  Let our mind conceive the concept of just a glimpse of your glory.  Like Moses let our faces shine with the reflection of you simply because we saw the place where you were, the place you have been.

Seeing

This song perfectly articulates the prayer I've been praying for myself, my family and my church.