So Proud...

(Wow. I can't believe it has been so long since my last post-way too busy these days.)

I am going to use this post to brag about the people who are a part of the Bridge Church where it is my privilege to serve...

In a down economy and in a state with the largest unemployment in the nation, our people have stepped up their giving in some astounding ways. Many of the people who give have had a very tough year-some have lost their jobs, many have taken pay cuts and many are looking at having far less this year than in other years. Yet, they decided to make giving and sharing a top priority.

We have started a Community Food Pantry that is serving 100's of people. All of this is made possible through the generosity and service of the people here.

Dozens of people have received assistance with rent, utilities and other basic needs through our Benevolence Funds.

Yesterday was an amazing day as people brought dozens of packages and presents to give away to over 100 people in need in our Community. Check out this link. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/album.php?aid=258848&id=58282719234

I am so proud to be a part of a group of people who don;t make life about us but about others. I am so proud to be a part of a group of people who believe:

...for God so loved the world that He gave... So, we give!!!

What are you proud of? I'd love to hear from you....

Choosing to Obey...

I love the opportunity for new experiences. Last week I received a call from a friend who asked if I would baptize her in the river. I was a little surprised by the request because she has been a Christ follower for many years.

As we talked she told me that she had never been baptized publicly since she had committed her life to Christ and felt that it was time for her to do it. She wanted to be obedient to God's leading in her life.

So, yesterday about 20 of us went down to the Truckee River, in the pouring rain, and we witnessed her baptism. I must say that it was a new experience for me to baptize someone in the pouring rain. All of us were wet and cold but it was a great celebration.

I can tell you this, I will never forget this baptism. Partially because of the pouring rain but mainly because of her desire to obey God's prompting in her life. I went away thanking God for her example of obedience. And asking myself, where in my life do I need to choose to obey.

Where in your life do you need to choose to obey today???

Nothing to prove...

I had the privilege of being with a group of pastors earlier this week in a meeting with Larry Osborne-Teaching Pastor at North Coast Church. He shared a statement that had been passed on to him.

"You have NOTHING to prove and NO ONE to Impress."

This is something that I know but often forget. As a pastor and a person, I often struggle with living this out. I can get caught up in the following...

• Trying to prove my value and worth by what I do.
• Believing that the bigger the numbers we have the better pastor I am
• Trying to impress people with my speaking skills
• Wanting everyone to be okay with every decision we make
• Letting some criticism wreck me

This truth is something that I need to be remember all of the time. My value comes from who I am a God's child. He loves me and I don't have to try to prove anything to Him or impress Him with my great abilities. I belong to Him and that is something that no one or nothing can ever take away.

So. today I can relax because "I have nothing to prove and no one to impress." By the way neither do you...

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:31-32)

Money, Money , Money... Whose Is It?

I began a new series yesterday called "Money Matters". I am trying to address some of the basic issues about money that we all face and the truth is that Money Matters to all of us. Money plays such a huge role in our lives and we need to figure out how to handle this issue well.

The most basic issue that we need to answer is the ownership issue. Whose money is it? Who owns it? I work hard for it, I sacrifice a lot of time energy and effort for it. It's mine and I should be able to do with it what I want to. Isn't that the way we normally? I know it is for me. I have struggled a lot with this issue in my life and I've made some bad financial decisions because of it.

King David understood who owned it:

O Lord our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. (1 Chronicles 29:16)

Two things to remember:

1. It all comes from God.

2. It all belongs to God.

One of the things that helps me remember this is to constantly ask God how I am to use the resources that He has given to me. I also seek to constantly focus on what I DO have and not on what I DON'T have. So, this week I will take a few moments each day to write down the things that I have that I get to use and enjoy and THANK God for His amazing provision in my life.

What will you do to remember that it is His? I would love to hear from you.

Personal Confession...

I have a personal confession to make today. I've been doing a series on the Bible the past couple of weeks. One of the great things about teaching is that not only do you learn more that you teach but you are also reminded of the areas where you need to grow. I have been challenging our people to read the Bible for their own personal growth and relationship with God.

My personal confession is that I find it easy to read the Bible so that I can have something to teach and not necessarily for myself. I can sometimes go for days doing this and I find my personal walk suffering when i do. Can anyone relate to what I'm talking about????

Over the past few weeks as I have been preparing for this series God has helped change that focus. I have made some changes in my schedule and in my attitude to get back on track and this verse is helping to guide me.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35

I am taking the first part of my day to get alone with God and spend time in His presence and in His word for me-not for teaching. It's making a difference in my life and I'm loving it. So, the next time you see me ask me how's my personal time with God going? I will do the same with you.