Generosity...

"Free from the love of money" 1 Tim. 3:3

"God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Cor. 9:27

Today, as I met with a group of men we discussed what it means to be generous. Someone has said that being a follower of Christ and generosity are inseparable ideas. I agree-following Christ should make us free from the love of money and stuff-willing to share and give.

Let em share how I have seen generosity demonstrated in the last few days with the people I love a do life with. People gave away over 700 shoes. Another group served and gave food to almost 100 families. Several people worked to clean up an area our kid's playground area. Someone took a guy out so the he could buy groceries. Another gave his time to visit with a sick friend. People gave financially to help us reach this community.

On and on and on I could go. I see generosity all over the place and it makes me ask myself: How can I be generous today?

So, what stories of generosity have you seen lately? I would love to hear from you...

Willingness Matters More than Power

Yesterday was another amazing day at the Bridge Church. Pastor Tim delivered a great message on giving and service. He said some great things but there is one thing that continues to resonate with me.

We think that is it our power and influence that God will use to change the world. And most of us have very little power and influence so we think that we have very little to offer. But, we are wrong.

It is our willingness to be used by God that matters more than any power or influence and even fame or fortune.

"Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." (1 John 3:18)

So, the question for you today is this: Am I willing?

Time To Celebrate...

These past few weeks have been wild and crazy here at the Bridge Church. I just want to take a few moments to Celebrate the great week God is doing through the Great People at the Bridge Church.

We have taken on a major painting project in our Kidz Zone Ministry that is 95% complete. Our Food Pantry is helping to provide food for several hundred people each month. We put together over 13,000 Easter Eggs that were given out to over 1,500 people on Saturday. And, our Easter Services reached hundreds of people with the good news that Jesus is Alive and LOVE WINS.

In the process we have seen over 20 people come to Christ and dozens of significant decisions have been made. Lives are being changed. I have to be honest, I am tired and I know that many of you are as well, BUT I am so excited about all that God is doing. Let's never forget why we do what we do-people matter and everyone needs hope!!!

Thanks to each and everyone of you who have been a part of all of this. There is nothing more fulfilling than doing great work with great people. Take some time to celebrate all that God is doing. What a privilege to serve alongside all of you. Love you all...

Forgive them...

Over the next couple of weeks I want to look at the last words Jesus spoke while on the cross. The first is found in Luke...

When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. (Luke 23:33-34)

In the last 15 hours Jesus had faced betrayal by a friend, agony in the Garden, being deserted by all of the disciples, three trial in front of the religious leaders of Israel, being denied by Peter, three trials in front of Rome, several beatings, insults and mockery from those he loved and finally he was chosen to be crucified in the place of Barabbas. He then had to walk the path to Golgotha and be nailed to the cross. We can't even begin to imagine all of the pain and agony he felt.

I get bent out of shape if someone says one thing about me that is not true. I get upset if a friend turns against me. I have never had to face any real physical pain that comes close to what Jesus endured-yet I know if I ever had to, I would not deal with it well at all. I don't know about you, but whenever I face tough times my focus gets placed on me and I rarely think of others.

Yet in the middle of all that he was going through-Jesus was thinking and focused on others. His first words from the cross were "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing."

Forgiveness is why Jesus went to the cross and forgiveness was on his heart as he hung there. All of this tells us there is no sin too great, no action so harsh that the grace of God can't reach us and forgive us and give us a new start.

I find great encouragement and hope from these words. I believe that you can regardless of your story. And just maybe, we can also forgive those who had hurt as just as Jesus did. Waht do you think? I'd love to hear from you...

Where to Start...

As we head into this new year, I want to address some critical issues that keep us from living the life we long to live and the life that God has called us to live. But where do we start????

These issues really have to do with the way that we think than with the way that we live. I am NOT saying that our actions aren't important. They are-but our actions come as a result of what we think and believe.

For as he thinks within himself, so he is… (Prov. 23:7)

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…. (Rom. 12:2)

The place to start-it is in our thinking.

Over the next few weeks, I will address four major areas that impact the way that we live because of the way we tend to think. (These are the same issues that I am addressing each week The Bridge Church). My prayer is that we will allow God to transform our mind so that we can live a transformed life.

So, this week, we will address: Living with Nothing to Prove....

What are the issues that you face as you head into this year?

What are the changes that you most want to see in you life?

What do you want to be different for you a year from now?

I'd love to hear from you...