God Stories

Mike started our staff meeting on Wednesday by just listing off recent "God Stories" at The Bridge - ways we have seen God do awesome things in the lives of people at our church. It was just incredible to look at that list and think about each of those lives that have been changed by God. It's so easy to get side-tracked with doing the ministry that we forget to step back and just praise Him for what He has done in and through us. God has been more than faithful. My heart is so full of praise and celebration!

Now that we are finally back in town for a good stretch, I've been a busy little bee trying to get back into the full swing of things with church. There are so many things coming this fall that I am very excited about... Lake Day/Baptism, Women's Night out events, Family Fun Day, our first Women's retreat... just to name a few.

I can hardly wait to see the God Stories coming in the weeks to come!

verse on my heart today

I don't know about you, but I've had a few days filled with one tragic story to the next. With a heavy heart, I've been sitting at the feet of my Savior with petitions on behalf of those hurting. I was led to this verse earlier today...

"We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you." - Psalm 33:20-22

Acts 5 - Part 2

38Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." - Acts 5:38-39

Church planting is not the "easy road" as far as ministry work goes. Not by a long shot! In fact, there are some pretty dismal statistics about the number of church starts that fail compared to those that succeed. When my hubby first mentioned that he felt the Lord was putting church planting on his heart, I was sceptical (to say the least!). After all...we didn't know anything about starting a church from scratch! Wouldn't that require us to move and [gasp] try to find churches and individuals to sponsor us? I was pregnant at the time - just not the right timing, I thought.

But, weeks and months passed and Mike persistently kept bringing it up. We prayed for direction. Seeing him grow in conviction and resolve - I knew I was in trouble! Mike is very blessed with the gift of faith. He gets a direction from God and he is ready to immediately step out in faith and go and do whatever he is called to do. It's one of the gazillion things I love about him. I, however, am not so gifted in that area. I have the gift of organization. I see a task at hand and start coordinating all the little details needed to meet the goals. This church planting thing was WAY too overwhelming for my mind to take in!! Like the verses above, I was fighting against God. I remember fervently praying that if this was the road that the Lord wanted us to take, for Him to please give me that same calling and vision. And, to please give us some kind of inclination as to where to go from there.

It seemed that God's confirmations came one after the other. I went from finally accepting it, to having an insatiable passion for starting a new church. Those days were bathed in prayer for direction and vision. God began to lay the Morrisville community on our hearts and we couldn't shake it. He faithfully provided a launch team of incredible people who were willing to leave their home churches and take on this faith-adventure with us. Financial support came in. Meeting space was found. And, on April 16, 2006, we opened our doors for our first weekly services.

The Bridge is now approaching it's 2 year anniversary. We are having a celebration next week at church. Not to applaud us, but to celebrate with each other the work the the Lord is doing there. As part of the celebration, we've asked folks to email us their "Bridge Story" or how God has worked in their life as a result of The Bridge. Already, the stories bring such tears of joy!

I look around the people at The Bridge and it is so amazing to see the lives that have been changed. People who were far from God, who are now Christ-followers. People who had been scarred by churches in the past finding a church that loves and accepts them. The best way I can describe it is that I feel like I have front row tickets to watching an incredible work of God. "For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."

Acts 5:38-39 - Part One

God has used these verses in my heart for the last 2 weeks. It comes from Acts 5. After Christ's death and Resurrection, the apostles were boldly telling everyone they could about the truth of the gospel. In this case, they were imprisoned and yet an angel freed them and instructed them to speak again in the courtyard. When the officials gathered to figure out what to do with them, they came to this conclusion:

34But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."

The message of the apostles - the message of the cross - has not been stopped yet. Throughout history, many have tried to thwart it's progress. But, it is not a message or purpose of human origin; It will prevail.

And, I reflect on my own life.... There have been many times when I have fought for my own desires/purposes. Headstrong and proud. I have found myself fighting against the will of God, only to find failure and frustration. But, when I have aligned my life with the things the God desires of me, it has produced more than I could have ever imagined.

This week has been hectic as we are preparing for Easter. There is lots to be done - both for church and home. I am very excited that so many of my family from out of town are coming to visit and get to go to church with us!

All month long, the children at church (BridgeKidz) have been doing special lessons on getting ready for Easter... learning about Jesus and the cross, and what it means to them personally. My students are learning about how they participate in the Cross and the Resurrection. That God's immense love for us required the greatest sacrifice. The power of that love cancelled out all our wrong, and left us forever changed. Enabling a relationship with the one true God.

I was struck the other day about how much I am getting ready for Easter - physically. But, I had yet to really pause, reflect, and internalize. I don't want this Easter to pass without truly reflecting on the cross. And the grace. And the divine love for me. The love that has left me changed from the inside out.

And... I want this to be the center of my focus, not only on March 23rd, but everyday of my life.

Everlasting God

I have found so much encouragement from the song "Everlasting God" (by Lincoln Brewster) ..... "Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord". I have been belting out this song around the house for about a week.

Thought I'd share - maybe it is an encouragement to you, as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP2nz6PG8KM

lavishly loved

Happy Valentine's Day, bloggy world.

On this hallmark-created, lovey-dovey day, I want to leave you with a Bible Verse and a funny story....

"We love because He first loved us" - 1 John 4:19

This is the verse that Mike and I used in our wedding. I love it. We have the capacity to love because of the lavish love of God poured out on us.

I tried to have this verse engraved inside Mike's wedding band. Yes, I said tried. I requested them to engrave "1 John 4:19". And, when I picked up his band before the wedding, my quick glance inside did not catch the mistake. They left off the 1. It said John 4:19, which says "Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet" (it's the story of Jesus with the woman at the well, in case you were wondering). So, my husband has a permanent reminder that I think he is a prophet of God. Ha! Mike got the biggest kick out of this, and insisted on leaving it like it is.

Mike also had something engraved in my rings. One band says "Yes indeedy" and the other says "you're my sweety". Those of you who know my husband will be surprised to know that he can be a little sappy at time. I love that man. I am his sweety.

Verse on my heart today

I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.

-Lamentations 3:19-25

Verse on my heart today

"Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." - Psalm 73:23-26

Catalyst '07 - what reverberates within me...

Attending a powerful conference, such a Catalyst, leaves me a little awestruck, convicted, and revved up to serve at The Bridge. There was so much wealth of insight. So much that I think it will take time to fully process all of it. It was easy to sit and take notes of the great quotes and thoughts... but this is far insufficient until I explore the many facets that I need to apply to me (& my ministry & my church).

So, while I digest all of this, I thought I would at least highlight some of the "nuggets" from the conference that struck me:

• Its time for churches to move away from promoting "moral legislation", and focus more on changing the hearts & lives. A pastor shouldn't preach a message without having an avenue for people to respond. It is the role of the church to help people take next steps. Christians are not hated for being righteous, but for our self-righteousness. [ouch] We must redeem the word "Christian". It has a bad connotation today. (from authors of UNchristian - the book next on my reading list...more on this later)
• You can be successful in ministry or building a church without truly loving God or the people of your church. (Francis Chan)
• Practical Atheism -- defn.=believes God exists, but does life as if He doesn't. Happens even to those in ministry at times. We start to believe our efforts are greater than God's power. We believe our private life doesn't effect our public ministry. We feel we must please people more than we please God. The way I do the work of God can destroy the work of God in me. (Craig Groeshel)
• Intentionally add value to people everyday. (John Maxwell)

In addition, I was challenged to pursue more social injustice outlets for The Bridge. And, maybe ways that we can be "green" (no, tim, I am not a tree hugger).

I found out about this company that is doing an incredible thing - they sell these shoes, and for every pair bought they provide shoes for someone in an impoverished country that cannot afford them. Great story and concept. I bought a pair of TOMS. Check out their site and story.

Perhaps you will be hearing more as I am able to process it all. :)

Only Grace

Every now and then a song comes along that seems to epitomize my thoughts and feelings... and this song becomes my anthem, so to speak, for a period of time. For a long time I was hooked on the praise song "In Christ Alone". I still love it.

However, there is a song that I am now captivated by -"Only Grace" by Matthew West. I think what I am drawn to the most is how this song reminds me of why Mike and I started The Bridge. A place free of judgement. We love our community so much, and our hearts ache for them to see the love that God has for them. So many have come to our church without any church background. Others are de-churched... they have been burned by church in the past. They are finding a place of acceptance. Most importantly, they are finding Christ. It is only by grace...the grace that I don't deserve, but that God pours on me... and you. Beyond amazing.

I have the lyrics below, and if you would like to hear the song, play the video below (someone made up this video, it’s not the artist’s video for the song - but it's really great).

Only Grace - by Matthew West

There is no guilt here
There is no shame
No pointing fingers
There is no blame
What happened yesterday
Has disappeared
The dirt has washed away
And now it’s clear

Chorus:There’s only grace
There’s only love
There’s only mercy
And believe me it’s enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
There’s nothing left now
There’s only grace

You’re starting over now
Under the sun
You’re stepping forward now
A new life has begun
Your new life has begun

Chorus

And if you should fall again
Get back up, get back up
Reach out and take my hand
Get back up, Get back up
Get back up again

Chorus: (2x’s)

In my defense...

We had an incredible communion service at my church tonight. I really felt God's presence and His Spirit at work. It is so important to REMEMBER Christ, and His work on the cross for us. This ties into what I read this morning from 1 John 2:1&2 -

"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for[a] the sins of the whole world."

I love this image... God is the ultimate JUST God. He sits as the Judge in the courts of heaven. Because He is just He has to give us what we deserve - which is death (Rom. 6:23). So, we enter the courtroom and the sentence is about to be served.. when our advocate, Jesus, steps up and speaks to the Father on our behalf. In our defense. Not only that, Jesus announces that the price for our crime/sins has already been paid! He died for those sins and they exist no more. We are clean. Pure. Then, the loving and just Father embraces us, accepts us to Himself. Its a beautiful picture of God's gracious and undeserved love. Well worth remembering...