From Garden to City

This was by far the best book on the theology of technology that I have ever read. Dyer chooses to move beyond the typical approach that technology is neutral – meaning technology is neither good or bad but rather can be used in good and bad ways. Instead Dyer adds layers to the conversation suggesting a multiplicity of ways technology changes us. Following the Biblical story of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration this book offered numerous insights into the shaping power of Technology on our life and souls.

Five Things thebridge Should Know!

Hey friends at thebridge – I am so excited about what God is doing and I just wanted to make you aware of a few things.

1. CAMBODIA MEETING – This Sunday after both services we will be having an informational meeting on our two upcoming trips to Cambodia. If you have any interest in going or would just like to hear more about the dynamic ministry we get to partner with this meeting is for you. We will probably be meeting near the coffee and snacks. Look for Cy!

2. PRAYER SURGE – We are partnering with the Ottumwa Community Outreach Ministry for 10 days of prayer starting tomorrow night. Every night from 6pm-8pm at the Upper Room you are welcome to pray. Over the last few days some people who call thebridge their home church have been working on creating some prayer stations. We still have a little work to do so if you have space to help let me know. The prayer room is open to anyone and you don’t need to sign up – so stop on by.

3. FINAL ELEVATE – Tonight is the last elevate of the school year. What an amazing year this has been for our student ministries. We are so excited about what God is doing in students lives. This summer is packed full of opportunities for students to continue in their journey’s.

4. BAPTISM – We are celebrating baptisms on June 10. Currently we have over 15 people who have expressed interest in being baptized. Over the past year we have had the honor of baptizing over 65 students and adults. If you are interested in getting baptized we have an informational meeting for you either this Sunday, May 20 after the second service or June 6 at the Vine Coffee Shop at 7pm.

5. re:focus EVENT – We are SUPER excited about our next re:focus event that is just one week away. The info is next Wednesday, May 23 from 6:30-8:30pm at the Bridgeview Center. You do not want to miss this night of vision, announcements, training, and celebrating.

Tuesday Youtube Tune

Looking forward to an album release by the Digital Age. Until then I’m enjoying this video they put out.

A resurrection sighting


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Today I had a resurrection sighting. Just a few days ago we planted our garden and already things are sprouting out of the ground. Such a simple and ordinary thing but my thoughts went straight to Christ.

The seeds we planted were from a vegetable that had grown strong and most likely nourished someone. The seeds that were left behind, after the cucumber was eaten, were then harvested and dried. They were dead, without any sign of life. However, after being buried the seeds started to sprout. Seeing the first shoots come out of the ground is so encouraging.

Jesus was sent to his grave as well, showing no sign of life, but He also resurfaced to show God’s glory. When I focus on the empty tomb I am empowered to actively wait for His return.

If seeds weren’t saved from old fruit and vegetables, we would not be able to feed those who hunger. In this way, we must spread the Word of God and His love like seeds in order to further the Kingdom and raise up new leaders to take our place.

SPRING:STORM


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This Sunday I focused on one of the most well known stories in all the Bible. David and Goliath!

Nothing says Happy Mothers Day like reading 1 Samuel 17:46, “Today the LORD will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your heard. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals.”

I attacked the story from two different angles. The first was a short examination on how David faced the giant. I wanted to clearly point out that at no point in time was David ever intimidated by Goliath. He was confident from start to finish. If we are ever going to defeat the giants in our life we need to transition from being intimidated and full of fear like Saul and the Israelites (1 Samuel 17:11) and become fearless and confident in who God is like David (1 Samuel 17:32). Further, David didn’t wait for the giant to come to him but he charged right at it. I know for me that I often become paralyzed by the giants I face. In fact if I do show any motion it is flight. I run away (1 Samuel 17:24).

The second angle was one that came to me just a few weeks ago and the idea is what if instead of seeing myself as David I saw myself as Goliath? Jeremiah 17:9, says “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” and I am always prone to see myself as
the victim
the underdog
the one who is facing the giant
but what if I took a moment and tried to accurately self access what is going on in me.

This examination led to three Goliath’s that rise up in me.

The Goliath of the mind – This is the anxious mind that is full of worry. This traveling down the road of self talk that leads to criticism, pessimism, and bitterness. This happens when we don’t trust God and fail to see a bigger picture. Romans 12:2 states that we need to renew our minds. We need to counter our normal thoughts with Biblical truth.

The Goliath of the mouth – I love how James states that our mouths are like a fire. So much potential for good but when unguarded it becomes a destructive force. Our words have the power to encourage or destroy, heal or hurt. It is our Goliath mouth that lies and gossip are spread. In James the author states that we have the ability to tame animal and beast but our mouths are yet to be controlled. We must continue the pursuit of being quick to listen and slow to speak.

The Goliath of the heart – In the heart is hidden the true giant. In one moment all is calm and then the next moment we have the Incredible Hulk rise up. Just under the surface is burning anger. Or the Goliath heart is the addiction of fantasy, sex, or alcohol. The tricky thing about the Goliath heart is that we have tremendous clarity to see in others but have no eyes to see it in ourselves. Only the Spirit of God can awaken us to it for we are quick to deny, blame, or excuse away the darkness that is in our hearts. Further complicating matters with the Goliath heart is even being exposed to it doesn’t cause it to leave. Confession, repentance, and obedience are required to take down the Goliath.

An additional side thought I had while preparing this weeks message was what happened in 2 Samuel 11. The beloved David that took down the giant in full confidence and devotion to the Lord became a Goliath himself. He saw something that was not his, stole it, and tried to cover it up. He saw himself as bigger than he really was and sent him on what Bill Hybels called a Swan Dive in a message you can view here.

Possible next steps:

1. Read through the book of James
2. Ask the Lord to reveal the Goliath in you
3. Confess what the Lord reveals to God and someone

Spring Series Preview


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We are starting a series entitled “Spring” the first Sunday after Easter. When I first thought of the idea I wasn’t planning on the weather being Spring like for February and March and going right to Summer in April. Just the same my calendar says that Spring goes past Father’s day which is in June so I’m sticking to the title.

The Spring Series will focus on the life of David with some messages titles being Spring Season, Spring Training, Spring Board and Spring Loaded. I haven’t put this much time and thought in a series since “Offerings” back in January of 2011. Today I ran some of the thoughts by the staff and their response got me fired up.

If you want to read ahead check out 1 Samuel 16 & 17.

Five Things For TheBridge To Know


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Here are five things you should know.

1. This Sunday is going to be amazing! We have Garth from Cambodia coming and sharing. He is an unbelievable leader and a highly gifted story teller and teacher. I can’t wait for your mind to be blown as to how big our God is and all that he is doing. Do whatever you can to make it this Sunday.

2. Sunday evening we are celebrating April Fools/Palm Sunday with a Night of Worship. The message for the night is “The Most Foolish Thing You Could Do.”

3. Easter is coming – Who have you invited? I’m getting ready to make a couple invites. Please be praying for me!

4. We are just a couple weeks away from launching our new series “Spring”

5. We are looking for some volunteers to help write some notes this week. If you can help – stop by the office and will set you up. As a token of our appreciation we promise to purchase you your favorite beverage.

Invite Bunny Invasion


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I’m pretty excited about our full page add in the saveottumwa.com weekly. Today over 21 thousand people will be invited to our Easter Sunday Services. For those of you who live out of the area this is what the add looks like.

re:focus round 2


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Hello Friends,

We are just a few days away (Wednesday, March 21, 6:30-8:00pm) from our second re:focus event, and I wanted to take a moment and share with you why I am so excited about the night we have planned. At our first re:focus event over 75 people came together to be trained by Charles Hill, a leadership consultant, and catch a vision as to how we can better serve God in and through our church. Our staff has since met frequently to specifically work on the implementation of several of Charles’ suggestions. We fully acknowledge that we have a ways to go, but we also believe we have made some significant progress, and we want to share that with you.

On Wednesday night we will unpack some of the changes that are being made to our Sunday Serve Teams that will hopefully help in communication, team building, and raising up more leaders. I will also be casting some vision and sharing why Easter 2012 is such a big deal. In addition, we will be having a short training on how to share your faith story in practical way.

We understand that this re:focus event is happening in the middle of Spring Break week and that several of you will be out of town. We are currently working on a way to video the night so those of you who are unable to join us can catch up when you return to town. To help us plan for the night, could I ask that you let us know if you plan on attending or not. For those of you who are unable to attend, would you inform us if this is something for which you would like a video. You can do this several ways: you can let us know via e-mail (office@ottumwabridge.org), call the office 641-682-9260, or let us know on your Connector Card this Sunday. Childcare accommodations will be made based upon advanced request, so please communicate your needs to us.

PS – SAVE THE DATE – April 1 at 7pm – Night of Worship April Fool’s Style! (Don’t be fooled; this is really going to happen.)

Leadership:Taking Action Part 1


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In preparation for this weekends re:focus event I want to share with you a series of posts on leadership. Specifically that of taking action.

Matthew 9:35-10:4

In these verses we see Jesus take action in four ways.

  1. He was taking action by teaching and healing. It says he was proclaiming the gospel and healing diseases.
  2. He saw a need. He saw the number of people and recognized they were helpless.
  3. He prayed. He recognized that the first solution to any need is God’s intervention.
  4. He sent out his disciples. He paired them up and sent them out to multiply the very thing he was doing.

A few questions to ponder:

What are you currently doing? Specifically what are you currently doing at thebridge? How are you serving? Do you realize that we need more of you doing what you are doing? We have a need for more people like you! What would it look like for you to pray about someone coming along side you to serve where you are serving? Ask God to send someone to  you so that you could apprentice them on your awesomeness.

This weekend we are going to be talking a lot about what it means to multiply ourselves by investing into others. If you haven’t signed up yet there is still time!