Book Look

I've been asked to post the books that I recommend in my sermons on my blog. So, as we go along, I'll occasionally put a book up here that has helped me in my walk with God. So here's the first - The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. Practicing the Presence is all about learning to stay connected with God throughout our day. That no matter what we do, or where we do it, we can maintain a constant connection with Christ. It's been awhile since I read Practice, but I remember it being a very odd book. It was written probably 2 or 3 centuries ago and details the determination and practice of a monk named Brother Lawrence to learn to experience God in his routine and daily experiences. You can click here to see it on Amazon.

Developing Spiritual HABITS

Don't forget that next Sunday we will begin our series called, "Developing HABITS That Will Change Your Life." This morning we looked at "What is the Importance of the Spiritual Family." We learned about how being connected with a church helps us to grow in our faith. But we also learned that we have a responsibility for our own spiritual growth as well. That is where the HABITS come in. These HABITS are the tools we need to learn to walk with God on our own. Habits can make or break us. Learning to develop spiritual HABITS will enable us to grow deeper and deeper in our relationship with God.

Our One Year Anniversary

This morning we celebrated our one year anniversary at The Bridge! Our first weekly service was last year on Easter, April 16th. This past year has been amazing to see how God has been at work in and through us! We've had some highs and lows but, in it all, God has been at work changing lives. I am so blessed to pastor such an incredible and growing community! We treasure every person that has connected with us over the course of the year.

Anyway...thanks to everyone who contributed to our celebration today. I'm sure I'll forget someone, but here goes:

Stacy and Amanda for organizing the kid games

Russ for running sound

Jeff for running the media

Lauren for making the cakes

Tim for getting the food and drinks catered

Eddie and Dee for the tables and chairs

Tim for creating the slideshow of the past year

Our setup/breakdown team for the extra hard work

The children's workers for their diligent work with our youngters

Cary, Amanda and Jeremy for leading worship

Did I forget anyone???

New and Improved Worship Band at The Bridge

Not that the old way of doing things wasn't great, but our new and improved worship band did an awesome job yesterday in their debut! The music sounded great and I'm really proud of all the team and their leader (Amanda, I mean, Cary)! Thanks to all the team members - Cary, Amanda, Jason, Jeremy, Tony, and Linda! And thanks to our sound man, Russ! Anyway...I don't have any pictures including the whole worship team so this one of Cary and Amanda will have to do until I get a new one! Thanks guys! I love the worship!

Jonah

I was reading through the story of Jonah and came acrossed this verse today - "...for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. " (Jonah 4:2b - NKJV). Isn't it great to know that our God is a gracious and merciful God? He is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness. He is so patient with us and so willing to forgive. Where would I be without his grace, mercy, lovingkindness, etc?

World's Best Devotional

I've got it listed under the links on this blog, but I feel like I really need to highlight Oswald Chamber's devotional book called "My Utmost For His Highest." His writing style is sometimes hard to follow - like reading the King James Bible if you're not use to reading the KJV. But the content of what Chambers has to say is almost always outstanding. I hope you will go and buy yourself a copy of his book or read it online.