One of the most exciting things that I can think of is being a part of something. I can remember as a kid always wanting to be a part of the best team in Little League or wanting to be a part of the most popular group in school. As humans we all want to belong to and to participate in something big. As Christians we have the ability and opportunity to truly belong to and to participate in something big, something that is even bigger than life.
Personally, I think it is pretty cool that God would choose to use us to participate with Him in His redemptive story for the world. I mean if you think about it, in comparison to Him, we are pretty insignificant, yet He wants us to participate. I heard a Pastor speak about this and show an example of this through Jesus’ miracle of turning water into wine (John 2:1-11). If you think about this miracle it would have been just as easy for Jesus to turn air into wine. He is Jesus, He has no limits and He really could have turned anything into wine. Instead though, He chose water because it was something that gave the people an opportunity to participate.
John 2:7-8 “Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then He told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
We have the same invitation from God today. He has invited each of us to participate in His plan for this world. It happens though when we begin to be a part of His work right here in our neighborhoods, in our children’s schools, in our workplaces, in the grocery stores that we frequent, and every other place that God sends us to. I plan to be a part of something bigger than life; I plan to join Jesus on His mission by simply listening to His invitation and being bold enough to jump in and participate.
D.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Friday, March 2, 2012
Multi-Generational
I'm pretty excited about the series we are starting at church this week. I'm always excited about the series, but this one in particular, as we are covering the Bible. What's cool about it is that we are teaching the same lessons and principles in Children's church, youth and our main service at the same time. This is such a great opportunity for us as we develop a relationship with the Word of God at every age group in the church.
One thing that is so important to remember is that the Bible will always be relevant no matter your age or your background. The Bible isn't a book of don'ts but a book of do's. It's a book of do's to have a successful relationship with God. It's the living, active, powerful Word of God.
I'm excited to see what God will do in our church as we all learn about His Word together. The message will going from generation to generation and I believe that God is going to honor this and place an anointing in the church to develop a relationship with the Word of God. It doesn't matter if you are in children's church or if you an adult just scraping through life, the Word of God is a relationship worth pursuing.
Psalm 78:1-4
"Listen, dear friends, to God's truth, bend your ears to what I tell you.
I'm chewing on the morsel of a proverb;
I'll let you in on the sweet old truths,
Stories we heard from our fathers,
counsel we learned at our mother's knee.
We're not keeping this to ourselves,
we're passing it along to the next generation—
God's fame and fortune,
the marvelous things he has done."
I hope that you, whoever is reading this, takes the challenge to pass it along to the next generation!
If you want to check out what we're doing come pay us a visit!
www.mybridgechurchjax.org
http://www.facebook.com/#!/thebridgechurchjax
One thing that is so important to remember is that the Bible will always be relevant no matter your age or your background. The Bible isn't a book of don'ts but a book of do's. It's a book of do's to have a successful relationship with God. It's the living, active, powerful Word of God.
I'm excited to see what God will do in our church as we all learn about His Word together. The message will going from generation to generation and I believe that God is going to honor this and place an anointing in the church to develop a relationship with the Word of God. It doesn't matter if you are in children's church or if you an adult just scraping through life, the Word of God is a relationship worth pursuing.
Psalm 78:1-4
"Listen, dear friends, to God's truth, bend your ears to what I tell you.
I'm chewing on the morsel of a proverb;
I'll let you in on the sweet old truths,
Stories we heard from our fathers,
counsel we learned at our mother's knee.
We're not keeping this to ourselves,
we're passing it along to the next generation—
God's fame and fortune,
the marvelous things he has done."
I hope that you, whoever is reading this, takes the challenge to pass it along to the next generation!
If you want to check out what we're doing come pay us a visit!
www.mybridgechurchjax.org
http://www.facebook.com/#!/thebridgechurchjax
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Love
Ah Valentine's Day...a day where love is the main thing on people's mind. It's funny because really love should be the main thing on our mind all of the time.
I was thinking about love and all that stuff today and I had a few thoughts. My thoughts first went to the fact that before there was love, there was God. He didn't just create love, He didn't just create the emotions and feelings that go with love, but He IS love. The only reason that we experience love is because there is a God who IS love. It's pretty simple yet it's a hard concept to really grasp.
After this realization comes acceptance. I believe that for many people it's hard to accept love, especially God's love. A lot of that is due to the misrepresentations of love that we see on a daily basis. Maybe it's due to the abuse of love, the perversion of love, and the withholding of love that we have experienced. I can see how it's hard to accept a father's love when we've experienced this. However, the majority of the time we are accepting or not accepting love based on these misrepresentations. God though, is not a representation of love, He is love.
After acceptance comes the giving of love. You would think this would be easy too. Especially if you have a tarnished view of receiving love, you want to make sure that as you give love you don't make the same mistakes that others have made. Unfortunately, we forget that our ability to give love is based on our ability to accept love for ourself. I think it would be easier if Jesus had said in Matthew, "And the second is like this, Love your neighbor" but He had to throw in "as yourself." The meaning is that it's impossible to truly love your neighbor if you are not able to accept and receive the love that God has for you.
So this Valentine's Day...I encourage you to love yourself. Don't love yourself based on your accomplishments or feelings but love yourself based simply on the acceptance that God IS love and that He loves you. As you accept that in every area of your life, you will notice a geniune love for others will come out of you.
D.
I was thinking about love and all that stuff today and I had a few thoughts. My thoughts first went to the fact that before there was love, there was God. He didn't just create love, He didn't just create the emotions and feelings that go with love, but He IS love. The only reason that we experience love is because there is a God who IS love. It's pretty simple yet it's a hard concept to really grasp.
After this realization comes acceptance. I believe that for many people it's hard to accept love, especially God's love. A lot of that is due to the misrepresentations of love that we see on a daily basis. Maybe it's due to the abuse of love, the perversion of love, and the withholding of love that we have experienced. I can see how it's hard to accept a father's love when we've experienced this. However, the majority of the time we are accepting or not accepting love based on these misrepresentations. God though, is not a representation of love, He is love.
After acceptance comes the giving of love. You would think this would be easy too. Especially if you have a tarnished view of receiving love, you want to make sure that as you give love you don't make the same mistakes that others have made. Unfortunately, we forget that our ability to give love is based on our ability to accept love for ourself. I think it would be easier if Jesus had said in Matthew, "And the second is like this, Love your neighbor" but He had to throw in "as yourself." The meaning is that it's impossible to truly love your neighbor if you are not able to accept and receive the love that God has for you.
So this Valentine's Day...I encourage you to love yourself. Don't love yourself based on your accomplishments or feelings but love yourself based simply on the acceptance that God IS love and that He loves you. As you accept that in every area of your life, you will notice a geniune love for others will come out of you.
D.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Another Blog?
So what is this? Is this just another blog? A spot to read about someone who is venting, letting off some steam, talking about life's heartaches and failures? I hope not. My goal here is to write of things that God is speaking to me, to write of things that interest me, to encourage others to pursue a relationship with God and to become a part of the greatest force on earth: The Church.
Let me tell you a little bit about me. I've grown up in the church, I've heard it all, I've been in the midst of it all but as I've grown to who I am now, I've never had such a passion to see lives changed. God has done amazing things for me and my family. I've gone from a a villain to saved. My wife and I went from barren to blessed with two amazing boys. I've gone from jobless to blessed with an amazing job, and there is no doubt in my mind, that God closed one door so that He could open another door. I've seen lives wasted and I've seen lives changed. I've experienced a lot but no experience can compare to a life lived for the glory of God.
My wife and I serve as Youth Pastors and Worship Leaders at our church in Jacksonville, FL, The Bridge Church. We desire to see lives changed, to see young and old enter into worship, and to see the church grow into its calling.
I don't know if anyone will read this, some may and many may not, but I hope to encourage those who do. I hope that you will see that God has called you to do great things. I hope that you will be able to see past your limitations and you will understand that God is limitless and His desire is that you succeed in all you put your hand to.
So with that, I bid you farewell for the day.
D.
Let me tell you a little bit about me. I've grown up in the church, I've heard it all, I've been in the midst of it all but as I've grown to who I am now, I've never had such a passion to see lives changed. God has done amazing things for me and my family. I've gone from a a villain to saved. My wife and I went from barren to blessed with two amazing boys. I've gone from jobless to blessed with an amazing job, and there is no doubt in my mind, that God closed one door so that He could open another door. I've seen lives wasted and I've seen lives changed. I've experienced a lot but no experience can compare to a life lived for the glory of God.
My wife and I serve as Youth Pastors and Worship Leaders at our church in Jacksonville, FL, The Bridge Church. We desire to see lives changed, to see young and old enter into worship, and to see the church grow into its calling.
I don't know if anyone will read this, some may and many may not, but I hope to encourage those who do. I hope that you will see that God has called you to do great things. I hope that you will be able to see past your limitations and you will understand that God is limitless and His desire is that you succeed in all you put your hand to.
So with that, I bid you farewell for the day.
D.
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