1. I need other to walk with me - We weren't meant to walk alone and most times we can't learn the most important lessons in life by ourselves.
2. I need others to work with me -sometimes I will be crabby and not fun to be around but I pray that my friends will show me grace.
3. I need others to watch out for me - who's got your back? Who's looking out for your soul?
4. I need others to wait with me - in the scariest moments in life we need someone there. Maybe not to offer a work of encouragement but just to be there. To sit with us, to pray for us, to hug us.
5. I need others to witness with me. - this life is rocky and Satan will try to bring us down but we must stand together and see the beauty in this world that God has created....TOGETHER
When life gets messy, when life gets bumpy I hope and pray that we have people like this in our lives.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Bibles for Haiti
Towards the end of 2012 The Bridge did an event called Bibles for Haiti. We could purchase bibles that would be given out when our team went at the beginning of 2013. We were asked to write a little note to them that would be translated and take a picture with a chalkboard sign that had a few sayings about how much we loved them written in their language as well.
I remember that Sunday I almost didn't go. I was tired and being crabby and didn't feel like my one bible would matter much in the grand scheme of things. But then I felt the conviction set in and I decided to go.
I remember writing a sweet note, taking my picture and paying for my bible and that was it.
Fast foward to the end of the 2012. The last Sunday of the year a few friends and I attended another church and I absolutely loved the sermon. The pastor preached about what we can do for missions in 2013 and shared this book in the bible:
3 John 1
New International Version (NIV)
1 The elder,
To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3 It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
5 Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters,[a] even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. 7 It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. 8 We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.
9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. 10 So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.
11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.
13 I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.
Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.
I highlighted the verses that stuck out to me and I was dumbfounded. Verse 7 and 8 talk about how they set out for the sake of the Name. These people that went out under the banner of Jesus to share the gospel and proclaim the greatest story ever told. Many of us are unable to go on these trips because of work or obligations but Jesus calls us to partner with those that are able to so that we may work together for the truth.
This past week our team left for Haiti and I have several friends that were able to go on this amazing trip. Funny how God has a way of making everything come full circle. Today while at church I got a text message from one of my friends that is there and it said this: We handed out some bibles and I saw your picture. Made me tear up a little. Miss you a ton. As I read this text message I started to tear up! Here was my note of love and encouragement tucked into a corner of a bible that was handed out today at a church service in Haiti.
I can't think of a more amazing way to start the new year then to be able to share the gospel with my brothers and sisters in Haiti. "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth" 3 John 4
I remember that Sunday I almost didn't go. I was tired and being crabby and didn't feel like my one bible would matter much in the grand scheme of things. But then I felt the conviction set in and I decided to go.
I remember writing a sweet note, taking my picture and paying for my bible and that was it.
Fast foward to the end of the 2012. The last Sunday of the year a few friends and I attended another church and I absolutely loved the sermon. The pastor preached about what we can do for missions in 2013 and shared this book in the bible:
3 John 1
New International Version (NIV)
1 The elder,
To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3 It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
5 Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters,[a] even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. 7 It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. 8 We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.
9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. 10 So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.
11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.
13 I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.
Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.
I highlighted the verses that stuck out to me and I was dumbfounded. Verse 7 and 8 talk about how they set out for the sake of the Name. These people that went out under the banner of Jesus to share the gospel and proclaim the greatest story ever told. Many of us are unable to go on these trips because of work or obligations but Jesus calls us to partner with those that are able to so that we may work together for the truth.
This past week our team left for Haiti and I have several friends that were able to go on this amazing trip. Funny how God has a way of making everything come full circle. Today while at church I got a text message from one of my friends that is there and it said this: We handed out some bibles and I saw your picture. Made me tear up a little. Miss you a ton. As I read this text message I started to tear up! Here was my note of love and encouragement tucked into a corner of a bible that was handed out today at a church service in Haiti.
I can't think of a more amazing way to start the new year then to be able to share the gospel with my brothers and sisters in Haiti. "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth" 3 John 4
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Dear 2013
Dear 2013:
I have high hopes for you. For some reason I've really been looking forward to the next 12 months.
I'm excited for Mel to have her baby boy! He is already so loved and I really can't wait to meet him. I can't wait to watch the super bowl with the O.G.'s and spend some time in Northern California. Since I didn't go home for Christmas it feels long over due. 5 months is the longest I've gone since I've left for Texas.
I'm excited for things happening at work. Spring break camp and summer day camp are fast approaching. March will be the first time we've had spring break camp at the rec center and I'm sort of nervous. Nervous that not enough kids will show up.
I think the one thing I am most excited for is the launch of our new campus! God is doing amazing things at the Bridge and I am thrilled that God has chosen me to be a part of all of it. I can't wait for more people to know the greatest story ever told. And Easter service is being held at the Skeeter's stadium which is going to be EPIC.
In June I will be heading to England with 10 of our high school students, our family pastor and our youth pastor. We will be going to help support a church in England. It's not a typical mission trip in the fact that the people we are going to serve have heard about the gospel but are skeptical of the faith. We are literally going to defend our faith which is going to be a life changing experience.
The fall also brings my 10 year high school year reunion which should be a great time as well. Excited to reconnect with old friends and catch up on all that has happened over the last 10 years.
2013 I know that you and God have a lot more in store for me then all of this. I know that this year is going to be absolutely amazing. I pray that I continue to find God's leading in everyday and strive to make my life part of the greatest story ever told.
I have high hopes for you. For some reason I've really been looking forward to the next 12 months.
I'm excited for Mel to have her baby boy! He is already so loved and I really can't wait to meet him. I can't wait to watch the super bowl with the O.G.'s and spend some time in Northern California. Since I didn't go home for Christmas it feels long over due. 5 months is the longest I've gone since I've left for Texas.
I'm excited for things happening at work. Spring break camp and summer day camp are fast approaching. March will be the first time we've had spring break camp at the rec center and I'm sort of nervous. Nervous that not enough kids will show up.
I think the one thing I am most excited for is the launch of our new campus! God is doing amazing things at the Bridge and I am thrilled that God has chosen me to be a part of all of it. I can't wait for more people to know the greatest story ever told. And Easter service is being held at the Skeeter's stadium which is going to be EPIC.
In June I will be heading to England with 10 of our high school students, our family pastor and our youth pastor. We will be going to help support a church in England. It's not a typical mission trip in the fact that the people we are going to serve have heard about the gospel but are skeptical of the faith. We are literally going to defend our faith which is going to be a life changing experience.
The fall also brings my 10 year high school year reunion which should be a great time as well. Excited to reconnect with old friends and catch up on all that has happened over the last 10 years.
2013 I know that you and God have a lot more in store for me then all of this. I know that this year is going to be absolutely amazing. I pray that I continue to find God's leading in everyday and strive to make my life part of the greatest story ever told.
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