Cause a Commotion! (week 16 Isaiah 42, 2 Cor.4-7)

If you didn’t quite understand physics at school then don’t break out into a cold sweat when I tell you that Pastor Kris taught us physics at the Bridge yesterday! Don’t worry…she admitted that physics didn’t make that much sense to her either but then she went on to explain Newton’s Laws of Motion in a way that made me think I’d actually have passed physics if she’d been teaching it! Anyway…her points, as always, made so much sense…I’m sure I’m not the only one who says ‘oh, I get it now’ every time she preaches! Newton’s Laws are so true in our everyday lives but what we really need are God’s huper Laws of Motion…the exceeding, abundantly, beyond all we could ever think, dream or imagine laws of God.

Law 1: objects at rest will stay at rest…also known as the law of inertia (or the law of the Sunday afternoon nap on the sofa!). Inertia = a dullness with regard to motion, inactivity, inaction, a lack of purpose or direction. As Kris said ‘the huper life of God needs to push us out of our inertia’. I wonder what areas of inertia there are in my life…where do I need a huper push from God?

Law 2: objects will move further and faster when they are pushed harder…if you’ve ever taught a child to ride a bicycle then you’ll know this is true! But in God’s huper laws, Kris explained that our momentum is a result of our yielding to the force of Heaven – the more we yield the further we go…yielding = obeying! Galatians 5:25 shows that we are created to move in partnership with God.

Law 3: for every action there is an equal and opposite action…or in the huper laws…there is always an opposing force resisting your momentum (see 1 Corinthians 16:9). But when that opposing force or pressure comes, how do we respond? Do we respond with the fruits of the spirit or our flesh? (Ouch, she asks some tough questions sometimes.) Kris said that when we respond in the flesh we end up doing the enemies work for him!

COM = with or together, MOTION = move…working with the Holy Spirit we can together, move the forces that are coming against us! We’re getting ready to invade, so what kind of commotion are you going to cause?!!

Lift Up Your Head

Week 14 on the 2010 Challenge: Psalm 24 & 25; Romans 15

Psalm 24:3,4 "Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, he who does not lift his soul up to an idol, or swear by what is false."

I have always read this part of Psalm 24 and thought, "Well, that leaves me out!" Boy, I've messed up too much! But, it is really encouraging to keep reading through the Psalm...

Psalm 24: 7-9 "Lift up your heads...that the King of Glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle...lift up your heads, O you gates, that the King of glory may come in."

This is the hope of the world. As we lift up our heads, up from our shame and sin, we see JESUS! He is the way, through the cross that we can enter in to "the hill of the Lord" or God's promise places from our life.

Bridge we are going BIG and "entering in -- in 2010" through the King of glory -- we will overcome!

Easter - Celebrating Life!

Week 13 of the 2010 Challenge! Reading: Isaiah 41 & 1 Corinthians 12-14

We are still basking in the joy from this last Easter weekend. We are especially thankful for a team of young adults from England who came to help with the weekend. On Saturday we had a team of over 80 hit the streets of Denton to paint 3 houses, clean up streets and mow around 26 yards. We were amazed at how people came up to us and said, "I don't need my yard done, but will you pray for me?" We had the opportunity to pray and encourage whole blocks of people. As always, God not only touched the people we were reaching, but He changed us as well!

On Sunday, we had an amazing service from the great music and worship to our CSI (Cross Scene Investigation) message with over 30 decisions for Christ. In the foyer, our own Jake Hayhurst crafted an authentic cross that was breathtaking, causing people to stare in wonder.

Afterwards, we walked across to Traditions Field where 15,000 eggs and candy were scattered to be collected by eager little fingers. There was even an appearance by Spiderman and the Disney princesses. We are going BIG this year! We will continue to celebrate Jesus' resurrection life all year long!