Music Project

I am happy to share with my friends that I am working on a new music project. Music has always been a large part of my upbringing and I have a few songs left inside of me that I feel I must get out. I need to sing them and I hope that a few of you need to hear them as well. 

This album is different from anything else that I have been a part of in the past with Parallax View or Bridge Worship. It is not rock. It doesn't fit into the genre of worship. It is simply songs from my basement. Music has always been a way to express myself and come to grips with the big moments in my life. Therefore, each song was either written during or about a specific moment in my life. They are pastoral in some sense. 

For example: 

"Everything Right" was written after my parents lost their home in a tornado. "I Want to Go" was put together surrounding the Holy Spirit's call to preach and teach on my life. Then, there is "I Don't Know Why"  which was written for my wife after we lost our third child. And in a song that still levels me to this day, there is "To the King." It was written after one of our adult volunteers drowned at a church sponsored children's event. But, do not fret, there will be many happy moments and surprises along the way as well. "The Wretch" captures a moment when I realized that the wretch I was singing about in Amazing Grace was actually me!!! And then there is this one itch that I need to scratch.  I think you and I both may need a little bluegrass. 

I'll be going into the studio with PureSonic Productions around my ministry schedule to finish it up before releasing them online. Since these guys are my family, I will either finish very quickly or very slowly. Your guess is about as good as mine. It really depends on how often we start and stop to watch sporting events. To be continued. 

It is coming soon. It is fun to make music with friends!

***All proceeds from this music project will go to The Bridge Community Church and selected missions.

Jesus likes cowboys too

The world is trending towards the city-even the church, but I am not. I am a pastor. I am a church planter like many of you. BUT, I live in the sticks. Truth be told, I know more about fishing tackle than indie music. I like to shoot things and set stuff on fire out in fields. And sometimes when I read books, blogs, and attend conferences I sense that I am alone.

I grew up in Mine La Motte, an unincorporated community in Madison County Missouri. It is six miles north of Fredericktown, MO which boasts of a whopping population total right at 3,985 people. Mine La Motte was settled as the first lead mine in Missouri in 1717. But, the only thing we are known for these days is that we filled up a few old mine sites with water and turned them into swimming holes. We still swim in and eat fish from them to this day. At one of these spots you can even cliff dive and zip line into the water while drinking your beer. Oddly enough, people from all over Missouri pay to do it.

Today, I pastor a multi-congregational church in Leadington, MO called The Bridge Community Church. We are a growing faith community in rural America that was planted seven years ago. Leadington has a population of 422 people and resides in a county of around 65,000 people. I am often asked by friends and acquaintances if this ministry stop is a stepping stone to bigger and better things. That question in and of itself can tell a lot about our idolatry and current obsession.

While the obsession with ministry trends towards the city, what about those of us who are not there? What about those of us that feel called to be where we are at in rural ministry? Are we in sin? Does Jesus still send people into the country? Is there a need for rural ministry? Are we denying the great commission? Are there ideals that have gone wrong in rural America that will require the grace of God and a courageous pastor?

These types of questions and more I hope to wrestle with in a book project I have been working on.

I write this all with a genuine love for the city and a thankful heart for pastors who live and plant there. I learn from you. I respect you. I am praying you reach the city and that a genuine movement of God spreads out into our communities. We desperately need you. I am very thankful for your baseball teams, but I am not you. And while I see the need for churches to be planted in the city, I also know the need for churches to be planted and renewed all throughout rural America. And while Jesus does love the city and urban professionals, I have a feeling he loves cowboys too. In fact, Jesus was a rural Galilean himself that was born in Bethlehem which had declined in significance into a small village at the time of his birth. Then, Jesus was raised in Nazareth which had such little cultural significance during his day it led people to ask, "Can anything good come from there?"
 
Book Project Overview:
A Theology for the Country (AKA – Would Jesus Bale Hay)

• The city as an idol
• Galilean Jesus
• Rural signposts of the Glory of God
• Rural men that Jesus called
• Fast is good, but accurate is better 

The Need for Corporate Renewal (AKA – If I hear Amazing Grace to the tune of Gilligan’s Island one more time…)

• That’s the way it was and we like it (systemic problems)
• The rise of “cowboy churches” (developing problems)
• Why I am not a  huge fan of affinity based only church movements. 
• Cowboy Up (leadership problems)
• Don’t worry, I’ve been in tighter spots than this (The Gospel Solution) 

The Need for Individual Renewal (AKA - Gospel Centered Cowboys)

• Wiping the manure off our boots (faith-repentance-obedience) 
• Yellow-belly no more (recovering courageous leadership) 
• He's studying to be a half-wit (the need for renewed church-based Bible training)
• Crossing the county lines (the country as an idol) 

The Need for Called Men (AKA – I’m your huckleberry)

• Every trail has puddles, son (the reality of hard work) 
• Never kick a cow patty on a hot day (dealing with small-town resistance) 
• He’s all hat and no cattle (serving beyond yourself)
• Mount up and go west young man (raising up and sending disciples off)
• Ride off into the distance (you will not be front page news) 

Jesus Likes Cowboys Too – concluding thoughts re-affirming the necessity of Gospel-driven, mission minded, Biblical churches to be planted and renewed across rural America.

Please pray for me as I write. Yes, I am taking the liberty to have fun with this and will hopefully make you smile here and there along the way.


***All proceeds from this book project will go to The Bridge Community Church and selected missions.

What role does Prayer have in the Christian life?

This year at our annual members meeting we had a focused time of prayer where I challenged our membership to begin praying for some specific items related to our faith community. We believe in prayer and we know that God can do much more than we could ever do on our own. We looked at three scripture passages and then broke out into a set prayer time over some specific items that are listed below the passages.

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6, ESV)

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; (1 Timothy 2:8, ESV)

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, (Ephesians 6:18, ESV)

Our Prayer Items:

1. Fill our minds with your greatness, not our own.
2. May we be disciples of Jesus who make more disciples for your fame. 
3. Give us a courageous love for people in our community.
4. Give us opportunities to share the gospel.
5. Empower our teachers and volunteers in Bridge Kids. Save our children.
6. Empower our teachers and volunteers in Youth Ministry. Save our youth.
7. May our missional cells grow us and reach out to others.
8. May “A Night in Bethlehem” be used to reach our community for Christ.
9. May our “Advent Conspiracy” offering bless Lance and Sandy Smith and reach Bangkok for Christ.
10. Bring hope, healing, and salvation to the people of Jefferson County through The Bridge-Arnold. 
11. Use our gifts, talents, and resources to make more disciples of you for your fame. 
12. Empower and protect our elders, staff, deacons, members, and volunteers. 
13. Keep saving lost people in St. Francois County

Then, this question came in from an online source who is not an attender of our church. 

Question: What role does prayer have in the Christian life if you believe in the sovereignty of God?

Here was my response (this is by no means exhaustive) :

I personally feel that our prayer life is a primary way that we experience the sonship of God. The longer I walk as a Christian, the more I am finding my prayer focus changing from mere petition (asking), to fellowship with God. In the same way that communication is vital to any relationship we have physically, communication with God is vital to experiencing our relationship with God spiritually.

The Bible tells us to pray and we should obey scripture (Col. 4:2, Matthew 6:5-6, among many others) The needs of our own life, our church, and world missions is so great that we must depend on God! Wayne Grudem helpfully comments: ‘Prayer is not made so that God can find out what we need...God wants us to pray because prayer expresses our trust in God and is a means whereby our trust in him can increase. In fact, perhaps the primary emphasis of the Bible’s teaching on prayer is that we pray with faith, which means trust or dependence on God’. 

We also know that God acts when we pray in fulfilling his purposes. A. W. Pink writes, ‘God has decreed that certain events shall come to pass, but he has also decreed that these events shall com to pass through the means he has appointed for their accomplishment.'

God is sovereign and He has chosen to carry out His purposes and His plans through the word of God, the Spirit's active work, and human means (the church). This includes our gospel proclamation as well as our prayers. In scripture, we see that we are commanded to pray (1 Thess. 5:17), invited to pray (Mark 11:20-26, among  many others), and we see that prayer is effective and powerful (James 5:13-18). We are even told to pray for healing while trusting that God's ultimate purposes will be carried out. Romans 10:14-17 shows us that God carries out much of his saving purposes via the church, and in addition we see that God carries out much of his purposes on this earth via prayer (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Therefore, God's people must pray. So, we do pray and we enjoy our sonship and fellowship with God.

If you are a part of our fellowship, have you continued in prayer? May we grow in our fervency for prayer!

My Five Hopes for The Bridge-Leadington

It is 9:30 am and I am getting ready for my weekly preaching meeting with Tim and Lance. Did you know that Lance joins us via skype as much as he can? I am REALLY excited that we will begin a new series this Sunday called, "Restored-How the Gospel Makes us Whole." I hope that you have invited a few friends.When was the last time you brought someone to church with you? You can read about the upcoming series here: http://bridgelife360.com/?p=2426 and even share the promo video or link with your friends on email or social media. I am praying that as we go through this series we will experience much joy and hope from the gospel! I am also praying that many non-christians will come to faith! Will you join me in praying daily for this?

BUT, that isn't why I am writing you today...Actually, as I sat down at my desk and prayed the Spirit took me in a different direction than sermon prep this morning. He stirred my soul and took me to five hopes that I have for The Bridge-Leadington as we finish out 2013 and move into 2014. Who knows, maybe I will make this into a sermon series at some point in the future. It will definitely make it into our Members meeting taking place on Nov. 3rd at 5:00pm. But, I had to share them with you today.

Here are my five hopes.

Hope #1 - A renewed love for the people of St. Francois County

Hope #2 - A renewed passion for evangelism

Hope #3- A renewed fervency in prayer

Hope #4 - A renewed devotion to covenant community

Hope #5- A renewed joy flowing from resting in the Gospel that splashes onto others

Here are a few questions I am wrestling with. What does it look like for us individually and corporately to love our community afresh? What distracts us from going fishing with our buddies to catch more people for Jesus? How can we get more specific and regular with our prayer lives. How can we grow closer as a community? What steals our joy and moves our attention away from from the relentless love and grace of God? 

So, these are my five hopes. I didn't wake up thinking about them. I just went and worked out and then sat down and prayed. God interrupted my planning and prepping to stir some things up in my heart. Now, I'm giving them to you. I'm giving them back to Him as well.

I am going to leave you with the verse I read that for some reason sparked all of this.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.1 Peter 1:3-5 ESV

The Gospel for Moral People Sermon Recap

The Gospel for Moral People
Sermon Recap
6/16/2013
Acts 13:13-53

Listen to past sermons at http://www.bridgepodcast.com . Watch past sermons at http://www.bridgechurchonline.tv

In this sermon recap we will see how Paul presents the gospel to a non-Christ-centered religious crowd. Then, in Acts 14 at The Bridge  next week, we will see how Paul does evangelism with a non-religious pagan audience.

Audience: Religious people. Jew and Gentile God-Fearers.

The Big Idea: God has always taken the initiation of grace in the history of his relationship with his people

SEE ACTS 13:13-23

The History of God’s Relationship with his People: 

1. He chose our fathers (vs. 17) 
2. He patiently endured them in the wilderness (vs. 18) 
3. He gave them all their leaders and deliverers (vs.17-22) 
• Moses 
• The Judges
• The prophets
• The kings 
4. He promised and then gave them the savior, Jesus (vs. 23) 

This survey of Israel’s history demonstrates that God has a plan for history, and we need to sense a connection to that plan. Jesus is the goal of history, and as we are in Jesus, we are in the flow of God’s great plan of redemption.

Key: God’s favor has never been earned, has always been graciously given, and has always been mediated through great leaders who saved the people by God’s gracious power 

SEE ACTS 13:24-37 

The Case for Salvation in Jesus

1. Jesus’ life and death fit the predictions of a messiah 
2. The greatest prophet, John the Baptist recognized Jesus as messiah (vs. 24-25) 
3. There were eyewitnesses of the bodily resurrection (vs. 31) 

The Heart of the Gospel

• Christianity is Christ (vs. 27-30) 
• His person and life 
• His death 
• His resurrection 

NOTE:  In calling the cross a tree, Paul drew on the idea from Deuteronomy 21:22-23. In that passage, it says that God curses a person who is hanged from a tree. Paul wanted to communicate the idea that Jesus was cursed so that we could be blessed (Galatians 3:13). 

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—(Galatians 3:13, ESV) 

Key: The heart of the gospel message is not that a teacher has come to show us how to save ourselves, but that a Savior has come to die and be raised for us. 

SEE ACTS 13:38-39 

The Promises of the Gospel 

•  Forgiveness of sin 
• Approval by God 
• For those who trust in Christ 
• Justification by faith alone 

Jesus does not only forgive us, but we are also justified by Him. Forgiveness takes care of the debt of sin, but justification puts a positive credit on our account before God. 

SEE  ACTS  13:40-52 

SIDE  NOTE: Continuing in grace is as important as beginning in grace; we must never leave it as the basic principle of our relationship with God. Far too many only think of grace as the introduction to the Christian life, but God wants grace to remain as the foundation for our life with Him. 

Responses to the Gospel 

1.  Some reject (vs. 45-46) 
• The only way to be worthy is to admit you are completely unworthy.
• Since some considered themselves worthy of eternal life, they were not worthy of eternal life.
2.  Others accept (vs. 48) 
• They do so because God has been at work overcoming their rebellion 
• This is a complete denial that salvation can be by goodness and morality and religiousness. 

Key: When we reject the gospel, it is done so freely. We are not forced to do so — we are responsible for what we have done. But if anyone accepts the gospel, it is because God has been at work in their lives. After we believe we have no one to praise but God! 

What now? 

1.  Trust Jesus 
2.  Live for Jesus
3.  Keep on keeping on amidst life’s circumstances

NOTE ON SHAKING THE DUST OFF: If Jewish people had to go in or through a Gentile city, when leaving the city they shook the dust off their feet as a gesture saying, “We don’t want to take anything from this Gentile city with us.” In this sense, Paul said “I don’t want to take anything with me from you Jesus-rejecting religionists.” 

Where the gospel of grace is preached, it will offend the non-Christ-centered religious, and they may oppose it.

Paul and Barnabas had joy that contradicted their circumstances. 

The joy a Christian has lies far beyond earthly circumstances that always changes. 

How do we keep going as a believer? By recognizing:

1. We have a father (God)
2.  We have a brother (Jesus) 
3. We have a helper and comforter (Holy Spirit)

Enjoying Life by Enjoying God Teaching Notes

Sunday night I taught our first session of Church Summer School answering 15 questions as they pertain to salvation. The 15 questions were: 

1. Why must we be “saved?” 
2. How total is depravity really? 
3. What is the result of our depravity? 
4. Does this mean non-Christians can do no good? 
5. If total depravity is true, what happened to my baby who died in infancy? 
6. So, what about people with cognitive function who never heard the name of Jesus? 
7. If Total Depravity is true, then how is salvation possible?
8. Can I resist His grace? 
9. Does this mean that salvation is then founded in my decisive ability? 
10. What should my response be to such amazing grace? 
11. Will everyone be saved? 
12. Who then will be saved?
13. Can a true Christian lose their salvation? 
14. Doesn’t Hebrews teach a Christian can apostasize? 
15. How should I now live as a believer?

Church Summer School session 1 is in the books! Sadly, I am not sure if the recording turned out or not due to the fact that I taught for three hours. We will know soon. [Update: we have it below] Until then, below is a copy of my entire teaching notes for the night with answers. If you missed a few fill-ins you can find them here.

Download - "Enjoying Life by Enjoying God" teaching notes -- (you will need this for use with the audio)

Audio: Part 1 - Questions 1-10 (70 minutes)

Audio: Part 2 - Questions 11-15 (94 minutes)

The next Church Summer School session will be July 21 from 5-7pm.

Next Topic: Power For Life (Free to live on Mission in His power)

In this session we will take a deeper look at Spirit-Filled living. Sample Topics Covered: What is the Holy Spirit? Are the supernatural gifts available today? What does it mean to be Spirit-filled? Why do I need the Spirit? What have been the abuses of the teaching of the Holy Spirit in recent years? Can we experience more of the Holy Spirit after conversion? How does the Holy Spirit empower me for life on mission?

Jesus Wins - Sermon Recap

Jesus Wins
Sermon Recap
6/2/2013
Acts 12

Listen to past sermons at http://www.bridgepodcast.com . Watch past sermons at http://www.bridgechurchonline.tv



Don't fix it, just listen??? 
Running Theme: Speaking the truth in love can be the most empathetic response we could ever make!

Key Verse:
Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. (Acts 12:23, ESV)

The Big Idea:  If you oppose Jesus, you lose. If you stay with Jesus, you win.

Herod pursues idols

The Herods were non-Jews from Idumea.  During the Roman occupation this family served as puppet rulers over the Jews.  The Jews hated the Herods who are remembered for a family of violence, incest and political intrigue.

Family Tree:
Herod the Great—a skillful politician proclaimed king of the Jews by the Romans.  He held this position at the birth of Christ (Mat 2:1).  He slaughtered the children to try to annihilate Jesus.  He rebuilt the temple to try to gain the favor of the Jews, but he also built pagan temples.  He had several sons including: Archelaus (Mat 2:22), Antipas, Herod Philip II, and Aristobulus (father of Agrippa).

Herod Antipas—was the tetrarch of Galilee who divorced his wife to marry Herodias, his half-brother’s wife and also his niece.  he executed John the Baptist and tried Jesus.  He was eventually exiled by Emperor Caligula.

Herod Agrippa I—was installed by the Emperor Claudius as king over all of Jewish Palestine.  Unlike most of the other Herods, he practiced the forms of the Jewish religion faithfully in an effort to maintain the favor of the Jews. This was the reason for his postponement of Peter’s execution (after the Passover) in Acts 12.

SEE Acts 12:1-2

Idols are things or pursuits that we give meaning in our eyes to more than God

1. The idol of control

Control Idolatry:  I have meaning if I can control my ______________________.

What we seek:  control (self-discipline, certainty, standards)
Greatest nightmare:  uncertainty.
Others often feel:  condemned.
Problem emotion:  worry




SEE Acts 12:3-4

2. The idol of approval

Approval Idolatry: I have meaning if I am loved and respected by _______________.

What we seek:  approval (affirmation, love, relationship).
Greatest nightmare:  rejection.
Others often feel:  smothered.
Problem emotion:  cowardice.

SEE Acts 12:5-19

3. The idol of power.

Power Idolatry:  I have meaning if I have power and influence over others.

What we seek:  power (success, winning, influence)
Greatest nightmare:  humiliation.
Others often feel:  used.
Problem emotion: anger.

SEE Acts 12:20-25

4.The idol of comfort.

Comfort Idolatry:  I have meaning if I have this kind of pleasure experience, a particular quality of life.

What we seek:  comfort, (privacy, lack of stress, freedom).
Greatest nightmare:  stress, demands
Others often feel:  hurt
Problem emotion:  whiny

God smashes Herod’s idols

• Herod receives judgment from the God he refused to glorify
• No power will ultimately triumph over God

Making it personal:

1.  We are to live for the Glory of God.
    a. Living for our own glory is fleeting
    b. Fighting against God is silly
**Nobody stands at the base of a mountain and says, "Look how big I am!" Nobody stands at the edge of the ocean and speaks of their own vastness! So, why would we live in such a way with the God of all creation?

2.  This does not mean that we will automatically have an easy life.
    a. See Hebrews  11:32-40, Job 1
    b. James was one of the intimate three (saw the transfiguration) and got the sword.
    c. Peter escaped this time but not later

3.  We should pray for other Christians.
    a. The church prayed together
    b. The prayer of the church was full of doubt
    c. God answered a weak prayer
    d. You might say that it was the angel brought Peter out, but it was prayer by the church gathered that  brought the angel out.
    e. We see the sovereign will of god aligning people up with his Sovereign purpose through the means of prayer!

4.  It may look like defeat, but if we stay with Jesus we win.
    a. God is never taken by surprise; He is always in control.  We are called to follow Him in faith, with confidence, serving whether by death or by life.
    b. "We may feel small and insignificant; we may think that we are overpowered when some of our best leaders are killed on a political whim. But the truth is: if we stay with Jesus, we win, and if we oppose him, we lose. So be encouraged. Don't be impressed by temporary worldly triumphs over the gospel. Be bold and courageous to spread the Word of God and leave the outcome to God." - John Piper

5.  If we do not glorify God the wrath of God remains on us.

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. – (John 3:36 ESV)

    a. Herod received judgment from the God he refused to Glorify
    b. If you reject Christ, God will reject you.
    c. If God smashed Herod’s idols, what makes us so arrogant to think he cannot smash ours?

6.  We can turn from our idols to Jesus.
    a.  Have you grown tired of chasing empty idols?

Our intro video (above) was called it’s not about the nail. Through a funny depiction we saw that it really was about the nail. You may be reading this today and you know the sin that you have turned to. You know, the one that you repeatedly give more importance to than God. No matter what your idol of choice is,  it is time to turn from it and look to His nails.

You can find forgiveness, hope, love, and meaning by looking deeply at Christ’s nails. The nails He took to bring you home to God and release you from the vain pursuit of self. Yes, his nails can forgive, redeem, and redirect your life pursuit. How? He took the nails. Jesus took your sin judgment. And by his wounds you can be spiritually healed!

BUT, if you are proud, arrogant, and shrug your shoulders at God. Hear me. God will win.

And if you feel small, overpowered, outnumbered, and crushed underneath life’s circumstance. Never forget.
Jesus wins.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.  (1 Peter 2:24 ESV)