Thursday, August 28, 2008

Saying goodbye

The past two years have been some of the greatest years of my life. It is not because I'm better off financially. It is not because I've enjoyed more success. It is not because of anything material. It is because of relationships. For the past two years I have been loved, encouraged, and taken care of by some of the greatest people on earth.

Two years ago I began meeting with a cell family. These are groups of 6-12 people at The Bridge Community that do life together to grow in relationship with God and each other. Tonight, I passed on the torch to Andy and Justin. I acted as if the night wasn't special; but I could not have been more proud. These people have impacted my life and the relationships will continue. I'm moving on so that more people in The Bridge Community can experience authentic community and spiritual growth.

I will never forget.

I will never forget the tears. I will never forget the joy. I will never forget the love. I will never forget calling each other to repentance and faith. I will never forget sharing new life together. I will never forget any of you.

I can truthfully say, I love you all.
(not pictured: Stephanie, Becky, Erica, and Bethany)







Doing Life Together












I met tonight for the second time with our newest Cell Family at The Bridge Community. We met for the purpose of authentic community and spiritual growth. Our meeting consisted of fellowship, prayer, and Bible. Tonight we studied Matthew 22:34-40 and John 13:34-35. We discussed the importance of relationships in the Christian life. We are to love God and love our neighbors. John 13 even declares that the world will know we are disciples if we love one another.

This cell family consists of twelve people who have committed to doing life together.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Don't pee on it

First thing - I need to apologize to my mother. Mom I know that you read my blog and probably don't favor the title. But I had to title it like this. This is a very important post. I don't want anyone to miss, forget, or to be comfortable with it.

I received an email today that read like this:

"Handle every situation like a dog.
If you can't eat it or play with it,
Pee on it and walk away."


I wonder what would have happened if Jesus took this approach when he faced the roman soldiers and the cross?

Or I wonder what would have happened if Roy Henson would have responded this way?

Do you know the story of Roy? Roy has cerebral palsy and has spent his life in a wheelchair. In February, Roy stood up without assistance and it motivated him to begin strengthening his legs...

During his training a stressful situation arose.

“I was trying to walk one evening at the Central football field and I had on a Relay T-shirt,” Henson said. “When I fell, I started looking at the shirt, then the field, then the shirt again, and it was one of those, ‘What if I...’ moments.”

Next Friday, September 5th... Roy is going to walk
immediately following the Central vs. St. Vincent football game. And for every yard that he walks, sponsors are donating money to the American Cancer Society.

Roy faced a stressful situation. A trying situation. A frustrating situation. But Roy isn't a dog. Roy is a man.

I wish you would not have read this post. Yes, you. Because now you have to dig deep. I wish you would not have read this post because I know how a majority of people respond to stressful situations. They pee on them. They pee on them and try to get others to as well to justify their feelings and actions.

You are not a dog. Don't pee on them. It doesn't work.



Luke 8:15 "But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop." (NIV)

Please visit these links.

Roy Henson - Daily Journal Article
Roy Henson for 50 yards - Myspace page

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Baptizing Friends

Matt Parks
Justin Pobst
August 2nd, 2008

Sometimes I think about where I was 10 years ago, and then move forward to where I am now. I could not be luckier. Tonight, I cry tears of joy.


Baptism 08-02-08 from Roger Durbin on Vimeo.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Pictures from Celebration


Pic from 8/17 (I spoke about Judgment)
Luke 12


Pic from 8/10 (The six woes - Luke 11)


Pic from 8/10
I said a dirty word... "religion"

Monday, August 18, 2008

Daily 2 Minute Audio Devotions

I posted five daily two minute devotions on the subject of Prayer on the Bridge Blog. You can listen to them by clicking here.

Monday - What is prayer?
Tuesday - Why should I pray?
Wednesday - Does God always answer my prayers?
Thursday - How do I pray?
Friday - When should I pray?

Check them out on the Bridge Blog.