Did I just hear a wooooooooooohoooooooooooo?

That's right for many students it is back to school. And as I walked my daughter to school yesterday I couldn't help but notice all of the different students. The new clothes, and new shoes, as well as all of the trendy new hair styles.

But the one thing that I wondered as my daughter gripped my hand was how many of those students have a relationship with Jesus. For that matter, even know about Him. So as always my mind began to wonder.

But more than my mind wondering my heart began to break. See many of those students, from kindergarden to 12th grade may never hear the name of Jesus let alone have a relationship with Him.

And it was at that moment, God once again showed me that as a Christ follower I have to be willing to do "whatever it takes" to reach that next generation. Now some of you will say, "what about the older folks" and to that I respond, I believe that if you take the time to invest in the next generation, they will be the ones that are reaching their mom's and dad's, aunt's and uncle's, grandmom's and granddad's.

It is not that we as  Christ follower's leave anyone out. But it all starts with the next generation.

I think it was said best on Sunday when Mike stated that we as Christ followers shouldn't come to Church to see what we can GET. But to offer what we can GIVE!

So as a Christ follower, who has a white hot passion for seeing the next generation come to know Jesus.  I am always asking myself what can we as a Church do to reach them?

I think there can be alot of things that can be done. Maybe change the music style with which we worship, (to that I say go for it) Maybe that music on a Sunday is to be a little louder. (wear ear plugs) I think that there can be many different things we can do to make that happen.

But the one thing I cannot change, is the mindset of people. See in order for us to reach the next generation we have got to see that they need reaching. And only God can change the heart and mind.

So I challange you, the next time you see a student, ask yourself, am I willing to do "whatever it takes" to see the next generation reached for Jesus. 

Just some thoughts!

In Him,

Pastor Bobby

I often think about that phrase. "Being Different". I don't know, that is just the way my brain works. Or maybe it is because people are always telling me that I am different! Is that is a good thing or a bad thing?

One of the things that I believe God has wired me to do is to be an observant person. It doesn't matter where I go or what I do I am always observing people and places. Some call it a gift, others call me weird. You can call it what you want, I just tell people it is from God and leave it at that.

You might say, well what does that have to do with being different? I say this. One of my responsibilites as the Executive Pastor of LifeBridge is to be the person that guess what? Gets to observe the different ministries that we offer.

And something that I believe God is laying on my heart about the ministries of LifeBridge is to always be asking the question, what are we doing to be different?

Now some people will say, "you don't be different just to be different". And to that I say, "YES YOU DO"!

I know that there are alot of great ministry opportunities here at LifeBridge, so I have been challanged in the area of making things different in order to attract those people that do not yet have a relationship with Jesus, come to know Him.

Jesus calls us to be different. Yes as a Christ follower we are to look different and act different and to talk different and to react different. Not to just be different, but so that those around us see a difference in our lives that could only have been done by the power of Jesus.

Jesus is calling me to be different, so if you are a part of LifeBridge, be on the look out for some different things to be taking place. there are lives at stake. Souls to be won. And if all it takes is to be different and make a little bit of Christ followers uncomfortable, then it is worth the risk.

Just some thoughts!

In Him,

Pastor Bobby

WOW! What another awesome Sunday at lifeBridge. God never ceases to amaze me in the things that He allows me to be a part in.

I had the opportunity to speak to the Students yesterday on the topic of "Anger". Let me tell you, that is not an easy subject to talk about when so many teenagers today are so angry.

But as always, God is always on time.  I talked about how so many people today look for ways of dealing with anger. You have heard them, "count to ten before you respond", "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything", etc.

And we look for ways for other people to help fix our so called "problem areas".  Now before I move on let me say that there is a time and place for good Christian counseling as well as the use of proper medication.  So I am NOT bashing that.

But, for those of us that struggle with anger issues, or any other issue for that matter that keeps us from being all that God wants us to be. Have we totally surrendered that issue to God?

We, as people are real quick to look for the "quick fix" and I believe that at times, we look for it in the wrong places.  We say things like, "if you would just talk to this person, or that person, they can really help you turn your life around.

Again, there are many great people to talk to that can help you get through your struggles in life. That is what the Christian walk is all about. "Doing life together".

But I also believe that for alot of people the thing that they need to do is take the issue that they are dealing with not  to the one that can help you, but to the one that can change you.  JESUS!

You know to surrender, all you are doing is just saying, "here I am God, I can't do this on my own, I need YOU to change me".

I think that everything else we add can be good. But we need to start there. Not make God the last resort, but He needs to be our first priority.

So what about you, what things in your life do you struggle with? And have you totally surrendered them to God?

Just some thoughts!

In Him,

Pastor Bobby

Better known as "Extra Curricular Activities". This past Sunday I had the opportunity to talk to students about their E.C.A.'S. And you know what I found out?

That by their own admission, they have way to much "stuff" going on that is keeping them away from what it is God is calling them to do.

I talked about how E.C.A.'S are not by definition a bad thing. They can become bad, but for the most part are good to have. But what I talked about is,  are the E.C.A.'S what they are trying to find their happiness in.

I challanged them to be "introspective" and I asked them are their E.C.A.'S part of their life, or are they their life?

So once again I began to think, sorry, thinking has been known to get me in trouble.

What about we as adults? Do we have way too much "stuff" going on that keeps us from fulfilling what it is that God is calling us to? Are we going about our busy schedules and forgetting to put God in the driver's seat. Is He just the tag along?

WOW!, What a question. But as I observe people, I can honestly say. Yes! We are.

I talk to people all the time that will say to me, " I am going to take a break from church". WHAT! take a break from God. See we get so caught up in everything that we are doing that is leaving God out, that He gets blamed for all the stress and is the first thing to go.

I see it all the time, people will say, "I am going to take a break from ministry for a while, I am starting to burn out". Look, I will say it again. Ministry doesn't burn you out. Life burns you out, the rat race, burns you out, too many E.C.A.'S burn you out.  Ministry gets the blame.

We need to start evaluating our lives, are we too busy for God? Only you can answer that. But let me give you a little advice. If your schedule is so jam packed, and you are not involved in a ministry at Church.

Then your too busy!!

Let me know what you think!!

In Him,

Pastor Bobby

As the Summertime is here, most churches go through a slow down process with all the people that go on vacation.  But God has put it on my heart to not settle for the status quo this summer.

Insted He is saying just the opposite.  I believe that if God's people are doing what He has called them to do, then no Church should have a drop off over the summer.

See, we are called to make disciples, which I believe means that even though we may not be in Church due to a vacation, we should still be inviting the unchurched.

Statistics show that 80% of people go to a church because they were personally invited. And 90% of those people will stay, even if you leave or are not there.

So I don't know about you, but I am going to be working my butt off this summer in inviting as many unchurched people as possible.

God has put it on my heart that even though I may take a little break from church on Sunday, there are still thousands and thousands of people that still need to hear the GREAT news of Jesus!!! 

So how about you, will you join me this summer in helping as many unchurched people as possible hear the life changing message of Jesus?

Let me know!!!

In Him,

Pastor Bobby

Alright, I am back to blogging. I have spent the last couple of weeks getting ready for our Summer Camping trip. And I haven't spent that much time thinking about a blog.

I was able to spend last week with a bunch of students on our camping trip. Let me tell you, this had to be the most incredible trip yet!!!

I asked the students what the highlight of their trip was. They told me everything from the canoeing to hiking to the mud pit, the challange. All kinds of things that they took back from this trip.

But as I thought, what did I take back. Is a group of AMAZING students! Before this trip I talked to alot of students and parents who believed that they could not or would not be willing or able to participate in the events that we had planned for our trip.

I heard it all week. "I can't do that". And everytime I would hear that statement, I kept challanging and motivating them to remember, that "you can do ALL things through Jesus".

Let me say this. EVERY STUDENT DID EVERY EVENT WE HAD!  GO GOD!!!!!

I think that the reason that students are so quick to give up is that fact that we have alot of adults always telling them, "you can't do that".

Let me tell you, there is nothing that makes me more angry than and adult telling a student or a child, they are not good enough!

I closed our trip out yesterday, by telling the students to never again let anyone tell them that they are not smart enough or physical enough or emotionally ready to do anything. I won't stand for that!

These students are amazing people and the smiles on their faces for some, I have never seen.

So what did I take from this trip?

I took back a group if students, that if people would will get behind them insted of pushing them away, they could change a community!

So let's stop telling them, "you can't do that" and start telling them they can do anything with Jesus! 

It was a privilage and an honor to spend a week with some awesome students. I can't wait to do it again!

In Him,

Pastor Bobby

What another unforgetable service! Today was yet another example of how great God is. The new music blew me away. I can never say it enough. God has put together an incredible worship team at Lifebridge.

Today continued our One Prayer series with the message  brought by, in my opinion, one of the great communicators of the Bible.  Ed Young. Let me tell you, he brought the house down with a message entitled, "Make Us...Wake Up!"

He was right on target, by saying that there are far to many people that are sleeping in church. I pray that as you read this blog, you are reminded of something that was said today that will make a huge difference in your walk with Jesus. I know it will for me!

Today also being fathers day, was another opportunity for us as a church to honor them today. I think the two men selected really enjoyed their comfortable chairs as well as the fine pastries.

I had the opportunity today to perform a wedding at the Top of The Bay Club at the Aberdeen Proving grounds. And again God showed up in a huge way. What a true blessing it is to be apart of the start of a young couples marriage. "Go God"

I pray that as you listened to today's message, you were encouraged, upset, and challanged to not be the same Christ follower that you were when you came in. Remember God calls us to our uncomfortable zone! He doesn't want us to become comfortable in our service to Him.

So what do you say Church, it is time to "Wake Up"! and to do Great things for God!!!

Let me know what you thought of today's service!

In Him,

Pastor Bobby

I bet all of you 24 fans thought you were going to read something about the hit TV show, right!

Wrong! Just a reminder that tonight at 6:00PM we kick off our 24 hour prayer service here at lifeBridge. It is going to be an awesome time where hundreds of you have signed up to take part in this event.

We are in the second week of the One Prayer series. Along with hundres of thousands of people from all across the globe. So tonight we are praying for 24 hours straight. And I believe that God is going to show up in a huge way.

My prayer is that you have made it a highlight of your weekend to carve out some time to be a part of this historic event. It was once said, "that nothing of eternal importance happens apart from prayer".

I know that for alot of us our prayer lives, well, "suck"! So maybe we can use this event to jump start us to where God wants us to be in our dependance of Him.

This weekend is going to be, well, "Off the Chain" as this weekends speaker would say. Ed Young is going to be with us bringing a message entitled. "Make Us... Wake Up". To many of us are a sleep in Church and it is time that we Wake Up to what it is God is saying to us.

So make sure you are here this weekend. Oh, by the way, this weekend is Father's Day. We have some special things in store as well as some really awesome new music. So invite a dad, and I will see you on Sunday.

By the way, for those of you that actually read this blog. Drop me a comment and let me know how your prayer life is going.

In Him,

Pastor Bobby

Most people live their entire lives looking for happiness. They look for it in many different ways. Money, fame, power... the old bumper sticker, "He who dies with the most toys, wins".

I see it every day. We as people are always looking for the latest and greatest fade! But as I get older in my life, I have come to realize that if you want true happiness, then you have got to discover your purpose! What you were made to do.

What is it, that God wants you to find happiness in? Now some may say, "I just don't know what it is God wants me to do".

So my first question is, "are you even asking?" If we are not talking (through prayer) and listening (through His word) then your right. You don't know what He wants you to do. But maybe your the one who for whatever reason has just, hit the wall in finding your purpose.

Let me challange you. I believe that we need not to look any farther that the story of the Good Samaritan.

Luke 10 tells us:  He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

I believe that as the Good Samaritan can give us all a lesson on "our purpose". As a Christ Follower, we were saved to serve! It has been said, "we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give".

So I say, that if you want to find your true purpose. Start by just doing something. You may be suprised at what it just might be that God is wanting you to do. And more often then not, it will be something that you never imagined yourself doing.

I read a quote today from the actor Danny Thomas, "all of us are born for a reason, but all of us don't discover why. Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others".

So again I ask, "what's your purpose?.

In Him,

Pastor Bobby