Ready for a little Chick Chat?
A ladies Bible Study
Begining Monday January 15th meet at the Sempre Cafe in downtown Romeo on Main Street (on the west side of the road)@ 7PM - 9PM
Every little girl has dreams of being rescued by the hero, of being swept away into a great adventure, of being the beautiful princess. Sadly, when women grow up, they are taught to be tough, efficient, and independent. Many Christian women are tired, struggling under the weight of the pressure to be a "good servant," a nurturing caregiver, passionate lover, or capable home manager.
What the Wild at Heart Field Manual did for men, the Captivating: A Guided Journal can do for women. By revealing the three distinctly female desires every woman shares, John and Stasi Eldredge invite participants to recover their feminine hearts, which may have suffered many wounds but were originally defined in the image of a passionate God.
Pick up your copy at the Christian book store or on line at Big Buck "Tom" Balabuch's on line bookstore http://bigbuckbalabuch.spreadtheword.com/
Call Joelle for more details.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Monday, December 25, 2006
Merry Christmas!
He who is the BRIGHTNESS of the Fathers' Glory came so that we could walk in the Beauty of his glorious LIGHT. He who is the express IMAGE of the Fathers' person came so that we could be the reflection of His wondrous LOVE. He who upholds all things by the word of His POWER came so that we could walk in the strenght of His marvelous GRACE.
Praying your home is wrapped in the Savior's love.... blessed with His peace and warmed by His abiding presence all through the year.
We hope you had a Wonderful Christmas !
You are loved..... The Mabeys, Matt, Joelle, Zach, Aaron , Noah and Micah
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Christmas Eve at Kensington
We knew Christmas was going to be a little different this year.
The Bridge is doing great but we are not ready for a full blown
Christmas Eve Candle light service.
After a few days of hemming and hawing about what we were
going to do for Christmas Eve we decided to do Christmas at
Kensington.
After a shaky start, not knowing exactly were to turn on
Rochester rd ;to getting there only 10 minutes before the
start of the service, therefore not
being able to have the choice seats in the house,(there are 6 of us)
it is often times hard to find 6 seats together even at a church
the size of Kensington.
Finally after settling into the last row
on the ground level we enjoyed the service.
It was a good service filled with music, lights, video, dancing
and a message by the senior pastor.
Enjoy the photos of the boys experience, usually we do not all
get to sit together and have dad be the dad, e is usually tied up being
the pastor. Although this year gives us a little reprieve we are sure
by this time next year The Bridge will have a Christmas Eve Service.
See you at the Bridge!
Christmas at New Haven Pines
Jason and Becky Garvin are the owners of
New Haven Pines an adult foster care home.
This is the home for the garvins as well as
6 women in need of full time care. It is an
alternative to a nursing home. and Jason and Becky
do a fabulous job. On this night we visited the ladies,
sang Christmas Carols, had communion with them and
shared in fellowship as well as a bit of punch and cookies. We enjoyed ourselves and
tried to be a blessing to the others. Remember see a need.......fill a need!
Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
"See a Need..."
Not long ago I shared with those who attend The Bridge an illustration that comes from the familiar children’s movie, “Robots”. In the movie, a inventor/tycoon has not only a successful company, but a tv show that reaches into the hearts of many, convincing them that “you can shine no matter what your made of.” There is another line that he utters throughout the movie that has stuck with me as we have started this ministry, The Bridge. The line is simple, yet profound: “See a need, fill a need.” These words point to another, an inventor/creator that saw a need, and filled the need in a most extraordinary way. This “way” is called the incarnation.
The incarnation literally means “in the flesh” and is the word we use to describe the Son of God coming as the Christ-child. Why did He come? So we could put a tree inside the house in December? So we could join the shopping craze from the day after Thanksgiving to the 24th of this month? So we can string lights, kiss under the mistletoe, drink egg nog?
Christ came for only one reason; He saw a need, and He filled that need. While the need is a universal dilemma that started from a point very soon after creation in what we call The Fall, it is more so a personal dilemma buried deep in the heart of mankind; the dilemma of sin. Focal points of the season point to peace, goodwill, and tidings of comfort and joy, but the genesis of the season came not from goodness and graces, but from hurt, hate, and hell. A baby was born who would first suckle on his mother’s breast, but ultimately would swallow whole every heart of wickedness.
In accepting a gift that fills a need in our lives, it is good to be thankful, but even better to be mindful of how we might be able to meet a need ourselves. The incarnation should surface in our lives in a spirit of need-meeting. As we come into the presence of the great Need-Meeter in our lives in the Christ-child through worship and wonderment, it should send us out into our communities as those whose hearts are open to discover needs in others’ lives, and reach to meet those needs in any way we can. If we are not need-meeters, then the incarnation is not real in our hearts. How can we have the Christ-child shine upon us, and not reflect His glory? How can we be filled, and not flow out? How can we drink from living water, and not offer others refreshment as well?
Unless you are a monk or a hermit, you will be presented with many needs over the next 24 hours as you come into contact with those around you. The question for these hours is certainly not: Are there any needs? The question of the incarnation is: Have you been changed enough to meet them? Just thinking........
matt
The incarnation literally means “in the flesh” and is the word we use to describe the Son of God coming as the Christ-child. Why did He come? So we could put a tree inside the house in December? So we could join the shopping craze from the day after Thanksgiving to the 24th of this month? So we can string lights, kiss under the mistletoe, drink egg nog?
Christ came for only one reason; He saw a need, and He filled that need. While the need is a universal dilemma that started from a point very soon after creation in what we call The Fall, it is more so a personal dilemma buried deep in the heart of mankind; the dilemma of sin. Focal points of the season point to peace, goodwill, and tidings of comfort and joy, but the genesis of the season came not from goodness and graces, but from hurt, hate, and hell. A baby was born who would first suckle on his mother’s breast, but ultimately would swallow whole every heart of wickedness.
In accepting a gift that fills a need in our lives, it is good to be thankful, but even better to be mindful of how we might be able to meet a need ourselves. The incarnation should surface in our lives in a spirit of need-meeting. As we come into the presence of the great Need-Meeter in our lives in the Christ-child through worship and wonderment, it should send us out into our communities as those whose hearts are open to discover needs in others’ lives, and reach to meet those needs in any way we can. If we are not need-meeters, then the incarnation is not real in our hearts. How can we have the Christ-child shine upon us, and not reflect His glory? How can we be filled, and not flow out? How can we drink from living water, and not offer others refreshment as well?
Unless you are a monk or a hermit, you will be presented with many needs over the next 24 hours as you come into contact with those around you. The question for these hours is certainly not: Are there any needs? The question of the incarnation is: Have you been changed enough to meet them? Just thinking........
matt
Baking with Cassie and Laurel
I needed to make some baked goodies for the Christmas party with
the Bridge, so Cassie and Laurel came to lend their expertise!
What fun we had.....zucchini bread and ufins, choclate chex party mix and oyster crackers w/ ranch dressing, thanks girls.
Remember next time, cooking for a month. Laurel you are in charge.
Christmas party with the Bridge
It is going to require another post to fit all the pictures but here is a start.
.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
You want to make God laugh?
We must never forget that it's an amazingly terrifying thing
to be in the hands of God.
And what we sign up for is a scary thing, too, to say
"Whatever you want, Lord."
If you want to make God laugh tell Him your plans.
to be in the hands of God.
And what we sign up for is a scary thing, too, to say
"Whatever you want, Lord."
If you want to make God laugh tell Him your plans.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Seven Reasons Why Jesus Could Not Have Been A Pastor In Many Churches
#1 - He Obviously Cared About Numbers!
In reading the Gospels it does not take a rocket scientist to discover that “great crowds” were always gathering around Him…there are even instances where the crowds nearly crushed Him…and not once did He ever get mad about it & tell those people to go to hell so that He could “go deep” with those closest to Him.
At the end of every Gospel He tells His apostles to go and tell people about Him (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:48, John 20:21)…and upon a casual reading of the book of Acts one can discover that this happened…and God was involved. (Acts 2:42 - Acts 4:4) By the way…God never seems to be truly involved in churches that don’t reach people…because people are too involved!
Yep–Jesus cared too much about people…and that just would not fly in some places.
#2 - He Was Not An Expository Preacher!
Jesus simply did not preach line by line, verse by verse, through the Old Testament. There are SOME instances where He uses Scripture; however, the overwhelming majority of the time He tells stories…in other words–He was a creative communicator!!! (I am so sure the bloggers of that time period probably accused Him of watering down God’s word!)
#3 - He Offended Religious People!
Yep–the personal committee would have dismissed Jesus quickly–and probably without any severance. You see–He kept asking them insulting questions like, “Haven’t you read…”, which REALLY insulted their intelligence because He was referring to the Torah…which most of them had memorized.
There are instances where He calls religious people sons of their father the devil…and even calls them things like snakes, vipers and white washed tombs. Obviously Jesus didn’t give a rip about what people thought about Him…and most pastors know that if you are going to be “successful” in ministry you HAVE to keep the influencers and big givers happy & try hard not to offend them.
#4 - He Was Not Issue Oriented!
Not once did Jesus ever organize a group to protest the illegal occupation by the Romans. Nor did He became an advocate for private school, gun control, or animal rights! AND…He also refused to be interviewed by Fox News or endorse Al Frankin!
AND…He never seemingly would take a stand on predestination or free will - the rapture - speaking in tongues - or can women wear make-up, you know–things that REALLY matter to people who are lost.
No–He had this passion about one thing–the Kingdom of God…and He was dedicated to it in a relentless way. I know of too many pastors that are focused on many issues…but “the issue” that NEEDS to be focused on is JESUS CHRIST...making HIM famous…and NOT a particular political party or a particular brand of theology.
#5 - He Liked To Have Fun!
Where was His first miracle performed? Answer…A PARTY!!! I know, I know–technically it was a wedding…but a casual study of that culture in that particular time period will show that weddings were a HUGE deal…many times lasting for three days.
And get this–Jesus made the list!!! Someone evidently thought Jesus was cool enough to invite to the wedding. (And they were so glad they did when they ran out of wine.) Folks–it is in the Bible–John 2, read it for yourself!!!
And in Matthew 14 where the Bible talks about Jesus walking on the water…and the disciples cried out in fear. Now guys…stop and think for a second…don’t you think He had a HUGE smile on His face when He did this?
#6 - He Hung Out With The Wrong Types Of People!
Jesus never seemed to be caught up in hanging out with people who seemed to think just like Him…you see, that would have been way too safe. Nope–He was always hanging around prostitutes, tax collectors and “sinners.” And He hung out with them so much that He was even accused of being a drunkard and a glutton!!! The thing is–He just didn’t seem to let that bother Him.
You see, in order to be “successful” as a pastor today you MUST hang out with people who talk, think, and act JUST LIKE YOU! For God’s sake don’t get near someone who might believe differently than you…OR have a different skin color than you…that might CHANGE the way you think…and that just wouldn’t be good in someone’s goal to please people.
#7 - He Was A Prophet…And Not A Prostitute.
A prostitute is for sale…they get paid for a service in order to make someone feel better about themselves. Many pastors today are simply prostitutes–for sale–and threatened and intimated by the loudest and most controlling person in their church.
BUT…a prophet speaks the truth…and does so not caring what might happen to Him. This was Jesus…if He desired to play it safe He could have probably avoided the whole crucifixion thing. BUT He was WAY more concerned with offending His Father than He was offending people…and that just would not fly in the modern day church.
I have heard pastors who say they like to “tell it like it is.” I agree…but telling it like it is does not mean that we yell at people who are far from God that they are “going to go to hell and fry like bacon.” Nor does it mean that we spend the majority of our time trying to tell the already convinced how good they are and that their poop doesn’t stink!
Nope–it is up to us to tell those who are far from God that they need to come near to Him through Jesus…and it is also up to us to tell those who are “in Christ” to live like it…and that means calling those IN the kingdom to repentance from time to time…both on a corporate and a private level.
Nope–Jesus simply could not have served as a pastor in many churches…but He did what He was called and instructed to do…which should be the goal of EVERY pastor and church leader all around the world. If we would all focus on pleasing Jesus and advancing His kingdom rather than pleasing people and catering to the need of immature Christians then our churches would be a lot better off!
Thank you Jesus for setting an awesome example!!!
#1 - He Obviously Cared About Numbers!
In reading the Gospels it does not take a rocket scientist to discover that “great crowds” were always gathering around Him…there are even instances where the crowds nearly crushed Him…and not once did He ever get mad about it & tell those people to go to hell so that He could “go deep” with those closest to Him.
At the end of every Gospel He tells His apostles to go and tell people about Him (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:48, John 20:21)…and upon a casual reading of the book of Acts one can discover that this happened…and God was involved. (Acts 2:42 - Acts 4:4) By the way…God never seems to be truly involved in churches that don’t reach people…because people are too involved!
Yep–Jesus cared too much about people…and that just would not fly in some places.
#2 - He Was Not An Expository Preacher!
Jesus simply did not preach line by line, verse by verse, through the Old Testament. There are SOME instances where He uses Scripture; however, the overwhelming majority of the time He tells stories…in other words–He was a creative communicator!!! (I am so sure the bloggers of that time period probably accused Him of watering down God’s word!)
#3 - He Offended Religious People!
Yep–the personal committee would have dismissed Jesus quickly–and probably without any severance. You see–He kept asking them insulting questions like, “Haven’t you read…”, which REALLY insulted their intelligence because He was referring to the Torah…which most of them had memorized.
There are instances where He calls religious people sons of their father the devil…and even calls them things like snakes, vipers and white washed tombs. Obviously Jesus didn’t give a rip about what people thought about Him…and most pastors know that if you are going to be “successful” in ministry you HAVE to keep the influencers and big givers happy & try hard not to offend them.
#4 - He Was Not Issue Oriented!
Not once did Jesus ever organize a group to protest the illegal occupation by the Romans. Nor did He became an advocate for private school, gun control, or animal rights! AND…He also refused to be interviewed by Fox News or endorse Al Frankin!
AND…He never seemingly would take a stand on predestination or free will - the rapture - speaking in tongues - or can women wear make-up, you know–things that REALLY matter to people who are lost.
No–He had this passion about one thing–the Kingdom of God…and He was dedicated to it in a relentless way. I know of too many pastors that are focused on many issues…but “the issue” that NEEDS to be focused on is JESUS CHRIST...making HIM famous…and NOT a particular political party or a particular brand of theology.
#5 - He Liked To Have Fun!
Where was His first miracle performed? Answer…A PARTY!!! I know, I know–technically it was a wedding…but a casual study of that culture in that particular time period will show that weddings were a HUGE deal…many times lasting for three days.
And get this–Jesus made the list!!! Someone evidently thought Jesus was cool enough to invite to the wedding. (And they were so glad they did when they ran out of wine.) Folks–it is in the Bible–John 2, read it for yourself!!!
And in Matthew 14 where the Bible talks about Jesus walking on the water…and the disciples cried out in fear. Now guys…stop and think for a second…don’t you think He had a HUGE smile on His face when He did this?
#6 - He Hung Out With The Wrong Types Of People!
Jesus never seemed to be caught up in hanging out with people who seemed to think just like Him…you see, that would have been way too safe. Nope–He was always hanging around prostitutes, tax collectors and “sinners.” And He hung out with them so much that He was even accused of being a drunkard and a glutton!!! The thing is–He just didn’t seem to let that bother Him.
You see, in order to be “successful” as a pastor today you MUST hang out with people who talk, think, and act JUST LIKE YOU! For God’s sake don’t get near someone who might believe differently than you…OR have a different skin color than you…that might CHANGE the way you think…and that just wouldn’t be good in someone’s goal to please people.
#7 - He Was A Prophet…And Not A Prostitute.
A prostitute is for sale…they get paid for a service in order to make someone feel better about themselves. Many pastors today are simply prostitutes–for sale–and threatened and intimated by the loudest and most controlling person in their church.
BUT…a prophet speaks the truth…and does so not caring what might happen to Him. This was Jesus…if He desired to play it safe He could have probably avoided the whole crucifixion thing. BUT He was WAY more concerned with offending His Father than He was offending people…and that just would not fly in the modern day church.
I have heard pastors who say they like to “tell it like it is.” I agree…but telling it like it is does not mean that we yell at people who are far from God that they are “going to go to hell and fry like bacon.” Nor does it mean that we spend the majority of our time trying to tell the already convinced how good they are and that their poop doesn’t stink!
Nope–it is up to us to tell those who are far from God that they need to come near to Him through Jesus…and it is also up to us to tell those who are “in Christ” to live like it…and that means calling those IN the kingdom to repentance from time to time…both on a corporate and a private level.
Nope–Jesus simply could not have served as a pastor in many churches…but He did what He was called and instructed to do…which should be the goal of EVERY pastor and church leader all around the world. If we would all focus on pleasing Jesus and advancing His kingdom rather than pleasing people and catering to the need of immature Christians then our churches would be a lot better off!
Thank you Jesus for setting an awesome example!!!
Brabb House
The first Christmas tea of "The Bridge" was
successful.... it was held at the Brabb House
in down town Romeo. A beautiful venue for
such an event. The hostesses did a fabulous
job setting and decorating their tables, there
was a speaker and special musice and of course
candlelight. 48 ladies were in attendance, a far
cry from the 25 I projected ealy on would be
successful. "God is Good"! I expect this will be
an annual event.
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