Ministry Partners

It’s been about 8 years since my family first came to be part of The Bridge.  Not long after praying about how to get involved, our family felt led to support our church by serving with The Bridge’s Children’s Ministry Team.  That’s been a special place for us to plug in over the years as we’ve been blessed by our interactions with children and other members of that team.  Since then, there have been many other opportunities to serve as well as be served by other ministry teams.  I’ve often introduced myself and my family as ministry partners with The Bridge because I value the team ministry model that I’ve seen practiced at our church over the years.  We are a church of many different people coming together towards a single mission under the leadership of God’s Holy Spirit to “connect people to God’s indelible grace.”  That’s how God continues to show off His handiwork through diverse people with a variety of gifts living as His body in this world.

In chapter six of Acts, we see the church dealing with a complaint over a need that had arose from within the congregation.  In those first moments of church history, people stepped up to meet the needs of the church.  We are introduced to a disciple named Stephen that is one of seven chosen for a ministry team charged with the task of serving widows in need.  Sometime later, Stephen will be preaching in the face of life-risking persecution under the direction of God’s Holy Spirit.  I believe God used Stephen’s service to those widows as a proving ground for his trust in the power of the Holy Spirit that enabled His faith to stand faithful to serve others in the face of his death.  It’s still the same for followers of Jesus today.  Jesus uses ministry to develop the faith of His followers.  The church can learn firsthand about Jesus’ passion and love for people through our service to others in our congregation. 

It’s encouraging to see how the church dealt with such things then as it should challenge us about the importance of continuing to care for the needs that arise among the different people in our midst that have come to saving faith in Jesus now.  Ministry teams will always be needed in the church as long as there continues to be people with needs.  So there will always be a part for each of us to play in church ministry.  With so many different ways to serve others in the church, how might God be calling you as a ministry partner with our church in order to help you grow closer in your walk with Jesus?

This coming Sunday is special to me because our church is resuming our Children’s Ministry after a very long suspension due to the pandemic.  Please pray with me for our children – for their physical and spiritual well being.  Pray also for those who serve as part of our Children’s Ministry Team – for their physical and spiritual well being.  Let’s pray for God’s Holy Spirit to lead over and give wisdom to the Children’s Ministry Team.  As families with children involved, may we be reminded of the love of Christ Jesus as we watch the children being served by these ministry partners.  And may all of us that serve as ministry partners in the church be captivated and compelled by the loving service of our Savior in our own lives.  Jesus loves the little children and Jesus loves you!  May the deeds of our church affirm the same about the amazing love of Jesus!

Grateful and hopeful in Christ, 

Jon

After Darkness, Light.

A week ago, there was no trace of plant life in the woods behind my house. There were no blossoms on the trees, or daffodils pushing through the ground. Then all at once spring emerged, and I was amazed- as I am every year- at how brilliant the green grass appears after months of rest. Each morning I awaken earlier to the first light of dawn and the sound of birds calling back and forth in the songs their Creator gave to them. All of creation is coming back to life, it seems. Even my own weary heart that needs more grace each year to persevere through the dark, cold winter begins to sing a new song.

After winter, spring.

After death, life.

“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb...”The Sabbath now past, these women who with their own eyes had seen Jesus close His in death, went to cover His broken and lifeless body with spices and ointments.

“They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.” They were perplexed. Who had rolled the heavy stone away? And where was Jesus? When two angels appeared, their confusion turned to fright.

“Why do you seek the living among the dead?” the angels asked. “He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise?”

“And they remembered his words.”

After the grave, resurrection.

“Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead.” Prophetic words from Isaiah were fulfilled that resurrection morning.

Christ has been raised! Our redemption is secure! We are resurrection people, alive today in a world that is perishing, because He brought our hearts back from the dead. And the hope we have in the finished work of Christ is an anchor for our souls. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” May we live as His people, walking in the light of fellowship with Him and one another, and all the more as we see the day of His return approaching.

After darkness, Light.

-Natalie Runyon

The Stones Will Cry Out

When the words “Palm Sunday” are spoken, churchgoers of all ages likely have some internal reaction. As a child, a good Bible story likely includes a donkey, and Palm Sunday signals only one more week until Easter eggs. Adults may think of palm leaves and have a sense of hope in Christ our King.

As we go through the book of Acts, courage is front and center as we watch the Apostles and new Christians spread the message of salvation in Jesus Christ bravely in a hostile word. It’s appropriate that as we pause Acts, the example of courage remains in our text. Luke 19: 37-40 lays a familiar scene, the crowd is cheering Jesus while the Pharisees are grumbling. The Pharisees want Jesus to silence His crowd for proclaiming Him a king, which challenges their authority. Jesus’ response in verse 40 is “I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

While perhaps some of the crowd had their hope solely in an earthly king to dethrone Roman rule, others very likely were part of those early Christians that after Jesus’ crucifixion, couldn’t help but proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen. I acknowledge that God chose me to be born two thousand years after this. Would I have had the courage to cry out “Lord Jesus!”, unable to remain quiet just like the stones and nature around Jesus?

Standing for an ideal can be frightening, and, like today, there were many viewpoints two thousand years ago. This crowd had followed Jesus for the last few years. They were healed, amazed, and awestruck. A week after Palm Sunday, many were caught up in the prevailing moment, succumbed to groupthink, and played a role in His crucifixion. Perhaps some of these people wanted courage, but were scared as they saw their friends, neighbors, and loved ones turn against Jesus.

It’s easy to get caught up in the ideas of others and lose our fundamental footing in Jesus’ words. I could say it’s easier today than ever before, a 24 hour news cycle, the abundance of opinion and reaction on social media, notification pings in your pocket. But clearly opinions spread quickly in Jesus’ day too, as a crowd of many went from cheers to boos in one week! We should be well reminded that the Enemy wants to distract and confuse us, perhaps that’s more use to him than if we were murderers. Palm Sunday is a reminder to stay grounded in Jesus’ words, with courage to exclaim the Gospel and courage to gently encourage a friend (or stranger) in need. Courage comes in all shapes and sizes, but is used best when founded in Jesus’ red letters.

-Alex Pfister

Unstoppable God

Back in the day, I was on MySpace.  I noticed a friend had shared a picture of herself and me from way, way back. As I looked through the comments on the picture, one stood out. Fifteen or so years later I still remember the words: “Has anyone convinced her to assimilate yet?” 

It turned out it wasn’t my (somewhat questionable) reputation from high school that followed me, but the choice to pursue Christ in my early 20’s that I became known for. That one careless comment held me captive for so long. The passion in my soul for Jesus’ glory was still there but knowing that a few people from high school thought I was crazy began to dictate what I did or didn’t say about Him.

A few years later I was awakened to the persecution of Christians in other parts of the world who were suffering in horrific ways, and even dying, because they couldn’t renounce the One who gave up everything for them. Since then, I have prayed over and over for the Lord to give me courage and boldness to speak aloud what I so deeply feel about Him. If I can’t talk about my Savior because someone might mock me now, how will I endure when that day of greater persecution comes? Will I be able to stand?

As the apostles stood, awaiting news of their fate that day in Acts 5, Gamaliel advised the council of Pharisees “If this plan or undertaking is of man, it will fail, but if it is of God you will not be able to overthrow them.” He fully expected this fledgling movement to fade away, but Church, our God can not be stopped! What the Lord Almighty has purposed, no one can thwart. His plan will prevail!

The Spirit powerfully moved in the hearts of those in the early church as the name of Jesus was exalted. They continued teaching in the temple and from house to house, proclaiming that Christ is Lord. And with every proclamation the Church grew, numerically yes, but also with increasing conviction and assurance. Do we proclaim His name like that today? Are the words that proceed from our mouth, and even our social media posts, good news of the gospel or have we been taken captive by the bad news of this world?

What is in your heart today? For years, I have had conviction, but not courage. May His power increase in us and make us brave! Maybe you are courageous and bold but are you bold in speaking about your Savior? The Spirit moves both to compel us to exalt Christ, and as a response to that exaltation. May He fill our hearts with the assurance that Christ is the sovereign Lord, and our mouths with the hope of His Gospel. 

Peter and the apostles were beaten and released that day, but they didn’t retreat. They bore wounds on their bodies, but their souls were aflame! They were beaten- and they left rejoicing! Rejoicing that they had been counted worthy- not of great honor or position, not with great wealth or fame- but worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus. 

The apostles were utterly convinced that proclaiming the name of Jesus to a world who didn’t know Him was worth it all. What are we clinging to that we value more than Him? For me, it has been my reputation. What is it for you? Brothers and sisters, He is calling us to lay those things down for His name’s sake. Let’s pray He will give us the grace to do so. 

Whatever might come in our lifetime, may the One who is Faithful and True keep us faithful until the end.

Natalie

How Shall We Travel?

“We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this Man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.” — Acts 5:28-29

In The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, the kids are on a ship in darkness, facing uncertain times. They are scared, and some shout, “We will never make it!” Lucy cried to Aslan for help (the analogy of Jesus Christ in C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia). Suddenly a speck of light appeared ahead, which eventually became a beam of light that lit up the ship in the dark like a spotlight. Lucy looked at the beam of light, and at first thought, she saw a cross, only to see wings whirring. It was an Albatross that circled the ship’s mast three times and then whispered to Lucy, ”Courage, dear heart!”[1]

C.S. Lewis’s Narnia stories are clear about basic Christian symbolism and are also layered with spiritual meaning. In this scene, it is an Albatross, representing the Holy Spirit, who brings courage to Lucy.

In Acts 5:12-32, the apostles are imprisoned, angelically released, and then institutionally pressured by religious leaders to be silent and not “preach in this name. [Jesus]” A threat, which contradicted Christ’s command in Acts 1:8 “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses…”  Empowered with the Holy Spirit, Peter and the apostles found the courage to boldly proclaim, “We must obey God rather than men.”  The apostles were willing to die rather than be silent about Jesus. The apostles faced cultural and institutional opposition but were not intimidated. Regarding their faith, they courageously stood firm no matter where their journey would take them, including death, which leads us to the Christian journey before us today.

The genocide of Middle East Christians has been internationally affirmed. Christians in China are fiercely oppressed and persecuted with an intensity not seen since Mao. Western civilization has shifted to the most secular, non-religious culture in its history. The move to marginalize Christianity continues unabated where everything is being secularized and religious views considered preposterous.  In this very secular air we all breathe, we find our life’s journey and faith intersecting with historically challenging times. How shall we choose to travel?  Will we courageously proclaim with boldness obedience to God regardless of the consequences? Or will we prefer to weigh the costs where disillusionment awaits in choosing the easy and the pointless paths?

Regarding the moral and spiritual challenges in our post-Christian society, Ralph Wood draws on Tolkien’s Christian analogies in The Lord of the Rings for a decision that confronts believers: ”The Company’s Quest to destroy the Ring — is not unlike the journey of life. The path is full of such perils that our destiny can never be predicted in advance. Legolas, the elf, declares this dark truth: “Few can foresee whither their road will lead them, till they come to its end.” (2.95) The question — and thus the Quest — concerns how we shall travel the road and whether we shall complete our errand… we are called eventually to surrender the bounty… the giving up of our lives.”[2]

What we see in this week’s scripture is not a set of ideas or opinions proclaimed by a group of men. But a way of life, dying to one’s self, giving up of our lives for God regardless of the culture’s objections and ridicule. Which will shape our soul, give us true peace and courage, permeate us with the Holy Spirit, and bring Jesus closer to the heart.

-Dan Nickel

[1] C.S. Lewis, “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader,” The Chronicles of Narnia (New York: Harper Collins, 2001), 510-511.

[2] Ralph C. Wood, The Gospel According to Tolkien: Visions of the Kingdom in Middle-earth (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2003), 46.

One Heart and Mind

Acts 4:32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

These verses just blow my mind! All believers...one heart and mind! No one claiming any possessions were their own...sharing everything they had! No needy persons among them!

Friends, we may look at our country and try to think of ourselves as a nation under God, but I think we’ve got to be honest here, these verses do not describe what I’ve seen or experienced in my lifetime. In fact, we are so far removed from this type of living it’s hard for me to even imagine what it would look like in real terms in this day and age.

I see need all around me. Everyday. And while I consider myself to be a fairly generous person, I know good and well I’ve never been this generous or seen anyone else be for that matter.

As I write this we are still in the worst of a pandemic that has been going on for a year now, where even the wearing of a face mask somehow became controversial.

The lack of effort, thought, intention or action for the common good has really saddened me this year, and made me feel pretty disillusioned.

Is this kind of living even something that we want for a goal anymore, or is it some kind of utopia that doesn’t and can’t exist? I don’t really know. But I admit this scripture feels almost like reading a fairy tale to me.

Too much focus has been on politics in recent times, so I don’t want to get into any of that. But clearly, this section of scripture does not describe the church of today. Should it? If so, what needs to change? What would it even look like to have this kind of unity of heart and mind, this kind of generosity and where no one was in need?

I wonder...

Ruth

A Ground Shaking Prayer Meeting

"Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?" - Corrie ten Boom

How do you feel about prayer meetings? Not all prayer meetings are created equal. I am sure many of us have been to prayer meetings that are dry and boring. Many of us have also been to meetings when there is a concrete sense of God’s holy, powerful, mighty, healing presence with us. Prayer meetings can be bad, so-so, or life changing. So, what makes the difference?

In Acts 4:23-31 Luke records a prayer meeting that is anything but boring. I believe the context and the content of the meeting can teach us a lot. Peter and John had been arrested and spent the night in prison the day before. They were threatened and warned to not speak in the name of Jesus again. It was crystal clear that they were in a war. The believers knew they did not have what it takes to fight this good fight. They needed help. They also knew the Helper (Jn. 14:26) - the Holy Spirit who came at Pentecost to indwell them and equip them and empower them. They were not alone - “they went to their friends” (Acts 4:23). Prayer was a natural response - “when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God” (Acts 4:24). The prayer meeting wasn’t planned, but was as natural as breathing. They declared who God is - “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them” (Acts 4:24). They knew God’s Word - they quote from Psalm 2. They trusted in God’s plan and knew it can’t be thwarted - “whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place” (Acts 4:28). They asked God for what they needed to continue HIS mission - “grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness” (Acts 4:29). They remembered who the real Hero is - “while YOU STRETCH OUT YOUR HAND TO HEAL and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus” (Acts 4:30).

So, why do some prayer meetings leave us bored and burdened? I believe the Deceiver deceives us into thinking we are not in a war, we aren’t threatened and we don’t need help. The Father of Lies lies to us and tells us we don’t know the Helper and the Helper doesn’t care about us and we are all alone. The god of this age blinds our eyes so we don’t see let alone declare who God is. We listen more to the words of the world instead of the Word of God. We begin to believe we are self-sufficient instead of God dependent and in our self-sufficiency we will raise up ourselves as the heroes instead of lifting up Jesus as the Hero. Believing these lies will make us not only pray less, but be prayer-less.

But God in His great grace shakes us out of our comfort and complacency, our intoxication with self and sin and speaks the Truth to the lies:

• We are in a war - we have an Enemy

• We need Him to stand firm

• We need each other to stay encouraged

• He is ready, willing and able to be the Helper and Hero we desperately need

And the Truth sets us free. The prayer meeting Peter and John were a part of ended with the ground shaking. O Great God...may you shake the things in us that need to be shaken so we pray like this. And may you fill us all with the Holy Spirit so we may continue to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:31)

Who wants to have a prayer meeting?

I love you guys,

Steven

Forbidden to Speak

Many of us have been conditioned not to talk about religion or politics outside of our inner circles of loved ones or friends.  The reasoning for this has often been that these kinds of conversations are delicate in nature and require empathy and compassion for such discussions to be fruitful.  Somehow, in the age of social media, many of us have made grave exceptions and opened up on these topics with strangers and bystanders aplenty.  I’m guilty of it myself at times, posting something that draws attention from people I rarely spend time with if at all.  Why do we do it?  Aren’t there just some things we can’t help but say because we feel convicted about it deep down to our core?  As Christians, how are we to respond to such chaotic subjects?  

In our focal text this week, we are with Peter and John after they have been preaching to a crowd that gathered soon after a lame man was healed.  Now they are being pressured by religious influencers of that day to stop talking about Jesus in the way that they are proclaiming He is the Christ of God.  Peter and John can’t help themselves as they continue to speak of what they know about Jesus even though they are imprisoned and persecuted for their beliefs.  One major problem for the religious leaders was that the things these Apostles were saying about Jesus clashed with their own religious beliefs and sway over the Jewish people.  On the other hand, they were finding it difficult to refute the claims of the Apostles when life-changing evidence stood before them in the presence of the lame man now healed.  Adding to their dilemma was the mass number of Jews that had come to saving faith in Christ Jesus with all of the accompanying signs and wonders that the Holy Spirit was working in and through them.  Peter and John themselves could not help but proclaim what they had witnessed and experienced firsthand with Jesus.  Their boldness and clarity in the face of such religious pressure and persecution was another testament to the religious rulers that these claims carried some kind of weight.   

As a kid, I was taught not to say certain words out of respect for others around me.  Occasionally, I would consider the moments like when I might hit my thumb with a hammer and what words might fly out of my mouth not wanting to embarrass myself by saying something dishonorable.  I must confess that over the years I’ve been guilty of too many dishonorable utterances made even with a mind disciplined about these things.  Certain things when said will disqualify our voice to those around us and as followers of Christ we do need to be aware of how we might distract others from hearing the truth about Jesus.  The reality for all of us as human beings is that there will be times when we say things which are forbidden by our culture sometimes for the right reasons and sometimes for the wrong reasons.  As followers of Christ, how can we know what to say and when to say it?  That was a question that I’m sure Peter and John were asking themselves before the lame man, before the crowd that gathered after his healing, and then again before each of these religious authorities.  The truth that they knew about Jesus was what they spoke about with everyone and they stayed focused on the gospel truth about Jesus as their primary point of discussion.  Discussing faith in Jesus was a center stage priority for Peter and John.

Today, we are tempted to talk and post about a variety of topics.  As Christians, how can we know what to share and when to share it?  The claims we have in Jesus are a lot!  To claim that He rose from the dead and lives today is a lot!  It is evidence that demands a verdict from every observer!  Let us live our lives in such a way that those who hear from us would see us as truth tellers - honorable and credible in the things that we share.  Let us begin by being first to admit where we’ve been wrong and err in our lives.  Then let us share how Jesus is renewing our minds and transforming our hearts by His truth and grace.  We come to saving faith in Jesus by admitting our sin and need for a Savior and it is how we continue as followers of Jesus. 

May our lives ever be an honorable testament to the life-changing truth about Christ Jesus.  As a church, let us concern ourselves chiefly with the interests of our Savior and King.  Let us see the interruptions and inconveniences of our lives as divine opportunities to share the gospel.  Let us prove the value of the gospel by lives lived honorably for Jesus in the face of pain and suffering that will come in witnessing the truth about Him.  Everything in this life is of secondary importance to the one prevailing truth that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again on the third day.  On this irrefutable truth, we base our life and claim that Jesus is the Christ of God and in Him we will hope and rejoice forever.

Grateful and hopeful in Christ, 

Jon

Miles of Hope

Last September I hiked 100 miles. I hiked in my socks through sand dunes and then through winding mountain paths with new friends. I scrambled up, and very carefully back down, steep buttes. I hiked through four state parks with six of my kids and a husband who was less than thrilled to participate in my 100 mile journey. We hiked on mesas, and canyon rims, and through hills of aspen trees arrayed in golden splendor that brought me to tears and filled my heart with praise for the God who would clothe nature with such beauty. I learned the trails at The Nature Institute like the back of my hand. I knew how many minutes it would take me to walk each one, and I timed it so I could watch the sun set over the Mississippi, which again and again filled me with awe. I hiked with friends, because outdoors was the one place we could safely be together. I hiked with my older kids, sharing our hearts in a way that only happens when you walk together in a quiet hollow. Sometimes I hiked by myself to be alone with the Lord. By October, I was a different person. One hundred miles and the prayers and conversation and worship and intimacy that was part of each step changed me. I was stronger and more sure of my ability to walk hard paths, but also humbled by the times my feet had slipped and I had fallen.

Heraclitus said, “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it is not the same river, and he is not the same man.” And isn’t that the truth? People change. Day by day we are changed: by loss, by circumstance, by love, by choices, by pain, by growth, by time, and for the believer- by the Holy Spirit. Until one day we look back and the person we used to be isn’t recognizable to us anymore. Maybe it wasn’t 100 miles of hiking, but you’ve experienced your own journey. As we read scripture, we see how the Apostle Peter was likewise changed on his.

In Peter’s story, we can see ourselves. At times impetuous, Peter had a habit of speaking before thinking. In the gospels, he was a little unfiltered, and responded to Jesus in ways we find shocking. Peter witnessed what we couldn’t imagine- His dearest friend, dying by torture. Far removed from the event, it’s hard for us to fathom how it must have felt to see the Lord of all creation, the One who authored life, surrendering His own. We can scarcely imagine seeing Jesus die in such a way. When Peter witnessed His Savior and friend being murdered, he must have been undone. He would never be the same.

Then Jesus rose. Life was renewed and so was Peter. Jesus ascended, the Holy Spirit fell, and Peter found his footing on the sure foundation that Jesus gave Him. He preached with a bold assurance that could only come from the Spirit. In the name of Jesus, he healed. In Acts 3, we see the people were utterly astounded by the healing of the man who had been lame from birth. This miracle gave Peter the opportunity to proclaim the message. Again and again, through the days and years, Peter would testify of what he had seen, and how he had been changed.

While we might wish that the Holy Spirit would not use pain as the catalyst for growth, it remains the great sanctifier. Passing though the fire or the depths with no visible means of help, we find there is nowhere else to go but to Jesus. The more often trouble sends us there, the more deeply we realize, there is no one else to whom we want to go.

Trouble would send Peter back to the arms of His Savior over and over. Near the end of his life, he wrote a letter to the scattered believers throughout Asia Minor. Christians were experiencing cruel persecution at the hand of Nero, and Peter reassured them with these words: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, that is, into an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It is reserved in heaven for you, who by God’s power are protected through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. This brings you great joy, although you may have to suffer for a short time in various trials...But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” At the end of it all, Peter’s life was characterized by hope- true, settled hope. Season after season, Peter proclaimed with his life “to whom else would we go?” His only hope in life and death was Jesus. And for Peter, whether healing the lame, or suffering in chains, he made the most of every encounter to tell of the Hope that was within him.

I have plans to hike 500 miles this year. In March, I’ll find somewhere in Florida, as I process what cancer and chemo are doing to my Mom. In April, I’ll backpack through the hill country of Texas, a place full of memories for me. I long to go back to Utah, to hike the Narrows at Zion, and chances are many of those 500 miles will be at the Nature Institute, where the sky meets the water in every color of the rainbow at sunset. I pray that with every step, the Lord will meet me and change me. My prayer is the same for you, friends. I’m asking Him to fill us with hope, even in this season, even in the valleys...a hope that nothing can ever take from us, a hope that pours forth from our lips, a hope that is sustained by Living Hope.

Until He calls us home,

Natalie

Wholeness and Healing

I live in downtown Alton, 6th street to be exact. It’s not an unusual occurrence to see people of different races, ages, & socioeconomic levels walk by our house daily. A fountain across from our house is turned on by the city in the summer months and again, it’s not unusual to see people stop and sit by it, play in it, and even, from time to time, clean up and bath in it. When Dane and I go for daily walks in our neighborhood, it’s not unusual to have people come up to us and ask for help. Actually it’s not all that unusual for us to have people come right up to our front door and ring the doorbell to ask for help.

I wish I could do more to help. Honestly, the problems, struggles, mental illness and situations we see are overwhelming. We’ve handed out money, food, extension cords, and various other things. But it’s obvious to me that anything we try to do or help with is just a drop in the bucket.

While I think it’s important to do what we can and trust that even small efforts are worth it, I find myself coming away from these types of experiences feeling like I wish there was far more that could be done. Holistic healing and dealing with the source of the situation rather than just the very surface of it.

Acts 3 speaks to me. A man who hasn’t ever walked his entire life is begging Peter and John for some money. Probably just expecting a few coins, surely his expectations aren’t that high. Peter makes eye contact with him and asks the man to make eye contact with him as well. When someone is in need and you make eye contact...somehow it makes it a whole lot harder to walk on by and do nothing. Peter says that they don’t have any silver or gold to give, but then he offers the man something far better, something the man hadn’t even thought to ask for, he offers the man healing and wholeness; a new life. Instantly, the man is up on his feet, the very same feet, legs and ankles that have never worked for him before, jumping, leaping, and walking.

What did that feel like? And for Peter and John it must have been amazing to be able to help the man with what really mattered, and not just what was on the surface. For the man who was healed, wow, what a miracle! He even went into the temple with Peter and John that day instead of just sitting at the gate.

I read this quote recently from a Richard Rohr book called Yes/And…

“Whole people see and create wholeness wherever they go; divided people see and create splits in everything and everybody.”

Acts 3 to me is all about Peter and John living in a holistic way. They saw the man in a way that no one else had. It’s easy to categorize and label people. But what would it look like to see people not just as rich or poor, black or white, old or young, man or woman, or whatever other binary we might use, but instead to see people just as people? How do we become holistic people who see and create wholeness wherever we go? That’s worth thinking about. That is the power of the gospel to me.

Pursuing wholeness,

Ruth

A Bride Worth Fighting For

My husband asked me the other day what I thought was harder - marriage or parenting. I don’t think there is an easy answer to that question. Both have been tremendous blessings from the Lord in my life, but they have also been two of the most sanctifying experiences. There have been days where I have been so overjoyed at the privilege of being a mom, and other days where I have wept over the difficulty of loving and leading ten children well. Most of the time, I adore my husband and I’m so very grateful I get to do life side by side with him. Some days though, we hurt each other deeply, and my heart is full of anger at him. 

If he had asked which I thought was harder; marriage, parenting, or church, I suspect we may have both answered with church. Some of our deepest wounds have been inflicted by other believers. Years later, those scars are still tender. Church hurt has impacted both of us, as well as our children. We aren’t the only ones. I know many of your stories. You’ve shared how you have been shaped by your experiences in church - the positive, but unfortunately, also the negative. We hope the church will be a refuge, but too often it’s a war zone, and our hearts are the casualties. 

Michael asked me how I could still love the church so much after all we had been through. I told him it’s because I know how lovely we can be. I see our potential. 

Over the years, I’ve heard many people reference Acts 2:42-47 as as example of how far we have fallen. “If only we could go back”, they say. It seems we’ve adopted the fatalistic outlook of our culture. I regularly see believers and even pastors criticizing the church on social media. It can feel like God’s people have given up on the church. I’m not saying we don’t rightly deserve some of the criticism. We have too often forgotten our call as ambassadors of Christ, and rather than letting the gospel be the stumbling block to those who are perishing, our attitudes and actions have been the stumbling block. But people need grace to grow, and so does the church. 

On the day of Pentecost, three thousand souls were saved. The Holy Spirit was poured out, and the response was world changing. We are here today, halfway across the world, gathered as a body of believers in Alton, IL because of the events of that day. Luke tells us what happened following that day: “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Count how many times a sentence in this passage begins with the word “and”. It’s almost like Luke is trying to communicate “But wait! There’s more!” These verses describe for us what the church can look like when we are devoted to the Word, filled with the Holy Spirit, fervent in prayer and faithful in fellowship. We are a force for hell to reckon with! A church like that can change the world! I don’t know about you, but I want that!!!!! And not just in heaven, but now on earth. 

Church, we can’t go back. We live in a different culture, time and location. But we can look back at how the Spirit moved, and we can turn back to the Lord, and ask Him to do a mighty work in our midst - for His glory, our good, and for the salvation of many. Jesus told Peter that the gates of hell would not prevail against His church. We are that church, empowered by His Spirit to proclaim His gospel to the ends of the earth. Christ will never give up on His bride. Why should we? 

My prayer for us, believers at The Bridge, is that God would day by day heal our wounds as we apply the balm of His gospel love and truth to one another. If it’s true that hurting people hurt people, it’s equally true that healing people heal people. So may we speak words of life and encouragement to one another. May we long and pray earnestly for God to move in our midst in our day and in as powerful a way as He did in Acts. And oh, that he would add daily to our number those who are being saved! 

-Natalie Runyon

Who is Your Hero?

Who is your hero? 

I have asked students this question on a First Day of School survey over the last fifteen years.

Here are some of the answers - Spiderman, Superman, Batman, professional athletes, singers, mom, dad, brother, sister.  These are all good answers.  It is important to have at least one hero.  The saddest answer I saw on surveys to the question was “idk” (I don’t know).  And another sad answer was - I do not have a hero.

When Peter preaches on the day of Pentecost all he can talk about is his Hero - Jesus.  Jesus is the first word in the sermon (see Acts 2:22) and after his hearers are “cut to the heart” and ask what they should do, Peter tells them they should repent and be baptized into the name of his Hero - Jesus.

How would you answer the question today - who is your hero?  It is ok to have more than one hero, but there is only One Hero worthy of all of our allegiance and worship. 

Jesus lived, died, rose and is reigning.

Jesus prays for us.  

Jesus protects us.  

Jesus rescues us from sin and selfishness and Satan.  

Jesus paid our debt so we could be forgiven.  

Jesus pours out the Holy Spirit on us.  

Jesus will never leave or forsake all who repent and call on Him and are baptized in His Name.

May we be a people who zealously brag and boast about Jesus - Son of God and Son of Man.  King of Kings.  Savior and Lord.  Hero of heroes.

Grace and peace,

Steven

God Speaks in My Language

The story of the Holy Spirit descending on the apostles in Acts 2 is a familiar one. A violent wind...tongues of fire...suddenly each man is fluent in a different language instantaneously...all during Pentecost (Shavuot, a harvest festival), when Jews from all over the world have converged in Jerusalem to celebrate.

Have you ever asked children if they could be a superhero, what superhero power they might like to have? Usually you get answers like the ability to fly, x-ray vision, speed, and so on. In this case...the apostles are each given a language.

In researching, I’ve discovered, I totally have taken for granted the reality that the bible is translated into my language and easily accessible. I can even choose from a multitude of translations, to pick one that appeals to me most. We might not own many books but I would bet that most of us have a bible somewhere in our house or at least access to one on our technology. God speaking in our language is not really something we cherish, appreciate or even think about.

In Acts 2, we see this is a HUGE deal.

I’ve tried to learn a different language before, I took four years of Spanish in high school and am sad to say, retained very little of that education! It’s not easy to become fluent in a different language other than your native one. Missionaries usually have no choice. Full immersion in the culture and extensive tutoring is about the only way they can have any kind of success. Most missionaries have many stories of mistakes and funny things they said or did because of how difficult it is to speak and communicate fluently.

In Acts 2, this fluency is immediate. And they each are able to speak multiple different languages immediately!

I’ve been giving a lot of thought to how inclusive God is, especially as we read the gospel stories and see who Jesus interacts with and how. It appears that the more people are on the margins of life the more He seeks them out...women, foreigners, the poor, the sick, etc.

I’m challenged to take an honest look at my own life and the church as a whole. I’m not sure we have gotten this basic premise right. Too often we make His message one for a few rather than for all. We make it exclusive and put up barriers to those on the margins rather than clearing the way and seeking out those on the edges. We have lots of reasons for doing this. Most of the time it happens so subtly we may not even recognize our behavior. But if we are honest and put our egos aside, we know it’s true. We’ve often made Jesus and Christianity into something that fits us and the kind of people we are most comfortable being around.

When I read Acts 2 I am reminded of the incredible inclusive nature of God, Jesus, and even The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit arrives and suddenly all language barriers are GONE, instantaneously! Wow!

Looking through church history is pretty eye opening. Do you know that there were people burned at the stake and tortured in other ways for translating the Bible from Latin to English? This was carried out by the church leaders of the day. They were extremely threatened at the notion that the common person would have access to scripture. The church leaders valued power, control, greed, and exclusivity. I would like to say these are problems the church no longer faces today. But I cannot.

I believe the Holy Spirit still fills each one of us and the outer evidence is probably in large measure how inclusive we are to those on the margins of life. This is where Jesus is found and where we need to be.

2021...let’s be more inclusive and let God speak in all languages and cultures.

Ruth

Wait for It

You’ve probably heard the saying, “It’s worth the wait!”  Hopefully, you’ve had many opportunities in life to experience that phrase proved true.  As I write this reflection, I’m a bit stressed as I await and prepare for a promotional exam at the fire department.  I find myself wishing that the test would come and go along with the stress that comes with it. 

I’ve been encouraged this week as I’ve reflected on the second half of Acts 1 and the discipline of Jesus’ disciples to pray to the LORD and wait on His direction in order to act.  Prayer is a discipline and discipline is a word for Jesus’ followers.  Prayer was a learned practice for the disciples as they had watched Jesus set THE example for them in His life and ministry.  Jesus was a man of prayer and so must be His disciples. 

In Acts 1:12-26, we see the disciples with some heavy decisions that need to be handled.  What will they do?  Just back in the first half of this chapter, we heard Jesus order His disciples to go to Jerusalem and wait on the baptism of His Holy Spirit.  In that moment, they seemed confused regarding whose kingdom they are most concerned with – their own or something greater.  After Jesus’ ascension, the disciples decide to obey Jesus through waiting and praying for His guidance.  What follows is that their lives become completely surrendered to the will of Christ as they embark on the great unknown of living as His followers. 

It’s in the prayer and waiting that God prepares His people for the work He will call them to do.  As I prepare for the upcoming exam, I am blessed to consider how it is preparing me for more.  The exam itself is not the ultimate goal so much as the personal development that comes from study and application in the meantime.  Prayer and waiting on the LORD can be like that as we see here with Jesus’ disciples.  The ends for which we pray are a means that help us develop spiritually to depend more on the power of Jesus and His desires rather than on our own base instincts or conventional wisdom. 

Running is one of the ways I condition for my line of work.  Sometimes, I’m tempted to only focus on the end of my run.  But for those of you that have experience with running, the endorphins come along the way in the run rather than at the end.  Our relationship with Jesus through prayer and waiting can be like that.  What we find in the process is that it’s worth the wait on Jesus because in our journey with Him, it’s the relationship of watching Him work that brings the greatest joy to our lives.  I’ve often envied the writings of Christian mystics because of their inclination to pursue greater intimacy with Jesus through ongoing constant prayer.  Isn’t intimacy with Jesus what we are all looking for in the first place?  There’s a phrase that is sometimes used to describe religious people – “they’re too heavenly minded to do any earthly good.”  But that statement is really impossible because the more any person truly tastes of Heaven (God’s Kingdom), they can’t help but be led to do what is for the earthly good as His Kingdom intends to come on earth as it is in Heaven.  Jesus always leads us to a greater Kingdom than our own.  Truly praying and waiting on Him is always rewarded with renewal and restoration toward our created purpose. 

At the end of this passage, we see God has chosen Matthias to be one of the twelve Apostles.  We never hear mention of that name again in the New Testament and yet we know that he carried on in the mission he was chosen for – a mission with eternal consequences for him and the rest of the world.  I can only imagine that the way Matthias was ushered into his Apostolic office became a daily reminder to him of how he should continue in it always trusting God in prayer and waiting for the LORD to provide the direction and power to perform on the call.

May we pray His Kingdom come on earth and in our lives as it is in Heaven for the sake of His call on us.  Let us stop trying to live for Him in our own power and wait on God’s Holy Spirit instead.  May we experience our greatest joy in witnessing how awesome and great is our Leader!  Jesus is always worth the wait!

Grateful and hopeful in Christ, 

Jon

A Love Letter

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach

Acts 1:1

I have always wondered who Theophilus is.  How cool is it that Luke wrote Theophilus a two volume "letter?"  The name Theophilus means friend or lover of God.  Have you ever received a love letter?  I remember receiving letters from Daria when we were in college.  I opened the letter immediately and studied every word.  I would read and reread her letters multiple times.  I wonder how many times Theophilus read the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts?

Some scholars believe Theophilus was an individual person - a friend of Luke.  Others believe that Theophilus is a name inclusive of every person who is a friend or lover of God.  This makes me wonder - how would my reading of the book of Acts change if I genuinely believe it was written to me by a friend?  I confess sometimes I read the Bible with the same kind of enthusiasm as reading a love letter.  Other times I read it somewhat disinterested.  As we prepare for 2021 how do you plan on reading the Word? 

We will read and study Acts for several months.  We will learn about all that Jesus began to do and teach and all that Jesus continued to do and teach through the Holy Spirit and the apostles.  This history is HIS STORY and if you know Christ it is also YOUR STORY. 

Reading and waiting with expectation,

Steven

A New Song

As I read the passage of scripture for this special Christmas week, I keep noticing the very first sentence in Psalm 96 that simply says, “Sing to the Lord a new song.” Maybe it stands out to me because I’ve been a music teacher in a variety of settings and a worship leader for my entire adult life. When it comes to Christmas music, I’ve sung or played most any and every Christmas song you can imagine. One year I even had my elementary school children sing the 12 days of Christmas in their school program...a mistake I learned from real quick!

The idea of singing a new song...a fresh song seems so beautiful to me. Don’t get me wrong...I love the old songs and take comfort in them. If I had my choice we would still go Christmas caroling in neighborhoods with the old Christmas songs like Silent Night and O Come All Ye Faithful.

I guess I’m just wondering and reflecting on the idea of what a ‘new song’ would feel and sound like. I don’t mean harmony, melody, notes and rests or even lyrics. What I really wonder is what it would feel like to experience Christmas, to experience Jesus in such a fresh way that it would prompt a new song rising from my heart and soul.

Singing a new song speaks of something different. Fresh. Joyful. Relevant. Creative. Unique.

Are those words that I would use to describe my relationship with Jesus or my worship of Him? Is my relationship with Jesus fresh? Joyful? Relevant? Creative? Unique? Or is my relationship stuck in the comforts of what’s already been done, said and sung?

This Christmas I feel open to Jesus, a desire within to have a fresh encounter, a joyful celebration, a relevant and unique opportunity to experience what faith means. I believe that’s an individual decision and desire, but also one that bears even more fruit as we walk together in community.

Sing to the The Lord a New Song,

Ruth

I Am Undone

“Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.”

I look down. I see filth on my hands.

I look within. I know the depth of darkness that lurks there.

I look up. I see God - the maker of heaven and earth, whom I am to give an account, and like Isaiah I am undone.

I am unable to ascend the hill of the Lord. How can an unholy woman stand before Him? I have nothing to offer Him but shame. Any righteousness I have is tainted. It’s but filthy rags to a glorious God.

“Woe is me!”, Isaiah cried. My heart is broken because I feel it too.

I am lost. Cursed.

Galatians 3:10 - “For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”

Like Narnia, where it was always winter but never Christmas, all of creation cries out with me begging for relief.

Who can save us from this curse of sin that seems to go on, relentlessly, for all of history?

But at just the right time, when we were powerless to save ourselves, the ancient gate swung open, and the holy lamb of God came forth.

Christmas came.

Christ was born to die for the ungodly.

He redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. He was cursed, so we could be blessed.

I look down. My hands have been washed.

I look within. My heart is new, and filled with the very Spirit of God.

I look up. Who is this King of Glory?

Behold the Lamb of God, who makes all things new. Even me.

-Natalie Runyon

Rejoice in Christ the LORD

And the angel said to (the shepherds), “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)  What is this good news of great joy that the angel announced to the shepherds that night?  And is it still available for us today?

A few weeks ago, Kim and I saw a commercial with a couple that buys Christmas gifts for each other.  The first presents a set of watches and then the other presents two brand new vehicles in the driveway.  Kim turns to me and says, “Who are these people that can do that?”  To which I replied, “I guess the kind that can afford a house like that.”  We laughed together while looking at the immaculate house behind the couple in the commercial.  While I think we have something more humble in mind for each other this Christmas, we can relate to the commercial couple and their desire to bring cheer to each other.  Don’t you think it’s innate in humans to want to experience and spread joy? 

During the Christmas season, there are many offers from the world for what will bring the most joy to our lives.  I’m thinking about the cars and houses we’ve had over the years.  The joy in those things has been fleeting.  The feel of buying a new car with a new warranty is exciting but soon wears off and eventually so does the warranty.  Things like that remind us of our need for a deeper joy that outlasts the things that moths and rust can destroy.  Over the years, I’ve come to find that human relationships offer immense joy in my life.  But even human relationships can leave us longing as they are hampered by the seasons and stages of life.  So where can you and I find the greatest joy in our lives? 

The psalmist writes of great joy in Psalm 146.  The psalmist speaks of joy that is deep in his soul.  He describes a rejoicing so great that it will last all of his days and as long as he has being.  That’s an extensive kind of joy!  The psalmist goes on to state the reasons for his rejoicing are because of who the LORD is and what the LORD will do.  He rejoices in Yahweh as his help and his hope.  He goes on to describe Yahweh in amazing terms.   To paraphrase the psalmist in verses 6 - 9, Yahweh is…

-creator

-promise keeper

-righteous judge

-provider

-rescuer

-healer

-encourager

-lover

-guide

-guardian

-idol-crusher.

Furthermore, the psalmist says that Yahweh will reign forever as God over all generations.  The psalmist emphatically calls for people to rejoice in Yahweh because of these things. 

As we celebrate the third week of Advent and meditate on the words of this psalm, we must remember the angel’s announcement to those shepherds on the night of the Christ child’s birth and the great joy that results from the good news of Emmanuel (God with us).  Yahweh has kept His promise and made His dwelling among us to demonstrate His amazing love and radical desire for an eternal relationship with His people.  As humans, we were made for Him with a yearning for deeper joy that will only find its completion in knowing and enjoying Him.  There is no greater and lasting joy than that which is found in Jesus!  This great joy is still available for all people!  Those who’ve experienced it want to share it with others and are equipped by His Spirit to do so. 

So what are you rejoicing in today?  Blessed is the one whose help is the God of Jacob and whose hope is in the LORD their God.  Let us find our ultimate joy in Jesus.  May our souls know His love in such a way that we can’t stop praising Him will all our being for the rest of our days.  May we enjoy Him and rejoice in His everlasting reign over all! 

Grateful and hopeful in Christ, 

Jon

The Greater King

The Jesus Storybook Bible forever changed the way I read scripture. With the tag line, “every story whispers His name”, I learned to see the Bible not primarily as a book of rules to follow or heroes to emulate but a book that from cover to cover shows me Jesus. He is the “true and better Adam” who perfectly obeyed the Father’s will in our place. He would be the Passover Lamb whose blood could forever atone for our sins. Like David fighting Goliath, he would battle the greatest enemy our world has ever known. His story is truly written on every page.

So where can we see Jesus in Psalm 72 - a coronation prayer for Solomon? It was good and right for Solomon and all of Israel to pray for the king to judge with justice and righteousness, to uphold the cause of those who were impoverished and oppressed; for peace to abound under his rule, for all other kings and nations to be grateful for his leadership, and for every good thing to come to the people because of their king.

In some measure, Solomon did these things. He oversaw the construction of God’s temple, he increased Israel’s wealth as he strengthened relations with neighboring countries, and he ruled with great wisdom. Yet he also had 700 wives and 300 concubines, and when he was old, (despite God’s warning) “his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father” (1 Kings 11:4). After his death Israel splintered and was never again a unified kingdom, instead ruled by wicked kings and taken into captivity by other nations.

Yet Solomon knew there was One coming who would be the King he could never be. The true royal Son was coming who would embody righteousness and impute it to His people. Those who bore the stain of Adam’s sin would one day have their shame covered by the robe of the coming King. Yes, He would defend the cause of the poor and needy and crush the oppressor to finally and fully bring prosperity to those whom He reigned over. His dominion would be from everlasting to everlasting and at the end of time, every knee would bow and every tongue confess His name. His peace would know no end.

And so it happened, nearly 1000 years later, a faithful and devout man by the name of Simeon was waiting in the temple - waiting his whole life, in fact - for Israel’s consolation. The Holy Spirit would allow Simeon to see the fulfillment of Solomon’s coronation prayer with his very own eyes. Clutching to his chest the King of all kings wrapped in the flesh of a fragile baby, he blessed God and said “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” Salvation had come for a people who lived in great darkness. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick”, Solomon had said. Finally, after generations of deferred hope, Israel’s prayer for a King was answered and the root of Jesse became a tree of life.

Today, we are still prone to wander, often sipping from broken cisterns instead of drinking deeply of the water of life, but our salvation is at hand and that is cause for hope. The King is coming! Even now as all of creation groans, longing for deliverance at the final consummation, we have a peace that knows no end because Jesus Christ - our perfect prophet, priest and king - has delivered the blow of death to our ancient enemy and crushed Satan beneath his heel.

Our King has come! Our King is coming! “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory!” Come quickly Lord Jesus!

-Natalie Runyon

Start With Peace

Today we start the season of Advent. We are approaching the end of a year like no other. As I look at the passage of scripture for this week from Psalm 122, I can’t help but notice the word peace.

‘Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

    “May those who love you be secure. 

May there be peace within your walls

    and security within your citadels.” 

For the sake of my family and friends,

    I will say, “Peace be within you.”

For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,

    I will seek your prosperity.’

I’ve had many holiday seasons that were anything but peaceful. Filled schedules, shopping, gatherings, food preparation, programs, expectations, gifts, travel, etc. And I’ve had holiday seasons where peace ruled the whole season. There is a huge difference.

How might you start your holiday season with a mindset of peace this year? What things can you say no to? Where can you simplify? What really even matters? What expectations need to be thrown out? What excess needs to be cut?

The older I get, the more I realize the beauty of slowing things down. I used to think multitasking was something to value and I admit there are times when you have no other choice. But you might be surprised how much gets done and how much more enjoyable it is to stay focused on one thing instead.

This week you and I will set the tone for the whole season. Each of us has more choices than we realize. How will you and your family celebrate this holiday season?

Peace to you,

Ruth