I'm really ticked off at myself. I had a chance to possibly do something that has never been done, and did NOT do it. Looking back today, I could kick myself. How often do we stop and look back at the moments in our lives that we might could have made an impact in others lives. I called those "what if moments!" What if I would have __________ and fill in the blanks. Well I had one this weekend.
My daughters U-12 soccer team (Jaw Crushers) made it through to the Western District Playoffs.....We just barely made it in, but we got the chance of a lifetime. I am the head coach and it so happens that my assistant did not have his coaching license. So I had to coach on Sunday morning which meant I missed LifeBridge. I hate missing church for something like soccer. I hate it. I think it sends the wrong message to our kids. But did I do anything about it? NOT A SINGLE THING. I could have had a team devotional before the game with the parents and players, heck we could have done a service at the soccer complex. There were THOUSANDS of kids from Jackson, Clinton, Madison, Greenville, and Greenwood. It could have been a huge outreach experience.
I totally wasted an awesome opportunity. I'm really mad at myself. It never crossed my mind until this morning. I pray you and I will NOT miss too many moments to be a major impact for Christ. Sorry I missed you guys, but I am upset that I missed a huge chance to encourage thousands of folks. How many times a day do we miss that what if moment.
Philip Thurman
Monday, April 21, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Company Picnic
Sunday, May 4th is set aside as "Company Picnic" day. It is going to be a blast. The Den team has done a tremendous job preparing this awesome event. They have worked out and planned a ton of details. They have thought through every possible scenario to make this thing a success. If you were in church yesterday, you saw their video. The nerve of them to play poker and then act like they weren't when I walked in. What are they thinking:)
The next two weeks will also have some pretty funny video's I have been told. So don't miss getting to see them. Also yesterday, we gave away a nice chair with a foot rest to Ryan Weaver. Go bro! You have to be present to continue to win door prizes.
We do these fun events NOT for ourselves, but for the chance of being able to invite someone who may NOT come to LifeBridge. I hope you will take this opportunity to invite someone that you have been investing in. It will be unlike any church hangout they have been a part of. We will have food, fun and free childcare for kids two and under.
Make plans now to attend.
Philip Thurman
The next two weeks will also have some pretty funny video's I have been told. So don't miss getting to see them. Also yesterday, we gave away a nice chair with a foot rest to Ryan Weaver. Go bro! You have to be present to continue to win door prizes.
We do these fun events NOT for ourselves, but for the chance of being able to invite someone who may NOT come to LifeBridge. I hope you will take this opportunity to invite someone that you have been investing in. It will be unlike any church hangout they have been a part of. We will have food, fun and free childcare for kids two and under.
Make plans now to attend.
Philip Thurman
Monday, April 7, 2008
"Takin' Care of Business"
If you were not at church yesterday you missed the band's performance of "Takin' Care of Business." WOW! They had their black and white attire on with those cool looking shades. Man it was strong. We started a new series about the place we spend the bulk of our time. Stop and think. We spend a minimum of 40 hours a week, 2,000 hours a year and 90,000 hours over a lifetime. That is a long time, but even worse, it is a long time if you hate what your doing. I would also say that it is a waste of your life as well.
I often have people tell me that they feel like their job brings NO value to relationships, nor does it make any difference in the grand scheme of life. I hear people say things like, "I need to go into full-time ministry" to influence people. I don't quite know what that phrase means, but I think what is being said is, if I could work full time in the church I would be able to make a huge difference in my life as well as others.
See here's the deal. Regardless of what you do, God has placed right where He wants you. The people you have a chance of influencing as an athlete, attorney, doctor, grocery store clerk, teller, student, home maker etc. etc. is far greater than I will ever have as a Pastor. Here is why I say that with all honesty. My job is the greatest job with the WORST title. It does not matter how creative you get with titles, the response is still the same. Usually right off the bat the question comes to me, "well, what do you do for a living?" When I tell anyone what I do, guess what their response is......"Oh, great to meet you and best of luck!" Off they go. I may NOT ever discuss the Bible or preach to them, but they are gone. You on the other hand have a chance to build a relationship and as you do that, you can begin to influence and lead the discussions to spiritual matters. They will often times listen to you and continue the relationship. You are in a great place, right where God wants you to be. You have a greater chance to influence through what you do, than often times through being a paid professional MINISTER.
Ranting by Philip Thurman
I often have people tell me that they feel like their job brings NO value to relationships, nor does it make any difference in the grand scheme of life. I hear people say things like, "I need to go into full-time ministry" to influence people. I don't quite know what that phrase means, but I think what is being said is, if I could work full time in the church I would be able to make a huge difference in my life as well as others.
See here's the deal. Regardless of what you do, God has placed right where He wants you. The people you have a chance of influencing as an athlete, attorney, doctor, grocery store clerk, teller, student, home maker etc. etc. is far greater than I will ever have as a Pastor. Here is why I say that with all honesty. My job is the greatest job with the WORST title. It does not matter how creative you get with titles, the response is still the same. Usually right off the bat the question comes to me, "well, what do you do for a living?" When I tell anyone what I do, guess what their response is......"Oh, great to meet you and best of luck!" Off they go. I may NOT ever discuss the Bible or preach to them, but they are gone. You on the other hand have a chance to build a relationship and as you do that, you can begin to influence and lead the discussions to spiritual matters. They will often times listen to you and continue the relationship. You are in a great place, right where God wants you to be. You have a greater chance to influence through what you do, than often times through being a paid professional MINISTER.
Ranting by Philip Thurman
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Sunny South Florida
I'm in sunny South Florida today (April 2, 2008) with Jim Fries and the forecast is breezy and a cold 83 degrees. We had lunch yesterday at a Dominican Restaurant and then went to the famous "Robert Is Here" fruitstand. Check out his website at www.robertishere.com It is incredible, the freshest fruit around. Jim and I both got to meet Robert yesterday as I sipped on a Mango milkshake and Jim had a papaya/key lime milkshake. WOW! It was an awesome experience. We'll have some pictures and video of it at church the next few weeks or month.
Your asking why we are down here. For about three years I have been praying and burdened about the need for us to be missional at LifeBridge. It is easy to become inward focused. We have bought land and are in the planning and dreaming stages of a building and what all that entails. It is all about us and one thing we constantly say is that we are NOT just about us. We want to constantly stay focused on those who have NOT yet walked through the doors. So a way to keep our eyes focused on God is to serve outside of LifeBridge. We have established a great relationship with Trinity Church in Canton where we will partner alongside of them to influence that city for Christ. We also feel God leading us in a powerful way to work with Haitians in Homestead, Fl but also in Haiti. So we are down here meeting with Pastor Frank, Reggie and Alex about the possibilities.
Last night we shared stories of God's faithfulness and calling for all of us. Pastor Frank is an amazing guy. He has a real heart for his own people in Haiti. They have a mother church that has planted five churches. Some meet in a simple thatched hut and others meet in homes. They have schools in a few of the churches and they have established an orphanage. WOW! There is so much to be done. Today we talk through more details about the partnership.
Jim and I plan on putting on our thong bikini bathing suits and heading out to South Miami Beach with all the other freaks. Pictures to follow in a day or two:)
Philip Thurman
Your asking why we are down here. For about three years I have been praying and burdened about the need for us to be missional at LifeBridge. It is easy to become inward focused. We have bought land and are in the planning and dreaming stages of a building and what all that entails. It is all about us and one thing we constantly say is that we are NOT just about us. We want to constantly stay focused on those who have NOT yet walked through the doors. So a way to keep our eyes focused on God is to serve outside of LifeBridge. We have established a great relationship with Trinity Church in Canton where we will partner alongside of them to influence that city for Christ. We also feel God leading us in a powerful way to work with Haitians in Homestead, Fl but also in Haiti. So we are down here meeting with Pastor Frank, Reggie and Alex about the possibilities.
Last night we shared stories of God's faithfulness and calling for all of us. Pastor Frank is an amazing guy. He has a real heart for his own people in Haiti. They have a mother church that has planted five churches. Some meet in a simple thatched hut and others meet in homes. They have schools in a few of the churches and they have established an orphanage. WOW! There is so much to be done. Today we talk through more details about the partnership.
Jim and I plan on putting on our thong bikini bathing suits and heading out to South Miami Beach with all the other freaks. Pictures to follow in a day or two:)
Philip Thurman
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)