My Prayer

As I have been preparing this week and the news of the hurricane coming, all I could think to do was to pray instead of being overwhelmed. So below is an excerpt of my prayer from my journal.

Well, we're all bracing for what Hurricane Gustav will decide to do. Right now things are projecting just west of New Orleans. Our local shelters are starting to fill up with people moving north. It is times like this that we many times get to experience the goodness of mankind. I hope we will show kindness to many who may be displayed over the next few days and weeks.

Those of us who are at home in the safety and comfort of our own homes should find time to serve and encourage those who are away from their safe place. Find time to serve, encourage and love on someone who may need it this week. Don't listen to the twist that our enemy will try and whisper in to your ears such as "you can't do that, you don't have anything, don't smile, your inconvenienced as well...etc etc." Take some time this week to bless others who are being displaced.

May they see Jesus in your kind actions. This is my prayer for all of us these next few weeks.

Philip Thurman

No Food or Drink For Three Days

Stop and think about that for a moment. Three days with NO food. I don't know about you, but I wake up thinking about food and while I am eating breakfast, I'm thinking about where I will be eating lunch, etc. So to go three days with NO food or drink just blows me away. I cannot imagine anyone doing that unless it is some type of fast. In this case, it was NOT a fast that we know off.

What am I talking about? Two days ago I was reading in Acts 9:9. The story is the conversion of Saul. He is traveling down a road and is blinded by a light and is told to go to a city and someone will help him there. So he goes and for three days he sees nothing, eats and rinks nothing. What is that about. I wonder if that was his desire, or God's desire. I wonder if he was so in awe of God that he lost track of time or that all he could do was think about his life that he couldn't eat. I don't have a clue, but it caused me to pause and think....how'd he do that? I believe it was God sustaining him completely.

I'd love to get to that point that I did not have to worry about eating and drinking, but that I would fully rely upon God to be my provision. I want that type of faith.

Philip Thurman

Olympic Fever

Have you caught yourself staying up late at night watching the Olympics and wondering if another American Team will be able to win Gold or Silver? Have you ever seen yourself getting so excited about a sand volleyball game, badminton, wrestling or some of those less popular sports. Man, I have been glued and found myself cheering for sports and peoples stories that I would have never done.

The real stud to me is NOT the decathlon dude, although he is a stud. My man has to be the marathon dude. 26.2 miles wide open and the guy doesn't even act like he's winded. My heart was breathing harder for him than his was. What's that all about? Then last night I caught myself NOT wanting to miss a single moment of the closing ceremonies. WOW! Drummers hanging upside down and still playing, guys running up the side of a metal wall...did you see that? It was spectacular. China did a great job, but the last time I checked, their still under Communist leadership. WHAT?!

I guess the greatest truth was the closing comments by Bob Costas, btw, did he die his hair? Something looked different. Anyway, he said something to the effective of, "isn't it amazing how these two weeks the WORLD comes together as one. All differences are laid aside for the competition and recognition of an athlete." We are able for two weeks to put aside all that separates us and come together as one world to celebrate all that is good through Sports. WOW! Sports can unify the world. Stop and let that soak in. What would happen if people understood the Gospel and all it could do for them? How could that power change the world?

Today, let God speak through your life. The Olympics are over for four more years (At least the summer Olympics) but your story can just begin.

Philip Thurman

Project 1:8 is Rolling

I don't know if you have caught wind or not, but Project 1:8 is starting to gain some momentum. We have had a number of incredible outings that have created a buzz around town. I like what God is challenging and doing through each of you in this area.

P1:8 Madison served a few weeks back an incredible meal to the Madison Fire Department. They were blown away. Then a few weeks back when school started they were out by at the school handed out "Twisted" h20 to folks. It was incredible. We also had four folks helping with the parking and traffic flow.

P1:8 Canton is rockin! They had a school supply drive that ended up incredibly well. Last night a number of folks were at the Canton School for open house. Largest crowd they have had there in a long time. The team served food and did door prizes. Incredible job with Trinity Church.

P1:8 Homestead is making some contacts and working on future plans. Should have some ideas and thoughts very soon. Michelle is fired up about the direction of this team.

Last but NOT least P1:8 Haiti. Jim, Tracey and Kelly got back a week or so ago and are ready to go again. The stories of their trips have been amazing. Can't wait to see when and what happens there. Keep making a difference!

Finally, this weekend has a chance to be huge. Get there early. We have about 50-80 college athletes that are going to be in worship along with the usual big crowd. It's going to be an awesome day. Can't wait to hang out with you all

Philip Thurman

Greatest Volunteers Around

I know that I am prejudice, but I know we have the greatest volunteers around. I witnessed some of the coolest things happening this morning. As always the set up team is there on time ready to go and knocking it down. In less than 45 minutes they were done and walking out the door! WOW! The band, man, they sounded awesome as well. They come and practice and get everything ready.

Then at 9 I look up and our Children's team is throwing a party for their volunteers. Volunteer leaders throwing a party for their volunteers. How incredible is that? Then about 9:15 a room full of smiling and happy volunteers were there receiving thanks, food and then a bag that on the outside had Godiva Chocolate. That some serious stuff:) Then walked through the preschool and Nursery area and saw two guys working with a room full of four year old boys! They were having a blast.

Walked to the front of the school and the greeters were smiling and talking to everyone coming in the door. The building was smelling like coffee. I don't even like coffee, but it was smelling awesome. There was food on the back table that looked delicious. The sound was working awesome and the new video cable worked without a glitche.

MAN I LOVE THIS PLACE! If I wasn't the Pastor, I'd still go to this church. Then tear down.....flew by. Unbelievable is all I know to say. Thanks to everyone who serves and gives, but also Invest and Invite. I love you all!

Philip Thurman

Sunday's Scribbles

This has been another great day. School is back in session and everyone is back from all of their summer travels. Great to catch up on all the happenings of the last few months. Also, this past week we experienced many returning friends who had been gone for some time. Wow, love this time of the year.

Our Project 1:8 (Madison Team) handed out 500 or so bottles of water at Madison Station on parent preview night. Also Tommy, Van and Paul helped park some 2000 plus vehicles. Great job everyone.

Twisted started today with a bang, or so I felt. Open with the simple truth that we have an enemy that comes to steal, kill and destroy us, but God desires to give us a great life. Next week we will be looking at the twist satan puts on marriage and relationships. Hope you will connect over the next few weeks. Then we will begin focusing and celebrating our five year existence. WOW! God has allowed us to be around that long and we hope to see a ton more years if God so wishes.

Thanks to many of you who continue to "invest and invite." Today, one family introduced me to two guest families that they had invited and they showed up and seemed to have a blast. I love hanging with these types of folks who love what LifeBridge is all about. They take the risk and their friends respond. Man, keep it up.

Jim, Tracey and Kelly get back from Haiti this week. Excited to hear what LifeBridge can do in Haiti. Wow! Tons going on.

Have a great week.

Philip Thurman

Eight...yes Count it Out. EIGHT!

What an amazing morning. I woke up pumped about today and even after the fact, I'm still pumped. Satan did everything he could do to try and NOT make the day work, but it still came off. Not it wasn't as shiny and pretty as we would have like it, but it happened and it rocked. The youth shared with the church about their summer camp experience "Broadcast." Then we saw eight students get baptized. Well we only saw seven, but Friday night we had one guy get baptized, so a total of eight this weekend. If I am not mistaken, largest baptism ever. It was awesome.

Thanks to everyone who worked to make it awesome. Davis, thanks for your hard work to make this weekend happen.

Friday's Five

I know, I am on vacation, but I have so much to post, but will only list five.
1) Can you believe the kids go back to school next week. It is both good and bad. This means that we go back to full set up and tear down mode. It also means that life gets back to some sense of normal, whatever Normal is.
2) Jim, Tracey and Kelly leave SUnday for a preview trip to Haiti. They will come back all jazzed about our P1:8 opportunities in Haiti. By the way, our teams are starting to get busy with awesome chances for you to get connected and serving. Be at church Sunday to see what else is happening.
3) I've missed LifeBridge. Ready to get back in the groove. You guys are a special group of folks. I do not like missing my time with you all. You are really encouraging and awesome inviters. We have had an incredible summer. If the fall is anything like the summer, look out. We may be needing to find more chairs. Great problem to have, many people would love to be where we are. Let's keep pushing and doing this for God's fame.
4) I'm ready to get back and hang out with the staff team. I am able to serve alongside the greatest leaders I have ever been around. If you don't know them, I challenge you to invite them to lunch after church and get to know them. Some of the most talented folks around. (Davis Jones, John Chappelear, Johnny Ervin, Greg Miller, Scott Little, and then we have a million (okay a brief exaggeration) volunteers. You all are the best.
5) Baptism is this Sunday. This is the coolest service. We get to hear our young folks talk about their camp experience and then follow Christ in Baptism. Proud of you guys.....keep challenging us old folks to follow Christ.

See you Sunday

Philip Thurman