This is NOT a political statement. I am not endorsing a candidate or a party, but I am so grateful for Al Gore. Let me explain.
A few weeks ago my parents came and told me that they wanted to do something special for our family this Christmas. They want to give us a trip to Bangladesh and other Asian cities. So I made the call to a travel agent that I was instructed to call. After some research on the journey I had laid out, it came to be way too much money. So I made the call to my parents to inform them that the trip was way out of budget. I was honestly disappointed. I really wanted to be able to take my family to the world I grew up in.
After thinking and doing some discussing I decided to do some looking. Here's where Al Gore comes in. I got on the world wide web that he discovered. Man, I found some incredible deals that seemed unreal, so I did some research and they were all legit, but had to be purchased via the internet in order to get the deal. So get this. I have booked everything online. I booked all domestic and international plane tickets, hotel rooms in Los Angeles and Bangkok, Thailand. WOW! Thanks Al Gore. Without your invention, we would be paying high prices and may not be able to spend Christmas in Bangladesh.
Philip Thurman
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Less Is More
As I have gone through this week I have been pondering a great deal about my life, my leadership strengths and weaknesses, time with my family and making the most of each moment. How am I doing in giving to things that matter and not doing things that will NOT matter. It has been a real challeng.
A few years ago I came across a thought that has challenged me and caused me to think about my life. I have a teenager in my life and another soon to be. How can I influnece them and help them be all GOd desires. LESS IS MORE. Our church has chosen as well to make certain sacrifices in order to help families. Part of it was out of need, but part of it was intentional. Instead of planning activities and events all the time, we chose less is more. We want to encourage people to be in small group, hanging out together and doing life. Lately I have been asked to speak at a ton of evening events and I am honored, but it has been freeing to be able to say Sorry I can't. I need to be home with my wife and kids. After this season of my life, I may be able to do more, but right now I cannot.
As you think about risk in your faith, could you truly follow God if He asked you to do something, or are you too busy doing so much you would have to tell Him to wait while you closed everything out. Less is more, as I spend more time with my teenagers I'm able to help and be in their world. As I say no to more, I am able to say yes to the family times. I really challenge you to think about what you would do if God asked you to do something sacrificial today, could you do it financially, spiritually? Tough words to think on.
Philip Thurman
A few years ago I came across a thought that has challenged me and caused me to think about my life. I have a teenager in my life and another soon to be. How can I influnece them and help them be all GOd desires. LESS IS MORE. Our church has chosen as well to make certain sacrifices in order to help families. Part of it was out of need, but part of it was intentional. Instead of planning activities and events all the time, we chose less is more. We want to encourage people to be in small group, hanging out together and doing life. Lately I have been asked to speak at a ton of evening events and I am honored, but it has been freeing to be able to say Sorry I can't. I need to be home with my wife and kids. After this season of my life, I may be able to do more, but right now I cannot.
As you think about risk in your faith, could you truly follow God if He asked you to do something, or are you too busy doing so much you would have to tell Him to wait while you closed everything out. Less is more, as I spend more time with my teenagers I'm able to help and be in their world. As I say no to more, I am able to say yes to the family times. I really challenge you to think about what you would do if God asked you to do something sacrificial today, could you do it financially, spiritually? Tough words to think on.
Philip Thurman
Monday, September 22, 2008
Sacred Cows Make Great Burgers as well
I don't know if you have ever heard that comment or not, but when I did about 15 years ago, I just laughed ,but also reflected on the truth of that statement. Sacred patties and regular patties come from the same cow, therefore they should taste the same.
Your going, where in the world is this guy going. Well, we have been in a series called "Unwrapped" which identifies some of our core beliefs as a church. This past week we looked at the trait "Sacrifice." Not something our culture really challenges us to do. The truth be known, if we got serious about sacrifice, our spending and wasteful lifestyle would change, and marketers would have nothing to do. I don't have anything against marketers, but they convince us to buy things that we don't even need. We then take that stuff we bought and take it to storage and keep it for later, because we may need it. What would happen if we decided we were going to take the time and money we spent on that junk and invest it or sacrifice it for God.
We'll spend money and time yelling and screaming at ball games, going to movies, concerts and make huge sacrifices, which will NOT last. But instead, we could sacrifice and use our time and money to influence a culture, a people and see life change take place. That's something that will impact forever....that's a long time. What are you willing to risk or give up that you like or enjoy to potentially influence someone?
Philip Thurman
Your going, where in the world is this guy going. Well, we have been in a series called "Unwrapped" which identifies some of our core beliefs as a church. This past week we looked at the trait "Sacrifice." Not something our culture really challenges us to do. The truth be known, if we got serious about sacrifice, our spending and wasteful lifestyle would change, and marketers would have nothing to do. I don't have anything against marketers, but they convince us to buy things that we don't even need. We then take that stuff we bought and take it to storage and keep it for later, because we may need it. What would happen if we decided we were going to take the time and money we spent on that junk and invest it or sacrifice it for God.
We'll spend money and time yelling and screaming at ball games, going to movies, concerts and make huge sacrifices, which will NOT last. But instead, we could sacrifice and use our time and money to influence a culture, a people and see life change take place. That's something that will impact forever....that's a long time. What are you willing to risk or give up that you like or enjoy to potentially influence someone?
Philip Thurman
Thursday, September 18, 2008
You Want Me To Do What?
My sophomore year of college was an interesting year. I was probably going to be the starting goalie for our division II team. It was going to be an exciting year for me, but what I was NOT prepared for was the training that it was going to take to get ready for it. As with all athletes we start the season with great pep and excitement that we are willing to put the hard work in to make the season a great success. The real reality comes when you step on the pitch (soccer field) the first time on two a days. I had really enjoyed my summer and was NOT concerned about training and getting ready. We did our stretching and light jogging to get the muscles loose.
Coach ordered us to get a partner about our height and weight and then to meet him at the bottom of the hill. Now this means nothing to some of you. The hill was a small incline, but it was steep. He said, you will carry your partner on your back up and down this hill ten times, switch and ride for ten times and repeat that cycle five times. "You want us to do what?" Have you lost your mind, there's NO way! He blew the whistle and off we had to go. It was ridiculous....we did it, no clue how, but I also remember the pain right after, but the season after that moment seemed really easy.
This morning in our reading as a church we were asked to read Matthew 5:38-48. WOW! These are really difficult things we are called to do. As I was reading them this morning, I went back to that day, "You want me to do what?" Love my enemy, pray for those who persecute me, don't just love those that love you, but love those who don't love you....then He closes out "But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect." Why such tall orders? We cannot ever be perfect can we? Why does God give us such impossible task? Would love to hear from you today on your thoughts.
Philip Thurman
Coach ordered us to get a partner about our height and weight and then to meet him at the bottom of the hill. Now this means nothing to some of you. The hill was a small incline, but it was steep. He said, you will carry your partner on your back up and down this hill ten times, switch and ride for ten times and repeat that cycle five times. "You want us to do what?" Have you lost your mind, there's NO way! He blew the whistle and off we had to go. It was ridiculous....we did it, no clue how, but I also remember the pain right after, but the season after that moment seemed really easy.
This morning in our reading as a church we were asked to read Matthew 5:38-48. WOW! These are really difficult things we are called to do. As I was reading them this morning, I went back to that day, "You want me to do what?" Love my enemy, pray for those who persecute me, don't just love those that love you, but love those who don't love you....then He closes out "But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect." Why such tall orders? We cannot ever be perfect can we? Why does God give us such impossible task? Would love to hear from you today on your thoughts.
Philip Thurman
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Hell no, not the Church!
Strong words, aren't they? Hard to believe you would hear that on this blog. This was a comment that was shot my way when I simply asked a leader in the community about why they never asked a church for help.
About four months ago a hospital in town had a patient that was from Bangladesh (where I grew up) who spoke not ONE word of English. She came in with all types of problems, but they could never fully understand what was going on. They searched a number of places and made calls to inquire if there was any one who might could help interpret. After days of searching they found someone at a local university who could help. When asked if they ever considered calling the church to see if there were missionaries, or common folks who spoke the language, his response was, "hell no, not the church. They don't want to serve anybody but there own." WOW! What a slam to the body of Christ.
In one scripture verse Jesus says, they will know we are His disciples by the love that we have for one another. When did the church loose it's service to the world, community? Why have we become so consumed with our own, or trying to convert the non Christian. What would happen if we simply served out of a grateful heart? Service is on of the greatest ways to grow our faith and belief in God. We get challenged and pushed. It is in those moments that we begin to take on the right focus or attitude. I believe the world would be blown away and ask us why we are serving. It would be in that moment we would be able to share the hope of heaven and they could confidently say, "HELL NO, heaven YES!"
Philip Thurman
About four months ago a hospital in town had a patient that was from Bangladesh (where I grew up) who spoke not ONE word of English. She came in with all types of problems, but they could never fully understand what was going on. They searched a number of places and made calls to inquire if there was any one who might could help interpret. After days of searching they found someone at a local university who could help. When asked if they ever considered calling the church to see if there were missionaries, or common folks who spoke the language, his response was, "hell no, not the church. They don't want to serve anybody but there own." WOW! What a slam to the body of Christ.
In one scripture verse Jesus says, they will know we are His disciples by the love that we have for one another. When did the church loose it's service to the world, community? Why have we become so consumed with our own, or trying to convert the non Christian. What would happen if we simply served out of a grateful heart? Service is on of the greatest ways to grow our faith and belief in God. We get challenged and pushed. It is in those moments that we begin to take on the right focus or attitude. I believe the world would be blown away and ask us why we are serving. It would be in that moment we would be able to share the hope of heaven and they could confidently say, "HELL NO, heaven YES!"
Philip Thurman
Sunday, September 14, 2008
UnWrapped
One of the greatest things to be able to do is brag on our people. LifeBridge has some of the most incredible volunteers. I truly believe with all my heart that they are the best in the county, no in the state. We have folks who constantly serve and go above and beyond the call of duty. Every week we figure it takes 30-45 volunteers to pull off our Sunday Environment. We have youth that serve in some critical areas as well. It is amazing to see our youth giving and giving. In fact, they serve every week. This week I heard about one of our youth volunteers who worked in the nursery. When everyone was gone, she was found staying behind and helping the teacher clean up the room and pack up the box to load onto the trailer. You know who you are.....I really appreciate your servants heart. We do NOT have LifeBridge with out heroes like many of you. After church today, I had a number of folks talk about the need to serve and get out of their comfort zone.
This week you heard about just one servant that said, God I don't have much, but what I have I give to you. I continued the interview to talk about serving, I wanted you to be able to hear the rest of it. Thanks to everyone who serves. You are my heroes.
PLEASE PAUSE THE MUSIC SO YOU CAN HEAR THE BLOG INTERVIEW.
This week you heard about just one servant that said, God I don't have much, but what I have I give to you. I continued the interview to talk about serving, I wanted you to be able to hear the rest of it. Thanks to everyone who serves. You are my heroes.
PLEASE PAUSE THE MUSIC SO YOU CAN HEAR THE BLOG INTERVIEW.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Bottom Rungs
If you grew up in church, think about all the things you did that made church, church! If you did not grow up in church, you have a different and fresh view of church. Sometimes I wish that I could have those eyes, simply for the perspective of knowing what to do or NOT to do. However, I would never trade my upbringing. I loved knowing God all of my life. Anyway. Have you thought of some? You have to join something before you can be a part of making decisions. You can start giving MONEY right away, but we don't want your decisions until you join. WOW! Then we have this insider language. If you are new to church or God, you hear some of the words we use and you are clueless, again NOT your fault, but ours.
This past week I was reading a blog of a church that does NOT have any members. There are those who have Christ and those who are pursuing Christ. Once you accept Christ you become a part of the Family of God. Once you do that, hopefully you will give, serve and do your part for the local church. I love thinking through all the things and thinking about all the rungs we take off the ladder for those outside of a relationship with Christ. Why do we do that? Why do we make it so tough to know and follow Christ? Think about your relationships with the world. What do you do or say that potentially keeps someone from accepting this relationship? Busy schedules, sports activities, job, chores! Do these things keep me from helping someone know Christ? Challenging insights on this Wednesday. Read Acts 15 again. Rock your socks off!
Philip Thurman
This past week I was reading a blog of a church that does NOT have any members. There are those who have Christ and those who are pursuing Christ. Once you accept Christ you become a part of the Family of God. Once you do that, hopefully you will give, serve and do your part for the local church. I love thinking through all the things and thinking about all the rungs we take off the ladder for those outside of a relationship with Christ. Why do we do that? Why do we make it so tough to know and follow Christ? Think about your relationships with the world. What do you do or say that potentially keeps someone from accepting this relationship? Busy schedules, sports activities, job, chores! Do these things keep me from helping someone know Christ? Challenging insights on this Wednesday. Read Acts 15 again. Rock your socks off!
Philip Thurman
Monday, September 8, 2008
What Could You Do?
Check this video out. Pause the play list music so you can hear the video. What could you do?
Benched from Brandon McCormick on Vimeo.
Benched from Brandon McCormick on Vimeo.
Anyone Reading This?
I want to see if anyone is really reading this or NOT. So I'd like to do a brief test....this is a test of the emergency managament..........just kidding. I enjoy being able to connect with you, but don't know if anyone is reading this. Writing is NOT one of my strengths, but I like to try it often. Please shoot me an email at philip@mylifebridge.com and let me know if anyone is reading this or not.
If I get NO replies, I'll probably stop for now.
More later, maybe!
Philip Thurman
If I get NO replies, I'll probably stop for now.
More later, maybe!
Philip Thurman
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
What About The Back Door
A few days ago I was in conversation with two of LifeBridge Staff Team about the back door. If your not familiar with that term, it is the term us religious professionals (haha) us for people that don't stick. They come in and see what your about and then slide through the back door, drop out etc. I have been thinking about this a lot lately, so I began doing some interviewing with some folks about why they dropped away.
We like to think that they are not coming because we're NOT friendly, or the music is not clicking, or the speaker is not bringing it, or our coffee is NOT Fusions, or the kids program stinks. Well, I think all of those things for us are working well. Could they be improved, well sure they can. But does that stuff matter? Sure it does, but think about it. People can go to ITunes and down load the best music available. They can down load for FREE the greatest communicators in the world.....yes world. They can go to Fusions and get the best coffee in town. What would help us close the back door. I'm convinced it is one thing and one thing only.
It is the very thing everyone wants, but is NOT willing to pursue. It is a struggle to make time for it, it cost a ton in emotional energy and we have so little margin in our life. It could make us healthy, but we will choose to be unhealthy as opposed to live in this. This one thing is RELATIONSHIPS. I am convinced that the greatest healer, connector, fullier in Life is the relationship with have with God. I also believe the human relationships are the second greatest. If we could have genuine relationships with people in small groups we would see the back door closing. How do we do this with a culture that is moving so fast or doesn't see the need........? Maybe another blog for another day.
Philip Thurman
We like to think that they are not coming because we're NOT friendly, or the music is not clicking, or the speaker is not bringing it, or our coffee is NOT Fusions, or the kids program stinks. Well, I think all of those things for us are working well. Could they be improved, well sure they can. But does that stuff matter? Sure it does, but think about it. People can go to ITunes and down load the best music available. They can down load for FREE the greatest communicators in the world.....yes world. They can go to Fusions and get the best coffee in town. What would help us close the back door. I'm convinced it is one thing and one thing only.
It is the very thing everyone wants, but is NOT willing to pursue. It is a struggle to make time for it, it cost a ton in emotional energy and we have so little margin in our life. It could make us healthy, but we will choose to be unhealthy as opposed to live in this. This one thing is RELATIONSHIPS. I am convinced that the greatest healer, connector, fullier in Life is the relationship with have with God. I also believe the human relationships are the second greatest. If we could have genuine relationships with people in small groups we would see the back door closing. How do we do this with a culture that is moving so fast or doesn't see the need........? Maybe another blog for another day.
Philip Thurman
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Life Sucks! You gotta read!
I have heard comments lately from people who have evacuated from their homes because of Gustav and said things like, life sucks! This is not fair, why are we always the ones to get slammed? I understand their frustrations to some degree. But I also don't understand it, because the choice is theirs to stay or go. We are going to always have hurricanes and they will come to land and destroy tons of stuff. It is just a fact of life. I truly empathize with our neighbors and friends and am willing to help any way that I can.
But as I think about unfair, I was reading about it this morning. In Acts 16 these two guys Paul and Silas are going from place to place and there is this annoying lady that follows them and saying out loud, these guys on on God's team. They are here making noise.....(my paraphrase) So Paul turns and cast the evil spirit out of her. Her owner is now p oed! His income (she was a fortune teller) is now shot. So what do they do, throw Paul and Silas in jail after they get a beating. NOW THAT IS NOT FAIR! No trial, no attorneys nothing. It's one thing to be thrown in prison for a crime you did, but to be thrown in cause you cast an evil spirit out of someone. How would you like that, stand before the jury and say guilty or NOT Guilty. uh sir or ma'am, I am guilty. What is your crime? Uh casting out an evil spirit.....WHAT? Is that not hilarious! I think so....the Bible is awesome. The rest of the story is incredible, check it out!
Philip Thurman
But as I think about unfair, I was reading about it this morning. In Acts 16 these two guys Paul and Silas are going from place to place and there is this annoying lady that follows them and saying out loud, these guys on on God's team. They are here making noise.....(my paraphrase) So Paul turns and cast the evil spirit out of her. Her owner is now p oed! His income (she was a fortune teller) is now shot. So what do they do, throw Paul and Silas in jail after they get a beating. NOW THAT IS NOT FAIR! No trial, no attorneys nothing. It's one thing to be thrown in prison for a crime you did, but to be thrown in cause you cast an evil spirit out of someone. How would you like that, stand before the jury and say guilty or NOT Guilty. uh sir or ma'am, I am guilty. What is your crime? Uh casting out an evil spirit.....WHAT? Is that not hilarious! I think so....the Bible is awesome. The rest of the story is incredible, check it out!
Philip Thurman
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