What's Next?

Every week I have men and women say to me, "Philip, what's next?" You may be saying, "NEXT, what is that all about?" Well a few months back we paid off our land and thus what's next. Well we have put together two men to lead the teams and they have started some amazing work. Sean Dodds will give leadership to our building team while Johnny Ervin will give leadership to our finance team.

They have had some preliminary meetings and over the next few weeks and months will share with others what God is leading the to do. I hope you will do a couple of things. First, please pray for them as they seek God's heart and direction for this incredible task. Honestly, both of these men are great leaders and up for the challenge. Secondly, would you begin praying what your part of the journey needs to be. Ask God now to begin to prepare your heart. Also, pray for these men as they seek to see who needs to help and serve with them on their team.

When we know more, we will get the word out. Thanks for your prayers and continue praying and asking God to do incredible things, cause He is able to do far more than we think.

Philip Thurman

We Have More Than We Need

Last week we started a new series called "How to be Rich." Our culture bombards us about getting rich, but then does not tell us how to be good rich people. This is tough because we don't see ourselves as rich. The problem is where is rich? It is always the next level up. It is never where we are, it is a moving target.

We said this week that we all have more house than is needed for shelter, more vehicle than is needed to get from point A to B, more food than is needed for health, yet we don't think we have enough. We admitted at the end of our service that we have more than we need, we are rich. Let that soak in a bit.

Now, what do you need to do? Do you need to re-evaluate what you are doing, what you are trying to achieve? Do you need to downsize, do you need plan better, do you need to re-prioritize? I hope in this series you will stop, evaluate and then determine what God wants you to do. See you Sunday.

Philip Thurman

Bring On The Throwdown

WOW! If you missed the throw down last night, you missed an incredible event. It was a night packed with fun and competition that was simply spectacular. We saw an amazing crowd turn out for the event as well. I saw many guest who were present as well and really getting into the action. In fact some teams got so into the action they got a ticket while driving down a road that is not open yet....oh and did I mention they were on the winning team. That should have been at least a 20 point deduction for breaking the law! 

I want to recognize a few folks that rose to the occasion to make it an incredible night. First off Jim and Tracey Fries came up with the idea and put it all together. They planned everything. Their leadership on this was incredible. You guys really know how to organize and throw a party. Thanks for making last night awesome. Johnny Ervin, our small groups pastor stepped up huge. He helped to challenge our leadership to be involved, worked out the food and kids stuff. Johnny, thanks a ton for your work. Davis Jones, Sharon and John Mark Coon, you all are also awesome for helping take care of the kiddos. I am forever grateful for all you do to help do to encourage the adults. Thanks to anyone else I am leaving out. It was an awesome night and Congratulations to Greg Miller's group for winning.

Good bye 07 and welcome 08

Can you believe it? 2007 has come and gone. A ton of incredible memories. We have seen people invest and invite their family, friends and neighbors. WOW! God gave us land and we owe NO money on it. Can you believe God has given us 15 acres of land in Madison County. The most expensive county in Mississippi. We are in the throws of the next step.

We have added some incredible volunteers who serve and give of their time and energy. As we continue to grow we continue needing new volunteers. We saw three or four baptism services that were awesome. Always cool to see men, women, boys and girls cross the line of faith. We had two big Sunday's that turned out a ton of food as well. Our biker life group has stepped up to the plate and set the bar high when it comes to service.

What about 08......man we have some awesome teaching series planned. We start the second week of January talking about "How to be rich." It will be fun. We also have two mission trips planned and one is out of the country........Argentina! More on that later. I hope you will continue to invest and invite. Let's make a difference in Madison County.

Philip Thurman

Land Party Sunday

We loaded up on three buses and headed out to the property

The prayer area on the property

Some of the folks at the service and finally the awesome Biker group who took care of all the food and fun.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

We come to that time of the year where we quickly put away any memory of Christmas and start focusing on the goals, resolutions we want to set for the New Year. We take down all the decorations for Christmas and go back to our ruts we live in day in and day out. I plan to live my life differently this year. I want to live it wide open in relationships. I want to get to know more folks this year and hopefully be a positive influence in their lives. I'm ready for the challenge.

I want to take a moment and brag about a few things. In December I have taken a break from teaching and Greg, Scott Woody and Brock have taught or will teach. Man, they have all done a phenominal job. Thanks guys for your heart and abilities to communicate God's word in a fresh and relevant way. We have had incredible crowds in the month as well. Then Christmas Eve service was LIGHTS OUT! Man, we had to at the last minute run around and find chairs for the huge overflow crowd. Largest Christmas Eve service ever. I want you to say thanks to some folks for me. Obviously, Scott, the band and the sound guys were incredible. Did anyone see Steve Theim in the tie? What was up with that:)? He looked sharp. His brother was with him and was an incredible help as well.

Our staff and their spouses are amazing. One of our nursery workers no showed, so Kathy Jones stood in the gap and served in the nursery. This is a real hero to me. I know she would have loved to have been with her husband or ever watch him whale on the electric guitar, but she did the greater good......stayed and loved on babies. Kathy, you rock! Russell, Sean, Joey, Greg, Brock busted a gut to find chairs....thanks guys! Brock also took care of lighting candles, getting the Lord's Supper elements ready to go as well. I know I have left someone out and it is not intentional, thank you to you as well. I get to serve and be in the greatest church around town. I truly believe that with all my heart.

Last but not least I want to thank all of you who "Invested and Invited." You know who you are. There's one lady who brought a ton of her family with her. She really gets what we're doing and is rocking my socks off. She loves this place and constantly shares her story with others. ROCK on! Another family shared how they had invited a daughter that is currently running from God and she was present. So, God continues to use normal folks like you to grow His church. I love you guys and wish for you a Wonderful Mew Year.

Philip Thurman

Is It Really Christmas Time?

This weather is something else. Driving home today I saw a flashing signboard that said it is 82 degrees outside. I wonder if this was what it felt like the week Baby Jesus was born. I don't know about you, but I would like it a bit cooler. I usually think of the Christmas season as a bit cooler.

I want to brag about the team God has assembled at LifeBridge. This past Friday night the staff and Advisory Team spent time celebrating this time of year. I say it every year, but this is the best team I have ever had the chance of serving with in a church. Every week our Porch environment gets better and better. Greg is doing an amazing job trying to make it flow and be staffed properly. John continues to make sure the visual and business side of things run smoothly. Johnny works overtime trying to keep me in line and our small groups working. I love watching Davis connect with our youth, Sharon singing and talking to kids in xtreme and Natalie working with the preschoolers. Each week Scott prepares us to worship God through song. I am overwhelmed at all God is doing through this team.

Thanks to all of you who serve, invite and give. This place is what I envision when I think of a church. Pretty close to perfect:) We do have a long way to go, but thanks for all each of you do. As we go through this season, I pray you will prayerfully ask God who you might invite for the Christmas Eve service. We will meet at 5:00 p.m. and will be out in 45 minutes.

Have a great week

Philip Thurman