Phase 10

My friends and I have discovered a new game...it is called Phase 10. I first played this game with my friend Meredith and her family years ago. This game has become somewhat of a weekly occurence. Since all of my friends are competitive, it becomes quite enjoyable when we begin skipping each other...and I become just as mad as the next person when I am skipped repeatedly. One of the best moments happened last Sunday night...I kept skipping Ashley, who had her phase and couldn't put it down b/c I kept skipping her, and who is one of the least competitive people I know, and she got pissed! I don't usually find joy and delight in people getting upset, but I couldn't help myself... :)

Show em....How to Read the Bible

At The Bridge, we started a new series called Show Em/Grow Em. The series is going to focus on basic spiritual principles. By showing those in the congregation certain spiritual principals, they will be able to grow in their walk with the Lord. This past Sunday at The Bridge, Scott Hansen preached/taught on how to read the Bible. Now, for those of you who have attended church for a long time are thinking, "I know how to read the bible". And I have no doubt that you do. But, he gave some practical advice that even the most seasoned Christian is most likely not doing. The sermon was good because it gave practical advice to new believers, someone who may feel overwhelmed when walking into a christian book store to buy a Bible, and practical advice to go deeper into studying the Bible for the more mature believer.

I sat down at Starbucks tonight, and opened up to the book of 1 Thessalonians, and read chpt 2 vs 13 "And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe"

In 2 Tim 3:16, 17 it says "All scripture is God breathed (in the greek this actually means the breath of God) and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in rifhteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

This is God's Holy word put on paper...for me. It is his love letter to me, how He wishes that I would choose to live my life.



He said in scripture there are commands, facts, and promises... If it is a fact, believe it... If it is a command, obey it...and if it is a promise, make it your own.

Back to reality...

On July 26th I headed back down to LA for a little vacation. On the 27th, I went to Catalina for three days to hang out with the Phillips family. Although I had never been there when Mike and the boys were there, I had an absolute blast with them. I got to lay out on the beach, eat great food, see Ratatouille, do a little mini golfin (hole in one on the fifth hole!), and go out dancing! Oh, I also watched all of season 2 of the office...i love that show.
On the 29th, i headed back to la for vacay with my family. No, I love my family, but what I think i realized is that I can not be around my family in such close quarters (all of us stayed in my sisters one bedroom apartment, and Ash was around for a few days). I had a good time...saw the Simpsons, did A LOT of shopping, went to the beach, went to a Dodgers/Giants game...but I don't think I want to go on another family vacation that does not include some personal space unless I am going to a different continent or to some tropical location.
Needless to say, I went back to work on Sunday the 5th, and have been going non-stop ever since. I have a conference in town that i am suppose to attend thursday-saturday, all while preparing for my next missions committee meeting and planning/preparing for an event that The Bridge is participating in on the 18th at the Pomona Migrant Center in Madera. Let's just say if it could go wrong at this point, it has.
So, if you wouldn't mind remembering me in your prayers over this next week and a half, I would appreciate it. I know this is a time where God is teaching me patience and to trust in Him, that it is all going to get accomplished and he doesn't even need me, but choosing to use me....yeah, prayer would be great.