Hey Bridge Family, I hope you all made it through the cold week and are doing well. This week, we talked about how people mistook Paul and Barnabas for gods because, through God, they healed a man. There’s an interesting backstory explaining why they thought this way. According to a Lycaonian legend, the mythological gods Zeus and Hermes visited the region disguised as men. They were only hospitably received by two people. Soon after, a flood destroyed the area, and only the two who showed reverence to these gods survived. So, when Paul and Barnabas performed a miracle, it seemed the people didn’t want to miss the chance to avoid the same fate.
We know Zeus and Hermes are mythological, so we might dismiss the idea of gods today. However, thousands or millions may still be worshiped. Major US religions—Christianity, Islam, Judaism—worship one God, but polytheism and pantheism also exist. Ever notice all the symbols on those Coexist bumper stickers?
This is a vital point that we, as parents, must not ignore, since society widely believes that multiple truths can exist in most matters. The reality, however, is that this is impossible. Nonetheless, our world constantly feeds our children the idea that truth is whatever each person desires it to be. It is no surprise that many professing Christians believe there are various paths to Heaven. Like the Lycaonians, it seems they don’t want to miss an opportunity just in case.
Jesus tells us in John, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me" (John 14:6 NLT). That is the truth. There is no other way to enter eternity with the Father except through Christ and Christ alone. My question is, do you believe that? I think this is a struggle for many Christians. I pray we stand together in the truth that there is only one way to eternal life with the Father. Even though many religious precepts from differing beliefs align, only one can be true. That truth is that there is only one God, the God of the Bible, revealed to us in the person of Jesus Christ. Teaching that to our children is the most important thing we as parents will ever teach them. So let’s make sure we are pointing them to that.
Remember, as long as your child is at home, you have a great chance to share the Bible. Together, explore its stories, discussing how they apply to daily life, and fostering deeper family conversations. This makes faith an exciting and meaningful journey. God bless, and I look forward to seeing your family on Sunday.
Pastor Bob

Hey Bridge Family, this week in the Bridge, we discussed that God is full of surprises. While most of us probably agree with that, I wonder how many of us truly expect surprises from God in our own lives or in those we care about. Are we actively looking for His unexpected blessings? Our story was from Acts 12:1-19. Also, a quick tip: I encourage you to read these stories with your kids each week. It’s a simple way to reinforce what we talked about and spend quality time in the Bible together. Here’s a quick summary: Peter and James are arrested by King Herod Agrippa. James is executed, and Peter faces the same fate. But then, an angel of the Lord appears, and—surprise!—rescues Peter from jail before his trial.
Towards the end of our large group time, we asked, “What do you think was the most surprising thing that happened to Peter?” Let me tell you mine. It’s when Peter is left standing outside the home because the surprised Rhoda leaves him there to let the others know Peter was free! Then she tells the others. What’s their response? You’re out of your mind! (v.15) No matter how many miracles these people have witnessed over the past few years, they still find them hard to believe. That really surprised me. But then I thought about it, and I’ll say it again. I wonder how many of us truly expect surprises from God? Because I don’t know about you, but sometimes I am just like Rhoda and the rest in that house, looking for logical reasons rather than appreciating the supernatural (I’m telling you, you gotta read the story).
The sad truth is that the older we get, the less in awe we become of things. That whole childlike mind fades away. So how can we keep our kids from becoming as desensitized as we are? Well, first, we should give glory to God for the things and events that happen in our lives. If you watch sports, you see athletes do it more and more these days, even in defeat. When special things and events that surprise us happen in our lives, we should share them with our families. Then, when they do occur, and they will, acknowledge God? Give the glory to Him. Also, consider writing down your kid’s prayers and, over time, see if you can help them connect the dots to see how God showed up. Maybe you’ll both be surprised.
Remember, as long as your child is at home, you have a great chance to share the Bible. Together, explore its stories, discussing how they apply to daily life, and fostering deeper family conversations. This makes faith an exciting and meaningful journey. God bless, and I look forward to seeing your family on Sunday.


Pastor Bob

Happy New Year, Bridge family! I hope you had a safe and wonderful time welcoming in the New Year. This week, our message in the Bridge focuses on being welcoming, inspired by Acts 10, where God calls Peter to accept Roman officer Cornelius into God's family for his faith in Christ. It's the first recorded instance of a non-Jew being filled with the Holy Spirit and baptized into Christ. Many may miss its significance, but chapters 11:1-18 reveal the tension—many Jews thought Gentiles like Cornelius were unworthy to follow Christ because they weren't Jewish. In sports terms, Gentiles didn’t make the cut. Fortunately, that’s not true for us.
However, in our world, achieving acceptance and feeling welcomed often seem out of reach, especially for children. Kids can be harsh, forming exclusive cliques over trivial issues. Even those who are accepted may feel confused or hurt when their friends are not. Sadly, similar behaviors occur in the church as well. The church, as the body of Christ, sometimes judges others to determine their worthiness for acceptance. We judge by how a person lives, their appearance, or who they spend time with, deciding if they are like us and deserving of our attention.
In Romans, Paul writes, “Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you, so that God will be given glory” (v.15:7). This verse highlights the importance of being welcoming. How can we show this to our kids so they do the same? Two ideas: (1) Instead of chatting with friends before or after service, seek out someone new and connect—with your kids in tow. This shows them Romans 15:7 in action and may positively influence how that family views Southeast. (2) Encourage your children to do the same when you pick them up. Recognizing they are part of Christ's body can shape their walk. Pray about it and try it.
Remember, as long as your child is at home, you have a great chance to share the Bible. Together, explore its stories, discussing how they apply to daily life, and fostering deeper family conversations. This makes faith an exciting and meaningful journey. God bless, and I look forward to seeing your family on Sunday.
Pastor Bob