The Bridge

I had every intent on spending some time cleaning up the posts I’ve prepared and put them up. However, Sunday afternoon introduced me to a crash I hadn’t seen the likes of since junior college. After sleeping 32 of 40 hours I find myself completely depleted of energy. I’m about to brew my first cup of coffee in the last 48 hours which is very exciting. What is weird is I don’t have any real symptoms of anything other then shortness of breath and absolute exhaustion. I’ve decided not to push through any of this and just let it run its course. Below are a few things occupying my mind while I lay down.

Covenant Membership Class this weekend - I have so much to do on this and don’t believe any of it will get done adequetly before Sunday - oh well.

Sunday Prep - I’m playing my newphew in a game of chess during the message. I’m guessing he’ll take me because I’ll be slightly distracted.

May Day Give Away - We are giving away over 70 May Day baskets to people in town who we helped move branches for.

Tulip Time - One of Iowa’s best festivals starts Thursday in Pella.

OCOM - As much as I love the people and what they do this has been a very challenging partnership.

The Fam! - Jenny had her first appointment yesterday for number 3. Toby talks up a storm and Lydia is able to walk if you hold her hands.

I have taken a month off from the blog for various reasons but none of those reasons were because of a shortage of things to share, report, or speak about. Thus, Monday I will begin rolling out a number of posts. I am really excited about posts relating to my recent travels, the exponential conference, various links, family posts, and the latest from the bridge.

March has been full of activities, blessings, and surprises.

March 1 - Hung out with Lon our guest teacher

March 2 - Great morning service, the crew had lunch at the view, Caisson Prayer Group revealed that this next year is going to be even more crazy then the last.

March 3 - Met with a worship band that will be leading for an all city all church worship and prayer night that will happen monthly on the third Sunday of the month.

March 4 - Signed The Bridge up for branch removal for the entire city.

March 5 - Spent the morning helping my neighbor move some windows. Indian Hills Student Leadership made a handoff. Jenny and I spent significant time with a student going through a tough time. Women’s group met for the second time with 18 women showing up.

March 6 - The Ottumwa Courier wrote a small article describing the branch removal service we are offering. Did an interview with KTVO. Men’s group rocked as we kept pushing our way through “Chasing Daylight.”

March 7 - Installed shelves built by Chris Johnson for the Secret Stop & Shop and did some sermon prep. Bridge Staff Movie Night - After five minutes of the movie having more cuss words then noncuss words we went and got Good Morning Vietnam.

March 8 - Toby and I hung out at Ohares Hardware and finished up on sermon prep.

March 9 - DAYLIGHT SAVINGS KICKED MY BUTT - The morning went well but truthfully felt like everything was just a bit off.

March 10 - Spent two hours hanging out at the Bank. They think I’m crazy and I’m still trying to figure out if that is ok. Quick staff meeting and eventually went to Pella. Played some Settlers - LOVE THAT GAME. Also conducted Fantasy Baseball and Football lottery. Yeah my friends and I are a little sick but we laugh a lot.

March 11 - Turned in next years Budget. Got pictures taken of Lydia - LOVE HER! Spent the afternoon fixing my i-tunes and praying in the lighthouse.

March 12 - Another article ran in the Ottumwa Courier. Phone calls keep coming. Had lunch with Chris M. and scouted some of the damage done by the trees. Hung out with 12 friends pulling branches to the curb. Went to Indian Hills Bible Study. Had a meeting with the area director of Campus Crusade. Watched an episode of West Wing with my wif, Kate, and Sarah.

March 13 - Toby and I hung out outside - he loves making messes. Had lunch with Scott Fry and saw my buddy Brian. Finished up tonight’s Men’s group lesson and continued to organize some thoughts for Sunday. I have lots of ideas and am excited for this Sunday.

I can’t pinpoint the exact date but it was well over a year ago that I began reading a blog that I found on Voxtropolis written by Lon Wong. I was drawn to his passion, innovation, and desire to plant a church. I enjoyed following his chronicles of becoming a father, living in Toronto, and everything else that goes on in his crazy head.

So I did what any other church planter would do in my situation and invited him to come and speak to our small gathering in the middle of Iowa. On Saturday when he got off the plane he confirmed what I had known for quite sometime - that I am crazy! As we drove the hour and half to Ottumwa, Lon said this whole thing is kind of nuts, I think his words went something like this, “You’ve never met me, never heard me speak, you don’t really know anything about me and here I am.”

Yet our entire community at The Bridge was blessed by Lon and his words. The final song wasn’t even done and I had people asking for a copy of the message. I know for a fact that Lon and his wife would be the bestest friends of Jenny and I if we lived near each other. I am so glad I listened to the crazy prompting of inviting Lon to come and speak. I have no idea if we will ever get to hang out again but if I have my way he’ll be back again!

All in all it is my guess that this is the first time one voxer invited another voxer to come and speak to their church. As Lon put it to our people - Vox is kind of like online dating for pastors or something and I found a great match. I’m sure he will eventually put something up on his blog about the entire crazy experience.