The Bridge RSM

How do we use the earthly wealth that has been entrusted to us? Do we use it for our own selfish gain, or to invest in the priorities of the Kingdom of Heaven? Pastor Taylor takes us through a look at the Parable of the Dishonest Manager as we contemplate how we best demonstrate our trust in and allegiance to Jesus with our financial influence through the investments we make to alleviate human suf...

How do we respond to being indebted to the love and mercy of a benevolent God? Pastor Sean takes us through the Parable of the Two Debtors and outlines how an honest awareness of what we've been given by our Heavenly Father can only result in a restructuring of the way we live as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Often times, when we think about being good stewards of our wealth we think about saving. We think about not being wasteful with the finances that we've received. But what if the Lord is inviting us into more. What if He's inviting us into being the sort of community that cares for others when they're in need, that lifts the heads of the destitute, and reveals the heart of Jesus to minister to the...

"Who is my neighbor?" This is the question an expert in the law asked Jesus that invoked the parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus told him to behave like the Samaritan in relation to others, with compassion and radical, fearless generosity. What does that look like for us, in our social and historical context? Pastor Leah begins our summer teaching series on the Economy of Heaven with a look at th...

The apostle Paul told the Corinthian church to follow him as he followed Christ. Whether you're a parent or not, there are people looking to you to learn how to behave, and grow, and live. What we choose to allow to form us and reflect out to others goes a long way into forming those that we are in contact with and have influence with.

We see three feast holidays commanded to the people of Israel in Leviticus 23. This begs the question: "What purpose did these feasts serve that the God of Israel commanded them to His people?" Pastor Ryan concludes our series on Fearless Trust with a look at how we respond to the goodness of our God by Gathering with Gratitude.

How do you think or feel about the poor and marginalized in society? How do you think the God of the universe feels about the poor and marginalized? It might surprise you to learn that God incorporated a social welfare system into the ancient Israelite law codes around how and when land owners could harvest the crops on their land. Through these laws we see God declaring not only that He cares abo...

Pastor Ryan moves us into our third and final subseries in our Fearless Trust series, entitled "Trusted Promiser". We've looked at the story of Abraham learning to see the Lord as his Trusted Partner. We've seen the people of Israel in the wilderness after leaving Egypt learning to see the Lord as their Trusted Provider in a season that they couldn't provide for themselves. Finally, we will follow...

Is what you have enough? Have you learned to be content in plenty and in want? For many of us, the answer is a resounding "No!' The question isn't "Do we have anything do eat?", it's "Do we have what we're in the mood for?"; not "Do I have clothes to wear?", but "Are they the latest fashion?"; and not "Do I have a roof over my head?", but "How many square feet are under that roof and how many acre...

How do you lead the next generation? Pastor Ryan looks at the story of Abraham and Isaac and asks us to consider what it means to demonstrate a life fearlessly pursuing God in the sight of the next generation.

You've probably heard the word "Sabbath" before. But have you ever tried to make it a weekly rhythm in your life? There may have been a time that this was a normal way of life in US culture, but that is no longer the case. Few things are as counter cultural in our present age as Sabbath is. Taking a day every week to say, "God, You are enough. My work is enough. You provide enough. My identity as...

Fearless Trust moves into it's second set of messages, now looking at how we see God as our Trusted Provider. Often, we think of trusting God in the big picture. We think of large-scale miracles, long-term outlook, and big-picture life events. God, however, invites us into little, daily acts of trust that form us over time into the types of people who are capable of Fearless Trust.

Are you able to set aside your own wants and desires for the sake of others? Are you able to trust God's plan and design for your life, or do you need to scratch and claw to "get yours" or "look out for number one"? We return to our series on what it means to have Fearless Trust in God, seeing Him as our Trusted Partner by contemplating what it takes to be Able to Prefer Others in light of a faith...

Where does your provision come from? Is it your job? Your wit? Your skill? Or does your provision come from God Most High? The answer to that question has to be settled in your heart before you can learn to have Fearless Trust in the face of difficulties, sudden expenses, or as you engage in generosity with your time and resources.

Motherhood is a calling unlike any other. But you don't have to be in it alone. In all of the good and the difficult times, there is a God who is for you and a community to support you. It is held safe in the loving arms of God that Fearless Motherhood is possible.

What is the story of your life? As a follower of Jesus, you should know that you are blessed. Not only that, the purpose of your blessing is, in part, to spread that blessing out to others. Pastor Ryan kicks off our series on Fearless Trust as we look at what it means to be Blessed to Be a Blessing.

It's easy to miss the things God is doing. Whether we're distracted, headstrong, or just not attuned to His Spirit, we can get bogged down in our own things. But as we grow in our practices of following the Way of Jesus we will be motivated to Action by His Spirit. Pastor Ryan concludes our series on Cultivated Hands with a look at what missional action that brings the Good News of the Kingdom of...

This might be a surprise, but your will does not always align with God's will. Occasionally, you want things that are self serving and, ultimately, detrimental. But there are ways to align our hearts with God's. Pastor Ryan hones in on the prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane; "not my will, but Yours". This is our desire, Lord: not our will, but Yours.

How big is your view of God? When was the last time you found yourself lost in awe and wonder and the magnificence of the God of All Creation? Pastor Ryan looks at what a life full of awe looks like as we continue to develop Cultivating Hands for our spiritual practice.

What would you want to tell people because Jesus lives? What does it mean for your life? What about the lives of those around you? This Easter, we take a look at some things that Scripture and Church tradition tell us that Jesus said to people, and what we believe He is saying to our city today. You Are Worth It!

What does it look like to follow Jesus down the path into Jerusalem? To participate in His Triumphal Entry? It may end in victory, but it passes through the chaotic waters of death. We cannot have the works of Jesus apart from the ways of Jesus and so, we must set aside our own wisdom and instead head toward victory by Choosing God's Path.

God's thoughts toward us are as many as the grains of sand on a beach. He is always speaking. The question is whether or not we are going to learn to and choose to tune in to what He is saying. Pastor Ryan keys in on three ways He speaks to us in His Word, through His people, and in the worship of His majesty. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but merely three of the myriad ways that our H...

How often do you notice the presence of God with you in your daily life? What activities do you associate with spending time with God? Pastor Ryan turns the Page to the second part of our Cultivate series as we look at tools and practices that can help us cultivate a life following the Way of Jesus. We start by looking at what a life aware of His ongoing presence can look like and how we learn tha...

What do trials in life tell us about the character of God? What do we do when faced with difficult situations? What do we learn in the face of suffering? Pastor Ryan finishes up the first part of our Cultivate series on the Cultivated Heart and looks forward to the second half on the Cultivating Hand.

When trying to grow a lemon tree, it would be silly to plant strawberry seeds. The fruit of our lives is no different. We can choose to invest our time, energy, and attention into natural compulsion and desire, or we can choose to set our minds on things of heaven and sow seeds of the Kingdom. The sorts of things you choose will determine the way you live and interact with others.