The Bridge

The Bridge is officially in our new location at Central Church of the Nazarene in Lenexa and we will meet every 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 6:30 pm at the church library.

Central Church of the Nazarene
12600 W 87 St Pky
Lenexa KS 66215

The Bridge is apart of "Young Life Central"

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=86212026844&ref=ts

Upcoming Activities

Invisible Children Dodge Ball Tournament JCCC (1st Floor gym) Friday, October 9 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Bonfire Bonanza! Wagon Wheel Orchard Saturday, October 10 from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm

MNU Football Games Saturday, October 17 and October 31

MNU Men's and Women's Basketball Games November 13 until Saturday, February 13, 2010

Louisburg Cider Mill Saturday, November 14 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

With sadness and hope

It is with sadness and hope that we convey to you that Jillian Lilies, a long time member of the Bridge, passed away this last weekend. She had been struggling with the rejection of a pancreas after a transplant and also other physical ailments. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 25, 2009, at Boone Funeral Home East Chapel, 5330 Washington Avenue, with Stephen Rogers, Minister officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Tim James shares the following thoughts...

I remember the last Bridge meeting I was at with Jillian, and we were discussing how in general, people tend to have a fear of death and discourage talking honestly and openly about its reality. But Jillian spoke about not having a fear of death anymore, and having a hope for the peace, joy, and release from pain that would come. This discussion somewhat stemmed from Hebrews 2:15 where it is stated that Christ came to free those held prisoner by the fear of death.

We also spoke of how when she would speak to doctors or other people that she didn't fear death, and even welcomed the transition, it wasn't always a comfortable discussion for everyone... doctors would speak on what they could do to help her, and discourage talk of death.

But Jillian knew death would only be a new beginning for her. She felt free of fear while living in pain. Now she is free of pain and living in a Peace and Love beyond my understanding.
Tim James

Hebrews 2:14-15
14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

Take me out to the ball game!... This Tuesday the Bridge is going to the Royals game! What a great time for fun and friends! The teams are the Cleveland Indians against the Kansas City Royals. Details below

Promotion:

Free T-Shirt Tuesday
$5 in loaded value for concessions
free unlimited games in the new Outfield Experience
Field Plaza seats

Cost: $10

Carpool: Church 6:30 sharp (we want to get free t-shirts :-)

RSVP: Barrett is purchasing the tickets so We need to know by ASAP if you are coming!
Email barrett.mclain@gmail.com or call 913-239-2230 before 11:00 am Tuesday morning!

New Book: Hebrews

We have started a new Bible Study at the Bridge. We are now studying Hebrews and you can join us online if you'd like. Just follow along here at the Joyful Heart Ministries Website. This is an opportunity for Kindra and Thea, two of our overseas missionaries to be a part of the study as well. (If they have time in their busy lives!) We just finished up Lesson 2 last night, and next week we will be studying Lesson 3. As a reminder we've been meeting at Panera for dinner around 6:30, and we start the Bible Study at Shawnee Church at 7:15.

Weakness = Strength

Those of you who were able to attend our fall retreat this year will remember an exercise we did in sensory deprivation. We took turns leading and being led through the woods and along the walking trails at Tall Oaks while we experienced the loss of one of our senses. A blindfold would take away sight, ear plugs would make you deaf, and we walked around to see how these changed our perception of nature. Some people commented on the way the leaves and branches felt underfoot, or how the colors stood out when you couldn't hear anything. Some of us tried to be independent while temporarily disabled, others found ways to overcome the disability. In fact Barrett encouraged us to think of them as "upgrades" rather than disabilities.
Well, Union Station is following our lead by bringing in an exhibit that comes really close to letting you know what it is like to experience life as a blind person. The exhibit Dialog in the Dark pairs a group of visitors up with a guide who is blind. The guide then leads you through various activities in a pitch black environment. Pretty cool, huh? If anybody goes to this, drop me a line and let me know what you think.

John

Defining the Odds

You are invited to attend "Defining the Odds" on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at the Old Mission United Methodist Church in Fairway, Kansas. Individuals with a diagnosed mental disorder, their families and significant others, as well as care providers are welcome. The community and healthcare professionals may also attend.

From a life of gangs, drugs, poverty and crime to obtaining a college degree and founder of the Rita Kay foundation, Tomas Hernandez has come along way in his life. After a difficult childhood where he faced many obstacles, he served in the United States military and turned his life around. From the military, he landed at Washburn University studying Physical Education. While a student, he discovered that he suffered from Dysthmia ( a chronic form of depression), Attention Deficit Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Tomas will share his personal story and how he has overcome numerous setbacks on his path to wellness and recovery.

Please feel free to share with others.



Best wishes,
Stacy Davis, MA
Director, Mental Health Promotion

The Bridge!

Submission for http://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com/ by Spring from the McDonald's in the Denver Colorado airport.

This week Tim J is leading us in the gutsy 5th chapter of Esther and it is Applebee's night so be sure to come. (Lets all choose healthy choices several of us in the Bridge are watching what we eat and there are lots of healthy options.) Thank you Gwen for speaking to us last week about Missionary Aviation Fellowship!

Verse of the Week Esther 5
Esther Plans a Banquet
1Now it came about on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace in front of the king's rooms, and the king was sitting on his royal throne in the throne room, opposite the entrance to the palace. 2When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favor in his sight; and the king extended to Esther the golden scepter which was in his hand. So Esther came near and touched the top of the scepter. 3Then the king said to her, "What is troubling you, Queen Esther? And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be given to you." 4Esther said, "If it pleases the king, may the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him." 5Then the king said, Bring Haman quickly that we may do as Esther desires." So the king and Haman came to the banquet which Esther had prepared. 6As they drank their wine at the banquet, the king said to Esther, "What is your petition, for it shall be granted to you. And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be done." 7So Esther replied, "My petition and my request is: 8 if I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and do what I request, may the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king says."
Haman's Pride
9Then Haman went out that day glad and pleased of heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate and that he did not stand up or tremble before him, Haman was filled with anger against Mordecai.
10Haman controlled himself, however, went to his house and sent for his friends and his wife Zeresh. 11Then Haman recounted to them the glory of his riches, and the number of his sons, and every instance where the king had magnified him and how he had promoted him above the princes and servants of the king. 12Haman also said, "Even Esther the queen let no one but me come with the king to the banquet which she had prepared; and tomorrow also I am invited by her with the king. 13"Yet all of this does not satisfy me every time I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate." 14Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, "Have a gallows fifty cubits high made and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it; then go joyfully with the king to the banquet." And the advice pleased Haman, so he had the gallows made.