Month: January 2020

What A Beautiful Loan

Tobymac has lost his son and wrote a song about it. I can’t imagine going through the loss of a son or daughter and I have friends who have. They are some of the strongest folks I know. I saw the video […]

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2 min
5 years ago
1

January 12, 2020

Tagged cysticfibrosis, daddymoment, faith, family, inspire

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I’m praying for you tonight. Specifically for the parents whose kids who are waking up in Heaven. There will come a day when you are reunited with them in Heaven and I cannot imagine what that reunion will be like. The lyric “God has you in Heaven, but I have you in my heart” breaks me. Again, speechless and humbled.

I write this while my kids are sleeping in their beds. My wife and I will wake them up for school and head to work tomorrow morning while chugging coffee. But not this upcoming morning. I will look them in the eyes and remind them how important and special they are both to us and to Jesus. Life is to short no matter your kids age. We can’t take that for granted.

I will close this post with the way the song ends:

21 years, makes a man full-grown

21 years, what a beautiful loan

21 years, I love every one

Thank You, Lord, for my beautiful son

With Everything 2.0

For a parent of a fighter of Cystic Fibrosis, it is a roller coaster of emotions. Today was no different. Last night I wrote a blog post that talked about trusting God through everything, based on the song “With Everything” by Hillsong […]

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5 min
5 years ago

January 9, 2020

Tagged childrensministry, cysticfibrosis, daddymoment, faith, family

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For a parent of a fighter of Cystic Fibrosis, it is a roller coaster of emotions. Today was no different.

Last night I wrote a blog post that talked about trusting God through everything, based on the song “With Everything” by Hillsong United. I talked about how the words have been in my spirit this week with our family going through it with this flu like craziness. Today, it got amped tenfold.

Around noon, I had tucked in my five year old for a nap who is getting over the same sickness I’ve been getting over. I went to our bedroom to get a nap in, and my cell phone rang. It was Grace’s childcare. This can’t be good.

“Please come. Grace has a temp of 101.4 and withdrawn.” I immediately called my wife and figured out childcare for Levi and Josiah (greatest in-laws a son-in-law could ever have…thank you both!). I got in my car and texted some prayer warriors that have helped to move so many mountains in my life and gave them a 20second text to pray. Reached out to the clinic and they immediately advised to bring her in tomorrow first thing. I buckled the seat belt and sped out of our neighborhood to get Grace. My phone immediately started to play through bluetooth, and it went to my song for this week. I was like, I literally just wrote about have hope through good times and bad…through everything. Ok, God I see you, in this case I hear you.

Again those words:

So let hope rise

And darkness tremble

In Your holy light

That every eye will see

Jesus our God

Great and mighty to be praised

My mind immediately began thinking about the checkin process. Insurance battles. Getting her room. Her crying. IV’s, picline, her meds, sleepless nights, the room. X-rays. CT Scans. The boys. Trade offs with my wife. Work logistics. The wonder if today will be the check out day. I was like NO NO NO NO not again, please not now God. It’s just not fa—-but as I tried to finish the word “fair”, these words came through my speakers but rang like a heated arrow at my spirit:

With everything, with everything (with everything)

We will shout for Your glory

With everything, with everything

We will shout forth Your praise

And our hearts they cry

Be glorified

Be lifted high above all names

For You our King

With everything

We will shout forth Your praise!

Ok God. I get it. So instead of saying, “NO NO NO NO” I immediately gripped my steering wheel and shouted “With everything, with everything, We will shout for Your glory”. As tears started falling I had peace rising.

I got to the childcare center and the teacher was concerned. Grace was sleeping and had so much phlegm. I carried her out and she was so not herself. Grace says hey and smiles to everyone, especially me when I see her. She just melted into my neck, no smiles, and was snorting the whole way home. I got her home, gave meds, and rocked her to sleep. I sang the song to her while rocking her. As she drifted to sleep I told her we were going to see Jesus move today and praise him today for it.

Two hour nap and a breathing treatment later…we have our Grace back. Complete 180. She was dancing with her brother and giving me huge smiles. It’s like she never had 101.4 fever. Still congested but the pale sunken eyes were replaced with that sparkle and smile that only my Grace can give. We still have the appointment at 9am and I know they can say to admit her…and that’s ok. But I’m telling you, she’s better.

“With everything, we will shout for your glory.” It’s so easy to say and sounds great to sing. Every day we are faced with moments that can break us or strengthen us. I believe it is in the “NO NO NO NO” moments that you find your real faith. Trust in God with everything. He reminded me of that today. Regardless what happens next, trust in Him with everything. God loves you.

Thank you for your continued prayers. We are on this great journey together!

With Everything!

It’s easy to say that you will serve God with everything when the bonus is in hand. It’s easy when all the kids are healthy and sleeping through the night. It’s easy when there is no repairs to be made and you […]

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4 min
5 years ago

January 9, 2020

Tagged cysticfibrosis, faith, inspire, leadership, sanantonio

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Is it still easy when you are in fear of losing your job? Is it still easy to serve when kids are in the hospital? Is it still easy when you borrowed money to make a repair on the house that the bank is about to foreclose on? Is it still easy to trust after a relationship leaves you broken? These are some of the “common” stresses, so feel free to fill in the blank!

God never said it would always be easy. He promised He would never leave us or forsake us, but it’s up to us to keep our focus on Him through the good…and the tough times.

These past three days I have been sick. I mean, sick-sick. My body has been fighting a twisted cocktail of Texas pollen and a severe cold. I’ll be the first to admit it, I’m a baby with sickness. I don’t get sick often but when I do it jacks me up! Add that my wife is sick as well. Our five year has been sick alongside me. Our two CF’ers came home today with runny noses and breathing heavy while sleeping. Health wise…this week has been tough for the Bridges. Not a great start for 2020!

In typing that I’ve had a song on repeat in my bedroom for three days (With Everything by Hillsong United). Please click on the link to listen. During every nap I had it playing beside my pillow. It opens with a prayer like anthem:

So let hope rise,

And darkness tremble

In Your holy light,

And every eye will see

Jesus, our God,

Great and mighty to be praised.

God of all days,

Glorious in all of Your ways.

Your majesty, the wonder and grace,

In the light of Your name.

With everything,

We will shout for your glory.

I love this song. As I face another morning in a couple of hours with a sick child and my own cough…I’m still going to serve God. With everything! When I call the clinic tomorrow to setup an appointment to have our CF’ers checked with the looming possibility of admittance in the background….I’m still going to serve God.

Like the song says, let hope rise! God is God when life is easy and when it’s not. He is still there to hold our hand regardless of the season we are walking through. Because of that, with everything I will shout for His glory!

Know that you are not alone. This also means you are not defeated. Temporary setback, sure but not defeated! So whatever it is that is knocking at your faith’s front door, don’t let it in! Let’s shout for His glory and drown out the knocking!

How About Our Texans?

What a huge win for our Texans. They came back and beat the Buffalo Bills in the division wildcard for the opportunity to take a giant leap forward in the playoffs. But that’s not the only win that happened. Last night our […]

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4 min
5 years ago

January 5, 2020

Tagged Bible, childrensministry, cysticfibrosis, daddymoment, kidsministry

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Last night our 5yr old son, Levi, teared up with pure happiness. He was yelling and shouting watching the game. The Texans are his team. Not because of the win, not because they are from Texas…but because the President of the Texans, Mr. Jamey Rootes, and JJ Watt were intentional with Levi.

I reached out to Mr. Rootes for advice about to going to a game this season. Levi’s older brother, Josiah, received a Make A Wish gift of a Disney trip this past year. Levi doesn’t understand it’s because his older brother struggles with cystic fibrosis. He told me that his wish would be to go watch a Texas game. He thought he should get a wish because he helps his brother to remind him to do breathing treatments, and he wants to grow up to be a Cystic Fibrosis doctor to cure his big bro and little sister. My wife and I teared up and tried to figure out a way to make it happen. I emailed and asked for advice and Mr. Rootes took the time to respond. The fact he even responded was awesome, but he and the Texans gifted Levi with a chance to go to a preseason game! It was such an incredible time for Levi and the family. But then Levi’s hero, JJ Watt wrote him a card thanking him for being a fan. Ever since then, Levi only pretends to be Watt in our backyard and on Madden….the Texans are his team because “Dad, we are friends”.

Mr. Rootes was very intentional, and it made a significant impact. We may never meet, but his emails and JJ Watt’s letter are something our family will never forget. How many 5yrs stop and watch all of the post game interviews to hear his “buddy” talk and then walk away with BIG smiles? That’s huge! That’s the power of being intentional.

Be intentional today!

Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?”. –Romans 15:2

Look for ways to be intentional today. Intentionally help your neighbor. Intentionally do some outreach in your community. Intentionally ask yourself what you can do to make a child/youth smile and create not only a special moment but a teaching moment that they will share moving forward…about being intentional.

Thank you Mr. Rootes and Mr. Watt for being intentional!

Look Forward While Driving

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4 min
5 years ago

January 3, 2020

Tagged Bible, cysticfibrosis, faith, goals, inspire

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Ever notice how big your windshield is in comparison to the size of your rear view mirror? There is a big difference! You need the larger area in order to see where you are going. You never look in the rear view mirror to move forward. That would most certainly cause a wreck! You would never make any progress either, just frustration.

We should be looking forward to see where God wants us to be. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” The Bible says there is a plan for your future but you need to be looking forward with your physical and spiritual eyes. Notice the last part of the verse says “hope and a future”. You can’t move toward your future by looking in the past. You have to look forward!

It’s pretty easy to be hopeful and excited looking out the windshield, but what if it’s raining? I mean your phone is buzzing with tornado warnings, there is a flash flood in the area, and golf size hail is being hurled at your windshield. Maybe your children are in the hospital fighting for their lives. Maybe the atmosphere in the office is stifling and you are fighting for motivation. Maybe the bills are looming over your head. The what if’s are dancing around like the sign holders at the stop light. We all face rain as we drive towards the hope and future. Should that make you stop? The water will only rise around you if you do.

Remember, God hasn’t forgotten you! He still has the plan for you. Turn the headlights on and window wipers full blast. Will it stop the rain? No, but it makes it easier to drive through it. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” It’s tough at times do that when adversity is happening against your faith, but trust Him. Rain isn’t fun while your driving but it also washes your car off. Maybe the adversity you are facing right now is teaching and making you stronger? When you get out from under the storms and the sun begins to shine again, your faith has grown!

Lastly while you are driving, you use GPS so you don’t get lost on your journey. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Sometimes we think we know which street to get on and which exit to take, only to take a turn around to get back to where you need to be. If we use GPS we will always know where to go! We won’t take the wrong exit or street.

This is a tough one to write and pray about. Some of you have been driving for a long time through the storms. Some of you just started and it’s sunny outside. There is also some of you that keep driving in reverse and causing wrecks. It all starts at where you are looking. Don’t look back. Don’t lose hope. Be confident that He has this! Look forward, use the headlights, and turn on the GPS.

Position Yourself Correctly

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3 min
5 years ago

January 2, 2020

Tagged Bible, childrensministry, faith, kidmin, OldTestament

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Have you ever been at a place you knew you should not be? You will have the best of intentions but you inch toward something…closer and closer. It’s like when I tell my kids not to do something they will get as close as they can to not doing it…but then they do it. They get to that line…and stumble past it. We will have that knowledge that we shouldn’t do something, but at a moments weakness we cave in.

It’s like that third donut. You know you should only have one. The second one isn’t a big deal, it’s only one donut right? Then ten minutes later that third donut is somehow screaming out your name! It’s because you should have left after that first donut.

Genesis 3:6 has the story of Eve being where she shouldn’t be, thinking about things she shouldn’t be thinking , and ultimately acting out on what she knew was wrong.

It actually started back at the beginning of chapter 3 when the serpent started spreading malice against the truth she knew. She should have stopped it then and said, ok…have a great day…bye! But she didn’t. Instead she engaged and got closer to the lie. She has to be moving closer to it because at verse 6 she saw that the tree looked liked it was good. Notice the message translation said “looked like it was good”. Finally she took that third donut…in her case the fruit. Then she brought it to Adam. Instantly afterwards, she knew she was wrong.

She did not position herself correctly. She needed to be far away from that spot but instead she got closer and closer. It was a slow fade because I doubt she woke up saying, “Today is the day I build the rift between God and mankind”. But thankfully God has grace for her and for us!

Where are you today? Are you positioning yourself towards where you need to be? Take an evaluation of your thoughts. Check out your actions. Review your goal. Are you zigging when you should be zagging?

STOP. If you are. Take a complete 180 turn in the opposite direction. It’s never to late. God gave Adam and Eve grace. He does the same for us. Sure there are consequences to every choice and decision, but grace and forgiveness is always there as well.

Don’t get near the tree, the temptation, the fruit of good and evil, or the third donut. Position yourself to be the blessing that your community, family, and you need!

Remember the Alamo in 2020

We took my dad to see the Alamo today. It made me think about the history of this great city of San Antonio. These brave men and women fought for what they believed in. They had people from all across the country […]

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2 min
5 years ago

January 1, 2020

Tagged Alamo, childrensministry, cysticfibrosis, dreams, faith

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This goal would ultimately lead to death but it sparked a fire that turned a nation around. That’s truly something amazing. They didn’t back down from what they believed in the face of adversity. To this day, “Remember the Alamo” is a powerful statement.

What is your Alamo for 2020? What is your goal this year and are you ready to lay your life down for it? Of course I’m talking about a goal that is bigger than a New Year Resolution. It is something that will take a few days to truly think about.

We smiled for the camera and had some laughs today as we pretended to be tourist, but so many years ago the same place we stood people gave up their lives for what they believed. For their Alamo.

My Alamo is my family and my faith for 2020. Family in the sense of keeping them front and center above any career decisions, hospital concerns, or financial craziness. Faith in the sense of keeping my eyes on Jesus as He tells me to step out of the boats this year. What is your Alamo for 2020? What is your place where you will draw the line in the sand this year?

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