Bridge Dayton

Greed is the never ending appetite of "more" that drags us into a muddy pit, draining us of our thanks.  Once there, it takes a lot to get out and can be painful, but we don't have to end up there.  Jesus gives us insight into greed and how to avoid the pit completely.

Envy is like a broken faucet.  Dripping thankfulness from the tank of our lives until it gushes out with unthankfulness.  When I only want what you have and don't see what I have, my peace is at stake and I'm left running on an empty tank.

Worry drains us.  Taking our time, our happiness, our peace and ultimately leaving us thankless because we feel hopeless in life.  Is there a way to find hope, when all hope is lost?

In a month known for thankfulness, it’s important to look in the mirror and wonder “Am I thankful? Or am I just participating in acting thankful?”  This is the first step in living life with Full Thanks!

Song: "Good Life" used with permission from Mass Anthem

God can redeem, use, and work through our pain.   

And when he does, we eventually have the opportunity to comfort others.   

People who’ve suffered are uniquely qualified to comfort people who are suffering. 

We want comfort, but maybe we're here FOR comfort.

Jesus told his followers that unavoidable trials aren’t exceptions; they are the expectation.

But they can actually serve a beneficial purpose. Why? Because God can redeem, use, or work through the undeserved, unavoidable, circumstantial things in our lives.

But in order for that to happen, something has to happen in us.

What do you do when there’s nothing you can do?  When It just is what it is.

Challenging circumstances can make us jealous or resentful. They can make us angry with God. They can breed discontentment.

But the problem with discontentment is that it can drive you in self-destructive directions that will eventually leave you with regret.

So, what is the secret of finding contentment even when times are tough?

Every once in a while, we run into people who are stuck in unchangeable, unalterable, in-the-meantime situations that maintain extraordinary faith despite extraordinarily difficult circumstances. 

How do they do it?

What do we do when we have problems without solutions . . . questions without answers? 

During times like these, it's tempting to give in to anger . . . especially anger toward God. It feels like God is absent, apathetic, or angry. 

But what if he isn’t?

Life disturbance happens and what we do next says something about the hope we have.  Today we challenge ourselves to build resilience through our response to life's disturbances.