The Bridge.me

Gangs and cliques are constantly engaged in conflict and fighting-and the root of their conflicts seem so trivial to those on the outside! But how many homes, neighborhoods, and work places are embroiled in ongoing feuds that could rival any gang war? How many family members and friends go to bed each night refusing to speak because of some silly rift that began years earlier? Playmakers have the ability to help people overcome their conflict and move toward a place of peace.

“You may not like each other but you will respect each other…and maybe we will learn to play this game like men.” While this was among many memorable lines in this football classic, it spoke of something more significant than high school football. Busing and segregation were a major issue in the 1960’s and racial conflict continues to be at the heart of many of our nation’s problems today. How can you be a playmaker that helps our community and nation get beyond racial conflict?

Michael Oher went from living on the street in poverty to becoming an NFL first round draft pick—not because he could protect his quarterback’s blind side—but because a specific lady and family were willing to overcome their own blind sides to make a difference in his life. The truth is—we all have a blind side! It’s that part of us that turns away from certain people or circumstances and refuses to help. What if we decided not to remain blind? What needs in our community are going unmet? Is there anyone that you pass on a daily or weekly basis that could use your encouragement or help? Are you willing to be a playmaker that looks beyond yourself and is willing to meet the needs of those around you? No…you might not be able to save the world…but you can make a difference to someone!

Marshall University lost their entire football team and coaching staff in a plane crash. How do you rebuild after tragedy and loss? How do you make sense out of something that seems senseless? If there is a God, then why does He allow bad things to happen to good people? These questions will face every playmaker at some point in life. Today’s talk will focus on the truth about senseless tragedy and evil in the world and will arm you with the ammunition to fight back against those questions that inevitably come to everyone.

“You’re too young; too old; too small; too big; too slow; too undereducated; too poor; too far gone; too __________—you fill in the blank!” Every day, we are hit with messages that are meant to keep us from aspiring to greatness. How do you battle those messages? Can someone really be a Rudy today? God has designed you and desires for you to be an over-comer—to be a playmaker! Today’s talk deals with overcoming the obstacles in life!

School’s in session and teachers are teaching but it seems like parenting is getting harder and harder. Our culture pushes us to make sure our kids are involved in everything under the sun—“It’s good for them! It will broaden their horizons! You can’t get into college unless you’ve been in these clubs and organizations! If your son or daughter wants to play this sport, he or she will have to play year around!” Every day, we are bombarded with these messages and as parents, we struggle to know what to do. Along the way, we run the danger of raising kids that are experience rich but relationally poor. Kick it Old School with us as we talk about the key to raising children that are relationally healthy.

While the world seems to be changing at break-neck speed, some things never go out of style like friendship. In this first talk, we will discover what true friendship looks like and the secret to having Old School real friends.

We all want to be friended, followed, linked, and mentioned. We all want to be recognized, admired, sought after, and envied. We hunger for approval. We want applause. We want to be known. But what do you do when there is no amount of “known” that will satisfy your appetite?

Maybe you’re a “Three P” person—you have power, prestige, and possessions. You have influence. You are envied. People take you seriously because of what you’ve accomplished, what you look like, or who you’re married to. There’s nothing wrong with being a “Three P” person. But when it comes to pride, “Three P” people face a unique challenge.

What do you do when: a coworker steals your idea and is compensated for his/her creativity; a friend passes onto others something personal that you shared with them in confidence; as a teenager, your parents divorced and deprived you of a happy childhood; your spouse vowed to stay with you through thick and thin only to leave you high and dry; you asked God to heal your family member but he/she died anyway? Millions of people stay awake each night because of hurts and pains that have turned into anger. We’ve all gotten angry but some live each day with anger. Is there any hope of a return to happier days or are you doomed to a life of seething and pay-backs? The answer isn’t easy to process but it produces more restful nights and fewer resentful relationships.