Through the years I have learned much more about trauma than I would ever have imagined. In college it was a requirement to take a great many credit hours in things such as theology, Greek, Hebrew and the like. It seems we should have had a great many more hours, however, in real-life issues like trauma.

One thing I’ve learned is this: much can be done in the hours immediately following difficult or traumatic events in our lives that can greatly aid or hinder in healing. The term "golden hour" was originally coined by Dr. R. Adams Cowley of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services, who is regarded as the pioneer of modern trauma care. Dr. Cowley advocated that most trauma patients die of shock, which comes from sluggish or non-existent circulation and the resulting chemical changes in the body. He believed that most trauma patients could be saved if he could stop the bleeding and restore blood pressure within one hour. Patients who have experienced shock for more than one hour will likely die. Surgical intervention within that one hour, therefore, is critical for increasing the patient’s chance of survival. This hour, called "The Golden Hour," begins the moment the injury occurs.

So it is also true in our lives, I believe. For instance, we are warned in Scripture against letting the sun go down on our wrath, thus giving place to the enemy. When we refuse to act quickly, the infection sets in, and bitterness and anger take over. How many a Christian has given their lives over to anger and wrath because they simply refuse to act in a timely manner. And as time goes on, the bitterness grows heavier and much more difficult to deal with. Seems to “golden hour” Dr. Cowley understood is equally applicable in our emotional and relational hurts. Life is short. Eternity is long. Lets not harbor anger and bitterness in our hearts toward others. Survival depends on dealing with these injuries in a timely manner. See you Sunday!

Revive Youth Bible Study: Last night we had a good group and a good time at Chic Fil A! We are looking forward to being back at Star of Hope next month! Next Wednesday evening Revive will be meeting at the Tomball Chic Fil A. We will have some fun and spend some time in Galatians 6. Encourage each other to be involved in Revive! Let’s keep priorities straight and be faithful to weekly time around God’s word on Wednesdays!

NEW SUNDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY – Do you feel snowed under and maxed out? In our Take It to the Limit culture, many people spend, acquire, and try to squeeze as much out of life as they can---and end up feeling empty in the process. In this 6-part study by Andy Stanley, Andy pulls you back from the edge and helps you strike a balance by showing you how to do less, not more. Invite someone! Sunday evenings at 6:30. Study guides available at cost.

October 3 - A new men’s Bible study will begin on Sunday mornings and led by some of our men. October 3 we will begin the study by Joe Gibbs, “Game Plan for Life”. As a head football coach in the NFL and a major player in NASCAR, Gibbs is a man’s man. This is a great outreach opportunity, so use it to invite friends and co-workers to join us as we “Game Plan for Life”! Check out our website for a preview. http://crossbridgechurch.us/event_detail.esp?v=v&eid=410&d=03&m=9&y=2010

Star of Hope: Saturday evening, October 16, we will be hosting a “Movie Night” at Star of Hope! We will have an opportunity to interact with the women and children, host a movie and provide some good food and fellowship! Should be a great night. Mark your calendars now to participate in this wonderful event as we show the love of Christ to some precious folks facing very difficult times.

Upcoming Church-wide Events:

September 26 – Continuing sermon series on the “Fruits of the Spirit”. This Sunday, Let there be peace! Wouldn’t everyone like their lives to marked by things like love, joy, peace, patience? Invite friends, co-workers and neighbors for this very important series! 10:00am service
September 26 – “Take it to the Limit” Bible study 6:30pm
October 3 – “Game Plan for Life” men’s Bible study
October 3 – Philippians – ladies Bible study
October 16 – Star of Hope “Movie Night” 7:00 pm
November 1 – Texans watch party – Monday Night Football!!!

Be a part of the excitement Sunday at 10:00 am at CrossBridge! Invite someone to be your guest this Sunday!

Have a Great Day!

Pastor

A story from Scotland tells of a mother’s dramatic rescue of her child. Workmen were blasting rock in a quarry. One day after they had attached the fuse and retired to a safe place and gave the alarm, they saw a three year old child wandering across the open space where danger threatened. Every passing second meant death was closing in on the child. The workmen called to the child and waved their arms, but he only looked on their strange antics with amusement. No man dared run forward knowing the explosion was only seconds away. The child most certainly would have been killed, had not his mother appeared at this moment of crisis. Taking in the situation at a glance she did what her mother’s heart dictated. She did not run toward her son or yell to frighten him. Instead, she knelt down, opened wide her arms and smiled for him to come. Instantly the child ran towards her. Shortly thereafter, the area shook with the force of the explosion, yet the child was safe in his mother’s arms.

Our cities and towns are filled with people just like that little boy, wandering unknowingly in a place of great danger. Sometimes this leads to well meaning folks (even Christians) jumping and shouting and screaming as they attempt to get the attention of those who are in danger. Usually, however, this only causes the wanderers to assume that the would-be do-gooders are slightly off their rocker. Perhaps we could all take a lesson from this mother who save her son by simply getting on her child’s level and opening her arms inviting him to safety. Seems to me that’s exactly what Christ did for me…coming to my level, opening His arms on Calvary, and inviting me to safety. See you Sunday!

REVIVE Student Bible Study: Next Wednesday evening Revive will be meeting at the Tomball Chic Fil A. We will have some fun and spend some time in Galatians 6. Encourage each other to be involved in Revive! Let’s keep priorities straight and be faithful to weekly time around God’s word on Wednesdays!

NEW SUNDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY – Do you feel snowed under and maxed out? In our Take It to the Limit culture, many people spend, acquire, and try to squeeze as much out of life as they can---and end up feeling empty in the process. In this 6-part study by Andy Stanley, Andy pulls you back from the edge and helps you strike a balance by showing you how to do less, not more. Invite someone! @6:30PM

Coming Soon!!! A new men’s Bible study that will be a GREAT outreach opportunity is in the works, and will be organized and run by some of the men of CrossBridge. Details coming soon!

Star of Hope: Saturday evening, October 16, we will be hosting a “Movie Night” at Star of Hope! We will have an opportunity to interact with the women and children, host a movie and provide some good food and fellowship! Should be a great night. Mark your calendars now to participate in this wonderful event as we show the love of Christ to some precious folks facing very difficult times.

Upcoming Church-wide Events:

September 19 – Continuing sermon series on the “Fruits of the Spirit”. This Sunday, it’s all about JOY! Wouldn’t everyone like their lives to marked by things like love, joy, peace, patience? Invite friends, co-workers and neighbors for this very important series! 10:00am service

September 19 – “Take it to the Limit” Bible study 6:30pm

October 16 – Star of Hope “Movie Night” 7:00 pm

Be a part of the excitement Sunday at 10:00 am at CrossBridge! Invite someone to be your guest this Sunday!

Have a Great Day!

Pastor

I was reminded recently of a culture I once was close to and an ongoing battle that raged within that culture. It all revolved around what most would term as “translations”. To cut to the chase…to be “in” the club, among other things, you had to be “KJV only”. So, if you used anything other than the “1611 King James Bible”, you were basically an anathema. To those of you unfamiliar with this battle, just take my word on this one – it has been a long and hotly contested battle with many wounds and losses along the way. But let’s move on from that realization quickly, as the point of this writing is not what Bible you carry to church on Sunday.

In fact, let me add one more dimension to this quickly before I throw out a thought for all of us to ponder: how many Scriptures can you quote – in any translation? As a child, I remember being in “Caravans”, which was a program in our church similar to AWANA and we would be challenged to commit many verses to Scripture and ribbons, certificates and trophies would be given to the ones who quoted the most. As a caveat, let me just say that memorizing Scripture is a great thing and I encourage it wholeheartedly. But with these two backdrops, let me quickly make my point. While some would ask what translation you use, and others would ask how much of the Bible you can quote, don’t you think we should be asking a different question? Seems a better question might be, “how much of Scripture are you living?” As I see it, the two previous questions can at least potentially lead to pride and arrogance, but the latter…can only lead to humility, meekness and a desire to live in a Christ-like manner. Think about it. And I look forward to seeing you Sunday!

Youth Bible Study: REVIVE Wed @ 7PM Wednesday evening we had a great time! Shot some screaming balloons into the air, laughed, and spent some time in Galatians 6. Encourage each other to be involved in Revive! Let’s keep priorities straight and be faithful to weekly time around God’s word on Wednesdays!

September 12 – Church-wide fellowship and announcing new Sunday evening Bible study 6:30pm

Music: Do you sing or play an instrument? We want you to serve the Lord with your talent at CrossBridge. Please contact Kyle Mathis so he can incorporate you in the worship services. Thank you! Also, be sure to thank all of the great folks involved in our music ministry for the hours and dedication they give to help our church. How privileged we are to have such wonderful music each Sunday.

Facebook: Are you on Facebook? Join our group page and let’s get the discussion started! facebook.com/crossbridgetexas

Website: Be sure to check out our website as we continue to update and add information. www.crossbridgechurch.us  Pass that link along to a friend and invite them to give us a try!

Attention all Veterans: We would like to receive from each of you a small photo, branch of service that you served in, years of service and any wars, etc. you participated in. Also list any major medals that you earned. You’ll notice Sunday we have a board up, just waiting for your information so we can fill it up!

Be a part of the excitement Sunday at 10:00 am at CrossBridge! Invite someone to be your guest this Sunday!

 

The story is told of a man who picked up the phone one day to make a call. He quickly realized he had misdialed when an elderly lady answered and weakly said, “Hello.” He quickly apologized for having inconvenienced her, but before he could hang up she cried, “Oh, please, don’t hang up. It’s no inconvenience. No one ever comes by or calls. Could you please talk with me, even for just a minute?”

So many around us today are lonely and longing for even a stranger to talk to. As we saw last week in Psalm 142, even David experienced a time in his life where he tragically described his life by saying, “No one cares for my soul.” David, who had found such a faithful friend in Jonathan. David, who had been anointed to be king! David declared at that time he was totally, 100% alone – and it hurt. Someone you know is lonely. Someone across the street or in the next cubicle or across the lunchroom from you is so very alone right now that they would love to have a conversation – even with a stranger. Take notice between now and Sunday. Think of those you know who might be lonely, and remove their excuse to say “no one cares”. Like the old commercial said, “reach out and touch someone.” And I look forward to seeing you Sunday!

Youth Bible Study: Wednesday evening was described as “very cool” by some of our youth. We looked at a unique Psalm and saw life from a little “different” perspective. Let’s keep priorities straight and be faithful to weekly time around God’s word on Wednesdays!

Upcoming Church-wide Events:

September 12 – Begin sermon series on the “Fruits of the Spirit” 10:00am service

September 12 – Begin evening Bible study (to be announced this Sunday) 6:00pm

Music: Do you sing or play an instrument? We want you to serve the Lord with your talent at CrossBridge. Please contact Kyle Mathis so he can incorporate you in the worship services. Click here to email Kyle. Thank you! Also, be sure to thank all of the great folks involved in our music ministry for the hours and dedication they give to help our church. How privileged we are to have such wonderful music each Sunday.

Facebook: Are you on Facebook? Join our group page and let’s get the discussion started! www.facebook.com/crossbridgetexas

Website: Be sure to check out our website as we continue to update and add information. www.crossbridgechurch.us  Pass that link along to a friend and invite them to give us a try!

Attention all Veterans: We would like to receive from each of you a small photo, branch of service that you served in, years of service and any wars, etc. you participated in. Also list any major medals that you earned.

Be a part of the excitement Sunday at 10:00 am at CrossBridge! Invite someone to be your guest this Sunday!