First Impressions
The fumes from the paint were getting to me again. I was rambling about the “Cheif Petty Officer” of our department and cussing about his apparent insensitivity to my personal needs. I had worked 9 hours that day and had a 12-hour mission the next day. I was ready to go home.
The paint had to be the perfect “seaman’s gray”. After all, I wanted the plane I flew in to look good, professional and proud. Hah. After the “corrosion control” department got done painting a plane it usually looked like a big gray whale with chicken pox. But at least any corrosion was gone. Anyway, as I stirred the paint I protested to Don Clark, my fellow laborer, “The Cheif can be a real *@% when he wants to be. I hope he %$@$#&$ and %%@$. I am tired of this %@#”.
The UC “Membership 411″
Want to get plugged-in to the life of UpRising Church? Are you curious about becoming a member at the UC? Do you have more questions about the future and vision of UpRising? Then don’t miss the first “Memebership 411″ class on February 25th. You’ll get the low down on what it means to be a member of the UC, how to become a member, what baptism is all about and where to start. You’ll also get the FYI on how to get plugged-in to the UC church life. There will be a time of Q&A and you’ll be introduced personally to each pastor and find out about their role at the church.
Save the date, February 25th from 4-6 pm at the Bellevue Center. We will gather right accross from the church offices on the second floor. See you then.
Be Happy!
Bryan
Do You Fit In?
Trying to fit in the herd.
Having a hard time fitting in? Sometimes it can be hard. Connect Groups is just the thing you need to find out where you belong. Come on out Sunday and we’ll tell ya more about it.
Be Happy.
Bryan
K’NEX. Now That’s A Cool Game!
There is a cool building game set called K’Nex. It is made-up of several hundred or thousands of pieces of all shapes, sizes and colors. When you follow the directions and begin to connect these pieces together in the right order and way, they will form a spectacular and functional object. It’s pretty cool.
Connect Groups at the UC funtion pretty much the same way. We bring together people from all different sizes, shapes and colors. Seperately we may not make since or function the way we were meant. But once we start connecting to each other we begin to see something spectactular and functional form right before our eyes.
Connect Groups are meant to “connect” individuals – together to form a community. Connect Groups are designed to meet anywhere at anytime. It is simply a time to learn more about God and more about each other. It is a time to share with other people who share the same interest, morales and values that you do. Get Connected, email me today and I will help you get plugged-in or start a Connect Group near you.
Be Happy!
Bryan
UpRising…Is it the Real Deal?
That’s the million dollar question. A few days ago I wrote a blog on “Church, What is it? Really.” It wasn’t meant to be a deep theological exposition on the greek word “ekklesia” or even a thesis on the technical definition of a church. It was simply meant to be a short, real-life description on what a gathering or church that Jesus established was meant to be. With that said, is UpRising the real deal?
When Jesus assembled the first church or assembly of baptized believers (the apostles), why did He do it? When He poured the Holy Spirit out upon that first church on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and added thousands to the first few, what was His purpose? What made THAT church…the church Jesus Himself started…The Real Deal?
Date Night!!!!!!
Dana and I enjoyed a unique experience tonight. We went on a date. Just me and her. No kids. No friends. Just us. We went out and enjoyed a nice dinner and then we went to “A Night At The Museum” at the IMAX theater. It was awesome. Ben Stiller is hillarious. A true family friendly film with a good stoy line and a lot of humor.
The date night was much needed (thanks Jason for the inspiration) and Dana and I really enjoyed connecting, talking and rediscovering why we fell in-love in the first place. I can’t help to be reminded of how our relationship with Jesus needs this very same thing. Many times we get busy with life and all the distractions it offers that we forget about our Savior. Once in a while we have to stop and just get away with Jesus. Just you and Him. No friends. No coworkers. No family members. Just you and God taking the time to connect, talk, and rediscovering why you fell in-love in the first place.
Dana, thanks for loving me, God thanks for loving me…let’s make a date!
Be Happy!
Bryan
Umbrellas, We Got Your Stinkin’ Umbrellas.
This past Sunday on our practice day it rained like crazy. Everyone that came out got the “Pontoon Award” for their commitment. Even though rain didn’t deter their desire to be at UpRising last week (like it should, what? are you gonna melt? lol), they were still delighted to see our curbside “Uprising Umbrella Service”.
That’s right, each one of our front door hosts are equipped with huge 63″ AND 58″ umbrellas. They will greet you at the curb and walk you to the door to ensure you the comfort and “dryness” you deserve. They also have the second umbrella just in case your driver needs that same protection from the car to the front door. Now, let’s see you get that service at Wal-Mart!
Hey, it’s what we do. Seriously, it is our mission and vision to always go above and beyond what people might expect and to do everything at UC with excellence. So, don’t ever let the rain keep you from coming to the UC…Because umbrellas, we got your stinkin’ umbrellas!
Be Happy!
Bryan
Looking For A New Church?
Hank Hill – Looking for a New Church
If you have five minutes you will love the irony, struggle and humor in watching the Hills look for a new church home. I believe we have all struggled with the change and our battle with tradition when it comes to something new.
We kicked-off UpRising yesterday with a practice service and it was GREAT! What an awesome bunch of people who came and helped with everything and got us ready for Sunday. Let me tell you, if you want to really experience church, enjoy meeting some new people, be blown away by awesome music and worship and enjoy being a part of something from the ground up, then make it a point to be at the Bellevue YMCA this Sunday at 8am or 10am. I look forward to seeing you there. Be Happy!
Bryan
Church…What is it? Really.
“Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” These are the words of the apostle Paul to the church or body of believers in the city of Ephesus. It comes from a book in the New Testament of the Bible called Ephesians, and it is in the third chapter and the tewenty-first verse (Ephesians 3:21). Some translations say “in the church and in Jesus Christ”, but the author of this letter was clear that the glory went to God through the church BY Jesus Christ.
The litteral translation for the word which we get church actually means ” a called-out assembly or gathering”. Now we know that not all gatherings give glory to God. Although you will see as much praying at a Sunday afternoon NFL football game as you will at most churches, I can safely say that there is not a whole lot of glory going-up to God from that gathering. As-a-matter-of-fact, gatherings can occur anywhere, at anytime, with anyone. Some are good, some are bad. Some help us feel better, some make us feel worse. Some gatherings happen in a building with a steeple and an alter and some happen in a place with a bar and loud music. But what kind of Gathering or church was the Apostle Paul talking about in Ephesians and the other 8 letters he wrote to the local churches in the New Testament.
What Year is it?
I suppose it is part of getting older. Out of nowhere, and almost daily now, I am understanding sayings my parents used to utter and advice they used to give. Such as, “this year just flew by”. 2007! You’ve got to be kidding me! 1985 seemed like yesterday. My high school graduation, joining the United States Navy, celebrating the staright-legged stonewashed jean. It seemed like yesterday I was looking in the mirror and making sure my hair parted in the middle and “feathered” back just right. It was the year of Bannana Republic, Ralph Lauren and Ocean Pacific. You could still wear your Member’s Only jacket and get away with it. The girls wore “jellies” (Cool shoes for all you “airheads”) and we all wore “Swatches”, “Slap Bracelets” and rubber bands. Those were the bright and simple years. LOL. Good memories! Does anyone miss the 80’s?
Nonetheless, I’m glad it’s 2007 and I know it’s going to be the best year of our lives! Are you ready? Let us know what are you going to do this year that you have been meaning to do your whole life. Hope to see you Sunday. Be Happy!
Bryan
