The Bridge Petoskey

06/01/2026

Pastor Robb's Random Ramblings

Poor in Spirit (Where Miracles Happen) - by Robb, III

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:3

There’s a pastor I saw recently who said something that stopped me in my tracks... You can go upstairs in a church and hear about miracles… or you can go downstairs and see them. And then he said something even more powerful... Why can’t the church be more like AA? It can… if Christians are willing to become more like alcoholics.

At first, that sounds crazy… but when you really think about it... it’s exactly what Jesus was talking about. To be poor in spirit doesn’t mean weak. It doesn’t mean defeated. It means empty from the things of this world. Empty of pride. Empty of self-will. Empty of the belief that “I’ve got this.” Because the truth is... I don’t. And neither do you.

In AA, people walk in and say: “I’m broken.” “I need help.” “My way doesn’t work.” And because of that honesty… miracles happen. Lives are restored. Families are healed. Men and women are completely transformed. Why? Because God finally has room to move.

But in a lot of places people feel like they have to walk in and pretend they’re okay. And when we pretend we’re okay… we block the very power that could change us. You don’t see miracles where there is pride. You see miracles where there is surrender.

The Big Book tells us plainly (p. 62): “Selfishness—self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.” And Emmet Fox is saying the same thing here: If you want to find God… You have to be willing to let go of everything that stands in the way — your opinions, your habits, your control… your self. And that leaves us with a real choice: We can live a life with Jesus… or we can slowly die serving ourselves. There isn’t really a middle ground.

So if you feel like something is missing today… If you feel stuck… restless… disconnected… Try this: Don’t clean yourself up first. Don’t pretend you’ve got it together. Just come as you are... and surrender.

Say this prayer today, and everyday: God, I surrender myself to You, to build with me and to do with me as You will. Relieve me of the bo***ge of self, so I may better do Your will. Take away my difficulties and my shortcomings, so that victory over them may bear witness to those I can help with Your love, Your power, and Your way of life. May I do Your will always. Amen.

Today, ask yourself one honest question... Where am I still holding on to control? And then — just for today — let it go. Even if it’s uncomfortable. Even if it feels unnatural. That’s where the miracle starts. 🙏🐪❤️

05/29/2026

Join us at THE BRIDGE tonite 6PM - 7PM
Great Music!
Coffee & Cookies will be served.
Special guest speaker!
Come out, come out, wherever you are!
If you can’t join us in person, join us on line!
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88440870432...
Meeting ID: 884 4087 0432
Passcode: Bridge See less

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

05/29/2026

Join us at THE BRIDGE tonite 6PM - 7PM
***** BAPTISM NIGHT *****
Join the celebration as we baptize tonight. Bring a towel & a change of clothes.
Come out, come out, wherever you are!
If you can’t join us in person, join us on line!
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88440870432...
Meeting ID: 884 4087 0432
Passcode: Bridge

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

05/29/2026

Pastor Robb's Random Ramblings

Order Matters – Inspired by Daily Reflections

"For us, material well-being always followed spiritual progress; it never preceded it."
AA Big Book pg127

I used to think my fear would go away when my finances got better. If I could just make more money, fix the situation, get ahead… then I’d finally have peace. But that’s NOT how it works.

Peace doesn’t come from money... it comes from God. And when we get right with Him, everything else starts to fall into place. I’ve felt like I’ve been taught a lesson when it comes to money. Like a stern parent correcting me. And honestly… I can say thank You for that today. Because I see it now. God isn’t just changing my situation... He’s changing me.

He’s teaching me discipline, gratitude, humility… and how to handle blessing the right way. Not just for me, but for my kids… and their kids. Because if I don’t get this right now, I’ll pass the wrong mindset down. But if I do? I pass down freedom.

Be honest with yourself and ask... Am I chasing financial security… or spiritual alignment? Put God FIRST today... not just in words, but in ACTION. Trust that what needs to follow… will. If you still feel unsure, ask Him...Where am I still believing that money will fix something only God can?

God, I trust Your order. I will seek YOU first... not comfort, control, or money. Shape me before You bless me. So when it comes… I’m ready. Amen. 🙏🐪❤️

05/28/2026

Pastor Robb's Random Ramblings

Acceptance or Change - by Robb III

There was a time in my life when everything felt like a fight. If I didn’t like something, I tried to change it. If I couldn’t change it, I resisted it. And if I resisted it long enough, I became restless, irritable, and discontent.

But recovery—and my relationship with God—has taught me something simple, yet life-changing... Not everything is mine to fix. Today, I pause.
I don’t react. I don’t force. I don’t fight. Instead, I ask... “God… is this something I need to accept... or something I need to change?” Because the truth is… both require surrender.

Acceptance means trusting that God is in control... even when I don’t understand.

Change means stepping forward in obedience... when God calls me to act.

The key is not my strength… it’s my willingness to listen. And in that small pause... the space between acceptance or change, is where God’s will replaces my own. And when I live there the struggle disappears.

Romans 12:2 says... “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

Today, before reacting to anything stressful or uncomfortable, pause and ask... Is this mine to accept… or mine to change? Then trust the answer... and follow through. Ask yourself... Am I still trying to control outcomes… or am I surrendering to God’s will in each situation? Because the truth is I don’t have to fight everything. I don’t have to fix everything. I trust God to show me what to accept and what to change. Today, I choose surrender over struggle.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. Amen. 🙏🐪❤️

05/27/2026

Pastor Robb's Random Ramblings

Spring on the Inside – by Robb, III

A lot of us, especially early in recovery or in our walk with God, struggle with change. We want clarity. We want to see the growth. We want to understand exactly what God is doing. But that’s not how it works.

Most of the time… growth feels like confusion. It feels like discomfort. It feels like something is being stripped away. Because it is. We are shedding old skin... old habits, old thinking, old identities. And if we’re not careful, we can mistake that uncomfortable process for something being wrong… when in reality, it’s exactly what’s supposed to happen.

Think about spring. Before anything blooms, everything looks dead. The ground is cold. The trees are bare. Nothing makes sense on the surface. But underneath… something is happening. That’s exactly what God does in us. Even when we don’t see it. Even when we don’t feel it. Even when we can’t explain it.

We may not even be able to name the change until it’s already behind us or when someone else notices. That’s where faith comes in. We don’t need to understand it... we just need to stay willing. Because real growth doesn’t come from control… It comes from surrender.

Where are you resisting change right now? Instead of fighting it, ask God... Lord, what are You trying to grow in me? And then trust Him... even if it doesn’t make sense yet. Ask yourself... Am I trying to control my growth… or am I allowing God to transform me?

There is new life growing inside of all of us when we pursue God. Even when we can’t see it, God is working. I will not resist the process... I will trust it. 🙏🐪❤️

05/26/2026

Pastor Robb's Random Ramblings

The Courage to Be Still – by Robb III

We live in a world that glorifies busy. “I don’t have time.” “I’ve got too much going on.” But if we’re honest… most of us aren’t avoiding stillness because we’re busy... we’re avoiding it because we’re uncomfortable. Uncomfortable sitting alone. Uncomfortable with our thoughts. Uncomfortable being still long enough to actually hear God.

So what do we do? We fill every gap with noise... phones, work, distractions, even “productive” things. But over time, something begins to happen beneath the surface. We become restless… irritable… and discontent. Not all at once... but slowly. Why? Because we were never meant to live disconnected from our Father.

The truth is, we don’t have to create stillness... we just have to allow it. And when we do… when we finally stop running and sit with God… something shifts. The noise fades. The pressure lifts. And peace begins to take its place.

We can't go to Him very easily in the chaos. But we can in the quiet we’ve been avoiding. And that quiet? That’s where He speaks.

Take 5–10 minutes(then add more over time) today with no distractions... no phone, no music, no agenda. Just sit with God. If it feels uncomfortable, stay anyway. That discomfort might be exactly where He meets you.

Ask yourself... Am I truly too busy… or am I avoiding stillness because I’m afraid of what I might hear? 🙏🐪❤️