The Bridge Petoskey

09/04/2026

BAPTISM NITE !!
We will leave THE BRIDGE at 6PM and walk down the Bear River Parkway to Lake MI. Baptisms will occur where the river meets the lake. Join us at the Lakefront just before the breakwall if you prefer as the walk is about a mile in each direction.

09/04/2026

Pastor Robb's Random Ramblings

"Pain is a reality. We have the strength to deal with that pain without medicating, and it will pass."
- Dudley Martineau

Due to our Hurts, Habits and Hang-ups, many of us didn't understand the challenges in this life. Our coping skills were at a minimum until we discovered what alcohol or pills, even food, could do for us. And then, a drink or two-or six, maybe-got us through many a lonely evening.

The desire for an easy solution might still tempt us, but Jesus, time, new experiences, and recovering friends have taught us that our past hurts, habits and hang-ups weren't really easy solutions. In reality, they increased our problems and led us nowhere.

A surrendered life to God and the Steps and principles of the program, if applied, guarantee living success. We come to believe that God's strength, which is enough to handle any situation is ours for the asking. And experience with these principles shows us that when we live the way God desires the rewards are many.

Every day, especially this one facing us, our choices and decisions will be many. But there is only one solution to any problem, and that's God who guides us to. The answer, the choice, always lies with Him, and the good life will accompany our thoughtful, reverent choices.

"And since we are his true children, we qualify to share all his treasures, for indeed, we are heirs of God himself. And since we are joined to Christ, we also inherit all that he is and all that he has. We will experience being co-glorified with him provided that we accept his sufferings as our own."
- - - - Romans 8:17 (TPT)

09/03/2026

Pastor Robb's Random Ramblings

Serving Others

"Serenity or peace of mind is accomplished by very few people in the world. True happiness will come to the person who seeks and finds how to serve others."
- Anonymous

We are overjoyed that our giving and sharing is called volunteering. In carrying the gospel message of hope, we are happy to be among those who are volunteers in its purest form. We welcome a chance to serve.

There are no honor rolls, awards, money, or trophies. We give for the pure joy of helping. Our greatest rewards come in the form of a firm handshake or a hug from someone to whom we’ve given. Sometimes it’s the gratitude in the eyes of a family member. That is enough.

I will not seek glory for kindnesses I perform. I can never be happy if I depend on material rewards for what I have given.

"But when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing"
- - - Matthew 6:3(CEB)

09/02/2026

Pastor Robb's Random Ramblings

Living on the edge has lost its appeal

Keeping life simple and quiet may at first seem boring. Many of us were used to living in extremes: situations were either going our way and we were ecstatic, or all hell had broken loose and we were enraged, perhaps even suicidal. It was our perspective, often a faulty one, that defined the way situations appeared. Creating chaos had become normal.

Our new life in recovery may at first seem strange. But in time deciding we want to live serenely and slowing down so we can think through circumstances before responding will begin to feel normal. How fortunate that we have a blueprint for doing this. The Twelve Steps and the slogans will make possible whatever change we want to make.

I didn’t know what serenity was before surrendering my will and life to God and working a Twelve Step program. But it’s mine today and every day if I want it.

""Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”"
- - - John 8:32(CEB)

09/01/2026

Pastor Robb's Random Ramblings

"I can't help it…that's what we all say when we don't want to exert ourselves."
- E. Lathbury

Irresponsible behavior is not unfamiliar to us. Passivity is equally familiar. Prior to this miracle gift of recovery, excusing ourselves of all responsibility prevented us from being blamed. Now we've learned that it also prevented us from feeling worthy, from fulfilling our potential, from feeling the excitement that comes with achievement.

Fear of failure helped us to be irresponsible. We may still fear failure, but Jesus offers us an antidote. We can't fail if we have turned our lives over to Him. We will be shown the way to proceed. Our fellow travelers have messages for us- God will direct our path.

I have chosen recovery. I have already said, “I can't, God can, and I'm going to let Him." I celebrate that I am learning a new way to live.

"So it is to your advantage to be wise. But to ignore the counsel of wisdom is to invite trouble into your life."
- - - Proverbs 9:12(TPT)

08/31/2026

Pastor Robb's Random Ramblings

Believe

I believe that my future is in the hands of God. He knows better than I what the future holds for me. I am not at the mercy of fate or buffeted about by life. I am being led in a very definite way, as I partner with God to rebuild my life. I am the builder, but God is the architect. It is mine to build as best I can, under His guidance.

Today I pray that I may deepen my dependence on God, since He has planned my life. I pray that I may live my life as I believe God wants me to live it.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
- - - Jeremiah 29:11(NIV)

08/28/2026

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

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

08/28/2026

Pastor Robb's Random Ramblings

Listen, or thy tongue will keep thee deaf.
- Native American proverb

Much of what we learn in recovery comes from others also making their way. We go to meetings and listen to their reflections and their stories and we think, “That’s like me.” When neighbors or friends at work tell us about their lives, we often gain insight about our own. Sometimes we think, “I guess I didn’t have it so bad.” By being a good listener, we may get encouragement to stay in recovery.

It’s an honor to have others disclose to us what they have been through. It’s a trust that we ought to respect. Listening with an open heart isn’t always easy. It doesn’t mean that we simply sit there while others talk. It means that we engage actively to perceive what they are telling us and to understand how they came to feel and think as they do.

When we put our ego aside, we stop thinking about what we'll say in response; we stop trying to offer advice. We just take in what they are trying to tell us.

Today, I will actively engage as a good listener.

"Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you; O Israel, if you would listen to Me!"
- - - Psalm 81:8(KJV)

08/27/2026

Pastor Robb's Random Ramblings

"We are always the same age inside."
- G. Stein

Deep inside, each of us has a child’s spirit. We still have many of the feelings we had when we were young. Some of us have a hurting child inside. There’s sadness, fear, or anger that hasn’t gone away. We’re still lonely, no matter how many people care about us.

Our inner child needs special help to heal. We cannot do this alone. Take a risk, reach out for a Prayer Therapy session from one of our trained and skilled team members at THE BRIDGE. We've seen Jesus bring amazing healing in these sessions.

In doing this, we're being gentle and caring with ourselves. As the miracle of healing unfolds, our inner child can be a happy center in our hearts.

Jesus, please give me the courage I need to reach out for help to heal the child inside me. I know you want my inner child be alive, free, and full of joy.

""If you, imperfect as you are, know how to lovingly take care of your children and give them what’s best, how much more ready is your heavenly Father to give wonderful gifts to those who ask him?”"
- - - Matthew 7:11 (TPT)