The Foundry Blog

Untitled from Jared Bridges on Vimeo.

The weather is improving here in Central Arkansas... and I'd like to write a quick note to let everyone know just how much fun we're having here with the Foundry!

In the past week, the Foundry has enjoyed watching its softball teams (there are three of them, two guys', one girls') played 6 games (one of the guys' teams is undefeated, and the girls' team is undefeated) , thrown a crawfish boil, played a very official (just ask Stacey) game of kickball, and had a number of life group meetings...

In between all of these "scheduled" events, I've personally enjoyed several meals with some incredible people at previously undiscovered local restaurants,  had a leadership team meeting with a group of people that care about three things more passionately than most; 1) bringing people into our day-to-day lives, 2) building them up, and 3) sending them out to serve at our church, our community, and everywhere else... and met so many cool people that I am reciting names in my head so I don't forget! I feel more blessed than I remember feeling in a long time- so I'm singing thanks to God for that before I fall asleep tonight! Life is GOOD!

Before I go, thought I'd let everyone see a picture of the young woman who pitched a SHUTOUT at the Foundry girls' first game (which they won 15-0 in three innings). I haven't seen the official stat sheet --so I can't say this matter-of-factly-- but I don't remember the opposing team getting even one hit! It very may well have been the first time I've EVER seen a no-hitter in softball!

Way to go, Kim!!!! 

I can't BELIEVE what happened this evening! I am such a tool, sometimes. I went to the gym this afternoon to squeeze a workout in... worked out until 6:30pm-- when it closed. I left with plenty of time to make a China missions meeting at 7pm... but I didn't make it.

Last July I bought a motorcycle. Today I wrecked it. As I turned right out of the parking lot of the gym (which was empty, so I probably had a little unnecessary speed), I leaned a little too low to the right... and the bike began to slide out from under me. It took me by total surprise... made that turn a hundred times. There must have been some loose gravel there, a banana peel, or something...

When you're on a motorcylcle and you get to the point where you know you're going down... it's surreal. It lingers... long enough for you to legitimately freak out. Because when you're upright... you seem weightless. Speed, for the bike, seems effortless. So after a year of uneventful riding, I had become quite comfortable with this machine. And in a very surreal, lingering instant... I was reminded of the reality. "Whelp, I have no gloves on and the asphalt's hungry-- I'm a genius." 

I couldn't have been going that fast through that turn, but as I felt the bike slide (with me hanging off to the right of the bike), I revved the engine thinking it'd pull me through it. It didn't' work. A second later I was EJECTED off the left side of the bike at a much higher velocity. 'Cause I'm a genius.

That's what happened. No glory story. No jump from the top of one skyscraper to the next... no high speed chase... just one over-confident tool in an empty parking lot. Apparantly, that's all it takes. Especially when you're a genius.

Anyway- I'm fine. I scraped up my hands & the helmet punctured my chin in a couple places...  Could have been worse! Rick Bezet, thanks for making me wear a helmet. Hannah, thanks for making me wear a helmet. And yes, I can't wait to get back on the bike. 'Cause I'm a genius.

I've tried this blogging thing in the past. Well, honestly it was more like I flirted with blogging in the past. With the exception of the Xanga fad that hit around my freshman year of college, I've only written for a Wordpress account I created for myself around a year ago. Below is the ONE ENTRY from my former blog. I'm committed to doing this thing right this time. Consistent entries. Weekly "blurbs". I'm gonna' sort-of start over... by resubmitting my one and only blog from yesteryear. This is gonna' take this time, I can feel it. Here goes (from June 8, 2008; 2 months before I came on full-time staff at NLC):

 Just one of many crazy pictures of my good friend, Mike Ortner!

"Before I got married I knew that couples, as they grow together, begin to finish each others' sentences and always know what the other is thinking in awkward situations, etc. I had no idea, though, to what extent two people can actually become one. Below is an example of something that happens more often than I ever would have thought, if I ever were to think about this subject in my single days:

I wore a green t-shirt and jeans to church today. So did Hannah. Not a big deal-- it was unintentional (and I was dressed FIRST this morning), but still... this kind-of thing can be perceived as cheesy if people make the assumption that it was planned. The thing is, I didn't even NOTICE until I was parked outside the church! I'm ok with a few people assuming we dressed alike on purpose... So I walked in through the front doors and quickly melted into the crowd.

Almost immediately I was pulled to the side by NLC staff. They needed another couple at the front to help pass out the bread chips and grape juice for communion. I agreed. I love to help with communion. And then I remembered that Hannah and I could trade clothes without anyone noticing. The very assumption I feared just before walking through the church doors would soon be held by 500+ people. 

This was a problem. I'm not that cheesy. Neither is Hannah.

When a problem rears its ugly head in my life, a close friend of mine is CONSISTENTLY there for me. Good 'ole Mike Ortner (see inset picture-- next time you see him, if you know him, ask him about this face).

I scanned the dark sanctuary finding him in the usual place, standing with his back to the rear wall. I approached him and told him very quickly that I needed to trade shirts with him. Without hesitation, he turned and walked out the door and down the hall toward the men's restroom. Loyal Mike.

Picture this:

1) A man, let's call him Frank (big, burly Frank), had just finished his bidness and was approaching the sinks as we entered the restroom.

2) Mike and I, facing each other, both take our shirts off in a hurried frenzy... and we were probably smiling due to the nature of this strange and awkward situation...

3) Big Burly Frank ran out the door.

4) Hannah and I, later in the service, probably served Frank communion.

Awesome? Yes, awesome.

Please pray with me: Lord, please show Frank the truth of the situation. We want Frank to come back to church. Thanks. Amen." 

I am really excited about the new website. We've had a website since the foundry was started. This update makes the fourth design in three years. With every revision we've added and took away to create the best experience we can. We are always looking for ways to improve the experience for first time and returning visitors.

As far as the newest installment, I hope to include lots of new features that will make the foundry's site the standard for other ministries at New Life Church. We currently have integrated twitter and flickr which are working great! I look forward to keeping you in the loop about the latest updates to the site.