My New Life 2.0

  Needless to say, the last year has been one of cataclysmic change in my life. The word "closure" would best sum it up.

The season of the ending of what I now call Life 1.0 began around 2007 with the loss of my parents and ended this past year with the ending of a 30 year marriage, the selling of the home I built back in my 20s to raise family in, the giving away of my cherished dog Mia and the ending of my tenure as the pastor of the church I started 20 years ago, Harvest. After 33 years of living in Pensacola, I relocated to Norman, Oklahoma to support my new wife, Robin, as she seeks to finish her doctorate here at the University of Oklahoma.

There are no words to describe how intensely and incredibly painful and difficult this season of closure has been. I can somewhat understand the apostle Paul when he says that he "suffered the loss of all things…" When I sold the house back in late August, 23 years of life was reduced down to a 10 x 10 storage unit. I came to Oklahoma to begin Life 2.0 with whatever I could fit in the back seat and trunk of our Honda Accord, as I let go of my beloved Lexus as well before leaving Pensacola to pair down to the bare essentials of what I really needed.

Let me say, I have learned that there is not much that one really NEEDS. It has been very freeing in some ways to have very little in the way of material possessions as I enter Life 2.0. For the first time I am actually living out the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace principles as Robin and I have had to budget down to where every penny truly is accounted for. And again, it is much more freeing than I ever imagined and I find myself much more content than I have ever been. I understand in a new way what the apostle Paul meant when he said, "I have learned to live with plenty and I have learned to live with little. I have learned the secret of contentment."

I can echo that now.

Many of you have asked what our plans for the future are. If we've learned anything, we have definitely learned to hold loosely to all things. Our desire though is without question to start another church at some point, in Pensacola if the Lord so confirms. We both feel the Lord has given us the name for the church, that being "The Bridge: a place of new beginnings". We have met with the leaders of Network Churches at LifeChurch here and they are excited about The Bridge being launched in partnership with LifeChurch that at this time has over 66,000 people in campuses all over the US as well as online church that reaches over 1 million worldwide each week.

Robin and I both dream of reaching people who, like us, in some way failed or messed up and need help finding their way back to God. In the last six months we have met so many people who are out of church because they were divorced or went through a bad season of life to where the church rejected them. Or, they just kind of faded out of church.

 

Just in our apartment complex alone it's amazing how many unchurched and dechurched people we have met. Some feel like God deserted them when the church stiff armed them. Others just kind of got bored or got so busy that they lost connection with church. They truly love God but are displaced. Some are just plain  discouraged, with many losing hope of ever being given a new start. Some just get lost in the "machine" and impersonalness of what often can be church.

The verse the Lord gave me to build The Bridge upon last week is found in Jeremiah 49:6 where it says this:

 

"My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray and turned them loose in the mountains. They have lost their way and can't remember how to get back to the sheepfold."

 

Until then I am working on starting The Bridge Online, which will be a weekly live stream for all the people out there that I have reconnected with around the US through the last six months, who have either not found a home church, or are displaced from church, or who semi-regularly attend mega churches where they have no real connection or care for a pastor. God gave me the word to feed his sheep and that is what I intend to do, beginning online first then going from there as the Lord leads.

 

That is my update for now. I'm actually very encouraged and excited about my new life and vision with a fresh start. The last season was long and painful. I'm expecting this new season to be a joyful one. The Lord gave me a word as well last week out of the Psalms where Moses prays, "Replace the years of pain and misery with years of fulfillment and joy." Robin and I are settled in to a simple life and routine and enjoy each other's company and the Lords sweet fellowship each day.

 

For those interested, I am posting some pictures of our little two bedroom apartment. We deeply covet your prayers. Let us know your need for prayer as we want to serve all of you in that way as well. 

 

Much love,

PB

 

Our front porch. Had to create a small version of my backyard flowers and swing in Pcola!

 

 

Our living room.  LOVE the painting of the ballet dancers by Degas.  Reproduction, of course! :)

 

  

Our cozy soon to be used fireplace and chair I do my Bible reading in.  Again, LOVE the Degas painting!

 

 

And finally, Maya, our 'rescue' dog that Robin rescued.  UGLY as sin, but lovable all the time and super funny.  We call her 'trans-species', a possible mix of pug, chihuha, rabbit, and squirrel?

Comments

[Trish Jefferson]

Pastor Bobby,
I'm so sorry to read about your losses. Jeff and I are still here in Pensacola. We are attending Mt. Zion Bible Church but would love to see you and Robin when you get back to Pensacola. Let us know and we can get together. Blessings in the Name of Christ Jesus, Trish Jefferson.

[Carly Cocuy]

Hi Pastor Bobby,

You saved my life. As lead pastor at Harvest, you were a true servant to your flock. You led me to my Father, and I can't thank you enough for what you've done for me. Know that you are prayed for and dearly missed. We are very happy to hear that you are entering a new season, and we look forward to hearing more from you. Angie and John, my parents, also extend their prayers and their love.

Praying for peace, healing, wisdom, and joy for you and Robin.

Your sister in Christ,

Carly

[Mary M]

I will be following your posts Bobby with an eager ear and heart. I too am unchurched and have had a hard time finding something since leaving my home church in Lafayette some 22 years ago. Thank you for your commitment to God and your steadfastness in knowing that you are truly called by God to preach and proclaim his word.

[Christine McCann]

So good to hear this! The Bridge will be needed for sure. I can so relate! I am very happy for you and Robin!Cannot wait to hear you speak online! God Bless

[Keith McNorton]

PB, you still serve as such an inspiration. I greatly appreciate your commitment to the Gospel. My family and I were "un-churched" for so long, that I had given up on God; however, God hadn't given up on us. Your messages, and your teaching sparked life in our relationship with Christ and for that I am forever in debt to you. Thank you again for simply being you.

[Jeff Chevillet]

Lepinay 2.0. Nice.
Where ever this journey takes the two of you. Keep going. We truly love you.
Jeff

[Toni & Jeff Hardin]

Pastor Bobby, this is Jeff Hardin. Boy did you hit the nail on the head concerning Toni and I. What you just described, Toni and I match that pretty much.we look for your future posts please be led by the Lord in all you do. Please contact us when you get a chance love in Christ Jeff and Toni Hardin.

[Carol Samuels]

I always remember when I started coming to Harvest & became a greeter. Really enjoyed meeting people & sharing with them.Then we started communion as a regular part of the church. You grew the church into a wonderful church where people felt loved & were not judged. You can feel very proud of yourself. Always remember GOD has been preparing us for anything we might go through & will always supply us with what we need. Praying for you both as you start on a new adventure for the Lord. God Bless, Carol