Oasis Christian Fellowship | Meigs County, Ohio

Today I found out some

Today I found out some more information regarding my teaching certification and the process of (or lack thereof) getting it approved. Along with this news I am calling you to pray. This situation desperately needs God’s intervention.

One of the requirements of the Conditional Permit is that I have at least 15 semester hours of coursework in the subject area I am teaching (Literature, English, Language Arts) from my undergraduate degree program. As many of you who read this know, I graduated from Kentucky Christian College with an undergrad degree in Christian Education and Bible. My transcripts show 14 semester hours of classes that are, without question, Language Arts courses (Composition, American Literature, Fundamentals of Speech, etc…). In addition to those hours there are numerous hours of other “literature” and “language arts” courses, but they are of books of the Bible, homiletics (interpreting and applying the scriptures for the purpose of preaching and teaching), and expository preaching and teaching, etc.

However, the problem is that those courses have not been approved by our state representative as "Language Arts" courses. I found out that one of the reasons my approval has been taking so long is because those courses have not been deemed acceptable for Language Arts (according to the Ohio Department of Education).

If they only knew how many of the exact same principles I learned in homiletics for interpreting a text has been applicable to the education classroom… and how many times, in fact, that I have already used those this year, and taught them to my students. If they only knew that hours upon hours more of doing literary analyses for Biblical texts and authors than most schools ever spend on one work of literature have helped shape my understanding of, and ability to teach literary analyses for the many texts we study in Junior English. If they only knew how much my education of the literary elements of the Bible relates to the rest of the literature world.

If they only knew… but they don’t. And why not? Because these are Bible classes, not literature classes (now, how ludicrous does that sound?!). And they are Christian classes, not “real” ones… accredited ones. Give me a break! Yes, I am being facetious. This bothers me for more reasons than just not getting my certificate approved. Since when has the Bible lost all respect as a literary work? Is it not the number one, all-time best seller among literary works?! Is it not the single-most widely read work of literature in the world?! Since when is it not acceptable as a literature course?! I’m sorry, but this just has me a little bit peeved.

I will stop there. You can now see why I call you to pray. Please pray that the Holy Spirit intervenes and that the paperwork gets signed. That is all it is. Just one signature on one little piece of paper… that is what is causing all of this havoc. We are approaching the 4th week of not being paid (2 paychecks).

Thankfully we belong to the family of God… and that family has taken very good care of us in these four weeks. Just like the example of the early church in Acts... "there were no needy persons among them." The church has truly been the church to us in more than one way. Thank you! We love you.

Let's fight together.

+ + + God, you are the God of all. Your Word is supreme. There is none like You. You stand alone in greatness, power, and authority. Take authority over my situation right now. In the name of Jesus break the curse or whatever is attempting to devastate us in this circumstance. You are Sovereign Lord. You have the power and ability to make this happen right now if you want to. Please want to. Hear our prayers Lord. Amen. + + +

Today I spent some time

Today I spent some time reading "The Baseball Coaching Bible," a book given to me by my brother, Jared, as a Christmas gift this year. It is a collection of 25 different coaches writing about the aspect of the game in which they place much value and were very successful. One coach talks of what it means to be a good leader as a coach. He says that "the key leadership function for a coach is getting his players to commit to something bigger than themselves. Great coaches are able to accomplish that, but they also do something else. They commit to the game itself and realize that the game is bigger than they are."

I've been meditating on that thought today. There is much truth to it... in more ways than one.

Another snow day yesterday!!! Got

Another snow day yesterday!!! Got to stay home, hang with the kids and April. I also got to go visit with BJ for an hour or two. He was home because his construction crew was scheduled to work on a barn... outside yesterday. Ouch. Glad it's warmed up a little for him today.

One thing staying home allows me to do is spend a little time thinking and reflecting. Yesterday I thought about "who I am, where I am." The fact is, I really like who I am right now. I really like where I am. I love my church experience. I LOVE being simple. In fact... I believe being simple is the only thing that is keeping me sane during times of great trouble, stress, and pain. If church were more complex... if I were trying to fit into a great pastor-role and grow this church like it's "supposed" to grow... then I believe I would burn out. I know I would burn out. I'd quit. And I'd probably live a simple, normal life after that.

A song came on the radio today by the group July For Kings. It's called "Normal Life," and it talks about how the singer just wants to live a normal life... I relate. I love the fact that I am living a (somewhat) normal life. I have a job. I have problems. I have to juggle time, family, work, etc... But the great thing about it is... I do NOT have to juggle church. Why not? Because church is WHO I am. Church encompasses all of what I do and who I am. It's very simple. It's just living... and being the church. While at the same time I recognize the giftedness God has placed in me to be a leader, a teacher, an encourager, etc... and therefore I am all of those things as well... in my church experience, in my job, family, etc... in my life.

Thank you to everyone who lives this life with me... whether you are beside me, out in front of me, or behind me. Thank you for letting me simply live and be the church. This is becoming contagious. I continue to meet people (new friends and old ones) who are hungering to have the life I just described. Church life does not have to be a headache. It should not be a burden. It should simply be LIFE.

Do you love your life?

+ + + God, thank you for letting me get up, prepare my lunch, go out in the cold and start the car (a borrowed vehicle while mine is not running... an example of someone living and being the church to me), driving to work, and continuing a very normal, simple day. I am amazed at how much "pastor" work I can still get done in this new life. I used to go to an office and have hours to myself every day, yet I honestly believe that I get more "pastor" work done today than I ever did before. Thank you for letting my kids have a "normal" life, without the undue pressures added onto them by society because they are "pastor's kids." Thank you for letting me talk with people about my job and my church life without them turning into a completely different person whenever I mention it. This always happened before whenever I answered the question, "So what do you do for a living?" Things are much simpler now. Things are much more real. I like it. Thank you God. + + +

Have you heard or read

Have you heard or read about the new movie Mel Gibson has directed called "Passion"? Check out part of Gibson's conversation with Bill O'Reilly on The Factor...

O'REILLY: Mr. Gibson, I understand the movie you're shooting right now about the death of Jesus of Nazareth is pretty graphic, pretty explicit.

MEL GIBSON, ACTOR/DIRECTOR: It is, yes.

I've never seen a rendering that equals this for reality. The versions I've seen either suffer from bad hair, inaccurate history, or not just being real. And somehow, because of that, I think I think you're distanced from them somehow. They're more like fairy tales. And this actually happened. It occurred. I'm exploring it this way, I think, to show the extent of the sacrifice willingly taken.

O'REILLY: You're going to make it in Aramaic and Latin, all right, so that no one is going to even understand what's said. The images are going to be explicit and powerful. What is the point?

GIBSON: Well, the point is that I think you can transcend language with the message through image. And I'm very happy with what we're getting.
________________

If there is one thing I have been longing to see for years it has been a film that would have the KAHUNAS to show the reality and the horror of Christ's death. I LOVE the fact that he is using the original language. He also says that this may be a film that is "hard to take..." because he plans to show the truth about what Roman scourging and crucifixion looked like. Gibson also said in another interview: "This is a movie about love, faith, hope and forgiveness, He died for all mankind. He (Jesus) suffered for all of us. It's time to get back to that basic message. The world has gone nuts. We could all use a little more love, faith, hope and forgiveness."

I am very much looking forward to seeing this film. Pray that God uses "Passion" to draw men and women to Himself. What an incredible conversation starter for people. Lets be prepared to recognize the doors this could open with many of our friends and co-workers. Thanks to Mel Gibson for being a conduit for God's truth to be shown to the world.

Pray for this film.

I can't believe it's been

I can't believe it's been nearly a week since my last blog. I have been doing lots of thinking, and lots of praying during the last few days. I have contemplated different things to post here. I think I am just going to continue to pray. I write the paragraph below because I am committed to write whatever is on my mind in this blog. Well, the following has been the only thing on my mind this week. Feel free to join me in this prayer.

+ + + God, I sit before you this evening in a humbled state. There are so many things I could ask for. As of today I'm still not getting a paycheck from Eastern Local Schools. I'm still battling with the state and the county to get on the same page. The requirements have all been met on my end. The problem is just a mixture of semantics, paperwork, and disorganization... all at my family's expense. Part of me says to get angry, to call the NEA (union) and start rattling some heads. But I don't have the energy for something like that. It's amazing how a situation like this can wear you out, and nearly drain you physically. On top of that, both of our cars are dying. Our best vehicle, the Rodeo, has 176,000 miles. It's been in the shop the last two weekends and will need to go back this weekend. So far each time it has come out of the shop it has been worse than it was before it went in... needing more service, labor time, and replacement parts. Our house (mortgage) payment is coming due on February 1st and we've already called the bank to give them a heads-up that we cannot pay it (one of the most demoralizing things we've ever had to do). Taxes for the house in Wauseon are due this month. Car insurance is due this month. What an amazing month!!! Lord, You are the first and the last, the beginning and the end. You are the one who put the stars in the sky. You are the maker of all things. You govern the days and the nights. You know every hair that is on my head. You are eternally perfect in every way. Though no one else may understand, I know YOU understand. There is no one else who has even a fraction of the ability that You have to intervene and lift these burdens from us. That is why I come to You. You are the giver of life. You are the great Comforter. You are the One who sustains our every need. So I come to You, to cast all my cares on You. Please give me Your burden. I know that it is easy and light... and much more enjoyable to carry than the ones I have been carrying around. Take these things from me, Lord. Let's make the exchange... right now. Amen + + +

Just finished printing out teaching

Just finished printing out teaching notes handouts and announcement sheets for tomorrow. I am excited about all of the things in front of us as a church.

I am also excited to have a four-day weekend!!! The snow yesterday has provided me with a nice little vacation. That just means more crunching to do. Final grades for the second quarter at EHS are due this Wednesday. That means I have lots of grading to do over the weekend, and lots of figuring and preparing to input grades into the computer. With only Tuesday to make up the remaining work for the quarter, I'm sure I'll be a little swamped about mid-week this coming week.

Looking forward to going out to dinner with Dan and Wendy Thomas tonight. They invited us to join them for an Olive Garden feast. Of course we couldn't turn such an invitation down. The salad and bread sticks alone make it worth it. But add in: time invested with good friends, fun conversation, and maybe a full-bodied Italian wine... and I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Today has been a lazy

Today has been a lazy day. It was a snow day for April and me both, so we got to stay at home with Brock and Kaylee. I’m sitting here right now with the same pajama pants I put on after getting out of bed this morning. It actually feels good to have had a day like this. It’s been a while.

I have reflected on a couple of things as this “lazy” day has progressed. For one, I chatted with God for a few minutes about raising up people in the roles Paul describes each church needs when it gathers together…

1 Corinthians 12
27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31But eagerly desire the greater gifts.

As we begin to expand our “network” of house churches (adding more), the need for these gifts is going to increase all the more.

+ + + + + Today, Lord I pray that YOU will raise up workers for your harvest. Call some to teach. Call some to pastor and shepherd the flock. Call some to intercede on behalf of the church, and to heal, and to speak words of prophesy for comfort of Your church. Call some to administer the works of Your kingdom to the community. Call some to encourage. Call some to befriend and to love others into the kingdom. Thank You, Father, that no ONE person has to do all of those things. Thank You for gifting ALL of Your children. + + + + +

The second reflection I had today has been on those people who desire to host a church meeting in their home. In fact, I spent some time answering some of the questions potential hosts might have. I look forward to sharing those with you this weekend.

+ + + + + Lord, I pray that You will bless those who have a desire to extend Your kingdom by opening their home and inviting the church to meet there. I pray that You will make their home a “place of peace,” and keep the enemy’s schemes away from them and their families. Pour out Your love, Your peace, Your joy, and an abundance of Your Holy Spirit on their families. Prepare them, Lord. Prepare them to watch an abundance of fruit be harvested in their home. Begin drawing the hearts of the people who will eventually meet in their homes. We pray that Your will be done, and Your kingdom come… in our homes just the same as it is in heaven. + + + + +

Tuesday night’s house church meeting

Tuesday night’s house church meeting (Athens)…
It was such a gathering of family and friends. We just set aside our agendas, and worshiped the Lord. We called on His Spirit to gift us with prophecy. We all decided to just speak whatever came to mind. To not be afraid of sounding stupid. And the result… incredible edification. The Holy Spirit whispered simple little prayers into the hearts and ears of each one of us, and God used those prayers to encourage one another and strengthen one another, and bring comfort to one another.

Wednesday night’s house church meeting (Meigs)…
Much the same experience. There were 24 people (yes, 24) crammed into the house. You can see why we are making plans for additional homes to be opened for church meetings. The family/church that meets at South 4th Ave. poured out an incredible blessing to April and me by giving us a love gift of more than $400. I was overwhelmed. The enemy tries to out do God’s people… but to no avail. The family of God is a GOOD family. April and I want to say “THANK YOU” to everyone from the South 4th Ave house church who gave to help us this week. It has been a difficult week… but because of you we have forgotten about it. We love you.

Probably one of the most amazing words of prophecy for me this week came from Des Jeffers. He gave me a Joyce Meyer teaching tape to listen to because he said it has been on his heart to have me hear the words she speaks in that particular teaching. I began listening to it on my way to school this morning, but had to turn it off after 5 minutes because I felt tears welling up from within (and I didn’t want to get to school and have my homeroom students think I was a freak). It was amazing. It was like Joyce had been in my living room, reading my email, listening to my conversations… for the past year. I wish everyone from Athens and Meigs Oasis could listen to this message. It will speak so much to you, and to what we are doing as a church.

Thank you Des. Thank you church family for an absolutely incredible week.

Well…. I have once again

Well…. I have once again found myself in a predicament. These predicaments are becoming very tiresome; especially since they all – in one way or another – seem to strike a financial chord, attempting to devastate us as a family. But these things are becoming way too obvious. It’s almost like the enemy of God is trying so hard to get us to curse the God in whom we put our trust, and to leave His plan in order to do our own thing and take care of ourselves (I’d be lying to say that the thought has never entered my mind). But now it’s almost like the enemy is desperate. He’s taken it to a pitiful level. I just have to laugh at this one.

Yesterday the Superintendent of Eastern Local Schools informed me that they would no longer be able to pay my contract because my certification (or alternative licensure) has still not been approved by the ODE (Ohio Department of Education). Therefore, the district cannot legally continue to pay me. The fact that they cannot pay me any longer did not surprise me. I knew that day was coming. But herein lies the problem. This whole thing is not my fault. There is nothing I can do about it. I am completely subject to the efficiency and the decisions of other men and women.

In August, the very week I began teaching, I gathered all of my papers, transcripts, background checks, FBI information, etc. and took them down to the county office. There is a list of requirements one must meet in order to be eligible for the alternative licensure program. I completed all of these and had them turned in back in August. According to the ODE web site, and according to my academic counselor at Rio Grande University, the only thing left to do was to have a principal and superintendent interested in hiring me write a letter to the ODE requesting a “one-year conditional permit” to be issued to me, the candidate. I could then teach in their school for one year, as long as I agreed to continue to pursue an alternative license (this is almost word for word from the web site). The web site clearly states that “conditional permits are granted at the request of the hiring superintendent.” I have read this a thousand times. I have even sent this information to my hiring superintendent. But every time I speak with someone about the conditional permit they look at me like I am speaking a foreign language. It’s like no two people understand the conditions and rules the same way.

So now, here I am. All other teachers will receive a paycheck this Friday. I will not.

Earlier in the year one student asked me why I chose to be a teacher. In my answer I mentioned that I love teaching and I love being with people, particularly high school people. He then asked, “Do you love it so much that you would do it for free?” I paused for a moment before answering, “Yes, I would.”

I guess now’s my opportunity to prove it.

Wow! This morning's time of

Wow! This morning's time of gathered worship was just wonderful. Everyone seemed to long to be back together, and we all just opened up to what the Holy Spirit wanted to do. I had a great time. It was a superb feast!!!

If you'd like to listen to the teaching from this morning, just click here. There was quite a bit more dialogue, but I had to edit out what was not picked up on the recording, so some places it may sound a little choppy.