oasisCHURCH

This is going to be

This is going to be a lengthy post. But before I write I want to post some words of Jesus from Matthew 18 that pertain to my thoughts, and then some song lyrics by a group called Jars Of Clay.

Matthew 18:1-10
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
"Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.

Faith Like A Child
Dear God, surround me as I speak,
the bridges that I walk across are weak
Frustrations fill the void that I can't solely bear.

Dear God, don't let me fall apart
you've held me close to you
I have turned away and searched
for answers I can't understand.

They say that I can move the mountains
And send them falling to the sea
They say that I can walk on water
If I would follow and believe with Faith Like a Child

Sometimes, when I feel miles away
and my eyes can't see your face
I wonder if I've grown to lose the
recklessness I walked in light of you

They say that I can move the mountains
And send them crashing to the sea
They say that I can walk on water
If I would follow and believe
with Faith Like a Child

They say that love can heal the broken
They say that hope can make you see
They say that faith can find a Savior
If you would follow and believe
With Faith Like a Child

A couple of months ago we were having a house church meeting in my living room and we began to pray for God’s healing. During the prayer my son Brock, who is extremely allergic to peanuts, asked if we would pray that Jesus would take his peanut allergy away. Of course we prayed, with many tears. Even after people had left the house and Brock fell asleep in his bed I stayed up praying and weeping at his bedside… partly crying tears of pain, asking for him to be healed of the allergy, but also crying tears of joy for the faith he had to ask us to pray.

The next morning he came into the kitchen and the first thing on his mind was the healing. He said, “Dad, can I have peanuts today… since we asked Jesus to heal me last night?” Once again the tears welled up in my eyes. He REALLY believed that he was healed instantly. Since we asked Jesus, Jesus must have heard and answered. I confess that I doubted. Yes, I had just prayed with passion the night before. I had prayed, so I thought, with faith. But his faith was REAL. He REALLY believed he was healed. He asked Jesus… and now it’s done. Nothing more to be said. No worries. I tried to come up with an answer that didn’t make me sound like an idiot… like one with no faith… like a weak spiritual head of the household who didn’t really believe Jesus would actually do what we were asking him to do. So I said, “Well, Brock, even though Jesus heals us He still wants us to use wisdom in our decisions. And it would be wise for us to wait and have the allergy doctor do a check up and that way we can tell him, too, about Jesus healing you.” He was fine with that answer. But I spent the rest of the day pondering the difference in our faith. The scripture you read above is so true. There is reason why Jesus tells us to become like little children.

That incident with Brock happened nearly two months ago. This morning I made an appointment for him to get a physical before he begins preschool next week. After I hung up the phone guess what Brock said to me… “Dad, after this checkup will I be able to eat peanuts?”

He is holding strong to the faith that Jesus is healing him. He’s even starting to convince me a little. I am beginning to expect that we could be surprised whenever we go to the allergy doctor. I’d better be careful… it’s hard to tell what a child’s faith will have me believing… or doing next.

+ + + Father, make me a child. Brock has no doubt. He has total and complete trust in Jesus. It is almost like having a blindness to any other possibility. Like Adam and Eve, I have become knowledgeable of too many things, and therefore I doubt. Remove the “adulthood” knowledge I have acquired. Make me like an innocent child… that I, too, might inherit the things of the kingdom of God. Help me to really believe that the things I ask for, according to Jesus’ will, are already done. You have our best interest in mind. Help me to trust that… and ask and live accordingly. + + +

Our Athens house church meeting

Our Athens house church meeting was incredible tonight. As we sat down to eat our meal we were beautifully interrupted by a knock on the door. It was our next-door neighbors bringing us cookies and welcoming us to the neighborhood. We ended talking with them for 30 minutes or more about everything from church, to school, to baseball, to the college, to the neighborhood, to kids, etc... They are very neat people. What an incredible blessing. Already we have met more than a half-dozen of our new neighbors in the time we've been here on Channingway.

After the visit with our new neighbors we sat down in the living room and gave God praise with some "old favorite" worship tunes.

+ + + God, You are the Great Initiator. You begin a good work in us. And You are faithful to complete it. Thank You for the work You are beginning right now. Thank You for our new neighbors. Keep scattering seed. I place myself in Your hands. Toss me wherever You want... in as many places as You would have me. I will be Your seed. + + +

There have been three or

There have been three or four different instances this past week when I sat down to blog, but ended up doing something else instead. As I looked around me and saw all that still needs to be done around the house I felt guilty for taking time to blog. But today I am trying to remind myself of one of the reasons I choose to blog. It isn't merely a chatroom or open forum of meaningless chatter that can quickly become a waste of time. But when I blog I really try to think through what is taking place in my life, my study, my experiences... and articulate it in a journal. It can then become two very important things, (1) a discipline for me, and (2) encouragement and challenge for anyone who might read what I write.

So today as I go through the normal activities of the day I will keep my eyes and my ears open... but not just the ones on my head... attempting to see with the eyes and ears of my heart. It is with those eyes and ears that I can see and hear Jesus moving in the world around me. It is with those eyes and ears that I can see and hear the Holy Spirit.

Yesterday I taught from Philippians chapter 1. I have received much encouragment from my friend and mentor Louie Weber, and much of what I have to say during this series will be things I have heard him say about the Philippian letter. There are some great secrets found in the book of Philippians... and in the next couple of weeks we will uncover them together. If you'd like to listen to yesterday's teaching just click here.

Yesterday the Oasis Meigs folks participated in serving people at a car show in Pomeroy by volunteering to work at the concession stand. All the money made at the concession stand will be used to serve the poor of the community. I know everyone involved hd a wonderful time. Also yesterday I played a game of baseball in the new men's baseball league in Middleport. While sitting in the dugout one of our players asked me, out of the blue, "So what kind of church do you preach at?" That opened up a conversation that lasted nearly two innings. After that he said, "I'll bet you have to go soon because your evening church service, huh?" I said, "No, I'm having church here right now." Of course, that began another conversation. Later, while I was batting, he told my brother, Jared, "Man, your brother has a pretty different idea about religion." Jared asked him if he liked it, and the guy said, "Oh yeah, I actually think I might like his church."

I love things like that. And we have 10 more games on the schedule to continue the conversation!

Just got finished with house

Just got finished with house church prayer and guess what.... my Bible was found!!! And, of course, it wasn't me who found it. April came downstairs, looked at one box, opened it... and there it was. I don't know how I'd missed it! Whew... what a relief! My stomach was starting to ache. I really believe I have developed some sort of attachment to that particular Bible. Prayer time...

+ + + Lord, thank You for Your Word. Not just the ratty old book that my wife found for me tonight. I know that is just a collection of words on paper. But what my "special" Bible represents to me is the Word that has been planted in my heart. The Word that I live to retell. The Word that gives me life every day. I know that I do not really need that one, particular, special Bible to read your Word. But I am thankful to have found it. We've been through a lot together with that old Book. And there is much more yet to come... + + +

What began as a minor

What began as a minor problem soon to be fixed as we unpacked the house has become quite an ordeal and a mind-boggling frustration. I can't find my Bible. My study Bible. The one I've had since college, with the weak binder and the stickers all over it. The one with all my notes and highlights from sermons and lessons I've taught for over 8 years. It's gone. And the irony is that the loss of my Bible has put me in a terrible mood. We are in the middle of unpacking our house and arranging things, but I cannot go further or concentrate on what needs to be done until I FIND THAT BIBLE. I have looked in every box... four or five times. I have looked in our cars, the garage, brief cases, duffle bags, EVERYWHERE.

In fact, I'm going to go look some more...

I added the link to

I added the link to yesterday's teaching on John 15, Part B. As recommended by Matt McNeil, I've titled it "Rated R (for violence)." If you download and listen you'll understand why.

Yesterday we talked quite a bit about the early church. The early Christians gathered wherever they could, often because they were being chased, watched, or at any moment about to be arrested or have their meetings raided. Even today something similar happens every day. In China there is only ONE church. But it meets in homes scattered throughout the entire nation. It is reportedly the fastest growing church in the world. They must meet in homes and wherever they can because whenever the communist leaders find out about them they are either arrested, tortured, or murdered. Most homes have only one Bible to share among all the members of the church, and so they divide it into sections and pass them around... because if a Bible were found in their possession it would be confiscated and they would be imprisoned.

It is interesting to me to consider these things that are happening TODAY, to my brothers and sisters... and wonder what in the world I have to complain about. Little, petty arguments and concerns are silly when we stop and consider that our brothers in sisters in China do not have time to consider things like, "Which day and time is the best to meet?" "Should we try to build a building?" "Is it okay to dress casual?" "Is our music reaching all the people?" The very fact that we have time to create all kinds of drama in our lives and churches just proves that we are FINE. We have nothing... and I mean NOTHING to complain about. Our problems are silly. Our concerns are miniscule. I have never had to pray, as Jesus taught his disciples they would have to pray, for "daily bread." There has never been one day in my life when I wondered if I would have food to eat. I have hot... and cold... water at my fingertips. I have a place of shelter. I have good friends. I have no worries that my fellowship of believers is going to be raided and my best friends taken away forever. It only means one of two things... either God is being very good to me and He has chosen to pour out His mercy on me. Or, perhaps I have become too much like the world and that is why I have no problems like my brothers and sisters in China.

Yes, we have our problems here too. And God cares, whether they are big problems or small ones. But really... are there some things that maybe we should just LET GO?

Below are just a few links to web sites about persecution in today's church. It is important to keep a perspective of what is happening to our brothers and sisters around the world.

Charisma Magazine's Persecution Watch
Christianity Today
Voice of the Martyrs
Forbidden Faith
Persecution.Org
Persecution Today
Open Doors.Org

I was just pondering

I was just pondering something and I thought I'd share it with the blog world.

It is interesting that Jesus never gave us any methods for how to be the church. He just gave Himself. He said, "these things you have seen me do, you will also do for each other" (John 13). It truly is amazing. He never wrote one thing down. He just lived. Perhaps it is because He knew that people are much more likely to follow a TEACHER rather than a TEACHING.

So I reflect on this by asking myself... am I committed to a teaching, a concept, or good ideas? Or am I committed to the Teacher? Do I know about all of His teachings? Or do I know HIM? When it comes to sharing with others, do I share with them concepts, good ideas, and teachings? Or do I share with them The Teacher?

It's all about Him.

After missing two weeks worth

After missing two weeks worth of gatherings with Oasis friends I am very much looking forward to tomorrow's worship gathering in Middleport. However, I still cannot decide whether I want to teach from the gospel of John or from the book of Philippians. I have been studying them both, and both are speaking volumes to me. I may just jump back and forth a little, because a certain passage in John 15 has been particularly thought provoking for me this week. Here's what it says:

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.'
"When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.

Monday morning you will be able to download the mp3 of my thoughts and our discussion on this passage.

Played a game of Monopoly

Played a game of Monopoly this morning with Brock (4) and Kaylee (2). They kicked my tail. I couldn't land on anything except things they owned and "Go To Jail." I was the first too go bankrupt. Brock eventually bought 12 houses and four hotels, one of which was on Park Place. Landing on that was what drained me and Kaylee both. Maybe he's got something going there...

Well, we still have much to do on the house, but April has been working diligently. She's awesome!!!

Sunday evening and Monday some good friends and partners in the Gospel will be coming to visit. Louie and Jerry from Wauseon. I look forward to their visit.

I don't really have a whole lot of time to write right now, but I at least wanted to get something up for today.

+ + + Jesus, be my vision. Be my path. Be my guide. Be the fire in my heart. Be the wind in my sails. Be the reason that I live.

Jesus. + + +

Today has been "catch up

Today has been "catch up after vacation day." Tomorrow and the following days will be "unpack and straighten up the new house day." We have so much to do!!! But it's exciting. I actually enjoy mowing my lawn. That's what I did this morning. The grass is very thick and very green, but it was also very high after ten days of vacation (many of which it rained here in Ohio). My desk right now is a cardboard box. My printer is sitting on the floor beside me. Hopefully in the next couple of days we'll get situated.

I am very excited about the upcoming days. As many of you know I will not be going back to teach at EHS in the fall. Perhaps this evening or tomorrow morning I will blog the details of how that decision was made. What excites me about it is the fact that it will free up much more time for me to be who I need to be as a church planter/pastor. Already I have made some good connections with people and have planned lunches, etc... with people who want to talk church. Last year I had little time for those things. Like I said, more details on that later.

Some dear friends are coming to visit this weekend. Matt and Danita, Austin and Aiden McNeil from Wauseon (we originally met them in St. Louis) will be coming on Friday and staying until Sunday. I always have very stimulating conversations with Matt whenever we are together. He's a heavy thinker. It's always very refreshing to be with him (plus he hooks me up with all the latest computer stuff I know nothing about).

My prayer today, as I mowed my lawn and even as I sit here now, is this...

+ + + Lord, give me a heart like Jesus. Give me His humility. Give me His compassion. Give me His love. Give me His mercy. I do not desire to be a good church planter, or a sought-after speaker, or a dynamic teacher, or a cutting-edge, hip, cool person. I desire to know Jesus. Knowing Jesus means I will eventually be like Him. But here's my problem... often my thoughts and my admirations are on all those other things. I really do want to be a good church planter... I do want to be a sought-after speaker, I do want to be a dynamic teacher, and a cutting-edge, hip, cool person. And often my thoughts about how I can make these those things happen get in the way of my heart's true desire... to know and to be like Jesus. So Lord, re-direct my thoughts. Take captive every thought, every imagination, everything that enters my mind... and make it subject to YOUR will. I love You Jesus. + + +

The passage of scripture on which I have meditated today is 1 Peter 2:21-23... "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 'He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.' When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly."