oasisCHURCH

Just a quick post for

Just a quick post for the evening... tidbits from the last few days.

Around our household we are gearing up to give away up to 1000 cups of free hot chocolate at the Halloween Block Party in Athens. We'll be heading uptown at 3:30 to set up and then begin around 6:30 and just keep giving it away until our coolers run dry. It's going to be great fun!!! I love the looks on people's faces and the questions they ask whenever you offer them something without anything in return. Some accept it, some don't. It's much like the grace of God actually. It's there, available if we want it... some accept it and some don't. I pray that tomorrow night's outreach might begin some necessary conversations in people whom God is pursuing. Come Holy Spirit.

Tonight I thought I was going to have to spontaneously use my CPR/Sports Medicine training while at the park behind the Athens Rec Center. This Dad was pushing his young son (probably 2 or 3 years old) on the swings while we were eating on a bench about 40 yards away. All of a sudden the kid goes flying out of the swing and lands facedown. He started crying, but when they picked him up they sort of freaked out and took off running. April and I jumped up and began running over to see if they needed help. We shouted, asking them if we could do anything or call for help, but they just kept running towards the parking lot. All we were left to do was pray for them. Maybe the boy had lost consciousness for a moment, or perhaps he got his breath knocked out of him and was gasping for air... and maybe that's what freaked mom and dad out. I don't know, and probably never will. But I pray even now that the boy is okay. I pray for his father, who must have felt awful for what happened.

+ + + God, visit that family in their home this evening, and let Your Spirit minister to them. If they do not know you, bring them to a knowledge of You and a faith in You. + + +

The other day Brock asked me, "Dad, why does it seem like there are more women in the world than men?" I told him, "Well, maybe it's because they are smarter, better looking, and smell good... and God is just looking out for the best interest of His earth He created." I told him that someday he will understand this as a good thing.

A couple days ago I

A couple days ago I told you the story of my monthly travel to Waverly, and the amazing things that took place. Well, here's an email I received this morning. I will just title it A Testimony...

Hello Fellow Saints,

I went to the chiropractor yesterday but I'll start at the beginning of this story for those who may not have been with us Sunday evening.
I arrived at the PCA building around 2:30p.m. to get things set up for our 3:00p.m. meeting with Chris Stewart & our 6:00p.m. worship gathering. (It was during this time Dr.Jenkins believes I injured my back which I didn't realize at the time). I normally don't carry my wallet in my back pants pocket because it hurts my back but I was at this time. Feeling some discomfort in my lower back I removed my wallet figuring that was the cause. Chris and others began arriving and we began our meeting around 3:15p.m. (a very good meeting at that). After sitting for about an hour and 45 minutes on a hard chair (not good according to Dr.Jenkins) I got up and sharp, excruciating pain shot through my lower back. When I turned or twisted a certain way or put weight on my right foot the pain was like something I'd never felt before.
We began our "official" worship with some praise music that lead into a very special and beautiful Lord's Supper time. Songs "We Cry Holy" and "I Can Only Imagine" (through the Holy Spirit's guiding) set the mood for what was about to take place. We immediately entered into a prayerful state of praise (with lights still out): People offering thanks, praise, adoration to God for who He is and what He has done. After several minutes of many testimonies I had Chris come (while we were still in this prayerful state) and rather than go into teaching He was sensitive to the Holy Spirit's guiding. Prior to our worship Chris had been mingling with folks and heard many conversations about physical pains and he was also aware of mine- (everyone had become aware of it as worship progressed). As we continued in this state of prayer & praise Chris had anyone who wanted physical healing to raise their hands. Several hands were raised, including mine. Chris then had everyone else gather 'round these folks to lay hands on them and ask for healing. Several folks gathered around me as I sat on the bench in the front. Chris prayed and then began to play the guitar as others who were actually touching these folks prayed. As hands were laid upon me and Brent prayed, the Holy Spirit moved through me like a mighty rushing wind- I'll never forget it. 41 years of "church" life and never experienced anything like it. A warm sensation traveled through my body and I began to shake- The pain was GONE! I got up and twisted, turned, put weight on my right foot in all sorts of ways- IT WAS GONE! I hugged everyone there with me. I RAN over to Chris and gave him a big hug. I RAN over to Ann Ross and gave her a big hug. People were hugging people everywhere- WOW!
Chris began playing and singing "Amazing Grace" and before long the entire group was singing along praising God. Chris lead some more worship songs (I don't think he had planned to) including The Beatles' "Let It Be" and "Undignified". Some say I was about ready to dance. What most don't realize, for me that was dancing. Any kind of movement to the beat is dancing for me.
Chris then began our journey through the gospel of John and I was able to sit there for an hour with no pain. We went to Cardos for pizza afterwards and still no pain.
So why go to the chiropractor yesterday (Wed.) you ask? It began hurting again Monday and at times was very painful. Monday & Tuesday nights with the heating pad and no relief but praying for God to take it away again. As I was driving to Chillicothe yesterday I decided to swing by Dr.Jenkins' to see if he could look at it figuring I would need to make an appointment for a later date and possibly canceling because it would be better by then. It was 1:45p.m. when I got there. He was scheduled to start seeing appointed patients at 2:00p.m. While filling out the necessary paperwork -I have never been there before- Dr. Jenkins came out and saw me standing there. (Before leaving the Police Force in 1995 I had certified Dr.Jenkins in use of the PR-24 "night stick"). After filling out the paperwork Dr. Jenkins took me first (before appointments). He checked me out & took x-rays. Once the x-rays came back he said "yep, right there's your problem", pointing to the L5 vertebrae out of wack. It was pushed forward pinching the nerve against the sacroiliac. This was my chance to testify about what God had done Sunday night. I explained the entire happenings of Sunday evening and Doctor Jenkins confirmed (not that he had to because I know what happened) the Holy Spirit's power. Dr.Jenkins informed me, in order to have had ANY relief from pain at any time since this injury it had to have been a miracle performed by the Holy Spirit. The L5 vertebrae has the nerve pinched against the sacroiliac and there's no relief short of Divine Power.
Why did God choose to free me from pain at that time? Don't know.
Why didn't God just fix the vertebrae? Don't know.
What I do know is the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT is REAL and ALIVE!
Let's not limit HIS power by stuffing Him in a box or believing certain powers or gifts have ceased because we live in a certain era. The God that created the universe is same yesterday, today, and forever.

Love you all,

Steve

_________________________

I don't know the answers to his questions either, about why God didn't choose to just heal Him completely that night. But I'll bet Steve would not have gone to share the Good News with Dr. Jenkins otherwise. It seems God's purposes in demonstrating the Gospel of the Kingdom are always that the Gospel of the Kingdom would also be proclaimed and furthered. The Holy Spirit demonstrated, now Steve is proclaiming. What a beautiful marriage.

Today my office is Donkey

Today my office is Donkey (coffee shop on Washington, uptown Athens). There are a couple of days during the week when Brock and Kaylee get to spend a good portion of the day with their grandmas… and this gives Daddy/Pastor-Teacher an opportunity to get away for a while and study, read, blog, meet people, etc. Today I sit here sipping a cappuccino breve with the smell of roasted coffee beans (and a mixture of patchouli from the guy sitting next to me… he sort of looks like Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows… and he has a three-year-old little girl with him. That doesn’t surprise me, my daughter LOVES Donkey. She says the milk tastes better here.). The place is packed for 10:30 in the morning. Apparently a lot of students skipping class (and a few professors as well).

Anyway, I sat down here to do some work, but I wanted to begin with a few thoughts I have had from a book called “Community of Kindness” by Steve Sjogren. I thought it was going to be another book about serving the community with service projects and passing out free stuff, etc. And some of it is… but it’s written specifically for church planters and new churches, and some of the things he says speak directly to me with prophetic clarity. Just a few quotes:

“Church planting hurts. Scott Peck wrote, ‘The definition of mental illness is the avoidance of pain.’ Most often planting a church reveals to the church planter and team members many of the personal weaknesses they would prefer not to see.”

“We believe that a church that does not do outreach is a waste of time.”

“We believe that there is nothing sacred in this process except the forward progress of the Kingdom of God.”

“We believe the power of God’s love is what brings people to Christ—not slick programs, not telling people how bad they are, not evangelism and not theology.

“You must respect and honor everyone’s tradition. God has brought the gospel to you through the hands of others and by their hard work. But if honoring them requires you to ignore the current calling of Christ in your life, you must choose the way of Christ… That sort of concern will handcuff you and keep you from church-planting effectiveness.”

“You must communicate that the aim of your church is to produce disciples who do stuff, not disciples who only know stuff.”

“In the beginning people will come and go… and most of those leaving, according to exit interviews, will report that there is lack of connection with the pastor. In other words, they most commonly leave because they don’t like you… Don’t take it personally. It’s just a part of life.”

“What do you dream about? Is it a big church—or changed people?”

Did any of those brief passages hit you like they hit me?

Here's yesterday morning's teaching at

Here's yesterday morning's teaching at the Oasis gathering. Celebrate Children by Chris Stewart

Last night I drove to Waverly for the fourth time in our monthly relationship with Lotus Christian Fellowship. I explained the meeting to a friend earlier this morning like this... Sometimes when you're gathered together with a felowship of believers you just have this strange sensation where you just know something good is going to happen. And you can't explain it. You can't even predict it. It's like God just decides to show up with an extra measure of grace... and he sort of gives us little hints before-hand. As I was standing off to the side before praise and worship "officially" began, I overheard conversations, and I watched people as they walked around and spoke with one another. Several people were in pain. Mostly physical pain. Then we began to sing, and we shared a beautiful time of communion where we all came to the table together. Then the floor was open for anyone to shout out a praise to God or a request from Him, or simply a word of acknowledgment that He is present with us. One lady behind me shouted from her wheelchair, "Lord, I want to dance for you." Another woman gave God praise for healing her hand earlier in the week. It was obvious that among us were several others who were needing a physical touch from the Great Physician. Then it was my turn to come to the front. At this point I could either go into the teaching I had planned and prepared... or I could ask the Holy Spirit if He wanted to do something else. The question had barely made it to my mind and the answer was already obvious. It was like all these people had come to the hospital and were sitting in the waiting room... the Physician was there and available, and I had choice. I could talk with them for 45 minutes and read scripture to them (that I'm sure would have been encouraging nonetheless)... or I could open the door and take them to the Physician.

I'm glad to tell you that I set aside my message for a few minutes and we entered into a time of ministering to one another, calling on the Holy Spirit to come and heal. And He did. One man could barely walk because of back pain, and when intercessors gathered around him to pray he said he knew something was going to happen. He felt a hot sensation go up his back and he began to shiver. He stood up and practically skipped over to me and shared the good news with the rest of the group... his pain was gone!

I can't explain why this sort of thing happens sometimes and then sometimes it doesn't. I'm sure God has His reasons. Like I said before, it just seems that sometimes He decides to show up with an extra measure of grace.

+ + + Father, thank you for Your healing touch. And thank You for Your hints. We are so dumb, and arrpgant, and full of ourselves that we would always miss out on what You had planned to do among us unless you gave us little hints. Forgive us when we get the hints but ignore them. I have been there before. Usually it's caused by fear. Either I am afraid of being wrong or misreading Your hints, or afraid of offending someone, or whatever. Remove the fear that keeps us from seeking Your presence, and replace it with a fear that longs to come to that place of trembling. There is a spiritual adrenaline that hits us when You draw closer to us. I like those moments. I need those moments. I love You, Father. You are a good Dad. + + +

"I Used To Be A

"I Used To Be A Thief"
by Chris Stewart

I got away with it. And I would still be getting away with it today if the Lord hadn't caught me and set me straight. My subject of criminal activity? Ministry. My victims? Parents of youth in my churches. That's right. I used to be a thief, and I was good at it. They never even knew I was robbing them. I was slick. I was precise. I would walk right into their homes and, right in front of their noses, snatch away everything that had originally been given and entrusted to them. Some of them even welcomed me to do it. They had no idea that I was harming them. Boy, was I good! I was even invited to teach classes and seminars to other thieves on how to become a better thief in their community. I gave them examples of what I had done in my community. They were in awe, and often inspired to try many of the same things that had been successful for me.

But like all thieves, regardless of how good you are at it, you eventually will get caught. For me, getting caught was the best thing for me. Now I make every effort to give back what I had once stolen from so many Moms and Dads in the past.

Now, before we go any further, please understand that it was never the intention of the churches who employed me that I become a thief. It just happened. And it happens all over the kingdom of God. The fact is, many youth ministries are built by thieves... young, excited, charismatic, full of great ideas youth pastors and volunteer workers who actually (with VERY good intentions) rob Moms and Dads of their God-given responsibility... to be the primary youth pastors for their kids. I know I did. And today I confess it. I was a thief. Many parents, I believe, in the deepest recesses of their hearts really WANT to connect with their kids on a spiritual level. They want to be the leader that their children need. But for one reason or another they fail. And for a long time I helped them fail. Many of the programs and events I created for kids to participate in did not bring families together, but instead they widened the gap between parent and child. I used to say things like, "Well you know, kids... especially teens... need a place to get away from their parents and just be themselves. If their parents are involved in everything we do then they would never open up... they would never grow." Malarkey!!! Kids have way too much time already away from their parents in order to "be themselves." And as the church, I was flat out wrong to confirm this mentality every time I planned a youth event.

I desire to be relevant to today's culture in bringing the Gospel to it. But the fact is, much of the Gospel message flies directly in the face of opposition to the culture. And this is one of those instances. There has been a growing mentality in our culture for several years that kids need to be apart from their parents in order to grow, develop creativity, original thought, independence, etc. In many ways those are true statements. You have to "cut the cord" in order for them to grow and develop their own personality. But there is an extreme difference between "cutting the cord" and "cutting you off". One is done so that growth may occur. When the other is done growth may occur separately, however, no growth in the relationship will ever occur. One is done so that independence may be developed through interdependence. In the other there is no interdependence... just separation. One is done so that originality can be developed through separate as well as shared experiences. But when the other is done originality may be developed, but it will always be separate, and the two will continue to grow further and further apart. So I am all for "cutting the cord." But lets not mistake what that means.

Parents... we have been given a responsibility by our Creator, our Father. Our responsibility is to lead our children in the ways of the Lord (see Deuteronomy 6:6-7). Leading our children in the ways of the Lord is NOT dropping them off at church so that they can be taught by someone more "qualified" to teach the Bible. There is no one more qualified for your kids than YOU. You fit the job description perfectly. In fact, as soon as that child came out of your being, you were hired! Did you know you were a youth pastor? Yep... the job comes with the kids. When you choose to have kids, you choose to become a youth pastor. The truth is, your kids are more desirous of your time and presence than you might think. In one study among several hundred kids researchers found, by asking kids themselves, that parents are three times more likely to influence their children than the church. Therefore, this brings up a message to youth pastors.

Youth pastors... develop your youth ministry around parents leading their kids in the ways of the Lord. Do not rob them of their God-given responsibility. Celebrate a new vision for kids and their parents as they grow together in the Spirit of Christ. In surveys of teens which emphasize the importance of parents and family in shaping young people's lives: Forty-six percent of teens say their primary role model is a family member, not a pop icon or sports star. Asked to name their greatest influence, 47 percent of teens picked their parents. The second-greatest influence is church (cited by 16 percent), followed by peers (8 percent) and a relative other than a parent (4 percent)*. Teenagers DO care and DO want parents involved, whether they admit it or not. If in youth ministry we continue working with youth only, and not their parents, then we're guilty of being thieves, and trying to become their parents ourselves, which we're not. It is true that many kids (especially teens) get involved with the church without their parents. In that case our purpose is two-fold... to do whatever it takes to encourage the birth-parents of those kids to become involved in what the youth ministry is doing. And in the meantime, in the spirit of 1 Timothy 5:2, "Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity." The church is a family. In the church we can spiritually "adopt" those "orphans" among us while reaching out and waiting for their birth parents to respond to the Lord's call on their life as parents.

The bottom line is, our youth ministries must be built with respect for God's wishes... and His wishes are overwhelming as I read them in His Word. He wants Moms and Dads involved in the spiritual lives of their children. So I confess my criminal activity of the past. I will no longer rob parents. Instead, I will spend the rest of my days trying to give back many-fold what I once took away.


* Spencer Good, "Focus On Parents To Influence Youth"

Just finished the morning routine.

Just finished the morning routine. Up before the sun with Kaylee. Drag myself downstairs to make coffee, eggs, sausage, bacon, etc... (the best part about low carbing is breakfast). Sit down to have breakfast and conversation with my wife, then kiss her goodbye as she leaves for school (work).

It all sounds peachy, but I really hate mornings. Of all of the aspects of church planting, it's the normal morning that I hate the most... because every day I hug and kiss my wife and then when she walks out the door I think about how much she would rather be where I am standing at that moment... and it crushes me. She is the most unselfish person I have ever known. Every day when she walks out the door her life sings a sacrifice of praise... because the only reason she is doing it is because of our calling to ministry (for those of you who are reading this and don't understand what I am talking about... we are planting a new church/churches, and therefore I have not made enough money to support our family full-time). During these past two years my wife April has been fortunate to (easily) land a couple of very good jobs that supplement our family's income. When I say "easily" I mean... one interview and then a job offer on the spot. It's not surprising to me, though, with her charisma. But I know her number one wish would be to work as a stay-at-home mom. This is why mornings are always hard on this church plant front. Don't get me wrong... it's not because she makes me feel bad. She always leaves with a smile on her face. She doesn't even consider it. It's her service to her first love... her life is a testimony of her love for Jesus. She is the picture example of "humble" and "unselfish." In fact, she is so unselfishly humble that she probably will be upset at me for blogging this... because she would never want anyone to know any of this. BUt I boast in the Lord. When you have such a good thing it's hard to keep quiet about it.

+ + + + Lord, I praise You today, just as I do every morning, for the wife you have given me. I know I would never be able to fulfill the callings You have placed on me over the years if I had chosen a different woman than April. She is a pearl among millions of miles of stones. A person would have to search for a thousand lifetimes to find another woman like her. Bless her today with an abundance of joy, happiness, and grace. If I never received another blessing for the rest of my life, the blessing I already have in her would be enough to sustain me. Thank you, Father. Thank you for my beautiful wife. + + + +

I updated my photo page

I updated my photo page with 10 pictures from yesterday. Thanks to Dee and Cathy for sending me the photos.

Celebrate KIDS teaching Part 1

Celebrate KIDS teaching Part 1

As I reflect on the events of today I smile. So much to rejoice about, so much reason to be glad. Kids have a way of making us forget about all the pressing "adult" stuff and just letting go. I like the influence kids have on us adults. There was such a spirit of celebration and praise this morning as the kids joined in playing their instruments to to the Lord. I love how contagious it is... when kids are dancing and praising God with all their might, and we adults are watching them. After a while you have to watch yourself, because you may soon start to join them. Many people did this morning. Man... it feels good. It feels good to let go, and to give ourselves emotionally... to celebrate freely.

About 45 or so people gathered at "uncle Bill's" tonight for a hayride, wiener roast, and games. What another great time it was. A great way to top off a day called "Celebrate KIDS."

I don't know if there is anything more beautiful than watching a child's face light up as they do something they enjoy with all their heart. My son, Brock stood in front of me today and played his guitar right along with me with every song... his eyes closed, with an expression on his face that was priceless. The same look was on my daughter Kaylee's face as she held a puppy in her arms. She understands love because it first comes from Jesus... and to watch her pour out to those puppies, love as she understands it, is a most beautiful sight.

+ + + Thank you Jesus.... for teaching us how to welcome children in your kingdom. I think I finally figured out why there is so much joy in a day that's centered around children. It's because you said "whoever welcomes a child in my name welcomes me." It makes sense now... it was actually You we welcomed... You we centered the day around... it was "Celebrate JESUS!" According to You, those two words are synonymous... + + +

Check out this cartoon. Man...

Check out this cartoon.

Man... I have so much to say about the NLCS and the ALCS (that's where I've been lately... up in the living room with my 5 year old son, who'd rather watch baseball than..... well, you name it. It's true, kids actually can watch a 9 inning baseball game on TV and enjoy it. Of course, how could you NOT enjoy these series' games?) Anyway... there are several more hilarious cartoons like this one at this web site.

Check out the new article

Check out the new article on the Oasis home page. It's written by one of my best friends in the world. It's a goody!!!!!