oasisCHURCH

It's Christmas Eve

It's Christmas Eve, and in about 5 minutes we will pack in the van... the kids, presents, appetizers, main dishes, desserts... and head out for the annual rounds of Christmas Eve. To April's grandfather's house in Ripley, then back to my grandmother's house in Middleport, to the Christmas Eve candlelight service, back to Mom and Dad's... open presents, eat more food, laugh, sing, greet cousins from far away, see new babies... It's always such a fun-filled day. Our kids are so excited they are beside themselves. It's such a joy to see the looks on their faces whenever you say, "What day is today?" They've been counting down the days until Christmas for a month. In fact, the month of December was a tutor fro Brock learning how to subtract.

Well, the wife is calling my name. Off we go....

Spiked Punch or Overflow of the Spirit

"Do not get drunk on wine... instead, be filled with the Spirit." (Eph. 5:18)

Wow! If you're gonna get drunk, that's the way to go! Be drunk with the Holy Spirit. I think a number of people had several drinks of Him this evening at our Oasis Christmas Cafe. What a great time it was! We ate well... worshiped the newborn Christ... had a special visit from Santa... some darn good Irish Cream coffee... a band having the time of their lives cranking out holiday favorites, and a new saxophone player absolutely tearing it to shreds (wow! thanks so much Chad)... the dancing doo wop girls... the twelve drummers drumming, eleven pipers piping, ten lords a leaping, nine ladies dancing, etc... and of course, all the behind the scenes servanthood of setting up, tearing down, cleaning, cooking, preparing, practicing, etc...

A day with family. As someone put it in an email I received within 5 minutes of walking through the door... "it was the best Christmas party ever."

I agree. I'll take another drink of that!

Be sure to check out the pictures here.

Oasis Kids

What a great blessing these children are! They did a fantastic job on Wednesday night as they shared the Christmas story with the crowd who gathered for the American Legion dinner in Middleport. Another HUGE blessing for the Middleport Oasis came when Russ, the spokesman for the Legionaires, stood up at the microphone and announced that they had decided to give the church the old building every Sunday during the next year RENT FREE!!!

PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT

Pondering?

Today I sit here and attempt to place myself in the shoes of Mary, the mother of Jesus. I know nothing of what it is like to physically give birth? but I know the emotions that are attached to a parent?s newborn child, at least from a father?s perspective. I remember not being able to take my eyes off of Brock from the moment I first saw him approach from the womb of my wife. There I was, brand new video camera in hand, and my first shots of him were actually of the floor, or the wall? I was so spellbound at what my eyes were beholding. Tears filled my eyes, and I wanted to hold him immediately. He was my son. The experience for Kaylee was much different (just ask April? LOL), but the emotions were exactly the same. This time I brought a tripod for the video camera? and my eyes were fixed on the most beautiful baby girl I had ever seen. As I held that tiny baby in my hands I just sobbed. We had done it again!

I remember whispering to both Brock and to Kaylee, ?I will always be there to love you and to care for you. That?s a promise. Nothing will come between our love.? Something was spoken to me by, I believe, the Holy Spirit both times I whispered those words to my children. It was like this? ?You can promise to always love them, but you cannot promise to always protect them. They will get hurt. You cannot stop that. But what you can do is love them through the hurt.? Such an important lesson? one that was not easy to swallow, but needed.

I wonder if God spoke those same words to Mary. As she held her precious newborn son in her arms and whispered to him that she would always care for and love him no matter what? I wonder if the Holy Spirit didn?t remind her? ?You can love him, but one day that precious little boy will be killed on a Roman cross. And on that day it will be your love for him, and His love for you that will get him through it.? As the tiny baby?s hand gripped around her little finger and squeezed, I wonder if she could envision the pain that hand would experience in just a few short years. As she bent down, and with closed eyes kissed his forehead, I wonder if in a flash her mind could see her grown son standing before a group of angry leaders, with blood dripping down that same forehead she had just kissed? blood caused by a mock crown made out of thorns, used to make fun of him. As she hugged him tightly to her chest I wonder if she knew how alone he would feel in his final moments in this world. I wonder if she knew that in just 30-some years she would again hug her son tightly? but it would then be after they had removed him from the cross on which he had died. I wonder if she comprehended the pain she would endure as a mother. I wonder if she had any clue? that this beautiful son she would sing about in Luke chapter 1? this favor she praised God for finding in her? would only mean that she would have to face the most horrifying thing any mother has ever had to face.

But it?s not just the dying part at the end of her son?s life that I wonder about. I wonder how she felt when she saw Jesus grow up to be a very popular teacher and attract large crowds. I wonder how she felt to know that all of the leaders of the religion she was part of thought her son to be a freak? a sinner? a God-hater and blasphemer. I wonder if she ever worried about how others would treat him, or would think about him, or what they would say about him. I wonder?

It must not have been easy being the mother of Jesus? the only mom to raise a perfect son (man, if she could write a book today!). I think of Mary in light of my own affection for my own children? and I am intrigued by her deep faith, and her utmost, humble devotion to God. In some way, Lord, grant me the same faith you gave to Mary. My children belong to You. They came from You, and one day they will return to You. And Lord, if I could speak just briefly to your servant Mary, I would say ?Thank you, mother of Jesus, for providing such a worthy example for me, a parent who has promised to love my children through the pain they will suffer? recognizing that sometimes protection is simply not possible, but love is what will sustain them.?

Lots of new photos... ...and

Lots of new photos...

...and even a couple of movies!!! Just uploaded in the fotopages.

Flu Recovery Having two kids

Flu Recovery

Having two kids cough in my face for an entire week, I should have known it wouldn't be long before I'd catch something... regardless of how many times I washed my hands or disinfected the house. Whatever I got, it wiped me out all day Sunday and most of Monday. I missed being with my church family on Sunday morning, but was so encouraged to hear from several people about their wonderful experience in worship. I had prepared several notes for this week's teaching. Since they are time specific... prepared particularly for last Sunday... I will just post them here. Here's an "E-Sermon" for you.

Mary, the Mother of Jesus

Mary’s story begins way back in Genesis chapter 3. God creates a man and a woman, they sin, and separation comes between God and people. God then makes a promise that a woman will get pregnant and give birth to a son, this woman’s son will be the Savior, and he will crush Satan, sin, and evil. For thousands of years history is waiting, wondering who this woman will be. 500 years before Jesus is born, the Prophet Isaiah says that “a virgin will give birth to a son…”

Then, all of a sudden, Mary shows up. This little girl from a small, rural hick-town, had no idea she would be the woman all of Scripture was writing about.

Luke 1:26-56
26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
34"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
35The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[1] the Son of God. 36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37For nothing is impossible with God."
38"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

39At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"

46And Mary said:
"My soul glorifies the Lord
47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49for the Mighty One has done great things for me--
holy is his name.
50His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55to Abraham and his descendants forever,
even as he said to our fathers."
56Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

Luke is telling his story through two separate but parallel birth announcements, that of John (the Baptizer) and that of Jesus. These two story lines merge when Mary visits Elizabeth. This visit gives rise to this well-known text often called the Magnificat. It's a song of praise and joy for what God is accomplishing in the history of His people.

At the point in Mary’s life when the angel Gabriel visits her, she was between 12-16 years old. No one would have guessed that God would choose a poor, young, engaged, virgin girl in the town of Nazareth. The Bible says Mary was “engaged” or “betrothed.” In Jewish culture a betrothal lasted one full year. The couple would exchange rings, they would continue to live with their parents, and during that year make preparations for their upcoming week-long wedding ceremony. This is what she was looking forward to when the angel appears to her and gives her the news of her pregnancy.

“Greetings, you who are highly favored…”
God continually uses teenagers to accomplish his purposes throughout the scriptures. He chooses a 13-16 year old girl to birth HIM. Mary is going to raise God. How did she earn this great task? Simply… God’s favor. No other reason than the fact that she has lived a simple, humble life, and God finds favor with her. Mary had a plan for her life… and this news rearranges her entire life.

“Mary was greatly troubled…”
Perhaps Mary had the intuitive wisdom to understand that being "highly favored" (v. 28) by God can be a dangerous thing. In fact, Mary would soon discover that to be favored by God would not only produce joy but also bring her into contact with ridicule, loneliness, and pain.

"How will this be?”I love the fact that Mary doesn’t say “No” to God’s difficult task. She doesn’t say, “I already have plans… I have all my wedding things picked out… etc.” Instead of turning it down or arguing with God, she asks a question. It’s the same question many of us ask when faced with the impossible. Do you know what the answer is? The Spirit of God will do it. "The Holy Spirit will come upon you" is the word of Gabriel (v. 35).

“I am the Lord’s servant…”
What a great response. No selfishness. No mistrust. Faced with that assurance, Mary's response is perhaps the most courageous, most faith-filled statement ever recorded: "May it be done to me according to your word" (v. 38, NASB).

This news to Mary could ruin everything for her. It could cost her her husband, her reputation, her family, her whole life… everything. But she says, “If that’s what the Lord wants for me… I am the Lord’s servant… I will do what the Lord wants.”

What a great lesson for all of us. Especially when we are faced with circumstances of life that we didn’t choose, we didn’t want, we didn’t pursue… and we’d just assume they would go away. But what if we, like Mary, received every circumstance that comes into our life through the lenses and the trust a good, loving, and sovereign God… and say, “okay Lord, if this is where you want me, then this is where I’ll be. And if there is something else you need from me then I will be your servant and I will be faithful.” Mary had such an amazing, abiding trust in God at such a young age. This must have been cultivated from a young age.

Our response to today’s scripture
As a people who may feel unable and powerless to change the things in our lives that need changing, the gospel word to us is, "Don't be afraid, because God can work with that!" He will turn your impossible things into monuments of His grace and mercy.

How does that happen? By choosing the attitude of trust and openness to whatever God wants to do that Mary models in this story. She expressed absolute confidence in God that He would meet her at the place of the impossible. In fact, Mary is so sure of this that when she speaks of what God will accomplish she speaks in the past tense. In her faith, it's already happened.

Today we could respond by asking God to find favor with you. OR, we could simply take on the attitude of Mary, who daily lived in humble devotion to God, not seeking a role like she received… but accepting it when it came to her. James 4:6 says “God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.” Perhaps that is why he chose Mary.

Guadete Sunday

Tomorrow morning we will light a "rose" colored candle on our Advent wreath. The red candle symbolizes rejoicing amid the tremendous sacrifice that Advent represents (Jesus leaving his heavenly throne to come to earth). I have read about how in the original days of celebrating Advent, those who observed the days would participate in a severe fast (40 days), and many of them needed to be reminded to eat to sustain their strength. The third Sunday in Advent was nicknamed "Gaudete (gow-DAY-tay) Sunday" during this time long ago. Gaudete means "rejoice!" in Latin. This Sunday is to be a day of rejoicing.

The readings below emphasize rejoicing. Isaiah reminds us that the Spirit of the Lord is upon us. That's something to rejoice about! Isaiah then exhorts us to go out and spread that joy. The Psalm of response is one of the few that are not taken from the Book of Psalms. Instead it is from the Song of Mary in the Gospel of Luke. Mary had a lot to rejoice about, and this song... her song... was written before Jesus was born (Jesus is born in Luke 2:7.)

One last observation for today should provoke some deep thought. Notice in the letter to the Thessalonians the list of instructions in verses 16-22. They all go together. One leads to the next, and they explain how to accomplish each other. Look particularly at verses 16 and 17. Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. That means we rejoice and pray at the same time... all the time... in all circumstances. This is a privilege only Christians can understand. As Paul often writes, only those with the Spirit of God can comprehend the things of the spirit. That is why, regardless of our circumstances, we will gather tomorrow morning and sing our hearts out in praise and rejoicing over the coming Lord. In those moments nothing else matters. Oh, I love those times in the presence of God!

Scripture Readings

Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, [1]
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
10 I delight greatly in the LORD ;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise
spring up before all nations.

A "psalm" from Luke 1:46-50, 53-54
46And Mary said:
"My soul glorifies the Lord
47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49for the Mighty One has done great things for me--
holy is his name.
50His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
53He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful

I Thessalonians 5:16-24
16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
19Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22Avoid every kind of evil.
23May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

Gospel - John 1:6-8, 19-28
6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

19Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ.[1] "
21They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?"
He said, "I am not."
"Are you the Prophet?"
He answered, "No."
22Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"
23John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.' "[2]
24Now some Pharisees who had been sent 25questioned him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"
26"I baptize with[3] water," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not know. 27He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."
28This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Stuff That's Happenin' With Oasis

My intention for this blog is to excitedly relay every detail a person would need to know about the special events and happenings of Oasis Christian Fellowship during the upcoming weeks. Several people have asked me if there is "one thing" that might explain everything... a publication, web site, or something they could point a friend toward by emailing them the web address link, or something they could print and give to the friend that may not be connected to the internet. Well, hopefully this blog will be what you are looking for. Of course, each week during our worship gathering we always vocalize these announcements, and every two weeks or so I try to publish a newsletter with any new things to announce. And we have a calendar that is available at our gatherings.

>>Athens Servant Evangelism<<

As we launch forward in making an "Oasis" presence in the city of Athens, there is something we want to be careful to communicate. (1) We are not there to compete with other churches, but to work with them in advancing the kingdom of God; (2) Our goal is not to be "different" but to be real; (3) We desire to serve the community, to demonstrate as well as proclaim the message of the Gospel... and we believe Jesus gave us examples for how to do that; (4) We recognize that people will only be interested in who we are as a church if they know we genuinely care about them and the community in which they/we live; (5) We will use whatever means/method/form possible to gather people to the presence of God... as long as it gives Him glory, not us. Some forms are easier tools for stealing God's glory. It doesn't mean those are bad forms. It just means we must have maturity and humility if we choose to use those ones.

So lets begin with some simple, inexpensive, and easy forms. Ones that will no doubt invite the very thing we long for... conversation. Community begins with conversations.

The form I am talking about is servant evangelism. In Athens we are going to begin doing weekly servant evangelism, and once a month meet in our home for prayer, Bible Study, and worship. During this time we will also be looking for an affordable, neutralized place for a regular gathering of worshipers in Athens. Wherever you are reading this blog from, feel free to participate as much as you would like in these endeavors to plant seeds for Oasis Athens. Here is our tentative schedule for servant evangelism (all events will begin at 6:00 p.m. from the Stewart's house):

* December 16 - Restroom cleaning for businesses East State Street.
* December 23 -? Shopping cart return at Wal-Mart
* December 30 -? Study, pray, and worship at the Stewart's house
* January 6 - Restroom cleaning for businesses (location TBA)
* January 13 - two ounce coffee packet giveaway uptown Athens
* January 20 - Garbage take-out to dumpster for apartment complex (TBA)
* January 27 - Study, pray, and worship at the Stewart's house

>>Calendar of Oasis Events in Meigs County<<

December 17
Oasis Kids present the musical, "A Shepherd's Story" for the American Legion Christmas party. Dinner begins at 6:00 p.m. at the NEW American Legion Hall in Middleport. The 20-25 minute program will follow the meal.

December 21
Oasis Meigs Sunday morning worship gathering at the old American Legion Hall. We start shortly after 10:00 a.m. On this day the children will present the musical, "A Shepherd's Story", then we will have worship in song, communion, and a variety of worship reflections throughout the morning. This would be a fantastic Sunday to invite friends and new acquaintances to come with you.

On the evening of December 21 we will be hosting the Oasis Christmas Cafe... a relaxing time of fellowship, music, food, games, etc. This party/coffeehouse atmosphere will be a great way for us to share the joy of the holidays together as a church. Make plans to join us.

December 22
The Oasis Kids will perform the musical, "A Shepherd's Story" at Overbrook Rehabilitation Center in Middleport at 7:00 p.m. Adults come with them, and perhaps we can "spontaneously" sing a few extra Christmas Carols for the folks at Overbrook.

December 24
We will be hosting a Christmas Eve candlelight service at the old American Legion Hall at 5:00 p.m. This will be a brief, contemplative service with worship, readings from Scripture, communion, and reflective prayer. Come and share the exciting fulfillment of this season of Advent as we gather on the eve of the Nativity.

December 31
Many Oasis folks will be gathering at Danny and Wendy Thomas' house (Baum Addition Rd., Pomeroy... behind the Chester Skate-Away) for a New Year's Eve Celebration. This is event is strictly for fun... conversation. I look forward to this party as much as anything else this holiday season (especially the enormous wealth of holiday foods on their table!!!).

>>Other Things to Look Forward To<<

A New House Church Meeting in Meigs County
Beginning in January, Dan and Wendy Thomas (hosts of the New Year's Eve Party) will be opening their home for a weekly church meeting. April and I look forward to leading this new work on the east side of Meigs County, as I know Dan and Wendy are excited to begin hosting it. This is something they have considered and prayed about for months, and the Lord is now opening the door for this new house church to begin. Spread the news. Invite people to be part of this new group.

Jr. High Conference in Cincinnati - February 13-15
Flyers with all the information for this event are now available via the Oasis office (call or email me), or at any of our gatherings. You need not be a Jr. High Student to attend (however, you must be at least 6th grade or older). This will be an exciting getaway for many of us.

Oasis Retreat To The Mountains
Speaking of getaways, plans are being set in motion for an "all-church retreat." No details yet, but let the conversations begin. Our hope is to go somewhere in the mountains and worship, relax, pray, and encourage one another. Times of retreat can always be such a refreshing experience. If anyone reading this has a passion to help plan such an event, please respond by hitting "comment" below or by emailing me.

Well, that just about wraps it up for now. Be sure to bookmark this page so you can come back to it often. There is so much for me to get excited about, as you can see. If you are excited too, let it be known. God receives glory in your exuberance, and brothers and sisters are encouraged. God bless you. Merry Christmas!

>>chris

Several things to blog about,

Several things to blog about, yet so little time. I'm getting ready to head out the door to a house church meeting. We had a good time here at our house last evening with Craig from South Africa and Katie (his chouffer... just kidding). Amy and I had met them a couple of months ago at a grad student fellowship with Rich Teske of Reach Out on Campus. They are good folks. It's nice to worship with them.

I want to use my blog in the upcoming days as another means of getting out Oasis news. Tomorrow I hope to update everything that we're doing in the month of December and beyond. It's not an extensive list... I was just thinking it might be helpful know those details are just a click away.

I have uploaded the latest Oasis Newsletter and also last week's teaching in the column to the right. The newsletter will give you most of the information about the December happenings.

Also, I've uploaded several new photos in my fotopages.

Gotta run. More to come. Lots of good stuff to share...

Just a quick blog... today

Just a quick blog... today is my daughter's birthday. Kaylee is 3 years old, and we've had a great time so far today. We're getting ready to make some special birthday chocolate chip cookies, and when mommy gets home she and Kaylee are going to make her a birthday cake. Kaylee picked it out... a double chocolate swirl cake with double chocolat efudge icing. I guess she's all girl. : )

Last night we had a really good time with Dorsel and Jeri Thomas. We went over to their house for dinner, and ended up jamming some Christmas songs. Lindsay on flute, Jeri on keys, I took my guitar... and Dorsel added some special vocals. And I mean SPECIAL. : )

Thanks for the invite, friends.