oasisCHURCH

Pictorial reflections From St. Louis Weekend

Jim and I had a wonderful time together in St. Louis. Here's a glimpse of a few of the many things we did. The camera battery died after the first day, and I forgot to pack the recharger, so we did miss some good photo opportunities. Anyway... enjoy!

Jim taking in the amazing Anheiser Busch Plant

The bass player was a young kid in my St. Louis youth group

Vladmir was resurrected (an old "Unplugged" character from the St. Louis days)

Blogging from the road

Jim and I are now in St. Louis and already having an awesome time. This is a beautiful city. Will write more later.

not of this world

Just finishing up my final preparations for teaching in St. Louis at the Christ Centered Youth Ministries Conference. The theme is "Not Of This World," a topic that I think Christians have misunderstood for many years. It is true that we are not of this world, but how we respond to that fact is often a little disturbing. For years Christians have attempted to live "not of this world" by creating our own Christian sub-culture and hence, removing ourselves completely from the world. My goal this weekend will be to take on the heart of Jesus as he prayed for us to "be in the world, but protected from the evil one." To help us see ourselves as aliens (holy, set apart, other) in the spiritual world, while living in and among those who still belong to the patterns, ways of thinking, and systems of this world. The very fact that we are called "aliens" (1 Peter 2) says that we live in a place where we do not belong. And it is in this place we have begun to live eternal life... a gift from God... to know Him intimately and personally. That is ultimately what separates us. It's not what we do or don't do. It's who we know.

If you have any thoughts that come to mind about being "Not of this World" please post them. Help give me more clarity to share with the students and adults who will gather in St. Louis.

+ + + God, help me to speak the words you have ordained for me to speak this weekend. Remove any possibility of me getting in the way of Your Holy Spirit. It frightens me when I consider the tremendous responsibilty of interpreting and preaching your Word to a group of people. I am in awe of the privilege you have given me, and I sometimes wonder why you have chosen to use me the way you do. A broken, dirty, stained, imperfect vessel. The only thing I can think of is that I am a testimony of your grace and power. Have mercy on those who will be listening this weekend as I speak. I know not a single of of the kids or adults who will be at the conference. But I know you do. You know their struggles. You know their pain. You know what they live for, and exactly where they are in their journey with You. Even now you are seeking out the ones who will be attending the conference. You are preparing a way for them to be there. You are preparing their hearts for Your presence. I pray that they would respond to You. I pray that I would respond to You. Use me in whatever way you desire to use me this weekend. I love you. + + +

It's a busy week

I've been preparing for a trip to St. Louis this Thursday. I have some things to blog but may need to wait until tomorrow morning to make a post. I will also upload the last two weeks' teaching MP3s.

Reminder... if you need to email me this week please use this address. My Oasis mail should be back up by next week.

Jesus at Donkey

My thoughts on our "Donkey Church" meeting...

Good conversation as always. Discussion on reason versus faith... 1 Corinthians 1 and the foolishness of the Gospel to those who see only through eyes of reason. Also the importance of finding balance in both, faith and reason... but knowing where reason ends and faith takes over. Discussion on the differences of perspectives from the gospel writers and the possible reasons for those. Why do people see them as contradictions? Further discussion on "doctrine," essentials versus differences of interpretation. Is it more important to uphold correct doctrine or to love and seek fellowship regardless of doctrine? Would we rather be guilty of too much grace or too much law? Good coffee (as always). Good questions. Good conversation. 5 people gathered. People of all walks of life... including age, belief, education, interests, etc. I was encouraged. We'll continue the conversation next week.

New Photo Album

I uploaded a bunch of new photos this evening. Click on the album in the righthand column. Enjoy!

Donkey Church

For about three months Chad Dodson and I have been meeting every Thursday at my favorite hangout in Athens... Donkey Coffee & Espresso... for conversation about Jesus, the Scriptures, the church, etc. It has been mutually encouraging, and we are ready to invite more people to join us. On a couple of occasions we have had a person or two join us in the conversation, and just last week a student asked if he could join in the next time we meet. Chad and I have taken these instances as "hints" that perhaps God wants to grow his church in a very casual, relational atmosphere in Athens. So... beginning this week we are going to openly invite people to "join the conversation." That is simply what it is... an ongoing conversation about Jesus. It's Jesus at Donkey, or "Donkey Church." Pass the word... Thursdays in Athens, 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. (or whenever), at Donkey Coffee shop on Washington St.

My Son the Drummer

His new favorite movie is School of Rock. "It's a long way... to the top... if you wanna rock 'n roll!!!!"

Here's a cool little spontanious clip of Brock playing drums on his favorite worship song just before the band tore down on Easter Sunday. I love it.

BROCK ON DRUMS

Some Good Conversation

Chad Dodson has been writing many, many good thoughts here. Go to the "Oasis-Middleport" forum in the Cafe and join in on the discussion.

A Better Way To Pray

Today's Passion Week reading:

Matthew 21:18-22
Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered.
When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked.
Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

I find it interesting that Jesus' commentary on this event is an explanation of intercessory prayer. It doesn't sound like a prayer. In fact, Jesus didn't talk to God at all, did he? He talked to the fig tree. He instructed his disciples to "talk to a mountain." Is it possible that prayer can include speaking directly to things? What I mean is this... it is obvious that Jesus has authority over all things. He commanded the wind to be still and it obeyed. In this passage he spoke words to a fig tree and it physically manifested a result of his command. But before Jesus left this earth he spoke to his disciples (and to us) and gave us the same authority he had been given while on earth. Why else would he say, "If you believe, you will receive anything you ask for in prayer."?

Sometimes when our prayers consist of lengthy discourses to God the Father, explaining to Him the severity of our problem, and giving Him many reasons why He should answer our petition... perhaps all He would like is for us to speak directly TO the problem itself, with just a simple word or phrase. Because the fact is, the problem IS NOT God. He isn't the reason why we are experiencing the particular problem. And He certainly already knows everything you just told Him. God doesn't need convincing to begin dealing with our problem. Instead, He has given us the authority and the power to deal with the particular problem. He has already done His part.

Consider the fig tree. God had created that fig tree. It's purpose in life was to bear fruit that would give good food, and provide for future fig trees. God had already done His part. Jesus recognized this. That is why he did not pray, "God, why aren't You allowing this fig tree to produce fruit? What lesson might you have for me in this? Please make it grow fruit, for we are hungry." NO. Jesus knew that it was not God's fault the tree was not producing fruit. So He spoke directly to the problem. And the problem was the tree, and it's lack of fruit.

Sometimes we blame God or wonder why He has not moved in a particular case that we are concerned about and praying for. But we need to understand that God HAS moved. He has already given us every blessing He can possibly give us (Ephesians 1:3 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." emphasis mine).

So, you see, all along the problem has not been God. We do not always see the physical manifestation (physical evidence or proof) of those promises because of our lack of faith. There is so much in this world to block us from seeing these spiritual blessings... these answers to our prayers. None of them have to do with God holding back from us. Try to begin speaking to your problems directly. It feels weird at first. But study through the gospels and see the example of Jesus. When someone needed something he spoke directly to it... and then thanked God for the gift. This kind of praying will do two things for you: (1) It will help you get a better perspective of God. God is a Good God. He loves His children. He does not hold back from His kids when they are in need. Also, God is not your servant. Sometimes we treat Him like Santa Claus, and then we get angry when we He doesn't bring us what we want. (2) We will become more confident in the fact that Jesus gives us the authority to heal, and our our intercessory prayer lives will be transformed tremendously.

Andrew Wommack has an incredible, five-part series of teaching on this very subject. In the coming months I want to plan an Oasis adult retreat, using the Wommack series as our time of study and discussion. For now, I hope this prods you to considering a better way to pray.