Labor "Day"

Reflections...
This past week was a busy one. In the theme of the day, it was quite "labor-some." Aside from the normal weekly preparations, study, meetings, etc... we have been gearing up for the 3500+ new OU students who will be coming to Athens (along with the other 17,000 returning)... praying, making posters, flyers, planning, promoting the new campus ministry called a church within The Church.

Also this past week was the River City Players' performance of "Annie Get Your Gun" in Meigs County. They did a fantastic job. I especially thank Mike Kennedy for helping me all week with the sound system. He's the man!!! You would be hard-pressed to find a person with more heart of a humble servant than Mike. Also, there were several people from our Meigs county fellowship who were performers in the musical. Chad Dodson and Amy Perrin both had leading roles. Also, Jon, Emma, and Lara Perrin; Jesse and Jaxon Meadows all had performing roles. Behind the scenes were Jamitha Willford on the music ques, Lisa Meadows was an off-stage manager, and Pam Durst was a lights engineer.

Wow! When you stop to consider the number of people who were in this year's musical alone, and then add to that group the people who have been in past productions of the River City theater group, a great number of Oasis folks have been involved in this very cool expression of the community. That's pretty exciting. I look forward to continuing to work with them. I always have a lot of fun.

more reflections...

This past week we began our study of Paul's letter to the Ephesians. I will make the MP3 available later this week (I have some catching up to do in editing the recordings). Ephesians is going to be a fun study for us as we begin a new season of worship and service together.

I want to lift up a brother who continually amazes me every time we are together. Chad Dodson is a wonderful gift to the fellowship of believers. The songs he is writing right now are incredible, and I cannot wait to get demo CDs into your hands so you can learn them with us (here's a raw copy of one he sang yesterday). God continues to stretch him and mold him into the person He has called Chad to be. God has given him gifts that will increasingly encourage the worship of the body of Oasis. It is a pleasure to serve alongside Chad.

Looking Ahead...
Tomorrow Brock starts Kindergarten, and Kaylee starts Pre-School. A mix of emotions for Mom and Dad. We are excited at how we see our kids growing and enjoying life, the Lord (lately Brock has had his MP3 player on repeat of ONE song, The Happy Song... I love it), and each other. Yet, at the same time it seems like every time we see their growth we are reminded that they are not getting any younger. Don't get me wrong here, I don't desire to keep my kids young. Our goal is to raise responsible adults, not merely to raise kids. But sometimes it's sad to see how fast that youth does fade away. You parents out there understand.

This Wednesday night will be the opening night of our study, A Better Way To Pray by Andrew Wommack at our house church meeting at Dan & Wendy's. I am very excited about the fruit that will come from this study.

This Thursday night will be our very first meeting in Athens on the OU campus for the ministry, a church within The Church... a campus Christian fellowship. Keith and I are very encouraged about the spirit the Lord has placed in our hearts as we have prepared for this ministry. Please be in prayer for us. If you would like to support this ministry in other ways, please contact me.

More to come this week.

Comments

[Jared]

I keep trying to load Chad's new song but about a second into it it starts skipping and then my browser sends an error message. Chris is this a problem on your end or mine?
I'm looking forward to hearing the song and Stefani and I are looking forward to being back with everyone this Sunday.

[Steve]

It works fine on mine, I have adelphia cable.
If you have dial up it may not be keeping up with it.

[+ chris]

hmmm... I have downloaded it fine with our other PC. If you are using the built in media browser in Windows Explorer it will begin playing the song before it is fully loaded, perhaps causing it to seem like it is skipping. Wait for a few seconds and then slide the slider back to the beginning. That may be your problem. Or you can turn the media browser off and try downloading it entirely, then open it with your media player.

Is anyone else having problems?

[tash]

Hey! You're back! I'm stoked.. I really appreciate reading your journey.. your ministry and family are in my prayers today.

[tash]

By the way...
It appears that you are about as muhc of a Dave Matthews Band fan as I am.
I don't understand exactly why I find his music the most inspirational thing I can listen to whilst preparing sermons, youth nights, worship, creative expressions... something about his honesty and energy.. makes me think that there is something Psalm-like about his words and song.

I am coming from NZ to the states in about 12 days. And on the 3rd of October.. travelling from chicago to michigan to go to the Vote for Change concert.. and then catching the bus back to chicago. But I think it will be worth it. !!

[+chris]

Hi Tash... good to hear from you. My wife and I saw DMB this summer in Columbus, OH. Hope you have a wonderful trip. I agree, there is much inspiration in Dave's music. We actually have a guy in our fellowship who is writing some very "Dave-esque" jams for our worship band. We are definitely influenced by his music.

[Jared]

Was finally able to get the song link to work. Opened it through musicmatch.
Awesome song Chad! This sounds like a fun one. One that would be good at Ohio Teens for Christ or Summer in the Son.....Steve. Get workin' buddy! LOL