oasisCHURCH

Halloween - Uptown Athens

Over the last four Halloweens, I have gone uptown Athens to check out the big Halloween bash.  While I love seeing all of the "creative" costumes, I mostly like to people watch.  I wonder what has caused people to dress up the way that they do.  With some I can see that plain old-fashion fun drives their costumes.  With others I wonder if there is a deeper meaning. 

In addition to wondering about costume choice motivation, I sometimes can see pain and emptiness in someone's eyes.  It's as if the Holy Spirit has given me eyes that can penetrate into the souls of people.  It's as if I'm listening with my eyes through the Spirit.  This year I've asked the Lord if there is anything in particular that he would have me do for Halloween.  I've been asking him the question in my heart for a couple of weeks now.  I didn't get an answer until this morning, though.  And I love it. 

Two out of the past four Halloween's a group of us has set up tables (one year they got carted away by Code) up on Court Street or Union Street and passed out REALLY hot, hot chocolate.  It was a time of wonderful conversation among those who participated and those whom we gave hot chocolate to.  This year I wanted to do something.  Either I wanted to pass out hot chocolate or pass out small pieces of paper that let people know that they didn't have to be alone.  Ever since I moved here, I've wanted to convey it to those who were lonely or feeling awkward or cast out that there was a group of people who would love them and be their friends.  True friends. 

So this morning, I got up relatively early (8:45) without being woken up by my alarm clock.  (I know, it's a shocker to some of you who really know me.)  While doing my hair, the thought hit me:  "You can set up a table and pass out hot chocolate in your parking lot."  WHAT AN IDEA!  It's in prime location.  Last night as I was on the balcony watching people go crazy, hundreds of people walked up and down Franklin and Carpenter heading for or coming home from the bars uptown.  It was cold.  And people weren't dressed all that warm. 

So why am I writing about this at 10 am?  I need at least one person to help me out tonight.  I'm going to get things ready as if it is going to happen, but I will need to have some help carrying down the drink coolers (or heaters) from the second floor of the house.  So, email me or call me (740-590-0985) if you can help. 

Thanks.  Amy

Halloween Fun

Napoleon and Violet

Neighborhood Party

Walking home to get ready for Trick-or-Treat.

Hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween weekend!!!

Feelings/Mountain Dew/and Covenant

If you had cut me when I was a child I would have most likely bled Mt. Dew. I was the kid who prided myself on being able to down an entire 2-liter of the sweet green nectar in less than fifteen minutes. I was addicted to the stuff and that’s probably why I was wound up so ferociously when I was a kid. Suffice it to say that I got a little antsy in my pantsy every time I got that glorious hyper juice running through my veins. But there is something weird about that buzz you get from drinking a liquid that’s highly infused with caffeine and sugar. The sensation comes on so strong but often lets you down so hard. I’m sure there is a scientific reason for this but to be perfectly frank, the reason isn’t important for this discussion. What does matter is that part about the sensation coming on strong. Feelings are much the same. Feelings often come on strong and leave you somehow feeling deflated. To picture this simply imagine the day after Christmas day. Though you’re happy to have received gifts and spent time with family and friends there is this odd emptiness on the day that follows. I think the reason for this is that you get so emotionally charged about the day and all the things that will happen in it that it’s easy to suddenly feel empty once it’s all done. The holiday season is filled with so much insane hustle and bustle that once it comes crashing to a jarring halt things somehow tend to feel less. If we really stop to think about the host of emotions that often take center stage in our lives I believe we’ll tend to find that most of them don’t have a very extensive shelf life. The exception to this rule seems to be bitterness and hatred. It’s amazing to me that many divorced couples that I’ve known often hate each other far longer than they “loved” one another.

I put the word “love” in quotations marks for a reason. Not long ago I did a post on this blog called “Love is a Verb” that addressed this whole topic in depth. I went on to elaborate about the famous love definition we find in 1 Corinthians 13. Rather than hash all that back out I would rather you stop reading this blog now, get your bible, and read 1 Corinthians 13 for yourself. As you read it ask yourself this question, “Do I see feelings or actions being described?” I think that when you examine the scripture closely you’ll find that the definition of love we get from scripture is nothing but one big descriptor of action rather than feeling. A feeling is stationary. An action is mobile. Action matters particularly when it comes to love. For different people the actions others must do to demonstrate their love might appear different to specific individuals. However, action is still the fundamental engine powering love in terms of how we demonstrate it.

As Jamitha and I talked over this subject between ourselves we worked hard to try and identify how we receive and give love to one another. We tried to isolate the elements in the types of love that were laid out for us this past Sunday (see Chris’ teaching from October 23) to better understand what we need from one another in giving love as well as receiving it. I don’t tell you this to toot our own horns or shout, “Look, we’re doing our homework,” but rather I mention this simply because I think this is the way that it should be with all couples or any relationship for that matter. If we really sought to know one another I think we would find it is the action of seeking to know one another that makes such a tremendous difference in how we perceive the people in our lives.

I’m not saying that feelings don’t matter because that’s not true. I simply feel like scripture puts emphasis elsewhere and in a certain kind of order. We know from studying scripture that God values the notion of feeling. So don’t come away thinking that I’m giving you advice to cut off all your feeling feelers. That’s not the point. Feelings and action go hand in hand. It seems like many couples that fall apart do so because their lives simply grind down to a halt in the worst kind of way. They begin to exist with one another rather than live with one another. If you’re primary concern in a relationship is the initial thrill of heightened passion then it’s easy to feel great about your relationship. But what happens when that goes away?  Are you left with anything that’s solid? Do you continue to need that fix to make your relationship seem as passionate as it once was? Don’t simply tolerate others in your life. Discover them. This means more than just being a “feeling junkie”.

From the very beginning God has been giving us a masterful portrait that uniquely illustrates what a real relationship should look like. That example is his conduct with us, his creation. God INVESTED himself into us. He has been working at us since he conceived us. He has been in constant action in regards to us. His love for us extended beyond mere feeling. John 3:16 doesn’t just read, “For God so loved the world.” Instead John 3:16 shows the action of what God did because he loved us. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” I believe this is a wonderful illustration that feeling and action go hand in hand. It also illustrates that God is true to Himself when makes a promise to us. There is not one promise that God makes in the Bible that he does not keep because the foundation of the relationship that he established with his creation was not based on some flicker of passion but rather a profound sense of covenant. A covenant is a promise.

Let’s pause right there. Stop to think about that word “promise”. It’s really quite a big word that I fear has last lost some of its stalwart character through callous verbal abuse by society at large. Yet the ideal of promise, or commitment, is precisely what rests at the heart of the concept of covenant. Commitment is a word that is notoriously scary amongst the male of the species. In movies we often hear about how men are afraid to commit. I don’t think this is specifically a man problem. I think it’s an everyone problem. A commitment, a promise, a covenant, call it what you will, is the core element at the true foundational heart of any relationship. The reason being is that a covenant is binding and lasting. A covenant doesn’t last for a moment. It is the glue that holds a relationship together.

If we can fashion this idea into our lives and make it a habitual part of who we are then every area of relationship in our lives will gain strength. Yet we also must be leery about clever counterfeits that sell themselves in our heads as legitimate substitutes for the real thing. Instead of going on like this for a few more pages I would rather lay down a challenge for each of us, myself included. I would beseech myself as an author and you as a reader to examine how we define each of the relationships in our lives. Consider what it means to live in a covenant relationship. And last…don’t be afraid to ask yourself the tough questions. More importantly, don’t be afraid to listen to the tough answers.

Talking About a Revolution

For nearly five years now I have been speaking a certain language, using certain phrases and metaphors. And I found that to a great number of people I sounded like I was speaking a foreign language, and uttering non-sensible phrases, and using unrealistic metaphors. While it has been an exhilarating journey, it has sometimes been a frustrating one, and sometimes a lonely one.

Yet still, a few of you have understood. In fact, you speak the language also. You live the metaphors. I am thankful to have found a fellowship of believers in Jesus who understand. You GET it! When I say "you GET IT", it's not that we are better, or more enlightened than others. That's one of the most difficult things to try to convey. We're not separatists. We're not anti-institution. We're not a lot of things that people assume we are. One of our greatest characteristics over the last few years has probably been "misunderstood". We are a "misunderstood" bunch.

What am I talking about? I am talking about anyone who has embraced the notion that it's time to STOP GOING TO CHURCH, and to START BEING THE CHURCH. If all of our opportunities to GO to church were removed from us, we would not cease to BE the Church. In 2002 when God began to strip away everything I understood about Church, and Church life, I began emphatically saying things like, "Church is not a building. Church is not a program. Church is not a place you go. Church is not a meeting. Church is YOU. And wherever you, the people who are called 'children of God' and lovers of Jesus, happen to be at any given moment... THERE you are the Church!"

In fact, I said these things so much that some people got sick of me. Some of my very dear friends walked away from me. They thought I was going nutty. And perhaps thought I was going to plant a church that would never have a Sunday meeting, or a building, or any kind of normal organizational structure like we're used to having in the church. How could such a thing even exist?! Function?!

Well, four years later I am still at it. Yes, we have some recognizable organizational structures. Yes, we have meetings. But I submit that who we are is STILL not about any of those things. And I would be willing and ready to have any of them taken away in an instant. Yes, I am serious.

I am dead serious. Because to me, church still is not about any of those things. It's about LIFE. LIVING as Jesus LIVED, and LOVING as Jesus LOVED. And to be quite honest, we can all do that without any of the luxuries we enjoy that make up our church structures. If we can't, then we are not real disciples. Yep, I said it. Should I "nice" it up a little? Okay, we may be disciples. But we are weak and immature if our Christian life is defined by things such as a church attendance, programs, buildings, or meetings. How's that?

This past week a friend of mine sent me a link to the book you see above, "Revolution" by George Barna. Besides the link, his email had only one short paragraph. It said something like this: DING! DING! DING! DING! Finally folks, we have a winner!!! Someone who is recognized and even well-known by the mainstream organized Church is saying what you've been trying to proclaim for over four years now.

And he's going to make all the money off of it. : ) Just kidding.

The fact is, I am not the only one who has been saying it. That's the reason for Barna's book. Barna is a research analyst. He watches trends for months, even years, then reports what he predicts is happening (and will happen) in the world and the church. If you've ever read any of his other books, he is quite accurate in his assessments.

This new book is describing my faith. My Church. My hunger. To LIVE, and to BE. And to leave behind all the tired structures that hinder BEING the Church. Here's a brief excerpt from chapter two:

As we journey together, I want to show you what our research has uncovered regarding a growing sub-nation of people, already well over 20 million strong, who are what we call Revolutionaries.

What "established systems" are they seeking to "overthrow or repudiate" and "thoroughly replace," in Webster's words (defining the word "revolutionary")?

They have no use for churches that play religious games, whether those games are worship services that drone on without the presence of God or ministry programs that bear no spiritual fruit. Revolutionaries eschew ministries that compromise or soft sell our sinful nature to expand organizational turf. They refuse to follow people in ministry leadership positions who cast a personal vision rather than God's, who seek popularity rather than the proclamation of truth in their public statements, or who are more concerned about their own legacy than that of Jesus Christ. They refuse to donate one more dollar to man-made monuments that mark their own achievements and guarantee their place in history. They are unimpressed by accredited degrees and endowed chairs in Christian colleges and seminaries that produce young people incapable of defending the Bible or unwilling to devote their lives to serving others. And Revolutionaries are embarrassed by language that promises Christian love and holiness but turns out to be all sizzle and no substance.

Barna explains in chapter five about how the spiritual landscape of our country is drastically changing as we speak. Even as we entered the twenty-first century, the "local church" was the focus of most people's spiritual lives. But even in five years that number is radically changing, and Barna predicts that by year 2025 we will see a much, much different spiritual landscape. Our spiritual landscape refers to the way people are most likely to experience and express their faith. Just five years later, in 2005, we have already seen a significant transformation taking place.

I suppose the reason I write this article is to relate my elation at the coming of this book. I believe it will do wonders to help explain what so many people are doing these days. It will help people better understand Oasis Christian Fellowship of southeastern Ohio. We are different. You have a very different kind of pastor than most churches have. This book will help them to see why. You have a much different mindset when it comes to "church attendance" and living your life structured around the church and it's many programs, versus living your life structured around Jesus and out in the community. This book will help them see why.

This book will help. Where traditional church leaders think I am off my rocker, George Barna might be able to get them to scratch their head and consider otherwise. You see what I mean? They respect Barna. They trust Barna. They might even BELIEVE Barna.

Because what Barna is saying is, "Watch out!" These Revolutionaries are everywhere. And they are leaving your churches. And sadly, so many church leaders are chalking them all up to "backsliding" or "sheep stealing" or simply walking out on Jesus. But nothing could be further from the truth. They have simply chosen to BE THE CHURCH because they are sick and tired of merely GOING to church.

This book is quite possibly the best description of this web site to date. I wish I could say that I had written it. But congrats to Barna. He beat me to the punch. Thanks George, for helping me explain who I am.

If you say that you love me

I just came down stairs from tucking my kids into their beds. We had a very good Bible Study this evening. It actually began with an unfortunate tone... with discipline. They were both having a difficult time obeying the words of their mother this evening. Look at me. I make that sound as though it's some kind of disorder... "they were having a difficult time...". The truth is, they were choosing to disobey. Call it what it is, right.

Anyway, after some redirection from their father they finally made it in and out of the shower, and into their beds. Before reading the passage from 1 John tonight I took them on a little reminder of what 1 John has been saying up to this point, and how it related to our evening. And a beautiful thing happened. They got it! They put it together. They applied the scipture to their lives. My seven year old and four year practiced hermeneutics this evening.

We took this journey of questions...

"Who am I?"
"You're our Daddy."
"Good. Who are you?"
"We are your children."
"That's correct. Next question. Do I love you?"
"Yes, we know that you love us, Daddy."
"Very good. Do you love me?"
(nearly in tears) "Yes. We love you and Mommy."
"Okay, now that we understand all of that, I have just one more question. If you know that I am your Dad and you are my kids, and you know that I love you and you love me, then what should you do?"
"Listen, and obey."
"Yes. Listen and obey. The proof that you really do love your Mommy and me is that you obey what we tell you to do."

And I went on to remind them that our family rules are really very simple and not burdonsome. We want them to (1) obey their Mom and Dad, and (2) have fun. Having fun, enjoying one another is the ultimate rule. That's actually Number ONE. But "having fun" cannot happen unless "obedience" is taking place. The moment there is disobedience there is also an absence of fun. And they found that out this evening. They understood it because it came to life for them.

I reminded them that God's rules for us are exactly the same. He wants to enjoy us, and He wants us to enjoy Him. But if He has to spend most of the time doing discipline then our lives with Him become no fun.

He is our God, and we are His kids. If we really know that He loves us, and we love Him... well, then obedience should be no problem for us. Because we ultimately trust that everything He wishes for us is GOOD and promotes life and enjoyment of our lives with Him. If we really know that, then obedience is not a problem.

Obedience is not just something you do to prove that you love your Father. Obedience is the natural result of that love. If there is no obedience, then there is no love. If obedience has to be forced or seems like a duty or obligation... then you have to wonder if the same action is true for love. Is your love also forced? A duty, or obligation to fulfill?

As I prayed with my son and daughter this evening I could sense the presence of the Holy Spirit confirming our study and discussion. It was as powerful as any church service I have ever been in or any sermon I have ever preached. I knew they were growing closer to Jesus. And so was I.

Some New Features

You may have noticed by now that we have created some new features on this web site. The first, and most significant I would like to point to is the Oasis Media Page. You will notice a link to the left that will direct you to a similar looking page as this one, but it will be used for all Oasis media files (audio, video, photos, etc.). This provides a quick search for anything you want to listen to, download, watch, etc. Also, if you are into "Podcasting" you can subscribe to Oasis Media and receive immediate updates of the latest audio file downloads.

A couple of other changes include: a new design to the Oasis News email, and a link to it on the site so you can view it at any time right here; a category called "About Oasis" that includes links that direct you to articles written about the values, beliefs, practices, etc. of Oasis in southeastern Ohio.

I am excited about the progress our web presence and technology is making. Granted, we don't claim to be on the cutting edge of technology. But we do okay for a "simple" group of people. : )

Oasis Fall Party 2005

What a great time it was last night. Great atmosphere. Incredible food!!! I'm not kidding you. If there is one thing the Oasis family is gifted in it's preparing food. Wow, was there some good stuff there last night!

Very special thanks to: Jim & Julie for hosting the party, Jim's dad (Ed) for driving the hay-wagon (now he's our official Halloween and Christmas helper... shhh), Pam for taking all the pictures you will see in a video presentation at this Sunday's Oasis gathering, Christi for making that amazing cheese ball, Chad for leading us in some Hank Williams Sr. "I Saw The Light", Bill for bringing the corn hole game (a big hit with the kids... although I was seen tossing quite a few bean bags myself), Ray for overseeing the fire (it goes against every bone in his body... he's more used to putting them out), and EVERYONE for participating. I could literally name everyone who came, because everyone brought something to make the party a special one. Those kinds of events are some of my favorite times as a church. I love it when we get together to party like that.

I have also uploaded yesterday morning's teaching from the Oasis gathering:
NOTES  |  AUDIO

Set your calendars now. Plan to participate in this much anticipated evening.

"The Living Room" - A Live Worship Recording

On Wednesday, November 2 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm the Oasis church is planning a live acoustic worship recording at Jim and Julie Durst's house. Chad Dodson and I have had this vision ever since the first time we were in Jim's living room. The layout of their front room is built perfectly for gathering a group of people and doing a simple, yet quality live recording. We have chosen 20-25 songs to record, and we invite you (yes, EVERYONE who wants to come… whether you’re from Middleport, Pomeroy, Athens, Waverly, or wherever) to join in on this project. The more there the better it will be.

It will obviously be a great night of worship. But it will also be with a dual purpose... to extend that evening's praise to your own living room, or to your own vehicle as you drive to work, or to your own kitchen as you load the dishwasher, or to your kids’ rooms as they lay down to sleep. Once the recording is made, Chad and I will sit down together and listen to find 15-17 songs that came out the best, we’ll master the recording and make several copies on CDs and sell them at our base cost. And best of all… YOU'LL be on it!!! If everything goes as planned they should be available by Thanksgiving.

Go ahead and be sure to set aside the date. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2. We have chosen Wednesday because it is already a planned house church night for many Oasis people anyway. So basically we will be combining the two Meigs County house churches. But we also want to encourage others to come who may not attend one of those two house church meetings.

I'm really looking forward to this!

Many Downloads Now Available

Today I have completed HALF of "Phase 2" of this web blog facelift. The current Oasis Sunday gathering teaching series through the book of 1 John is now accessible on this web site. Below are the links to both, the MP3 audio downloads and the PDF notes for the teachings. For quick reference at any time you can also find these files in the column to the left.

1 John 1:1-4  The Premise for the Book of 1 John (9/04/05)
AUDIO  |  NOTES

1 John 1:5-2:8  Our Greatest Problem (9/11/05)
AUDIO  |  NOTES

1 John 2:3-11  How to Know You are a Christian (9/18/05)
AUDIO  |  NOTES

1 John 2:12-17  Your Sins Have Been Forgiven by Jesus (9/25/05)
AUDIO  |  NOTES

1 John 2:18-27  Are You For Christ or Antichrist? (10/02/05)
AUDIO  |  NOTES