All week our team and members of Oikos Church have been inviting people to a “Summer Fun Day” scheduled for today in a local park. Several thousand homes received invite cards that were put through the mail drop in their front doors, an acceptable approach here. Plans included inflatables for the kids, crafts, food, etc.… Read More »
What Makes You Happy?
What makes you happy? I asked our youth pastor, David Mitchell, to post that question to our students on face book. Their answers ranged from “good grades” to “money” – sounds similar to what a lot of adults would say. One answer that caught my attention was “no stress.” So I asked David to post… Read More »
A Special Moment – A Special Relationship
While watching the “Space Buddies” movie (picture below) the other night – Oh, you haven’t seen it. Well, it’s about these rambunctious pups who’ve stared in a few movies. They talk to each other and get into all kinds of trouble. In this movie they “accidentally” end up on a space shuttle and take a… Read More »
What’s In A Name?
“My family goes to your church.” That was her comment when she noticed the First Baptist Church T-shirt I was wearing in the check-out line as she rang up my groceries. I asked who her family was and she hesitated. Not because she was embarrassed or anything. It was because she was used to calling… Read More »
Love That Never Dies
Read the following Bible verse several times: Ephesians 6:24 “Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love” Having read this verse several times, what is God saying to you? ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Answer these questions: Some translations use “undying” instead of “incorruptible” to describe the type of love we are… Read More »
Hearing and Obeying
Read the following Bible verse several times: Psalm 81:11 “But My people did not listen to My voice, And Israel did not obey Me.” Having read this verse several times, what is God saying to you? _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ Answer these questions: What is the connection between listening and obeying? What connection exists between listening to… Read More »
God at Work in People’s Lives
When I speak with people about what is going on in their lives, I’m often reminded that God is doing more than I know. In fact He is always at work and individuals are seeking Him more than we often realize. I was reminded of that Sunday. I preached on fasting, asking everyone in our… Read More »