GuyMelton.com: What Were You Thinking?

Pastor's Weekly Email for May 11, 2012....

Dear Oasis Extended Family and Friends,

I want to open our email today wishing all of our Moms a Happy Mother's Day! Whether you are blessed as I am with a Mom who is still with us or Mother's Day now is bittersweet since your mom is not still with you. Either way, it is a day to honor, remember and to thank those who gave us life.

I have learned over these many years that Mother's Day is not a monolithic day to celebrate. So many of us are blessed to celebrate with our moms for yet another year. That is a gift. But then many others take this day in a more reflective way since their moms are not here to hug, call or give a rose to. Some have had wonderful Godly moms like I do and then others have a less than honorable memory of a mom. So it's not easy on a day like this. But regardless we salute ALL moms this weekend.

I personally salute some of the best moms ever to walk this earth this weekend. I wish I could be with them all but we are scattered. But my love and respect is beyond words for each of them.

My Mom -- I love you mom. Thanks for raising 4 kids practically alone working 2 jobs.

My Wife -- Thanks Babe for not only being a wonderful mother for our sons but a great mother-in-law and grandmother. I love you.

My Mother-in-Law -- I fell in love with you before I did Tonia. Thanks for being the best Mother-in-Law I could ever have. I love you.

My Daughter-in-Law -- Jenni, you know I think you are the best mom and great wife. Your love for Nathan, Gavyn, Caleb and Raelynne is a constant blessing to me. I love you as my first daughter! I am blessed to call you my daughter-in-law.

My Daughter-in-Law -- Sabrina, have I "Thanked you for Marrying Corey lately"? LOL! Ok, that's a private line we use. I'll share it with the rest of you someday. You are not only a wonderful person inside and out but a great wife, mom and daughter-in-law. Thank you for loving Corey and Selah.

Thank you to all our Moms. We love you and honor you this weekend.

Just a few thoughts for this week at Oasis Church: 

* We conclude the "Man Up" Sermon Series this weekend with a special message geared for Mother's Day. This will be interesting. I hope our Moms will also bring all their men in their lives.

* "Rooted" -- I'll be sharing a special video from Israel I did this week introducing you to our next series. I can't wait. I did part of my first message in this series in Israel on location. 

* Our Teenagers will be doing a Car Wash NEXT Sunday in order to raise support for their Memorial Day weekend trip to Haiti. If you would like to donate to this, you can donate for a Car Wash ticket this week at all services. I hope you will get a ticket even if you can't have your car washed. You will help send a Teen to Haiti to bless an orphan they minister to there.

* Haiti Medical Missions Trip.  We have over 30 Oasis'ers going to Haiti over the Memorial Day weekend to minister to orphans and those displaced in the earthquake two years ago. Many are still living in tents. Our teens are also going on this trip. THE TRIP IS FULL. But if you want to go to Haiti we have another group going this fall with Pastor James Brown. You can mark your connection card and you will be given the info. Thanks to everyone who bought purses and have given to Bike for Haiti. It's through your giving that allows us to take medicine, furnish the orphanage with furniture and beds so the children won't have to sleep on the floor any longer and a host of other projects I'll share along the way.

I am looking forward to seeing you this weekend. What a great day to Celebrate our Moms.

Guy Melton

Pastor

P.S. You can give your Tithes and Offerings here, 24/7. If you have not been able to Worship yet this week in your giving, I hope you will make sure you do it now. It's your faithful and obedient giving to the Lord's Work that allows Oasis Church to continue to impact our community and communities around the world.

 

 

Security and Prosperity.............

My letter this week is a little different. Not because it doesn't focus on prayer as I do each week but the verse focuses on something we don't often think about. Having just landed after a 10-day tour of Israel and the Holy Land, this verse was used while we were there several times and it has been on my mind.

Psalms 122:6 - "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May those who love you be secure.'"

I wonder how many of us think about this verse? The Psalmist not only asked for the readers of his writing to Pray for Jerusalem but that those that do will be "Secure". Other versions say "Prosper". There is a lot that could be dissected here which I will forego but it is clear that God will bless those who love Israel and Pray for her. Jerusalem was given to God's people thousands of years ago and it is where His Holy Temple was destroyed twice. The Jewish people know that it must be built back before their Messiah they await comes.

Unfortunately with the political conditions as they are today, the Muslims control the Mount where the temple must be rebuilt. It is in Jerusalem & in the heart of Israel but the Jews do not control it. This is the most fought over small hill top in the entire world. The wailing wall (Western wall) sits right below and along with the ruins of the early temples. It's a sacred site.

I would love to really get into all this but this is not the time and I don't have the space to do it. But what we do need to do as Christians is to Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem. Pray for the nation of Israel. Pray for the Jewish People. I take very serious the promise that those who pray for and support Israel will prosper. 

It is scary in these days to think that most of the world is turning its back on Israel and even in America we see vacillating opinions on how much our country should support Israel. I say Pray for Israel and support it in every way. I believe America will be judged by how we treat Israel. Please pray with me for Jerusalem and the Peace of this great land and City of God. It is a sacred place. Please pray for the Peace of Jerusalem.

Adapted from the Prayer Partner Prayer letter week of May 9th.

 

Pastor's Weekly Email for April 26, 2012.... Porn and Pancakes

 

Dear Extended Oasis Family;  "Porn and Pancakes", Ok so the title is a little weird and yes we have had all kinds of questions on this and even some criticism about using the word Porn! Really! What word would you use? The important thing is not the wording or the opinion of whether Porn and Pancakes go together but the important thing is that ALL our Men of this church not only need to understand the damage it is doing to our Families but how can we help others. My fear has been all along that when we announced this that Men would be afraid to come because they would think they are branded that "oh, he must have a problem with it". Actually we ALL have a problem with "Porn" (not pancakes although I only like mine with blueberry syrup, so I better have some Saturday Morning.) We don't have to be addicted or even be involved in it to have a problem. Our children could get caught up in it without us even knowing it. Other family members and friends might be struggling. We need to know how to help them. We need to help stem the flow of this. I can tell you stories where the addiction was so great it has taken lives and broken families and men have lost their jobs over it.  Did you know that the largest consumer of Pornography online is done by 12-17 year olds?! Yes, we all need to deal with this. If you are a Man and you aren't planning to come to this Breakfast from 9-11 a.m. this Saturday then I am going to challenge you by saying it's time to "Man Up". What are you afraid of? I mean if you aren't coming is it because you do have something to hide? That is the case many times when someone avoids straight talk on an issue. GUYS GO ONLINE NOW AND BUY THAT TICKET. THE COST IS TO COVER OUR SPEAKER AND THE FOOD. BEST INVESTMENT YOU MIGHT EVER MAKE. Ok, Ladies, I'm addressing you now. You aren't invited this Saturday but you can help. If your Man in your life is not coming it's time for you to sit down and ask him why? I think it's a good chance he is struggling and he needs to come even more! If he gives you some excuse, even if its a great one, call his bluff. It's probably a smoke screen. I have decided in this series Man Up that I'm calling men out. If men don't like it, then tough. They need to Man Up. Last week and this week are calls for Christian Men to stand Up and Man Up.Ladies go online now and Buy a Ticket for him and give it to him and tell him you're doing his chores and the lawn this Saturday and you will do whatever he wants this Saturday if he will go. This is BIG! I PROMISED YOU 3 MORE THINGS, THEY ARE BIG TOO! DON'T MISS THEM: * Ladies Night Out - The ladies are having a movie night in our auditorium this coming Friday night. Childcare is available. Cost is $5. * Helping Handbags for Haiti! We've got lots of donated designer purses that we will presale at the movie night Friday night and then the big sale will be Saturday morning, April 28 at 9 a.m. I think this is one of the best ideas I've heard in a long time. Ladies can take all that money someone invested, get a great handbag at a cheap price and ALL the proceeds will go toward our Haiti Orphanage we are partnering with and will be buying their beds and furniture next month for our trip to Haiti that many of us are taking. The kids are sleeping on the floor right now and eating with no table or chairs. Let's buy those purses Ladies. BTW, this idea came from a 5 year old of one of our Oasis families. I'll share that story another time.. * Chick Fil-A Leadercast is Friday, May 4 from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost is $75. Sign up online! This is a great way to invite your work associates who really want to take their leadership or business to the next level. This is a great opportunity Oasis has to host this for men and women in our business community. I hope you will get your tickets this week after each service at the info booth in the lobby or online. Have a great weekend and I'll see you guys at Porn and Pancakes. Ladies we will see you and the family at one of our 4 services this weekend, for Man Up Part 3. It's going to be a great weekend. Guy

 

Pastor's Weekly Email for April 26, 2012.... Porn and Pancakes

 

Dear Extended Oasis Family,   First time in my life that my staff has censored my Pastor's email but they wanted to make sure your email was not sent to spam. Now here's the real message! "Porn and Pancakes", Ok so the title is a little weird and yes we have had all kinds of questions on this and even some criticism about using the word Porn! Really! What word would you use? The important thing is not the wording or the opinion of whether Porn and Pancakes go together but the important thing is that ALL our Men of this church not only need to understand the damage it is doing to our Families but how can we help others. My fear has been all along that when we announced this that Men would be afraid to come because they would think they are branded that "oh, he must have a problem with it". Actually we ALL have a problem with "Porn" (not pancakes although I only like mine with blueberry syrup, so I better have some Saturday Morning.) We don't have to be addicted or even be involved in it to have a problem. Our children could get caught up in it without us even knowing it. Other family members and friends might be struggling. We need to know how to help them. We need to help stem the flow of this. I can tell you stories where the addiction was so great it has taken lives and broken families and men have lost their jobs over it.  Did you know that the largest consumer of Pornography online is done by 12-17 year olds?! Yes, we all need to deal with this. If you are a Man and you aren't planning to come to this Breakfast from 9-11 a.m. this Saturday then I am going to challenge you by saying it's time to "Man Up". What are you afraid of? I mean if you aren't coming is it because you do have something to hide? That is the case many times when someone avoids straight talk on an issue. GUYS GO ONLINE NOW AND BUY THAT TICKET. THE COST IS TO COVER OUR SPEAKER AND THE FOOD. BEST INVESTMENT YOU MIGHT EVER MAKE. Ok, Ladies, I'm addressing you now. You aren't invited this Saturday but you can help. If your Man in your life is not coming it's time for you to sit down and ask him why? I think it's a good chance he is struggling and he needs to come even more! If he gives you some excuse, even if its a great one, call his bluff. It's probably a smoke screen. I have decided in this series Man Up that I'm calling men out. If men don't like it, then tough. They need to Man Up. Last week and this week are calls for Christian Men to stand Up and Man Up.Ladies go online now and Buy a Ticket for him and give it to him and tell him you're doing his chores and the lawn this Saturday and you will do whatever he wants this Saturday if he will go. This is BIG! I PROMISED YOU 3 MORE THINGS, THEY ARE BIG TOO! DON'T MISS THEM: * Ladies Night Out - The ladies are having a movie night in our auditorium this coming Friday night. Childcare is available. Cost is $5. * Helping Handbags for Haiti! We've got lots of donated designer purses that we will presale at the movie night Friday night and then the big sale will be Saturday morning, April 28 at 9 a.m. I think this is one of the best ideas I've heard in a long time. Ladies can take all that money someone invested, get a great handbag at a cheap price and ALL the proceeds will go toward our Haiti Orphanage we are partnering with and will be buying their beds and furniture next month for our trip to Haiti that many of us are taking. The kids are sleeping on the floor right now and eating with no table or chairs. Let's buy those purses Ladies. BTW, this idea came from a 5 year old of one of our Oasis families. I'll share that story another time.. * Chick Fil-A Leadercast is Friday, May 4 from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost is $75. Sign up online! This is a great way to invite your work associates who really want to take their leadership or business to the next level. This is a great opportunity Oasis has to host this for men and women in our business community. I hope you will get your tickets this week after each service at the info booth in the lobby or online. Have a great weekend and I'll see you guys at Porn and Pancakes. Ladies we will see you and the family at one of our 4 services this weekend, for Man Up Part 3. It's going to be a great weekend. Guy

 

Pastor's Weekly Email Newsletter for April 22, 2012

Dear Oasis Extended Family, I am going to get right to the facts and detail of what is important to share with you this week. There is so much going on! None of my normal chit chat today! I'm sure you are glad! This weekend I will bring the second part of our "Man Up" series. The title of my message is "Breaking the Cycle of Bondage" This is aimed at the males but will be appropriate for all the family since it deals with addictions and how to break them and deal with them in the lives of your loved ones. I will be sharing for the first time ever via video from various locations MY STORY and how destructive addiction has been in our own family. It's going to be a very emotional weekend for me. Please make sure you or those you love get to one of our four services Saturday night at 6 p.m., Sunday at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and Noon. (If you have family or friends who might need this message and hear my story who are out of town you might recommend they join our International Internet Campus LIVE with us during our 10:30 a.m. and noon service.  Now for all the IMPORTANT THINGS COMING UP: (PLEASE CHECK EACH ONE OUT! THEY ARE REALLY GOING TO BE BIG) This Sunday our SURGE ministry is hosting "Smiles for Haiti" once again!Come and get a family portrait made for just $10 by our extremely talented Beca Companioni. All proceeds go to help our teens go to Haiti this summer! LADIES! Need a girl's night? Come to our movie night on Friday, April 27 at 7 p.m. Cost is $5 and you can register online. Childcare is available. Also, remember that we are accepting donations of designer handbags & purses to sell on for our "Helping Handbags" sale on Saturday, April 28 at 9 a.m. If you come to the movie, you can take advantage of the pre-sale! All money will go to our Haiti mission partnerships. Bring a bag to donate or come prepared on Saturday morning to buy one!  MEN! We are having a Porn and Pancakes event on Saturday, April 28 from 9 - 11 a.m. It will be a morning filled with straight talk about porn and the issues surrounding porn. Cost is $10. Register online (Ages 12 and up). This year Oasis is one of the hosts for the Chick-fil-A Leadercast on Friday, May 4 from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Anyone is invited - some great speakers will be sharing including Tim Tebow, John Maxwell, Urban Meyer, Andy Stanley and more! Cost is $75 (includes lunch only) and you can register online. Check out this videoabout the Leadercast! Are you a medical professional with a heart for missions? Even if you aren’t a medical professional, you can join us for a medical mission trip to Haiti May 25 - 28. The cost is $550/person. Tonia and I will be there as well serving at an orphanage - come join us! For more info contact Amina Dubuisson at adubuisson@netzero.net / 305-389-9485 or Rose Toussaint at 305-322-9647. Donations of medications, snacks, kids clothes, money and toiletries are being accepted.   Have a great week, God bless you. See you this weekend! Guy Melton, Pastor P.S. Don't forget to give your tithes and His offerings ONLINE now - it's easy, fast and secure!

 

Thanks............

Today I can only really think of the word “Thankful”. Following this past week’s Easter at Oasis Church I have gone to bed and woke up with only one thing on my mind, and I have opened my day and closed my day with a prayer of thanksgiving. It’s been a long time since I can remember having such a great Easter! All Easters seem to be special, but some stand out like this one.

 

This year our church made 2,500 phone calls to those on our attendance roll. We sent hundreds of post cards and gave out hundreds of Easter Invites. I am assuming hundreds of us Prayed over this past week. There is no doubt all of these things, and many more, contributed to such a great Easter. Not only did we have 1,000 of our people attend the 3 nights prior to Easter in order to make room for those visiting on Easter Morning, but all 3 Easter Morning services were full. Not just full, but the last two saw not only our Community Café and Auditorium full…but the Lobby filled with chairs and people who did not find a seat inside. I could go on and on about this past Easter but I must say the thing that really put the cherry on top of the day was our Beach Baptism and Concert. We baptized more on Easter Sunday this year than we did the entire year last year. We have a lot to thank God about.

 

BTW, many of you did not attend Sunday morning for Easter but we had at least 20 people come to Christ in our last two services. To see them coming down the aisle, many in tears, was a sight that I can’t get out of my mind. I want to thank all of you who prayed and continue to pray for Oasis Church. I also want to thank God for all of those who served in so many ways. It was just an amazing weekend.

 

In light of this, I want to offer up several passages in the Book of Colossians that speak to the subject of the prayer of thanksgiving. First, the Apostle Paul prays a prayer of Thanksgiving for the Colossian Christians. (Colossians 1:3-12) This is my prayer for you and the many who serve at Oasis Church. He goes on in several other places reminding us to be thankful. He then goes on to say that we should not only be devoted to Prayer, but to Thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2, Colossians 3:15, Colossians 3:17)

 

Would you join me this week in praying prayers of Thankfulness not only for what God did on Easter, but for what He continues to do in our lives and in our church, as well as what He will do in the future as we continue to: “Be and Make Disciples”?

Man Up Warrior......... Weekly Pastor's Email

Dear Extended Oasis Family;   Easter! Another one has come and gone and how quickly each year seems to go these days. Each Easter is very special, but this year Easter at Oasis Church seemed to take on a much deeper and profound meaning. It will be one of the Easters in the years to come that stands out to me. Let me share some of my thoughts on Easter. I think you will be pretty excited too!    This year our church made 2,500 phone calls to those on our attendance roll. We sent hundreds of post cards and gave out hundreds of Easter Invites. I am assuming hundreds of us Prayed over this past week.  (Check out this excerpt from a note I received this week from Luann Willix and this is just one of the same type of notes and thoughts like this shared with me this week. "I just wanted to let you know that I think the Easter phone blitz was a huge success.  As I was running around Saturday,  I had several people tell me they were there because of the phone call. Then again Sunday almost everyone that came to the welcome center said they were there because of the phone call. I also wanted to tell you what a great idea the beach baptism was. It was a great end to a wonderful weekend I was so excited because one of our community service workers accepted Christ and was baptized. God is Good! ")   Now for those of you who made phone calls, now you know it was worth it. Did you catch her mentioning one of our community service workers becoming a Christian and being baptized? This is a ministry my son started many years ago and it’s amazing how God has used it. For those of you who tithe and give at Oasis, now you see first hand where God is using your gifts. There is no doubt all of these things, and many more, contributed to such a great Easter. Not only did we have 1,000 of our people attend the 3 nights prior to Easter in order to make room for those visiting on Easter Morning, but all 3 Easter Morning services were full. Not just full, but the last two saw not only our Community Café and Auditorium full…but the Lobby filled with chairs and people who did not find a seat inside. (Thanks for moving to another service last week for those who did. You allowed us to seat everyone Sunday.) I could go on and on about this past Easter but I must say the thing that really put the cherry on top of the day was our Beach Baptism and Concert. We baptized more on Easter Sunday this year than we did the entire year last year. We have a lot to thank God about. BTW, many of you did not attend Sunday morning for Easter but we had more than 20 people come to Christ in our last two services. To see them coming down the aisle, many in tears, was a sight that I can’t get out of my mind. I want to thank all of you who prayed and continue to pray for Oasis Church. I also want to thank God for all of those who served in so many ways and continue to GIVE. It was just an amazing weekend.   This weekend begins a new Series, "Man Up”.  This men’s series is the first one we have done in years but it will be memorable. We aren't going to be bashing you guys. Don’t worry. But we are going to challenge us all to be the Warriors, the Leaders that God has created us to be. Women don’t worry there is going to be plenty in this series you will enjoy and be able to use. You will better be able to love your man when you see how God has created him to be unique and fulfill the role he is made for.  Don’t miss this week.    There is just TOO MUCH going on to be able to share it all here, but let me just list these items and you can check them out in the bulletin this weekend or go online and read more.    *Smiles for Haiti:  Sunday morning, April 22 from 9 am – 1:30 pm in the lobby we will be taking family portraits to help raise money for our SURGE mission trip to Haiti.  They are asking a suggested donation of $10 for the portraits.   BTW, Tonia and I will be going on this trip with our teens and medical team. If you want to join us, then mark your connection card "Haiti Mission Trip". We will contact you.   *“Helping Handbags” Mission for Haiti:  The Oasis Women’s Ministry is hosting a “Handbag” sale on Friday, April 27 (7pm-10pm at the Movie Night) and Saturday, April 28 (9am - Noon).  These are gently used designer handbags at affordable prices.  All proceeds go toward our missionary efforts in Haiti.     * Women’s Ministry presents:  “Movie Night with Girlfriends” April 27, Friday 7 pm – 10 pm Tickets are $5 and can be purchased either on-line or at the Information Center at all services.  Childcare is available upon registration.   *Porn and Pancakes Saturday, April 28th, 9 – 11 am, Cost $10.  Tickets are available on-line or at the Information Center.  This will be a morning filled with straight talk about porn and the issues surrounding porn.    *Chick-fil-a Leadercast is a day of inspiration, learning, connection and more.  Oasis Church will be hosting this one-day leadership event.  Friday, May 4th, 8am-4:30pm, the cost is $75 and you can register on-line atwww.visitoasis.org.    Can’t wait to see you guys this weekend, I love Oasis Church and "U" are Oasis!  I love you.   Guy Melton Senior/Founding Pastor   P.S. Thanks to all of you who tithe and give the Lord your offerings each week. Last week was one of the largest offerings in the past year. We continue to meet our new lean , mean ministry budget. If you haven’t given yet this week you can do it now ONLINE! P.S.S.  For those of you who missed Easter Sunday Service, you can go on-line and catch the last sermon series of“Worst Week”.

 

Easter Email Update........

Dear Guy, What do you do in your darkest hour? I know in the last month we have been discussing our "Worst Week". There is no doubt most of us have had some really bad weeks, months, even years. It’s the time when it’s so Dark that you wonder if you will ever see the sun again. It might be bright and blue skies outside, but inside our minds and hearts it’s just plain Dark.  With a capital "D". I don’t mean to start us out today on such a dark side, but the fact of the matter is that in these days we are leading to the greatest "Light " ever to show forth. The SON who lights our darkness and gives hope to our future, who had the darkest of dark weeks. None of us have ever experienced anything like it. It was actually what allowed Him to give us Light when our "Worst Week" comes. It’s dark right now. It’s going to be dark for a few more days. (Continued HERE) (I shared this Easter post yesterday with our Prayer Partners. I hope you will read it.) LOOK UP  IN  THE SKIES OVER WEST PINES THE NEXT 3 DAYS AND YOU JUST MIGHT SEE SOMETHING ABOUT OASIS! If you do, snap a picture and post it on Twitter or FB and Tag me and you will win a FREE STARBUCKS CARD. Best time is between about 2-5 pm.  EASTER BEGINS TONIGHT!  It's Maunday Thursday. Service begins at 7 p.m. I hope if you are a regular at Oasis you will make tonight, Good Friday or Easter Eve your service to attend. We need as many seats, parking spaces and KidsWorld space as possible for the many guests on Easter morning. All services are identical this week with a few twists such as the Lord's Supper on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and a Saturday night Easter Egg Hunt for the kiddies. All the 411 is right here on the Bunny Video. Watch this short video and it will tell you all you need to know for Easter. Can't wait to see you this Easter Week. Have a great Easter. Can't wait to meet your guest you have invited. Guy Sr. Pastor Oasis Church P.S. Don't forget if you have never been Baptized you can do so this Easter at our Beach Baptism at 6 p.m. Info is in the bulletin this weekend. Don't miss this great opportunity. We will have a Concert by our Oasis Band and Worship Teams following Baptism at the Hollywood Boardwalk Bandshell at 7 p.m. There are Parking Garages at A1A and Hollywood Blvd., Johnson Street and Garfield Street. Arrive early in order to get a parking spot. You can give online right now if you have not yet done so this week.

 

In your Darkest Hour........

What do you do in your darkest hour?  I know in the last month we have been discussing our "Worst Week".  There is no doubt most of us have had some really bad weeks, months, even years.  It’s the time when it’s so Dark that you wonder if you will ever see the sun again.  It might be bright and blue skies outside, but inside our minds and hearts it’s just plain Dark.  With a capital "D".

 

I don’t mean to start us out today on such a dark side, but the fact of the matter is that in these days we are leading to the greatest "Light " ever to show forth.  The SON Who lights our darkness and gives hope to our future, Who had the darkest of dark weeks.  None of us have ever experienced anything like it.  It was actually what allowed Him to give us Light when our "Worst Week" comes.  It’s dark right now.  It’s going to be dark for a few more days.

 

What did Jesus do in His darkest days beginning with tomorrow, the day we now know as Maundy Thursday?  He prayed!  The disciples missed His darkness.  They were of no help. But HE PRAYED.  He didn't only pray a quickie prayer, but he prayed and prayed some more…and then prayed some more.  Why?  He knew what He faced.  I challenge you to read this passage in the Garden where we feel the grief and hopelessness of the coming events.  But He Prayed.  He took of the Bitter Cup assigned Him.

Matthew 26:36-45

 

In His final moments Jesus once again Prayed.  This was no normal prayer, it wasn't even one that we can fully comprehend.  But it is a prayer that, while it was dark and brought on Darkness throughout the world for a season, it was the Prayer that ushers in our HOPE!  The hope of Eternity, the hope of Knowing God, of having the bridge of sin and separation between us and a Holy God repaired.  Read this dark moment, but instead of being down, sad, read it with Hope. That was the entire reason of His Crucifixion.  Without the death there would be no Resurrection, no Easter.  Rejoice!

Matthew 27:45-46  -  From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. ⁴⁶About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,^[c] lema sabachthani?”(which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

I’ll see you this week as we celebrate the Hope we have in Him.

 

 

Your "Jet Blue Moment"

Dear Extended Oasis Family, Watching the "Melt Down" of the Jet Blue pilot was disturbing and yet sad in many ways. I could do a whole email on this but I won't. I just want to ask you, have you ever had a "Jet Blue Moment"? Ok, so you have never brought down an airplane like the pilot did, you've never got caught in a proported lewd act on a busy street corner like the KONY 2012 Producer did two weeks ago. But many of us at some point have felt stress like it was more than we could handle, maybe felt depressed, burned out and totally drained and overwhelmed with life. (If you haven't watched the incredible KONY 2012 Video you should take some time and do it. It's about 30 minutes). WELCOME TO REALITY!!! AND IT'S NOT GETTING ANY BETTER WITH GAS PRICES NOW OVER $4 A GALLON HEADED TO $5, MAYBE $6, AND EVEN HIGHER. FORECLOSURES STILL EMPIDEMIC IN SOUTH FLORIDA AND DAILY JOBS BEING LOST OR THREATENED OR CUT BACKS ON PAY. The list goes on and on!!!! I'm not trying to depress you here, no I am saying, it's not new and there are actually ways to cope with this and even thrive. If you are relying on our Politicians, good luck. You have no hope! In our series "Worst Week" we are looking at how to cope and even overcome in the midst of, during and through your "worst week". If you missed the last two weeks where we looked at Paul and David, you really need to pick up a DVD at our Kona Cafe this weekend, or go online and watch the messages. We all need this and it's a great Biblically Based study with lessons for you and I. This weekend, I will be sharing the 5 Truths we learn through Elijah's nervous breakdown, burn out, flame out, or whatever it was. This is one of the most powerful stories in all the Bible and We can learn from Elijah how to handle our worst week. If you want to read the entire passage we will be looking at this weekend, I encourage you to pull up a chair and take 10 minutes to read 1 Kings 18-19. Now EASTER is almost here! Instead of listing ALL the incredible things we are doing and you need to know about I'll just share this short VIDEO I did that will give you all the 411 on EASTER. PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE watch it right now! And then ACT!  God bless you and I cannot wait to see you this weekend and to share the 5 Truths we can learn from"Elijah's Worst Week" - his Jet Blue Moment! Guy P.S. If you haven't worshiped in your giving back to God this week you can do it right now, ONLINE! Don't forget we have a Giving Kiosk now available in our Community Cafe next to Kona where you can give Safe, Secure and Fast on Weekends.