GuyMelton.com: What Were You Thinking?

No Starbucks, Krispy Kreme or Dandee Donuts!!!!! What do you mean?

Watch this video  shown this week at all Oasis Church Services, to find out why???

Baptistry Update #4 - July 4th, 2008

Here are the latest pics from our new Fountain and Baptistry for our Pines Campus. The Gunite was finished yesterday, and in the next several weeks there will be other additions but most won't be as noticeable as this past week. We will keep you up. If  you haven't seen and read the first 3 updates let me encourage you to do this. It's more than just a Baptistry. Lots of history behind this beautiful pic of an unfinished Fountain and Baptistry.

Thanks to Wallie and Ranelle Walkenhorst for the Latest Pics.

Oasis Weekly Newsletter/July 4, 2008

For those who are not on our Email list at Oasis, I am posting this so our Extended Oasis Family from around the Globe will know what is happening at Oasis Church, South Florida. I hope for those of you who reside outside South Florida have a wonderful July 4th . (The links on the Original email, do not work on this, but you can always go to our Visitoasis.org website or my blog site to find them.  (Unfortunately when I place my Email on the blog, it cuts a few words off the end of the sentence. Sorry) 

Pastor's Email
Dear Guy,   Are you experiencing the Dog Days of Summer yet?  The doldrums?  I hope not. But if you are, I want to share some exciting things happening at Oasis Church. We don't have time to experience the doldrums…too much work to do!!!! If you’re going on vacation or having some extra days off during the 4th of July Weekend, that is awesome!  I hope you will celebrate, relax and be safe. Please remember our soldiers who are stationed around the world, and especially in the war zones, during this Holiday Weekend. Just last night Tonia found out her nephew, Phil Gilmore arrived safely home from Iraq this week after his 3rd tour of duty there in 4 years. His two little girls had this big banner celebrating his return. I pray for the men and women who are there, that they will experience the same honor as they defend the Freedom of America and continue to protect our Independence that we will celebrate this weekend.   I want to share some exciting things with you about our church. Did you know?   Our long-awaited Baptistry Fountainis being gunited (blown concrete) as you read this.  If you are on the Pines Campus tonight or this weekend, you will see the new Baptistry with the roughed out concrete form!  PTL!  Pray for an August completion.  I hope we can baptize more on that first Sunday than ever before.  If you haven’t been baptized, you need to be!!   What an awesome time to do it. KidsWorld Director, Suzie McCord reported this week that their 140 volunteers serve 375 children every week in our services on 3 campuses and during 7NOW…you guys are awesome!!  You are doing a GREAT JOB!! Oasis Church baptized 207 new believers in 2007, who were obedient in following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.  This past week, the day before breaking ground for the new Fountain and Baptistry at our Pines Campus, I received a letter from our denominational office which congratulated Oasis Church for being the 19th ranked church out of almost 3000 churches in Florida, in total Baptisms in 2007.  God has been so good to us. As of this month the faithful givers to Oasis Church have given 2 million dollars toward the ministry of Oasis Church, for the Budget Year that ends on August 31.  I thank God for those who Tithe 10% to the Lord’s work here at Oasis.  You are a major reason God has used Oasis in such incredible ways this past year in North Miami, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and around the world. We do not count attendance very often, but in April the last count that was taken, there were 2,099 who attended our weekly services that week – 200 more than last year.  We will normally have between 2,100-2,300 on any given week worshiping at Oasis Church.  That is remarkable when you consider our limited parking and buildings at our Pines Campus.  Approx. 600-700 of those attending, attend our 7 Nights of Worship Services (7NOW).  Approx. 250 attend our Oasis NoMi and Oasis Hollywood Campuses. Joel Collins, our Tech Director, reported this week that 650 persons have listened to Podcaston our visitoasis.org website.  That is up from 480 last month, which was up almost 200 from the month prior.  There is an increasing thirst to hear God’s word taught in our church, and also, an awareness that it is as easy as clicking on our website and listening to any sermon we preach here at Oasis Church. Oasis Hollywood has a Picnic in the Arts Park scheduled for next Saturday…you’re invited! Oasis North Miamiis planning a BIG Vacation Bible School at the Campus in NoMi July 20-24  -- Sun through Thur evening from 6-9 p.m.   So many more things, but I don’t have time here.  You can go to my blog to check out the most popular Blog Post of the last month, and also to get an update on 3 Staff Members who have said, “So Longggg” to us this past week.  There is also information on lots of other things in my first-ever, Wednesday Dumpon my blog – guymelton.com.   See you this week, and have a happy, safe 4th of July!!  God bless you.  It is a privilege to serve you.   Guy Melton, Pastor Oasis Church
Hollywood Campus Pines Campus N. Miami Campus Prayer Requests www.visitoasis.org

tel 954.433.4838 | fax 954.433.2004 | info@visitoasis.org

Baptistry Update #3 - Awesome Pics

Here are the latest pics.    

Wednesday "What Were You Thinking?" Dump!!!

Haven't done this before but thought I might DUMP some things on you all in one post. I'll try to keep it relatively short. (That word Relatively, is Relative of course)

• Kids World Director, Suzie McCord reported this week their 140 volunteers serve 375 Children every week in our Services on 3 campuses and during 7NOW, YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!!! YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB!!
• Oasis Church Baptized 207 new believers, who were obedient and followed the Example of our Lord Jesus Christ. I received a letter this past week the day before breaking ground for the new Fountain and Baptistry at our Pines campus, from our Denominational office which congratulated Oasis Church for being the 19th ranked church in total Baptisms in 2007 out of almost 3000 churches in Florida. God has been so good to us.
• As of this Month the Faithful Givers to Oasis Church have given 2 Million Dollars toward the ministry of Oasis Church for the Budget year that ends on August 31st.  I thank God for those who Tithe (10% ) to the Lord's work here at Oasis. You are a major reason God has used Oasis in such incredible ways this past year in North Miami, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines and around the World.
• We do not count attendance very often but in April the last count that was taken there were 2,099 who attended our weekly services that week. We will normally have between 2,100-2,300 on any given week worshiping at Oasis. That is remarkable when you consider our limited parking and buildings at our Pines Campus. Approx. 600-700 of those attending, attend our7 Nights of Worship Services. Approx. 250 attend our Oasis Nomi, and Hollywood Campuses.
• The most-read Blog Posts this past month in case you missed them are in order:  XXX Part 1  For Men Only Please and Part 2, The Secret is Out!!! , Thanks for the Memories, and The Day That Changed My Life FOREVER!!!
• One year of Blogging just passed last week!!!   I cannot believe it's been a year since my first blog post about my Mentor, Mr. Johnson.  400  Blog Postings later (399 to be exact as of this post)  and 54,000 Blog Page Views is something that I have a hard time getting my mind around. I know I bore lots of you in my long posts, but I have to be me!!!! Some I have made mad, but my Blog is named, What Were you Thinking?  I want to thank those of you who have commented (677 of you) even if you haven't agreed with me. When you do agree, the kind words you have written, the verbal encouragements to keep blogging and even the constructive criticism some of you give. Thanks for honoring me with the time you've taken to read my thoughts and sometimes my rantings. It's a privilege to have so many friends and family.  I especially want to thank my boys for their constant effort to keep me humble by their comments on the Blog, and then last but not least, Tonia and her perseverance with having to take the heat for some of the things I write and also the pictures of her I have posted. Tonia, I love you, and thank you for your patience. I love all you guys!!! I'm a blessed man!!

Long Awaited and Worth the Wait!!!!

It's been a long time coming. On the drawing board since we moved into our Worship Building in June of 2000, it has finally arrived. Our first permanent Baptistry at our Pines campus in our 16 year history began to be dug this morning. This is not just a Baptistry but will be a beautiful fountain, and courtyard throughout the week. It's practical, yet beautiful. Those on our Pines campus will see a BIG hole right under the steeple tower when you come to Worship this coming weekend, and weeknight.

I've never seen such beautiful dirt. For years there have been delays and set-backs. The last one was our hurricane Wilma almost 3 years ago. Just finishing our 1/2 Million Dollars in repairs a few months ago, we are now able to focus on this awesome project.

The money has been in the bank for several years now, thanks to the hundreds of families who gave to our 2nd Chapter Offerings in 2005-2006. Along with the Ffnishing of our KidsWorld classes, preparing for our 7NOW, the Fountain and Baptistry are the result of your generous giving. We thank each of you for making it happen. Our goal is to have the Fountain, Baptistry, and courtyard finished in order to begin Baptizing by the end of the Summer. Am I excited or What???? You bet I am!!!!!      

Fathers Day Tribute Video at Oasis

Today we showed a Fathers Day Video Tribute to Dads!!! Joel our Tech Director did a great job of taking some of our pics of the Pastoral team and our kids and put it into a tribute. If you are coming to one of the 7 Nights of Worship you'll see the Video .  (The Link is below)

Just a few notes to look for:

1. The only picture I have of my Father with one of my sons!!! Many of you have heard my stories of my dad. Here he and I am with my middle son Nathan. I think it was at my Grandfathers funeral, His father. Sad, only one picture with his granddad!!!  My dad past away 13 years ago. This fathers day reminded me how important it is I make lots of pics with my kids and even more with my Grandsons!!! 

2. Me with my perm, when i turned 30 years old!!!!! Im thinking of bringing it back, Any one want to vote for that??????????? leave me a comment!!

3. Great pastoral team , I love them and their kids!!! I know you do to!!

4. I hope you had a good day with your dad if he is living locally. I got a call from my boys. Tonia and I had a quiet day after church . Went to Padrinos, had some good cuban food. I came home , took a nap, and went back to 7NOW at Pines Campus.  All my boys are out of town, two live out of town, and  Jim the oldest called from Albany New york tonight. He is there moving his friend there from Hollywood. Jim might be the best friend to his friends of any one I have ever witnessed. Im proud of his loyalty to his friends.

ok, now for the video  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6gTvvvvSqI 

.

Leaders Development Dinner

 Tonight was one of those nights that are just special. I spent about 3 1/2 hours with our Leaders who lead our ministries. 90 Leaders and spouses met to have a great meal prepared by John Adams who leads our Kona Cafe on the Pines Campus.  All 3 Campuses were represented. We don't get to be together very often.

Following the Meal Rev. Bud McCord our Missionary to Brazil gave us an overview of his new book , "The Satisfying Life" which is what our new Series at Oasis Church is based on. Actually it is based on John 15. If your going to be at church this coming weekend or one   of our nightly services , you might want to read this passage. Speaking to our Staff, Deacons/Lay pastors, Church Council, Children's Directors , Worship leaders , Host Pastors , Womens ministry ,First Impressions Captains and Community group leaders Bud challenged us all to live the Abiding Life.  To realize Jesus is in me and I have all I need in life to be satisfied is within me , Jesus Christ. It was refreshing. It was  a time our Leaders who constantly give out , and serve others had a chance to be fed, spiritually as well as physically.

 What a privilege to serve with these great men and women. As I looked around the room, I was just awestruck at the wonderful servant leaders our church is blessed with . I am so blessed to serve as servant leader to this incredible church. I love Oasis Church. Cant wait to see you this coming weekend and week.

XXX For Men Only Please!!! Part 2

If you did not read the first Post, please do so first or this one will not make sense.

After I Posted the first Post on this subject I received several comments and emails. This email from one of our members is the reason that Sexual addiction, or sex outside the bounds of a Marriage is so dangerous. This is the result!!

"I'm not sure I should say anything but I would like for men and women to know how porn destroys souls and relationships.  My 20 year marriage ended because of such addiction and it destroyed our marriage and hurt so many people around us.  As you know, I mourned for my ex-husband when he died , but what I think I mourned more than anything was our marriage that seemed to be second because porn was first (as any addiction).  I think many men think that it's personal and harmless but nothing could be farther from the truth.  As a wife, I felt degraded, helpless, and hopeless."

Now if that is not enough, Read the scripture below!!! For those who choose to fulfill the flesh, First   Corinthians 6 tells us it actually is sinning against his own body.

 12"Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial.

 "Everything is permissible for me"—but   I will not be mastered by anything.

 13..... The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.

14By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself?

 Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh."^[b] 17But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.

 18Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

Nothing in  the Bible prohibits a man from enjoying sex within marriage to our spouse. Actually God gives us an amazing picture of Pure Romance  between a man and woman in the book, Song of Solomon.   Within Marriage there are no boundaries.. . But catch what Hebrews 13:4 says , Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex. (The Message)

I made a commitment 33 years ago June 26, 1975 to love and cherish my wife until death do us part!! I plan to keep that vow. I am proud to say that Tonia is the only woman I have ever had sex with and plan to keep it that way until I die. But there is no guarantee. I have to continue to Guard my heart and think on the right things.  I have to continue to stoke the the fires of love. I have to continue to see my wife as the beautiful person that God made her to be. I cant compare her with the Spray Painted , touched up pictures of models and those who are put out in front of us as men on a daily basis hundreds of times. I am  as passionate about my wife as when I dated her 33 years ago and married that beautiful 19 year old. I desire her, I tell her often how beautiful she is and how much I desire her more today than ever. She is Hotter today than ever, and I want her to know it. Yes, it makes her uncomfortable, she gets a little embarrassed and tries to brush it off. But I mean it and I make sure she knows it!!! Guys , how can we expect our wife to respond to us when we treat them like trash, and they know we are getting our kicks with the Madame Whore, Proverbs talks about.  

Ok, I have lots more to say, but what if your already like the man in Proverbs who is already caught up in the Madame whore of the Internet, magazine, or the prostitute on the street or screen. There is a way out. But you probably cant do it on your own. There are many things offered today for us to maneuver through this death trap. By the way, I have addressed mainly married men, but if your single, this applies just as much. You are not exempt to live as you will if you don't have a wife. Check out the verses I shared, most are for married or single.  

Here is a comment by a single guy, who left a comment on my blog today: "beyond the Internet I know (as a Christian male in the church) it's awfully difficult when our sisters in Christ wear some of the same clothing we'd come to expect the '1 tracked-minded' women of the world.
I go to church to worship & I'm blindsided by body parts & flesh on women that take my mind to places it shouldn't be. It only doubles how difficult it is to stay pure as a Godly man.
I love a challenge, but sometimes I find myself crying out, God...u gotta be kidding me??? (you can read the comment in its entirety on my former post, I linked to above)

So Ladies!!! You ladies who are reading this even though , Its for men only!!! Take it from this guy, you have a duty also to watch you aren't the Madame Whore in the Proverbs, who calls out to the guy on the street, office or even church. I agree with the guy who comments here. As a Pastor it is unbelievable what I have to look at sometimes during my sermon. Some ladies dress like they are trying out for some sleazy magazine. I am not exaggerating, sometimes when our pastoral teaching team is teaching, and you can ask any of them, there are women sitting in the rows just in front of us with 3/4 of their chest exposed and little to the imagination. There is no cultural excuse like some say, or any other excuse. They are selling themselves!!!! Yes, in church!!! Ladies, please help us!!!

So ladies that is one way you can help us. Dress modestly, like scripture teaches. If your married give your husband the same respect and love you gave him when you dated him. Keep yourself the best you can physically. Stroke his ego, encourage him, build him up. (Go to our website and listen to the message on "Keeping the Sizzle in Marriage") While this doesn't guarantee your husband wont go chasing the Madame Whore on the Internet or else where , I believe he will be far less inclined to. NOW LADIES AREN'T YOU GLAD YOU KEPT READING THIS POST!!!! GOTCHA!!

Here are some tips that will  help :

• Focus on the Family Website, has anonymous  telephone counselors and lots of materials that will help.
• There are  Christian counselors, at Sheridan House Ministries.
• Find an accountability partner.
• Covenant Eyes software that holds you accountable for sites you go to.
• Have at least one person who can check your computer at anytime. I have several , and one is my wife who has my passwords and can check my acct at anytime. Any man with a wife should share his passwords with her and hers should be shared by you.  Im glad to know that God isn't the only one who can look over my shoulder at where im going on the computer.
• Cut out the Movie channels that don't have family movies, I found you save lots of money also. Ladies encourage your husband to do this.
• Keep your computer in a public place and not in a private room where you are alone
• These are practical things, but honestly, they aren't fool proof and we cant do these things without making sure we are Abiding in Christ and He in Us!!! Good Timing , we begin the Satisfying Life this week at Oasis Church. This alone will be a BIG Step!!!

7NOW Service Thursday Night Update

Just wanted to share this update Chris Hughes our Worship Pastor and Interim Youth Pastor sent tonight after Surge/Youth and the Adult 7 Nights of Worship Service. God is good!!! HAVE YOU TRIED ONE OF OUR 7 NIGHTS OF WORSHIP?

Wow!  What a great night.  We had 148 there tonight.  81 in Surge and 29 in all kids areas and the rest adults.  We had 5 teens accept Christ tonight.  Here are their names:  ( I took their last names off since this is a public blog)

 

Nick

Giovanni

Erica

Jessica

James

Great spirit of worship.  Bryan did an amazing job of leading worship.  We started camp promo tonight.  We prayed over Ron Remer and his coming surgery.  We also had a ton of teens volunteer for areas that we need some help in on Thursday's.  I am so pumped about what God is doing on Thursday nights right now!!!

 

A point of clarification for those who don't know Ron Remer . He is our Thursday night Host Pastors for the Adult group. He is having major surgery this coming week  

I know he and Tam would appreciate your prayers.  

BY THE WAY, THIS PAST SUNDAY AT OUR PINES CAMPUS OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL GROUP THAT MEET AT 10 AM,  HAD 51 KIDS AND 10 YOUTH WORKERS. SOME OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL TEENS ACTUALLY TEACH!!  JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO, WE HAD 20 IN THIS GROUP.  THAT WAS UP FROM ABOUT 10-15 THE YEAR BEFORE. GOD IS DOING SOME INCREDIBLE THINGS IN OUR TEENS LIVES!!!!!!