GuyMelton.com: What Were You Thinking?

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

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!!

Waldo has been Found!!!!!!!!!

Last week was an awesome time with my wife. We visited New England. I would have loved sharing each day, but I was really trying to be good and not spend my time working. But , I must say I'm paying big time this week. It's been non-stop. But wanted to let those who have been googling all week trying to find "Waldo". Well, the pic's below will share a little of our wonderful week, and also remind you that you must "come apart" or you will "come apart". Even Jesus got away from the everyday stress to rest. What do you have planned? Doesn't have to be exotic, or expensive.

Our first two nights were in Kennebunkport, Maine . Stayed in the Maine Stay B&B. Tonia and I love them. This was for our Anniversary, which by the way is today, June 26, 1975. 7:00 p.m. Thursday night, 33 years ago.

Boothbay Harbor -- next stay up the Maine Coast, not far from the first place the sun rises each day in the United States. The sun came up about 4:30 a.m. each morning. Just about the same time Tonia and I normally get up and begin our day!!! Right!! This pic is where Bobby Flay did his Crab Throw Down, The Lobster Dock. We came home and Weds. night the throw down was on the Food Channel. It will be on again this month. I'll look for the dates. Worth the visit if you're in the area!!! This was taken in Ted Williams Fav Resturant in Warrick, Rhode Island. My good friend and Lay Pastor at the Hollywood Campus, Chuck Mahoney, in the Pic, took us there.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Loved the city and having some time with Chuck. We love to argue Politics and Sports. But we try to keep it civil. But have you ever tried to have a civil conversation with a Red Sox, Celtic and Patriots fan? Just won't happen. Thanks Chuck for the bed, and the beautiful view of the Bay. Had lots of Lobster Rolls while there. Here I am basking in the 60 degree afternoon after eating at the Clam Shack, featured on Rachel Ray's Show. Stayed in Bar Harbor, Maine which is at the entrance of the Acadia National Park. The Park was the main reason we drove toward Northern Maine's Coast. Unfortunately the Park was awesome and beautiful but it had fog roll in and the incredible rocky coast you could not see. That was about the only disappointment we had the entire trip.  

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Are you This Person?????????

Well I'm back, and after only one Post last week while on Vacation, I am loaded and ready to dump a lot this week. So as I get time, plan to hear from me lots!!! You're forewarned!!!!!

This morning as I was reading in Proverbs as I do every day, I came across a verse I have read a million times...OK, only 500,000 times(!), but it stood out today. Isn't it funny as you read God's word, sometimes the same passage over and over, how God shows you something different that day?

Proverbs 25:14 in the Message (Paraphrase) says, "Like billowing clouds that bring no rain is the person who talks big but never produces."

How many folks do you know like this??? Probably many. As a Pastor I see them all the time. They come in, they talk big, they tell everyone what they should be doing, and try to impose their will and ideas on everyone else. But then they walk away and leave you to do it for them!!! This verse usually summarizes a person like that!!!!!!

James 1:22 (New International Version) 22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says  

The King James Version puts it this way, "Doers of the Word and not Hearers only"  

Look in the mirror!!! Are you one who does this? We can all be guilty of it!! I love the story of a new family who just joined our church last week. Pastor James Brown told me this morning they showed up at our  weekly, Tuesday night Christmas Decorating night to begin to prepare Christmas light figures for the fall. Brand new folks, the whole family!! No fan fare, no "We are here to tell you guys how to do church, or Christmas". They just showed up and SERVED!!!! What a beautiful example of being "Doers " of the Word. I am so glad to know we have a church full of Oasis Family who are like that.

While we are talking "Abiding" this month!!! A little reminder!! A person who truly Abides, will have the Fruit of the Spirit in their lives!! They will be Doers of His Word!!! But that is next week's sermon, so I better stop now!!! 

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!!!

BUSTED AND THE SECRET IS OUT!!! Email Newsletter

For those who follow our Blog but are not in our Oasis Church Family here in South Florida, below is our newsletter I Sent out today . I get so many who like to keep up with Oasis, this is my way of keeping you in the loop. Just a reminder, the typepad format cuts off the end of the line, so you complete the sentence. The links on the email letter will not work from here. Sorry!!!

Pastor's Email
Dear Extended Oasis Family;   Happy Father’s Day out there to all the guys who are Dads!!! We salute you, and thank God for those Dads seeking to lead their families in a Godly Way. Father’s Day Weekend is the perfect time to kick off a new Series "The Satisfying life".Our Guest Speaker this weekend, the following weekend and in our 7NOW Services is Rev. Bud McCord our Missionary from Brazil. He has a newly released book on this subject and we are the first ones to have an opportunity to get it. Much more about Bud and the new Series on our Website!!    I love having a great church website and also a personal blog.  I could never get all the great things out about what's going on at Oasis without our website. And I would never be able to share from the pulpit with such limited time all that is going on in my life and in my MIND!!!! Hence, What Were You Thinking? Whether you want to know all I am thinking or not, it’s on my blog!!!! Some I could never mention from the pulpit, or should I say, would choose not to.  Here are just some of What I Have Been Thinking this week: The Secret is Out  I've been BUSTED!!!!!!!!!! The Satisfying Life!! XXX For Men ONLY!!!!! Waxing Nostalgic I am a Pack Rat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   So I invite you to go to www.guymelton.com and find out what I am thinking. You might like it, you might not…but it is what I am Thinking!! Oasis Church has some pretty phenomenal things happening you don’t want to miss, so check them out: Need to Cool off this Summer?  Check out Kona Father’s Day Fun and More at NoMi!!!  Revolution Summer Theater Camp for kids…3 Choices All the Way from Brazil Surge Youth are on the Road this summer KidsWorld Update and Mr. Eric!!!!! 7 Nights of Worship, and Free Pizza, Free Cappucinos and Lattes, only certain nights!!! Check it out!!! A story of Community Oasis Shirts for men and women still available online And so much more..................................... I am so excited about this weekend as we kick off The Satisfying Lifewith Rev. Bud McCord!! Come prepared to be blessed and challenged and get your Study Workbook at Kona while you’re here. For 7NOW services you will have the books available also. This week in preparation, I have been reading the key text for our Series every day. Let me encourage you to Read John 15 before coming this week to service. God bless you and have a great weekend, and once again to the Dads, Happy Father’s Day!!! I love you guys. It is a blast to do life with you at Oasis Church.  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

XXX For Men Only, Please!!!!!!!!!!!!

This blog post is only for the Men. I want to have a heart to heart about something I realized a few days ago, that I had not addressed on my blog. "What Were You Thinking ?" is  the name. I try to be true to this in sharing what I am thinking. In my role as Pastor of Oasis Church I cannot always say the things I can on my personal blog. Or many times I choose not to.

The subject I am discussing is Sexuality. While reading another Christian blog this week the guy mentioned several sensitive subjects he has only addressed a few times, just because he is uncomfortable discussing them. Well it hit me, I don't think I have touched the subject of Male Sexuality even once this past year. It needs to be discussed. Why? Well we have an epidemic in the Church among mainly men in the way of unhealthy sexuality. It is sexual addiction. I do believe it is epidemic from all the signs I see and observe. I can give countless examples of good men who have been caught up in Immoral Sexual Addiction. Now don't get me wrong, I don't believe Sex is bad. That goes without saying it was actually invented by God himself, for our enjoyment. And most of us, as men, Enjoy it.

Where it concerns me is when it goes outside the bounds of marriage. As I was reading the Proverbs recently, which I do every day, I was reminded of the danger of letting sexual immorality creep into my life. In Proverbs Chapter 9 the Message calls her Madame Whore. She  sits on the porch on Main Street and calls out to the passer by and lures him in.  Proverbs 5 warns against the Seductive Woman, her words are smooth, soft and sweet!!! It also reminds those of us who are married to continue to enjoy the wife of our youth. 

Now most of us don't identify with this ancient proverb even when its written in a contemporary paraphrase, but let me break it down to what it could mean today. While the day of the prostitute waving most men down on US 1, or as the Proverb says, Main street doesn't seem to relate to most of us, (most men I know probably would never step into an adult bookstore/video shop) there are still the prostitutes sitting on the porches and the madame whores that are just as dangerous today. They are in our homes...the cable movie channels that most excuse as entertainment. We actually bring the Whore into our homes. The Internet!!! Never has Satan had a better way to grab us with the Prostitute and Whore the Bible speaks about than on the Internet.  It is so easy. It can happen before we know it. It can happen even if we don't look for it.

Just recently I was doing some googling of a very benign subject. I came across a church website in the list and was curious why it showed up. Well, when I clicked  it!! I t had some of the most pornographic pictures you can imagine. It was sickening. Under a church website. I had to make a very quick decision. Did I want to do a little research or move on?!!! It was an eye opener in more than one way. It reminded me how dangerous my computer is. How easily I can be sucked in to the Madame Whore that Proverbs is talking about. I do a lot of reading of Christian blogs and some secular ones. I visit a lot of church sites and ministry sites. But at anytime this can happen.

Now you say, "Pastor but you wouldn't be tempted"!! You've got to be kidding. I don't know of any healthy man who is not tempted at some point. The only men I have known who are not tempted and attracted sexually to a beautiful woman at times are those who are attracted to men. Pretty straight forward but guys, it can happen to any one of us. We are all tempted, let's be honest. We must put ourselves in the position not to fall. This is not easy when the Prostitute has moved into our offices, homes and computers. We must be Abiding in the fullness of God's Spirit to have a chance. It can be done but it isn't easy.

Now honestly, as a young man of 18 madly in love with my beautiful young girlfriend, who has now been my wife for 33 years this month, it was hard to not be tempted. But if you would have told me at 52 years of age I can still be tempted I would have said you're crazy!! I have the same desires and drive now as then. Age hasn't made a difference. The point I make is don't think with age you'll just get over it. No, as men God made us to be aroused by a beautiful woman with our eyes. That is the way it is. So we must constantly be on guard. I'm very concerned that many men are on the verge of losing it all because they have been caught by the Prostitute of Porn or Adultery. By the way, I have never met a man who was caught up in Adultery who did not have a Pornography addiction. Mark it down, you are in grave danger, if you're there.

There are no good excuses. We can always find an excuse and justify our actions. I have heard them all. She is a nagger, she is cold, won't have sex enough for me. She doesn't keep care of herself.  She has gained so much weight. She just isn't affectionate anymore. We can make all the excuses, guys. The simple fact is that God calls on us to live a pure life. It is not about her. It's about me and God. Are we abiding in Him? Is His spirit in control of my thoughts, eyes and actions?  Psalms 101:3 (Message) says "I refuse to take a second look at corrupting people and degrading things." When I live by this I honor God and I honor my wife. 

(Ok, I will come back tomorrow and finish my thoughts, and also give some links that might help some who are dealing with these issues. I'll also share some very practical things that will help each of us to avoid the temptation, or when it comes how we can escape giving in)  

 Ok, Ladies, I knew you couldn't stand it and would peek. You are so nosy!!! So if you did, make sure you read tomorrow's blog post because you can be a help to your mate in this area.

NOW FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT WANT TO CRITICIZE ME FOR MY TITLE XXX. I FIGURE IF I COULD GET TRAPPED BY A PORNO SITE  on a Google Search WITH The NAME OF A CHURCH MAYBE A MAN THAT IS TRAPPED BY PORNOGRAPHY MIGHT GOOGLE XXX AND GET THIS POST AND IT MIGHT HELP ONE MAN. WHO KNOWS!!!!!!   GOT YOUR ATTENTION !!!!!.

Bud McCord to Speak This Week at Oasis

This weekend and next week we have two very special guests with us. They are Bud and Pam McCord. The McCords are missionaries to the country of Brazil, and one of the missionaries our church supports each month. If you are a faithful giver to our missions budget then you have a part in their ministry in Brazil. Bud will be speaking for our services the next two weekends and weeknights in our 7 Nights of Worship. He is a gifted teacher and preacher. You will be inspired and also challenged to take your Christian life to another level. As a church we will be studying the new book Bud has written based on the principles of John 15. I hope you will pick up the Study Book, The Satisfying Life. For those who want to go even deeper, you can pick up his brand new book just off the presses on the same topic. For more info. on the McCords and Bud's new book, go to our Church Website. There is also a link to their ministry site at www.visitoasis.org

 

Bud and Pam returned to Brazil in July of 2005. From 1987-2005 Bud led a team of over 130 staff as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of West Hollywood, Florida and President of Hollywood Christian School. Bud assumed the pastorate of F.B.C. after serving from 1979-1987 as a church planter in Brazil with Pam and their four children. Abide Ministries is a new and exciting ministry for Bud and Pam.

 

The church Bud led while in the United states, is my home church and the one I served at for 13 1/2 years prior to starting Oasis Church in September of 1991. Bud and that church  were  the ones who sponsored us to begin Oasis. Our debt of gratitude and love run deep.

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Weekly Newsletter/Politics,Going Green, Al Gore

For those who do not receive my weekly email on Thurs/Friday, I am attaching it here. There have been some who have mentioned recently, they have not been receiving them anymore, we think there may have been some spam problems with certain internet providers. If you would like to be put on our list to receive the weekly email, please send me your email address, at guym@visitoasis.org

Pastor's Email
Dear Guy, What a messed up world we are living in!!!!! Sorry to start off with such uplifting words, but it does seem to be such a messy place right now. Suicide Bombers, terrorist attacks daily, the Hurricane (cyclone) in Myanmar/Burma and now Earth Quakes in China killing thousands. What a sad week and I haven't even mentioned what's going on in our country. But if you want to have some Good News, Hurricane Season in South Florida doesn't begin for two more weeks!!!!!! Enjoy Paradise!!!!! It is for all the reasons above our Church is named Oasis Church. We really do want to be a "Refreshing Place" in a desert of troubles and problems. We all have troubles, we are going through Cyclones of our own. No doubt, that's the human condition. But I want our church to be that one place people can come in from the storm and experience some peace, albeit it for just an hour or two. That is why we offer 13 services, 3 campuses, that include 7 Nights of Worship each and every week. People literally come to church every night, just looking for some peace from the Tsunami they are experiencing. I meet them almost every night I attend. Sometimes I attend a night just because I have had a bad day and just want to worship with some other believers and hear from God. Have you ever come on a night just for that? That is why we offer our Kona Cafe. Soon we will have free WiFi in Kona. We want folks to come and be able to just hang out. Maybe with someone, or maybe just by yourself, with a book, a computer, iPod, or just to sit and have some coffee or a snack. I want our Church to be that "Third Place" you hear so many talk about. For many it's Starbucks. That's fine, but what's better than to have a Third place that has spiritual food, a hug, and some love???? At this point only our Pines campus has the 7 nights and Kona, but my vision is for all campuses to have an "Oasis"; a third place feel every night/day of the week. I can't wait until our Hollywood campus can open an Oasis in the middle of downtown Hollywood; my hope is on the Boulevard itself. My prayer is that Oasis church can be that "Spring of Living Water" that the bible speaks about. Water to the thirsty traveler, the weary Mom and the still water to those who need it. Have you invited anyone lately to the "Oasis"? Why not this weekend or next week on one of the Nights of Worship? A few things to remember this week. We are looking for some folks who are willing to step up and help our church continue to be an Oasis to those who come by leading or hosting a Community group. Pastor Pat Roberts is hosting an Orientation Meeting next week for those who are willing to just listen and consider. Our Women's Ministry is hosting a Mentoring Coffee this Sunday for those ladies who are interested in taking your Spiritual Life to the next level. This mentoring ministry is new but has had great first session results. If you are interested in attending the Orientation for this check out the article on our website. The Classics Continue this Weekend and 7NOW. We conclude this series with the Classic "Terminator" story!!! Samson, the Samsonator!! If you want to prepare yourself for the message, I suggest you click on BIBLE GATEWAY and read some of the passages we will be looking at in Judges 14-16. Next Week Begins our GOING GREEN SERIES, which leads me to some things I really want you to check out on my blog, this week. Most Important Request Yet!!! Go to my blog home page and sign up just under my picture to have my blog posts emailed to you when they're updated. That way you don't have to wonder if I have anything new and waste your time looking it up. I would love to have you on my blog email!! Thanks to Kevin McCord for fixing me up with this. Kevin is the smartest person I have ever known!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Politics, Hmm!!! Not Pleasant!!! Please read our Church's policy on this, with the Political season heating up!!!! Al Gore Where are you????? I'm Going Green  The Thunderbird Wow!!!! So much to share, along with Myanmar Disaster update, our Surge Prom Alternative, Text Messages of why we love our Moms and Mission to Haiti. After writing this I'm tired and also excited...can you be both at one time? I love serving Jesus. It is an exciting adventure. Every day is a new day, full of opportunities to make a difference!!!! Are you making a difference today, or just existing?! Lets go out and make a difference. I love you guys. I love serving with you. God bless and I cannot wait to see you this weekend or next week at 7NOW. Guy Melton, Pastor Oasis Church
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Al Gore Where are You? Oasis Bulletin

Attached is the Oasis Church bulletin for the coming week. I wonder how many would print it off and not need to get one on Sunday or at one of our 7 Nights of Worship? We are talking "Going Green" the next couple of weeks. This would help the Enviroment!! Save Oasis some $$!!!! Al Gore would be so proud of us!! By the way, I'm still trying to get Al Gore to come visit us during the "Going Green" series. I can't get him to call me back. I would love to interview him for that Sunday and ask him how he SAVED the Planet. Now that would be an interview. Anyone know his cell phone number?  Inside track to get him. Assure him we will keep the Conservation up, and give him our normal fee for guests!!! 20 GREEN BACKS!!!!  That might buy one gallon of jet fuel for his private plane. But we will buy him a coach ticket, if he really wants to "Go Green" with us!!

Hey, see you this Week!! Last of the "CLASSICS" BEFORE "GOING GREEN"!!!!!

Download bulletin_may_1723_2008.pdf