GuyMelton.com: What Were You Thinking?

Pastors weekly Oasis Church Update............... September 19, 2010

To our Extended Oasis Family, below you will find our weekly update email. I hope your having a great September and looking forward to Fall as we are in South Florida, albeit a little different than most places in the world. If your links dont work, you can go to our visitoasis.org page or my blog post on other pages, and probably get to where you need to go. Sometimes the format I paste and clip the email from doesnt work for all computers. It also cuts a few words off for some. Sorry about that. Getting it to you is more important than a few little details;)  This update might have more information and announcements about new ministries beginning than anytime in our 19 year history. So sit back, grab a drink and enjoy hearing about all that God is doing in South Florida. (soon to be around the world. you will find out more when you watch the video) God bless you and thanks for being part of the Extended Family.

BTW, one of the things that did not make the email is our first ever 5k Run/Walk, on Saturday , October 30th. If your interested in being a part of it, or giving toward the Mission to Haiti, click on here, and you will find out all you need to know.  Have a great weekend.

Dear Extended Oasis Family; Nineteen years ago this Sunday, Oasis Church began. On September 15, 1991 my family and nine other adults began a journey that has been incredible. This new baby church started on the Pines campus in the little Trailer building there today which houses most of our offices. I will never forget the excitement and the "Fear" I felt that day when we stood in an unpaved rock parking lot, next to a trailer not finished and no electricity, next to a tent waiting to see if anyone would show up. They did and for 19 years God has added to the church not only here on the corner of Flamingo and 14 Street but also in Downtown Hollywood and North Miami. Soon He will take the Oasis Mission to "Be and Make Disciples" literally around the world through our new Internet Campus, located in South Florida. It officially launches live on Sunday morning, October 31. Much more to come. I will forever be indebted to the First Baptist Church of West Hollywood, their pastor Bud McCord and the First Baptist Church of Ojus and their late pastor Jim Washer for the support and belief in me and our vision to reach Pembroke Pines. Now that vision is in two counties, multiple locations, 14 services and soon to be around the world. God has been good. This year we will not celebrate much since we have so much we are launching even as I type this week. Next year on our 20th Anniversary, we will blow it out.  (For those who are new, you can check out the blog post I did last year with all our history from day one).   Speaking of all that is happening, if you attended any service at any campus this past weekend, you were probably overwhelmed with all that is about to "Kick Off" around Oasis this fall. Someone said it was like drinking out of a Fire Hydrant! LOL. Soooooo, I decided we would devote the rest of this weekly newsletter to breaking down all the new things happening around Oasis so you will be able to digest it a little more. We'll also include the videos that correspond with each announcement! You really don't want to miss this fall, beginning with today. Please check it all out: We are in the process of redesigning our web site. It will have a new and fresh look, be easier to navigate and we are amping up our Facebook page BIG TIME. Good news: You don’t have to be a member of Facebook to see our page…but why not join Facebook and be part of the community there? It’s free and you can be as involved as you want to be. You will see updates from us, insider information, videos, pictures and more! Plus you’ll get to connect with other Oasis attenders! Join today and Like our page! Our Internet Campus will be kicking off on Sunday, October 31! We also announced that John Adams, who has served faithfully at our Hollywood Campus and has served in countless other ways, will now be assuming the role of Internet Campus Pastor. You can read more about John here. Christmas at the Oasis 2010 will be bigger and better than ever! Christmas is back and we are ready to once again serve our community with our free Christmas light display and drive-thru. This year, though, we are adding some things. Our Creche (Nativity) Display, under the direction of Debby Brown, will be attempting to break the Guiness World Book of Records for the highest number of Creche Displays in one place! Currently the record is 1,802. We believe we can beat it, but we need YOUR help. We need all of our Oasis members and attenders to commit to donating your creche displays for just 2 weeks at the beginning of December. Together we can beat the record! We will also be adding a Christmas Village which includes an ice skating rink! The Village will also house some other surpises. We will also have several photo opportunities around the campus with a professional photographer to help make memories with your family. 7 Nights of Worship (7NOW) is changing its name to Oasis After Hours! With the name change come other changes to some of the nights. Monday night – COME HUNGRY – In-depth Bible studies on various topics with one of our Pastors. Tuesday night – COME THIRSTY – Bible studies for those who want to explore the basics of the Christian faith. Wednesday night – WEEKEND ON WEDNESDAY – Our midweek service with live worship and message from the previous Sunday. Thursday night – COLLIDE – Collide is a young adults ministry that targets singles, students and families ages 18-30. We are a collision of Worship, Community and Mission. (Any age is welcome, though our focus is young adults). Friday night – SURGE – We are Students Under a Real God Experience. We come together to know more about God, enrich our walk with a personal Savior and connect with other teens just like you! (Adult message and worship also available). Saturday and Sunday nights – NEW TIMES – Saturday and Sunday evenings will now begin at 6 p.m. and they are both LIVE services. Childcare is available up to 5th grade for all evening services except Sunday evening (only available thru 5 years of age). We announced another new staff member, Garfield Lowe. Garfield has been attending and serving our church for many years at our Hollywood Campus and now he will be serving at Pines as part of our Pastoral team. He will be working in many different areas including Christmas at the Oasis, Oasis After Hours and more. Welcome Garfield! You can read more about Garfield here. Well that is it for this week. Hope you don't feel like you just drank out of a "Fire Hydrant" ;). I can't wait to see you Sunday as we continue our new series "Just Live It", a Study in the Book of James. Workout #2. This is going to be the perfect study for the fall. Please don't miss a week. Guy Melton Pastor Oasis Church http://www.guymelton.com http://www.visitoasis.org tel 954.433.4838 | fax 954.433.2004 | [email protected] To discontinue receiving these emails send an email to [email protected]. Please indicate whether you want to opt out of all church communication or just these emails.

Coming from Haiti, Pastors Weekly Email, Sept.12, 2010

This weeks update comes from Haiti. I am back now and had an incredible trip. I have lots to share about Haiti in the weeks and months ahead. This is not going to be just a short term missions trip like most churches take. It will be a longterm relationship with Teams and individuals coming and going I hope eventually on a weekly basis. It will take a sustained effort to make the kind of impact needed in this country.

This weekend is the Big NFL Football Kick Off. At Oasis Church this is our BIG KICK OFF Weekend and week. There is more to go over than we have ever done before. So this weekend, we will devote a part of our Service sharing with you all the different new Ministry changes .  If your extended Oasis Family, thanks for Praying for Oasis South Florida and all that God continues to do here.

Dear Guy, As you receive this week's Pastor's email, I will be on the ground in Haiti and making my first of what I think will be many visits over the next couple decades. I have known God has been leading us to Haiti for some time. I just wasn't sure what He was wanting Oasis to be involved in. With so many needs in a country like Haiti, it can be overwhelming. Even before the earthquake in January I knew God wanted us to have a long term, sustaining work in Haiti, I just wasn't sure. Now God is leading us to partner with some native ministries along with a ministry here in Broward County. I am very excited about the long term partnership. I am not ready to go into detail, but over the next couple of months you are going to begin to hear a lot about what God is going to use Oasis Church to be involved in. We have so many wonderful Haitian Oasis families, it is only natural it should be one of our target ministry areas of our Value of Mission.  More later. Thanks for your prayers while here. I will be back for the Weekend Kick off services. (Just a reminder, that the format used for my email doesnt always fit on the typepad blog format, so there might be a few Words cut off at the end of the line.)   This weekend, we will celebrate the "Kick Off" of what I believe is not only one of the most exciting falls ever, but it will have long term implications on our ministry and our ministries outreach and ministries of Worship, Community, and Mission. If you can't sense my excitement for this weekend, I don't know what to do. I am so excited I can hardly wait. Wednesday night I met with the Key Leaders who lead our Ministries around much of Oasis, and came out of that meeting more excited than ever.   We will be unveiling so much this weekend. I'm telling you, you better come prepared to really get excited. DON'T FORGET DURING OUR KICK OFF SERVICES, WE ARE ALL WEARING OUR "TRUE COLORS"! THIS MEANS WEAR YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM JERSEY OR SHIRT. It will be fun. I can't wait to trash the Gators!!! If you're a Gator fan and think you're really tough enough to take my Trash Talking Sunday, then bring it on. Each Campus will share Campus-specific Kick Off Plans, as well as at all Campuses.   One of the exciting things is what is changing during our 7 Nights of Worship. I can't tell you the Big changes, but I can tell you that Monday and Tuesday nights, we begin a new study on both nights. Monday night we will begin an exciting study in the book of Galatians called, “The Great Deception.” Chaplain Randy Marshall will be leading this unique study in the book of Galatians.  On Tuesday night, we will have a fantastic study that is hosted by Rick Warren, of "Purpose Driven Life " fame and Charles Colson of "Prison Fellowship". Both will lead out in this popular film discussion of "Wide Angle" Framing your World View. In a day of mixed signals from leaders and a culture becoming more and more secular Christians need to evaluate our World view. These two great teachers will open the sermon and then we will have one of our Pastors teach on this subject and lead in a discussion time. Both nights are meant to be not only Worship but also a more in-depth teaching of the Word than we are able to do on the Weekends. I hope many of you will choose one of these two new Sermon Series on Monday and Tuesday night.   "Discover Oasis" this Sunday at our Pines Campus following our noon service at 1:30 p.m. If you want to be a part of Oasis Church or just find out who we are and why we do what we do and what we believe and where we are heading, then this introduction to Oasis Church is for you. So if you attend the Pines campus, make sure you sign up online, or at church Sunday for this special complimentary Dinner and meeting with our pastors and lay leaders. Enjoy a meal, and a time of fellowship. This is always one of my favorite things each time we hold these dinners.   "Just Live It", a study in James, begins this Sunday along with our Kick Off announcements. This is my favorite book of the New Testament. I call it the Proverbs of the New Testament. This study will be relevant and life changing. Don't miss this opening message of the 6-week series this Sunday and next week at 7NOW. (See website for nights that the weekend message is brought).   Baby Dedication Sign up is quickly coming to a close. If you want your baby dedicated next week, Saturday , Sept. 18, you must sign up today. Go online, and see the guidelines for Baby Dedication and how to sign up.   "One More Drop" well drilling update is on my blog. Check it out. Thanks to the many of you who made this trip to Africa and the training of those who will continue drilling water for villages who have no clean water.   North Miami Campus is studying James not only on Sunday but during their weekly, Wednesday Bible studies. You can get the scoop on our Web page.   KidsWorld is sponsoring a Salvation and Baptism class next Monday. For more info about the class and how to register go to the KidsWorld page on visitoasis.org.   The Hollywood Campus is sponsoring a special KidsWorld "Wild West" party this Sunday in celebration of the "Kick Off" of our new ministry year. If you haven't been to the Hollywood campus lately. Check it out. A great time is in store.   Our Israel Trip in February of 2010, continues to sign up those going on this trip of a lifetime. Each week more people tell me they've signed up and are going with us. I hope if you can possibly afford to take this trip you will. You will get the trip of a lifetime for what many will spend on a cruise or just another vacation. I will tell you this trip will change the way you view life, your bible and your Christian walk. You will NEVER forget the time in the Holy Land. You're welcome to check out the details here.   Once again, there is so much happening that I can't begin to share it all. DON'T MISS SUNDAY OR YOU WILL BE SO SORRY. I PROMISE, THERE ARE GOING TO BE SOME REALLY EXCITING THINGS ANNOUNCED. God bless you and see you Sunday, or one of the Nights next Week for 7NOW.   Guy Melton Pastor Oasis Church http://www.guymelton.com http://www.visitoasis.org tel 954.433.4838 | fax 954.433.2004 | [email protected] To discontinue receiving these emails send an email to [email protected]. Please indicate whether you want to opt out of all church communication or just these emails.

Kenya Well drilling update for "One More Drop"

Below is the first of several updates from Corey on his first  Water Well Drilling mission with "One More DDrop". Later this week, he will be putting up some video and also pics of the team they trained while there.  Thanks to all the Oasis Church Family who gave towards making this trip and all the equiptment and training that is now in Kenya so many more wells will become a reality. 

  "I am back in the states after spending 10 days in Kenya training 5 very capable and incredible guys from all over the country.  I have tons of videos and photos to edit so I can give a full report and update from the trip.  All in all, the trip was a success!  The men we trained are still in Kenya working hard on finishing the well that we started in Ahero.  They Have drilled 95 feet and have 20 feet of water on the well.  They are very close to dropping the pipe and setting the pump.  I am very proud of the hard work that they are doing and cant wait to receive photos and videos of the well being completed soon.  Thank you SO much to all who prayed for us and supported us to go on this trip.  You're efforts were not in vain.  Also, one of our team members came to receive Christ while at a church service in Kisumu.  With Living water being the focus of all we do with One More Drop, it was incredible to see one of our own invite the Lord into his life and receive his own well that will never dry out.  As stated in the song Spring Of Life, 'Jesus you’re the well that won’t run dry, Jesus you’re the drink that satisfies'.  Congrats to Rick, and we are all praying for you!  More updates to come soon with photos and videos and stories of some of the men that we trained and worked with in Kenya."

-Corey Melton

For more info and to find out more about "One More Drop", you can click on the link.http://www.onemoredrop.org/

Jesus wants you to know this..........

It is amazing to me how often God teaches me something in a passage that I have read a 100 times in the past and yet, I missed this truth. Today is one of those times. It seems like God continues to remind me that a Powerful Prayer life is not one of process or length. It's not measured by how many hear it or where I'm praying.

 

Jesus says in this very, very familiar passage found in Matthew 6:1-13 that we should not be about theatrical praying...it shouldn't be about length. How do I know that? Well, the very sample prayer/model He gives us in this passage which we know as the Lord's Prayer is very short and to the point. But oh, so powerful! Doesn't need to teach theology or preach a message and yet how many times when we pray we think it has to do with a process, a certain length and if it doesn't include A,B, C then it's not going to be powerful.   No, Jesus really sums up just how simple yet powerful prayer should be in this passage. I want you to go back and read this passage in the Message, a paraphrase, but this time concentrate on all the preceding verses, and not the Lord's Prayer. Maybe God will show you something, like He did to me today. As people tell me all the time, (since I'm so wordy!!)...Simpler is sometimes Better.  

Did God really mean it? Forgive them? You have to be kidding..........

This past weekend, I ran into several different people who struggled with forgiving those who had hurt them. Things like "I will never forgive", "I'm so angry, I just can't let it go" and other one liners were part of their conversations. It's so sad, because, if we read the Bible and believe it, we know Lack of Forgiveness is sin, Anger leads to bitterness and bitterness to death in many ways. Forgiveness seems to be the theme this week. Even in two of my devotional studies, Forgiveness has come up. So I thought I would share a few verses and thoughts on Forgiveness. Why? Well, there is no way to have a prayer life full of power and connection with the Father if we harbor unforgiveness. Also sometimes we tend to have a problem forgiving ourselves, and God wants us to know it's not that hard. I John 1:9-10 reminds us of this. Try reading it a few times and then just give it over to God.

 

Jesus also reminded us how much God forgives us. And the passage Matthew 6:14-15 is both scary and also reassuring. Contemplate it. Colossians 3:13 is a great reminder of how we relate to others, and also the Words of Jesus to Peter in Matthew 18:21-22 is worth a look.  It's sooooooo soooo liberating to be able to forgive others and to know God has already forgiven us. Can we pray for others today who need to release this curse around them of not forgiving? And maybe we need to go and forgive someone, or just confess our sins to God today; and know He has forgiven them. How "Refreshing".  He is my "Oasis"!

 

(This was part of a Prayer Partners letter I sent last week and felt it might be good to share with others.)

Weekly Oasis Email for August 22, 2010..........

For our Extended Oasis Church family and friends, I am sharing this weeks Pastoral Email. There is so much happening right now, its mind boggling. But so, so exciting to be in a place that people are so passionate about God and the call He has given us to reach South Florida and then the World. Our vision and our Mission and story is expanding and it will go world wide this fall. More details on our Kick Off Weekend September 12th. Since I paste this from another format , sometimes the link might not work, or a few words are cut off at the end of the line. Thanks for your patience. God bless you and wherever you are this weekned, I hope you will take the time to Worship.

Dear Extended Oasis Family; My adrenaline is pumping so much it's hard to sleep or to think about anything but the incredible things coming in the fall. I am amazed at all that God has positioned us for and the team He has brought together to lead and serve Oasis church. Meetings, meetings, meetings this summer, and especially in the last couple weeks as we finish off our fall and winter plans. I cannot wait to share them with you. On September 12 weekend and the entire week, we will be sharing with you all the things coming this fall. You do not want to miss that weekend and weeknights. If you do, YOU WILL BE SORRY!! I am really not sure we have ever had so many new and innovative things happening at once. God is going to do amazing things. More later on September, 12 and "KICK OFF" Weekend.   The Beach Bash and Baptism is coming next Sunday, August 29, 6 p.m. at Hollywood Beach. We already have 30+ people signed up to be baptized and more signing up each day. If you have never been Baptized like Jesus and you are a follower of Jesus, why haven't you? This is your chance. This year is going to be not just an incredible Baptismal service in the ocean, but also a great concert following at the Beach Band Shell. Our worship teams and bands from all services and campuses are working hard to put on a Concert that will blow you away and also be fun. This year another thing we are doing is encouraging you to invite and bring your family and friends. Friends who might never come to church, will come to the beach with you. We are working to have a short but powerful "talk" on how to Know, and Follow Jesus. It won't be long, but it will challenge your friend who does not know Christ to accept Him into their life. You could come with a lost friend and go home with one on the way to Heaven. Is that not a great thought? Bring your friends. Give them the Invite Card you're getting at the service this weekend and each night. There are extras on the info counters at all campuses. FOR THOSE WHO WILL BE GETTING BAPTIZED, YOU'LL GET A FREE BEACH TOWEL WITH THE OASIS LOGO AND BEACH BAPTISM STITCHED IN IT. THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL AND CAN ONLY BE OBTAINED BY THOSE BEING BAPTIZED AUGUST 29. SIGN UP NOW at your service or on the connection card this week.   "Quench" continues this week. The second message in the series will be brought this weekend. There are some great stories that will be shared by REAL PEOPLE. If you missed last week's  opening message in the series, you can go listen now to the Video or Audio Podcast. Don't forget the Oasis Groups resource center is now open each service in the Community Cafe. For more info on getting involved in a small group go here and find out more or stop by the resource center at the Pines campus, or see your campus pastor at Hollywood or NoMi.   Let me close with sharing some other things that I want to link you up to: Please keep praying for our son Corey and One MORE Drop team in Kenya. They are drilling wells for the villages in order to bring clean water and living water to them. You can check out his website and update here . The first drill did not yield water. Unfortunately the geological reports supplied by the Kenyan government were wrong and the rock was too solid and too deep to get through. So tomorrow they move on to the next village. They are disappointed but not deterred in their mission. Please Pray the Water will gush at this next village!!! There's just a little over a week left if you're planning on going to Israel with Tonia and I in February to register and get the early bird discount. You can still register after September 1 but you won't get the early registration discount our tour company is offering. For the video and how to register go to my blog and check it out. We also have brochures on the info counter at all campuses. I am so excited about taking a group of our Oasis family with us to Israel and the Holy Land. It's been 13 years. It's a trip of a lifetime. New Starter small groups are forming NOW for September as part of our Oasis Groups. For more info on this, check it out the Community page on our web site or stop by the resource center this weekend. We had almost 60 new sign-ups just at the Pines campus Sunday for new groups and this Sunday you will find out how to sign up for existing community groups. If you are a part of Oasis Church you really, really, need to be in a Community Group. If you have not worshipped this week in giving of God's tithes and your offerings you can do so right now online. It's safe, secure and fast. Try it out.  Ok, I'm withholding a lot of things I would love to share, but I have to wait until September 12. See you this Sunday, or at one of our 7 Nights of Worship at 7 p.m. At Oasis Church there is NEVER a reason not to Worship with your fellow believers, since we offer worship every night of the week now for almost 5 years. Amazing, isn't it? God bless you and thank you for allowing me to serve as your pastor. Guy Melton Pastor Oasis Church http://www.guymelton.com http://www.visitoasis.org

Corey is off to Kenya, to drill wells. Please pray for him............

Corey Leaves Sunday with a team of 8 to Kenya . They will be drilling 2 new wells for villages who have  no clean drinking water. Please Pray for him , his team, Sabrina and Selah while they're gone for 2 weeks. Thanks to all our Oasis Family and others who gave financially to make the trip possible. His latest trip update is below. You can also click on the link below to find out more about One More Drop, that Corey started last year. Im so proud of him and his obedience in following God's leading in his life. Who knows what incredible things will happen in the future due to this first trip. I hope he and I will be drilling wells somewhere in the world together someday.

Welcome to One More Drop.org

UPDATES  

  One More Drop is off to Kenya.  Corey Melton and the team from Water4  and American Health Partners will be in Kenya from Aug.15th - Aug.25th.  While there, they will be drilling 2 borehole wells, 1 in Nyando and the other in Kisumu.  Having only 7 days of actual drill time the crew has their work cut out for them.  Please pray that God will pour out His blessings on the team and that both wells will be completed safely and in a timely manner.  Also pray that God would continue to prepare the path ahead of us, that customs will go smoothly, that our equipment will have no problems with shipping and that all of our accommodations will be properly lined up for us as we travel.  With so much ground to cover, there will not be much room for error or surprises, but we are all confident that God will provide a way for us and for the villages that we will be serving. Lastly and mostly, a HUGE "Thank You!" to all who have donated and been praying for us thus far. Our service to the Masai people of Nyando and Kisumu would not be possible without your generosity and kindness.  

Another Case for Pastoral Sabbaticals............

Today I received the sad news of a news story about a very admired Pastor. He has just completed two terms as the President of the Southern Baptist Convention. He is a compassionate, energetic, Godly pastor. I have met him, and attended his church.  I have a number of friends and some family in his church. This pastor leads one of the leading churches in the United States.

Having said that, it was so sad to see on the front page of the SBC Paper about the leave of absence he is taking because of exhaustion and emotional burnout. This is a Godly man. He is a great leader. He is one of the most energetic Pastors I've ever observed. I highly respect him.

Unfortunately the story in this link is just another reason I believe every church and their leadership need to take up the issue of Pastoral Sabbaticals. It is a crime and a sin I believe that churches allow their pastors to burn out, and many to crash and burn, fall into immorality and some leave the ministry to never return. I believe much of the Pastoral Crisis we see today could be avoided if more churches would give Sabbatical leave to its pastoral teams.

I am so blessed to be a part of a church, Oasis Church, which 5 years ago, gave me a 3 month sabbatical; and have instituted a Sabbatical Policy for all full-time pastors at Oasis Church. I don't believe this is extravagance or waste. I believe it is biblical. I believe it is extending the life and ministry of their pastors. I believe it strengthens the church.

This coming year in 2011 there will be 3 pastors on our staff who will take Sabbaticals. We are already making plans for this. It is not easy, but it is right. Even Jesus took Sabbath rest. Sabbatical rest is mentioned throughout the Bible. Educators, non-profit administrators, and the business community have recognized the need to give sabbatical rest to those who lead and are never away from their jobs and the pressures that are 24/7 for many years. This is not new to most areas of life. But for churches, it is something that seems to be for others, when Pastors are never off the job. With the digital age it's more intense then ever.

I committed 5 years ago to sound the alarm to churches. I have gotten distracted with so much going on in our ministry. But today reminded me once again, that churches need to wake up, make the sacrifice and yes, step out in faith and give your pastors a sabbatical. It's not a vacation, it's not a few weeks away. It is a prolonged time to get away, and be refreshed, renewed, and recharged, spiritually, emotionally and physically. It can extend from a minimum of 6 weeks up to 1 year.

The Pastor and the church will benefit in the short and long run. New leaders step up, more in the church own the ministry during his absence. The church realizes it is not all about the Pastor, but their leader is Jesus Christ. With the Super Star Celebrity status of our society, the church falls into the same mentality. There is no person so important that the church cannot exist without them.

Please pray that the wake up call for Pastor Johnny and his church will actually help other churches and pastors wake up to this need and be able to save many Pastors from catastrophic crisis in the future.  Pray for Woodstock Church and Pastor Johnny and his family as you pray for your pastor.

Good Bye to some very special Oasis young adults..............

Today in one of my Devotional books I read, I thought of some very special young men and women at Oasis Church. They are some of the teenagers who have just graduated from High School and are headed to College.  Several of them I had the chance to pray with last night and to say good  bye before they head off to various colleges. They have had some phenomenal years with some incredible youth leaders. As the Oswald Chambers  book , "My Utmost for His Highest" shares about Elijah was going to no longer be there as the rock, the mentor, the leader I thought of our graduates.

They have been prepared. They are ready. They wont have their parents or their pastors, youth leaders and mentors there with them each day . They will cross over their Jordon,they will find themselves at Jericho, and Bethel. It will seem lonely at times. But I challenge each of you to draw on what you have learned and go to God when you find yourself at a decision you are faced with.

We at Oasis Church are proud of you. We have faith in you and will be praying for you. We know you will find God's Purpose for your life and walk in His ways. Put into practice what your "Elijah's" have taught you. Stand firm, and always Trust God. I am so proud of  you and will miss you . Ill look forward to your visits and will be praying for you as you embark on this incredible journey.  

THIS EXPERIENCE MUST COME
"And he saw him no more." 2 Kings 2:12 It is not wrong to depend upon Elijah as long as God gives him to you, but remember the time will come when he will have to go; when he stands no more to you as your guide and leader, because God does not intend he should. You say - "I cannot go on without Elijah." God says you must. Alone at your Jordan. v.14. Jordan is the type of separation where there is no fellowship with anyone else, and where no one can take the responsibility for you. You have to put to the test now what you learned when you were with your Elijah. You have been to Jordan over and over again with Elijah, but now you are up against it alone. It is no use saying you cannot go; this experience has come, and you must go. If you want to know whether God is the God you have faith to believe Him to be, then go through your Jordan alone. Alone at your Jericho. v.15. Jericho is the place where you have seen your Elijah do great things. When you come to your Jericho you have a strong disinclination to take the initiative and trust in God, you want someone else to take it for you. If you remain true to what you learned with Elijah, you will get the sign that God is with you. Alone at your Bethel. v.23. At your Bethel you will find yourself at your wits' end and at the beginning of God's wisdom. When you get to your wits' end and feel inclined to succumb to panic, don't; stand true to God and He will bring His truth out in a way that will make your life a sacrament. Put into practice what you learned with your Elijah, use his cloak and pray. Determine to trust in God and do not look for Elijah any more.

Desperation..................

 
I share some of our weekly Prayer Letter to our Prayer Partners with my Blog readers from time to time. Today I was so moved while reading the book Radical by David Platt and discussing it with some young guys that I just had to share a few thoughts.

I hope your having a great week, and it feels good to be back to work and also sharing some Bloggo things....

I am so glad to be back and writing you, my Prayer Partners!  I have so missed you these last two weeks while away. I am so grateful to Ranelle and Jack for doing a fantastic job of sharing their thoughts on Prayer while I was away. Both were inspiring. I hope you enjoyed the "Refreshing" perspectives they shared.  Today I'm so full of thoughts, and emotions. I just came from meeting with some guys with whom I'm reading a book. The book is Radical by a young pastor, David Platt. I won't get into a book review with you, but one of the things that really stood out today in some of my reading was a phrase he used in talking about our lives as Americans, and how we have so much compared to so many in the world. I know we hear it all the time, and we all know this. But that isn't what I am really wanting to say. The thought that hit me was that so many times we have so much, or we are so gifted, that from the world's perspective we can be successful without having God. We can do so much on our own, that we miss out on what God really wants to do in our lives. David asks the question: "Are our lives marked by Desperation of the Holy Spirit"? I had to answer, "No".  Many times mine is not. I asked, "Is Oasis Church desperate for the Holy Spirit or can we do all the neat things we do on our own?"  The answer was no, we are not always desperate for Him. I don't think it's because we don't want the Holy Spirit to be at work in our lives and doing powerful things. I just think as one of the guys mentioned, we get so busy with the day-to-day "Things"...tasks, that we forget we need to be desperate for God to do a great work and to be powerful in our lives.  We don't need to give up everything to be desperate, we don't need to be in crisis to be desperate for the Holy Spirit's power in our lives. We do need a heart of desperation for God's power and working in our lives though.   My challenge today is the same for you and me -- that we will have a heart of desperation in our prayer life and daily walk with God. I really do want a "Desperation" of spirit that without God's power and working in my life, it's hollow and "wood, hay and stubble".  I don't want to only be desperate when the circumstances of life are desperate and I'm in a crisis, but I want a Holy Desperation in my heart and prayer life every day.  I liked another phrase David said in his book, "Less is more, when we have the Holy Spirit's Power".  Amen!  More on this later.  Read Luke 11, and specifically Luke 11:13. What a great challenge!   Thank you for praying for me, our staff and our church family. God is doing wonderful things in our midst. There are many desperate people in our church family who need a major movement of God in their life.