A drink from the Oasis… week of 25feb09
Saints,
I apologize, for not getting a newsletter out last week, and below you will find this week’s newsletter E-mail. I pray you will enjoy it and forward this thought on to your friends as well as offer them an invitation to a ‘total church’ this weekend. George and I have finished with the VISION STATEMENT of Oasis and it is here officially (as well as the web site of course…): We seek to build gospel-centered communities to reach people for Jesus Christ and invest in messy relationships. Graphically, it might look something like this…
(just got permission to use this, It’s from Tim Chester and Steve Timmis, Total Church (IVP/Crossway). WAHOO!!!
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1. A messy drink from the Oasis … —————- “Lessons From Life” ———————-
Perhaps God had chosen me in my time to detail what I learned from all the madness about.
I learned that often the false is made to look appealing.
I learned that witnesses today may be testifiers tomorrow.
I learned that one must be careful in helping others.
I learned that you do not proclaim another man’s evil.
I learned that mediocrity within yourself is unacceptable.
I learned that the more one says the less he is heard.
I learned that one does not argue with an arguer.
I learned that anonymity can be valuable.
I learned that there is safety in moving with the crowd.
I learned that not all praise is meant well.
I learned that secrets should neither be heard nor spoken.
I learned that you do not divulge what you cannot reverse.
I learned that all has its day.
– Baltasar Gracian in The Wisdom of Baltasar Gracian. Christianity Today, Vol. 37, no. 4.
See: Pr 3:13-14; 4:7; Ecc 2:13; 3:1; Jas 3:17.
Pay Attention To The Instrument Panel
An airplane pilot is not to trust his own instincts in a storm, but to trust the instrument panel. Instincts can be wrong if he experiences vertigo. Just as a pilot can get so jostled around that he loses his sense of up and down, we can get so jostled around by the philosophy of this world that we lose our sense of right and wrong. We have an instrument panel that is more reliable than our own feelings.
– Robert L. Russell, “God’s Design for Marriage,” Preaching Today, Tape No. 166.
Messy Questions adapted from Leadership Expectations by Tim Chester,
1. Do you show joy, excitement, confidence, awe and gratitude when you talk about Jesus?
2. Are you confessing sin and welcoming accountability?
3. Are you respected by believers and unbelievers?
4. Does your mood affect your conduct?
5. Do you serve your wives so that your wives flourish spiritually and in ministry?
6. Do your children respect you?
7. Are you slow to contradict other people? Are you rarely in quarrels? Do you confront people with gentleness and humility?
2. Admin stuff
a) New Schedule: Sunday, 10am – Corporate celebration with 30 minute Diet Coke & coffee cake starting God’s Story (for kids) and the Book of Genesis, Wednesday – Care Group (we are studying ‘How to Grow In Christ’ and the Book of John together) at 6:30-8:30pm, Leadership Training – Saturday, 14th, @ 1000am at a coffee shop together bi-weekly (our topics are – Officer Function, Peacemaking, Biblical Counseling, Discernment and Priorities). Driscoll book thru page 13. 1 Tim 3 and ff.
b) Missional Serving Roster – To be a member of the ‘church’ is to be a participant in the life of God, with the people of God, made possible by the grace of God. Viewed in this light, our participation in the life of the ‘church’ is not an option, or the prerogative of a privileged few, but the call and responsibility of every person redeemed through the work of Christ on the Cross. Having been purchased by God, we have the awesome privilege of offering all that we are and have to Him for His glory (quoted from someone else…cannot remember). Oasis Participants can only sign up/volunteer for 2 activities at most. If you signed up for more than two let me (Derek) know if you have a preference other than the ones selected below.
1. Facilitator - Derek, John
2. Inreach Leader – Kia, Christine
3. Outreach Leader – Derek
4. Fellowship Leader – Kia, Brie
5. Hospitality Leader – Michael
6. Prayer Leader – Christine
7. Song Facilitator – Lynn
8. Missions to Our City Coordinator – Connie
9. Creative Media – George
10. President — John
c) Don’t forget GoodSearch & GoodShop for Oasis.
d) Sunday Celebration we will be continuing our worship with Genesis 5-6. We randomly cancel a Sunday Celebration for what we call Missional Sunday… an opportunity for us to engage our community so make sure to check with us before you decide to come. March 8 is one of those weekends.
e) We will be picking up Angel Food this week! We are going to be partnering with Trinity Worldwide Outreach Ministries, so all future orders and service will be through them. Contact Connie for more info.
f) CONGRATS to our NEW MEMBERS!!!!
i. George & Christine Conklin
ii. Lynn Grover
3. Prayer Requests (PR) and Community Needs (CN):
a) Updated prayer requests can be found at: http://oasisgc.wordpress.com/prayer-board-facts/ A humbling gift to intercede for so many… Many visitors in the digital world leave requests here. If you are looking for some handy guides for prayer, check out these Prayer Cards. You can click on the “Prayer Cards” link and select which ever prayer card your interested in, and a sample of it can be seen with adobe reader (www.adobe.com).
b) PR: Trinity Worldwide Outreach Ministries, Sanctuary, Living Word Church, and Ashley River.
c) PR: Goose Creek City Council Meeting this week.
d) PR: For our current series in Care group (Book of John & How to Grow In Christ), Genesis (Celebration) and for those who are far from God who have been attending, that God would draw them to the point of admitting, believing and committing to Christ Jesus as Lord!!!
e) PR: George’s meeting with TWOM on Thursday.
Remember to always be…
stunned by the gospel of Christ Jesus,
Derek R. Iannelli-Smith
Oasis Website – Oasis Facebook Group
Oasis…where relationships are a mess worth making
I GoodSearch & GoodShop for Oasis. Raise money for your favorite charity or school just by searching the Internet with GoodSearch.com (powered by Yahoo), or shopping online with GoodShop.com
