Hello All,
What a beautiful day! Sunshine and warmth! Spring is almost here! I hope today reminds you of change. Change from one season to another. If you are like me, it is good to be reminded of changing seasons. Change can be a great thing!
God left a book to us that can make change happen in a remarkable way. Its truths guide us and its words give us hope of a better future. Not just for us but those around us as well. It unlocks the keys to the most abundant purposeful life possible. How comfortable are you with this book known as the Bible? Would you like to be able to use it more in your life for greater change?
Come tonight for the “Understanding the Bible” class at the OBC. It starts at 7:00 with the doors open at 6:30. You will enjoy it! It is a low-key, high-impact class! It will be one of the best choices you make. Whether you signed up or not, you are welcome! We have plenty of room. Hope to see you tonight!
In His grace, truth, and love!
Tom
PS We have some super desserts for you early birds! The Bible and food, what a great combo!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
E-News from Tom: 03/05/10
Hello E-News Friends,
I hope this week has found you speaking love with your “acts of service” and “quality time.” I also hope you are realizing what keeps your love tank full. We are all at our best when we are full of love—better friends, better moms and dads, better brothers and sisters, and definitely better followers of Jesus.
This week we finish off 5LL Power as we look at the love languages of receiving gifts, words of encouragement, and physical touch. I hope you have someone in mind to invite to this series finale. It should be a practical yet life-changing time of worship.
You can learn to speak my primary love language, words of encouragement. I need to make sure Kathy listens to the message so she can apply my secondary love language, physical touch. Oh yeah!
See you Sunday!
In His Grace,
Tom
PS Doors open Sunday night for MLL at 5:30. What a great weekend!
I hope this week has found you speaking love with your “acts of service” and “quality time.” I also hope you are realizing what keeps your love tank full. We are all at our best when we are full of love—better friends, better moms and dads, better brothers and sisters, and definitely better followers of Jesus.
This week we finish off 5LL Power as we look at the love languages of receiving gifts, words of encouragement, and physical touch. I hope you have someone in mind to invite to this series finale. It should be a practical yet life-changing time of worship.
You can learn to speak my primary love language, words of encouragement. I need to make sure Kathy listens to the message so she can apply my secondary love language, physical touch. Oh yeah!
See you Sunday!
In His Grace,
Tom
PS Doors open Sunday night for MLL at 5:30. What a great weekend!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Monthly News from Tom: 02/26/10
Are You Ready?
I am ready to see the sun shine bright for longer than a couple of days in a row. I am ready to put the snow shovel and ice melt away until next winter. I am ready to see leaves bursting forth on trees. I am ready to see flowers decorating lawns. I am ready to hear the sound of birds chirping, lawnmowers humming, and kids playing outside. I am ready for some change in the weather. Are you ready?
I am ready for some Cardinal baseball. I am ready to see Albert Pujols play at the highest possible level and hear him give glory to God as he does. I am ready to smell suntan lotion and cut grass. I am ready for some grilled burgers and hot dogs. I am ready to end the life of the mole that was digging up my lawn in the fall (or at least have him move to my neighbors). Are you ready?
But this is what I really am ready for…
I am ready for more people to hear about the grace and love that God has shown us through His Son Jesus. I am ready for people to learn that walking with God is not about a religion but a relationship. I am ready for people to learn that God’s Word (the Bible) is a road map to life and a growing faith in God. I am ready for all people to see that God loves them no matter what their past has been. I am ready for people to see the joy, peace, truth, and forgiveness that Jesus offers each of us. I am ready for people to see that there is always hope for a better life as we apply the love and wisdom of God in our lives. I am ready for Oak Bridge to continue to be a place where people can easily learn to follow Jesus. Are you ready?
The Oak Bridge Center is ready to help us, as room grows limited at Keller. I ask that you pray for the people God has divine appointments scheduled with inside its doors. I ask that you consider joining others at this location when the doors for Sunday Worship open at the end of March. I ask that you pray for the people who are going to serve God with their time, talents, and resources there.
I am ready to see what God has in store for all of us at Oak Bridge as we continue to go on this journey with God. What a privilege it is to be a part of the most important work on planet Earth, making followers of Jesus who in turn make followers of Jesus!
Are you ready? It should be fun!
In His Amazing Grace,
Tom
I am ready to see the sun shine bright for longer than a couple of days in a row. I am ready to put the snow shovel and ice melt away until next winter. I am ready to see leaves bursting forth on trees. I am ready to see flowers decorating lawns. I am ready to hear the sound of birds chirping, lawnmowers humming, and kids playing outside. I am ready for some change in the weather. Are you ready?
I am ready for some Cardinal baseball. I am ready to see Albert Pujols play at the highest possible level and hear him give glory to God as he does. I am ready to smell suntan lotion and cut grass. I am ready for some grilled burgers and hot dogs. I am ready to end the life of the mole that was digging up my lawn in the fall (or at least have him move to my neighbors). Are you ready?
But this is what I really am ready for…
I am ready for more people to hear about the grace and love that God has shown us through His Son Jesus. I am ready for people to learn that walking with God is not about a religion but a relationship. I am ready for people to learn that God’s Word (the Bible) is a road map to life and a growing faith in God. I am ready for all people to see that God loves them no matter what their past has been. I am ready for people to see the joy, peace, truth, and forgiveness that Jesus offers each of us. I am ready for people to see that there is always hope for a better life as we apply the love and wisdom of God in our lives. I am ready for Oak Bridge to continue to be a place where people can easily learn to follow Jesus. Are you ready?
The Oak Bridge Center is ready to help us, as room grows limited at Keller. I ask that you pray for the people God has divine appointments scheduled with inside its doors. I ask that you consider joining others at this location when the doors for Sunday Worship open at the end of March. I ask that you pray for the people who are going to serve God with their time, talents, and resources there.
I am ready to see what God has in store for all of us at Oak Bridge as we continue to go on this journey with God. What a privilege it is to be a part of the most important work on planet Earth, making followers of Jesus who in turn make followers of Jesus!
Are you ready? It should be fun!
In His Amazing Grace,
Tom
E-News from Tom: 02/26/10
Hello E-News Friends,
It’s hard to imagine a life where you never feel loved. No hugs. No acts of kindness. No time spent in intimate community. No words said that lift you up. No “just because” gifts. Yet there are people everywhere that live that life. Some of them are our friends and family members. May God give us His eyes to see those people! Jesus challenged each of us to love as He loved. I ask God again, may we have His heart to love like His Son!
This week we will look at how well Jesus spoke the language of love. (He wrote the book on it!) We can learn from Him, and in doing so bring help and healing to all of our relationships.
The music is going to be amazing! The weather a summer-like: 40+ degrees! And the food fresh and healthy or fresh and fattening, whichever you choose. You can tell which I normally go after! I hope all of you want to learn the language of love (Jesus’ language). It should be great day to worship our King once again!
See you Sunday!
In His Grace,
Tom
PS Your invitation may be God’s divine appointment!
It’s hard to imagine a life where you never feel loved. No hugs. No acts of kindness. No time spent in intimate community. No words said that lift you up. No “just because” gifts. Yet there are people everywhere that live that life. Some of them are our friends and family members. May God give us His eyes to see those people! Jesus challenged each of us to love as He loved. I ask God again, may we have His heart to love like His Son!
This week we will look at how well Jesus spoke the language of love. (He wrote the book on it!) We can learn from Him, and in doing so bring help and healing to all of our relationships.
The music is going to be amazing! The weather a summer-like: 40+ degrees! And the food fresh and healthy or fresh and fattening, whichever you choose. You can tell which I normally go after! I hope all of you want to learn the language of love (Jesus’ language). It should be great day to worship our King once again!
See you Sunday!
In His Grace,
Tom
PS Your invitation may be God’s divine appointment!
Friday, February 19, 2010
E-News from Tom: 02/19/10
Hello E-News Friends,
It is amazing to me how often I have to remind myself to do something. Remember to not eat certain foods. Remember to drink more water. Remember to write a “thank you” note. Remember to answer an e-mail. Remember to be kind and understanding. The list could go on and on. What I find amazing about the list is that most of the stuff on it is not “remember to get my oil changed” (little stuff), but “remember to love my family how they need to be loved” (big stuff). That’s one of the reasons I love our church. It reminds me of the big stuff I often times forget. Stuff I knew was important but let slip in my life.
The three–week series we begin this Sunday is a reminder of how to apply love like Jesus did (big stuff). He was the professional at speaking the language of love! We can be a professional as well, we sometimes just need to be reminded.
This week we will see one of my favorite all-time dramas. It is very funny, yet has a great message. I know you will enjoy it as well. I encourage you to invite a friend this week. This series is one of those where you will sit there and say to yourself, “So and so needed to hear this.” So go for it. The coffee will be hot and the doughnuts fresh.
I remind you of the words Jesus spoke in John 15:12: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” Starting this Sunday that is exactly what we are going to remind each other. And it is really “big stuff” to remember!
See you at the church that shows movies during the week.
In His Grace and Love,
Tom
It is amazing to me how often I have to remind myself to do something. Remember to not eat certain foods. Remember to drink more water. Remember to write a “thank you” note. Remember to answer an e-mail. Remember to be kind and understanding. The list could go on and on. What I find amazing about the list is that most of the stuff on it is not “remember to get my oil changed” (little stuff), but “remember to love my family how they need to be loved” (big stuff). That’s one of the reasons I love our church. It reminds me of the big stuff I often times forget. Stuff I knew was important but let slip in my life.
The three–week series we begin this Sunday is a reminder of how to apply love like Jesus did (big stuff). He was the professional at speaking the language of love! We can be a professional as well, we sometimes just need to be reminded.
This week we will see one of my favorite all-time dramas. It is very funny, yet has a great message. I know you will enjoy it as well. I encourage you to invite a friend this week. This series is one of those where you will sit there and say to yourself, “So and so needed to hear this.” So go for it. The coffee will be hot and the doughnuts fresh.
I remind you of the words Jesus spoke in John 15:12: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” Starting this Sunday that is exactly what we are going to remind each other. And it is really “big stuff” to remember!
See you at the church that shows movies during the week.
In His Grace and Love,
Tom
Friday, February 12, 2010
E-News from Tom: 02/12/10
Hello E-News Friends,
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:7-8
The tongue is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. Evil? Poisonous? Those are two lousy words. The tongue can’t be tamed. Wow! What are we to do then in regards to the words we speak? Be mute for our lives? No! Fortunately God gives us some wisdom to lead us in the area of good, healthy communication. You have to come Sunday to hear what those teachings are, but I believe (if you’re like me) you’ve said enough things that you regret, which testify to the truth of James’ words about the tongue.
For many of us, this Sunday will be one of the most important wisdom teachings to apply in our lives. Our words have done too much damage or our silence has not prevented some pain which could have been avoided with the right words.
How about you? Can you use some communication wisdom? God’s Word provides some valuable gems. I hope to see you Sunday as we collect them together!
In His amazing grace and love,
Tom
PS One of the best gifts we can give our “Valentine” is better communication skills; God will take care of that this weekend. For all you men out there, you do your part and drop a dime or two on some romance (flowers, chocolates or dinner). It is the wise thing to do!
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:7-8
The tongue is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. Evil? Poisonous? Those are two lousy words. The tongue can’t be tamed. Wow! What are we to do then in regards to the words we speak? Be mute for our lives? No! Fortunately God gives us some wisdom to lead us in the area of good, healthy communication. You have to come Sunday to hear what those teachings are, but I believe (if you’re like me) you’ve said enough things that you regret, which testify to the truth of James’ words about the tongue.
For many of us, this Sunday will be one of the most important wisdom teachings to apply in our lives. Our words have done too much damage or our silence has not prevented some pain which could have been avoided with the right words.
How about you? Can you use some communication wisdom? God’s Word provides some valuable gems. I hope to see you Sunday as we collect them together!
In His amazing grace and love,
Tom
PS One of the best gifts we can give our “Valentine” is better communication skills; God will take care of that this weekend. For all you men out there, you do your part and drop a dime or two on some romance (flowers, chocolates or dinner). It is the wise thing to do!
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