Hello E-News Friends,
“If you’re in awe, you won’t say awwwww.” “You can’t trust your emotions.” These sum up our last two weeks of messages. If you’ve missed them, I would encourage you to go to www.oakbridgecc.com and listen to them. I think God might speak to your heart as you do. This week we continue our “Wisdom Leads” series with a message titled “What Chair Do You Sit On?” (No, it’s not about Lazy Boys or Love Seats, although the Lazy Boy is a great gift from God!) It is a must hear wisdom teaching of God. For young people this can be a make or break life message. Please be there if you can! We introduce a new song this week titled “The Stand,” and you are gonna love it. We will use it as our wisdom anthem over the next few weeks of this series.
I am pumped up about what God is doing in our lives through Oak Bridge. We had almost 1100 (Wow!) in attendance last week as people continue to seek the one who loves us most and offers the truth to a fuller life in this world (and the next). It is a privilege to be a part of what He is doing. Keep inviting people. You are making a big difference in their journey with God! Hope to see you (and your friends)Sunday!
Growing together in His wisdom and love,
Tom
Friday, January 29, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
E-News from Tom: 01/15/10
Dear E-News Friends,
We start our new series “Wisdom Leads” this Sunday. I believe this is going to be one that helps many of us grow in wisdom. It is going to be packed with practical living advice straight from the teachings of God. Many of these have called out to me in a variety of ways. Some I have followed and reaped the benefits of, others I have ignored and paid the price. (A price I could have avoided! And so can you!) Young or old alike, we all need wisdom in every area of our lives. God offers wisdom to each of us. I pray that we follow His wisdom as it leads us in making better decisions in life!
I have been praying the past couple of days about how we can help the people of Haiti. My heart is breaking (I know yours is as well) for their sorrow and pain. This is a disaster that will have ripple effects for decades, not months, in the lives of the Haitian people. I am asking you to pray for a few things: Wise decisions by the leaders of the disaster relief teams. Hope to stay alive in the hearts of the surviving people. Extra amounts of love from the people in that area who will minister to the grief left behind in the aftermath of the earthquake. (Will you take a moment and pray for those three things right now.)
I have one more request of you. This Sunday we will take an offering to help a charity many of us support. It is “Compassion International.” (I went to Ecuador with them this past summer.) You will hear more about it this weekend, but in general they help children and families in third world countries. They sent out a request for help. They sponsor 65,000 children in Haiti with over 20,000 of them in Port-au-Prince area. Many of these children are currently unaccounted for. This organization is committed to the people of Haiti for the “long haul,” which will certainly be required. We are trying to raise $10,000 to send their way. I am asking each of you to give $20, skip a meal and remember all the people in Haiti who have and will miss many over the next days and weeks. Pray for them as you “fast” from a meal. Tonight is my dinner to skip and pray.
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10
Let’s meet together this Sunday to grow in God’s wisdom and to share in His grace and love,
Tom
We start our new series “Wisdom Leads” this Sunday. I believe this is going to be one that helps many of us grow in wisdom. It is going to be packed with practical living advice straight from the teachings of God. Many of these have called out to me in a variety of ways. Some I have followed and reaped the benefits of, others I have ignored and paid the price. (A price I could have avoided! And so can you!) Young or old alike, we all need wisdom in every area of our lives. God offers wisdom to each of us. I pray that we follow His wisdom as it leads us in making better decisions in life!
I have been praying the past couple of days about how we can help the people of Haiti. My heart is breaking (I know yours is as well) for their sorrow and pain. This is a disaster that will have ripple effects for decades, not months, in the lives of the Haitian people. I am asking you to pray for a few things: Wise decisions by the leaders of the disaster relief teams. Hope to stay alive in the hearts of the surviving people. Extra amounts of love from the people in that area who will minister to the grief left behind in the aftermath of the earthquake. (Will you take a moment and pray for those three things right now.)
I have one more request of you. This Sunday we will take an offering to help a charity many of us support. It is “Compassion International.” (I went to Ecuador with them this past summer.) You will hear more about it this weekend, but in general they help children and families in third world countries. They sent out a request for help. They sponsor 65,000 children in Haiti with over 20,000 of them in Port-au-Prince area. Many of these children are currently unaccounted for. This organization is committed to the people of Haiti for the “long haul,” which will certainly be required. We are trying to raise $10,000 to send their way. I am asking each of you to give $20, skip a meal and remember all the people in Haiti who have and will miss many over the next days and weeks. Pray for them as you “fast” from a meal. Tonight is my dinner to skip and pray.
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10
Let’s meet together this Sunday to grow in God’s wisdom and to share in His grace and love,
Tom
Friday, January 8, 2010
E-News from Tom: 01/08/10
Dear E-News Friends,
Whew! Back from a few days in Atlanta with 23,000 students age 18-25 who want to see the glory and fame of Jesus grow in their lives and their community. We heard some great messages, sang about 50 songs (all while standing!), shared some of our resources (gladly gave some money and time), met people from different parts of the country (slow talking southern people mostly), and froze while walking approximately 2,000 miles (at least it felt that way to me!). You might think I’m worn out from this little trip. You would be wrong. My passion and energy factor is in full gear.
Not only am I pumped up over this generation and how they can (and are!) impacting people for Jesus, but I am blown away by how God is using all of us at Oak Bridge to do the same! What an amazing privilege and honor to be part of a God-glorifying, life-changing Church! We are impacting this generation and many others as we grow together in the love, grace and truth of our Savior and King.
While I had a great time in ATL (Atlanta for you un-cool people), my thoughts were certainly on God and what He was doing at Oak Bridge much of the time. I heard you had a great service on Sunday with the only problem being the second service was overflowing with people because some (lack of faith jughead) thought the West Side wasn’t going to be necessary. God is great in mercy and grace with people like that jughead. PTL! I listened to Herc’s message on our website and thought it was super. His acronym was memorable and right on for change (SPA: “Slowdown, Plan, Act”). I noticed in the message where Herc felt my acronyms were lacking. (Here is one for him (HIS “Herc Is Stupid”)) That’s pretty memorable. All in fun!
I can’t wait to see youall (how we say it in the south.) this Sunday. We are going to delay the “Wisdom Leads” series to talk one more week about change. I believe it is a message many will relate to and a good one to invite your friends. Following our Sunday morning we have a baptism service planned for 4:00 at the Oak Bridge Center. What a great step to start the new year! Still time to sign up!
It is phenomenal to know the love, grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. We need to do all we can to share that with others. That is what I’m jacked-up about! I hope you are too!
In His grace and truth,
Tom
Whew! Back from a few days in Atlanta with 23,000 students age 18-25 who want to see the glory and fame of Jesus grow in their lives and their community. We heard some great messages, sang about 50 songs (all while standing!), shared some of our resources (gladly gave some money and time), met people from different parts of the country (slow talking southern people mostly), and froze while walking approximately 2,000 miles (at least it felt that way to me!). You might think I’m worn out from this little trip. You would be wrong. My passion and energy factor is in full gear.
Not only am I pumped up over this generation and how they can (and are!) impacting people for Jesus, but I am blown away by how God is using all of us at Oak Bridge to do the same! What an amazing privilege and honor to be part of a God-glorifying, life-changing Church! We are impacting this generation and many others as we grow together in the love, grace and truth of our Savior and King.
While I had a great time in ATL (Atlanta for you un-cool people), my thoughts were certainly on God and what He was doing at Oak Bridge much of the time. I heard you had a great service on Sunday with the only problem being the second service was overflowing with people because some (lack of faith jughead) thought the West Side wasn’t going to be necessary. God is great in mercy and grace with people like that jughead. PTL! I listened to Herc’s message on our website and thought it was super. His acronym was memorable and right on for change (SPA: “Slowdown, Plan, Act”). I noticed in the message where Herc felt my acronyms were lacking. (Here is one for him (HIS “Herc Is Stupid”)) That’s pretty memorable. All in fun!
I can’t wait to see youall (how we say it in the south.) this Sunday. We are going to delay the “Wisdom Leads” series to talk one more week about change. I believe it is a message many will relate to and a good one to invite your friends. Following our Sunday morning we have a baptism service planned for 4:00 at the Oak Bridge Center. What a great step to start the new year! Still time to sign up!
It is phenomenal to know the love, grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. We need to do all we can to share that with others. That is what I’m jacked-up about! I hope you are too!
In His grace and truth,
Tom
Friday, December 18, 2009
E-News from Tom: 12/18/09
Hello E-News Friends,
The whole world is aware at this time of the year of the little baby who was born 2,000 years ago, whose name we know as Jesus. Not enough know that he came full of grace and truth, wrapped in a life love. A powerful, faithful, forgiving love. It is our privilege and honor to share that knowledge with our family, friends, and community.
Christmas gives us a great opportunity to do just that.
This Sunday we celebrate that birth and His love! I hope you are as excited about that as I am. It should be a joy-filled time as we gather together once again to lift high our Savior! Now is a great time to invite someone who is missing out on the best relationship possible. This might be the season they meet the King! You just never know.
I’ve heard we have some special music and a drama to look forward to. I am always amazed how each week God works at Oak Bridge.
It only gets better as this is Christmas cookie Sunday. I’m partial to snicker-doodles and oatmeal cookies and will volunteer to taste-test yours for flavor and freshness. You can trust me; I am a professional in this area! Our leftover cookies will be taken to our friends at the Towers to help ruin their holiday diets as well.
May you have much of our King’s love in your life as you remember His birth this Christmas week!
In His awe-inspiring grace.
A fellow Love Doctor in training,
Tom
PS Our Open House for Volunteer Celebration is at the Oak Bridge Center tomorrow (Saturday) between 9:00-12:00 AM. We want to say thanks to all of you who serve our King so faithfully through the various ministries of Oak Bridge! We have a little surprise set up for you that you will enjoy! (No it’s not just coffee and doughnuts, although we will have those as well.)
One last question, what clothes have you been putting on this week? It does make a difference. Love Wins!
The whole world is aware at this time of the year of the little baby who was born 2,000 years ago, whose name we know as Jesus. Not enough know that he came full of grace and truth, wrapped in a life love. A powerful, faithful, forgiving love. It is our privilege and honor to share that knowledge with our family, friends, and community.
Christmas gives us a great opportunity to do just that.
This Sunday we celebrate that birth and His love! I hope you are as excited about that as I am. It should be a joy-filled time as we gather together once again to lift high our Savior! Now is a great time to invite someone who is missing out on the best relationship possible. This might be the season they meet the King! You just never know.
I’ve heard we have some special music and a drama to look forward to. I am always amazed how each week God works at Oak Bridge.
It only gets better as this is Christmas cookie Sunday. I’m partial to snicker-doodles and oatmeal cookies and will volunteer to taste-test yours for flavor and freshness. You can trust me; I am a professional in this area! Our leftover cookies will be taken to our friends at the Towers to help ruin their holiday diets as well.
May you have much of our King’s love in your life as you remember His birth this Christmas week!
In His awe-inspiring grace.
A fellow Love Doctor in training,
Tom
PS Our Open House for Volunteer Celebration is at the Oak Bridge Center tomorrow (Saturday) between 9:00-12:00 AM. We want to say thanks to all of you who serve our King so faithfully through the various ministries of Oak Bridge! We have a little surprise set up for you that you will enjoy! (No it’s not just coffee and doughnuts, although we will have those as well.)
One last question, what clothes have you been putting on this week? It does make a difference. Love Wins!
Monday, December 14, 2009
E-News from Tom: 12/14/09
Hello E-News Friends,
I know this is an early e-mail from what you are used to or depending on how you want to look at it, late since I didn’t get one out last week. But I wanted to urge you to be a thermostat during these next two weeks. Emotions will be running on high for many people. A thermostat sets the temperature. People that apply the love of God are thermostats. They change the feel of a room. They change the attitude of the people in a room. Jesus was a thermostat. His love certainly set the temperature of many rooms.
Thermometers reflect the temperature of the room. They do not set it. Many times we are just thermometers. If the room is full of complaining, gossip, and arrogance, we join right in. We change nothing. There is no win in that.
It will take each of us to “CK (check) our G (growth) H (health) P (plan)”…(Compassion, Kindness, Gentleness, Humility and Patience.) Put each of these on so we can remove our short tempers and learn to forgive others to allow love to win; which over time it always does! While I can’t see you, if you’re following our King, I at least know what you are wearing this week. Love is the best set of clothes possible!
From one Love Doctor in training to many others, you all look really sharp in your new clothes! Your red and white bracelet is stunning as well!
In His Grace,
Tom
PS Start inviting those people God has put on your heart for this weekend. We don’t want them to miss a great divine appointment with the King!
I know this is an early e-mail from what you are used to or depending on how you want to look at it, late since I didn’t get one out last week. But I wanted to urge you to be a thermostat during these next two weeks. Emotions will be running on high for many people. A thermostat sets the temperature. People that apply the love of God are thermostats. They change the feel of a room. They change the attitude of the people in a room. Jesus was a thermostat. His love certainly set the temperature of many rooms.
Thermometers reflect the temperature of the room. They do not set it. Many times we are just thermometers. If the room is full of complaining, gossip, and arrogance, we join right in. We change nothing. There is no win in that.
It will take each of us to “CK (check) our G (growth) H (health) P (plan)”…(Compassion, Kindness, Gentleness, Humility and Patience.) Put each of these on so we can remove our short tempers and learn to forgive others to allow love to win; which over time it always does! While I can’t see you, if you’re following our King, I at least know what you are wearing this week. Love is the best set of clothes possible!
From one Love Doctor in training to many others, you all look really sharp in your new clothes! Your red and white bracelet is stunning as well!
In His Grace,
Tom
PS Start inviting those people God has put on your heart for this weekend. We don’t want them to miss a great divine appointment with the King!
Monday, November 30, 2009
E-News from Tom: 11/28/09
Hello E-News Friends,
I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving getting together with some family and friends. Maybe you had to remember a time or two that love is patient and you applied it. If you did, I am sure that today you can look back and see how that was a “win” in the love column. Applying love the way God designed it always wins even though at the time it often doesn’t feel like the thing to do. Trust in it! It never fails!
Here is a phrase we want to apply to our love lives. I think it holds the key to us loving one another the way God wants us to. Here it is… “Love is more action than affection.” Read it again. Say it to yourself. Say it aloud.
I feel affection for Kathy. That is a good thing. I show her I love her by how I act towards her. That is a better thing. That is a God thing. Love is patient. Apply it! That is how it wins.
This week we continue our LOVE WINS series as we learn more about this love that never fails. You won’t want to miss any of this series. It is just too important to your life and the people you come into contact with. I hope to see you Sunday!
A Fellow Love Doctor in Training,
Tom
PS I have been trying to stay near 2000 calories a day to maintain or possibly lose some poundage. After Thanksgiving (and five pieces if pie), I can’t eat for the next 8 days to make up for it. It was great though! Thanks mom!
I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving getting together with some family and friends. Maybe you had to remember a time or two that love is patient and you applied it. If you did, I am sure that today you can look back and see how that was a “win” in the love column. Applying love the way God designed it always wins even though at the time it often doesn’t feel like the thing to do. Trust in it! It never fails!
Here is a phrase we want to apply to our love lives. I think it holds the key to us loving one another the way God wants us to. Here it is… “Love is more action than affection.” Read it again. Say it to yourself. Say it aloud.
I feel affection for Kathy. That is a good thing. I show her I love her by how I act towards her. That is a better thing. That is a God thing. Love is patient. Apply it! That is how it wins.
This week we continue our LOVE WINS series as we learn more about this love that never fails. You won’t want to miss any of this series. It is just too important to your life and the people you come into contact with. I hope to see you Sunday!
A Fellow Love Doctor in Training,
Tom
PS I have been trying to stay near 2000 calories a day to maintain or possibly lose some poundage. After Thanksgiving (and five pieces if pie), I can’t eat for the next 8 days to make up for it. It was great though! Thanks mom!
Friday, November 20, 2009
E-News from Tom: 11/20/09
Hello E-News Friends,
Thanksgiving is a great holiday! Not just because of the turkey and football, although those are good, but just the main idea of expressed gratitude to God. Saying thanks to Him for the many things we take for granted. It is good for your heart, mind and soul! It honors our Heavenly Father—something He fully deserves!
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.“ Psalm 100:4
“Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalm 106:1
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16
You won’t want to miss this Sunday’s Thanksgiving Service! It is packed with gratitude and love! What a combo! This service is sure to stay with you for a long while! How about showing some love to a friend by inviting them to Oak Bridge this weekend. Maybe God has a divine appointment scheduled with them. You just never know!
Kathy tells me she will have some Pumpkin pie available to all that want to get a jump-start on Thanksgiving Day! Oak Bridge and food, they seem to go together!
Let’s bring grateful hearts to our Father and pour them out in song and thought this weekend as we prepare for the coming Thanksgiving holiday. See you then!
In His Grace,
Tom
PS How about bringing a pie this Sunday for our friends from The Towers downtown. Many are disabled and need a little kindness this time of year. Remember our saying “LOVE WINS”. Let’s show them some. It makes a difference!
PSS New OBCC videos are posted at http://www.youtube.com/blptv4u
Thanksgiving is a great holiday! Not just because of the turkey and football, although those are good, but just the main idea of expressed gratitude to God. Saying thanks to Him for the many things we take for granted. It is good for your heart, mind and soul! It honors our Heavenly Father—something He fully deserves!
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.“ Psalm 100:4
“Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalm 106:1
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16
You won’t want to miss this Sunday’s Thanksgiving Service! It is packed with gratitude and love! What a combo! This service is sure to stay with you for a long while! How about showing some love to a friend by inviting them to Oak Bridge this weekend. Maybe God has a divine appointment scheduled with them. You just never know!
Kathy tells me she will have some Pumpkin pie available to all that want to get a jump-start on Thanksgiving Day! Oak Bridge and food, they seem to go together!
Let’s bring grateful hearts to our Father and pour them out in song and thought this weekend as we prepare for the coming Thanksgiving holiday. See you then!
In His Grace,
Tom
PS How about bringing a pie this Sunday for our friends from The Towers downtown. Many are disabled and need a little kindness this time of year. Remember our saying “LOVE WINS”. Let’s show them some. It makes a difference!
PSS New OBCC videos are posted at http://www.youtube.com/blptv4u
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)