Solitude Time

'Be still and know that I am God.'

I'm headed out in a few minutes to spend the rest of the week in solitude. I know the rhythm that my life needs in order to be God-focused and God-directed.

That rhythm includes spending time each morning re-orienting myself around the Kingdom. Spending a night and day each month being still and recalibrating. And then spending a week each year in solitude and reflection.

That week for the past 4 years has become the first week of December. It's always a little difficult to get started, I have to detox and decompress from the pace of life. But it's always one of the most powerful weeks of my year.

Please pray for me as I go, that I will listen well and hear clearly God's voice.

Advent Conspiracy How's . . .

I've had some great questions this week from some fired up folks about the 'How's' of Advent Conspiracy!

First of all, if you didn't see the video that has the Vision and Why's of Advent Conspiracy then click here and watch it first.

Then, here's some of the How's:

1) Do we right one check to FOC indicating it’s for Advent Conspiracy? Or, do we right separate checks to FOC for Living Waters, Mission 911 and the Vietnam mission?

Yes, one check. We are asking you to write one check and give it to Oso Creek on or before December 13th with 'Advent Conspiracy in the re: line. We will then split up all the resources between the 3 causes.


2) Is that it? We ask you to pray and to get involved! Yes, in the process of AC God is largely working on our hearts to give back to Him. At the same time maybe your group wants to get involved locally with Mission 911 or support one of the folks going to Vietnam, or go yourself next time!

3) Is is there a more creative way to “give” to our friends and family - i.e. Giving someone a greeting card indicating that in honor of that person we gave to one these missions.

That's awesome! YES, there are many ways to get others involved in the cause and as this person said if it's 'done early enough, others may want to join in the conspiracy!'

Keep conspiring for Jesus and compassion!

Calling All Volunteers!

If you're a Volunteer in ANY capacity at Oso Creek you are vital and loved!

And we want to show you some special love at our Annual Volunteer Banquet on December 4th at 7pm.

If you haven't RSVP'ed yet, please call the church office and let us know that you'll be there!

Conspiring Together!

Worship More, Give More, Spend Less, Love All.

That's the heartbeat of Advent Conspiracy. As we join in that heartbeat for the third straight year, check out this video that shares how we'll be a part and how it will impact lives!

Advent Conspiracy from Fellowship of Oso Creek on Vimeo.

Update From San Patricio Cowboy Fellowship

Below is an update from the Cowboy Fellowship of San Patricio County that Oso Creek helps to support . . .


Hello from Cowboy Fellowship! Wow, God has truly been blessing us; each
week we have new guests.

We have already had two baptisms services since our launch on September
27, and just yesterday, we had 2 people receive Jesus Christ as their Lord
and Savior.

We had our Thanksgiving Pot Luck Lunch yesterday after service, and served
over 130 folks lunch, with over 150 for church service.

We are averaging about 100+ each weekend for service. And many more on
event weekends.

I invite you to visit our web page at www.cowboyfellowshipspc.org and
check out some of our pictures. Also, take a look at some up-coming
events.

A couple of things going on; December 11 is the Christmas Illuminated
night Parade in Sinton, that our Church will be in. We will have a float
as well as 25 – 30 horseback riders.

December 13 after service we will have our Team Roping event with an
expect 200+ teams and our B.B.Q. Cook-Off. This would be a great
opportunity for you and some of your folks to come out after your church
service and see what’s going on.

December 20 is our Christmas Pot Luck Lunch where we hope to feed more
than 150 folks after service.

December 24 at 7pm a special Christmas Eve service, that instead of using
candles for a traditional candle light service, we are going to be using
lanterns. Just a little different, but looking forward to an incredible
evening.

I want to thank each of you for your financial support and prayer support.
The things we celebrate happing out here, are things you and your church
need to celebrate as well, because you’re a big part of it, Thank You!

May God Bless you, your families, and your church during this Holiday Season.


Don Parker Pastor
Cowboy Fellowship
of San Patricio County
361-249-2494

HS Guys Last Night

We had twice as many students as we normally do at our guys HS group last night - it was awesome.

Cool part was that we were playing a wild guys game in the front yard to get started and there was a group of guys down the street that Luke knew. We yelled at em' and asked them to come play this crazy game with us.

They did and then afterwards they wanted to stay and come inside while we spent time talking about the Word. Cool.

And they all said they wanna come back! Cooler.

Reminds me that it's really not that hard to connect with/impact people. Just be available, watch, invite and be real.

"You are the salt of the earth. . . You are the light of the world." Matthew 5:13, 14

Iron Man

My cousin - who ran with me in my half-marathon last year - just finished an Iron Man Triathalon about 30-minutes ago!

That's swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles and THEN running a marathon (26.2 miles)!!! And all in only 12 hours, 46 minutes and 34 seconds!

It's cool you can click here and see his stats: Iron Man Tracker (put in Bib #1399 and you will see his info . . . John Wilson)

Resting in Peace

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." (1 John 3:16)

There is no greater sacrifice than to give yourself away.

I snapped this pic yesterday at Joe Houston's memorial that shows some of our countries heroes salute a fallen hero.

Truly giving ourselves away is never, ever in vain!

And best of all is the promise that Joe lives in peace because of His relationship with Jesus.

"To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." (Revelation 2:7)

Well done Joe!

The End

Ah, I tricked you, there really is no end. Forever just keeps going. But the end of the book of Revelation whets our appetite for the next chapter of Eternity!

Don't you love it when your brain is firing and your excitement gland is bouncing around because of the next adventure ahead of you!

I encourage you to read Chapters 21 & 22 of Revelation for Sunday . . . It's full of exciting promises and strong encouragement to read it, know it, and live it!!



"Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book. . . .

The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!' Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen."

(Revelation 22:7, 17, 18-21)

Come to Vietnam With Us!

In only 50 days the Creek Vision Team will head to Northern Vietnam to discover how we can help the people of the Lao Cai Province!

And we want you to go with us! We'll be exploring different ways we can bring long term relief to the Vietnamese people. Some of the conduits that we may use to take the Kingdom are health care, orphan care, water, food, business development, etc.

One domain where we already know we can make a difference is in Education. And we've been given an opportunity to invest in education in a tangible way. That's where you come in!

We've been asked to pave the area in front of the school in Ban Ho (village in Lao Cai province). This may sound small to us, but to the community around Ban Ho it's huge. It immediately gives their school much more use and prestige --- and will also go a long way in us building a relationship with them. (These pics are in front of the school.)

The cost is $5,000 for the entire area! We're asking you to give for the Kingdom in Vietnam . . . Join the Team! (If you're ready and willing to go, write 'VN School' on your checks.)

OCC

THIS IS THE SUNDAY FOR 2009!

Gather your shoe boxes and gifts.

Invite your friends/neighbors/co-workers to join you.

Pray for God to bless the children and families.

Bring them on Sunday for the Celebration!

Burn This Weekend

Tonight from 4pm to Midnight and tomorrow (Saturday) from 9am to 4pm there will be a Burn at Fellowship of Oso Creek.

Whether it's for 15-minutes or 4-hours come and experience the authentic, passionate worship of Burn. It can be as individual or corporate as you want it to be.


1 The Lord is king!

Let the earth rejoice!

Let the farthest coastlands be glad.

2 Dark clouds surround him.

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

3 Fire spreads ahead of him

and burns up all his foes.

4 His lightning flashes out across the world.

The earth sees and trembles.

5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,

before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness;

every nation sees his glory. (Psalm 97:1-6)

Freedom Is Not Free

Thank (and hug) a Veteran today.

And tomorrow.

How about every day!

Reflections on Revelation

Just a couple of thoughts and then encouragement to make it count . . . .

God Holds Nothing Back In Order To Bring Clarity . . . There's all the detail of the brokenness of the churches; the seals, bowls, trumphets; the Dragon and the Beast; the 2 Witnesses; the justice; on and on. Why? God desperately wants us to latch onto Truth!
Are you willing to live your life before others with that kind of clarity about God?

Sin is Expensive . . . On Sunday I talked about Achan and how he (and many around him) paid for his sin in the Valley of Achor. This is a picture of the Valley of Achor. A Creeker sent it to me and told me that he put it as the background on his computer to remind him of the price of sin.

God's Future Includes Everyone You Know & Love . . . And this will become more clear this Sunday as we look at Revelation 20:11-15. Read it.
Who needs to hear it? This will be an incredible Sunday to invite people around you who are seeking, or confused, or hurting, or lonely, or wondering about God! Go pick them up. Bring them. Love them.
Why hold anything back?


Praying.

Awesome Mixer & Auction!

So proud of Victor & Heather Perez. Had an awesome dinner & silent auction for Wishes & Dreams at our building tonight!

It's a great reminder of how God can use one person with a God-sized dream. 7 years ago Victor dreamed of loving underprivileged children at Christmas. Over the 7 years 12,500 children have received love and 50,000 gifts!

And not only do they believe that this year is gonna be bigger than ever, but it is going to have a bigger Kingdom purpose than ever!

The cool thing about BIG Kingdom dreams is that they keep us dependent on God. They are outside of our ability to complete (and usually even start) and keep us on our knees!

As a by-product I also got to meet and hang with lots of people from our community at our building! Most of them were in awe of what was going on.

Whom Will I Send?

Isaiah said, "Here am I. Send me!"

And he had no idea where he was going. He just knew that he had seen the King!

Our students need people who have seen the King. We need volunteers who are willing to pour themselves into the next generation that God is raising up to change the world.

Below is the video that we showed on Sunday. Are you supposed to be part of our team that's pouring into the students in our City? Whom will I send?

Oso Creek Students from Fellowship of Oso Creek on Vimeo.

Family Meeting Reminder!

Don't forget . . . Oso Creek Family Meeting tonight (Mon - 9th) at 7pm at the building!

Click here to see a post with more detail . . .

(This is how Steve is going to entertain us when we get there!)

Wishes and Dreams

Several years ago one of our couples at Oso Creek - Victor & Heather Perez - founded Wishes and Dreams. An organization that helps disadvantaged children experience Christmas.

I'm excited that Victor & Heather have been asking that Wishes & Dreams would more and more be about the Kingdom!

The Wishes and Dreams kickoff is this Tuesday night and they asked me to share the invitation below with all the Creekers . . . And if you can't come, please pray for the Perez' as they are on mission seeking God's heart and path for Wishes & Dreams . . .

We are days away from our official kickoff to this years Wishes & Dreams! We are asking that all of our partners and sponsors are in attendance because we have something very special planned for you this year. We have many awesome silent auction items as well as raffle items (15" flat screen TV just to name one), a huge food variety (choices from Bayou Grill, Bombay, Kikos, Yolanda's Cakes, and many more!), and an opportunity to meet all the people that make Wishes & Dreams possible (You!). This night will also be an opportunity to meet the new Chief of Police, Chief Riggs, (time permitting) if you haven't already.

Don't forget to mark the date on your calendar and to invite all your co workers and friends!

For more information, times, & events please visit us on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wishes-and-Dreams/165717996178

Looking forward to seeing everyone,

Heather Perez Wishes and Dreams Program Coordinator 361-244-4806

Family Meeting

At our house we call 'Family Meetings' from time to time to talk about change that's about to start, a new opportunity, or just to share our heart about what is going on.

Next Monday Night (Nov 9th) we're going to have an Oso Creek Family Meeting at 7pm at the building.

The primary 'business item' is extending the term of our Elders from 2 to 3 years. But we also want to talk about some other Creek business and answer any questions or hear anything that's on your heart.

So . . . please try to come and be a part of the family. And we will have child care for the young un's who ain't ready for business yet. But please email Amber (click here) because we must have reservations for the little ones by Sunday at 5pm!

Doing and Listening

I spent the last day and night in solitude at Lake Mathis. By myself at a cabin getting away from my pace of life and technology - and just trying to rest and listen to God.

I'm a doer. That's what I do. A lot of you can relate. I even amaze myself sometimes with how much I can 'do.' And then I look around and God is nowhere to be found. I left Him in my dust about 15 'things' ago.

That's why I desperately need time to slow down. (Even though I resist doing it!)
Change of Pace + Change of Place = Change of Perspective. I first heard this from Mark Batterson and it's so true. And powerful.

As I was resting and listening this morning, this tree was outside the big plate glass window. Not a wisp was in the air. I just sat and watched the tree for about 5 minutes - absolutely no movement - it was perfectly still.

Then a couple of branches just slightly danced in the breeze. Just barely. Then a few more leaves stirred for just few seconds. Then still again.
Normally, I would have never seen it. Never. I only saw it because I was still and watching.

And then God spoke (and no I didn't hear Him audibly, but in my spirit) : 'Be still and know that I am God.' You will never hear the whispers of my Spirit until you stop and watch and listen.

Doing for the Kingdom is good. But doing without listening is empty at best, and dangerous much of the time.

Maybe that listening is 15 minutes in the morning meditating on a verse. Or turning the radio off in the car, or the TV off at night. Or a walk around your neighborhood in the evening.

Whatever it looks like, we all need God's help to be still. Help us Lord to hear you in the depths of our being.

Proverbs 4

As I continue going through Proverbs each month, Proverbs 4 has become one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. So much there that connects the heart and soul in following Jesus - the head and heart.

Yesterday verse 7 stopped me:

"Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.

Though it cost all you have, or whatever else you get

get understanding."

Wisdom in it's fullness is the living out of God's Truth. It costs us all we have because I have to put down my own ways, and seek God's ways, and allow them to seep into every pore of my mind and soul. It's worth everything to seek God because He is life!

Verses 21-22 say of these Truths that contain wisdom:

"Don’t lose sight of them.

Let them penetrate deep into your heart,

for they bring life to those who find them,

and healing to their whole body"

Come Feel the Fire!

On Friday November 13 from 4:00pm until midnight and Saturday November 14 from 9am to 4pm Oso Creek will be hosting a Burn.

You can check out Burn on the web here . . . The Burn is a movement of worship and intercession. Burn is a time to seek the presence of God that His will might be done in this generation.

Anyone is invited to come during those times and to spend as little or much time as you can.

The mechanics of burn are that there will be different musicians lined up to play in 2 hour sets, with a seamless transition into the next group/individual. Burn is not an "open mic" set up. Rachel Miller, the Area Burn Director, schedules musicians in advance to fill each 2-hour set.

On Saturday, as part of our Equipping Track, there will be a teaching time from 9:00am until 11:00 am on Prayer. The teaching will be based on Matthew 6 and several individuals will share including Rachel Miller, who will talk about the origin and vision of Burn and then begin the first set of Saturday at 11:00am.

I encourage you to block off some time NOW to come and experience God's blaze on the 13th and 14th!

Seeking Joe's Rescue (& Rescuer)

I've attached below an email from Tawny Novosad concerning Joe Houston. Many, many people have been seeking the Rescuer Jesus in regards to Joe.

And many folks are seeking God in the most passionate way they know how right now. What an awesome outpouring . . . and connection of people seeking heaven to come to earth.

I encourage you to read the below . . . and then to act as God would lead you . . . Tawny's email is: tawnynovosad@yahoo.com and her cell is: 361.876.8969.


Hi everyone,
As some of you know, one of our closest friends is Joe Houston, the Navy pilot whose plane went down this past week and is still missing. Feeling frustrated, helpless, and hopeful, a group of four of us went tromping through all kinds of wetlands, deserted islands, and marsh looking for our friend feeling a sure confidence that he is alive. We were unable to find him and knew that we needed to just sit and pray for a miracle.

Joe's Naval Academy roommate called me and said he couldn't wait any longer and had to come help us look for Joe and would search until he was found (he drove in from New York). He was able to get Joe's squadron from out here on the base to form another land mission in search of Joe. It is a large area, much help is needed!
There is spiritual and realistic evidence that Joe could very well be alive and that is our prayer! Thousands from around the world have been praying specifically for that very outcome.

This is where you come in. The following is needed:
1) Volunteers willing to go with the squadron and physically search for Joe (I can tell you it's no easy task, but talk about the possibility of witnessing the finding of Joe!). First group heads out today and will search all week until Joe is found.
2) Helping with supplies for the volunteer searchers. I'm thinking bug spray (relentless mosquitoes), sunblock, bottled water, sack lunches, and maybe a few first aid kits.
Also, if you or anyone you know has four wheelers, mountain or dirt bikes, or even a helicopter (we have permission to land there), those are definitely desired.
3) Prayer Warriors! This is just as needed as the other two, if not more! With God, nothing is impossible! (I have a prayer list of how to pray for the situation and can send this to you).
4) Networking-I know some of you don't live in Corpus, but if you could pass this on to everyone you know (call, text, facebook, etc.), just imagine the number of people who could be witness to God's awesomeness! Also, if you have a church pastor, please let the them/congregation know we could use searchers, supplies, and prayer warriors.

Please let me know as soon as you can if you can do any of the previously mentioned jobs. I thank all of you for being in my life!
I'm copying the email Joe's mom sent to me. Joe is one of the most amazing people I've ever known. He is truly the walking ideal of what we all should strive to be like. He is the father of a five year old son and is engaged to be married at the beginning of 2010. He is loved and cherished and wanted home.

Humbly in Him,
tawny
Romans 5:2-5
And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.


From Glyndell Houston:

Thank you so much for joining in unity in prayer. The Coast Guard has stopped air search. Have cutters still out there with sonar and divers. Joe is still considered missing status. Hundreds of Christian prayers warriors are holding on to hope that he is alive and will be found.

God is hearing our prayers and answering. Matt Kavanaugh, one of USNA friends drove down from NY today to organize a search on land.

Pray for land search team starting tomorrow consisting of Joe's squadron VT28.

They are being joined by civilians and church members in Corpus Christi.

They will search every day this week. Pray for more volunteers to be mobilized and for their safety. They will be in rough terrain using 4-wheelers. They have received permission to land a helo and have access to Matagorda Island State Park.

Pray for Joe to be located, to be healthy and for victory! Our God is the King of glory!!

OCC On Mission

We have poured ourselves into Operation Christmas Child at Oso Creek for almost as long as we've been in existence. It's not just a 'good cause' but it's a way for us to continue to learn to live On Mission! Here's how:

1) It' s a great way to involve friends and neighbors who are far from God in what the real heart of Christmas is. For the last several years we have been taking fliers to everyone on our street and asking them to help. One year we collected nearly 20 gifts from folks in our neighborhood. And with each one of those families we got to share why God would have us do this, AND invite them to celebrate with us on our gift collection day (this year November 22nd).

2) It's a great way for our family to learn to be on mission together. Our kids have purchased the items for their own boxes (click here to find out more about filling boxes) for several years. They learn to sacrifice in that way. They also get to right notes and pray over those children who will receive them.

3) We get to participate in sharing the good news of Jesus around the world in dark places. With every box goes the gospel and a connection with a local church in that area.

4) We get a little slice of what Christmas is about. It's not a celebration of your birthday. It's not mine. It's about Jesus. What honors Him is when we give ourselves away.