Community Driven

"You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another." (Prov 27:17 Message)

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me." (Jesus in John 17)

On Sunday I talked about the necessity of Community/Team if we are going to move further in this journey with Jesus. Us Before Me.

The Bible doesn't just talk about relationship, it IS relationship. It's the word(s) of God, through His Son, to us. And it's in relationship that we are transformed. Man, I know. I know what it's like to separate myself from others who push me further spiritually (and the emptiness I have) - and what it's like to be engaged with people encouraging me and to be encouraging others.

One of the passages that came to mind as I was thinking about it this week is the story of the rich young man (Matthew 19:16-25 - click and check it out). The point of that story is that this young dude chose his wealth/things over a relationship with God. And he was a good guy!
But any time we choose things/jobs/self/distractions over relationship with God and others - we immediately stifle our Christian life. Period.

Why do we emphasize so passionately everyone being in Life Groups? Because it is through those relationships where we are real with others about God, that we will grow in this Christian journey. And that's the whole point! That's the reason we exist as a church! We don't want you just to occupy space on Sunday, but to be a world changer for the Kingdom of God!

And sadly, when we allow anything to get in the way of being in life transforming relationships with others, then we're no different from this young guy.
Jesus told him to come back when he was willing to invest in eternal relationships instead of earthly stuff.

It's your move. Do you need to engage deeper in community? Or to draw someone else in with you?

Easter Festival Is Nearly Here!!!

In less than 2 weeks we have an opportunity to show our community the hope of Jesus in a powerful way!

Who are you inviting? Grab some of these special connection cards at the building and spread them around in your neighborhood, at work, on your teams, etc

How are you going to be a part? If you haven't found a role yet to help with the festival then email Audie (click here) and let her know that you're ready to go!

Above all pray. Pray that we will humbly get out of the way and let God move through us. Pray that God will speak to people who need Him in only ways He can.

Group Life

9 Creekers went through Groups 101 & 201 on Sunday evening . . . All of them are already beginning, or willing, to lead groups!

What I personally love about that class is that it reminds me why community is so important to God and important to us at Oso Creek. It's awesome to hear their stories about being in a time of great need and their group gathered around them and became Jesus to them in that season. Or, as one person said, they hate missing their time together more than anything else in the week!

As we read through the end of Acts 2 (41-47) as we did on Sunday, I'm always reminded that the Church didn't begin with a doctrinal statement, or a church growth strategy. . . it began with people gathering together and seeking together how to follow this man Jesus. Seeking to love Him and love one another. I pray that we never lose focus of the simplicity and power of community.

You Version

Hey check out this new online Bible called You Version. It allows you to personalize an online version and also collaborate with a community of folks . . . and a lot of other cool stuff that I don't understand yet . . . What possibilities do you see?

And one of the awesome things is that it's been developed and implemented by a church - Life Church - for the purpose of blessing the Kingdom ..... Awesome!