This past Sunday in my message (Change Your World: Disciples who Betray)I said “One of the ways to fight being a lover of money is to be generous.”  If you need a reminder about this check out Pastor Tim’s 3 weeks series called “Generosity” from last year.  It was a great series and I know you’ll be encouraged and challenged by it.  Here are the links:

Generosity: It’s Essential to Your Growth (November 7, 2010)

Generosity: Budget for It (November 14, 2010)

Generosity: God Blesses It (November 21, 2010)

Enjoy!

Tommy

Each year we dedicate a portion of our famine to focus on serving our own community in Elkhart County.  One way we have done that is by partnering with Guidance Ministries.  This year we decided to canvas the area in groups asking people to donate canned food, bottles of water, and blankets for Guidance.  I couldn’t believe how much our students collected: over 300 canned goods, over 200 bottles of water, over 25 blankets.  As you can imagine, I was really proud of them.

Below is a thank you note I received from Guidance that I would like to share with you:

Dear River Oaks Youth Group,

We would like to Thank You for your long-standing support of God’s work at Guidance Ministries.  Your donation of food following your 30 hour famine will enable us to feed many and share the love of Jesus Christ with people in the community who are in need.  Your youth are to be commended for their dedication, devotion and love for the “least of these” in our community.  We are thankful for the effort your leaders put into raising up a new generation of fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ, who not only know His word, but do His work.

We thank you for your service in Christ’ Kingdom.

May God bless you with peace and grace,

In His Love,

Pastor Lori King, Guidance Ministries

I am very thankful to have Guidance Ministries in Elkhart.  They do a great job and it’s an honor to partner with them in the work they are doing for the “least of these” in our community.

Tommy

It’s hard to put words to the amazing love, kindness, and grace Jesus has shown us.  Charlie Hall’s song Marvelous Light does a really good job expressing it though.  I can’t tell you how much I love this song.  GREAT LYRICS!  Check out the video and lyrics below.

Tommy

Charlie Hall – Marvelous light Lyrics (Link to Charlie Hall singing it on youtube)

Verse 1
I once was fatherless,
a stranger with no hope;
Your kindness wakened me,
Awakened me, from my sleep (more…)

Have you ever wondered “God, where are you?”  If so, what were some of the reasons?

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to fill in for our senior pastor and continued the series he’s on called “Great Statements of the Bible.”  I spoke on loving one another.  In the message I spent some time talking about how Christians should be known for love, how often we’re actually known for a lack of love, and lastly the importance of showing tough love.  Sometimes the greatest way to love others is to show tough love – but a few words of caution…before you show tough love to someone be gentle, be kind, be prayerful, and check your heart.  Tough love is rooted in building someone up, not tearing someone down.

If you get a chance, check out the message.

Tommy

This past Monday I wrote a post regarding the need for more volunteers in our Children’s Ministry at River Oaks.  I am please to report that since Sunday we’ve had about 10 people step forward and indicate an interest in showing some love to our children – PRAISE GOD!

We still need more volunteers, but let us not forget to rejoice and praise God for those who have stepped up to the plate.

Yesterday at church our services began with a comical video by a George Bush impostor.  People laughed all the way through it and generally thought it was a cute video.  Well the video was a call or maybe better yet a CRY for more volunteers in our Children’s Ministry.   This isn’t anything new for us at River Oaks either.  There has always been a need for volunteers in our Children’s Ministry, and maybe now more than ever.

I don’t know about you, but this really breaks my heart.  We have children growing up in our church and no one’s there to teach them about the Lord.  Shame on us for letting this happen to our children!

On the other hand we have some amazing volunteers who sacrifice over and over for our children and are slowly burning out because no one else is stepping up to the plate to help.  Shame on us for letting this happen to our volunteers!

When will this change?  Oh how I long for the day when we have a body of believers at River Oaks and beyond who passionately want to make a difference in the lives of others for the sake of Christ.  I’m not talking about people who would say they agree with that statement.  I’m talking about people who will live out the two greatest commands – love God and love others.  Our children could certainly use some love.  Who’s going to step up to the plate?

Sorry for the rant, but my heart breaks for these kids.

We are back!  This past Saturday we got back from our first real family vacation.  Most of our “vacations” are often spent visiting family, but this time we were able to get away.  Our trip started in Jamestown, NY where I was a youth pastor for four years.  We were able to see friends, go on a plane ride, visit the church, and take in a wonderful wedding.  Congrats again Bre and Dan!  We are sooo excited for you guys as you begin your new life together.

After Jamestown we took a beautiful drive to Penn Yan, NY, which is located on Keuka Lake.  While there we swam, played at three different playgrounds, hiked at Watkins Glen (picture) and took a trip to Rochester to visit the Museum of Play – Kaitlyn loved the Sesame Street and Berenstain Bear sections.

We really had a great time.  A trip like this really reminds me that I serve a great God, and have been blessed with an amazing family and wonderful friends.  Thanks God!

Is the story of Jonah more than a kid’s story?  When you hear the name “Jonah” in reference to the Bible, what is the first thing that comes to your mind?  Is it Sunday school or dare I say Veggie Tales?

Well this Sunday I’m going to be filling in for Pastor Tim and continue his series called “Minor Prophets Major Themes.”  Guess what I’m talking about…yeah you’re right – Jonah.

Is it more than a kid’s story?  I’ll let you know – stay tuned…

T

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to speak in “big” church and talked about “Reaching for God-Sized Plans.”  It’s kind of crazy to me to think that we serve a God who can do greater things than we could ever ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20) and yet we reach for “man-sized plans.”  Why?  Why do we settle?

Well in my message we spent some time focusing on Nehemiah and learned several things from him regarding reaching for God-sized plans.  Here they are:

1. We need to have a heart that breaks for the things that break the heart of God.
2. We need to be in tune with God through prayer and His Word.
3. We need to take steps of faith toward God given opportunities.
4. We need to Remember the Lord.
5. When we reach for God-Sized Plans, great things can happen!

If you’re interested in hearing the message, click here.

God can do greater things than we could ever ask or imagine!  Try to let that sink in.

Tommy