Monday Memo

Hi Five Oakers, Here are the comments and questions from the weekend Communication Cards:

// Just wanted to say how awesome it was today to hear “God’s Not Dead” the lead singer nailed it. I’m a lifelong music fanatic – and that gave me goose bumps – really amazing!  [I agree. So well done.]

// Thank you Henry for a great lesson!

// Henry – one of your best messages ever.

// A very freeing message today my small group lived this out for me this winter when I could only withdraw....

// Great acoustic and special effects behind Tim’s prayer. Very moving. Wonderful praise and music, again as usual.

// Nathan and Libby amazing job on “Oh God”. I absolutely loved it, such passion in your worship. Thank you. [So true!]

// Great message and worship! Praise God!

// Awesome, appropriate, application. Triple “A: message today. Thank you.

// Could we consider offering the “Story of God” for families – or for children – middle school? [We may be offering it every year for pre-teens starting next year, but offering it for families is a great idea. It will need to be developed.] 

One More Thing

Hi Five Oakers, The weekend is coming and I have a few things I want to share with you.

The Weekend

There aren’t many Bible passages that start like our text for the weekend. Here it is in the Message translation. It’s really quite accurate in capturing the meaning and emotion in the opening words of Galatians 3.

You crazy Galatians! Did someone put a hex on you? Have you taken leave of your senses? Something crazy has happened… (Galatians 3:1)

Paul is incredulous. And we’re going to see why.

FYI

Jeni Carlson on "Kid's Edition of Story of God Wraps Up with a Kid-Created Movie!"

Dear Parents of Saturday Night KidsROCKERS, We are coming to the end of the Story of God Curriculum. It has been a pleasure teaching your kids this amazing story. We will be working on our final movie on May 10th and 17th.

Tim Challies on "7 Things a Good Dad Says"

I have found myself thinking back to the many models of fatherhood I have seen and admired through the years. What made these fathers admirable? What set them apart? What was it that they said to their children? From these models I have drawn seven things a good father says.

One More Thing

One of my personal favorite Far Side cartoons comes in two panels. I hadn't seen it in a long time, so I had to look up someone else's description. But here it is:

Top half of the cartoon: "The Names We Give Dogs" (Two men standing in a yard with a dog.) Man says to other man:  "This is Rex, our new dog."

Bottom half of the cartoon: "The Names They Give Themselves" (Rex talking to two other neighborhood dogs.) Rex says:  "Hello.  I am known as Vexorg, Destroyer of Cats and Devourer of Chickens." Other dog: "I am Zornorph, the One Who Comes By Night to the Neighbor's Yard, and this is Princess Sheewana, Barker of Great Annoyance and daughter of Queen La, Stainer of Persian Rugs."

When Jesus spoke of building his church, he spoke of a church so strong and so mighty that not even the gates of hell could hold back its offensive (Matthew 16:18). He spoke of it as a church so mighty it would attack hell's stronghold and break through with grace and liberation to the captives.

When Jesus talked about this kind of church, he was talking about our church and other churches that hold to the gospel. What looked like Fido to the world was Vexorg (destroyer of Satan’s strongholds) to God. Even the crazy Galatians were Vexorg, as long as they didn't abandon the gospel of God's grace.

The church isn't a club or association. It's God's means of accomplishing his purposes in the world. When God looks at us, I assure you, he doesn’t see the surface. He sees a force ready to go out and daily invade Satan’s domain. A bunch of gatebusters. That's who we are. That's what you do.