Overheard at Five Oaks - December 6

Here are some stories from our most recent Story of God group in their own words, answering the question, "What impact did Story of God have on your life?" (I've changed some details to preserve anonymity.)

• "I feel I understand the ways that God has been speaking to my heart my whole life. Whereas before I didn’t see or understand it. It’s amazing."
• "Stewardship – putting my time, talents, treasure towards eternal things. Before this class, I was idolizing my job and putting all of me into it. Now, I have reevaluated my life, started tithing and am getting better at surrendering to God."
• "I have met another ‘new’ 5 Oaks family and look forward to deepening a relationship with them and impacting the kingdom together."
• "I love people more and plead for God to reach those lost and to give me chances to love them and show them the living water ‘come thirsty and drink’."

Here are the three comments we received last week from the online survey we send first-time attenders.

• "My initial impression felt like a good potential fit for me. Big enough without the mega church feel. Warm welcoming setting (coffee!), the music (gentle on the ears and spirit), the message, friendly people, close to my home, parking convenient/ample. And looks like a variety of options to get plugged into smaller groups fellowship."
• "The service was a great place to grow closer to God.  I really like how 5 Oaks makes an effort to encourage family discussion about what the church is learning. Also great childcare provided."
• "It made me feel better. My kids and I really enjoyed it. We will be attending again this weekend."

“Expert Hostage Negotiation Tactics for Dealing with Your Family this Holiday Season” (The Weekend)

That’s the title of an article I saw just before Thanksgiving. It was real news, not fake news. 

This time of year often puts people together, in the same room for hours, who try to avoid each other for the rest of the year. 

The tension isn’t always about basic personality differences or preferences. Sometimes it’s about broken relationships. 

Left to ourselves, we would often choose ignoring and simply enduring. But then God steps in and whispers, “I want you to do your part in seeking reconciliation.” 

That’s what happened to Jacob when God told him to go home and face is brother Esau. 

What happens in that encounter ties directly to the end of the story in Genesis and beyond. 

When God calls us to do our part, he is weaving our efforts into a larger story. No matter the result, you can be sure God is working. 

This weekend we’ll see four ways God works when we obey his whisper. We’ll see why taking the next step is so vitally important.

Is there someone, besides you, you that needs to hear this message? Why not invite them for the service?