This is Us

We are the church, whether we are gathered or scattered--each one of us, a part of the body of Christ, wherever we go, whatever we do.

So, where can you find us, and what are we doing? 

Every year tens of thousands of key influencers from around the world come to the U.S. for education, then they go back home to lead in government and industry. Most never really get to know Americans. The Friendship Meal at the Hospitality Center for Chinese Students at the UM is an opportunity to share a meal and build friendships with some of those influencers. Mike and Laura Kuhl (Laura is talking across the table and Mike is to her right), as well as several other Five Oakers, helped prepare and serve the meal last week and spent time getting to know these students. 

Dan Parker is finishing up his second and last term on the Elders. The Elders gather every Wednesday at 6:30am to pray, but we always start with coffee and conversation by the Acorn cafe or sitting by the fireplace. For 6 years I've been offering Dan coffee. He usually comes in carrying a Mountain Dew. I've even offered him Mountain Dew flavored coffee (no such thing but the power of suggestion can be a powerful thing). For 6 years he's said no. Until last week. People do change for the better! Dan and the Elders pray for our congregation, meet with new member candidates, teach the new member class, help craft theological position papers, and so much more. Thanks, Dan, for your service. 

As part of the Family Advent services, gently used shoes were donated to help relieve hunger through the Shoe Away Hunger program. Thanks to all the Five Oakers who helped fill the barrell. Scroll down for more pictures from the Advent services.

Three Overlooked but Necessary Factors in Gaining Wisdom

Maybe you’ve heard Dave Ramsey say it: “If you will live like no one else, later you can live like no one else.” He applies it to handling money, but it’s true of so many areas of life, including the gaining of wisdom. 

Wisdom will not come by thinking like everyone else, and we won’t gain it by pursuing it like everyone else.

I need wisdom every day, and so do you, because we're faced with so many important decisions. But we need to pursue wisdom like no else in places no one else is looking and in ways no one else is trying so that later we can live like no one else.

This weekend we’ll look at three overlooked factors in gaining wisdom that the Bible says are absolutely necessary.

They are, in most ways, counter-intuitive and counter-cultural. So it will require “like no one else” attitudes and actions. 

When I tell you what these three factors are, you’ll see why they’re overlooked.  

They are a certain kind of toil, of fear, and of foolishness.

These three factors run through our passage for this weekend and through the Christmas story. I can’t wait to explore them with you. You’ll make better decisions. You’ll be wiser. So will your family. 

Invite a friend who is hungering for wisdom. Copy and paste this article into an email and invite them right now.

Photo by Sarah Cervantes on Unsplash