Last night we started our new series called SOMETHING REAL. Each week we’ll tackle a different topic … Real God … Real Connection … Real Relationships … and Real You. Last night we talked about the fact that God is REAL. Psalm 8 speaks of his “majestic name.” God is the creator of all things, and He’s greater than anything we can imagine. Yet, He is “mindful of man.” In fact, He even died for us for the sake of a relationship with Him. Jesus is REAL, and the fact that He did that should change every aspect of our lives and lead us to worship Him! I’m really excited about this series…I think you’ll find it to be extremely relevant too. Next week, Real Connection: How do I connect with God? How do I read the Bible?

We’re ending this series by doing baptisms in Oasis too, which fits perfectly since the topic will be Real You. If you’re ready to be baptized, don’t hesitate to let Jeff or Jack (or your group leader) know. It’s ganna be an awesome night of celebration!

Hey guys! Just a reminder that we’re ganna go to Mt. Crescent this Saturday to go skiing, snow boarding, and tubing…whichever you prefer. It costs 42 bucks plus tax (tubing is only $33). It should be a fun time just to hang out as a group and do something fun together, so I hope you can make it. We’ll meet at Brookside at 12:30, then we’ll take buses to Crescent and be back by 6:00. Make sure you bring a signed parent waiver with you, but most of all remember the most important part is to come ready to HAVE SOME FUN!

Oasis students…I’m proud of you!  Between going to the movie “To Save A Life” and the “Super Bowl Party” I have met so many of your friends.  But not only are they coming to our events your friends are coming to Oasis.  Way to go!  I know many of you are investing heavily in the lives of others and you’re taking any opportunity you can to invite them.  As I read through the New Testament the heart of Jesus is clear…he loved people that where far from God. I hope you sense God’s pleasure in what you are doing as you desire that those close to you would experience being a part of the family of God!

This morning I took much of the day and headed out of town for a “day away”.  I have fallen out of the habit of doing this once a month.  My goal in these outings is clear…get my heart re-connected/refreshed by God.  It is true of me that I have been sensing a decline in my heart’s passion these days…not a good thing.  It’s not that I’ve had any less view of God or any less of a conscientiousness of my need for Him.  But rather it’s that the pace and the challenges of life have taken some knocks at my heart over the course of the last several months.  If you have walked with God for any period of time you can relate to this.

So today my goal was simple…to reconnect.  I was listening to a message on the way in today and not to my surprise (God’s timing is encouraging) it was on being vitally connected to God if you want to live a passionate life for Christ.  The text was John 15:5-8.  What a powerful text! 

In the five hours that I’ve been on this “day-away” I can honestly say God has totally met with me.  I sense a deep level of connection and a re-newed passion to tackle the joys and the challenges of ministry and life.  My prayer to God: “Lord thank you for being so faithful.  You are real, you prompt, you speak, and you truly are a relational God that loves His children.”  Today I didn’t take a magic pill…just simply sat quiet for a bit, read God’s word, spent some time in prayer, read some of a leadership book, and even took a 10 minute nap! 

So, how you feeling these days?  Has your bible reading gone flat?  Do your prayers sound like a broken record?  Are things that usually don’t bug you getting under your skin?  Do you lack passion for the things of God that used to get you out of bed?  My word of encouragement to you today…lead yourself…get yourself deeply connected to your Savior.  His grace and his mercy is good.

We hope you can join us Sunday night…it’s going to be a blast!