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Worship in July

7/1/2019

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​ 
Worship.
 
To say that worship is important in church is like saying that breathing is important to a human being.  Worship is where a church finds her breath, and her reason for existence. 
 
Of the many things that attracted Dana and me to The Oaks, the way you worship was at the top of the list.  Working with Rita Ponder, and the Worship Team, has been refreshing and inspiring.  I look forward to exciting times of worship with you.
 
In July we are going to simplify things a bit.  We will call it casual worship, but don’t think we are not taking it seriously.  In fact, the reason we try new things is to be sure that we remain intentional with our practices.  The last thing we want in worship is to be doing the same things, without thinking about what we are doing.
 
Rita and I will not be wearing robes in July.  So, if you want a clever way to invite a friend to church you can say that the ministers will be dis-robed in church every Sunday in July.  Now, I like wearing a robe, it reminds me of my place as a worship leader.  I also like not wearing one, too, because I can better understand that I am a worship participant, just like you.
 
The choir will not be in the choir loft for the month.  This will help us to see that we gather as one community for worship.  One of the outcomes of a worship service is for all of the participants to understand that we all are on the same page, and that we are one body realizing God’s presence together.
 
Just the notion of casual worship creates an expectation of relaxation which, by the way, can help with worship.  As one is able to relax in God’s presence, they are better able to rest there.  It may even lead to a better understanding of Sabbath rest.
 
I hope you will be able to worship with us every Sunday in July.  You might choose to leave the neck ties and other “Sunday go to meeting” attire at home, and dress comfortably so that you can find a renewed sense of gathering for worship.
 
We will, of course, return to a more formal practice of worship in August.  In the meantime, let’s gather in simplicity, and take ease as we worship together.
 
Grace and peace,
 
Christian 
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One Small Step . . .

6/1/2019

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I was 3 ½ years old when Neil Armstrong uttered the now famous phrase, The Eagle has landed,  as the Apollo 11 crew set down on the surface of the moon on July 20, 1969. Can you believe it has been 50 years?

I do not remember the moon landing, even though my Mama assures me that I was watching, but I do find myself in a similar place as those astronauts when they looked out of the Lunar Module and saw new territory to explore.  Toombs County is not the moon, obviously, but it is unfamiliar territory for Dana and me. Every place has particular customs, accents, food, traditions, and even superstitions. We are looking forward to knowing you and this new territory better.

As Dana and I grow into your community, we ask that you share your stories with us.  We are eager to hear how you got here, why you have stayed, and why this place is special to you, and your family.  I hope to sit with you for a bit over the summer. I am glad to come to your house, or we can meet at a restaurant, or go for coffee.  Where we meet is not as important as the conversations that I look forward to. We can share our lives, and our stories, anywhere.

We will also talk about The Oaks.  Some of you have been here from the very beginning; some of you have been here for a brief time.  Regardless of how long you have been a part of our activities, I would like to know what brought you here, and why you have stayed.

At some point we will begin to formulate thoughts and plans for our future together.  We will, in time, envision the future, and the possibilities for church in Toombs County.  Before we do that, though, we must understand how we got here.

I would like for you to put a date on your calendar.  August 11th is the anniversary for the formation of The Oaks Baptist Church.  That date falls on a Sunday this year, which is perfect for a day of celebration.  I hope you will make plans to participate in our activities for that day. I hope, too, that you will begin your participation by sharing with me over the summer as we talk about church.

Continuing the moon landing metaphor, we will take a small step this summer.  I pray that it will lead to a giant leap as we move into new territory.
​

Grace and Peace,
Christian


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June 05th, 2015

6/5/2015

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Friends of God?

5/15/2015

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Hello friends,

Do you consider yourself a friend of God?

In our passage for Sunday morning (John 15:9-17), Jesus tells His Disciples, "You are no longer servants, but friends." That's quite a promotion...or is it? Being a friend of Jesus is an incredible gift; but being a friend of Jesus makes us responsible as well.

I leave you with a question to ponder as you prepare your heart for worship...While we would all consider Jesus a friend, what do we do in our lives that would make Jesus consider us as one of His friends?

Have a great weekend,

Josh

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New Study

5/13/2015

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A Day of Contrasts

3/26/2015

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“For all Christian Church traditions, Passion (or Palm) Sunday has a bittersweet taste. Though it celebrates the King’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the parade leads straight to the Lord Jesus’ suffering and death on Calvary.”  - Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio

In preparation for writing, I took a bit of time to explore what other Christian traditions and other leaders of faith had to say about Palm Sunday. What did their reflections emphasize? The Prince of Peace, riding in on a donkey and not a horse? Christ’s ultimate suffering and sacrifice? The fickleness of humanity, one minute cheering on Jesus and shouting: “Hosanna!” only to loudly call for his death a few days later?

All of these ideas came up in one way or another. However, what stood out to me was Palm Sunday as a day of contrasts. On one hand you have the Roman Empire, a bloody kingdom built on war and dominance. On the other, you have Jesus, ushering in a kingdom with no violence, no retaliation, and no retribution. We observe a people who sought out Jesus for healing, for emotional comfort, for hope…then we observe these same people easily whipped, by cunning politicians, into a fearful and angry mob. We see a Jesus who spent so much time preaching, teaching, patiently explaining; now completely silent “like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers” (Isaiah 53: 7b).

As Christians, we enter on Palm Sunday morning with a feeling of celebration, greeting Jesus as he arrives. We exit in sadness, reflecting on his hideous and gruesome death – a necessary price for our salvation.

It is a day of grief.
It is a day of miraculous hope.
It is a day of contrasts.

Dr. Lucy Santos Green
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When God Disappears

10/10/2014

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Hello friends,

So glad you are a part of the blog. This may be my last post for a while because we are anxiously awaiting the arrival our new baby boy. When he comes, I will take some time off to be with the family. This is my second attempt at a post today...evidently I did something wrong and my whole work was lost.

The passage for Sunday is Exodus 32:1-14. In the text, the Israelite people are camped at Mt. Sinai (the mountain of God.) Moses has ascended the mountain to receive the Ten commandments and has been delayed in coming down.  The people are anxious and they feel like Moses has abandoned them and that God has disappeared. So in their moment of fear, they ask Aaron (the priest and brother of Moses who was left in charge) to make an idol for them to worship. They wanted a god to touch, feel, and see, and what they got was the golden calf.

In our own lives, how many times have we bowed down to idols much like this? Don't we often succumb to idolatry when we feel alone, or feel as if God disappeared? While none of us are bowing down to statues, perhaps we should list a few idols: money, fame, prestige, ambition, family, friends, football, hunting, boyfriends/girlfriends, school, work, time, leisure, etc. Who of us has not bowed down to one of these idols this week?

Instead of falling into the misgivings of our feelings, we must renew our faith, even when it is hard to trust. So this week, as we prepare for the service, contemplate the idols in your life, and rid yourself of them. Commit to serving God, and Him alone. That is the only way to find real meaningful life.

Points to ponder or to reply to:
1. What idols do we give our allegiance to instead of God?
2. Do I allow my feelings to get in the way of faith?
3. Where can I refocus my energy to serve God and God alone?

In His Name,

Josh



Just a few sports scores if you are interested

GT over Duke
Baylor over TCU
GA Southern over Idaho
MS St. over Aub
UGA over MO on the road



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What was Jesus thinking?

9/26/2014

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Hello friends,

Thanks for reading as always. I have a question for you...have you ever asked someone, "What were you thinking?" It is a question of exasperation. Clearly, if they were thinking, you would not have asked that question.

I often wonder what Jesus was thinking...what was He thinking when the rich young ruler walked away? What was He thinking when Peter said, "Lord if it's you...bid me come to you on the water"? What was Jesus thinking when He saw the cross at a distance through His swollen eyes? And what was He thinking when He came to earth in the first place? Why would Jesus descend to live a human life?

This week, we are studying the "Kenosis" Hymn found in Philippians 2:1-11. It was a hymn of the church, and in it, we hear the story of salvation. With that said, we can also read into what Jesus was really thinking, and in fact, what we should be thinking about as His followers today. Take time this week to read the passage...if you are feeling really spry, why don't you respond here, and tell us what it is Jesus was thinking. It would be good for us and for you.

I hope you come and worship with us this Sunday. And if you can't, tune in on the Lyons Radio Station at 6 PM and listen to the service there.

Thanks for who you are, and who we are becoming in Christ.




Josh





Only a couple of Games to pick...

Great win for GA Southern last night over App St.

Tech is off this week after a stunning 4-0 start. We will see how they hold up down the stretch.

Mercer goes on the road to VMI this week...Go Bears...they'll pull it out.

And now for what you've been waiting for...UGA vs. Tennessee. This is always a tough game...UGA stole it last year up at Neyland...but I have good news DAWG fans, UGA's running game will overrun a very good Volunteer defense. UGA wins, by 14 or so...let's hope it's more!



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Unusual Generosity

9/19/2014

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Hello Folks,

Thanks for reading as always. I have a simple question for you: are you a generous person? Unusual generosity is not found very often these days. In fact, most people want to figure out the catch. It is almost as if they have an issue with someone giving too much?

I start there to say generosity was a problem in our text this week (Matthew 20:1-16), the Parable of the Vineyard Workers. Some workers thought that the Landowner was too generous...he gave too much money to those that came to work too late. Do you think those workers were right? Don't they have a case? The way you answer that question is really about where you locate yourself in line.

The point of the parable is less about place, and more about God's unusual generosity...God's choice to give His one and only Son as the sacrifice for my sins and for yours. This passage speaks directly to God's grace...but it also demands a response of us.

Don't you think we should be generous, like God is generous to us? Couldn't we all stand to be more generous towards others with our money, our time, and perhaps, even with grace, kindness, and compassion? Wouldn't the world be a better place?

As you prepare your heart for worship this week, look introspectively and ask yourself: am I a generous person? And before you answer, ask yourself where can I give more? My contention is that when we are generous, we are walking closely in the ways of God.


I look forward to seeing you Sunday.
Josh

SPORTS CORNER

For a couple of sports thoughts--

1. UGA over Troy

2. VA Tech over GA Tech

3. GA Southern over South Alabama

4. Mercer over Ave Maria

5. FSU over Clemson
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How Many Times?

9/12/2014

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Dear Friends,

How many times? How many times do you have to forgive that person who has wronged you? 1? 2? 3? 7? 20? Jesus said, "Not  7 times, but 70 times 7 times." For you math whiz kids, that's 490 ( I think). I guess I better get out my notebook to make sure I count every instance of forgiveness because when it gets to 491, I'm through. Is that what Jesus really meant? Of course not...but what did He mean?

I think Jesus meant we are not to count how many times we forgive at all. Forgiveness must become our lifestyle, not something we do once in a while. Do you know why we must not count the faults of others? The answer is this...because God does not count our own.

Let's stop here and ask...what does forgiveness means? Does forgiving someone mean forgetting the wrong? Does forgiveness mean freedom from consequences? Does forgiveness mean reconciliation?

These questions are the foundation of my sermon on Sunday...The text is Matthew 18:21-35--"The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant."

I challenge you to bring your Bible and an open mind as we discuss this difficult passage.

And if anyone is brave, I ask you to answer some of those questions above...or better yet, I ask you to write down the name of the person that you need to forgive in your past...or better yet, I challenge you to go to that person today, and do what needs to be done.

Come Sunday, because we are better when you are here.

In His Name,

Josh

Sports Scores

1. GA Tech vs. GA Southern...I'm going with TE...No I'm not...GA Southern in a stunning upset.

2. UGA vs. South Carolina...UGA wins, but closer than the experts think.

3. Tennessee vs. Oklahoma...really? OK wins big

4. UCLA vs. Texas--UCLA, not close

5. Air Force vs. GA State--AF wins big

6. Texas Tech vs. Arkansas--In a game that might split the Green household...Texas Tech
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