Halloween, Scalloween

I had a lady come to me a few weeks all bent out of shape that we were offering a "halloween alternative" through our Festival of Light outreach on October 31st.  She thought we were participating in evil and glorifying darkness.  I told her that we are doing quite the contrary.  We are trying to be a light on a dark night.  We are loving our community through service as well.  Bob Russell addresses this issue on his blog this week.  Check out what he has to say here: http://www.bobrussell.org/2014/10/19/ask-bob-should-christians-celebrate-halloween/

Thanks again, Bob.

May Christ be glorified in ALL we do.

Eric

A Great Example

This is a great example of what I was talking about yesterday in regards to confrontation within the Body of Christ.  Check out Bob Russell's blog post here:
http://www.bobrussell.org/2014/05/04/ask-bob-does-the-bible-condone-premarital-sex/?utm_source=Bob+Russell+Ministries+Blog+Subscribers&utm_campaign=d6a575c1ad-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_fd840b8225-d6a575c1ad-114524581

If you missed the message yesterday and want to hear it, check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/OakwoodChristian
Look at the message from 5-4-2014.

Keep the faith!

Are Gay Rights Civil Rights?

Bob Russell brings up some good "food for thought" here on the whole "Gay Rights" debate.  I always admire Bob's boldness for being willing to talk about the issues that make many people uncomfortable, and if we are being totally honest, that make most Christians uncomfortable.  We need to be a people of prayer about these matters and stand firm in the Truth of the Word of God.

http://www.bobrussell.org/2014/03/09/are-gay-rights-civil-rights/

Five Really Bad Reasons to Leave Your Church

Another good read from Relevant Magazine.  Thanks to Melissa for passing this along.   Unfortunately, people leave churches for all of the wrong reasons all the time.  Hopefully this will be  food for thought in case you ever personally struggle with this.  Keep the faith, brothers and sisters!

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/church/5-really-bad-reasons-leave-your-church

Before You Post....

Got this from Gloor, our worship minister, yesterday.  Basic message is think before your post brothers and sisters.  Sometimes you can blow your entire witness in a single post.  I have a check that I do personally and that I encourage others to do before you speak, post, tweet, vent, whatever:

1) Is it true?
2) Is it kind?
3) Is it necessary?

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/culture/tech/5-questions-ask-posting-social-media

Christian Yoga? Now That's A Stretch

Wanted to pass this article along from Mark Driscoll that was brought to my attention from one of our elders here at Oakwood.  Though I don't agree with everything that Mark puts out, this is a very thought provoking article for any Christian to consider.  Pray and discern, and compare it to the Living Word!  (I also like his receive, reject, and restore thoughts on engaging culture.  Good stuff there.)

http://pastormark.tv/2011/11/02/christian-yoga-its-a-stretch