|
|
Transformation
Nathan Oates posted on April 26, 2012 07:07
Our community received 24 new people into membership in April: 24 people who simply said, “I will share life and discover Jesus in this community. I will live a life marked by transformation, community, and compassion.”
While we don’t make a big public display of this experience, I value this expression of commitment so deeply. In joining a local church community, a person is making one of the most significant statements: I am with you.
Life is easier - and better - when you know you are not alone. ...
[Read the rest of this article...]
Nathan Oates posted on April 18, 2012 11:54
There's another shift that needs to take place if we're going to pass-on the faith to the next generation:
We must truly believe that love is stronger than fear.
I think this is always true.
But it is especially true in terms of Biblical character development. In the Christian story, love is the starting point, not fear of punishment.
Some of us would probably say that our faith development was very much motivated by a fear of punishment – as in eternal punishment. And I realize some fearful threats exist in scripture, that there are Bibl...
[Read the rest of this article...]
Nathan Oates posted on April 04, 2012 15:17
"Israel ate the meat of a dumb lamb to complete the Passover. Having done so, they smeared their doorposts with blood and laughed at the destroyer." - Athanasius 4th Century
Amidst the pain
Of suffering
Of deceit
Of injustice
Of sorrow
I Stand
Behind the Blood
And proclaim:
"You can kill my body but you cannot have my soul.
I am purchased by the Redeemer who Rose Again.
And when sin's tantrum is finally exhausted I will stand with my King,
Fully alive.
Sandie Haskins posted on February 19, 2012 19:26
Are you INTENTIONALLY working on your relationship with God? Need some help in getting started? Many people make the decision to engage in Spiritual Disciplines as a way of getting closer to God.
Spiritual disciplines are ways we open ourselves to God. They help to bring us to the place of honesty, grace, and soul transformation. Jesus modeled living in a “rhythm of life“, using spiritual practices to cultivate his intimacy with the Father.
Dallas Willard teaches that it’s important to balance our use of disciplines of abstinence and disc...
[Read the rest of this article...]
Jill Loya posted on February 12, 2012 20:17
Are you looking for a great devotional tool to use with your children 10 and under to inspire their journey with Jesus? I have a great book that I have used with my kids that has come to be considered a children’s Christian classic. Step into the Bible- 100 Bible Stories for Family Devotions by Ruth Graham.
This book introduces you and your children to the basic doctrines, about what it means to obey God, what original sin is, why Christ had to die and what is eternal life.
Every story has a Bible memory verse- which I put on 3X5 cards a...
[Read the rest of this article...]
Nathan Oates posted on January 31, 2012 19:38
All are welcome to attend these classes at the HUB. Nate will teach on Christianity and Christians at the next class. Bring a little food to share, we will start at 5pm.
January 29th: The Bible in 5 Words - intro to the Biblical story
February 19th: Christianity and Christians-intro to the Historic Christian Faith and the Christian Identity
How to Read the Bible-intro to Biblical genre and practical Bible study methods
Tools of Spiritual Healing and Growth-intro to historic Christian disciplines
Make Your Life Coun...
[Read the rest of this article...]
Sandie Haskins posted on January 12, 2012 14:40
I met with a friend recently over coffee who is in my home group through Emmaus. She is really growing in this season of her life! We meet every Wednesday and discuss a few books that are part of our Freedom In Christ ministry. Through her study of the materials and our discussion time, she has been able to experience victory in new areas of her life. She told me about her process of growth and explained that she started out by first attending on Sunday, but didn't feel like she was really growing until she started attending a home group. ...
[Read the rest of this article...]
Sandie Haskins posted on January 09, 2012 13:39
I'm reading a great book right now called Sticky Faith that has really been opening my eyes to some of the factors that are connected to kids having a faith that "sticks" from childhood to adulthood. I'm loving this book and I recommend it to anyone who has kids or love kids!
I thought I'd share a few highlights here from the first half of the book:
The most important social influence in shaping young people’s religious lives is the religious life modeled and taught by parents. When it comes to kid’s faith, parents get what they themselv...
[Read the rest of this article...]
Nathan Oates posted on January 05, 2012 11:12
This week we began a 35 day journey of praying for one another. We prayed for the discouraged and the disappointed and the sick and the lonely... After my evening prayers I posted brief reflections on the specific need we prayed for that day. (You can see these reflections, if you've not already, on Emmaus' Facebook page). I was encouraged and a bit surprised by the response. As a pastor and preacher, I'm always on the lookout for what "connects" with people. Clearly, disappointment, discouragement, and needs of all kinds are familiar to many o...
[Read the rest of this article...]
Nathan Oates posted on December 24, 2011 07:12
Magi from the east declare, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
"When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him." (Matthew 2)
Why was Jerusalem disturbed? What had they to lose?
Herod feared for his throne. But the people? Why weren't they celebrating the arrival of the Deliverer long-awaited, the Savior promised by prophets? Why were they troubled?
Find out why all of Jerusalem was troubled and why it matters to you this Christmas.
...
[Read the rest of this article...]
|
|