Everyone knows about the grand opening of Oasis, January 19, 2014. It was our very first Sunday morning service. Hundreds of people showed up, 28 people met Jesus, & it was a big, exciting day. But here’s the part people don’t know... Technically, we started Oasis 9 months earlier with a small crew of 40-something people in a rented room at the Holly Springs Cultural Center. There were no lights, no cameras, no frills. We stuck
To my love ...the one who laughs with me. ...the one who eats beef with me. ...the one who sacrifices, serves, and loves me. ...the one who gave me the greatest gift I’ve ever received, children. ...the one who forgave me even after I accidentally farted on her my sleep the other night. ...to the most beautiful woman, who has given me the most wonderful life. You married me?! I’m still in awe about!!! 😂 Sometimes I
When it comes to pastors, it seems like people are looking for something a little extra, a Pastor+, a rockstar. Err’body wants to be that “cool” pastor. The one with a slick insta, clever quotes and 🔥 sermon clips. I used to try so hard to be that guy, but I’m over it. I don’t want to be an entertaining, self promoting, personal brand anymore. My calling is to lay my life down, not lift myself up.
Isn’t it beautiful outside? Over the years I’ve come to learn that rain or shine, it’s beautiful outside. Thunder & Lightning? Beautiful. Clear Carolina Blue Skies? Beautiful! Dark, gray, storm clouds creeping overhead? Beautiful! Why? Because all weather is the handywork of our creator. “He causes the clouds to arise from the end of the earth, makes lightning bolts accompany the rain, and brings the wind out of his storehouses.” -Psalms 135:7 I’ve always considered myself a four
244 days... ...that’s how long it’s been since I've seen some of you, that's how long it's been since we've had a 'normal' church service, and that is how long it's been since I went to Harris Teeter without a mask on. Truth is, we’ve ALL been impacted this year. You’re wearing a mask to the grocery store. You probably had to cancel some family plans this year. And by now, you or at least someone
Heard this phrase the other day, “Slogans are broken.” They were originally made with good intentions, and they were supposed to elevate positive thoughts and bring people together under one banner… …but they have been hijacked. Slogans have been broken, abused, and taken advantage of. Designed to be vision statements, they are now being used as division statements. They were supposed to be talking points, but now they are being used as trigger points. Slogans now have
#1 – You are not condemned! "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1 NET) #2 – Jesus makes all things NEW! "So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17 NET) #3 – Jesus does not partially clean us…He does it completely! "Come, let’s consider your options,” says the Lord. “Though your
Politics... Did you know, the words politic, polity, and polite are all cousins from the same bloodline? All three of these words refer to what is civil, or… what is right. Specifically, “politics” means “the methods or science of government”. In the church, we have what we call “Church Polity” which is usually a boring conversation about the right way to govern the church. And of course you may have heard the phrase “personal polity” which refers to how you govern yourself.
Imagine an ancient public toilet…over 2,000 years ago. It’s basically a permanent, outdoor port-a-potty. There was a bucket that you’d sit on, maybe a wall on each side, and a hollow or open area beneath the floor of the bucket where all the human excrement landed. The higher class person would pay to sit on the public toilet, and a slave would remain below. There was no such thing as toilet paper, so the slave would
Hey Oasis! The election is just a couple of weeks away. So far it has been a multi billion dollar event…over $11 billion dollars, actually. The news coverage is frantic, the gossip is all consuming, the speculation is unending. Some people are using their Facebook accounts to lobby for the affirmation of their specific candidate and worldview, some are using every bit of their influence to convert and evangelize others to join their political party, and
“It’s hard to find an authentic pastor.” I’ll never forget saying this after finally meeting my celebrity man crush. When I was fresh out of college I attended the church of this mega pastor who I had a mega obsession with. I had these preconceived ideas of how cool he was and how incredible it would be to know him personally. And then I met him. He seemed so….fake. When I was around him, I just
I have never been “exceptional” at anything. Not academics, sports, church, performing arts, music, writing, clowning, or whatever... I’ve learned that talent might get you noticed, but TENACITY gets you wins. Dive on the ball, practice, show up, take risks, put yourself out there. Sometimes you don’t have to be the best, you just have to give it your best. The struggle produces endurance. The hustle brings favor. Tenacity always wins. PS- I’m not currently on
#1- You are replaceable. There are other people who can do your job as good as or better than you. Don’t think too highly of yourself. #2- They say it’s lonely at the top. Don’t be the “top,” stay humble and lowly, there’s more community there. Humble yourself. #3- You cannot fix everything. Only Jesus can do that. Stop trying. #4- People will misjudge you. They judge you on the basis of what they think they
I’m ready for this presidential election to be over, ASAP! (can I get an amen?) I think I already know who I am going to vote for (still considering Mickey Mouse) and I’m sure you have already made your decision as well. But, sadly, we are gonna have to sit here 'til Christmas and watch ads and read Facebook posts telling us how terrible the other party is and we get the joy of watching our
Hey Oasis! Wow, the summer has flown by, and here we are starting a new school year! I have been praying regularly for all of our teachers as you navigate the changes in your world. I hope you know you are loved and supported by Oasis! I’ve also been praying for those of you with kids who are still figuring out the online thing or the hybrid options. These are some crazy times we are living in!Speaking
Heres a little history lesson. If we followed the branches of Christianity all the way back to its earliest roots, we’d end at a guy name Abraham. Old Abe didn’t set out with the intention of starting an entire religion, he was just a dude in a t-shirt who was chosen and blessed by God. He learned early in his friendship with God that his good deeds had little impact on how God viewed him. If
So you grew up in church and have a “religious background”? So what! Does that really even matter? Yes, on the one hand, there is value in a decent upbringing, especially if you grew up surrounded by people who sincerely love God and want to know Him. But on the other hand, you were probably exposed to the most religious hypocrisy. Have you ever heard someone say, “There are too many hypocrites in the church”? I’m
This is not a PC statementIt’s a BC statement “Because of Christ.” He paid for it. And this will not be easy for us. It will require intentionality & effort. It’s much easier to become a homogeneous unit filled with people who look alike in the same stage of life. It’s easier to build a church rooted in humanistic self focused philosophy that seeks self satisfaction while pointing a finger of accusation at the rest of
Today I have the privilege of officiating a wedding & a funeral on the same day...and no, it’s not the same person I can remember a time in ministry when I thought, “I don’t want to do weddings or funerals, i don’t wanna visit hospitals, I don’t wanna...etc”I just wanted to preach. I wanted affirmation from crowds. I wanted to be seen & noticed. I wanted people to like me. Bad motives for ministry? Absolutely. Unfortunately
The system is broken because people are broken. We can come to the table and agree on a broken system, but can we come to the table and agree on a broken humanity? I'm sitting in the safe bubble of my social identity, finding refuge in people who are just like me, pointing fingers at other "groups" and condemning them for their sin. But Jesus didn't bring us to the table to point fingers at the
