River Oaks Church: Live - Connect - Engage

What does it look like to truly care for "those who are weak"? In our ongoing study of Paul's letter, we continue to see the responsibilities of a transformed church family. Last week we looked at helping the weak. What does it mean to be involved in helping the weak? Where can you help? Here are some suggestions to take Paul's throughs practically. When someone has a medical situation, (Hospital, ongoing sickness, injury) call them up and offer your help. Take a meal, do some work on their house. Help with general chores that may not be doable by that person at that time. Be aware of those who are struggling with mental difficulties. Listen, don't judge, pray with and for, be "with" them. When you see someone struggling with their faith, be the encourager who listens, prays with, speaks the truth in love.  Ask God who you can encourage TODAY. Then, do what He says.  The more we follow God's voice and do what He says, the more we will b...

Discovering and engaging in the God-given purposes for your life. This includes understanding gifts, understanding passions, recognizing needs, and engaging in ministry purposefully based on these foundations.  Wow! Today's Day by Day for Emotionally Healthy Relationships is spot on and uncovers cringe-worthy areas in my life - areas where I've slipped into the "elder son" area of the prodigal son story. The elder son is literally a picture of the Pharisees in many ways. Nenri Nouwen describes it this way: "I recognize the elder son in me. Often I catch myself complaining about little rejections, little impolitenesses, little negligences. Time and again I discover within me that murmering, whining, grumbling, lamenting, and griping that go on and on even against my will." How can we engage the world with purpose when we are struggling with our own sin and pharisaical attitudes? The answer is … by God's grace, and by more and more self-...

To truly CONNECT, a disciple of Jesus must live out an authenticity that is counter-cultural. The connection that we refer to includes an openness to the input of others and their discernment, an authenticity based on our willingness to be our “true self” in the relationship and finally a genuine love for one each other that comes from a deep awareness of how loved we are by God himsel f.  We were made for connection! God created us in His image. An image that includes a constant connection (Father, Son, Spirit). Search the web for "more connected than ever" and you will find pages and pages of articles explaining how our "connectedness" of today is actually leading to more loneliness than ever. After looking at Jesus' words about Pharisees and whitewashed tombs on Sunday, I discussed the need for each of us to: Spend time on the inside. Tone down the "outside". It seems to me that one of the great lacks of the church today is...

LIVE IN JESUS FULLY - Matthew 23:27-28 When we say, "Live," we are talking about the life in Jesus that is full. Life with Jesus is vibrant, authentic, genuine, and characterized by a life of prayer, worship, discipline, maturity, and the power of the Holy Spirit. So, what does it look like to LIVE fully in Jesus? How does it relate to Jesus' "Uh Oh" message to the Pharisees? On Sunday, I referred to Jesus words in Matthew 23:27-28 when he says, "How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look fine on the outside but are full of bones and decaying corpses on the inside. In the same way, on the outside you appear good to everybody, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and sins.  As some would say, "Big oof!" As people who are pursuing a full life in Jesus, what is our response to those words? I'd suggest these words stir us toward more and authentic se...

Discovering and engaging in the God-given purposes for your life. This includes understanding gifts, understanding passions, recognizing needs, and engaging in ministry purposefully based on these foundations.  So, how does James 4:11-12 inform us as it relates to engaging the world? As followers of Jesus, we have a clear mandate - Love God, Love Others! Let's read James 4:11-12 again. 11 Do not criticize one another, my brothers and sisters. If you criticize fellow-Christians or judge them, you criticize the Law and judge it. If you judge the Law, then you are no longer one who obeys the Law, but one who judges it. 12God is the only lawgiver and judge. He alone can save and destroy. Who do you think you are, to judge someone else?  Carey Nieuwhof recently posted the following recently: And that about sums it up. Let's take a close look at our own attitudes and ask God to show us where we need His grace to love more freely and extend grace more fully. His lo...

To truly CONNECT, a disciple of Jesus must live out an authenticity that is counter-cultural. The connection that we refer to includes an openness to the input of others and their discernment, an authenticity based on our willingness to be our “true self” in the relationship and finally a genuine love for one each other that comes from a deep awareness of how loved we are by God himself.  Reflecting on Sunday's Message: Referring back to the main text (James 4:11-12) from Pastor Tim Martin's message this weekend, we find keys which are helpful to become "Authentic Connectors": 11 Do not criticize one another, my brothers and sisters. If you criticize fellow-Christians or judge them, you criticize the Law and judge it. If you judge the Law, then you are no longer one who obeys the Law, but one who judges it. 12God is the only lawgiver and judge. He alone can save and destroy. Who do you think you are, to judge someone else?  Last evening I had a great ...

This Sunday we will celebrate Pentecost. Why does that matter? Because in the history of the church, this day, Pentecost, became the day when God fulfilled the promise Jesus left his disciples with. On the day when Jesus ascended to Heaven, he said this to his disciples. (Acts 1:8) But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” On the day of Pentecost, we see this: (Acts 2:1-4) When the day of Pentecost came, all the believers were gathered together in one place. Suddenly there was a noise from the sky which sounded like a strong wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire which spread out and touched each person there. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.   As we have been discovering the tr...

If you've ever been in a springhouse, especially in the summer, you will likely know that there is a sense of refreshing there. The air is cool. The water is cool, clear and tastes like no other water you drink. (My memories anyhow) I have very clear memories of my childhood visits to at least two springhouses. God intends for your soul to be a place refreshed as well as refreshing. Here are three of the six things you can do in your life to "Build Yourself a Springhouse" of refreshing. Learn to be SILENT Learn to PRAY, truly pray, and to have prayer at the beginning, middle and ends of your days. Learn to REST! Recover a rhythm of work and rest. Learn to truly Sabbath. This coming Sunday we will finish with the last three things you can do. If you missed the message, you can watch it here: Or listen to it HERE

What's Happening at the River? Race Reports: Sunday and Wednesday This coming Sunday morning, Elyssa Ranck and Jessica Torres will share a brief report on their recent adventures with the World Race. Everyone is welcome to join them again on Wednesday evening for a more in-depth report from each. We will meet at River Oaks at 7:00 PM and refreshments will be provided. Let's Have a Picnic! September 30 Woohoo! Get ready for a picnic on September 30 from 5-9 pm.  We will be meeting at Shelter #3 in Oakdale Park in Bridgewater. More details coming next weekend. Men's Campout: October 26-28 All men over age 13 are welcome. If interested, sign-up this morning! There are cabin bunks available as well as tent sites. Expenses will be shared equally. In the spirit of the upcoming "Explore God" series, consider inviting a non-church friend to join us. Contact Norm Mailhot with questions. Summer Shifts and Fall Arrival Early this su...

Does Your Friendship Matter? This past Sunday we looked at why God wants us to have friendships with people who are "on the margin," people who are social outcasts, and simply people who don't know Jesus yet. I wonder what would happen if each of us would commit to becoming friends with just 1 person outside our Christian and Church circle. Someone who needs a friend who will listen. Someone who needs a friend who will point them to Jesus by our words and by our life. Someone who would be willing to work through the hard questions?  You were born to be that person. The one who offers genuine friendship and a safe place for a searching person to find God.  If you missed this week's message, you can watch it here . Let's continue to be in prayer about what God wants us to do, and how He wants us to engage in the opportunity to participate with city churches and ministries in this outreach event. It is a Community Initiative We are not in t...