Monthly Archives: September 2008

Sep 29 2008

Please pray for my friend Shannon…

In recent months and weeks, from time to time, I would ask for you (the faithful readers of this blog…both of you!) to pray for my friend Shannon…she lives in North Carolina with her husband and two boys. She and I went to Libery University together and graduated in 1996. There are several of us who have kept in touch over the years and remain friends to this day. She has been battling cancer for over a year now and she had brain surgery last month.

Well, things have gone downhill when it comes to her health… I have included this most recent update that came today and was written by her close friend…

Shannon has slipped into a coma and is totally unresponsive at this point. We are trying to keep her comfortable at this time. The Hospice nurse came by this morning. She thinks that within the next 24-48 hours Shannon will go and meet her Creator. The Hopice Nurse said she can probably still hear us, so we have been singing, reading and talking to her. Please pray for God’s mercy.
The boys are still in South Carolina. Please pray for them. Pray for stamina and strength for Roy has he cares for the boys. Please also pray for wisdom as he answers questions and comforts the boys…and prepares for the days ahead.
Please also pray for Tom, Gloria, Bob, Cheri and Mildred. They have been caring for Shannon around the clock. Please pray for strength and stamina for them as well. Please pray for peace and comfort…honestly I don’t know what all to ask you to pray for, but just lift them up. As you can imagine this has been physically, emotionally and spiritually exhausting, and there are still some long hard days ahead.

Please pray for Shannon and her family. Please go home and hug your spouse and kids and let them know you love them. Please allow God to be in charge of your life and your only source of salvation. Thanks for doing these things!

It is ironic that we are in the middle of a teaching series called "30 Days To Live". Life (this side of heaven) is incredibly short. It was when I first heard about Shannon’s cancer diagnosis a year ago that God really began to work in my heart and changed the idea of church planting from "someday" to "let’s do it sooner then later".  What needs to happen in your life sooner then later??

Sep 27 2008

Slow Posting Week…

This week, things are flying by and I have not had the chance to post like I normally do…. I am sorry for that! I wanted to make sure that www.oasisnfl.org was properly updated, so I focused on that this week. Please go check it out!

Starting later today, on Saturday, we officially kick-off our HUGE push for fundraising for our church plant in Jacksonville. We are inviting people to join "The 600" ….600 partner families who will pray and invest with and in us as we step out in faith in just a few weeks. To further explain it, we are asking for 300 families to invest a one-time gift of $300 (or $25/ month). We are seeking 200 families to give $200 and 100 families to partner with $100 (for a grand total of 600 families).

By completing our target of 600 families, we will have enough prayer and funds for purchasing the needed resources (sound system, video, children’s ministry, first impressions, etc…), effectively marketing the launch to thousands of people in the area, and our family will have the needed support for the first year (we will not pull a salary from the new church until it is established).

Will you be part of "The 600"? For more info and to join in, please click here!

Sep 22 2008

Weekend Update

- wow, recovering from a crazy weekend!

-Found out some awesome news about the place we were trying to rent in Jacksonville for our church plant services…go check it out here!

-Thursday, had family come in town (from Newnan and Dawsonville, Ga and Jax, Fl) for a big birthday celebration…crowded house! But loved seeing everybody…

-Friday, Ryan turned 1…he seemed to like everybody singing to him and being the center of attention…what a ham!

Also took the Expedition to Carmax and they gave me enough money to pay off what I owed and even some left over…thank you Jesus! What a great answer to prayer…

-Friday night, went over to my parents house and spent a few hours laughing and talking with Jonathan, Charissa, Wally, and Jenny and my parents…that was fun

– Saturday, spent the morning running to Bj’s, the Party store, the Dollar store, and Chik-fil-a getting ready for the big party…Zachary was tired but he was a trooper the whole time!

-Party from 2 – 4ish pm…about 35 people (friends and family), a Spiderman bounce house, a swimming pool, a Baby Einstein Lion Cake, lots of food…what more can you say?? Ryan seemed to enjoy it too…he is so good and easy going (as long as you feed him and let him sleep….hhmmm…sounds like me!).

-Spent the evening unwinding, opening gifts, playing with dart guns, watching the Canes look better then they have in years, and went to Pines Ale House for wings and football….

-Sunday, spoke at the 9am and NoMi on the topic of "Fighting for Peace", week 2 of 30 Days to Live…confessed that I was really preaching to me and letting everyone listen in… I hate to admit it but I needed this sermon…God has a way of saying exactly what I need to hear…I just need to listen and obey!

-Dedicated 9 babies (and we dedicated Ryan as well) at Oasis NoMi…what a great picture to see parents committing to raise their children to worship and follow Jesus!

-Fantasy Football was ok…except my opponent had Ronnie Brown in one of the leagues…are you kidding me? It looked like the ‘Fins and Patriots switched uniforms…but, hey good for the Dolphins!

-Speaking of teams that looked good this weekend, anybody see the Cowboys beat the Pack? Just wondering…