E-Flash From Dan, August 17, 2012

A Fresh Start And A New Journey

Dear E-Flash Friends;

Powerful things will often happen when a local body of believers gets fired up, motivated, and committed to the work of advancing the church and advancing God’s kingdom.

I can tell you without exaggeration that God has used the church here in Oak Lawn to completely alter the course of my life.  That sounds like I’m laying it on thick, but it is the truth.  And I know that God has used this church to bring positive spiritual change to the lives of many of those who are reading this message.

With that in mind, I hope you will begin praying about our Fall Kick-Off services which are happening on Sunday, September 16^th.  I believe that God is leading us to invite individuals that we know to “A Fresh Start and a New Journey” and I believe that God is leading us, as a church, to be making some fresh starts and renew our journey together with Him.

Will you, please, make this a matter of prayer in your life?

Even now we are looking at offering a new opportunity for learning and spiritual growth on Sunday mornings.  (More details to come.)

Our Children’s Ministry will be launching a new theme designed to teach our kids Bible stories and values in a fun way.

We have been working at retooling our Wednesday night time with a view toward more intentional discipleship.  (We have more details coming on this, as well.)

Our Youth Ministry is working on a special outreach to students.

I’m excited and I’m trusting that God will do mighty things!  We have invitation cards with basic information about our Fall Kick Off services on our literature table.  Please feel free to take those cards and distribute them freely. 

And, again, I’m hoping that we will all make this a matter of persistent prayer.  Pray for the services.  Pray for our church.  Pray for our church leaders.  Pray that we will recognize the truth and power of God in our lives.  Pray that God will bring people our way.  Pray that we will have opportunities to invite. 

Then let’s take the risk of making an invitation.

This is a wonderful church.  I am already believing and trusting that God is going to work through us in some fresh new ways.  Thank you for being a part of it!

I love you all very much!

Blessings,

Dan

P.S.  Just a little reminder that we will be coming to the Lord’s Table for Communion this Sunday (Aug. 19^th).  Let’s come with hearts joyfully prepared to enter into this important and sacred time together.  See you Sunday!

Fall Kick-Off September 11... Be There!

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Fall Kick-Off 2011 "The Meaning of Life" -- Video

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E-Flash From Dan, September 2, 2008

Dear E-Flash Friends;

While I was buying an iced tea, yesterday, I had an impromptu chance to invite an acquaintance to our Fall Kick Off services, which begin this week (Sept. 7th).

She said, “You know what? I might just show up.”

I said, “That would be great!”

Then, she told me that she had recently been kicked out of her church. (I’m pretty sure she was joking.)

I told her, “Don’t worry about that. I’ve been kicked out of my church three or four times now, but I just keep coming back.”

We both laughed and then she called over two big guys and they walked me out of the establishment. Apparently, my sense of humor has a very narrow appeal.

Just wanted to remind you that our big “Fall Kick Off” is coming this weekend! I’m excited. I hope you are, too. We’re starting a new series titled: “What Creates A Unique Life?”

Surveys consistently reveal that the majority of Americans identify themselves as “Christians”, even as “born again Christians”. And, yet that seems puzzling to some of us because the attitudes and behaviors and beliefs of many people don’t seem to reflect a commitment to God and His influence in their lives.

Interestingly, further research has revealed that in addition to identifying oneself as a Christian, there are some fairly simple, but very important biblical beliefs that help to determine whether a person’s life gives evidence of God’s presence and influence.

People who claim to be Christians but do not hold these beliefs, in general, do not appear to live life in way that is much different than unbelievers. On the other hand, people who claim to be Christians but DO hold these key beliefs, in general, live lives that are different, changed, unique—not perfect, for sure, but more Christ-like.

Our fall kick off series will be investigating these biblical beliefs and values that are important to creating a unique life—in other words, an authentic Christian life. I believe this will be an interesting, helpful, challenging, encouraging series for all who come.

Can you think of someone you could invite? Would you pray about the matter and then take the risk of making an invitation? Would you pray that God will bless us and that he will use us to bear fruit through our church?

I’m grateful to be able to partner with you in ministry.

Thanks and God bless,

Dan



P.S. We are having a prayer service for our Fall Kick off, with a time of worship, on Saturday, September 6th, at 7 pm. I hope you can come and worship and pray with us that God will move powerfully and mightily in our church, in the coming year.

E-Flash From Dan, Aug. 21, 2008

Dear E-Flash Friends;

What makes a unique life? What are the factors that will make your life everything that it’s supposed to be?

Here’s a related question: What beliefs and values distinguish Christians whose lives seem no different than unbelievers, from Christians who’s lives are truly different and marked by God?

Are you curious?

Good. That’s what we will be talking about starting on Sunday, September 7th, 2008, at our Fall Kick-Off service. We’ll start a new 7-week series that day, titled: “What Makes A Unique Life?” I really hope you’re planning to be here. And I want to encourage you to invite someone to the fall kick-off. Can you think of someone for whom you could pray? Someone you could invite?

I believe we could pack the church on this day and start our new ministry season with excitement and effectiveness and, most of all, glory to God! If we will all invite someone, it will be an incredible day. It could be a day of new spiritual beginnings for many, as well. It would be so cool to be a part of God’s work in that way, wouldn’t it?

We have lots of invitation cards at the church. If that would help you to invite others, please feel free to take a bunch and hand them out.

You say, “Dan, I know a lot of people I could give those cards to, you don’t have enough of them.”

Oh yes we do. Keep handing them out and we’ll keep printing up more!

Our church has a calling to help hurting people find and walk with God. (I keep finding that there is no shortage of hurting people.) I trust that you agree with me that it’s a high honor for us to serve Him and help people come to know the truth and saving grace of Christ.

I’m looking forward to September!!!

Blessings,

Dan


P.S. By the way, the message for this Sunday (Aug. 24th) is going to be very interesting. We’re going to be talking about “judging” others and the idea that some people think that Christians are “too judgmental”. We’ve probably all heard that complaint before, right? Well, we’re going to talk about some of the realities of judging and judgment and the true and not-so-true baggage that comes with those words. I think it’s going to be very challenging and helpful teaching. Why not invite someone this Sunday . . . in a way that seems very kind and non-judgmental?