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Listen to The Gladsome LIght
Tye Barrett is the new Worship Leader transitioning to New Braunfels this Spring. He is coming from Waco, TX with his amazing musical abilities to head up the worship portion of theBranch service taking place in the Student Worship Center during the 9:15am and 10:45am services. Tye began leading worship at University Baptist Church as interim in 2011, following the last guy named David Crowder (whoever that guy is… he had a band called the David Crowder Band and traveled with another ministry called Passion… yea!). Tye has been attending University Baptist Church since 2003 and is a Baylor grad. The Oakwood staff is excited to have him, and we know you will enjoy his leadership in 2015!
Click on this link to listen on the spotify web player
Click here for more info about Tye’s Band The Gladsome Light
Connect With GOD
CONNECT WITH GOD
Ever Wonder About God?
Have you ever wondered about God? You’re not alone. Most everyone comes to a point in their life where they wonder about God —whether He exists, what He’s like, and what He wants from them.
These are important questions. And if you just watched the Life in 6 Words: The GOSPEL video, you’ve gotten a glimpse of what the Bible has to say about these questions. Here’s a brief summary of what you just heard on the video:
You can find a more comprehensive explanation of these six truths here.
Just think, the God of the Universe longs for a personal relationship with you that’s available through Jesus’ work on the cross! How can you enter into this amazing new relationship with God?
You can start a new relationship with God NOW!
The Bible tells us that our heart and soul are transformed when we put our trust in Jesus. This decision to trust Christ launches you into a new relationship with God. So, while saying a prayer isn’t what opens the door to this life-transforming relationship with God, a prayer is one way for you to express your new-found faith in Jesus. You might say something like the prayer below.
READY TO TRUST IN JESUS?
“Dear God, I know that my sins have broken my relationship with you and that nothing I could do could ever change that. But right now, I believe that Jesus died in my place and rose again from the dead. I trust in Him to forgive me for my sins. Through faith in Him, I am entering an eternal relationship with you. Thank you for this free gift! Amen.”Did you just place your faith in God through His Son Jesus? (And clicking “yes” on the button below isn’t what saves you either…only faith in Jesus.)
By placing your trust in Jesus alone to pay the price for your sin and open the doorway for you to receive the free gift of eternal life, a life in Christ that starts now and lasts forever.
Is there anything holding you back from putting your faith in Jesus right now to give you eternal life? If so, you can learn more here.
– See more at: http://www.lifein6words.com/connect-with-god/#sthash.qQVPPyWo.aGwmcjec.dpuf
What is Your Mockingjay?
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What is Your Mockingjay?Have you ever found yourself unintentionally involved in a conflict? Or perhaps you involuntarily started a skirmish, and now you face a battle that you’re not sure you’re going to win? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, then you know a bit about what it must feel like to be Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games. After being willing to sacrifice herself to save her younger sister, who would have been a totally vulnerable and inexperienced fighter, she has transformed into a formidable warrior who is capable of leading a successful rebellion against a very corrupt system. She (literally) shattered the Hunger Games, and now Katniss will be the rallying point for the Districts’ attempts to overthrow their oppressors. But I don’t think that’s what she wanted… And neither would we—right? Like Katniss, we all would rather just have peace and be with friends and family in a stress free environment. Unfortunately, neither our world, nor The Hunger Games world, is set up that way. So, we would be wise to—like Katniss—find our own personal Mockingjay! In The Hunger Games, the Mockingjay is a symbol of rebellion towards the Capitol and a mockery of their failed attempts at spying on the Districts. To Katniss, it is a reminder of what she is fighting for and how vulnerable she is in the war she never wanted in the first place. So what is your Mockingjay? In other words, what symbolizes your commitment to the spiritual war we fight in every day and reminds you that we can never get comfortable or lose our focus on THE Cause of Christ? Look, I am with those of you that long for a more comfortable and conflict free life, but hey, whether or not we asked for it, when we trusted in Jesus for salvation, we joined the fighting forces of rebellion against the gates of Hell itself! Personally, I’ve chosen the Cross for my Mockingjay. It is a symbol of rebellion towards the spiritual forces of darkness that wreak so much death and destruction in our world, and it reminds me of the astonishing vulnerability of Jesus Christ. He is the God of the Universe, yet He was born in a stable. But more than that: Though he was God, Jesus’ death and resurrection started a war for the souls of all mankind. Like the Capitol, Satan wants to maintain control over the world and keep all his subjects in complete subjugation, but God left us here when we were saved so that we can help take down the kingdom of darkness! So I have a cross in my car to remind me to pray for my friends and family when I’m driving. I have a cross at my desk to encourage me to fight the good fight against the world, the flesh and the devil each and every moment. I even have a cross in my bedroom to remind me that Jesus is the reason I have breath in my lungs and a fire in my heart to serve Him from the beginning to the end of each day. Many of you need a “Mockingjay,” and might I suggest you choose the cross of Jesus Christ, as well? Not as a religious symbol, but rather as a rebellious representation against the sinful patterns of this world. Looking to the cross will keep your heart, soul, mind and strength focused on Christ and His cause each moment. And if you are looking for worlds of encouragement to get in the battle, let these words wash over the deepest part of you: Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).
The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18).
As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died (Galatians 6:14.). So if the Hunger Games motivates you to fight injustice, find your Mockingjay and get in the battle for THE Cause!
Sometimes having a symbol can really be helpful in reminding us of what is truly important, and nothing is more critical than THE Cause of Christ! This week, think through what might help you stay focused in serving Jesus.
PRAY: Jesus, thank You for humbling Yourself and dying on the cross so we could live forever with You. While we remain in earth, help us keep our eyes on You and our hearts committed to THE Cause
LEADERS: Be sure to check out the Discussion Guide for this week’s Soul Fuel – What is Your Mockingjay? located at the bottom of the page at this link! Donate now to support Soul Fuel!
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November Middle School Series – ALL IN
We’re Teaching This:
Have you ever taken a big risk? I’m not talking about eating your mom’s broccoli casserole after too many days in the fridge. I’m talking about something that could have only ended with a big win or a big disaster. Asking a girl to prom that has never talked to you. Pep-rally dance-off. Stealing second base in the last inning of the playoffs. If you’ve ever gone all in—taken a big risk— there’s only one reason you did it. The payoff. For every risk, there’s the promise of a reward. And if the reward is worth it, if it’s enticing enough, you just might be willing to do things you might otherwise never consider. Did you know that serving the people around you can be risky? Not only is there no guarantee of being successful, of actually helping someone, but serving also means putting our comfort, our convenience, and our reputation on the line. On the other hand, choosing not to serve others has risks as well. Not only could we miss out, but those around us may go without something that they really need. Either way, there’s a lot on the line. So the question you have to ask is: Am I going to play it safe or am I going to go all in?
Your Best Worst Day Ever?
Your Best Worst Day Ever?
What’s not to like about a 42-page book with a 10 word title? And since 1972, over 4 million people have way more than liked—they’ve adored—Judith Viorst’s classic work, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
If you’ve not had the pleasure of reading this story, the title obviously gives it away. A normal kid named Alexander had what seems like an abnormally awful day. But what I appreciated about Viorst’s original tale is that it focused on the fact that everyone has a bad day now and then, and mood shifts actually are as normal as the sunrise and sunset of each day.
“It’s during those “Very Bad Days” that we wrestle with the question of “why does God allow this?””
But when Alexander’s story goes through Disneyfication and onto the big screen, you get all the bells and whistles of slapstick comedy topped off with a dash of Freaky Friday supernaturalism and schadenfreude. All in all, a clean and fun-filled family affair, but it may leave you with the longing for every terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day to wrap up as neatly as an 88 minute film.
Alas, most of the time, they don’t. The stinging pain and aching memories of unfortunate events linger, and weigh our hearts down as though they were attached to a ball and chain. And for followers of Jesus Christ, bad days seem even worse, given the fact that God is supposedly on our side—right?
And it is during those “Very Bad Days” that we wrestle with the question of “why does God allow these things to happen?” Or more specifically…
WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO ME???
The car breaks down, the relationship breaks up. The depression reappears as my joy disappears. Old habits and addictions become new problems again. The news is bad, and the future looks worse.
In short, for some reason the God who made us and loves us allowed the terrible, the horrible, the no good, and the very bad into our day.
Now theologians and philosophers have wrestled mightily and waxed eloquently for centuries regarding this question, and unless you have private access to the eternal and unsearchable mind of God, you will struggle to find the answers as well.
The movie attempts to offer a response in the form of “hard times are mitigated when we have family to support us,” but I believe there is a an often missed principle offered up from God’s Word that addresses this issue on a much deeper level:
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
“When we go through difficulties, there is a definite purpose awaiting us down the road.”
We may never know the ultimate reason that God allows suffering on this side of heaven, but one thing is certain, when we go through difficulties, there is a definite purpose awaiting us down the road. From this verse, we know that when we have terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days, it equips us to help someone down the road who is going through the same stuff!
Think about it…when you have been down about life, how amazing is it to meet and connect with someone who cannot only sympathize, but empathize as well. No two trials are exactly the same, but what a blessing it has been to me to hear from someone who has walked the same road of trial, and come through it. And when they share their story with me, it helps heal the painful memories in their lives, as well.
I know we all want easy answers and quick solutions to life’s problems, but until Disney completes its world domination, that just ain’t gonna happen folks. However, the next time you feel like Alexander, don’t wish hard times on the people who seem to have it all together, rather remember that God is preparing you to help someone in need in the future. And consider also that the suffering you endure can also be a testimony for THE Cause, because when the world sees you handle difficulties with patience and faith in Christ, it will open the door for you to talk to them about the Man who endured the greatest agony of all.
And that could be your best worst day ever!
Flashpoint: Ignite Into Action
Bad days come and go, and when they do, rather than question what God is doing, think about the ways He will use you in the future to help those in need of encouragement.
Accelerant: Fuel for THE Cause
Pray: Jesus, give us the perspective from Your Word that teaches us to patiently endure difficult times so we can help those in need in the future. Give us also the eyes to see whose who are suffering so we can share our journey with them.
Read: 1 Peter 5:10. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.
Get: Reverse…Live Differently. In the Old Testament, Daniel is a clear example of someone who experienced a whole string of no good, horrible, very bad days. But he didn’t let it stop him from living a life that brought incredible glory to God. Pick up a copy of Reverse today! This 21 day student devotional based on the life of Daniel will help you see for yourself how God can redeem the tough stuff in life and use us to impact our world for Him!
ABOUT THE ARTIST: LECRAE
ABOUT THE ARTIST: LECRAE
“People struggle with categories. Categories make us feel comfortable because it’s how we make sense of things in our minds,” Grammy-award winner Lecrae Moore ponders. But sometimes, when you discover something really special, it defies category. Lecrae finishes his thought, “Sometimes, there’s transcendence.”
Remaining true to his beliefs, Lecrae is an artist that redefines mainstream popular culture. Thematically, one can find inspiration, faith and honesty in his music. But it’s more than that and yet it is quite transparent. If Oscar Wilde was correct when he said, “Most people are other people, their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation,” it’s simple to understand the easy attraction to Lecrae. In a sea of indulgent music, he’s swimming against the tide embracing all the things that make him the man he is, including his faith. And at the heart of it all, Lecrae is pleased to share the secret to his success. He explains, “I just have to have integrity and be true to who I am and what I believe in. Music doesn’t need to be categorized. It just needs to be good.” Now on the cusp of his seventh studio release, Lecrae is at the climactic crossroad of his career.
For the past few years, Lecrae has been the epitome of transcendence. What started as a practical approach to mentoring the youth population at a local juvenile detention center has led to a worldwide mission. As an artist, Lecrae has nearly reached the pinnacle of success. He’s released six bestselling albums and two mixtapes, won a Grammy award in the process and landed a global distribution deal with Red Distribution/Sony Music for the record label he co-owns, Reach Records. In 2010, Lecrae released the critically acclaimed album Rehab. It debuted in the Top 20 on the coveted Billboard Top 200 Album Chart. By 2011, Lecrae released a follow-up album, Gravity, scoring the #1 pole position atop the Rap Album and Independent Album charts and debuting at #3 on the Billboard Top 200. He’s since performed at the BET Hip Hop Awards, contributed to Statik Selektah’s mixtape and collaborated with a litany of hip-hop veterans and producers. In between albums, Lecrae produced and released Church Clothes, his own mixtape, hosted by radio legend Don Cannon. It featured production by Boi-1da, 9th Wonder, S-1 and Street Symphony, an indication that Lecrae’s positive message has been well received by his contemporaries. In fact, the mixtape earned a double platinum rating and debuted at #10 on iTunes.
As a result of his musical growth, Lecrae was invited to join the legendary touring hip-hop festival, “Rock the Bells Tour,” in 2013. He united with a lineup of hip-hop legends Wu-Tang Clan, Rakim and Common and fan favorites Kendrick Lamar, J.Cole and Juicy J. He then released, Church Clothes 2, the follow-up to his massively successful first mixtape. Again hosted by Don Cannon and executive produced by Street Symphony, it features collaborations with B.o.B., Houston native Paul Wall, Novel, Kevin Ross, Crystal Nicole, King Mez and label mates Derek Minor and Tedashii. Guest production courtesy of Grammy-award winning producers Boi-1da, David Banner, ThaInnaCircle, Dirty Rice and Tyshane round out the mixtape’s collaborators.
Get tour dates for Lecrae here
The message of his music has attracted everyone from the kid in his basement making beats to the editors of some of the biggest publications in the world. Lecrae embraces the discovery and views it as an opportunity. “A mentor told me years ago, ‘Lecrae you’re not in the widget and gimmick business, you’re in the people business. As long as you take care of people, they’ll take care of you.’ So we’ve always looked at it as if we’re not trying to sell CDs, we’re trying to take care of people – Give them messages of hope and inspiration. Some people put content over art and the art suffers even though they may have a great message. Some people put their art over the content and that may win for the moment. It may be the summer jam, but it doesn’t live with people for the rest of their lives. If you make great content and art and hold them up high, it stands the test of time,” Lecrae reveals. But he doesn’t want his music to be limited to people of faith. He explains, “If someone feeds a homeless man, you don’t know why he’s doing it, but the homeless person still appreciates the food. People want to feel what you believe and not just hear it. So let’s talk about fatherlessness, let’s talk about incarceration. Let’s celebrate a relationship or a marriage or a child being born. Let’s talk about social issues. Sure, I have a paradigm that I see the world through, but we all relate to those things and that’s where we connect.” And with the look of a man with a plan, he leans in and whispers, “When you influence the influential that’s when you can begin to change culture.”
Recently Lecrae co-headlined the highest selling tour in the country, “Winter Jam.” According to Pollstar, “Winter Jam” sold over 557,000 tickets making it the #1 tour in the country beating major tours by Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Disney on Ice and Elton John. Touring in front of a half million fans gives Lecrae quite the voice of a generation. But Lecrae didn’t stop there.
Lecrae also finds time to mentor professional athletes. ESPN reported:
“It turns out that Lecrae, who specializes in Christian hip-hop and recently dropped his sixth studio album, “Gravity,” is highly sought after by players around the league — and even team chaplains — for his prayer sessions. Lecrae either does them at the arena or stadium or the visiting team’s hotel, typically starting two hours before the game and lasting 45 minutes. They’re usually scheduled when Lecrae is in a certain city performing, or when there’s a game featuring a team with whom he has a good relationship. Since initiating his chapel services last year, free of charge, he’s developed relationships with Team USA men’s basketball and the Kings and Timberwolves in the NBA; the Giants, Falcons and Buccaneers in the NFL; and the Yankees, Braves, White Sox and Diamondbacks in MLB.”
Lecrae’s personal friendships with athletes such as Jeremy Lin and Bubba Watson and many others is a testament to his philosophy and belief in positively influencing the influential.
With great coverage in Time Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, XXL Magazine, Vibe Magazine and a Huffington Post Magazine cover, Lecrae is accomplishing his humble goal realized back when performing for juveniles at the detention center.
He is currently recording his seventh studio album, titled Anomaly, which is scheduled for release this September 9th.
Fusion Wednesdays 6:30 to 8pm
Q What is Fusion? Fusion offers a loving and accepting environment geared for Middle School Students Grades 6-8. We have events, weekly meetings, and exist to Intentionally Engage Middle School Students by leading them into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Fusion happens when two elements become a whole new element. As the elements of the Natural and Supernatural collide in the power of Jesus, a NEW CREATION is formed!
Q What do Middle School Students do for Dinner Wednesdays? Oakwood offers a complete meal in the Student Worship Center between 5:15pm and 6:15pm. Special Wednesdays like All Access Nights and Fuze Nights offer free pizza around 6pm.
Q When and Where does Fusion Meet? Fusion Meets Sundays 9:15am in the Student Worship Center (SWC) and begins Wednesdays 6:30pm in the Middle School Kickstart Room.
Q What happens on Fusion Wednesdays? Student hang out time is 5:30 to 6:30 in the Kickstart RM 100
6:30 Bible Study Begins in the Kickstart Room with random door prize giveaways, a mixer game or video. After Worship and Talk Time, students then move to break out discussion groups. 8pm is dismissal time
See You At The Pole
We are blessed to live in a country where we have the freedom to go before the Father on behalf of our leaders in school, in our local government, as well as our state and national government. I was also blessed to partner with the Canyon Middle School Fellowship of Christian Athletes and see Middle School students share scripture and testimonies about how God has impacted them. It is inspiring to hear sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students go before the Father in a group setting and express their hearts in prayer.
Just last week a group of youth pastors gathered and asked if See You At The Pole was something that still goes on. Truth be told, this movement started in 1990 by students simply gathering to pray for leaders in the nation and schools. Most of us in youth leadership have experienced See You At The Pole one way or another, and we see that it may be more tradition than movement-like at this point. WHAT IS MOVING HOWEVER, is the continual work of Jesus Christ on campus each week. Even if a gathering around the pole stops happening, we have seen students step up and lead out in FCA groups and start Bible Studies before school. Oakwood High School Student, Aspen Whitlock, the President of the Canyon High School FCA, led worship this morning and was excited to help invest in middle school students. We are truly blessed to see God move here at Oakwood and on campus!
Parent Resources 