| "The Best of Times" |
| I began a phone appointment a few days ago by asking my friend/agent how he was doing. He said “it is the best of times; it is the worst of times” and we spent the rest of our allotted time discussing why. I Googled the phrase and discovered articles written about how it was the best and worst of times for Romney, the Tea Party and others; I even saw a post written by author Mark Gilroy who formerly lived in Tulsa and taught Sunday School at Central. The quote by English Novelist Charles Dickens in “A Tale of Two Cities”, written in the 1800’s but describing the times of the French Revolution, seems to fit many eras and circumstances. The phrase would fit our world today in many ways, but right now I sense that these are great days in NEO. This past weekend we had almost 200 youth and sponsors at the Mid-Winter Retreat. I was impressed with the work of our Directors, Ken Behrens and Nick Williams, and thrilled with the great team of youth pastors and sponsors God has given us. And the NEO youth are second to none. These are great days in NEO because of the investment we make in children and youth and because these young people are responding to God’s grace and call upon their lives. These are also great days because of the great team of leaders we are assembling on the District. We experienced high turnover of pastors and staff members in late 2010 and 2011. Most positions are now filled and God has blessed us with quality men and women of God. God is using our leaders to help us stretch and grow as high impact churches. These are also great days because of the way NEO Nazarenes are crying out to God in desperate prayer. We are now over halfway through our 40 Days of Prayer with Fasting. I love hearing from our members regarding how they are fasting and I love hearing of breakthroughs in lives and churches in NEO. To God be the glory! I recently reread Henry Blackaby’s book, What the Spirit is saying to the Churches. He says on p. 51: “God had begun to show us He had much to do through our church if we were willing to hear Him, believe Him, obey Him, and trust Him to provide for our needs... The core is this: By adjusting our lives to the presence and activity of our living Lord, one day at a time. As we hear Him and believe Him, and as we see God at work, we make whatever adjustments are necessary in our lives and in our church in order to join Him in His activity.” NEO Nazarenes are hearing Him...trusting Him....obeying Him, signs that revival is on the way. |
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| Activities |
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| Ladies Brunch Saturday, February 25th at 10am Michael V's Restaurant 8222 E. 103rd Street - Tulsa Speaker: Joy Wisehart Early bird registration $20 by Feb 20th / after Feb 20: $25 Children’s Services I was visiting with someone at winter retreat about AWAKENING weekend, and they said they would have to see if they could arrange childcare. I reminded them that we have already taken care of that – we are bringing in outstanding children’s workers (Big Blast Children’s Ministries) who will be working with our children’s workers to provide excellence in our ministry to kids (4 yr-Grade 6) and a nursery is available each service. Meals Your schedule is packed. We want to help by making affordable meals available on Friday and Saturday evening of AWAKENING weekend. On Friday, Broken Arrow First is preparing a Potato Bar with all the trimmings along with drink and desert. On Saturday evening Central will be serving a meal. The cost is only $5 per meal. It will help us if you will make reservations for the meals through your local church. Youth Incite Friday, Feb 24 at Central immediately following the service Cost: $5 - includes pizza, soda, and games! Free Book Room A room will be available where you can bring books you would like to give away or look for some gems to take home.
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