encounter:GOD – upcoming series in OSM

This weekend we are starting a five (yup that’s right… it’s that serious) week journey in OSM (our student ministry) looking at the one relationship that matters more than any other in our lives: the one with God.  I love the fact that we are coming off a series that was very platonic and centered around LOVE and RELATIONSHIPS with the opposite sex and going straight into another series that basically will say “THIS RELATIONSHIP IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THOSE.”  The premise behind this series is this: God wants you and I to KNOW HIM… not just know ABOUT Him.  God wants an encounter with you… do you want one with Him?  What about when life hurts?  What about when you feel lost and not sure of who you are?  What about when your faith feels like a generational hand-me-down?  What about when you feel stuck in a rut spiritually?  GOD WANTS AN ENCOUNTER WITH YOU… HOW BAD DO YOU WANT TO ENCOUNTER HIM?

a REAL shot at love- week three

this week we talked to the girls and shared with them what God thinks a real woman of beauty is all about.  We looked at the Proverbs 31 woman and finished this sentence: “A real woman of beauty…

1. finds her value in God

2. is compassionate toward others

3. doesn’t take life too seriously

4. had a deep passion for God

a REAL shot at love – week two

here’s a recap of this week’s talk.  I talked to the guys in the room and shared with them 5 character traits that they need to develop to BE the right kind of guy:

1. Christ Centered

2. Integrity

3. Humility

4. Respect

5. Honesty

a REAL shot at love- week one

so tonight we did the first of three nights on this topic:

Here is the outline:

1. redefine love

2. get serious about purity

3. don’t settle for average

4. BE the right person

if you want the complete transcript, drop me an email at sam@oakbrookchurch.com

drugs will MESS YOU UP.

funniest video I’ve seen this week:

a REAL shot at love

so I’m really pumped about our new series in OSM called “a REAL shot at love.”  Our culture is trying to sell us their version of love every single day.  There is a huge problem with this: It isn’t REAL and it never LASTS.  The thought behind this series is simple:  What can we do in our lives RIGHT NOW that will lead us on the right path to experience TRUE LOVE later on?  In this series we will talk about:

1. permission granted {giving yourself the shot at experiencing love}

2. Finding Mr. Right {character qualities every guy needs}

3. Real beauty queen {what’s REALLY hot or not for girls}

This Weekend in OSM

We are starting a new series all about love… Here’s a picture from the clip we are going to show on Sunday night:  

The Office – Stress Relief deleted scene

found this little gem on NBC’s website.  They should have left this bad boy in.  It’s hilarious!!!

go here.

CONTROL FREAK – wrapup

so I’ve take a one month break from my blog… just a personal thing.  I wanted to focus on some things that I needed to actually focus on (like my relationship with Christ, my wife, and my family).  But I’m back. {not that I have it all together or something}.  In January, OSM did a series called “CONTROL FREAK.”  It was all about how students can improve their relationships with their parents.  Here is a recap of each week:

1) The Myth.

Bottom Line:  myth: there are prefect parents.  truth: no perfect parents.  SO… I need to learn to give grace!

HOW? 1) accept that they aren’t perfect 2) forgive like you want to be forgiven 3) adjust your attitude.

2) Expectations

Bottom Line: COMMUNICATION is the key to expectations

How? 1) Commit to obedience 2) Clarify the expectation 3) Communicate your feelings

3) Authority & Rebellion

Bottom Line: Submission brings freedom, rebellion brings consequences

How? 1) Choose to Obey 2) Choose to Honor 3) Submit to their authority

disclaimer: I reminded the students that there are times where submission would be wrong: when they are asked to sin & if they are in physical harm.