One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them the power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases.  Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Luke 9:1-2 (NLT)

As I glanced across the bookstore bargain table, my eyes paused.  The book cover read "I Became a Christian, and all I got was this Lousy t-shirt".  I left the store $8.50 poorer and one book richer. 

This title sums up how we can feel about living in a relationship with Jesus.  It is a relationship that has never blossomed into more than religion stuck in a rut.  Faith falling flat.  We don't know what to expect, and we have only a lingering sense that there must be more to knowing the Creator of the Universe.

The disciples were twelve ordinary men.  They stood as passive spectators while Jesus performed his miracles.  Then one day that all changed, when Jesus gave them the ability to do extraordinary things.  He told them to go, defy logic and perform miracles, just as they had watched Him do so many times before. 

What was it like the first time they reached out to heal someone?  They didn't know what to expect.  Somewhere in their mind, a voice told them this was ridiculous.  What they were attempting was impossible.  But in their heart, they found the courage and confidence to overcome the fear and the doubt.  They chose to listen to Christ.  They stepped over the line of logic, and into a heart-pounding adventure of eternal proportions.        

With Jesus we have the ability to do extraordinary things, and we are called to do them in kingdom adventures!  Faith in Jesus should never leave us tired and bored.  If the most exhilarating event in our lives this year was a new stained glass window in the church sanctuary, its time for a bigger stretch.  Bill Hybels suggests in his book Axiom: Powerful Leadership Proverbs, that we need to "take a flyer".   

A flyer is a idea that captures our imagination.  A flyer is a God-ordained vision that makes our eyes widen and our pulses race.  A flyer is a plan that moves us into the center of Christ's purposes. 

We will need to take risks and make sacrifices when we decide to take a flyer.  Our faith will be stretched and strengthened, since Christ's plans don't often obey logic. A flyer will fill us with passion and excitement.  But above these blessings, a flyer will set the stage for miraculous breakthroughs in our lives and in our communities.  We will see the beauty and the power of God at work through His people. 

Are we ready to abandon boredom and leap into life?  Let's ask God to take our breath away with a vision that takes us, and many more, deeper into knowing God and making Him known.

Until next time...

 Troy

ANNOUNCING A NEW CONTEST!  We need your sports-themed inspirational messages for an Oak Bluff Bible Church sign, to be hung on the sponsor wall inside the hockey arena.  Rev up your creative engines and send your ideas using the Contact Us page on the website.  

Your past creative genius has given us memorable lines such as "Live life in the fast lane...Live it for Christ", and "With Christ, life is crystal clear".  We're looking forward to what you can create this time!  Deadline for entries is February 15, 2009.      

2009 Annual Congregational Meeting will be held Sunday March 22, 2009 after our worship service.  Everyone is welcome to attend and participate.    

Life Groups continue to meet on a regular basis.  If you would like to meet new friends, go deeper in your Bible study, and grow your relationships, this is the place for you.  Check the website calendar for group topics, dates, and locations.   
  

The Rebelution For youth and young adults, this ministry is based on 1Timothy 4:12. The rallying cry of this ministry is DO HARD THINGS - invigorating and challenging words for our time! 

Drink Coffee Do Good We can change the world, even with the coffee we drink.  Take a look at this innovative ministry bringing life and redemption to Rwanda.  

Our Sunday morning talks are always available for listening or download on our website.  You can even subscribe to our iTunes podcast.  

Starting on January 11, our most recent series has followed the letter Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia.  Those poor Galatians.  Someone was trying to make them follow the rules, instead of leading them to live in the freedom and grace of Jesus Christ.  Jesus died so that we could be free!  Listen in on this 4-part series.   

We continue to update the photo gallery with new pictures.  See the youth group Urban Plunge missions exposure trip, and the fall youth retreat.  Check back regularly for updates!