Open Heart Surgery @ OCBF

Last night, I visited at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, TX. Now, let's be real. You cannot live in the DFW area and not visit Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship and the Potter's House. Dr. Tony Evans and Bishop T.D. Jakes are renown for their in-depth study and teaching of the Bible. So, on with the high heels and off to the next stop - Oak Cliff.

The speaker was also a draw for me to attend this particular night. The youth pastor at OCBF is Daryl Jones. For those of you who are not college football fans, Daryl Jones was the wide receiver that led University of Miami to the Rose Bowl in 2001 and was declared the most accomplished track/football athlete in UM history. Add to that impressive career a stint with the Giants and Bears. Having met Pastor Jones recently, I was intrigued by what a former star athlete would preach on and anxious to hear how God placed this call on his life. Needless to say, I was pretty pumped to visit here.

The service was a full worship experience with music and drama by the youth. Impressive and moving as it was, my focus was on what Pastor Jones' topic would be. Athletics? Running the race, as Paul would say? The wait continued as the service progressed. The sanctuary was fairly full for a Wednesday night service and I was with my new found friend, Barbara. I was welcomed by a few people and felt comfortable. Pastor Jones took the podium and the topic? Open heart surgery. Open heart surgery?? Knowing God is intentional, I eagerly waited to hear this topic to be fleshed out. I mean, how does that tie to spiritual growth?

Have you ever had open heart surgery? I have a friend who has and she will tell you it was no picnic - no walk in the park. In fact, she is still recovering. Did she choose to have the surgery? Of course not! No one walks into the doctor and requests surgery - we'd rather do anything else than get cut open. In fact, she had gone into the hospital for a fairly routine procedure that ended in emergency open heart surgery to literally save her life. While none of this experience has been remotely pleasant, she will tell you that it did save her life - literally, physically, and emotionally. It caused a paradigm shift in her perceptions of how to live, where to live, and where to give of herself in service to others.

That was the point of the message. "God's Word is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intent of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 God's Word causes a paradigm shift in our lives when we read it, meditate on it, and live it out. It divides what is of me and my motives from what is of God. Is that always pleasant? No. In fact, sometimes it's pretty painful. No one likes surgery or the recovery period that follows. But, when the healing process is complete, it is worth the cutting away of those things or relationships we do not want to change.

Touchdown, Pastor. I'll be back.

Half-Way

My journey continues with a visit to Grace Vineyard in Arlington, TX. I sought a Vineyard church out on the suggestion of my sister. During a recent visit to Boston, I had attended a Vineyard church with her and enjoyed the fellowship. I was pleasantly surprised that Arlington had a Vineyard church and headed out with my high heels on.

My first encounter was with a man named Mark. (There were several Marks in this congregation; I looked for Matthew, Luke and John but never found them). The coffee was great and the people were friendly. But it was the worship and message that struck a chord in my soul.

Vineyard is known for its music. Vineyard musicians are prolific in lyrical talent and harmony. This worship band was no exception. Why they are not recording, I'm not sure; however, their talent and heartfelt worship set the atmosphere for the message. Bob Oliver is the senior pastor at this church. It is an intimate gathering and I was fortunate to meet several of the pastors before service. The worship set was lengthier than I am used to; no three songs and announcements here. In fact, I had the distinct impression that the worship was fluid.

The message was titled Half-Way and taken from Genesis 11: 31-32. The essence of the message was that Terah, Abram's father, journeyed half-way with God and then stopped. Gave up. Died in Haran. Not the lead in to the unveiling of the talk I was expecting. Then, it got personal. Don't you love it when God gets personal? Or maybe you don't. Maybe God steps on your toes a little too much so you keep Him at a distance. Or maybe you don't believe God gets personal. Maybe for you, He is distant.

The question that the message held was, "Where is your Haran?" Terah gave up at Haran. He didn't go on with Abram. And he died there. Understand, according to the message, leaving Ur was a big deal. Leaving a tribe in that culture went against all social and cultural norms. It wrenched the society he was living in. Yet, he left with his family to follow God. Then, at Haran, he gave up. The text does not give us answers as to why. The message suggested a few things: too busy, too comfortable, compromise, or maybe a shift from fearless faith to crisis.

When I posted last week's post on blindedness, I had no idea the very next week I would post on eyes wide open. But, that's what Ephesians 1:18 says. "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe." (NASB) Pastor went on, "See again the journey in front of you."

See the journey in front of you. No matter what you're facing, God reigns, He's in control. He has not forgotten you or forsaken you. He's waiting for you - and me - to take the next step. Will you walk with Him into a destiny that will move His eternal purposes?

You can visit Vineyard at 611 N. 109th St. Arlington, TX. The website is http://www.gvcf.org and their blog gives information concerning events and happenings http://www.gvcf.org/in-the-street/.

This was a great visit - beyond the norm. Warm and friendly with solid biblical teaching in an atmosphere of reverent, relevant worship. Thank you, Vineyard.