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	<title>Oikos Ministries</title>
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	<link>http://oikosministries.com</link>
	<description>a cooperative network of homebased ministries</description>
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		<title>The Walls</title>
		<link>http://oikosministries.com/archives/891</link>
		<comments>http://oikosministries.com/archives/891#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:48:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Equipping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Feature]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Organic Church]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://oikosministries.com/?p=891</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Throughout the New Testament Jesus used questions to teach. Questions helped His disciples discover truth for themselves. Questions help each of us go through a process of self discovery. This post is the result of asking a question. What would happen if the Church’s singular focus was to make disciples?

My response was very direct at [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Throughout the New Testament Jesus used questions to teach. <span id="more-891"></span>Questions helped His disciples discover truth for themselves. Questions help each of us go through a process of self discovery. This post is the result of asking a question. What would happen if the Church’s singular focus was to make disciples?<br />
<a href="http://oikosministries.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/walls_THMB4.jpg"><img src="http://oikosministries.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/walls_THMB4.jpg" alt="" title="walls_THMB" width="150" height="150" class="alignright size-full wp-image-908" /></a><br />
My response was very direct at the time. I stated that I believe we would see a movement of God like we have not seen in generations. So, another question was asked. What is keeping us from seeing a movement of God happening? </p>
<p>I reflected on an answer for quite some time. I thought about the stories I have read of how God is moving in other parts of the world. I thought about how I have not seen this happening here in North America. So, I asked myself a question. What makes North America different from other parts of the world?</p>
<p>I pondered this question while watching a few of our family’s favourite television shows. We often enjoy watching the Home Improvement Channel. Through the years I have been able to glean a number of good ideas from watching Disaster Do-It-Yourself or Holmes on Homes. One basic principle that has been restated many times in these shows is the need to know the difference between a load bearing wall and non-load bearing wall. The load bearing walls are the ones that keep the house from falling down. The non-load bearing walls are dividers that keep us from seeing what is on the other side. </p>
<p>I believe North America is different from other parts of the world because we like our space. In order to have this space we put up a whole lot of walls. However, for those of us who want to see and be involved in what God is doing some of these walls need to come down. </p>
<p>A number of the walls that I believe need to be come down first include: </p>
<p>The Wall of Comfort</p>
<p>I would define comfort as a state of being in which we feel secure. It is a feeling that everything is okay at least where I live. If we become too comfortable we no longer sense the urgency. In scripture Jesus warned his disciples that the time was near. He took down their wall of comfort so they could see what was coming and helped them prepare. What questions should we be asking Jesus? How do we move outside our comfort zone? Matthew 24:32-35</p>
<p>The Wall of Distractions </p>
<p>North American society provides an abundance of distractions. Add to our busy lives the need to adapt to a rapidly changing world and we see our attention becoming extremely divided. We are inundated with many forms of entertainment. We have numerous opportunities to listen to the radio, watch television or surf the Internet. Technology continues to take ever larger amounts of our time. Beyond this we still need to earn a living, pay our bills, raise our families and keep our relationships healthy. In order to sort out all these distractions it becomes imperative to ask some more questions. What are my priorities? How do I redeem my time? Ephesians 5:15-17 </p>
<p>The Wall of Individualism </p>
<p>When I refer to individualism I mean the pursuit of individual rather than common or collective interests. This seems to be a common theme in Western society. It appears we are losing sight of what it means to be community. Our focus is diverted by the idea of personal success rather than corporate well being. The wall of individualism blinds us from the needs of all God’s people and from fully accomplishing God’s purpose. I continually ask myself, “What was Jesus’ original purpose for His people?”  How do we live as Jesus intended? Acts 2:42-47</p>
<p>The Wall of Disobedience </p>
<p>Disobedience is any choice that is contrary to what God has instructed. It is saying no to God. This is not as obvious as it might seem. I often find believers questioning the relevance of scripture for today’s world. There is a sense that it was meant for those who lived two thousand years ago but it isn’t relevant today. It seems they want to make God’s word fit into their lifestyle. They do not see this as disobedience. What does it take to obey God? Titus 3: 1-9 </p>
<p>So, what next? Like any home improvement project it takes time, effort, tools, resources and a team of committed workers. In order for disciples to start taking down some of these walls more questions need to be asked. What are the load bearing walls in our lives? What are the non-load bearing walls in our lives? What changes do we need to make in our lives if we want to see a movement of God happen in this generation?</p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Discipleship in a Digital World</title>
		<link>http://oikosministries.com/archives/873</link>
		<comments>http://oikosministries.com/archives/873#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 13 Mar 2010 22:28:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Digital Missions]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://oikosministries.com/?p=873</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[&#8230; the work of the church, which is the work of making disciples and transforming the world.
Discipleship in a Digital World By Tim Burns
Discipleship in a Digital World.
 You and I are called to communicate unchanging truth to a continually evolving world.  This dynamic tension often strains our ability to connect, and relevantly influence [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&#8230; the work of the church, which is the work of making disciples and transforming the world.<span id="more-873"></span></p>
<p>Discipleship in a Digital World<br /> By <a href="http://www.faithwriters.com/member-profile.php?id=37057">Tim Burns</a></p>
<p>Discipleship in a Digital World.</p>
<p> You and I are called to communicate unchanging truth to a continually evolving world.  This dynamic tension often strains our ability to connect, and relevantly influence our cultural toward Christ.  Yet Jesus&#8217; final desires were for his followers to create disciples, and change the culture.  Mark&#8217;s gospel says &#8220;Go into the world and preach to every creature, baptizing them. . .&#8221; (Mark 16.15)  John recalls Jesus said &#8220;as the Father sent me, now I send you.&#8221; (John 20.21)  Matthew, writing to the Jewish community directly responsible to expand the gospel&#8217;s influence, grabs Jesus words. &#8220;Go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching them&#8221; (Matt 28.19-20)</p>
<p> If we are called to make disciples, what does that mean?  What is disciple building?  What is discipleship&#8217;s place in today&#8217;s digital, live-streaming, instant world? Can a modern church reach the digital generation and fulfill the great commission with these modern, plugged in, wired, but personally disconnected tools?  Well, as Dr. Phil would ask, &#8220;How is that working for you?&#8221;  How much lasting, life changing impact is the church having with respect to the increasing commitment to technology and multi-media resources dedicated to preaching to the masses?  </p>
<p> Has our nation taken on more or less of the image of Christ in the past 30 years?  Are our children more, or less transformed by the power of Love incarnate?  Just how is this working for us, the Church?</p>
<p> Discipleship is the means to transform a person into the image of Christ. Discipleship takes time, effort, love, prayer, and a commitment to walk with another person until you see Christ formed in them.  Without discipleship, a new convert is likely to remain culturally connected the world outside of Christ.  Old habits remain unchanged &#8211; former personal identity untransformed.  The new life that started out with great hope and expectation tragically fades, like a seed planted in shallow soil, withered and dry.  </p>
<p> Discipleship isn&#8217;t simple.  But If we are to be the church,  be the salt that keeps the world from decaying, be a light set on a hill for all to see, we have make a personal investment, and change our approach from building a church to building the Kingdom.  Here are 5 points to ponder.</p>
<p> Win: The process starts when one person wins another to Christ.  Paul was willing to become all things to all men so that by all means some might be saved. When Jesus called Peter, James and John to leave their boats, their journey was just beginning. Salvation, getting saved, praying a sinner&#8217;s prayer, coming forward to an altar call, making a profession of faith, is just a beginning. (1 Cor. 9.19-22, Jude 22-23)</p>
<p> Build:  Like any newly born child, a newly born Christ follower must learn how to follow.  Babies are fed, with milk, mush and then meat.  Our task is to walk alongside these new believers, for 6 months, a year or longer, and teach them to walk with Christ.  They will fall, and disappoint you.  But without your example of faith and friendship, a new believer will likely return to what they knew, when what is new isn&#8217;t working out so well. (Philippians 4.6-9, 1 Thess. 5.11ff)</p>
<p> Equip: &#8220;You give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish . . .&#8221; You know the rest.  Each and every Christian can, and should feed themselves daily.  Then we learn the power, and reach toward our potential in god&#8217;s kingdom. We are called to share what Christ has given to us with others. (2 Tim. 2.2, 2 Peter 1.3-8, Eph 4.8, 11-15)</p>
<p> Release: The Discipleship cycle completes when the new Christ follower engages, giving of his life, gifts, resources and time to the life of the church and others.  Jesus spent 2 years with his disciples, and then sent them out 2 x 2, preaching and demonstrating with miraculous signs that the kingdom of God was come. Today&#8217;s disciples are called to the same work. (Luke 10.1-18)</p>
<p> Duplicate: Start the process again, this time two people work to build the kingdom.</p>
<p> If the Church is to look like the Church, and be the bride of our Bridegroom, the body of Christ . . . we must take on the work of the church, which is the work of making disciples and transforming the world.  Then we will be changed. Then we will be like Him.   Then we will be ready for his return.</p>
<p> 2 Cor. 5.17-20</p>
<p> Win: 		Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation,<br />
 Build: 		Old things have passed away, behold, all things are become new<br />
 Equip: 	And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.<br />
 Release: 	To know, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself . . . and has committed unto us the world of reconciliation.<br />
 Duplicate: 	Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ.
 </p>
<p>Timothy Burns lives in West Michigan, and has written professionally for 6 years.  Timothy writes with a deep connection to cultural influences, Christ centered living, and how often unwritten patterns can influence our behaviors and beliefs.</p>
<p>Article Source: <a href="http://www.faithwriters.com" target="_new">http://www.faithwriters.com</a>-<a href="http://www.faithwriters.com" target="_new">CHRISTIAN WRITERS</a>-<a href="http://www.highpowersites.com" target="_new">MAKE A WEBSITE</a></p>
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		<item>
		<title>Starfish Magazine Winter 2010</title>
		<link>http://oikosministries.com/archives/833</link>
		<comments>http://oikosministries.com/archives/833#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 20 Feb 2010 22:30:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Ministries]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://oikosministries.com/?p=833</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The magazine’s goal is to inspire, inform, and interconnect the house church networks across Canada and beyond.

To read the magazine on line just click the image above or download a copy of the pdf file from our resource files.
The Starfish Files?
Starfish line the shores of the world’s beaches. Chop off an arm, and a new [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The magazine’s goal is to inspire, inform, and interconnect the house church networks across Canada and beyond.<span id="more-833"></span></p>
<p><object style="width: 420px; height: 272px;" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="100" height="100" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="src" value="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v1/IssuuViewer.swf?mode=embed&amp;layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&amp;showFlipBtn=true&amp;documentId=100220222119-63f7ad4d673b4bbf90369fa9274ea281&amp;docName=starfish_files_-_7_-_winter_2010&amp;username=bivomin&amp;loadingInfoText=Starfish%20Files%20Winter%202010&amp;et=1266704989594&amp;er=38" /><param name="flashvars" value="mode=embed&amp;layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&amp;showFlipBtn=true&amp;documentId=100220222119-63f7ad4d673b4bbf90369fa9274ea281&amp;docName=starfish_files_-_7_-_winter_2010&amp;username=bivomin&amp;loadingInfoText=Starfish%20Files%20Winter%202010&amp;et=1266704989594&amp;er=38" /><embed style="width: 420px; height: 272px;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100" height="100" src="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v1/IssuuViewer.swf?mode=embed&amp;layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&amp;showFlipBtn=true&amp;documentId=100220222119-63f7ad4d673b4bbf90369fa9274ea281&amp;docName=starfish_files_-_7_-_winter_2010&amp;username=bivomin&amp;loadingInfoText=Starfish%20Files%20Winter%202010&amp;et=1266704989594&amp;er=38" flashvars="mode=embed&amp;layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&amp;showFlipBtn=true&amp;documentId=100220222119-63f7ad4d673b4bbf90369fa9274ea281&amp;docName=starfish_files_-_7_-_winter_2010&amp;username=bivomin&amp;loadingInfoText=Starfish%20Files%20Winter%202010&amp;et=1266704989594&amp;er=38" menu="false" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p>
<p>To read the magazine on line just click the image above or download a copy of the <a href="http://oikosministries.com/webmaster/downloads">pdf file from our resource files</a>.</p>
<p>The Starfish Files?<br />
Starfish line the shores of the world’s beaches. Chop off an arm, and a new one grows to take its place. Tear a starfish in half, and you’ll soon have two starfish on your hands. A torn-off limb can even become a brand new starfish. And what’s more, they populate by releasing hundreds of thousands, and sometimes millions, of eggs in just a few hours. Just like the house church movement through the ages. An estimated 300,000 new house churches have started between 1998 and 2006. And this doesn’t include what’s happening in China, which has about 80 to 100 million believers involved, or Latin America, which had about 1 million Basic Christian Communities in 2007. It’s also taking root in Canada.  Enter The Starfish Files. The magazine’s goal is to inspire, inform, and interconnect the house church networks across Canada and beyond.</p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Oikos Weekly Updates for 2010-02-07</title>
		<link>http://oikosministries.com/archives/830</link>
		<comments>http://oikosministries.com/archives/830#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:54:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Reaching]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://oikosministries.com/archives/830</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Life is infinitely stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. ~ Arthur Conan Doyle 

The average teenager still has all the faults his parents outgrew. ~ Author Unknown #
RT @Billy_Cox Rt @CoachDawn: &#34;To HANDLE Yourself, use your Head; to handle Others&#8230; use your H E A R T&#34; ~Donald Laird #quote #
RT [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Life is infinitely stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. ~ Arthur Conan Doyle <span id="more-830"></span></p>
<ul class="aktt_tweet_digest">
<li>The average teenager still has all the faults his parents outgrew. ~ Author Unknown <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8530201995" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>RT @<a href="http://twitter.com/Billy_Cox" class="aktt_username">Billy_Cox</a> Rt @<a href="http://twitter.com/CoachDawn" class="aktt_username">CoachDawn</a>: &quot;To HANDLE Yourself, use your Head; to handle Others&#8230; use your H E A R T&quot; ~Donald Laird #<a href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23quote" class="aktt_hashtag">quote</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8529233361" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>RT @<a href="http://twitter.com/UrFamilyLivin" class="aktt_username">UrFamilyLivin</a> ”No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Aesop <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8529217042" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>A discovery is said to be an accident meeting a prepared mind. ~ Albert Szent-Gyorgyi <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8493424932" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>People are usually more convinced by reasons they discovered themselves than by those found by others. ~ Blaise Pascal <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8492169029" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery. ~ Mark van Doren <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8490909887" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>The greatest discoveries have come from people who have looked at a standard situation and seen it differently. ~ Ira Erwin <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8489599017" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Learning is the discovery that something is possible. ~ Fritz Perls <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8488047488" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. ~ Plato <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8486292631" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes. ~ William James <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8483745175" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves. ~ William Arthur Ward <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8480734295" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them. ~ Galileo Galilei <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8477460630" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>A man&#39;s errors are his portals of discovery. ~ James Joyce <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8474153035" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Life is infinitely stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. ~ Arthur Conan Doyle <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8471681515" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
</ul>
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		<item>
		<title>Oikos Weekly Updates for 2010-01-31</title>
		<link>http://oikosministries.com/archives/795</link>
		<comments>http://oikosministries.com/archives/795#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:54:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Reaching]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://oikosministries.com/archives/795</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Being available to walk alongside a family member, friend or neighbour in crisis is what neighbourhood chaplains are all about&#8230; 

Being available to walk alongside a family member, friend or neighbour in crisis is what neighbourhood chaplains&#8230; http://bit.ly/ce2eW7 #
The most life-changing ministry we can humanly provide a group of overlooked friends is a simple Body [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Being available to walk alongside a family member, friend or neighbour in crisis is what neighbourhood chaplains are all about&#8230; <span id="more-795"></span></p>
<ul class="aktt_tweet_digest">
<li>Being available to walk alongside a family member, friend or neighbour in crisis is what neighbourhood chaplains&#8230; <a href="http://bit.ly/ce2eW7" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/ce2eW7</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8444964792" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>The most life-changing ministry we can humanly provide a group of overlooked friends is a simple Body of Christ, a&#8230; <a href="http://bit.ly/aIscGf" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/aIscGf</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8444903000" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Enjoyed this: &quot;The Missional Challenge&quot; <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/missionalchallenge" rel="nofollow">http://www.squidoo.com/missionalchallenge</a> #<a href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23Squidoo" class="aktt_hashtag">Squidoo</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8441851028" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>RT @<a href="http://twitter.com/missional" class="aktt_username">missional</a>: 2 B missional is 2 believe &amp; proclaim &amp; obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ, pursuing His Kingdom &amp; His justice &amp; 2 do ths tgthr. <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8440058897" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Discipleship is a journey not a destination. <a href="http://bit.ly/a5fNzI" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/a5fNzI</a> #<a href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23fb" class="aktt_hashtag">fb</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8436256384" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>RT @<a href="http://twitter.com/Missionaries" class="aktt_username">Missionaries</a> What is a Disciple? <a href="http://bit.ly/c4kU5Y" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/c4kU5Y</a> #<a href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23fb" class="aktt_hashtag">fb</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8434415585" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>@<a href="http://twitter.com/JaxStateFan" class="aktt_username">JaxStateFan</a> Depends on what you mean by good Christians. <a href="http://twitter.com/JaxStateFan/statuses/8433461872" class="aktt_tweet_reply">in reply to JaxStateFan</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8433815737" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>@<a href="http://twitter.com/JaxStateFan" class="aktt_username">JaxStateFan</a> We will probably come up with another term to say, in a complicated way, what Jesus said so simply. <a href="http://twitter.com/JaxStateFan/statuses/8432921426" class="aktt_tweet_reply">in reply to JaxStateFan</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8433352264" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Missional Church&#8230; a simple 2 minute explanation of what it means to be missional. <a href="http://youtu.be/arxfLK_sd68" rel="nofollow">http://youtu.be/arxfLK_sd68</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8432761376" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Don’t Just Tell Me, Show Me (pt.3) @<a href="http://twitter.com/lanceford" class="aktt_username">lanceford</a>  <a href="http://bit.ly/aJe5vS" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/aJe5vS</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8420908134" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Don’t Just Tell Me, Show Me (pt.2) @<a href="http://twitter.com/lanceford" class="aktt_username">lanceford</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/bZ6cwp" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/bZ6cwp</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8420767380" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Don’t Just Tell Me, Show Me (pt.1) @<a href="http://twitter.com/lanceford" class="aktt_username">lanceford</a> <a href="http://bit.ly/9BqI3V" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/9BqI3V</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8420551406" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>What does it mean to be generous? Food for thought. ; ) Ogori Cafe: Service With a Surprise <a href="http://bit.ly/cwkxqc" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/cwkxqc</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8416665282" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>God loves us as we are and not as we should be, because none of us is as we should be. ~ Brennan Manning <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8398424337" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>@<a href="http://twitter.com/jgrubbs" class="aktt_username">jgrubbs</a>  Sent an email but received an auto-response. I have tried to get in touch with Andy before with little success. ; ) <a href="http://twitter.com/jgrubbs/statuses/8395796539" class="aktt_tweet_reply">in reply to jgrubbs</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8397354537" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>#<a href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23FollowFriday" class="aktt_hashtag">FollowFriday</a>  @<a href="http://twitter.com/jgrubbs" class="aktt_username">jgrubbs</a> @nobuildings @<a href="http://twitter.com/buffal0nickel" class="aktt_username">buffal0nickel</a> @felicitydale @<a href="http://twitter.com/desi_starr" class="aktt_username">desi_starr</a> @KarlIngersoll @<a href="http://twitter.com/Reason4Faith" class="aktt_username">Reason4Faith</a> @jasonwilks @<a href="http://twitter.com/dpbkmb" class="aktt_username">dpbkmb</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8384043512" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>He became what we are that he might make us what he is. ~ Athanasius <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8362307188" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>The real unity of the church must not be organized, but exercised. ~ Johannes Lilje <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8361019875" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>God&#39;s agenda 4 R lives may B far difft from R own. He cares more abt R char than R convenience, comfort or cash. ~ Joseph M. Stowell <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8359747684" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost. ~ Billy Graham <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8358410233" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Everybody thinks of changing humanity, but nobody thinks of changing himself. ~ Leo Tolstoy <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8356848585" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>God loves you just the way you are, but he refuses to leave you that way. ~ Max Lucado <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8355004445" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>RT @<a href="http://twitter.com/889ShineFM" class="aktt_username">889ShineFM</a>: Family Literacy Day &#8211; TODAY! &#8211; What is Family Literacy?  There are many ways to streng&#8230; <a href="http://ow.ly/16rgAa" rel="nofollow">http://ow.ly/16rgAa</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8303708273" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>@<a href="http://twitter.com/thai5" class="aktt_username">thai5</a> Even seeing some of the current stats related to the Internet it is hard to imagine what has been happening. ; ) <a href="http://twitter.com/thai5/statuses/8300861048" class="aktt_tweet_reply">in reply to thai5</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8301566522" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Working on a new lens at Squidoo on digital missions and house churches.  <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/digitalmissions" rel="nofollow">http://www.squidoo.com/digitalmissions</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8299953021" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>RT @<a href="http://twitter.com/KevinMartineau" class="aktt_username">KevinMartineau</a>: Help me raise $$ 4 Haiti! I&#39;ll give $1 for every $10 given! <a href="http://bit.ly/ayuadZ" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/ayuadZ</a> #<a href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23helpforhaiti" class="aktt_hashtag">helpforhaiti</a> #30daygiveaway (PLS RT) <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8293762047" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>A real Christian is a person who can give his pet parrot to the town gossip. ~ Billy Graham <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8290862592" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible. ~ Corrie ten Boom <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8288721131" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>This is the one and only chance I get to do today &#8230; How am I going to make a difference? <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8287420416" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>LINCHPIN &#8211; Are you Indispensible? Interview with Seth Godin &quot;thought-provoking&quot; <a href="http://bit.ly/cbJKRa" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/cbJKRa</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8287393463" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>We have a God who delights in impossibilities. ~ Billy Sunday <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8286741415" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>There are three acts of faith; assent, acceptance, and assurance. ~ John Flavel <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8284812753" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing yet had been done. ~ C.S. Lewis <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8282810906" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>God never promises to remove us from our struggles. He does promise, however, to change the way we look at them. ~ Max Lucado <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8280552428" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful. ~ Samuel Johnson <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8277902449" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles but to irrigate deserts. ~ C.S. Lewis <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8276290230" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>In contemporary society our Adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry, and crowds. ~ Richard J. Foster <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8274723260" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>The permanence of God&#39;s character guarantees the fulfillment of his promises. ~ Arthur W. Pink <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8273445526" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Half of the troubles of this life can be traced to saying yes too quickly and not saying no soon enough. ~ Josh Billings <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8270844987" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>If you can DREAM it, you can DO it! ~ Walt Disney <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8270838883" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Who do I know could use an encouraging word today? What do I plan on doing about it? #<a href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23fb" class="aktt_hashtag">fb</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8269923418" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Encouragement is the oxygen of the soul. ~ John Maxwell <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8269491596" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>more thx 4 the RTs: @<a href="http://twitter.com/leonderijke" class="aktt_username">leonderijke</a> @KarlIngersoll @<a href="http://twitter.com/thehilker" class="aktt_username">thehilker</a> @desi_starr @<a href="http://twitter.com/KarlIngers" class="aktt_username">KarlIngers</a> @Yoke_Folk <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8267803784" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>thx 4 the RTs: @<a href="http://twitter.com/KarlIngersoll" class="aktt_username">KarlIngersoll</a> @eugen12 @<a href="http://twitter.com/kayleighford" class="aktt_username">kayleighford</a> @joeyboyblue @<a href="http://twitter.com/Jason_A_Coker" class="aktt_username">Jason_A_Coker</a> @CMAResources @<a href="http://twitter.com/heidibezanson" class="aktt_username">heidibezanson</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8267786948" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>The only real failure in life is the failure to try. ~ Unknown <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8228693487" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come. ~ Victor Hugo <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8227530987" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>I believe in the possibility of miracles but more to the point, I believe in our need for them. ~ Dean Koontz <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8226266327" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Truth fears no questions. ~ Anonymous <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8224717233" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>A friend might well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8222936935" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>I myself do nothing. The Holy Spirit accomplishes all through me. ~ William Blake <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8220828043" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>The man who is swimming against the stream knows the strength of it. ~ Woodrow Wilson <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8218516250" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Interesting perspective on how our world is changing.- Socialnomics: Social Media Revolution <a href="http://youtu.be/NhPgUcjGQAw" rel="nofollow">http://youtu.be/NhPgUcjGQAw</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8217356854" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Great time of worship, study, prayer and fellowship tonight gathering in Christ&#39;s presence. <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8178368770" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>The church is not a noun it is a verb ~ Reggie McNeal <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8166949668" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
</ul>
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		<title>Oikos Weekly Updates for 2010-01-24</title>
		<link>http://oikosministries.com/archives/709</link>
		<comments>http://oikosministries.com/archives/709#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:54:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[More News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reaching]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://oikosministries.com/archives/709</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A city is a large community where people are lonesome together. ~ Herbert Prochnow

A city is a large community where people are lonesome together. ~ Herbert Prochnow #
Books, like friends, should be few and well chosen. ~ Samuel Paterson #
It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A city is a large community where people are lonesome together. ~ Herbert Prochnow<span id="more-709"></span></p>
<ul class="aktt_tweet_digest">
<li>A city is a large community where people are lonesome together. ~ Herbert Prochnow <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8138330943" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Books, like friends, should be few and well chosen. ~ Samuel Paterson <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8135226364" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has. ~ Henry Ward Beecher <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8133238533" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>The real giants have been poets, men who jumped from facts into the realm of imagination and ideas. ~ Bill Bernbach <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8131092559" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody&#39;s going to know whether you did it or not. ~ Oprah Winfrey <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8129098341" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>RT @BootsToSuits: A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don&#39;t need it. ~ Bob Hope <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8127688828" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Nobody will ever win the Battle of the Sexes. There&#39;s just too much fraternizing with the enemy. ~ Henry Kissinger <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8127285953" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>House church refers 2 an indigenous &amp; self-functioning church small enough 2 gather tgthr in a home or similar surroundings. ~ Del Birkey <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8126792565" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>A house church network is a loosely associated group of house churches that are connected to one other by relationship. <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8126459728" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Organic Church: Jesus being followed, loved &amp; obeyed. Christ alive, forming spiritual families &amp; wrkn w/ them 2 fulfill His mission.~N. Cole <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8126238979" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Simple Church is a Christ-centered community founded on a relationship to God and to other members of the community.  <a href="http://bit.ly/7MZotK" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/7MZotK</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8126127268" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>The words printed here are concepts. You must go through the experiences. ~ Saint Augustine <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8126085478" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>When I hear somebody sigh, &#39;Life is hard,&#39; I am always tempted to ask,&#39;Compared to what&#39; ~ Sydney Harris <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8125529559" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>thx 4 RTs, Mentions &amp; #FFs: @<a href="http://twitter.com/quoteshash" class="aktt_username">quoteshash</a> @<a href="http://twitter.com/eugen12" class="aktt_username">eugen12</a> @<a href="http://twitter.com/prophetesstli" class="aktt_username">prophetesstli</a> @<a href="http://twitter.com/sunlitepuddles" class="aktt_username">sunlitepuddles</a> @<a href="http://twitter.com/jgrubbs" class="aktt_username">jgrubbs</a> @<a href="http://twitter.com/mannyhz" class="aktt_username">mannyhz</a> @<a href="http://twitter.com/ajsdr" class="aktt_username">ajsdr</a> @<a href="http://twitter.com/gailtiv" class="aktt_username">gailtiv</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8124700594" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Mission Flows from Listening (Part 2) <a href="http://bit.ly/4osVYz" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/4osVYz</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8116995978" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Mission Flows from Listening (Part 1) <a href="http://bit.ly/8muMom" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/8muMom</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8116969380" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>A Declaration of War (The primary battleground is in our minds.) <a href="http://bit.ly/7hdyoa" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/7hdyoa</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8113330573" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>@<a href="http://twitter.com/prophetesstli" class="aktt_username">prophetesstli</a> thanks for the shout out. <a href="http://twitter.com/prophetesstli/statuses/8005611656" class="aktt_tweet_reply">in reply to prophetesstli</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/8007172603" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>The Great Assumption by Milt Rodriguez @<a href="http://twitter.com/rebuilders" class="aktt_username">rebuilders</a>  &quot;thought-provoking&quot; <a href="http://bit.ly/8prWoF" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/8prWoF</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7996640412" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>In Essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, love. ~ Augustine <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7995580599" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>The only reason to gather as His people is to be part of God&#39;s story.  <a href="http://bit.ly/7ioWDR" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/7ioWDR</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7993232786" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>RT @lensweet: &quot;I believe every time ppl talk tgthr in a social &amp; mutually gratifying way, the world becomes a better place&quot; D. Menaker <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7993055650" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>RT @toddrhoades: &quot;If you want to change the culture, you have to change the stories.&quot; &#8211; Harvard Business Review <a href="http://bit.ly/6sVyW8" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/6sVyW8</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7991794031" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>@<a href="http://twitter.com/sunlitepuddles" class="aktt_username">sunlitepuddles</a> You are welcome. <a href="http://twitter.com/sunlitepuddles/statuses/7973685609" class="aktt_tweet_reply">in reply to sunlitepuddles</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7990325402" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Cheat sheet on social networking <a href="http://networkedblogs.com/p24934033" rel="nofollow">http://networkedblogs.com/p24934033</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7989175217" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Christianity is not a theory or speculation, but a life; not a philosophy of life, but a living presence. ~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7939215696" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>A human life is a story told by God. ~ Hans Christian Andersen <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7937965786" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>Death is not extinguishing the light from the Christian; it is putting out the lamp because the dawn has come. ~ Anonymous <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7936742861" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>It is safe to tell the pure in heart that they shall see God, for only the pure in heart want to. ~ C. S. Lewis <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7933531330" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>The way we view death determines, to a surprising degree, the way we live our lives. ~ Billy Graham <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7933512461" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>thx 4 RTs &amp; #FFs: @<a href="http://twitter.com/danielcberman" class="aktt_username">danielcberman</a> @<a href="http://twitter.com/ServingStrong" class="aktt_username">ServingStrong</a> @<a href="http://twitter.com/ShoutMGB" class="aktt_username">ShoutMGB</a> @<a href="http://twitter.com/elagrew" class="aktt_username">elagrew</a> @<a href="http://twitter.com/HarborNetwork" class="aktt_username">HarborNetwork</a> @<a href="http://twitter.com/jimbell1974" class="aktt_username">jimbell1974</a> @<a href="http://twitter.com/sunlitepuddles" class="aktt_username">sunlitepuddles</a> @<a href="http://twitter.com/sarahmsalter" class="aktt_username">sarahmsalter</a> @<a href="http://twitter.com/nobuildings" class="aktt_username">nobuildings</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7931289821" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
<li>House Churches as Sending Centers &#8211; Guy Muse <a href="http://bit.ly/8fdP82" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/8fdP82</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7891567684" class="aktt_tweet_time">#</a></li>
</ul>
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		<title>Oikos Weekly Updates for 2010-01-17</title>
		<link>http://oikosministries.com/archives/689</link>
		<comments>http://oikosministries.com/archives/689#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 17 Jan 2010 20:54:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[More News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reaching]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://oikosministries.com/archives/689</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Positive attitudes and actions take courage when faced with negative worldviews.

Sunday Morning Devotional: The Meaning of Christianity with Leonard Cohen (Interesting Perspective) http://bit.ly/5O6QhX #fb #
Are Networks Important? http://bit.ly/4EdcyT #
RT @PhilMcCreight Storytelling in Business from the Society of Storytelling  http://bit.ly/5xd6I1 #storytelling #
RT @worldprayr &#8220;When you pray, don&#8217;t give God instructions… Just report for duty!&#8221; #
RT [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Positive attitudes and actions take courage when faced with negative worldviews.<span id="more-689"></span></p>
<ul class="aktt_tweet_digest">
<li>Sunday Morning Devotional: The Meaning of Christianity with Leonard Cohen (Interesting Perspective) <a rel="nofollow" href="http://bit.ly/5O6QhX">http://bit.ly/5O6QhX</a> #<a class="aktt_hashtag" href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23fb">fb</a> <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7867755192">#</a></li>
<li>Are Networks Important? <a rel="nofollow" href="http://bit.ly/4EdcyT">http://bit.ly/4EdcyT</a> <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7801107831">#</a></li>
<li>RT @<a class="aktt_username" href="http://twitter.com/PhilMcCreight">PhilMcCreight</a> Storytelling in Business from the Society of Storytelling  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://bit.ly/5xd6I1">http://bit.ly/5xd6I1</a> #<a class="aktt_hashtag" href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23storytelling">storytelling</a> <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7775611406">#</a></li>
<li>RT @<a class="aktt_username" href="http://twitter.com/worldprayr">worldprayr</a> &#8220;When you pray, don&#8217;t give God instructions… Just report for duty!&#8221; <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7775537022">#</a></li>
<li>RT @<a class="aktt_username" href="http://twitter.com/ServingStrong">ServingStrong</a> RT @<a class="aktt_username" href="http://twitter.com/Curtjonestweets">Curtjonestweets</a> Learn from the turtle &#8211; You need to stick your neck out if you want to move forward. <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7775515705">#</a></li>
<li>RT @<a class="aktt_username" href="http://twitter.com/KarynBrownlee">KarynBrownlee</a> What does Jesus want? He’s not interested in our religious acts of sacrifice, but our gracious acts of love. Mt 9:13 <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7775464923">#</a></li>
<li>RT @<a class="aktt_username" href="http://twitter.com/worldprayr">worldprayr</a> Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, 4 this is Gods will 4 u in Christ Jesus Thes 5:16-18 <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7775375374">#</a></li>
<li>RT @<a class="aktt_username" href="http://twitter.com/PhilMcCreight">PhilMcCreight</a> Storytelling Expert Shares Secrets Of Using Stories To Promote Nonprofits <a rel="nofollow" href="http://bit.ly/8i5eWs">http://bit.ly/8i5eWs</a> #<a class="aktt_hashtag" href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23storytelling">storytelling</a> #ngo <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7775364118">#</a></li>
<li>RT @<a class="aktt_username" href="http://twitter.com/jgrubbs">jgrubbs</a> go and lay aside position and feeling and anything having to do with self. That&#8217;s being holy. (via @<a class="aktt_username" href="http://twitter.com/jasoncdukes">jasoncdukes</a> in &#8220;Live Sent&#8221;) <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7772982464">#</a></li>
<li>Positive attitudes and actions take courage when faced with negative worldviews. #<a class="aktt_hashtag" href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23fb">fb</a> <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7772658488">#</a></li>
<li>Friendship is a plant we must often water. ~ German Proverb <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7771496225">#</a></li>
<li>RT @<a class="aktt_username" href="http://twitter.com/CMAResources">CMAResources</a> Check out these audio files of &#8220;unpublished works&#8221; by @<a class="aktt_username" href="http://twitter.com/alanhirsch">alanhirsch</a> on @<a class="aktt_username" href="http://twitter.com/christianaudio">christianaudio</a> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://is.gd/6gxjf">http://is.gd/6gxjf</a> <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7756709958">#</a></li>
<li>What does it mean to be a New Testament gathering of believers? Check out @<a class="aktt_username" href="http://twitter.com/rogerthoman">rogerthoman</a> post: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://bit.ly/4IDYj9">http://bit.ly/4IDYj9</a> <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7724883745">#</a></li>
<li>If you don&#8217;t work with and through local people, when you leave, the work leaves with you. ~  Victor <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7720825754">#</a></li>
<li>Eat first: Meet later. The importance of building relationships. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://bit.ly/4E99aY">http://bit.ly/4E99aY</a> <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7720801860">#</a></li>
<li>RT @<a class="aktt_username" href="http://twitter.com/nobuildings">nobuildings</a> (Not just for house churches.) Chances are, there is a building you need to leave. Learn more here: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://su.pr/2ZUbq5">http://su.pr/2ZUbq5</a> #<a class="aktt_hashtag" href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23fb">fb</a> <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7720132604">#</a></li>
<li>RT @oceansailor72: Finding good players is easy. Getting them to play as a team is another story. <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7656660433">#</a></li>
<li>@<a class="aktt_username" href="http://twitter.com/sunlitepuddles">sunlitepuddles</a> Yeah it is sad. But it does give opportunity to share Jesus in so many different ways. <a class="aktt_tweet_reply" href="http://twitter.com/sunlitepuddles/statuses/7654548592">in reply to sunlitepuddles</a> <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7655122756">#</a></li>
<li>Watching cartoons with my sons. Amazing how much social commentary is interspersed in kids entertainment. <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7654237223">#</a></li>
<li>Organic church is a lifestyle &#8211; a spontaneous journey with the Lord Jesus and His disciples in close-knit community. ~ Frank Viola <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7652423064">#</a></li>
</ul>
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		<title>Neighbourhood Chaplains</title>
		<link>http://oikosministries.com/archives/482</link>
		<comments>http://oikosministries.com/archives/482#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 17 Jan 2010 07:49:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Feature]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ministries]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Missions]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://oikosministries.com/?p=482</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Neighbourhood Chaplain is one who comes alongside someone during a time of crisis.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Neighbourhood Chaplains &#8211; Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things</p>
<p>Many people are familiar with hospital, military and <a title="TCAW - The Church At Work" href="http://web.mac.com/miketummillo/Site_93/TCAW%3A_God_is_at_WORK..html" target="_blank">workplace chaplains</a>. However, if you put the words neighbourhood and chaplain together to form the descriptive title “Neighbourhood Chaplain,” most often you will be met with a look of puzzlement and the obvious question: “What is a <a title="Community Chaplains of America" href="http://www.commchap.org:9080/home" target="_blank">Neighbourhood Chaplain</a>?</p>
<p>Simply defined, a &#8220;Neighbourhood Chaplain&#8221; is one who comes alongside someone during a time of crisis. It has nothing to do with the title rather the function of being a faithful follower of Jesus.</p>
<p>“<a title="Neighbourhoods by Wikipedia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Neighbourhood&amp;action=edit&amp;section=1" target="_blank">Neighbourhoods</a>, in some primitive, inchoate fashion exist wherever human beings congregate, in permanent family dwellings; and many of the functions of the city tend to be distributed naturally—that is, without any theoretical preoccupation or political direction—into neighbourhoods.” Mumford, Lewis (1954) The Neighbourhood and the Neighbourhood Unit</p>
<p><em>He felt great pity for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn’t know where to go for help. They were like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, ”The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few.  So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields” </em>(Matthew 9:36-38 NLT).</p>
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		<title>Oikos Weekly Updates for 2010-01-10</title>
		<link>http://oikosministries.com/archives/508</link>
		<comments>http://oikosministries.com/archives/508#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:54:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[More News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://oikosministries.com/archives/508</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It is in the ordinary duties and labors of life that the Christian can and should develop his spiritual union with God. ~ Thomas Merton ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It is in the ordinary duties and labors of life that the Christian can and should develop his spiritual union with God. ~ Thomas Merton <span id="more-508"></span></p>
<ul class="aktt_tweet_digest">
<li>@<a class="aktt_username" href="http://twitter.com/KarlIngersoll">KarlIngersoll</a> Thanks Karl. I appreciate knowing  the name of the person quoted. ; ) <a class="aktt_tweet_reply" href="http://twitter.com/KarlIngersoll/statuses/7603602706">in reply to KarlIngersoll</a> <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7603967373">#</a></li>
<li>FB RT: The Sabbath itself is a sanctuary which we build, a sanctuary in time …  The Sabbaths are our great cathedrals ~Abe Heschel <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7602886242">#</a></li>
<li>FB RT: To be a great man, you must be an obedient man- Phil Helfer <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7602519113">#</a></li>
<li>God gave us memories that we might have roses in December. ~ Sir James Barrie <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7593040471">#</a></li>
<li>The cold world needs warm-hearted Christians. ~ Anonymous <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7591843018">#</a></li>
<li>It is in the ordinary duties and labors of life that the Christian can and should develop his spiritual union with God. ~ Thomas Merton <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7590753169">#</a></li>
<li>The Bible is a compass, pointing you in the right direction. ~ Anonymous <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7589770843">#</a></li>
<li>Every evening I turn my worries over to God. He&#8217;s going to be up all night anyway. ~ Mary C. Crowley <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7588801950">#</a></li>
<li>No two Christians will ever meet for the last time. ~ Anonymous <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7587794616">#</a></li>
<li>I believe in the sun even if it isn&#8217;t shining. I believe in love even when I am alone. I believe in God even when He is silent. ~ Unknown <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7586638624">#</a></li>
<li>Live as though Christ died yesterday, rose from the grave today, and is coming back tomorrow. ~ Theodore Epp <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7585368162">#</a></li>
<li>@<a class="aktt_username" href="http://twitter.com/PastorPaul">PastorPaul</a> With the amount of responsibilities you seem to have on your shoulders I can understand why. ; ) <a class="aktt_tweet_reply" href="http://twitter.com/PastorPaul/statuses/7570179102">in reply to PastorPaul</a> <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7579827073">#</a></li>
<li>To maximize my effectiveness I need to minimize my focus. #<a class="aktt_hashtag" href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23fb">fb</a> <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7563866072">#</a></li>
<li>RT @tallskinnykiwi: 18 signs of a church movement. Continuing  conversation on Organic Church Movements. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://bit.ly/72Qubn">http://bit.ly/72Qubn</a> <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7563449005">#</a></li>
<li>Is There an Organic Church Movement (happening in North America)? ~ Neil Cole <a rel="nofollow" href="http://bit.ly/662Lq1">http://bit.ly/662Lq1</a> <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7539363206">#</a></li>
<li>RT @<a class="aktt_username" href="http://twitter.com/thequote">thequote</a> “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” —Friedrich Nietzsche #<a class="aktt_hashtag" href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23quote">quote</a> via @<a class="aktt_username" href="http://twitter.com/brianprimeaux">brianprimeaux</a> <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7505161924">#</a></li>
<li>Taking time to pray and reflect on the direction God is leading our ministry this year. <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7502542882">#</a></li>
<li>Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future. ~ Paul Boese <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7474636340">#</a></li>
<li>A man of words and not of deeds is like a garden full of weeds. ~ Unknown <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7473573243">#</a></li>
<li>Life is a grindstone. Whether it grinds us down or polishes us up depends on you. ~ L. Thomas Holdcroft <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7472487074">#</a></li>
<li>Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow; it only saps today of its strength. ~ A. J. Crown <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7471317292">#</a></li>
<li>Ultimately you are doing what you do for one of two reasons: to serve oneself or to serve God. ~ Unknown <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7470022466">#</a></li>
<li>There is enough time in every day to do God&#8217;s work&#8230; in God&#8217;s way. ~ Dr. Ted W. Engstrom <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7468495520">#</a></li>
<li>God is looking for ordinary people empowered by Him to do extraordinary things! ~ Unknown <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7466787223">#</a></li>
<li>@<a class="aktt_username" href="http://twitter.com/Mtbikerguy">Mtbikerguy</a> Who would of thought they would have a country station in Vancouver. They must of borrowed one from Calgary. : ) <a class="aktt_tweet_reply" href="http://twitter.com/Mtbikerguy/statuses/7465163199">in reply to Mtbikerguy</a> <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7465366979">#</a></li>
<li>In the end, a person is only known by the impact they have on others. ~ Jim Stovall <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7451755323">#</a></li>
<li>It is a wealthy person, indeed, who calculates riches not in gold but in friends. ~ Jim Stovall <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7450015265">#</a></li>
<li>A journey may be long or short, but it must start at the very spot one finds oneself. ~ Jim Stovall <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7448288315">#</a></li>
<li>Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight. ~ Benjamin Franklin <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7446448912">#</a></li>
<li>Verge: National Missional Community Conference: Feb 4-6, 2010 Austin, Texas (The DNA of Gospel Movements) @<a class="aktt_username" href="http://twitter.com/VergeConference">VergeConference</a> <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7444231206">#</a></li>
<li>Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. ~ Author unknown <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7442795630">#</a></li>
<li>What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others. ~ Pericles <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7442790897">#</a></li>
<li>Courage does not always roar. Sometimes it is a quiet voice at the end of the day, saying. ..&#8221;I will try again tomorrow.&#8221; ~ Unknown <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7438220341">#</a></li>
<li>Wherever you are, be all there. ~ Jim Elliot <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7438220093">#</a></li>
<li>You can live opposite of what you profess, but you cannot live opposite of what you believe. ~ Dallas Willard <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7438215311">#</a></li>
<li>Language is the apparel in which your thoughts parade before the public. ~ George Crane <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7437121695">#</a></li>
<li>Fretting springs from a determination to get our own way. ~ Oswald Chambers <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7436894207">#</a></li>
<li>God sweetens outward pain with inward peace. ~ Thomas Watson <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7435016294">#</a></li>
<li>If we only have the will to walk, then God is pleased with our stumbles. ~ C.S. Lewis <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7433909216">#</a></li>
<li>The thing we don’t want to know about evangelism is that we tend to preach to people just like us. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://bit.ly/7UgRju">http://bit.ly/7UgRju</a> <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7353479152">#</a></li>
<li>People look at life, faith, and the world through a variety of lenses or frames. How do we help them see Jesus without distortion? <a class="aktt_tweet_time" href="http://twitter.com/oikosministries/statuses/7353391564">#</a></li>
</ul>
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		<title>Canada&#8217;s House Church Magazine</title>
		<link>http://oikosministries.com/archives/349</link>
		<comments>http://oikosministries.com/archives/349#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 Jan 2010 01:24:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rob</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Ministries]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://oikosministries.com/?p=349</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The aim of this magazine is to inform and interconnect the house church networks across the nation with an eye to making an impact far beyond. 
What?! Yes, starfish. These little creatures that line the shores of the world’s beaches are uncanny. Chop off an arm, and a new one grows to take its place. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The aim of this magazine is to inform and interconnect the house church networks across the nation with an eye to making an impact far beyond. <span id="more-349"></span><br />
What?! Yes, starfish. These little creatures that line the shores of the world’s beaches are uncanny. Chop off an arm, and a new one grows to take its place. Tear a starfish in half, and you’ll soon have two starfish on your hands. In some varieties, a torn-off limb will become a brand new starfish. And what’s more, they populate by releasing hundreds of thousands, and sometimes millions, of eggs in just a few hours. Reminds one of the house church movement down through the ages. Fire and sword could not wipe it out. Heresy could not destroy it. And it’s making a huge comeback in our day and age. The house church movement is exploding around the world. An estimated 300,000 new house churches have started between 1998 and 2006. And this doesn’t include what’s happening in China, which has about 80 to 100 million believers in house churches. In the nations of the west, numerous denominations and mission agencies are starting to pay attention. Christians of all stripes are realizing that something is afoot and that God is reshaping the church so it can more effectively reach the world with the good news of Jesus Christ. It’s known by different nicknames. The Second Reformation. The House Church Movement. Organic Church Planting. Grassroots Christianity. Out-of-the-box Church. Whatever label is attached to it, one thing is for sure, it’s also taking root in Canada. Enter The Starfish Files. The aim of this magazine is to inform and interconnect the house church networks across the nation with an eye to making an impact far beyond. Welcome <a class="downloadlink" href="http://oikosministries.com/downloads2" title="VersionPDF File downloaded 71 times" >Starfish Files Summer 2009 (71)</a></p>
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