The Oaks

Identifying your heroes—those individuals you admire and look up to—can play a pivotal role in clarifying your own calling or purpose. Think of your heroes as mirrors reflecting elements of God's purposes in your life. They might be historical, contemporary or even fictional. They might be entrepreneurs, educators, artists, or anyone who embodies qualities and achievements you find inspiring.In this talk from the archives, find out how the people you hold in esteem may be pointing you in a direction.

 Bread is a guided devotional series. And my intention is to help you connect with God, meaningful way in about five minutes.God made man in his own image. What does that mean? For insight, check out this episode.

 Bread is a guided devotional series. And my intention is to help you connect with God, meaningful way in about five minutes. In this episode we discuss the Law of the Farm.

Bread is a guided devotional series, designed to help you connect with God in a meaningful way, in about 5 minutes.In this episode, we discuss God's desire to speak to you.

Bread is a  guided devotional series to help you connect with God in a meaningful way all in about five minutes. In this episode we discuss how God turns the chaos of our lives into order.

Bread is a devotional series designed to help you connect with God in a meaningful way, all in about 5 minutes. The 5 minutes moves int three parts: A verse and meditation on that verse.Pray the Lord's prayerMake declarations over your day. In this episode we discuss how God took time for reflection and enjoyment of his creative work. The implications for us is that we were made for this same type of meaningful reflection.

While we are participants of our circumstances, we do not have to be victims in them. From Joseph's experiences, we can learn powerful lessons on how to prosper with the hand we are dealt. 

In this podcast, Josh introduces a simple exercise to help you jog through a year of experiences to connect with areas you want to grow or with plans you would like to make for the season ahead.Reflection is one of the most important steps to planning because it allows us to attach meaning to the things that matter the most.Bonus Material: Josh also shares a thought on the importance of continuing to meet with one another in the Covid Era. 

Psalm 107 provides an amazing template for expressing our needs and pain to God. Learn four life situations that God expressly says he rescues in. "Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. "

The heart in immensely valuable. If we do not value our hearts, we will become broken because of it. In this talk, learn 3 steps that will move you closer to emotional honesty and walking with God from a place of honesty, from your heart.

Jesus does not want us to just medicate our pain. He wants us to process it with him in order to heal it. Since God can handle the rawest form of who we are, why not learn to pray honest prayers today?

Jesus taught that if you "receive a prophet, you receive a prophet's reward. If you receive a righteous person, you receive a righteous person's reward.." What is honor and how does it work in our lives? Learn how honor literally releases the potential in those around us. They shine and we benefit. Honor opens doors that dishonor will never open. 

One of the greatest qualities that every leader needs is meekness, power under restraint. Learn how meekness postures your for for effectiveness with others. Early in Jesus ministry, he sat down and gave 8 keys to blessing in the life of his followers. In this series we examine some of those attitudes that Jesus linked with specific blessings and how they are awarded. In this episode, learn about meekness, mercy and purity.

Grieving may not be something you consider a "best practice," yet Jesus promised comfort to those who mourn. In this talk, learn important steps to grieving your losses so you can move on and move forward. Grieving Your Losses is part two in the series based on the Beatitudes. Early in Jesus ministry, he sat down and gave 8 keys to blessing in the life of his followers. In this series we examine some of those attitudes that Jesus linked with specific blessings and how they are awarded. 

Early in Jesus ministry, he sat down and gave 8 keys to blessing in the life of his followers. In this series we examine some of those attitudes that Jesus linked with specific blessings and how they are awarded. In this talk, we learn the vital key of understanding our need for God's help in our lives. 

Vision enables you to direct your efforts in the right direction. Goals provide the actual steps to get you where you want to go. Make the best of the rest of 2020 by using S-M-A-R-T-E-R goals!SMARTER Goals Worksheet: http://www.theoaks.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Smarter-Goals-Worksheet.pdfBased on material from this great author: https://michaelhyatt.com/goal-setting/. Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theoaks61Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theoaks61

In times of pressure, pain or intense need, we can make poor decisions that will impact us  long term. In this series we unpack an interesting Bible story where Esau sells out to his own hunger and makes a decision that changes his life. Learn keys that will help you become a better decision maker when the sound of your distress seems louder than the voice of reason.In this talk, understand the key role encouragement has in enabling us to live for the things that matter most to us.

In times of pressure, pain or intense need, we can make poor decisions that will impact us  long term. In this series we unpack an interesting Bible story where Esau sells out to his own hunger and makes a decision that changes his life. Learn keys that will help you become a better decision maker when the sound of your distress seems louder than the voice of reason.

Discover the two most stabilizing or unstabilizing forces in your life. One, who you think God and two, who you think you are. Learn three "identity statements," that will both center you and give you confidence to move forward in life.

Our struggle is not again flesh and blood but against an unseen enemy. Learn how we fight by using the armor God has given for our benefit.

We live in turbulent times. It this message, learn the enduring principle of personal power that God has committed to "as long as the earth endures."

We live in turbulent times. Learn 5 things to remember when you don't know what to do.1. Fall Back on the Things You Know Are True2. Do the Things You Know to Do3. Simplify4. Remember What God Has Done5. Ask God for the Next Step

This Mother's Day message includes 3 tips on how to love your mom, your wife, and others you value in an intelligent way.

God still rescues. Listen to Jonathan Simpson's powerful story of rescue, camping in the woods for 2 months and a triathlon!

What we believe and value on the deepest level, is exactly what is directing our lives. Our circumstances are being directed by what is in our heart.

What we believe and value on the deepest level, is exactly what is directing our lives. Our circumstances are being directed by what is in our heart.

Incredible interview with one of the Grace Center pastors regarding God's rest during the quarantine.

Gratitude reframes our experience in life. When we are grateful, we are more fun to be with and gratitude gives us a lens through which we can see the Father's love in our lives.

Choice is an absolute must for quality relationships. Consequences for our choices are necessary to create a feedback loop that is rooted in reality. Learn how God wants to move us toward freedom and power to make choices that move us along a continuum of maturity.

Once we understand God has given each of us something worth protecting, we need a starting place to build boundaries in our lives. God's truth, our words, personal distance, time, family rituals and other people's help are all ways we can start building an infrastructure to help us value and protect the most important things we have.

Part two in a series. God has given you a space that is uniquely you. Boundaries help define and protect the valuable treasure God has invested in you. Healthy boundaries also work like a gate that helps you to let the good in, while keeping the bad out. Boundaries are necessary to help you obey God's assignments for your life.

The idea of boundaries enables us to identify where we end and others begin. Understanding ours and other's distinctiveness provides a starting point for all relationships. Boundaries also help us establish ownership over what is ours providing another beginning point for personal responsibility. It's time to take charge. 

Faith is a clarifying agent in your life. You are in a constant battle for your faith, which allows you to advance decisively. See how testimony, both yours and other's, is a powerful tool to keep your faith strong and your momentum moving forward.

Reflection is a tool that we can use to get out of the rat race. When we reflect, we are able to attach meaning to the things that truly matter. When we attach meaning to the things that matter, we are able to do those things intentionally.

Chaos and confusion are not God's will for your life. Proverbs 4:18 says that "the path of the righteous gets brighter and brighter." In this talk, gain an understanding of God's desire to help bring as sense of clarity to your life.

We are destined to overcome in life and Jesus makes specific promises to those who do. God wants us to overcome in life's challenges without losing the sense of who we are. He also wants to show us who we are and does so as we overcome life's obstacles.