Another anniversary.

Another tragedy.

Another reminder of the evil that is rampant in our world.

The evil has always been present – since creation.

We’ve simply allowed evil to feel more at home among us. Our senses have been numbed, our preferences have made us more tolerant of it.

The world feels heavy today, just like yesterday, and the day before and the day before that.

We talk about our feelings. We pay therapists. We take meds. We share prayer requests. We process on social media platforms.

Each of these coping mechanisms have their value, and their benefits. They help. But only partially.

Still, we are left with so many questions:

“Why?”

“How long oh Lord?”

“Isn’t there a way for good to win and evil to lose?”

THERE IS A WAY!

We pray.

WAIT!!!!! STOP!!!!!! BEFORE YOU check out, move on, nod your head with a halfway agreement, and silently think “Yeah I know that . . . but. . . .”

Hear me out.

Today I’ve asked “what do I pray for?”

Here’s the answer I’ve received- Start with a lament. Tell God what our hearts feel. Tell Him our sorrows, our grief, and even weep. Sit in it even for just a few minutes. You can say “God I’m sad” and He won’t jump down your throat with Bible verses telling you why you’re wrong for feeling that way and condemn your lack of faith, hope and love. Lament.

Then . . . we do exactly was God tells us to do in prayer.

“If my people who are called by my name” That’s the Church. The Christ Follower. Us.

“Will humble themselves and pray.” There it is. PRAY

“Seek my face.” Put down the device, turn off the TV, go outside and look up in the sky, or go to your closet and simply imagine you’re going into private conference with the only One who can do anything about any of this, and seek His face.

“Turn from their wicked ways.” Stop it. Stop doing the things you know you don’t need to do. Renounce the wickedness in your heart, and in our world.

“THEN. . . . “ Here comes our solution . . . .

“I will hear from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land.” That’s HIS promise, not one we’ve made up. HIS WORDS. “He WILL. . . “

There Is a way! It’s so simple.

Instead of staring at the wall and talking about how big and impossible and horrible it is, notice the way that He’s made through the wall.

I don’t do this enough. I minimize the most powerful tool I’ve been given – seeing it as a last resort – “well at least I can pray.”

We can see things change. I know it seems hard to believe. I know some who read this still won’t do the simple thing and pray.

But I will remain right here and say it today, tomorrow, Sunday at church, and every day that follows . . .

THERE IS A WAY . . . PRAY!

We bought 706 Market Street back in March of 2024, and since then, we’ve had countless meetings, reviewed endless plans and drawings, held a thousand conversations about what The Oasis Center is, and yes—I’ve posted more than my fair share of long-winded (and probably annoying) videos. All of it has been part of the effort to get the ball rolling.

Well… I’m happy to say—the ball is finally rolling.

We have conceptual drawings from our architect.
We have a founding board of directors.
We have a growing number of donors and friends sowing seeds into this Oasis that will absolutely bear fruit in the future.

And now—we have a plan in place to actually… finally… start working in the building.

I’ve wanted people to be able to walk into the space and see it—to see the potential, to catch the vision, and to witness what God has already done and what He’s going to do. We’ve been slowly clearing out the remaining display inventory left by the previous owners of the “wig shop.”

Now, we need a CLEANING DAY—and we’re going to have one.

 Saturday, May 31 at 706 Market Street.
Want to come see the space—and help out?
If you’re interested, here’s the link to sign up. This will help us organize the work so we can be as efficient as possible. We’ll also be scheduling additional work days soon for painting walls, repairing ceiling tiles, removing old light fixtures, and more. But for now—I’d love for you to join us on May 31!

I realize not everyone can physically come help, and that’s totally okay—because there’s another way you can make a difference.

We have to address a roofing issue immediately. The repair will cost $6,000, and it’s essential to complete this before we begin other work—so we don’t risk wasting time and effort due to leaks.

Here’s the good news: we already have $3,000 pledged as a matching gift toward the roof. So, if you can’t make it to the work day, would you consider helping us meet the match?

There’s much more to share… and much more to celebrate… but for now—just know this:

The ball is rolling.

And honestly? It’s about time.

When I was a kid I low key enjoyed getting dressed up for church.  Mom & Dad always made sure that I had clean, pressed, and “dressier” clothes than my “school” clothes for church.  I called them my “church clothes.”  I could run, play, climb, pretend I was Superman with mom’s red apron tied precariously around my neck . . . in my “school clothes,” but NOT in my “church clothes.  They’re were to be kept nice & clean. I can still hear my momma saying “Shannon!  Don’t get your church clothes dirty!”  

Here’s the thing though, church clothes were somewhat prohibitive.  When all the other kids were outside after church running around the building, climbing the church flag pole – not me – I stayed away from that frivolity because I would get my church clothes dirty – and that could mean trouble for my backside later.  

As I grew, and began to pastor – the value of “church clothes” diminished greatly.  I’m not driven as much as I was  to wear suits, ties, and uncomfortable leather loafers.  I prefer function over form.   However,  I still prefer to keep my clothes clean and unsoiled, especially if I’m going to stand in front of a room of listeners.  I don’t want them distracted by a coffee spill on my shirt, or an ink stain on the pocket of my pants.   

But a few months ago – I discovered that I still had somewhat of a “church clothes” mentality.  

One Sunday morning, a RiverChurch family member was sharing with the body about an upcoming ministry opportunity in a state prison.  He was encouraging us to give, write letters of encouragement to inmates, or bring boxes of home made cookies so he could deliver them to the prisoners when it was time for the outreach.   

While he was talking, my buddy Thomas (who had, per usual, the night before had a little too much of the sauce) came staggering right up to the front where the man was talking and laid a dollar bill on the podium.  Thomas’s words were mostly unintelligible, but I heard him spout off his identification number from his days of incarceration, and he left his dollar bill as a way of saying he wanted to support this particular ministry effort.  He staggered away to the cafe side for a few minutes, and then he came staggering back in the room as if he wanted to say more.  

In stealth mode, I jumped up from my seat and intercepted Thomas before he could interrupt the speaker again.   I carefully walked him back to the cafe side and said, 

“Thomas, you can’t walk up like that when someone’s talking.”  He  looked at me and started crying, weeping actually.

“Shannon – I’ve been in there.  I know what it’s like.  My prison number was  . . . . .  They need to know, Shannon!  They need to know.”  

All I knew to do in that moment was hug Thomas, agree with him, that they did need to know – and I did.  His wet face, draped in dirty oily hair, lay against my shoulder for a few seconds more and then he returned to his seat and sat there for the rest of the gathering – quietly.   

I turned around to ready myself for the delivery of the sermon –  when out of the corner of my eye I noticed some sort of spot on the front side of my shoulder.  I looked down and realized that my nice clean shirt was now wet, and stained from Thomas’ tears and other facial fluids, and for a split second I thought “OH NO!!!!! MY CHURCH CLOTHES ARE DIRTY!”

I didn’t have time to do anything about it, so I walked right up to the front to deliver  my sermon, preaching my heart out with a nice big snot stain on my shirt – that ironically no-one in the room seemed to even notice.  

Thomas actually preached a sermon to me that day.  He made me think of how Jesus was known for eating with “tax collectors and sinners.”  

The very Christ, I claim to follow got down in the dirt and wrote a message to an adulterous woman.  

He spat in the dirt to make mud that he would apply with his own hands on the eyes of a blind man in order to heal him.  

He touched people with flesh eating diseases – with his bare hands.  

Jesus most certainly had dirty church clothes, and He probably didn’t think one thing about it.  I think He actually . . . had fun getting his church clothes dirty.  More fun than the guys standing around him with long robes, big tassels, and well you know. . . fancy church clothes.  

So I’ve stopped worrying so much about getting my church clothes dirty.  

How about you?  

Are you getting your church clothes dirty?  Or are you scared to?  You’re not going to get in trouble if you do – at least not with your Father.  He’s okay with it – in fact I think He actually likes it when we get them dirty.  

I guess I should qualify shouldn’t I?  

Dirty in the sense of getting in the middle of the mess with that person that needs a shoulder to cry on, a person to eat a meal with them, or someone to bind up their wounds, or maybe give them a place to stay for the night. 

It’s what Jesus would do.

So . . . go ahead GET THOSE CHURCH CLOTHES –  DIRTY!

It’ll be fun.  

The past year has been an exciting year and a tough year.  This time last year we were trying to raise the money to purchase “706” Market Street for what will eventually be the Oasis Center.  With God’s help and your generosity, we did it.  It’s taken us a year to get our footing and a realistic plan to move forward.  

For the last twelve months we’ve paid the monthly note for the building largely from RiverChurch’s operating budget and partially from monthly donations given by our friends and family members.  We’ve established a board of directors and we’ve laid out plans to build out the first two floors of the building for Cadence to occupy and for shared work space for non-profit allies to utilize. 

Simply stated – our goal is to get in the door.  

As a family – we’ve decided that “706” is fully operational we will donate the downtown location of Cadence Coffee Company and its profit to the Oasis Center – so the building will immediately have a source of monthly revenue from cafe operation alone.    We’ve got a plan and we’re moving forward with that plan.  

Until we get in the building and it is able to generate revenue – we’re walking the long road of fundraising. Today, I had a conversation with a friend who committed a $15,000 gift to help us officially begin construction and lighten the load of the monthly note from RIverChurch’s operating budget.  Almost immediately after that I had another conversation with a friend committing to a generous monthly gift that will start March 1.  So today has already been a huge day of encouragement.

So . . . .maybe, I’m on an emotional high, or maybe I’m crazy, or maybe I’m desperate.  I don’t know but I thought I would throw this out there . . . .

I want to see this vision of the Oasis Center flourish – become a reality and quickly.  Facebook suggested today that I invite friends to give to a nonprofit of my choice this year as an expression of well wishes. “Friends” on Facebook already make you feel so loved and celebrated on your birthday, but I thought I would put this “ask” out here on the World Wide Web. . .

Would you consider making a $50 gift to the Oasis Center this week?

You don’t even have to wish me a “happy birthday,” although I know it would be the cheaper route.  But your tax deductible gift of $50 would serve two purposes – help us further down the road with our vision for the Oasis Center – and gosh . . . it would just mean a lot to this aging man.  

Presently we have a goal of $100,000 – that allows us to officially begin the construction process and lightens the load from the RiverChurch Operating expenses.  

I gotta be honest, this feels awkward putting this out there, but turning 50 feels awkward too.  So I’m embracing the awkward.  Typically – I avoid these kinds of things because I don’t want people to think  . . . . (fill in the blank).  But one good thing about getting older is that you care less what people think about you – because hey people are thinking about you less anyway.  

So yeah . . . help me celebrate 50 with a generous gift of 50 to the Oasis Center.  

I have convictions. But I’m not holier, better, or closer to Jesus because someone else does not share my convictions.  

I have no problem communicating my convictions. If you want to know how I feel about a situation – ask me.  If I feel strongly enough about my conviction I’ll probably tell you before you get a chance to ask me.  But condemning others who don’t share my convictions – well that’s out of bounds.  That’s not a conviction – that’s what Scripture says.  

Paul hits this subject in Romans 14 – 

V1. – Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and DON’T ARGUE with them about what they think is right or wrong.

V4. – Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall.  And with the Lord’s help they will stand and receive his approval.

V10. – So why do you condemn another believer?  Why do you look down on another believer?  Remember we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

V12. – Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. 

V13. – So let’s stop condemning each other.  Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.  

V20. – Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat.  (This also applies to voting, trick or treating, or which version of the Bible people read from). 

V27. – You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God.  Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right.  

V28. – But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it.  

I voted last week- and I voted according to my conscious.  

You should do the same. It wasn’t easy. I literally stood at the ballot box and asked God – “How do I vote?”

Then. . . I voted.

I voted according to what I felt like He told me. It wasn’t a prophetic moment. I don’t think God was telling me who would the next president would be. He simply showed me how I should vote. Now, I’m not going to tell you who I voted for – because I’m keeping that between myself and God.

Tomorrow is Halloween. We’re NOT taking our kids trick or treating this year.  We’ve bounced back and forth over our time as parents.  But we feel strongly this year that it isn’t something we’re supposed to do.  Some will say we’re taking fun away from our kids. Maybe. But they’ll survive.

We ARE going to turn our front porch light on and hand out candy to kids who come to our house. We are also going to give them a few other things. We’re going to share the light of Jesus. We’re not going to hide out behind closed doors and wait for the “spooks” to go by. We ARE going to intentionally bless and not curse – to shine the light of Jesus.   

I could bring a few other “hot topics” to the conversation and you would likely agree or disagree.  You’re entitled.  We can debate if you want to, but not endlessly. We will most likely land on the decision to agree to disagree.  

But Condemn?  Then you’re out of line. 

The more we condemn one another,  the more we cannibalize one another.   We look more like the rest of the world.  We act just like they act.  But if we are followers of Jesus, citizens of Heaven, we SHOULD be different. 

V17. – For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness, and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  

So friend – Christian brother & sister – I’m looking at you.  If you’re allowing your convictions to be the catalyst to condemn others – Just Stop It.  

You’re looking less and less like Jesus. You’re acting more and more like the world that you have been called to come out from among.  

We can do better.  

It felt like a death in the family the day you left our home. People said “at least he’s alive and well and with his family.” But it didn’t feel that way. It felt like we had lost a child and like we couldn’t really grieve openly, publicly – it didn’t seem right. And as for family… we were the only family you knew. 
I drive by your house almost everyday. Oh how I wish we could see you, that you would know us and that we could be part of your life. We miss you. 

But here’s what I know. We wouldn’t change a thing. We were meant to hold you for that short window of time. We were meant to be the only family you knew. We were meant to teach you songs and tell you stories of Gods love for you. We planted seed and that seed will one day grow and you will follow Him. And we will see you again. 

When you left, we wanted to close our hearts, our home and never walk through that kind of pain again. Some folks told us “I could never do that – be a foster parent- it’s too painful” It was. But we realized we didn’t do it for us, we did it for you and others like you and not long after that we held another beautiful gift in our arms and she has turned our world upside down in beautiful ways. I like to think you made it possible for her to come to us. Because….there are (NO A)ccidents.

I talked to him for a bit, we called the police, they came and went. I helped him clean the blood off of his face and arms and bandaged the gash on his head. He just kept crying. Absolutely broken. 

I found myself feeling stressed and even a little frustrated that I wasn’t able to go inside enjoy some solitude and finish my last few minutes of sermon prep when I felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit. 

“Tending to Thomas – binding up his wounds is exactly why I brought you down here earlier today. -THIS, THIS is the most important sermon you will preach today!”

I asked for forgiveness and proceeded to care for my friend. 

I’m no Good Samaritan. I’m a slow learner. One who God has to sometimes drop a broken bleeding person directly in my path to get my attention, to get me to learn to live with my eyes open, my head up, not ignoring the hurting people around me. I tend to think I’m important – the man with the message that has to be preached until He humbles me and says “say less, do more.” 

I was reminded, today, in a very real way that the way of Jesus is less often found in the sermon one preaches and more often in one’s willingness to bind up the broken and to pour healing oil on the wounded. 

One is more pleasant than the other. I don’t do blood and pain well. 

And I could be wrong, but I dare say Jesus would sooner bind the broken and heal the hurting than he would preach the sermon. Both are important but it’s a whole lot easier to hear the sermon when you’ve seen it demonstrated first. 

May we all have more opportunities to bind the broken, and may we not miss them when they come our way.

**DISCLAIMER:: Some have questioned the need for me to post this picture of Thomas’s condition, arguing that I am robbing him of dignity and lacking sensitivity to his poor condition. This picture was taken before we cleaned him up, while we were waiting for the police to come. If we had him cleaned up before they arrived we wanted them to see how bad his condition truly was. Out of respect for Thomas the picture here was cropped so not to show his face. Thomas has asked me to share his story of homelessness and struggle so people understand that homeless folks are real people too, with real struggles. **

“There’s a difference in heart and height, I have one, but I think they’d rather I have the other.” -Jayden Greer

My 14 year old was processing yet another poorly worded comment from a new coach – “yeah but you’re too short!” He’s lived his whole life with folks making jokes about his height. Most of the time he laughs it off, but the words sting. I’ve never understood why people make “fat” jokes or “short” jokes or for me as a kid “four eyes” jokes. As a dad – I have to fight the urge to fight a battle that’s not mine to fight. But hearing that kind of wisdom drop from his lips tonight was soothing to this dad’s soul. 

He knows he lacks height. But he also knows he has heart and equally as valuable if not more so than height. He had to team up with a new kid tonight at practice who didn’t really want to be there. Man, did it ruffle Jays feathers? Because he has heart. 

I’ve sat with this, this evening and it makes me wonder what I undervalue in life because something else seems more valuable.

Height or heart? 
Breadth or depth? 
Mega or Small? 
Entertaining or Life Changing? 
The Crowd or that lone safe person?

God told Samuel “man looks on the outside, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7). He often values what we don’t. 

I can’t fight Jays battles for him. I won’t protect him from the “short” jokes from his friends or from the disregard by a coach. But I realized tonight – I don’t have to. He knows what’s valuable – heart over height. 

And he’s got that. 

I’m proud of ya kid!