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God's Multi-Ethnic Redemption Plan

June 30, 2016 | by: Dale Thiele | 0 Comments

This past Sunday we welcomed home another team that had served with Sacred Road Ministries in Warm Springs, Oregon. While celebrating what God continues to do among the Native Americans in the Pacific Northwest, we took some time to be reminded of God's plan for the nations and our role in that plan. Isaiah tells us that God's plan centers on his choice servant, Jesus. God says through his prophet, "I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth" (49:6).... Keep Reading

I Am a Bruised Reed

June 23, 2016 | by: Dale Thiele | 0 Comments

The latter third of Isaiah contains some sweeping prophecies of global justice and peace. Justice and peace that seem to be absent from our daily lives in this broken world. Justice and peace that legislators in multiple nations clamor to secure and provide. Justice and peace that we long for on an individual basis when we suffer from the oppression of sin.... Keep Reading

It’s another week of disheartening headlines for our nation. Unfortunately, this may be the “new” norm for life in this war-torn, politically-divisive, terror-riddled, hate-filled, futility-subjected world. The Christian blogosphere “blows up” every time there is a tragedy with commentary about why bad things happen and how Christians should respond. But is the darkness all that new? Do we live in a unique period of history where Christians need to brainstorm “new” ways to live?... Keep Reading

Thank You for Your Partnership

June 9, 2016 | by: Dale Thiele | 0 Comments

This last Sunday marked my five year anniversary of preaching my first sermon at Oak Hills. God has been so gracious and mighty over these past five years. And God has used the people of Oak Hills as a rich blessing to me and my family. I join Paul in saying, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (Phil. 1:3-5).... Keep Reading

Polar Bears!

June 2, 2016 | by: Dale Thiele | 0 Comments

A friend of a friend. That's who Sam was to me when I was finishing high school and preparing to go to Moody Bible Institute. I knew Sam loved the Lord and also was pursuing ministry training. Our paths crossed a few times because of mutual friendships. Conversation with Sam was always rich. One conversation sticks in my memory even to this day. A conversation about polar bears.... Keep Reading

A Famine of God’s Word

May 26, 2016 | by: Dale Thiele | 0 Comments

The story of Elijah is sparse of details, but rich in implications. Take, for example, Elijah’s introduction, or the lack thereof. 1 Kings 16 ends with a very bleak outlook for the northern kingdom of Israel: blatant idolatry and complete disregard for the Word of God. 1 Kings 17 opens with the statement that “Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab…” We receive no introduction to this incredibly bold prophet and we know nothing of the arrangement of Elijah’s appearance before Ahab. He just shows up and speaks.... Keep Reading

The Foundation of the Spirit

May 19, 2016 | by: Dale Thiele | 0 Comments

Paul's letter to the Romans is considered by most Christians to be one of the finest and most comprehensive explanations of the gospel. Paul starts the letter by declaring that he is "not ashamed" of the gospel because it is the power of God (1:16). That power lies in the righteousness of God revealed in Jesus Christ (3:22). Because of the sacrificial work of Christ, God is able to accept sinful people as righteous by their faith in Christ.... Keep Reading

An Order for a Healthy Church

May 12, 2016 | by: Dale Thiele | 0 Comments

Paul’s letter to Titus is highly informative for church leaders to learn how to structure church. Paul says in 1:5, “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order…” We know this is a temporary task for Titus, because Paul closes his letter by encouraging Titus to join him at Nicopolis as soon as possible (3:12). So Titus has a limited amount of time to put things in order so that the church could be healthy. What makes for a healthy church?... Keep Reading

Consuming Relationships

May 5, 2016 | by: Dale Thiele | 0 Comments

Several years ago a good friend of mine made a very curious statement: “We consume relationships.” He was reflecting on how a consumeristic society has shaped and influenced all areas of our lives. We had talked extensively about how consumerism had impacted our Christians’ perspective on worship and church programs. But relationships?... Keep Reading

The Daily Task of a Christian: Seek the Lord

April 28, 2016 | by: Dale Thiele | 0 Comments

In a slew of eleven commands that begin Psalm 105, the command “seek” is given twice in verse 4. Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! In classic Hebrew poetic form, the commands are parallel with one another. To seek the Lord is to seek his presence. To seek his presence continually is to seek his strength. In the New Testament we are commanded to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Matt. 6:33) and “seek, and you will find” (Matt. 7:7). Even the nature of saving faith is associated with seeking God: “Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Heb. 11:6).... Keep Reading

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