Testimonials From The Heart

I came into Oaks feeling lost, confused, tired and frustrated with life and with myself. I grew up in a family with addiction and believed I did not deserve love because I was so bad (in their eyes). As an adult I attracted men into my life who had addictions, treated me as though I didn’t deserve love and told me I was terribly flawed. My only success seemed to be in what I could achieve, therefore I become a “successful” workaholic. I became a perfectionist and performance based in an attempt to prove my worthiness. I came to Oaks at a point in my life when even the achievement couldn’t get me that “high” anymore.

I was nervous to tell about the things I had done and things done to me. I was afraid that if people knew about the bad things I had done, people would judge me and look down on me. The exact opposite happened. I learned that everyone had done bad things and had wounds from the past. There is a great comfort in knowing that you are not alone.

Oaks helped me see the lies that I had chosen to believe about myself and the subsequent life choices I made out of those beliefs. Oaks helped me see myself through the eyes of God as he created me. In Genesis 1:31 it says, “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” This includes you and me. No matter what you have done, no matter what you have experienced, there is nothing that you cannot become victorious over with the help of God. Come and be set free.

Romans 8:1-2 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

Anonymous

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Have you ever done a happy dance because you've been set free? Did you ever feel the chains just fall off and the relief from the burden just created a happy dance in your heart? Picture Snoopy waving his hands in the air and his nose in the air in a full fledged happy dance. That's me. The kind of happy dance where you have to get up and look around and make sure no one is looking and then just break out in a major out of control happy dance. Ever had that exhilarating feeling of just walking right out into a brand new day living in a whole new way. Every thing is new. That's how it feels for me to learn the truth of a hundred certain circumstances. This sounds easy enough, just learning the truth. Learning the truth doesn't sound like rocket science, but it is for all of us have believed crafty lies that have held us captive. Once I realized the Truth of the situation I was set free. I am free. I am more free now then ever. Instead of holding on to pain so I could wallow in it, I gave it up. I really didn't want to give up the pain. I wanted to keep it so I could wallow in it and find relief for what happened to me in the past. That's just the thing though, if the pain is gone you don't need to wallow in it to find relief. Yet we tend to believe that we need to keep our pain so we can wallow in it. Through Oaks, instead I exchanged my pain for a happy dance. Have you ever heard that song that says

I'm trading my sorrow
I'm trading my shame

I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

Well, it's a true song. I always wondered how to work that. In the past, when I tried laying down my sorrows, I thought that meant I had to pretend they weren't there. I was stuffing feelings or masking feelings or ignoring feelings and then I wondered why the Joy of the Lord didn't come for me. But with Oaks its different. With Oaks, imagine having a giant garage sale where you trade all your old ugly crap that you would be happy to be rid of and exchange it for something GOOD. That's what Oaks Of Righteousness did for me. I traded in a whole boatload of crap and got a bunch of blessings for it. Unbelievable, but absolutely true. Do oaks! Get past the lies that take you captive. The truth is the Truth will set you free. Oaks will show you how by telling you the truth about how to recognize the lies and the persuasive arguments that take us captive.

For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.

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GOD GAVE US ONE PILL

By: Andria Heese

God gave us one pill to make all our aches and pains go away. This pill outdoes all other medical prescriptions for depression, anxiety and stress, pain, sickness and disorders of our bodies. It trumps name-brand ointments for unhealed wounds, infectious scabs, cuts and bruises. This pill even has the power to take away internal bleeding.
Though available to everyone, it is unknown to most the world, and sits in a box in the back of the cabinets in our home. Some of those that are aware of this pill in our home choose to take it, and yet some ignore it, trying to find alternate ways to get better. For our own benefit and continued health, the pill sits in our cabinets waiting to be taken, but because it must be a choice to take it, nobody can force our hand and make us reach for it. Just as it is a conscious choice to speak, so it must also be a conscious choice to take this pill. We don’t get out of bed each morning when our alarms go off at an ungodly time because we feel like it; we get up because our brains tell our body to get up. In the same sense, we can’t take this pill because we feel like it; we have to make a choice to.
Often times the results of our injuries hurt too much that we feel nothing could ever heal them, especially not a pill with a warning label that says before the wounds heal there could be intense momentary pain while the healing process is taking place. Sometimes there are people who have given this pill a bad name and it would feel like a betrayal to them if they found out we’d taken it. Other situations occur where we’ll agree to take the pill, but we won’t have anything to do with the reason why we were injured. There are other times when we want justice for the cause of our wounds. This pill offers solutions to none of those things listed; it only offers relief to the taker.
Once deciding to take this pill, the hard part is not over by a long shot. Directions on the box aren’t always clear so a person to guide you in taking it may be needed. This pill can be very big and tough to swallow, and you may need someone to hold your hand while taking it. A shoulder may also be needed to cry on while the pill goes to the very heart of your wounds and heals them from the inside out. The healing can be painful at first since the initial hurt of the wounds must be relived for them to heal fully. Any possible side effects of the pill can include tears, trembling or even a desire to take many more pills at once.
Some of the smaller wounds this pill takes care of instantaneously, while the bigger ones take a while to heal. Sometimes this pill has to be taken more than once for continued acquirement of the same wounds. Once administered though, the aches and pains of the old wounds are replaced with the end results of lasting relief, contentment and peace. The weights of the wounds are lifted from your body, the scabs and scars have been turned back into unblemished skin, and the bleeding is stopped. Also, the spreading of the sicknesses and infections are not only stopped, they are cured from the body completely.
By taking this pill we are fully healed and our broken bodies are made whole again. This is one pill that can be taken and no shame will come from overdosing. It is not an illegal drug we have to import across the border; it is available to all of us and free of charge. God gave us all one pill, and this pill is forgiveness.

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I just wanted to tell you about the revelation I've had since starting the Oaks class. I am very happy that I took this class it was time for me in my walk to start doing some cleansing of the soul. I see it as this, I am currently in God's extreme makeover program. For years I've tried to come closer to God and I just wasn't getting it. I couldn't understand why I wasn't feeling anything different. I mean I was following the 10 commandments, I was praying, I was forgiving people (well trying to anyway) but it just wasn't making an impact on my life. So once again I walked away, I have done this start up and drop out process several times in my life. Then one day I thought I got it, I was attending Antioch Bible Baptist and during the closing prayer I just started sobbing I was praying, I had people praying over me. So I became a member and got involved in small groups, took classes. No matter how many classes or events I attended I wasn't feeling the connection with the Lord that I heard other people talk about. So once again I walked away.

One day it dawned on my that I wasn't setting a good example for my daughter, I had to prove to her that God doesn't give up on us just because we give up on ourselves. So we decided to attend this church, Vineyard. I could say I don't even know what made me wake up one day and decide to attend this church, a place where I didn't know anyone, but I think we both know who was in charge of that, and I thank God everyday for bringing me to this church. Anyway I fell in love with the worship band first, then this Pastor who was dressed like no other Pastor that I had seen before. I mean aren't Pastors supposed to be in suit and tie, and was this music really OK to be listening to. I have to admit at first I was a little worried. Then Pastor Fred began preaching in a way that I had never heard. Pastor Fred said it's OK to not be perfect but he said it in a way that didn't make me feel ashamed to be in God's presence, he said it in a way that said we are all sinners and God still loves us no matter what. See I've hheard that song and dance of "we are all sinners and we are born of sin" but a lot of Pastors preach that message in a way that makes you feel that unless you live a "Perfect" life from here on out you better not count on getting through those gates. At Vineyard I felt that not only is it OK to be me now, I don't have to be afraid of who I was before because nobody cares about that person anymore.

Then I started this Oaks class and my extreme makeover began and I have since learned that the old outdated, dirty raggedy things of the past have to be cleaned up, whether I want to dig it up or not it's got to be dealt with. I have to clean out my "closet" and get rid of the old, outdated, dirty things because God is giving me a whole new wardrobe! I used to be afraid to tell people about my past, I mean it's not a pretty or a nice story but I'm ready to go all in for God. Thank you very much for providing me with the "cleaning tools" so that I can continue on my walk with the Lord.

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Student of Fall Class 2010

While I met with a couple of pastors on separate occasions, both suggested I take the Oaks of Righteousness class. Even though I knew I could probably benefit from the class for a couple things in my past, I signed up to have the experience especially since I began to participate in leadership roles at Vineyard. Also, I hoped the class would help me draw closer to God. Wow, did I receive a surprise! Even though my divorce was 10 years before, I still had rejection issues. And, to my surprise earlier in the year, I found I still had unresolved issues from the age of five or six when my uncle had exposed himself to me. I wanted to get past these two things in my life. God healed the rejection I felt from my divorce, and He helped me with the forgiveness towards my uncle. What I did not realize there were feelings toward my parents for not protecting me or doing anything about the exposure incident for after the incident occurred, the resolution was to not talk about it and pretend it did not happen—other than I was not allowed to be alone with my uncle any more.

The wonderful thing is God knows us better than anyone else does and even better than we know ourselves. There were other things in my life (ex. expectations at work) and n my past (ex. expectations from my family) in which I had no idea were even affecting me. The night before The Father’s Blessing session, I had a disturbing dream. The next evening I went to class and experienced The Father’s Blessing. It was mentioned I was missing a father’s and mother’s heart, and I would no longer have the void. I did not understand, and it bothered me. I knew my parents loved me. They never abused me verbally or physically. Sure we had some teasing throughout the years, but I just could not see what this meant. Later in my blessing time, through God’s vessels, it was told to me that even though I did not understand, I should receive what God had for me. And I did. That night what I missed getting from my parents I received. The dream brought resolution or acceptance (my receiving what God had for me even though I did not understand). It amazed me how these events fell into place.

By the last night of class I felt a closeness to God I do not remember ever experiencing. Things began to look a bit clearer. I felt a freedom I do not remember ever feeling before. God had done much more in my heart, spirit, and soul than I ever imagined. It was the most awesome experience. Also, I learned more about God in 10 weeks of Oaks than I did the first 22 years of my life in church.

Now when I think of those things in my past which brought pain and sorrow, I feel peace—I do not feel rejection or unclean. And about two months after finishing Oaks, my employer terminated me. Because God freed me from so much and filled me with His spirit, I do not feel rejection. Not only did it heal the hurt feelings in my heart from past events, it seems He has safe-guarded me from feeling it in the future. God has given me peace and strength that is so amazing. I still feel His freedom, and I completely trust Him to provide for me. I believe He has an amazing plan for my life, and I look forward to the experience.

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We can not live in this world without trials and tribulations. In my own life I have experienced many. I had gone through counseling at different times, so I thought I had dealt with many of my issues. The Oaks class helped me to realize healing of our past, wounds, and spiritual bondages can only be accomplished through redemption and the cross. Jesus is the great healer and wants us to live in freedom. Oaks gave me the knowledge and tools to know how to apply the redemption of the cross. Now, I can do this on a daily basis. I am so thankful that God led me to take the Oaks class.

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Dear Gary,

I just wanted to tell you about the revelation I've had since starting the Oaks class. I am very happy that I took this class. it was time for me in my walk to start doing some cleansing of the soul. I see it as this; I am currently in God's "Extreme Makeover" program.

For years I've tried to come closer to God and I just wasn't getting it. I couldn't understand why I wasn't feeling anything different. I mean I was following the 10 commandments, I was praying, I was forgiving people (well, trying to anyway) but it just wasn't making an impact on my life. So once again I walked away, and I have done this start up and drop out process several times in my life.

Then one day I thought I got it, I was attending Antioch Bible Baptist, and during the closing prayer I just started sobbing; I was praying, and I had people praying over me. So I became a member and got involved in small groups, and took classes. No matter how many classes or events I attended I wasn't feeling the connection with the Lord that I heard other people talk about. So once again I walked away.

One day it dawned on me that I wasn't setting a good example for my daughter, I had to prove to her that God doesn't give up on us just because we give up on ourselves. So we decided to attend this church, Vineyard. I could say I don't even know what made me wake up one day and decide to attend this church, a place where I didn't know anyone, but I think we both know who was in charge of that, and I thank God everyday for bringing me to this church. Anyway I fell in love with the worship band first, then this Pastor who was dressed like no other Pastor that I had seen before. I mean aren't Pastors supposed to be in suit and tie, and was this music really OK to be listening to. I have to admit at first I was a little worried. Then Pastor Fred began preaching in a way that I had never heard. Pastor Fred said it's OK to not be perfect but he said it in a way that didn't make me feel ashamed to be in God's presence, he said it in a way that said we are all sinners and God still loves us no matter what. See I've heard that song and dance of "we are all sinners and we are born of sin" but a lot of Pastors preach that message in a way that makes you feel that unless you live a "Perfect" life from here on out you better not count on getting through those gates. At Vineyard I felt that not only is it OK to be me now, I don't have to be afraid of who I was before because nobody cares about that person anymore.

Then I started this Oaks class and my extreme makeover began and I have since learned that the old outdated, dirty raggedy things of the past have to be cleaned up, whether I want to dig it up or not it's got to be dealt with. I have to clean out my "closet" and get rid of the old, outdated, dirty things because God is giving me a whole new wardrobe! I used to be afraid to tell people about my past, I mean it's not a pretty or a nice story but I'm ready to go all in for God.

Thank you very much for providing me with the "cleaning tools" so that I can continue on my walk with the Lord.

P. K.

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Dear Morris and Blanche ,

My life before I went to the Oaks of Righteousness classes were spent in low self-esteem, the inability to believe in myself, intimidation, guilt and no purpose in life. Now that I have experienced “Oaks”, my life has gone through a complete change. I now love myself, I have forgiven myself and many others, my belief system has totally changed and I believe I have value. Before, I was just a doormat to be walked on.

People have told me that my whole countenance is different – that I have a glow and they can see real joy in my life. I am a different person because I gave my life totally over to God and started listening and doing . Without Oaks of Righteousness I would still be in a rut with no way out.

I will soon be getting married to a man who dearly loves me and I love him. I had nothing to offer him before, but now I have the best gift to give him – my belief in God and the understanding that through God, all things are possible. I AM WORTH IT!!

J. W.
Harrisonville, MO

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I truly appreciate the support I received from the Oaks Class. I believe I came out of the class with the tools and spiritual backbone to withstand anything that comes my way. I would highly recommend this class. I would like to thank all the oak friends that helped me feel this way.

S. B.

 

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We can not live in this world without trials and tribulations. In my own life I have experienced many. I had gone through counseling at different times, so I thought I had dealt with many of my issues. The Oaks class helped me to realize healing of our past, wounds, and spiritual bondages can only be accomplished through redemption and the cross. Jesus is the great healer and wants us to live in freedom. Oaks gave me the knowledge and tools to know how to apply the redemption of the cross. Now, I can do this on a daily basis. I am so thankful that God led me to take the Oaks class.

 

P. P.

My family and I have been attending Vineyard Church for over 14 years and about 4 years ago I heard about the Oaks Class.

I had always heard this class was most beneficial for people with addictions or a traumatic past, so had never considered taking it myself. However, in the spring of 2004 I felt like I needed to hear from God and know what His plan was for me, so I signed up.

I have been going to church since I was saved at age 12 and this class introduced subjects I had never heard about before. It teaches the importance of discovering vows we've made, false belief systems and the importance of allowing God to heal places in our life where we have been hurt.

One of the most important things I learned was that even though we may have forgiven people for hurting us, if we did not invite God to come into our emotions and heal that wound, we are not totally free from that incident.

The class also gives you tools that get to the root of recurring conflicts, not just a solution to a single incident. They are tools that will benefit you your whole life.

As leader Gary Heese has said, this class could easily be subtitled "Christianity 101" - it's that important and helpful to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. We live in a fallen world and get wounded - we need to learn how to be set free from our wounds so we don't wound others.

You also get to experience "bearing one another's burdens," as you pray for others during ministry time. It's so exciting to see God work in someone's life - setting them free from emotional pain - right before your eyes!

I have been involved in several areas of ministry over the past 14 years - nursery worker, prayer team, volunteer pastor - but I had never felt whether I was really fulfilling God's plan for my life - I was just serving God as the opportunity came. I started feeling dry spiritually and sought God's will but never seemed to hear Him reply. I started feeling distant from God . . . that's why I took the class.

After taking this class I feel much closer to God. When you go through a ministry time with several others praying with you and God answering your prayers right there by revealing things to you that you had forgotten about or chosen to forget, your relationship with Him is never the same.

My feelings of spiritual dryness and distance from God are gone. I have a renewed sense of His presence in my life and a confidence in His love for me that I had never experienced before. I feel that helping with this class and praying for others is a part of His will for my life and it's exciting to know what He wants you to do.

I would highly recommend this class - it is a MUST whether you are wanting to minister to others or whether you are just feeling unsure about what God would have you do. You'll be amazed at what God will reveal to you and set you free from!

C. E.