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Oaks of
Righteousness |
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
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.
Paula K.
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!!
Jil W.
Harrisonville, MO
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