Christ -The ReeseSource - November 2007

THE NEWSLETTER OF NET WORK MINISTRIES, INC.
NOVEMBER 2007 EDITION


Several weeks ago, I had expressed to some men in one of my groups that I was discouraged about ministry finances to the point where I was questioning the ability of the ministry to continue in the next year. I may or may not have so subtly inferred that same line of thinking in my last newsletter.

When is a friend a true friend? It is when he or she will tell you the truth in love, risking the relationship, because he or she cares so much about your well-being. Such is the case with me and my close friend.

After hearing what I had to say to the group of men with which we were both involved, he called me later in the day. “Buck, he said, “the question you have to ask yourself is whether or not you feel that God has called you to this ministry to men or not. If you have any doubt about your calling, then you need to sit down and discern what it is you are supposed to be doing with the rest of your life. If you are sure that God has called you to this ministry, then you must recognize from where this doubt and discouragement is coming. You are at war. The enemy is one who will sow seeds of doubt about what you are doing. His whole mission is to rob, kill, and destroy. Discouragement, doubt, fear and worry are his principal weapons. So the question remains… Are you called or not?”

There has never been any doubt about my calling to this ministry to men known as “Net Work Ministries” since it was called into being some fifteen years ago by a group of men who knew me well; who knew my areas of giftedness and knew my areas of weakness. The calling has been affirmed over and over through the years by the impact it has had on men and their families, not only here in Marietta, but throughout the state and around the country, and into other parts of the world.

In the movie,” Moonstruck,” staring Cher and Nicholas Cage, there is a familiar scene where Cher slaps Nicholas Cage and yells at him, “Snap out of it!”
There was also a commercial that aired on T.V. promoting an after shave lotion showing a man getting slapped in the face after which the male character says with some relief, “Thanks, I needed that.”

The challenge my friend gave me that day has served as such a “slap in the face”. It has caused me to “snap out of it!” I can truly say to him, “Thanks, I needed that!” I have never before been so energized to ministry. I am fully committed until God calls me home or calls me to minister elsewhere. I will go forward, trusting in God’s provision and guidance. Won’t you join with me in this great adventure! It promises to be a great ride!

MINISTRY NEWS:

What a challenge! The group that meets on Fridays at noon at the warehouse of Goshen Trading, Inc. consists of four men from different Hispanic countries, including Puerto Rico, El Salvador and Mexico, plus three men from Southeast Asia, one from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, another from Bien Hoa, Viet Nam and the other from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia along with a woman from Atlanta. I have an assistant, Jim Finch, who is starting a ministry to the Hispanic community, to help translate basic Christian ideas to the group.

There is great news from a couple to whom Net Work has been ministering. They independently report that things are much better in their marriage. They are having fun together again. They have been attending counseling regularly and are working hard to restore their marriage.

The Friday Morning Group Christmas Party is shaping up to be a great event with around 45-50 people in attendance.

Please do not forget the Young Life Fun Shoot Fund Raiser this weekend (Dec. 1st) at John McMennamy’s Farm. Call the Young Life office at 770-579-8232 a.s.a.p. to register.

MINISTRY NEEDS:

We need approximately $25,000 between now and December 31st to finish the year “in the black.” It is going to be a great adventure to see how God meets our need. Do you want to be a part of that great adventure of faith in seeing God provide through people like yourself from extraordinary sources?