Christ - The Reese Source - January 2008

What a year 2007 was! One of the things that were of great concern to us here in Georgia was the drought, which is still with us. We are about twenty inches below normal. Our lakes are at a critical level for supplying our water and power needs. Yesterday, I drove by Lake Allatoona. It was just a small creek running through the middle of the lake bed. The ground is not saturated so there is no run-off into the streams that feed the lakes. In addition, our lakes are part of the water system for neighboring states. The U.S. Corps of Engineers controls the flow out of the lakes for power generation and water consumption as well as regulating the needs of the environment for the states.

In my personal life, there have been times of drought also. They have been of a different nature. I have experienced times of spiritual drought. The problem has been man-made, not by natural causes, however. I had not been filling up my reservoir with the necessary “living water” Jesus talks about in John 4:10. I had not saturated my spirit with his Word. Consequently there had been no run-off into the reservoir. I had not sensed the filling of the Holy Spirit’s presence. There was no “outflow”. My ability to help others “downstream” had been affected. I had no resources to draw on for others.

In times of spiritual drought, I did not have a sense of God’s presence. I did not feel close to God. Well, duh….guess who moved! I was not placing myself near Him by reading His word. I did not communicate with Him through prayer. Nor did I experience His presence by being with others in the fellowship of believers, His body.

Are you going through a time of “spiritual drought”? The solution would seem simple enough. “All I have to do is just work harder at being more spiritual. If I just pray more, read the Bible more, go to church every Sunday, I will feel closer to God.” You might think this. All those things are good and necessary for spiritual growth. Generally, however, I find that this line of thinking leads to frustration and guilt. There are some steps before these other things that have helped me to overcome spiritual dryness in the past.

1. Remember the times of His blessing and provision in times of need. Recall the times you felt close to Him.

2. Focus on God’s unconditional love for you. There is nothing you can do to get God to live you anymore, nor is there anything you can do to make God love you any less. His love is the same... yesterday, today and tomorrow.

3. Soak in His loving presence. Like a warm bath, let His love flood over you and surround you. God is present with you always. Just acknowledge His presence.

4. Relax. As Corrie Ten Boom, author of “The Hiding Place” said, “Don’t wrestle, nestle.” Self-effort is like “picking yourself up by your own bootstraps” (What a ridiculous visual that is!)

MINISTRY NEWS:

SPOKE AT BARTOW CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH’S MEN’S DINNER.

OFFICIATED A FUNERAL FOR A YOUNG MAN WHO DIED OF A DRUG OVERDOSE. I WAS ASKED TO FILL IN FOR A PASTOR FRIEND WHO LIVES IN CINCINNATI WHO COULD NOT COME TO TOWN FOR SERVICES.

FACILITATED TWO WEEKLY LUNCHTIME GROUPS FOR GOSHEN TRADING COMPANY.

FACILITATED WEEKLY FRIDAY MORNING MEN’S GROUP.

MET INDIVIDUALLY WITH MEN FOR ENCOURAGEMENT AND COUNSEL

POSTPONED TRIP TO GUATEMALA UNTIL A LATER TIME DUE TO SCHEDULING DIFFICULTIES FOR PARTICIPANTS.

MINISTRY NEEDS:
Suggestions on how I might come under a group health insurance policy. Our health insurance costs are running about $1000 per month with a $5000 deductible.