“May you live in interesting times” is reputed to be the English translation of an ancient Chinese proverb and curse. Well, here we are…
The government is set to bail out financial institutions to the tune of almost a trillion (with a‘t’) dollars. We have thousands of troops overseas defending our freedom in Afghanistan and Iraq. (Thank God for them!) We have Russian warships coming into the Caribbean, along with their bombers doing maneuvers in Venezuela. We have Iran and North Korea building nuclear arms. There have been devastating hurricanes hitting our shores. It is election time and politics as usual, with name-calling, glib generalities, and promises made that cannot be kept. The Dow Jones has seen a five hundred point drop followed by two consecutive 400 point gains followed by a four hundred point loss. Oil prices have seen a twenty-five percent increase in one day.
On a personal level, I cannot find a service station that has gas and when, and if I do, it will be well over four dollars a gallon. My retirement funds, scant as they may be, have shrunk (on paper at least) by a great deal. I have friends whose health is in decline. Other friends’ marriages are in trouble. Others have businesses that are having to layoff employees. Ministry funds are way down and what reserves we have are almost gone.
I would say we are definitely living in interesting times!
In the midst of all this, is there any stability in life? Is there something we can count on to not change? Where can I find peace in turbulent times?
“Jesus Christ…The same yesterday, today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) who said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) and "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble, but take heart, for I have overcome the world.”(John 16:33)
Now, the question is, “Do you believe these biblical statements?” Where have you been looking for peace and contentment? Have those things truly given you peace? “Things have been really tough.” you say.” I am just trying to keep my head above water, so to speak.” “I am peddling as fast as I can!” “What do I have to do to find this peace?”
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phillipians 4:6, 7)
“Humble yourself under God’s strong hand, and, in His own good time, He will lift you up.” (I Peter 5:6 J.B. Phillips translation). What does this verse mean? For some it will mean that you quit running away from God and turn to Him and cry out to Him, admit you need help in finding that peace that passes understanding. Were you close to Him at one time and now He seems distant? Guess who moved…
Turn around; He is standing there waiting for you, waiting to comfort you, to strengthen you, to lift you up. Let Him love.
MINISTRY NEEDS:
In these challenging economic times, Net Work Ministries is no different than anyone else. We expect to share in the hardships that our friends are suffering. I have friends who are business owners that have faced the difficult task of having to let some very faithful employees go so that the business can survive. I know how much it hurt them to do this. Everyone is making sacrifices. I would ask if you are in the midst of deciding how to allocate what giving you can still make that you direct those resources to the least and the lost. Please take care of those who are less fortunate than you or me.
May I suggest an organization that does a magnificent job of this in a most cost effective manner? It is The House of Hope Feeding Center in Guatemala. This project is near and dear to my heart. Our Friday Morning Group has been involved with assisting in their building program. I have seen first-hand their effectiveness. They are currently feeding and clothing 30 children in a small village outside Guatemala City. Our friends Mike and Kambria Robertson are heading up the project. Mike is from Marietta. They are in the process of building a brand new building that will feed and clothe ninety children. They provide school clothes and supplies to the children of the village so that they can attend public school. They feed them a meal after school and the have Bible classes. Each child must be sponsored. You can sponsor a child for twenty-five dollars a month. Another way you can be involved is to help complete the building. It is seventy-five percent complete. They need forty thousand dollars to finish the building. Please prayerfully consider this ministry for your giving. Contact me at 678-986-4814 or Marshall Dye at 770-560-9181.
“Whatever you do unto the least of these, you do it unto Me” (Matthew 25:40)
Christ - The ReeseSource - The Newsletter of Net Work Ministries, Inc.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Christ -The Reese Source - August 2008
Here are some of my favorite “My Words to Live By”
"But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus - the work of telling others the Good News about God's wonderful kindness and love" (Acts 20:24 - The New Living Bible)
“My goal in life is to die, go to Heaven…and take as many people as I can with me.” (Unknown)
“I thank my God in all of my remembrances of you.” (Phillipians 1:3)
“May I be half the man my dog thinks I am.” (Unknown)
“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body; but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - WOW – WHA T A RIDE!” (Unknown)
“Lord, make me as holy as You can make a sinner saved by grace” Oswald Chambers
“Lord, help me to do great things as though they were little. since I do them with them with your power, and little things as though they were great, since I do them in your name.” Blaise Pascal
“Be still... and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
“It is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress. But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn’t be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them.” (Henri Nouwen’s , “Gracias”)THE DISCIPLINE OF DIFFICULTY “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) An average view of the Christian life is that it means deliverance from trouble. It is deliverance in trouble, which is very different. (Over)"He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High...there shall no evil come upon thee" - no plague can come near the place where you are at one with God.If you are a child of God, there certainly will be troubles to meet, but Jesus says do not be surprised when they come. "In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world, there is nothing for you to fear." Men, who before they were saved would scorn to talk about troubles, often become "fushionless" after being born again because they have a wrong idea of a saint.God does not give us overcoming life: He gives us life as we overcome. The strain is the strength. If there is no strain, there is no strength. Are you asking God to give you life and liberty and joy? He cannot, unless you will accept the strain. Immediately you face the strain, you will get the strength. Overcome your own timidity and take the step, and God will give you to eat of the tree of life and you will get nourishment. If you spend yourself out physically, you become exhausted; but spend yourself spiritually, and you get more strength. God never gives strength for to-morrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the minute. The temptation is to face difficulties from a common-sense standpoint. The saint is hilarious when he is crushed with difficulties because the thing is so ludicrously impossible to anyone but God. (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest – August 2nd)
Morning Resolutions
“Resolved: that every man should live to the glory of God.
Resolved Second: that whether others do this or not, I will.”
(Jonathan Edwards’ Diary)
“I will try this day to live a simple, sincere and serene life, repelling promptly every thought of discontent, anxiety, discouragement, impurity, and self-seeking; cultivating cheerfulness, magnanimity, charity, and habit of holy silence; exercising economy of expenditure, generosity in giving, carefulness in conversation, diligence in appointed service, fidelity to every trust, and a childlike faith in God.”
(Bishop Vincent)
MINISTRY NEWS:
We have had to tap into our dwindling reserves to meet expenses this month.
"But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus - the work of telling others the Good News about God's wonderful kindness and love" (Acts 20:24 - The New Living Bible)
“My goal in life is to die, go to Heaven…and take as many people as I can with me.” (Unknown)
“I thank my God in all of my remembrances of you.” (Phillipians 1:3)
“May I be half the man my dog thinks I am.” (Unknown)
“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body; but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - WOW – WHA T A RIDE!” (Unknown)
“Lord, make me as holy as You can make a sinner saved by grace” Oswald Chambers
“Lord, help me to do great things as though they were little. since I do them with them with your power, and little things as though they were great, since I do them in your name.” Blaise Pascal
“Be still... and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
“It is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress. But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn’t be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them.” (Henri Nouwen’s , “Gracias”)THE DISCIPLINE OF DIFFICULTY “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) An average view of the Christian life is that it means deliverance from trouble. It is deliverance in trouble, which is very different. (Over)"He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High...there shall no evil come upon thee" - no plague can come near the place where you are at one with God.If you are a child of God, there certainly will be troubles to meet, but Jesus says do not be surprised when they come. "In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world, there is nothing for you to fear." Men, who before they were saved would scorn to talk about troubles, often become "fushionless" after being born again because they have a wrong idea of a saint.God does not give us overcoming life: He gives us life as we overcome. The strain is the strength. If there is no strain, there is no strength. Are you asking God to give you life and liberty and joy? He cannot, unless you will accept the strain. Immediately you face the strain, you will get the strength. Overcome your own timidity and take the step, and God will give you to eat of the tree of life and you will get nourishment. If you spend yourself out physically, you become exhausted; but spend yourself spiritually, and you get more strength. God never gives strength for to-morrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the minute. The temptation is to face difficulties from a common-sense standpoint. The saint is hilarious when he is crushed with difficulties because the thing is so ludicrously impossible to anyone but God. (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest – August 2nd)
Morning Resolutions
“Resolved: that every man should live to the glory of God.
Resolved Second: that whether others do this or not, I will.”
(Jonathan Edwards’ Diary)
“I will try this day to live a simple, sincere and serene life, repelling promptly every thought of discontent, anxiety, discouragement, impurity, and self-seeking; cultivating cheerfulness, magnanimity, charity, and habit of holy silence; exercising economy of expenditure, generosity in giving, carefulness in conversation, diligence in appointed service, fidelity to every trust, and a childlike faith in God.”
(Bishop Vincent)
MINISTRY NEWS:
We have had to tap into our dwindling reserves to meet expenses this month.