Christ - The ReeseSource - February 2010

It happened on Friday afternoon, February 12, 2010! A prayer was answered.

Let me explain. I am a kid about snow. I love it! I am sure if I lived up north somewhere, I would either hate it or, at least, dread its coming. But as for me, a native of Atlanta, snow has always been a much-anticipated event. We are teased by local T.V. weathermen (and women) whose dire warnings of an impending blizzard send thousands to the grocery stores for milk and bread as if they would be snow-bound for weeks by an inch of the white stuff! . At sixty-four years old, I still wake up in the middle of the night to check to see if it has snowed, not unlike a kid looking to see if he can see Santa on Christmas Eve. More often than not, I go back to bed sadly disappointed.

What is it about snow that I love so much? Usually, it comes as a surprise since we have been jaded by forecaster’s usually false alarms about snow accumulation. When snow comes during the week, it takes on a holiday sort of feeling as we are forced to stay home from work or school. I remember several instances in high school when my religious life would reach new heights when it snowed on exam day!

If we allow it, a snow day can be a day of great fun. Throw a snowball, build a snowman, and take a long walk in snow-filled woods. Build a fire, pop popcorn, drink hot chocolate, roast marshmallows, and make a great big pot of chili. As the song goes, “these are a few of my favorite things.”

I have great memories of times when I have been in places where there were measurable amounts of snow. All of these times have one common thread…a strong sense of peace. When there is no sound except the crunch of snow underfoot and the wind blowing through the evergreen trees, peacefulness pervades my being. This peace I feel is just a tiny glimpse of the peace that Jesus offers when he says in John 14:27,” Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you”.

How do we access the peace that Jesus offers? Scripture again tells us how. It tells us to “Be still and know that I am God”. (Psalm 46:10) “Right!” you say. Look at my life. I have to work harder than ever just to make ends meet. I have the demands of a family. I want to be a good husband , father, and, in some of our cases, a good grandfather. Home ownership has its own responsibilities for me, maintaining my “stuff” as it were. How do I find time to be still other than when I am asleep?”

First, we must ask ourselves, “Is this peace and stillness what I really want or am I addicted to noise, rush and activity.” Think about it. Do I turn on the radio or TV. when I first get up? Do I turn on music, the news, or a talk show when I get in the car? You know…we do pretty much what we want to do. The guys in my groups have heard me say this many times. “I would love to lose ten pounds,” you say. “No you wouldn’t!” I say.If you really wanted to lose ten pounds you would diet and exercise religiously and do everything it takes.

The idea of being still for any length of time is intimidating for most of us when we think about it. My suggestion is to start small. Get up fifteen minutes earlier. Instead of turning on the radio or TV in the morning, take five or ten minutes to sit quietly by yourself.If you like, open your Bible and read a few verses. Try saying what Eli the priest told young Samuel to say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening”. Expect God to speak to you. He will not speak in an audible voice but you may receive a strong impression about something…. or not, that’s o.k. too. Just the act of being still and quiet has value in itself.

On the way to and from work, you could turn off the radio or cd player in the car. Also, during the day, try shutting the door, turn off your cell phone, and, if you have an administrative assistant, have her hold your calls and have then explain that you are in a meeting, which you will be, in truth… a meeting with the God of the Universe. Wow, how cool is that! At the end of the day, just before closing your eyes, thank God for the day He allowed you to live.

Occasionally, take a walk by yourself in some quiet place. Take the time to listen and observe the things around you, really see them! Don’t be in a hurry to get your walk over, as we task-oriented guys are prone to do. The old adage, “Stop, and smell the roses.” applies here. Try a few of these things, I double-dog dare you!

May the peace of God, which passes along human understanding, fill your hearts.

MINISTRY NEWS:
There were no outstanding events in February, just a quiet sense of peace about the direction of the ministry. So much of what is done is cumulative over years of walking alongside men in faithfulness. Occasionally God allows us a glimpse of the way he is using Net Work Ministries to draw men nearer to Himself. More often than not, however, we will not see the results of what God has called us to do until we are face-to-face with Him and shoulder-to-shoulder with those to whom God has allowed us to minister. There our joy will be complete.

Please pray that I will remain faithful to the call God has placed on my life to minister to men and their families. Please pray that I will keep my eyes on Jesus rather than be distracted by the storms of life that will surely come my way. Please pray for the men in my sphere of influence that they will be drawn into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Please know how grateful I am for your friendship and support.

May our Lord bless you in new and surprising ways in the days that lie ahead.


NET WORK MINISTRIES, INC. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

NET WORK MINISTRIES, INC. EXISTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF BRINGING TOGETHER GOD’S PEOPLE AND HIS RESOURCES TO PRESENT THE HEALING MESSAGE OF CHRIST’S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, THROUGH WORD AND DEED, TO A HURTING AND LOST WORLD.


NET WORK MINISTRIES, INC.
2671 OLD HICKORY DRIVE, N.W.
MARIETTA, GA., 30064-1833
770-422-8638(office) 678-986-4814 (cell)
E-mail address – peggyandbuck@yahoo.com
Website: www.networkministries.blogspot.com