FEBRUARY 2012

I am a sellout. Well, sort of…

I have to admit it. I have a Facebook page… but you must know, I did not completely sell out. I do not have a Twitter account. I can honestly say this…I have never" Tweeted", at least never knowingly or on purpose and, by all means, never in public. What would my mother think of me! After all, I am a Buckhead Native (B.N, as those of us in the know call it., (according to Facebook, (again, F.B., as those of us in the know call it.)  

This relatively recent phenomenon known as the social media is fascinating to me. I believe there are both good and bad sides to see in it for me. As for Facebook, I have had the positive experience of reconnecting with people I have not seen or heard from in years. I probably would never have connected with them in the comings and goings of my daily affairs. I do not stay in touch with all these old friends, but now I know where I can reach them if the need arises. I can disseminate important information to a large group of friends very quickly. I can use it to publicize new postings to my website, as I will do with this newsletter at its completion. The downside to Facebook is that it can be a real time waster if you allow it. It can be very dangerous also as your postings can give out personal information that, in the wrong hands, can lead to your becoming a victim of criminals. 

The one thing I see driving the explosive growth in the social media is that, in some way, in our human nature, we all want to be known and loved. We want to be valued, and whether we admit it or not, we desire approval. Sadly, the truth is that Facebook and Twitter can never satisfy that need. There is only one source that will fully and completely satisfy that desire and that is a personal relationship with the One who created us to be in relationship. The One who cannot love us anymore, nor can He love us any less for what we do or do not do. I am speaking of Jesus Christ. Friend Him in The Bible, (God's Love Story, as those of us in the know call it.) He is waiting to meet You there.

MINISTRY NEWS

As I meet with men on an individual basis, I realize what a great privilege it is to be able to hear their life story and walk with them in their journey from both a secular and spiritual perspective. In addition, as I sit with the group of men on Friday mornings, I marvel at their transparency and willingness to share their

thoughts and opinions on the topics we discuss.  

I am truly blessed by those of you that partner with me in this ministry You enable me to be involved in the lives of so many men and their families . I am so grateful to you. 

Henry Nouwen writes in "Gracias" the following:

“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."