I was sitting in church yesterday feeling
quite "hip" using the Bible "app" on my IPhone rather than
an actual physical Bible. However, I hit
the wrong button and the passage that the pastor was speaking on suddenly was
being read aloud on my IPhone. Now, this
is after a previous experience in another church that we were visiting where my
phone rang to alert me to an incoming call. The ring tone was church bells! This,
too, occurred during the minister's sermon. To make matters worse, after I had
cut the sound off, supposedly, another tone rang out alerting me to a voicemail
message waiting. At that time, the phone was new to me and I did not know of
the tiny silence switch on the side of the phone. Peggy was mortified. I was a
wreck. Fortunately, we did not know anyone in the church. We left immediately after the service and have
not returned!
You would have thought I would have learned
from the first experience to hit the small "kill switch". Actually, I did that, well before the service
started. Unfortunately, as I discovered, the Bible "app" works
independently of that switch! I actually panicked at first and sat on my phone,
trying to hide the noise. Finally, I found the volume switch and reduced the
volume to zero. This time, Peggy was so kind. She just patted me on the hand
gently, as if to say, "It is o.k., my dear, technologically challenged
husband. I love you any way." My IPhone will be left in the car before
entering a church or other gathering from now on!
Isn't it just like us to think we are in
control. We have "all the bases covered," then, "Wham,"
something unexpected happens. Those
instances tell a great deal of our character.
I am ashamed to say I did not handle the first event well at all. After
the voicemail tone rang, I muttered a expletive, in church, no less! The Bible admonishes us to be "quick to
listen, slow to anger and slow to speak" (James 1:19) Now, you probably
handle those little incidents better than I do. Chapter Three of the Book of
James, verses 1-13 is entitled, "The Taming of the Tongue." At this time in my life, I am still "slow
to listen, quick to anger, quick to speak!" I need prayer in this area of
my life. I am learning, but slowly. As the bumper sticker says, "Please be
patient with me. God is not finished with me yet!"
There are things like the tongue and our responses to the challenging events in
our lives that we can and should control to live more godly lives. However, we are
called also to recognize God's sovereignty over all our lives. As I have quoted
before, "For In Him, we live and move and have our being." (Acts
17:28) We are challenged to surrender
all to Him and in so doing, be blessed.
MINISTRY NEWS
October
1st, 2012 will officially mark the 20th Anniversary of Net Work Ministries. I am grateful for those men and women who
have given direction, prayed for and supported this ministry, many of whom have
stayed with us from the beginning until now.
God willing, we will still be at it 20 years from now.
We
are always seeking new opportunities for ministry to men and their families. If
you have a male friend or relative who would benefit by having someone walk
alongside them in the midst of their struggles, please feel free to call. If
you know guys who are looking to form a small group and need a facilitator,
call me. If you need someone to facilitate a men's retreat, call me. I can be
reached at either 678-986-4814 or 770-422-8638 or e-mail me at
buckreese41@yahoo.com.
Our
Friday Morning Men's Group that meets at 7:00 a.m. at The Men's Grill at
Marietta Country Club is beginning a new series based on the book, "For
Men Only, A Straightforward Guide to the Inner Needs of Women" It is an
open group.
Unless
you are a guy who completely understands women, you might benefit from this
series! Join us.
I
am grateful to all of you for your years of friendship, support and
encouragement.
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