FEBRUARY 2015 EDITION

In The movie, "O' Brother, Where Art Thou?", based very loosely on Homer's "The Odyssey,"  the main character, Ulysses Everett McGill, played by George Clooney, is trapped in the loft of a barn with law men surrounding the place. He says to his compatriots, "We're in a tight spot!"

 

Have you ever been in a "tight spot?" Are you in one now? Do you feel trapped and hopeless with no foreseeable way out? Are you or have you been trapped in a bad marriage, in a difficult financial situation? Have you ever lost your job? Has your child (or grandchild) ever gone astray? Have you received difficult news from your physician? Being in these situations is frightening and depressing. Where can you turn for relief?

 

I think I have mentioned this before but I like what my friend, John Riley, the Southern humorist and Christian motivational speaker says about our faith in these situations: "This is where the fork meets the grits!" Do I or do I not believe that God personally cares about our struggles and desires to walk alongside us through those times?  In Christianity, the Holy Spirit is referred to a "paraclete," literally in the Greek, "to come along side of," It also defined as "comforter" or "advocate."

 

I can honestly say I have experienced some of the trials that I mentioned so I can speak from a firsthand point of view. When I lost a job and was unemployed for almost a year, many times I felt the comfort of God's nearness and provision. On the day I lost a particular job, as I was told of being let go, I was immediately able to tell this person that I understood. I told him, "I do not know what the future holds, but I do know the one who holds the future." I knew I was in God's hands. This is not to say that, during that year, I did not struggle and get frustrated and impatient. I even got mad at God when things were not happening on my timetable, but I was reminded by the Holy Spirit of I Peter 5:6, 7, as translated by J.B. Phillips, to "Humble yourself under God's strong hand and, in His own good time, He will lift you up. You can cast the whole weight of your anxieties upon Him for you are His personal concern."

 

Is it hard being in a "tight spot?" You bet! Is it hopeless? I do not believe that. The situation may not work out like we hoped it would, but, if we place our trust in God, I am confident in saying that He will guide us through to His ultimate, perfect will.

 

"Trust in the lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path." (Proverbs 3:5, 6)

 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which passes all human understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippian's. 4:6, 7)

Net Work News and Needs

The Friday Morning Men's Group is discussing Bill O'Reilly's book "Killing Jesus." It has prompted great discussion!  Group attendance has been very good.

 

I co-officiated the funeral of my brother-in-law.

 

I continue to meet individually with men at breakfast and lunch meetings to offer counsel and encouragement to them.

 

I have not been able to draw a salary in six months. We are barely covering ministry expenses. This is an item for prayer.

 

We are in the planning stages for a Men's Spring Retreat and our annual Wounded Warriors Golf Outing.

 

We would love to develop a prayer team to undergird the ministry with prayer on a consistent basis. If you would like to volunteer, let me know by phone (678-986-4814) or e-mail (buckreese41@yahoo.com)

 

I am so very grateful for your friendship, encouragement and support.