FEBRUARY 2018 EDITION

I have shared a story I heard from my pastor with some of the folks I have been meeting with recently:

"A young ambitious American missionary arrived at the town where he was to meet the local ministers. They were to guide him to the village where they were going to minister. The locals told the missionary that the trip would take four days. The next day they began their journey. After eight hours, they stopped for the day. The ambitious missionary said, “Let’s keep going, there's plenty of daylight left."  The locals reluctantly pressed on. The next morning, the young missionary was up at dawn and roused the locals saying, "Let's get going, we may be able to do this trip in three days." The locals once again reluctantly complied. On the third morning, the young missionary was up again at dawn and roused the locals. However, this time the locals said, "We are not going!" The surprised missionary asked why.  They replied,

"We have to let our souls catch up with our bodies!"

In the rush of everyday living, I feel it becomes necessary for us to take the time to "Let our souls catch up with our bodies!" In war, the troops sometimes have to pause to let the supplies catch up with them so that they can continue the battle fully armed. It is so important for us in order to make it for the "long haul" to force ourselves to create some margin in our schedules for rest and restoration for our souls.  All too often, we let the urgent override the important. I have heard it said that "good is the enemy of the best."  We need to learn to say "No," even to some good things

 In addition, we must be good delegators. It is important to let those we lead to take some of the responsibilities we have in order for them to learn. Oh, by the way, they may fail and that is o.k. Their failure is usually not fatal! A hundred years from now, no one will know or care! However, Folks, God will care how you guard your souls in the here and now.

You may say, “I am retired. I am not so busy anymore.”  Still, we find that so many other little things crowd out our time to be still, be quiet and spend time with the Lord each day.

“This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In returning and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” Isaiah 30:15 (NIV)

Ministry News

·        I had the opportunity to speak to a Men’s Bible Study attended by over 75 men.

·        I have continued to meet with men individually for counsel and encouragement on a regular basis.

·        I continue in my role as volunteer pastor to the staff of Young Life in the Southeast Region, which consists of over 100 staff in 40 areas located in Georgia and Alabama. My role is the same as my role in Net Work, counsel and encouragement.

·        I have added the role as the Sabbatical Coach for Young Life staff in the Southeast Region assisting in maximizing the experience of sabbatical for those who have been on staff for over seven years.

·        I meet with men from the Friday Morning Group for breakfast every other week.

Ministry Needs

·        Your prayers, your encouragement and financial support.

Blessings and Gratitude to each of you, dear friends.

We are:

Together, In His Love and Service,

JANUARY 2018 EDITION

For the past two years, I have had to use hearing aids in both ears. Finally, I grew tired of saying “huh” or “what’ to people around me.  I kept missing conversations, particularly in large groups of people. My doctor said that, between scaring from childhood ear infections, leaf blowers and my shooting guns without ear protection, I pretty much ruined my hearing. Having said all this, I still really have to concentrate to hear people clearly. In the same way, I have to concentrate to hear God’s voice in my inner being. This reminds me of the story of Elijah on the mountain after fleeing from Jezebel:

1 Kings 19:11-13 (NIV)

11 The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.”

I can easily miss that “still small voice” if I do not concentrate. That concentration can only come when I am still myself. I do that best first thing in the morning. I get my coffee, go to my office, and begin my quiet time. The problem arises when I treat this time as something to be done and check it off my “to do list” for the day and let the business of the day creep into my “quiet time.” Often, busyness and noise get in the way of “hearing” God’s voice. We, as a culture, are addicted to both. Stillness and listening are the best ways to hear God in your inner being. I have often quoted Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.” Yet, being still is so very difficult for me!

Another problem in hearing God speak is in our prayer life. We pray our list of prayers and then go about our day, never stopping to listen to see if he might answer in His still small voice or through His Word. It is sort of like our phoning a loved one, saying everything we want to say and then hanging up. I can imagine them saying, “How rude, they never gave me a chance to respond or share my thoughts.”  I wonder if the Lord sometimes feels that way!  In addition, do I really expect Him to speak to me, not audibly but speak to me qqnonetheless?

Our posture in hearing the Lord should be that of Elijah when he heard the Lord calling in I Samuel 3:10,” Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”  I should ask myself on a regular basis, “Do I have a hearing problem or a listening problem?”

Am I taking time to stop, be still and listen for His voice?  Is being still uncomfortable for you?  Begin with small steps. Take a verse or two of Scripture and ask, “What are you trying to say to me in this, Lord?”” I am listening.”

Ministry News

I am happy to announce the new members of the Board of Directors of Net Work Ministries, Inc. They are:

Danny Greenway

Bruce Chastain

Clell Deaver

These men have been involved with me since their high school days in the late 1970’s. They bring a wealth of talent and wisdom to the ministry. They know my strengths, my weaknesses and can offer guidance and encouragement. They are part of the group of men that has been meeting together for a long weekend each year for the past 30 years.

Net Work continues to be involved in the lives of individual men through meetings over the breakfast or lunch tables for counsel and encouragement.

I continue to meet with a group of men for a bi-weekly breakfast meeting.

I continue to serve as volunteer pastor to the staff of Young Life Southeast Region.

My friends, Net Work Ministries cannot exist without your support in prayer, in your encouragement and your financial support.

I am so very blessed by each of you. To quote Paul in Philippians 1:3, “I thank my God in all of my remembrances of you.”