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,