Christ - The ReeseSource: August 2007

Friday, August 24, 2007

Christ - The ReeseSource August 2007

“For the last seven or eight years, I have been blessed to be part of a Net Work Ministries men’s group. The most immediate benefit has been reading some terrific Christian books and bouncing ideas off the other guys. The insights and ideas on how to apply various aspects of the Christian life have been extremely valuable to me.

Beyond the studies, the relationships have been great. Over the years I have come to know and love these guys, and I consider several of them close friends. One of the unanticipated offshoots of the Wednesday group has been an informal cycling gang with occasional rides involving different guys. We’re still trying to get old Buck out on the Silver Comet Trail in his special spandex shorts. (Not going to happen,)

Even more important than the camaraderie, however, has been the encouragement and support. Over the years, we each have experienced various ups and downs, and through it all, the concern, prayers and support of the group have helped us see the love of Christ in action. I personally experienced this in a huge way in the summer of 2003 when my teen-aged daughter nearly died from a rare reaction to a prescription drug. Although the Lord ministered to my wife and me in incredible ways, the prayers and notes from my Net Work Ministries brothers provided a practical reminder of God’s involvement in our lives.

To sum up, I greatly value my involvement with Net Work and never miss a meeting when my schedule allows.”

Glenn Pearson, Executive Vice President

Georgia Hospital Association

(Glenn is a member of the Net Work Ministries Board of Directors.

He is also the author of a newly published book, “That’s A Great Question!” which is sub-titled, “What To Say When Your Faith Is Challenged.” It is published by Victor Press. It is available on Amazon.com and Christianbooks.com.)

I am proud and grateful to have Glenn represent Net Work Ministries as a member of our Friday Morning Men’s Group and member of the Board of Directors.

MINISTRY NEWS:

Officiated wedding of young man who I coached at Marietta High. Peggy and I have done pre-marital counseling with the couple since January.

Facilitated two study groups.

Wednesday afternoons at lunchtime at Goshen Trading, a company that imports fine furniture from China. Our hosts are Seng and Amy Ng. This is a mixed group of men and women. We are studying the book,” The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren.

Friday mornings at CourtMakers, Inc., Georgia’s largest builder of tennis courts. Our host is Marshall Dye. This is a men’s group. We are studying the book, “Prayer” by Phillip Yancey.

Counseled a couple going through marital difficulty.

Met individually with numerous men for encouragement and counsel.

MINISTRY NEEDS:

Our contributions are off 40% which resulted in having to use reserve funds again this month to meet ministry expenses. Our expenses were kept 5% below budget.

NET WORK MINISTRIES, INC. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

NET WORK MINISTRIES, INC. EXISTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF BRINGING TOGETHER GOD’S PEOPLE AND HIS RESOURCES TO PRESENT THE HEALING MESSAGE OF CHRIST’S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, THROUGH WORD AND DEED, TO A HURTING AND LOST WORLD.

NET WORK MINISTRIES, INC.

2671 OLD HICKORY DRIVE, N.W.

MARIETTA, GA., 30064-1833

770-422-8638(office) 678-986-4814 (cell)

E-mail address – peggyandbuck@yahoo.com

Website: www.networkministries.blogspot.com

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Christ - The ReeseSource - July 2007

On Saturday, July 21st, my good friend Marshall Dye and I boarded a flight to Guatemala City, Guatemala. My flight was made possible by a dear friend who donated a “buddy pass.” We were going on a “reconnaissance” trip for our Friday morning group to investigate the possibilities of a medical, dental, and construction mission trip there next February for the group.

We landed about noon and were immediately transferred to the local McDonald’s (yes…McDonald’s!) by our host Mike Robertson, who is Marshall’s stepbrother-in-law. There we met a mission team from Ohio who were helping Mike that day. They had rented a bus and transported 40 children from the village of Santiago for their first ever visit to the city. The children had been to the zoo before coming to McDonald’s.

Next, Mike took us to the village where his mission is located. It is called Casa De Esperanza (House Of Hope). Mike and his wife Kambria and a local couple, Jorge and AnnaMaria, in whose house the feeding center is located, feed about 45 children each day. They also offer primary education to the younger children as well as Bible stories. Mike and Kambria have also raised money for scholarships for 15 older children to go to the local private Christian school. They have bought clothing and books, and school supplies for the other children who could otherwise not afford to attend public school. In addition, Mike and Jorge have purchased land and a partially completed concrete structure for a new feeding center which will accommodate about 100 children. Kambria is a registered nurse and works in a clinic in the city, after feeding the kids at Casa De Esperanza. They have a one year old daughter, Kirsey.

Guatemala is an interesting country. Everywhere you turn there are armed guards. There are guards at businesses, schools, churches, and homes. Most homes are walled with razor wire on top of the walls. it is my understanding that there is rampant corruption in the police and government. Sadly, at the feeding center, we heard stories of children being abused and raped with little or no police involvement or concern. While Mike, Marshall, and I were in the feeding center, someone stole several concrete blocks we had just purchased for the new feeding center.

Against the backdrop of lawlessness and corruption, Mike, Kambria, Jorge, and AnnaMaria labor on to minister to the poorest families. And I complained today because I ran out of Breyer’s Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream…..

MINISTRY NEWS AND NEEDS:

§ If you would like to know more about the work of Casa De Esperanza and how you can help make a difference in the lives of some children in Santiago or If you might be interested in going to Guatemala to see firsthand the work that is being done, let Marshall or myself know. Your financial support is desperately needed there. Mike and Jorge could finish the new feeding center in about six months if they had the necessary $30,000. You can also sponsor a child for $50.00 per month to feed clothe and educate them. Won’t you pray about your involvement in re-shaping a country, one child at a time? Contact Marshall at 770-795-8400 or me at 678-986-4814

§ We have started a new group that meets on Wednesdays at noon in the Sandy Springs area of Atlanta. Our hosts are Seng and Amy Ng of Goshen Trading Inc. They import furniture from China. They have invited people from their office complex at Morgan Falls on Roswell Road. If you know someone who works or lives in that area, let them know about the group. We are studying “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren. Seng and Amy graciously provide a light lunch so please call 770-998-5289 to make a reservation.

Net Work Ministries, Inc. Purpose Statement

The purpose of Net Work Ministries is to bring hope and healing to men and their families by exposing them to the love of Jesus Christ in word and deed. Net Work also encourages men in living out their Christian faith in their day-to-day lives.

Net Work Ministries, Inc. is a pastoral counseling and resource networking ministry that brings God's people together for mutual support and enables them to use the abundant resources He provides. It is directed towards men, to bring them into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to help them use the power of this relationship to become the men God intended them to be. This ministry helps men deal with issues that affect their everyday lives. It is a faith ministry that depends entirely on the Lord for resources and does not charge for its services. It is a fully accredited 501c3 I.R.S. organization.

Net Work Ministries was begun 1991 by a group of men who knew Buck Reese's giftedness in the areas of pastoral counseling and resource networking. Buck, who is a native of Atlanta, has been in ministry since 1975 and is an ordained minister. He was responsible for starting the Young Life high school ministry in Cobb County in 1977 and served as Area Director for 12 years. Buck was the Director of Church Relations for Rapha, Inc., a Christian counseling program, as well as serving as a pastoral counseling intern at Wesley Woods Geriatric Center. For 20 years Buck served as chaplain and assistant coach of the Marietta High School football team. Buck was selected to be a member of the 1998 class of Leadership Cobb and the 1999 class of the Honorary Commanders, programs of the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce.

Buck's full-time commitment is to Net Work Ministries. He is in contact with men of all ages and walks of life. A typical routine would include: Having breakfast or lunch with a businessman to offer counsel and encouragement to strengthen their commitment to Christ and to enjoy each other's fellowship and support. In all these situations, Buck offers a listening ear and a caring heart and shares Scripture and wisdom given by the Holy Spirit. The goal in all of this activity is to bring those who do not know Christ into a saving relationship with Him. To those who are committed to Christ, but are dealing with issues of day-to-day living, he gives loving and effective counsel, encouragement and support.

Recently, I have added a new role to my ministry. I have accepted the role as volunteer Chaplain to the Staff of Young Life Southeast Region, which consists of the states of Georgia and Alabama. There are currently 50 local area ministries with staff. I will be the"minister to the ministers."

The Concept of Net Work Ministries

From Henri Nouwen’s book “Gracias”:

“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.

From "The Hole In Our Gospel" by Richard Stearns, President of World Vision:

It is rare that a simple recitation of the gospel will cause people to instantly change their minds. It usually takes much more than that. Our own narrative typically involves a journey of discovery marked by relationships with respected friends and loved ones, reading, discussions, learning about the basis for Christian faith, seeing the difference faith made in the lives of people we know, and witnessing genuine faith demonstrated through acts of love and kindness towards others.

I Stand At The Door - My Calling To Men's Ministry

I Stand at the Door

By Sam Shoemaker (from the Oxford Group)

I stand by the door.
I neither go to far in, nor stay to far out.
The door is the most important door in the world -
It is the door through which men walk when they find God.
There is no use my going way inside and staying there,
When so many are still outside and they, as much as I,
Crave to know where the door is.
And all that so many ever find
Is only the wall where the door ought to be.
They creep along the wall like blind men,
With outstretched, groping hands,
Feeling for a door, knowing there must be a door,
Yet they never find it.
So I stand by the door.

The most tremendous thing in the world
Is for men to find that door - the door to God.
The most important thing that any man can do
Is to take hold of one of those blind, groping hands
And put it on the latch - the latch that only clicks
And opens to the man's own touch.

Men die outside the door, as starving beggars die
On cold nights in cruel cities in the dead of winter.
Die for want of what is within their grasp.
They live on the other side of it - live because they have not found it.

Nothing else matters compared to helping them find it,
And open it, and walk in, and find Him.
So I stand by the door.

Go in great saints; go all the way in -
Go way down into the cavernous cellars,
And way up into the spacious attics.
It is a vast, roomy house, this house where God is.
Go into the deepest of hidden casements,
Of withdrawal, of silence, of sainthood.
Some must inhabit those inner rooms
And know the depths and heights of God,
And call outside to the rest of us how wonderful it is.
Sometimes I take a deeper look in.
Sometimes venture in a little farther,
But my place seems closer to the opening.
So I stand by the door.

There is another reason why I stand there.
Some people get part way in and become afraid
Lest God and the zeal of His house devour them;
For God is so very great and asks all of us.
And these people feel a cosmic claustrophobia
And want to get out. 'Let me out!' they cry.
And the people way inside only terrify them more.
Somebody must be by the door to tell them that they are spoiled.
For the old life, they have seen too much:
One taste of God and nothing but God will do any more.
Somebody must be watching for the frightened
Who seek to sneak out just where they came in,
To tell them how much better it is inside.
The people too far in do not see how near these are
To leaving - preoccupied with the wonder of it all.
Somebody must watch for those who have entered the door
But would like to run away. So for them too,
I stand by the door.

I admire the people who go way in.
But I wish they would not forget how it was
Before they got in. Then they would be able to help
The people who have not yet even found the door.
Or the people who want to run away again from God.
You can go in too deeply and stay in too long
And forget the people outside the door.
As for me, I shall take my old accustomed place,
Near enough to God to hear Him and know He is there,
But not so far from men as not to hear them,
And remember they are there too.

Where? Outside the door -
Thousands of them. Millions of them.
But - more important for me -
One of them, two of them, ten of them.
Whose hands I am intended to put on the latch.
So I shall stand by the door and wait
For those who seek it.

'I had rather be a door-keeper
So I stand by the door.

Net Work Ministries Testimonials

Quotes

“I have been involved in Net Work Ministries for almost six years. I am privileged to serve on the Board of Directors and work with Buck on a variety of projects i.e.: Young Life, Good Samaritan Health Clinic, P.A.C.E., working with the poor and indigent, and supporting the men who attend Buck’s groups.

Buck and Peggy have been there for my wife Rita and I through our most difficult times. They are always loving, always supportive. Buck and his ministry are a wonderful example of what it means to serve. It’s what the love of Christ encourages all of us to do for each other.”

Dwayne Lambing,
Regional Vice President
Nordco, Inc.

The Friday group began as an opportunity for me to have in depth conversation about subject matter that I was not totally comfortable with i.e. formal religion and my personal relationship with God. I believed intellectually that the universe was not an accidental explosion, but it demonstrated a purpose that only a Creator could know. I felt a part of that universe and was comfortable with my life and the roles I played in it. But I still asked myself, is that all there is to life.

Through a series of very diverse and interesting books it became increasingly apparent that no growth in self is possible without the "pains" of self examination. Sometimes this would occur during the course of "intense" discussions and other times would occur in moments of quiet reflection on these conversations. I began to notice that in this crucible of frank and honest discourse that I could find a voice for my beliefs and at the same time be intellectually true to my beliefs in science.

As it has turned out for me, the books have been less important than the comfort and strength that I find in the relationship of men willing to discuss matters that are not in their comfort zones , and that require an intellectual and emotional honesty that are not found alone on an island.
Thank you for your role in making all of this possible,

Dr. Peter Re’,

Neurologist

Friday, August 24, 2007