October 2010 Edition

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

October 2010 Edition

My favorite guy in the Bible is Peter, a.k.a. “Rocky”. He is a guy I can identify with in many ways. Some people might say that I don’t have “an unspoken thought”. I sometimes speak before I put my brain in gear. Peter was like that. For example, when he was with James and John at the Transfiguration when Elijah and Moses appeared with Jesus, Peter says, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. if you wish, I will put up three shelters ___one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Scripture adds, “(He did not know what he was saying)” What in the world did he mean by that? I don’t think he knew what to say, so he said the first thing that came to mind. Then again, at the Last Supper, Peter replies to Jesus’ statement that all the disciples would desert Him, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you”. He didn’t respond well under pressure. Neither do I. Peter had his failings but finished well. I hope people say the same of me at the end of my time here on Earth.

One of the most instructive stories about Peter took place on his “home turf”, the Sea of Galilee. The disciples had been rowing across the sea late at night. They had left Jesus back on shore, figuring He would “hitch a ride” later on. In the dark of the night, when the sea was choppy, The disciples saw something coming towards them. At first, they could not make out what it was. Then as the vision came closer, it appeared to have a human form. They thought it was a ghost! They were scared out of their wits. Peter was the first to recognize that it was Jesus. What’s more, He was walking on the water! So what does our hero do? He asks Jesus quizzically, “Lord. if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water.” A normal response…not! Jesus responds, “Come!” “Whoa”, thinks Peter. “What do I do now?” “Oh, well, here goes.” I imagine Peter did not sprint to Jesus. He probably stepped gingerly out of the boat, but here’s a big deal. He stepped out of the security of the boat. You do not see any of his friends clamoring over the side to join him. He had the courage to take that first step of faith. When met with a challenging situation where faith is involved, do you and I have the courage to take that first step?

What happens next is what challenges me the most. Peter’s euphoria of being able to walk on water wears off as he glances to the side and sees these big waves all around him and notices the wind howling about him. At that moment, fear and doubt win out and Peter begins to sink and yells to Jesus that quick but effective prayer, “Lord, save me”.
Immediately, Jesus reaches out His hand and catches him. “You of little faith,” Jesus says, “Why did you doubt?”

Difficulties face many of us right now. It may be health issues. It may be employment and financial issues. It may be relational challenges. Whatever the threat to our well-being, emotionally, relationally, or financially, are we engulfed by the “waves of peril” that
seem so real and so overpowering? Are the winds of doubt questioning how we can survive this crisis? Or, are our eyes fixed squarely on Jesus, trusting in Him to be with us in the storms of life, walking confidently forwards, knowing that even when doubts creep in and we begin to sink, we, too, can utter that simple Pete Prayer, “Lord, save me.” and know He will be there to lift us up.” As one of my favorite verses in Scripture says,
“Humble yourselves under God’s strong hand, and, in His own good time, He will lift you up. (A promise) You can cast the whole weight of your anxieties upon Him for you are His personal concern.” (You can take it to the bank!) In the words of the old familiar hymn:

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face and the things of Earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”

MINISTRY NEWS:

The ministry, both group and individual, goes extremely well.
There are new opportunities daily to minister.

I have counseled two gentlemen recently on career issues.

I have counseled a gentleman on a very difficult marriage situation.

I have assisted a gentleman in finding help with legal issues.
I am currently involved in assisting a handicapped gentleman with his financial and personal affairs.

These are just a few of the many ways Net Work ministers to men and their families every day. Thanks for helping to make this possible! I am blessed by your partnership in ministry by prayer, encouragement, friendship, and financial support.

Salary remains unpaid for August, September, and October. All other obligations met. Cutting expenses continues.

“I thank my God in all of my remembrances of you.”

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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

Tuesday, October 26, 2010