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Main Boards => Prayers/Concerns/Honors/Ailments => Topic started by: White hair on December 28, 2015, 11:38:00 AM
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need renewed direction from the Father. Direction on what he wants me to do. I have quit teaching the men because of little or no interest.
Our church is more interested in taking care of who are in the walls then those outside. Ready to leave and go elsewhere .
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I think we find churches becoming more inbred, so to speak, as distrust of the sentiments around us amplify...
I found much the same back in home state of PA, and quit for a spell...found it hard to find what I needed here for a year, but think with perseverance, in His time, I have found a good home now.
I pray for you to find the same!
On the flip side, we're told it's easy to love the lovable and harder to do so with the cantankerous! Fine line to walk...
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Hard place to be for sure. Praying that God open the doors that need to be opened and close those that need to be closed and for wisdom so you know the difference.
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Best not to think about it too much. It will just happen being in the right place at the right time.
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I have been teaching in men's ministry since 2005. Not a lot of interest anymore. Except having fun and nothing real deep as far as ministry. I do not think Jesus wanted us to just take care of Christians.
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Time in the desert is part of God's plan for many of us...
I echo Galen's prayers for you to find your purpose driven place...
I also add the sentiment that I'm of the potentially mis-guided belief that we're not meant to sit on our keister and wait for it to come to us, but to actively seek out where to use our talents.
I pray for your prayerful search to yield dividends and direction...
Keep the Son in your eyes!
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Thank you brothers. Here is something I feel deeply. Men like us who are not saved need a place to go meet with men like us who know Jesus. I feel that I should start an Outdoors Church.
How ? In God's timing. Meet around a fire , share the word, talk about it, and application, prayer. Disciple like Jesus until they understand and get saved. Like Peter ! Maybe ??
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Love the idea. Look up a book called "Wild at Heart" its a good look into what men were to be. Might be of help. Praying for God to direct you.
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I love that book. Have taken about 50 men through it. We are to be that. God made us that way , but society / church says no.
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Mom used to say (To my frustration as a black and white teen) that, "what else do you expect to find in church but fallible people and those in need of Grace?"
Took me years to accept/understand. Unfortunately, the human condition of greed and thirst for power is also alive with the "people" in churches, so that it takes HIS power to change that which detracts from His body of worshipers, to bring them to some sense in line...one heart, one mind---at a time perhaps?
50 isn't a bad # for a life's work, Daniel...
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50 men awesome God's not done with you yet with your willing heart
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Jesus said we would do greater work. Because He is in us. I am grateful for the 50. The Lord has allowed this old long haired man to reach into
Europe too. I have a spiritual son in Germany.
There are still many men who need to hear the Good News and time is short. A few have told me be satisfied. My wife has said that too. I can't,
there are too many. I want to bring many brothers with me to Heaven. This is a new year and I desire more for Jesus.
Daniel
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Desire to do more is a good thing, Daniel... just don't let it become YOUR WILL and not His!
He will open doors for those who wait on him. Look how old Abraham was till he got his feet under him!
You're in the right place... Wait on Him... meanwhile, keep tilling the soil...spring planting time will be here soon :)
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Remember He will give you the desires of your heart
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White hair, in honesty brother it sounds like your a lil bitter or frustrated? No church is perfect because of we people... But the head of the church Jesus Christ is perfect. Don't allow Satan to distract you from Gods will.
Perhaps God is wanting to move you on to another, my advice is that you first and foremost consult with your pastor, tell him how you feel and pray together with him for direction.
Regardless of what we face in this short and at times difficult life, God is still God and is on His throne.
And yes as far reaching the lost..., that is the churches #1 business before anything else. Salvation, baptism, discipleship. "Go ye therefore and teach all nations..."
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Thank you Joseph. I am a bit bitter. And getting to talk to a pastor is harder than finding frog hair. I need to move on but my wife has found her spot now. Go ye is right. Take risks, get out of the status quo. Alas they play it safe.
I don't know but this ain't right to feel this way. Guess I have been playin in the woods too long.
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God sometimes puts us in the desert to make us more keenly aware that we are but dust... and to rely on Him more...
A painful lesson I seem to keep relearning constantly and never understand how I can fall so far in regression.
Keep the Son i n your eyes, Daniel!
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Originally posted by White hair:
Meet around a fire , share the word, talk about it, and application, prayer.
I think that's a great idea. Men need a place to escape the ratrace and have fellowship with other men and creation for a while and be real. Seems like when I'm in the outdoors that I feel closest to, commune with and listen to God. When I was younger, I used to take other men (both Christians and not)fishing for salmon/trout/steelhead. Talked a lot about the Lord and had great times. (Caught lotsa fish too...) :cool: :) Anyway, there is a definite need for something like that IMHO.
Bob
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Originally posted by White hair:
Meet around a fire , share the word, talk about it, and application, prayer.
I think that's a great idea. Men need a place to escape the ratrace and have fellowship with other men and creation for a while and be real. Seems like when I'm in the outdoors that I feel closest to, commune with and listen to God. When I was younger, I used to take other men (both Christians and not)fishing for salmon/trout/steelhead. Talked a lot about the Lord and had great times. (Caught lotsa fish too...) [Cool] [Smile] Anyway, there is a definite need for something like that IMHO.
Bob x2 :thumbsup:
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I think I will press on for an outdoors fellowship for men. That is God says its ok. The skill set I have learned over the years come out of a love for creation. God inspired and that's where He made Adam.
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Jesus went to the hills, the garden, the mountains, as well as the temple to pray. I think He set a great example for us men.
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I feel as though the Spirit said ,it will be ok if only a few come. They can spread it too.
When I look at what we do making bows, arrows and other tools. Different skills of survival I see a picture of Jesus. Taking an ugly stick and making a useful and beautiful bow. A chunk of flint and breaking it to become a work of useful art. He does that with us. It has been a long dry time for me. I think the Son is shining again. Men out there need Jesus to scrape and knap them into a useful tool for the Kingdom. Thank you brothers.
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:bigsmyl: :archer:
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Just discovered this forum. I also was encouraged by the "Wild at Heart" book. White hair, I was just discussing this very topic the other day with my wife. Our church seems at times to be a "club" for christians instead of an outreach. Even the message is geared mostly toward Christians. As if you "do this or that" or "pray this or that" then your life will be blessed and fully pleasing to God and life will be worry free. Pulpit messages now sound more like what a life coach like Tony Robbins than a message from God (nothing wrong with Robbins, just sayin')The Bible does not teach this. Suffering and hardship don't go away after conversion. It can actually increase because of the opposing forces in the world which will target us! Biblical faith is not just offering prayer to God so that we can praise him when he answers as we want, but it is being able to still praise Him when we don't get what we want.
The gospel is good news. Therefore it is worth sharing and the harvest is plentiful and waiting. I asked Christ to save me on a Friday night 27 years ago through the witness of an associate pastor who came to an apartment that I was sharing with friends. We were in the middle of a huge party. You know the scene. Late that night Joe boldly walked in and sat at the table and starting sharing the gospel with everyone. Some laughed and left, most just went to other rooms or out on the balcony, and a few were polite and listened. I was riveted upon his words. His timing was perfect and my heart was open to the message because God had been dealing with me for months before Joe arrived. I believe it was by God's providence that he stopped by that night. I'm sure Joe had other things he could have been doing, but he came by that apartment instead because he was led to do so. I was convicted of my sinful lifestyle and repented and asked Christ to save me and He did. His grace has kept me saved. Joe gave me some encouraging reading materials. I joined his church that Sunday and enjoyed playing on the basketball team. He was our coach. Afterward I discovered that Mr. Moulton, one of my parents neighbors who knew Joe, had mentioned me to him in casual conversation. My first paying job was helping Mr. Moulton in his ceramic shop when I was about 10 years old. God was in control. Thank God for Mr. Moulton and Joe. I moved back home, started trade school, and now have a career in aviation in another city and am married to a lovely Christian lady.
I since have had the pleasure of sharing the gospel with others although it is not as easy for me. It is easier to share with someone if first there is a common interest like basketball, the outdoors, archery etc. Join me in asking God to make an open door for those around us in our daily lives at work, in our neighborhoods, our hobbies etc. Then we simply sow the seed when the "door" opens. The seed sowing can be like what Mr. Moulton did or what Joe did. Both are relevant and necessary. We all have a place to fill in God's kingdom. Obediently find what that is for you. Then get busy doing it in His strength and leave the results up to God just like Joe did. :thumbsup:
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Welcome, Jerome!
Whew...you sure did share a powerful mouthful right there. I passed by a tiny country church when I lived up North out in the boonies who had a sign outside...
"This is not a country club for good people, but a hospital for sinners".
Few are the churches I've seen that welcome w ith open arms those decadent and down trodden who most need our love and God's salvation. Shame on some organized religious institutions!
Shame on me, then, for not being more "out front" leading and more reticient and looking for others to minister to MY needs! :( :knothead:
Daniel, I'm encouraged that you are again ministering and recognize that even ONE turned to Christ is pleasing to Him!
Your pathway may not attract the hordes, but your analogies are solid and worthy of your talents!
Keep the Son in your eyes!
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daniel,
in today's society true Christians can get very frustrated! even in our own churches! we all want to have an impact on those around us wether through our own form of ministry or just through our own actions. but sometimes maybe inaction is the best course-Pslam 46:10:
"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
consider The Lord's answer to prayer- yes, no, or wait.
sometimes we just need to clear our heads and understand and accept that we have nothing under control while the Lord does; His glory is coming no matter what ! ! it's tough but my advice is put it in the Lord's hands, be still and wait, eventually His plan will be revealed.
God bless
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Good news. I have a meeting with a pastor on the 28th at 9am . I will share my vision of men around a campfire. May sound corny but I feel a great name for it is Men of Fire. God being our fire.
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Love the name!!!
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Like it too... or even Hearts on Fire... :)
Good luck...do it with our without the church...
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Going to move as the Spirit moves.
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:clapper: :pray:
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I had the meeting Thursday. The pastor likes the idea. I was asked if I could write material for 4 lessons. Yes. This old dump redneck after this will have written 3 studies for men.
1. Fire= the saving gospel of Jesus
2.Fellowship =renewed connection with God
3.Friendship= connection with believers
4.Family/Brotherhood= working for the Father on the Great Commission .
White Hair
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:thumbsup: :clapper:
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Alright!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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in His time, Daniel...HIS time! Excellent!
Keep the Son in your eyes!