The Watering Hole: September 2011

Welcome to my Watering Hole

Years ago, I heard a man say, “You will be the same in five years’ time as you are today, except for two things—the people you meet and the books you read.” When I look back over the past 32 years of following Jesus, I would have to say that I agree. If not for the people who have come into my life and the books I have read over the years, my life would have changed very little.

The first book that I read was the Bible. I picked it up, after making a decision to follow Jesus, and to this day I have been unable to put it down. The second book I read was called Where Is God When It Hurts? by Philip Yancey. I think we all struggle to find ways to understand what God is trying to tell us. For me, one of the most effective ways is through what I read. Over time I have kept a journal of quotations that have had an impact on me. Often I reflect on something I recorded years ago and see that in some areas of my life I have grown and in others there is still much work to do. Sometimes I have been motivated, encouraged and inspired by what I read, sometimes frightened and overwhelmed, but never, never discouraged or without hope.

In my conversations with men, more often than not, other than the odd newspaper or magazine, many read very little if at all. My suggestions is, before you read on, take time out to pray, ask yourself and God what are the challenges at this time in your life and then read, expecting the Holy Spirit to bring alive what is relevant to you. Don’t read for reading’s sake. See it as a watering hole where your thirst for life’s answers can be quenched. As time goes by, I will add to the site. I want it to be living.

In conclusion, I have to say that there are many things I don’t know. One thing I do know is that God would want me to share with you what He has shared with me. I pray that He will bring alive these writings and burn them in your heart. I wish you well. Life is very demanding for many, and at times it seems that society is demanding more than we’re able to give. But don’t give up. To borrow the title of Wayne Bennett’s autobiography, Don’t Die with the Music in You. That would be a tragedy.

In His name,

Grahame

Friday, September 23, 2011

It's been quite awhile since my last blog. I realise it's been a long time between drinks. It was never my intention for it to be so long, but the last couple of months have presented challenges that have required much of my attention. I do apologise and hope that I will be able to communicate more regularly in the future.

When I became a Christian, I wondered how I could effectively share my faith with other people. It wasn't long before I learnt that there was a right way to do it. That confused and bewildered me as I felt that the right way wasn't my style. When I asked questions about other ways, it often came across as "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". The following is an example of how change was rewarded with a far better outcome. I'll let you read on and hopefully you'll see what I mean.

The Horse Whisperer

During a 60 Minutes program, Monty Roberts taught the world his method of horse whispering. It involves him getting into the corral with the untamed mustang and staying as far from the animal as possible, without leaving the enclosure. He also refuses to allow eye contact between himself and the horse. By moving slowly, but surely, away from the horse and by keeping his head averted from the animal's gaze, Monty slowly draws the horse to himself. Even though the beast is pounding the earth with his hoof and snorting and circling the corral with great speed, Monty keeps circling slowly away from the horse. He won't look at it. He won't approach it. As astounding as it sounds, within an hour Monty can have a wild mustang saddled and carrying a rider quite happily. When asked his secret, he says, "These animals need contact with others so much, they would rather befriend their enemy than be left alone." When he discovered his method of "whispering" into the horse's deepest longing, he told his weather-beaten father, uncles and brothers that there was no longer the need to crush the mustang's spirit. To this day, in spite of the evidence that it works, Montana ranchmen still use the traditional approach. Monty's story reminds us of the church. Even though he has discovered an effective way of listening to horses (his own term), the old Montana horsemen won't budge. They've been breaking horses their way for generations. Why should they change now? The church might say, we've been "breaking" sinners like them for generations. Why should we change now?