The Watering Hole: August 2013

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

Saturday, August 31, 2013

On the subject of Men’s Shed, the following are statements relating to the ministry of the masculine spirit:

“Christianity based on risk avoidance will never attract men. If our message is full of don’ts, be carefuls, and play it safes, men will turn their backs. Christianity is not an insurance policy; it’s abundant life.”

“The words strong and strength appear 561 times in KJV while weak and weakness show up just 83 times. It is far more effective to speak of men’s strength when teaching men.”

“Pastor Veith makes an important announcement: ‘As of next month we are cancelling the nursery and Sunday School. We will no longer offer weddings, baptisms, baby showers, or funerals. We are dropping our choir and pulling out of our partnership with the soup kitchen. Instead, we’re going to minister in a new way. Our children’s ministry will be based on sports leagues. We will offer free automotive repairs to the working poor. We will provide carpentry, plumbing, and electrical upgrades to senior homes. We will deploy our members as security ambassadors, walking the streets of high crime neighbourhoods. And we will dig water well in Honduras and Nicaragua.’”

“Robert Lewis’s approach to unchurched men is simple. ‘You don’t teach the Bible first. You teach real life issues first; then you bring the Bible in to surprise them.’”

“If you’re looking for a life that will challenge you from day one, look no further than a follower of the Way. As a follower of the Way, you will engage in life faster and better than most people your age . . . you’ll experience things that you never thought possible and go places most people only read about. You’ll learn your capabilities, sharpen your skills and then push yourself to the limit on a daily basis. You’ll grow stronger physically, mentally, socially, spiritually and feel a sense of pride you never felt before.”

–Erwin McManus