Christianity – Westchester Men's Ministry

Newtown Connecticut: Back to Normal?

December 17, 2012 by nymensministry 3 Comments

On Friday, a mass murderer broke his way into an elementary school in Newtown, CT, killed 20 children and 6 unarmed adults before killing himself. We’ve all struggled with this tragedy and prayed for the families. We’ve wrestled with the reason for it, and how it should have been avoided, while contemplating how we can prevent it in the future.

commuters, NYC, Grand Central, busy, mindless, robotic Today, is Monday, and many of us go back to work and to our normal lives. It reminds me of a discussion my wife and I had with a friend who lost someone very close. She said, ‘I was outside the other day and everyone is continuing as if nothing happened!’ The surprise and shock in her voice was obvious and genuine. We didn’t doubt it, because we had the same thought years earlier when our 2 year old daughter went on ahead of us to heaven.

It is true, the world continues and God is patient. I have to think that out thoughts in that moment were closer to God’s than our own. I wonder if He is in awe when it comes to our robotic and occasionally thoughtless way of going through life. The Bible says:

“And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.” – Romans 13:11

God's outstretched and pierced hand, Isaiah 65:2

brotherjohn.org

Even though, His grace is new every morning, we are one less morning away from our last. May God continue to be patient with those that haven’t taken the time to know Him. I’m thankful that He continues to hold out his hand to all that will accept it.

“I (God) have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, Who walk in a way that is not good, According to their own thoughts; A people who provoke Me to anger continually to My face” – Isaiah 65:2-3a

We have hope because our eternal Father sent his Son, and His hands were pierced and He was crucified for us! Our father now looks at us and says ‘how can they continue as if nothing happened!’ May we all wake from our sleep, before it is too late.

Newtown Connecticut: Back to Normal? by Westchester Men’s Ministry is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Filed Under: Christianity, Forgiveness, grace, Hope, Salvation Tagged With: awake, back to normal, busy, ct, God, God's hand, hand, heaven, losing a child, loss, mindless, murder, newtown, normal, outstretched, pierced, robotic, sleep, work

Journaling Challenge: Is it 40 days yet!

December 3, 2012 by nymensministry 1 Comment

cupandcross.com/

A friend of mine asked me that yesterday. I told him that we are more than half way there (today is day 22). But we also talked about falling into the trap of journaling out of obligation. We both shared that we have a sense of relief once we have something written down. I told him that when I persevered and continued in quiet time and journaling, not out of obligation (I had met my obligation) but on my own – God rewarded me with insights I wouldn’t have received otherwise. He quickly responded, ‘Don’t try to make me feel guilty now!’. We both smiled.

If you are going through this journey with us – fantastic! My hope is not that you will become a person that journals daily, necessarily, but that you will realize the value of spending time with God and listening for His word. I pray that you gain a greater hunger for more of Him.

Why did we choose 40 days anyway!?

The period of 40 days is significant in the Bible and used multiple times. This included the 40 days and nights that it rained on Noah and the ark, the time Moses spent on the mountain, the numbers of days Goliath came out against the Israelites before David killed him, and especially the time Jesus fasted in the wilderness. This time is always a period of testing and trial, and it ends with a period of restoration, revival, or renewal.

May these 40 days, through December 21st, end with a period of restoration that makes the true meaning of Christmas that much more pronounced this year.

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” – James 4:8a

Journaling Challenge: Is it 40 days yet! by Westchester Men’s Ministry is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at http://nymensministry.com.

Filed Under: Advent, Bible Study, Christianity, journaling, Prayer Tagged With: 40 days, bible study, biblestudy, desert, faith, God, Jesus, journal, journaling, prayer, quiet time, restoration, revival, wilderness

2012 Men’s Retreat!

September 9, 2012 by nymensministry 1 Comment

The Retreat is here! This coming weekend.

Thursday, September 13th – Sunday, September 16th

Lake Champion, NY (Glen Spey, NY)

If you haven’t signed up yet, it isn’t too late. But you better hurry.

Learn more and register here: http://www.priorityone.org/index.php?option=com_lc_register&Itemid=80

Price discount if you are part of the work team. Scholarships also available.

Logistics: The weekend starts with dinner on Thursday night at 7pm. Then Stephen Beck will give his first talk of the weekend.

Some people plan to come up on Friday which is perfectly fine. Please be aware that there is a program (breakfast, speaker, etc) from 8am until noon. Then we have the afternoon (after lunch until 5:30pm) free.

Car pooling is available. Just let me know when you plan to leave and I can team you up with someone. Thanks!

Questions: Contact us (NYMensMinistry@yahoo.com) or Bill Freeman at bfreeman@priorityone.org

We hope you can join us for this fun and God filled weekend!

Filed Under: Bible Study, brothers, Christ, Christian Fathers, Christian friends, Christian Men, Christianity, Fellowship, ministry, Retreat, sabbath, Westchester NY Tagged With: bill freeman, Fellowship, friends, Fun, glen spey, lake champion, men, ministry, ny, priority one, Retreat, sabbath, stephen beck, vacation

Christian Olympians

August 13, 2012 by nymensministry 1 Comment

Since our last post was so successful, it inspired this one. I thought I would list a few Olympians who have shared their Christian faith. This is not intended to be a full list so please feel free to add a comment, if you know others. Thanks!

Gabby Douglas, 2 Gold Medals, Gymnast

“I meditate on scripture” said Gabby Douglas to the reporter when asked about how she deals with the pressure and the nerves of being a gymnast on the biggest stage in the world

“I give all the glory to God. It’s kind of a win-win situation. The glory goes up to him and the blessings fall down on me.”

Allyson Felix Christian

Allyson Felix, 3 Gold Medals, Track and Field (100 and 200 meters)

“It’s official…I’m going to London!! All glory to God! I’m so thankful for the love, support & encouragement,”

“My faith inspires me so much. It is the very reason that I run. I feel that my running is completely a gift from God and it is my responsibility to use it to glorify him. My faith also helps me not be consumed with winning, but to see the big picture and what life is really all about.”

David Boudia, Gold Medal, Diving

“It’s all about glorifying God. I approach the practices and the competitions the same. I’m at peace when I’m doing those things and it’s for God and His glory.”

“Whatever happens at the end of this Olympic Games is completely out of my control, God is totally sovereign over everything.” (This realization also helped him overcome depression)

William Reid Priddy Christian

William Reid Priddy, Gold medal, Men’s Volleyball

“I believe that God is most glorified when I use the gifts He has given me to the best of my ability, whether I am on international TV or just training,”

Christians should be “to pursue greatness (no matter what you are doing) in the name of God and clinging to the strength He provides. Not with the end goal of winning – though it can be a goal and is part of the process – but rather to become more like God and glorify Him.”

Lauren Cheney Christian

Lauren Cheney, Gold Medal, Women’s Soccer

“We weren’t given these talents to be mediocre. Our God is great – He deserves greatness.”

(After losing the 2011 World Cup) “It was a rollercoaster ride, but it was neat to just see (God’s) hand on that (situation),” Heath said. “It’s more than just winning or losing. There are so many relationships that go deeper than that. He has a plan in it all. You have to trust that. Even though it’s not the ideal outcome—I mean, everybody wants to be winners—you have to trust that God has a greater plan for this even when you can’t see it.”

Jacob Wukie Christian

Jacob Wukie, Silver medal, Archery

“I will be living my life for Christ, seeking to know Him more, and seeking to be used by Him to influence the lives of those around me so that they might know Him as well.”

Lolo Jones Lori (Lolo) Jones, 4th, Track and Field (100 meters)

“It’s just a gift (virginity) I want to give my husband. But please understand this journey has been hard. There are virgins out there and I want to let them know that it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

“As I arrive in London for the Olympics, I’m overwhelmed with emotions. Thank you Lord for another chance and for holding me as I waited.”

Ryan hall Christian Ryan Hall, DNF – injury, Track and Field (Marathon)

God as his coach.

“I like to start off every morning by asking God how He sees me,”

James Nieto Christian

Jamie Nieto, 6th place, Track & Field (Men’s High Jump)

“Your only limitations are what you believe them to be, and as long as you put God first, you can achieve all things through Him,”

“I need God in every aspect to help me move forward in my career and being here at the Olympics is a testament.”

And a few others:

Brady Ellison, Archer – “Here we go four years of sweat and blood and hard work to prepare for today. Thank you Lord for lettin me [be] here this week. Lets do it.”

Jesse Williams, track and Field (High jump) – “Praise the Lord Jesus Christ he is good!”

Marquise Goodwin, track and Field (Long jump) – “All this wouldn’t be possible without you! #God.”

Bryan Clay, track and Field (Decathalon) – “God first. Family second. Track third.”

Christian Olympians by Westchester Men’s Ministry is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at https://nymensministry.com/2012/08/13/christian-olympians/ .