Guys Get Away

Brothers in Christ,

What a powerful time as over 50 guys came together at Timber Bay this past weekend!

Broomball? Yes!    Muddy paths? Yes!  Snoring Men? Yes!  Great food? Yes!  Awesome conversations? Yes!  Powerful times of prayer? Yes!  Great speaker? Yes!  Unbelievable sharing? Yes!  A lot of laughing and crying at the same time? Yes!  Times of singing to the Lord? Yes!  A lot of sleep? NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In the next few weeks different guys will be sharing their reflections about the weekend and how God is calling them to STEP UP!  Thanks to all of you who prayed for the weekend! Know that God answered your prayers. Thanks to all of you who gave money to provide scholarships! Know that it was dollars well invested. Thanks to the Holy Spirit for leading us guys – ages 14 to mid 80’s – beyond ourselves into the presence of Jesus and one another!

Just a few quick things from the weekend to keep in front of us;

PRAYER FOR THOSE IN NEED OF JOBS. Please continue to pray for the following guys who are looking for employment; Chris Chomilo, Charlie Fiss, Mike Pelle, Joel Peterson, Chuck Perkins and Carl Wandersee. Thank you to each one of them for sharing their stories with us over the weekend!

THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO SIGNED THE CARDS As I indicated on the retreat, last night I visited Alan Sakry and shared the card with him.  As I read the messages and prayers from all of you he was so appreciative and blessed. He squeezed my hand and said, ‘you understand.’  Of course it was a plural ‘you’ as he knew that I represented 50 plus guys praying and caring for him.  We remembered how he was on the very first Men’s retreat at Alexandria and how he spearheaded an effort to provide a washer and dryer for a needy family in the community. Jesus came to Alan through your notes, prayers, scriptures and comments on the card.  Thanks for taking the time to share on the three cards! I will be taking the card to Harlan and sending the congratulations card to Allen Perkins. Know that they will be blessed by your witness and words shared.

KEEP PRAYING So much was shared on the weekend as we opened our hearts to one another.  Let’s make sure we keep praying for one another! And be praying for your involvement in the PASTORATE AND D4D MOVEMENT!  John Ronning gave us a glimpse of what it could like to be involved in a D4D group – imagine being part of a band of 3 to 5 brothers for 17 years.

FINALLY LET JAIRUS be your Biblical mentor! Keep living in Mark 5:21- 43 and consider how to keep STEPPING UP like Jairus.  Thanks to Jon Willis for leading us into this story during the four sessions;

• What is the most courageous thing Jairus did? He emptied himself and handed over control to Jesus.
• Jesus activated Jairus to do step up and do something.
• Jesus has to put some things outside of our house. He is in the removal business.
• Jesus transforms the situation from a funeral to a party. Jesus ignored the obvious reality of the finality of death and created life!

Of course Jon shared so much more and I trust the Spirit will use it as seed in your life!

As we sang on the weekend; Our God is an awesome God!

Keep your eyes open to read the stories from your brothers these next few weeks!

Paul J