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Men are encouraged to find ways to grow in their faith and commitment to Jesus Christ. We provide a number of opportunities for men at Central to grow and share their faith.
We are looking for a few men to lead in developing an ongoing ministry for men who want to grow spiritually. Call Pastor Jeff for more info.
In addition to the weekly opportunities other men’s events being planned include:
- Saturday morning fellowship breakfasts with a special speaker
- Servant projects
- Men’s canoe trip in the spring
- An annual men’s retreat
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Men's Equip - February 1, 2012 |
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Written by Paul Johansson
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Wednesday, 01 February 2012 08:17 |
Central Men,
“They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching – with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’ At once his fame spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.” (Mark 1:27-28)
This short report of how the crowd responded to Jesus tells us a lot about him. It also invites us to pause and consider our response to Jesus. Can you remember a time when you were amazed by Jesus? Jesus has spoken, he has healed, he has demonstrated his power. Not surprisingly, THEY WERE ALL AMAZED! Jesus was not someone they would shelve until a convenient time; to be amazed is to be surprised, blown away, awestruck, even confused. Jesus was not expected, and he doesn’t neatly fit into our little ideas of who he is today. Jesus, just like this instance in Mark 1:27-28, is beyond what we can explain or contain today.
I love the way Mark tells about this incident. Right after saying ‘they were all amazed’, we read, ‘and they kept on asking one another.’ Amazement leads to questions, ‘What is this?’ What are the questions that you have about Jesus? Jesus loves questions! Mark insists that amazement and questions belong together. Jesus didn’t explain everything. He didn’t scold them for asking questions. He welcomed questions, and in fact, his actions incited questions. In the ongoing exchange of amazement and question we grow, stretch, get closer to God, and suddenly find ourselves saying Aha!
As guys, brothers, sons, fathers, and men I hope that we can be amazed and have questions. Sometimes it seems as if the world of manhood doesn’t want us to be amazed and full of questions. I think it has something to do with our desire to be in control! My prayer for you (and me) is that just when we think we have it all together and are in control JESUS will come along and do something that amazes us in such a way that we begin to ask one another, ‘what is going on?’
Today there are two experiences that I invite you to be part of; one is the GUYS GET AWAY on March 9 – 11, 2012. This will be a great opportunity to get together with other men (young and old) and be amazed and ask questions. More information will be forthcoming BUT get the date on your calendar.
The second opportunity is a ten week experience called ALPHA. Alpha offers good food, great conversation and free childcare. No question is too simple or too hostile. Regardless of your relationship to Jesus – maybe you don’t know him or maybe he has been your closest friend for 58 years – you are welcome. Alpha begins Saturday, February 11 and runs on Saturday evenings through May 5 with a couple of weeks off for Easter. A typical evening includes supper at 5:15pm, a talk at 6:00pm, and small group conversation from 7:00 – 8:00pm. Let the Alpha crew cook supper, wash dishes, and take care of the kids while you are ‘amazed’ by Jesus and ‘ask one another what is this.’
You can visit www.clcelkriver.org to sign up for the GUYS GET AWAY and/or ALPLHA!
Hope you have a great week and be looking for and listening for Jesus!
Paul J |
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