Gary Chester- Helping men to win

JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF ONE-ON-ONE MINISTRY

 

 

garychester.org   3/26/09

 

 

 

As I predicted in my 3/26/09 newsletter, one-on-one ministry will be the future of Christianity as large come-to-Jesus services have become a thing of the past.  It's now  -- and really always has been -- all about relationships.   Relationships are how God uses his followers to change lives through sacrifice and service.

 

I learned of an obvious example of an one-on-one scenario in Memphis where I have a young relative whose mother and I have been lifting up for years.

 

A son of my relative has become fascinated with the guitar, and a next door neighbor who plays in a Christian rock band has come forward to offer to give the son free lessons.  I don't know this teacher personally, but I'd guess he senses a spiritual vacuum in my relative's family and sees an opportunity for sacrificial love and service.  You see, he's been paying attention.

 

God has placed my relative's family across the neighbor's path.  He is heeding God's calling and thus is warmly offering the lessons.  By caring and taking the time, he's become an instrument of God's grace. 

 

Isn't it amazing how God can use each of us and our talents when we're paying attention.  And guess what?  We enjoy ourselves when God uses us.  It's much more fulfilling than wasting away in front of our plug-in-drug or being fixated on trivial amusements.

 

(Got a personal example of one-on-one ministry?  Please email me.  gary@menwhowin.com)

WIFE DISSES HUSBAND'S NEW PRIORITIES

garychester.org   3/19/09

 

I personally have a friend who became a new Christian.  He was excited about his new life, but his wife wasn't. 

 

His wife thought his new priorities to be over the top.  He had started to jog and have a prayer and Bible reading time each morning prior to her and their children getting up.  His wife wasn't at all into exercise and definitely not into reading the Word at home.  (She thought Bible reading to be okay for church, but not at home - just too weird.)  So, after his salvation, his newly found routine bothered her not just a little bit.  As did his disinterest in one of their formerly favorite past-times - partying with their partying friends.  (Read my 3/19/09 newsletter Tyranny of the Urgent.)

 

After his radical life-change, my friend never got a “better-than-you” judgmental attitude, as some new converts unfortunately acquire.  But he couldn't help the altering of his priorities.  Another new priority was to take the kids to church, even when she stayed at home.

 

The husband figured if he intentionally tried to love her as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25-28), as well as being a much better father, she'd eventually be won over to Jesus.  I mean, how could she not be?  He was absolutely sure of it!  He was absolutely wrong!

 

His wife never came over, although she gave him credit for the improvements he had made as a husband and father.  She, at the time, was struggling with her own affirmation as a woman because of a hysterectomy.  She wound up leaving him and marrying a decent man (fortunately for their two kids), but a non-believer.

 

After numerous years, the former wife regretted her actions.  But by that time she was a second husband late and a new wife short.  My friend had actually waited on her until she re-married.  Then he felt released to do the same, this time to a woman whose faith was deep and real.

 

During all this time, this guy had persisted in the practice of daily solitude and silence to grow tighter with the Lord.  Ironically, this practice was something that made his second wife fall in love with him.  Funny, how the same habit can be a turn-off to one, and a turn-on to another (1 Corinthians 1:18).

 

To me, this scenario is just another example of how every detail in our lives is worked, by a loving God, into something good and cool (Romans 8:28) for those completely given to Him.

Allowing More Time to Hear from God

 

garychester.org  3/12/209

 

On Thursday of last week, I realized I had some open slots in my schedule.  Being keenly aware of some strictly business appointments I needed to make, I thought I should immediately set up appointments for early the next week.  I knew they could evolve into some extra $$ wampum needed in these times of increasingly tight dollars. 

 

But rather than impulsively setting up the appointments, I instead prayed about what to do.  I had a small quiet check in my spirit about setting up the appointments.  I sensed I should wait until Friday, the next day.

 

Then on Friday, I had a brother I occasionally mentor to contact me.  He really needed to decide about some things regarding a certain matter.  I sensed in my spirit this was a God appointment for me.  (In such matters, I always make it a matter of practice to ask God whether this is of him or not; it definitely was this time -  Proverbs 3:5-8)    

 

 

I now see why I put off setting up the business appointments.  God definitely wanted me to huddle with this brother in need. 

 

Being a naturally driven person, I have to focus on paying attention to God's calling.  If my plate is overfully full - if I'm in overload - I can be resentful toward an assignment God has for me.  So, I end up dropping the God ball and acting out of guilt rather than of His Spirit.  (To be such a smart guy, I can be good at stupid)

 

I frankly don't accurately hear God every time.  But I do sense I'm getting better at it!  I do this through dedication of more daily solitary time with Him (finding the extra time by reducing my media in-take), by praying and reading His Word, and by regularly praying with other brothers.

 

The side-effect is more calmness inside and more certainty of His mission for me.   

 

Now listen to my 8 minute radio show Traps that Prevent Making Good Decisions.

ABOUT MY "201K"

garychester.org  3/05/09

 

What to do about our 201Ks, uh, I mean, our 401Ks...and our Roth IRAs?  My wife, Ro, and I are prayerfully pondering the dilemma, as many of you also are.

 

• Do we cut our losses by dumping out of the market and put what little remains into a credit union?  (What's your advice?  gary@menwhowin.com)
• Do we, of the boomer age, continue to invest in the stock market as the government plunges headstrong into manipulation of the economy?**
• Do we bet on the market eventually recovering (preferably prior to our death) as has been its history?  Or is this a pivotal point in USA history?  Is it one that ushers in a new day, to signal the end of our 200-year history of mostly financial bling?
• Has our beloved country seen its better days because of our abandonment of God, Main Street/Wall Street greed, and the worship of our genitals?  Or I am just being pathetically negative and wrong?
• Would a few nuclear attacks on some large U.S. cities down the line cause us to surrender to our enemies because of our softness?  (Two such bombs caused Japan to surrender, and they were the fiercest of fighters)
• Could the unimaginable possibly be on the horizon - a spiritual awakening?  (Hey, hey!)

I’ve posed numerous questions here without offering my own opinion.  I maybe will offer it in a future blog, but I’m really hoping to hear from you.

 

Before writing this blog, I wrote the menwhowin.com newsletter, so as to try to grasp God's perspective on today's world.  I hope you'll read my 3/05/09 newsletter.  God's perspective always quietens my heart; because I'm convinced He's masterminding history for a wonderful Big Day of God celebration. 

 

**I ask, can anyone point to a time or place in history when democratic government has successfully manipulated the economy to restore prosperity rather than allowing a free market to correct its own sins?  If so, would you please give me details of when and where?  gary@menwhowin.com.