Reap What You Sow

This fall is an exciting time for many. Harvest is in full swing and many are reaping a great harvest this year. As I drive around and see the combines running in the fields, I am reminded of what Paul said in Galatians 6:7: Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. I am reminded of a number of truths.

First of all, last spring when the farmers planted their corn seed, they did not expect to harvest beans in that field. When they planted bean seeds, they did not expect to harvest cotton. The point is that we often need to be reminded that whatever we sow in our lives we can expect the same thing in return. If we plant the seed of jealously, then I can expect jealousy in my life. If I plant the seed of bitterness, I can expect bitterness to grow. If I plant the seed of the Word of God in my life, then I can expect that I will grow in the things of God. If I plant the seed of materialism in the life, I can expect that not only I, but my children, will want materialism. We often forget that what we sow in this life, we can expect when we harvest. That is why Paul made that statement in Galatians 6. He is reminding the Galatians believers that they need to watch what kind of seeds they plant in their lives, because not only they will reap what they sow, but their families will reap it as well.

Secondly, If I plant only one seed, that is all I will harvest, one plant. If I sow sparingly, I will reap sparingly. A farmer will plant as many seeds as he can to maximize their yield. As a believer, I need to do the same. If I want to reap a great harvest of souls for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, I must sow much. I sow the seed of the Word of God every time I give a tract out, each time I live right before others, each time I speak about God. The more times I throw out the gospel, the better rate of return.

Then thirdly, I must plant my seeds where there are no weeds. Weeds will always choke out the planted seed and diminish a good harvest. When I plant my seeds, I must not mingle them with anything else. The gospel in its pure form is enough to change people’s hearts. Paul mentioned many times in Corinthians to preach the Gospel. He told Timothy to preach the Gospel, be instant in season out of season. The reason many are not able to reap a harvest of souls is that we put other things into the gospel. The gospel is simply: how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 16:3-4).

If you have trusted Christ as Savior, as you see the farmers harvesting, may we be reminded to make sure we are able to harvest the right things in our lives - things like righteousness, godliness. May we be able to harvest a great harvest for Him. If you never accepted Him as Savior, I invite you to do so today, so you can begin harvesting the right things in your life.

Excerpted from a message by:
Pastor Bob Eshleman, Harmony Baptist Church, Galesburg, IL

Mens Ministry Field Trip 11/19, 6:30pm

Men,

The November Mens Minstry meeting will be a field trip to the Main Decatur Fire Station, Thursday Nov. 19th, 6:30pm. Fire Marshall Lyle Meador will be our host give us a tour of the facility.

The address is 1415 N. Water St. Park in the main fire department lot (just North of Walgreen’s), use the sidewalk, and follow the sign labeled “Community Room.” That entrance is in the center of the building on the East side which is the same side as the parking lot.

Hope to see you there.

DW

Recovering From Ministry Metldown

The following excerpts are from the article Recovering From Ministry Metldown published by Larry E. Hazelbaker, Lakeland, Florida.

"I jotted down one single word on my legal pad: Burnout. Common among many, burnout leaves people feeling spent. Teachers, students, blue-collar workers, parents, kids, athletes, entertainers, andministers can all experience burnout."

DEFINITION
Burnout is a gradual process of desensitization that inevitably wears down an individual until they have no motivation. Burnout happens so slowly that the person affected does not realize it is occurring. It is a state of mental and/or physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. They are caused by demands, pressure, unrealistic expectations (self-imposed and external) and stress.

RECOGNIZING SYMPTOMS
Burnout is often accompanied by denial, which is the estrangement from one’s own feelings. Stress, hostility, neglected needs, guilt, and low self-esteem also appear to be characteristics. People suffering from these symptoms are more at risk when they are nurturing others or anticipating the needs of others. Pastors, therefore, tend to be perfect candidates for burnout. They often see themselves as somewhat alone. They may feel powerless to change anything they are doing because of this aloneness. People who suffer burnout tend to be perfectionists and seem to strugglewith their own power, autonomy, and identity.

RECOVERING FROM BURNOUT
Overcoming negative emotions
Negative emotions stem from a person’s perceptions of what is expected from him. Disappointment, discouragement, despair, despondency,embarrassment, and even depression can follow a meltdown.

Confronting past mistakes
Mistakes provide the steps and tools for learning. God does not allow His servants to go through or endure painful situations without providing themthe ability to overcome and be victorious.

Renewing your call
One feeling that seems to accompany failure is inferiority. Feelings of inferiority are not necessarily bad if they prompt one to improve. God prepares His servants for every work that He has called them to do. Remember that God’s mercy and grace will accompany us as long as we operate within our sphere of gifts and talents.

Maintaining a devotional life
When we get alone with Jesus and invite the Holy Spirit into the room, we have opportunity to be refreshed and renewed. Reading the Word of God also provides great personal benefits. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). If reading the Bible provides one with a much better and healthier perspective on life, why would anyone choose not to read it?

Renewing your inner spiritual/biblical life through continuing education
One negative self-perception that encourages low self-esteem and fuels depression is that of being unlearned or ignorant. This perception is reinforced when one fails at something or begins to show signs of burnout. Learning reinforces self-worth because knowledge aids in making better decisions and wiser choices.

Managing time and organization to reduce stress
It is essential that a pastor learn to manage his life. Managing one’s life takes discipline and structure. Words like boundaries, parameters, and margins are good.

Maintaining physical health
Exercise and rest are important. Sometimes we forget “we have this treasure in jars of clay” (2 Corinthians 4:7).

Building healthy accountability relationships
Scripture warns Christians to be careful with whom they associate. A person can benefit from an accountability group. The group should include some people who do not know him personally because they will tend to be more objective in their perceptions. There is often more freedom and safety among strangers than friends when it comes to accountability. An accountability group or partner who does not know a person will usually be honest and tell him what he needs to hear rather than what he wants to hear.

Endnotes

Stages Of Burnout
- The first stage is the intense compulsion to prove something to someone.
- The second stage is the willingness to deprive self, avoid conflict and personal needs, and sacrifice one’s values.
- The third stage is denial, disengagement, and observable behavioral changes.
- The fourth stage is depersonalization, emptiness, and depression.
- The fifth stage is total burnout and exhaustion.

Alleviating Burnout
1. Live a better lifestyle as it relates to choices. This includes diet, exercise,
and relaxation methods, reducing harmful habits, and addictions.

2. Develop and maintaining a social support system. Everyone needs someone
with whom to fellowship. .

3. Become absorbed in meaningful tasks. Find something outside your church
and become a part of it. Volunteer to spend a little time working at your
local Salvation Army store helping people find the things they need. Get
outside your own ministry environment and “do ministry.”

4. Learn to cope with stress. Coping means protecting oneself. If you are a
normal person, you will not need to look for things to stress you; they will
find you. Find ways of recognizing stress before it becomes a means for
potential burnout. Learn your limitations and do not venture outside of
them.
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Too bad I didn't come across this article before I started smelling smoke.....

DW

Mens Fraternity:Winning at Work and At Home

We will be starting the next session of Men's Fraternity: "Winning at Work and At Home", starting Sept. 13th in my 10:15am SS class. This is the 2nd part of the series and a follow-up to "The Quest for Authentic Manhood". All men ages 18-124 are wlecome and encouraged to attend. Invite a friend.

DW

TBC Reif Work Day

As you may or may not know, Russell Reif from our TBC family is battling cancer and is in the middle of repairing their rental home. He has fallen behind due to his health and the City of Decatur is considering action(s). Repairs, painting and some replacement is required to bring the house up to code.

Some men have made a few repairs already and a work day is planned for Sat., 8/15, 9am. Mark your calendars for the date and watch for details to come. This will be another opportunity to demostrate Christianity in action.

DW

Happy Father's Day

Enjoy.

TBC Roofing Project Promo Video

Plans are being finalized for the TBC Roofing Project. John McKinney would like to start the tear-off on Fri. June 19 & 26, starting a 7am for those that are able. We'll be needing wheelbarrows, tear-off tools and tarps. On Sat. June 20 & 27, we will also start at 7am. Hopefully we can accomplish our goals before it gets too hot. Also, if anyone has a shingle lift/elevator we can borrow, please let us know.

The address is 3223 E. Oakwood, just off 32nd St., a few blocks north of Sinawik Park or a few blocks south of Rt. 36. Everyone is welcome to help out and there'll be a job for everyone who shows up. At the very least, pray for good weather.

If you have any questions, contact John McKinney or myself.

DW

Don't Think God Can Use You?

Don't think GOD can use you? Just remember...
Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Samson had long hair and was a womanizer
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
Zaccheus was too small
Paul was too religious
Timothy had an ulcer..AND Lazarus was dead!

Is Ministry to Men Foundational in the Church?

George Barna found that:
3½% of families follow, when a child is the first to attend church.
17% of families follow, when a mom/wife is the first to attend church.
But
93% of families follow, when a dad/husband is the first to attend church!

He also uncovered a startling trend:
42% of men in America attended church on a regular basis in 1992,
But only
28% attended church on a regular basis in 1997!

In spite of the Christian men’s movement of the 90s, churches have struggled to reach the men of America, resulting in a leadership vacuum and a decline of churches across America.

WHAT’S THE DISCONNECT?
Men today are hurting. Most men are struggling to balance career, marriage, family, church and community responsibilities. They live with confusing messages that do not support authentic biblical manhood. Many are living a life of conventional manhood that settles for less.

WHAT ARE SOME KEYS TO EFFECTIVE MEN’S MINISTRY?
- Strategic follow up – plan follow up strategies and have them in place.
- Encouragement – create an atmosphere of encouragement and trust.
- Relational accountability – build around relationships and loving accountability.
- Disciplemaking – make sure that every man is in the lifetime disciple making process.

MEN’S MINISTRIES IS FOUNDATIONAL TO YOUR CHURCH
Effective ministry to men develops leaders. All churches need leaders. A healthy men’s ministry:
* Creates a leadership resource for the church by winning men to trust in Jesus Christ alone.
* Develops a spiritual readiness for potential leaders by building them up in the faith.
* Leads men to spiritual maturity by equipping them for service.
* Strengthens the mission of the church by multiplying its leaders.

Excerpted from:
MEN WITH A PURPOSE
EFCA/MUSA Men’s Ministries
Volume 2, Number 8
August 2002

Stormy Weather

My daughter Rebecca and I are trained storm spotters. We're usually not in a good position for viewing, but we got a chance Friday evening around 6:20pm to check out this storm. This picture is looking NNE towards the Forsyth, IL area. Strong rotation was reported.

This picture is towards the NW and was over Niantic/Harristown, IL.

A trained weather spotter can be a valuable asset not only to the National Weather Service, but also to their community and families. Having the knowledge to understand what you're seeing and to evaluate the threat is a key to getting through the storm.

Kinda like our lives - I think you can make the connection.

DW

Roofing Project Dates

We are scheduling the roofing project for 2 Saturdays, June 20 and June 27. We'll start early and do 1/2 the roof at a time. With enough men we should accomplish a lot before the weather gets too hot and you'll have the rest of the afternoon(s) free. We'll also have some refreshements on hand. We'd like to start the roofing tear-off on Friday June 19 / 26 with a handful of volunteers.

All roofing materials will be furnished but we need some men to step up and help out a fellow TBC church member. Bring pitchforks, shovels, hammers and any other tools used for roofing and join in. Don't be concerned about your building skills - we'll find something for you to do. Remember, God needs your availability, not your ability.

Let me know if you're planning to help and let's get the word spread around. We need some people who will do what they say and say what they do. Be watching for more details.

DW

We're In Deep Trouble!!

The population of this country is 300 million.



160 million are retired, leaving 140 million to do the work.



There are 85 million in school, which leaves 55 million to do the work.



Of this there are 35 million employed by the federal government, with 15 million left to do the work.



2.8 million are in the armed forces preoccupied with killing Osama Bin-Laden, which leaves 12.2 million to do the work.



Taking from that total 10.8 million people working for state & city governments. that leaves 1.4 million to do the work.



At any given time there are 188,000 people in hospitals, leaving 1,212,000 to do the work.



Today, there are 1,211,998 people in prisons - that leaves just two people to do the work.



Just you and me.



And there YOU are, sitting at your computer, reading a joke.



Nice…….Real nice.....

DW

Legacy of Bin Laden and You

I volunteered this past Friday and Saturday to help chaperone on our high school band trip to Chicago. The kids were well behaved and other than a few PDA's (Public Displays of Affection) we had no issues. As part of the trip, we spent Saturday at Six Flags Great America. Upon entering the park, you must pass through a metal detector. Of course it went off as I passed. I pulled out my money clip, loose change, cell phone, watch (with NEW battery) and my pocket knife. "Sir, you will not be allowed to enter the park with this knife. You will be escorted to the exit to deal with this" said the security officer. I had the option to leave the park, rent a locker ($10 for the day) or return without it. I went back to the bus, left it there and entered with no problems.



Yes, I forgot about my knife and Six Flags has every "right" to not let me in. My pocket knife isn't much bigger than my little finger, contains maybe, MAYBE a blade 3/4" long, with a small pair of scissors, a file and screwdriver blade. Not much of a threat unless you're a hangnail or loose thread. Yet smokers with lighters, the kid with studs and a tackle box attached to his face and baby formula in strollers are allowed. A lighter could cause a fire, the facial jewelry used as a weapon and the baby formula could be spiked with something and dumped who knows where?



9 years ago this wouldn't have been an issue at all. But thanks to Bin Laden and his cohorts, it's now a reality we have to deal with and continually adjust to. One of the many legacies Bin Laden has left us. His actions and choices will affect generations to come. And the last I heard, he was unrepentant, whether alive or dead.



So how's your legacy? What actions or choices have you made? If you're reading this, it's not too late. Our God is the God of second chances. And third, and fourth....well, you get the point. Come to Him, ask Him to forgive you and start a new legacy today. God will take it from there - even if you have a knife in your pocket.

DW

25 Skills Every Man Should Know

How many have you done, according to the 10/07 issue of Popular Mechanics?

1. Patch a radiator hose
2. Protect your computer
3. Rescue a boater who has capsized
4. Frame a wall
5. Retouch digital photos
6. Back up a trailer
7. Build a campfire
8. Fix a dead outlet
9. Navigate with a map and compass
10. Use a torque wrench
11. Sharpen a knife
12. Perform CPR
13. Fillet a fish
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid
15. Get a car unstuck
16. Back up data
17. Paint a room
18. Mix concrete
19. Clean a bolt-action rifle
20. Change oil and filter
21. Hook up an HDTV
22. Bleed brakes
23. Paddle a canoe
24. Fix a bike flat
25. Extend your wireless network

Ok, so you've done a majority of the list. Have you taught anyone else? If kept to ourselves, skills will pass away with us. We should always look for ways to elevate those around us. Any one of these skills might prove valuable to someone, someday.

I would submit changing the list to the following Gospel version:

1. Patch a broken relationship
2. Protect your family
3. Rescue the perishing
4. Frame a wall on a mission project
5. Retouch with a mentor
6. Back up a brother in need
7. Build a new relationship
8. Fix a dead ministry
9. Navigate with the Bible and Holy Spirit
10. Use a torque wrench to help a single mother fix her car
11. Sharpen as iron sharpens iron
12. Perform CPR on church apathy
13. Fillet a fish at the homeless shelter
14. Maneuver a brother out of sin
15. Get a brother unstuck from sin
16. Back up and see others as Jesus sees them
17. Paint a room for a widow
18. Mix in as salt of the earth
19. Clean your spiritual weapons
20. Change your attitude daily
21. Hook up with your local church
22. Bleed is a word never forgotten
23. Paddle through adversity
24. Fix a flat for a teenager
25. Extend your prayer network

Pass it on.

Man In The Mirror Bible Study

We've started a new series during the 10:15 Bible study hour on Sunday mornings, the "Man In The Mirror" by Patrick Morley. We are currently "sampling" different video studies, ranging from God's Timing to a Crisis Of Faith. The videos are from 20-40 minutes with discussion following. The 10:15 class, room 112, is specifically for men, dealing with spiritual/faith issues unique to men. We're a small but strong group of 5-6 dudes looking for answers to life's mysteries. Sometimes we even manage to remember what we learned......


For a preview, listen online at: http://www.maninthemirror.org/biblestudy/series.htm#archive

DW

It's 7:12am - Do You Really Know What Time It Is?

This morning on my way to work I looked at my watch before turning the ignition key. 7:12, plenty of time for the 12 mile commute. When I turned the truck off in the parking lot at the office, I glanced at my watch - 7:14. Excellent time if you travel at warp speed, but not in the city limits. My watch had stopped. Again....I just had the battery replaced Monday, because it stopped over the weekend. Now I'm a little peeved because I have to find the battery receipt, make another trip to Walmart and try another battery, look for the case/original purchase warranty and hope for the best or buy a new one. This watch hasn't let me down before as I have come to depend on it. I feel quite naked this morning as I took it off, because it does me no good. (although it will be correct at least twice in 24 hours....) My watch is taking a short "time out" today.

But my dead watch has taught me a lesson this morning. I was so focused and upset about my watch that I didn't take the opportunity to notice the clock on my truck radio, the clock on the wall in the office, the clock on my desk radio, the clock on my computer, and the clock on my cell phone. We dont' realize clocks are all around us, seemingly everywhere. Much like the omniprescence of our Lord, He's always around if we take the time to notice. And God can use other resources to accomplish His purposes.

I am hopeful the TBC Mens Ministry will begin to find those other "clocks" we have in our congregation as I take a short "time out" from our monthly meetings. I need the opportunity to notice things I've overloooked lately. I need to remember a recent Sunday School lesson that "God is in charge, He knows what He is doing, He doesn't make mistakes, He loves you very much, You can trust Him, He is sovereignly orchestrating all of the seemingly random circumstances of your life, He is turning evil into good, and He can use me but only if I realize I am inadequate apart from His power and grace."

DW

Where Are All The Men?

Here's an eye-opening set of statistics:

http://www.churchformen.com/allmen.php

It's no wonder "the church" as a whole is in it's current state. We need to "wake the dead" or at least wipe the "spiritual apathy" from our eyes.

We are poised for the greatest revival in the history of mankind if we could simply get involved.

DW

Mighty Men of God Conference - Mattoon

Great conference and a time of renewal. Unfortunately no TBC men attended besides myself - too bad because many TBC / other men could have learned a great deal. Keeping a positive ministry attitude has become increasingly difficult lately. I'm hoping it's a short-term "funk".

DW

TBC Mens Minstry

Men,

I created this blog as another communication tool for the Tabernacle Baptist Church Mens Ministry. Check back often.

Dean Williamson