Mens' Group - 12 September 2009

[NateR]

Last night our church had a mens' group meeting out at the Hughes farm. Mark cooked bratwurst and I got to help him out with the onions and peppers. We've had a few of these at the farm so far and it's a great way for the men in the church to just relax and socialize without all the formalities of being inside a church.

We've had a different guest speaker each time so far and yesterday we got to listen to the testimony of Coach Steve Smith, from Decatur, IL, who has coached many different sports at the high school and college level. During his talk he told us the story of the old mule and the well, which I will try to paraphrase:

There was an old mule who lived on a farm and one day he accidentally stumbled into an old dried up well. The farmer discovered the mule inside the well and, after much discussion with the townsfolk, he decided that neither the mule nor the well were worth saving. So, the farmer and all the townspeople began shoveling dirt into the well in order to bury the mule.

The mule, being very much still alive, was extremely distraught over this turn of events. However, as the dirt poured in, one shovel-full at a time, the mule realized that all he had to do was shake off the dirt and step up. So, as the townpeople continued to try to bury him, he just shook it off and stepped up.... shook it off and stepped up.... Eventually, the mule was able to walk right out of the well into the open air and escape what all the earthly wisdom around him believed to be a certain death.

The lesson being, if you don't panic or get discouraged and perservere in the face of overwhelming odds, you might find that you can escape what the world considers unescapable.

Anyways, just thought I would share that. We're getting ready to start up our Wednesday night Bible Study for the men next week.

[Jonlion]

Great story Nate, i really like that one.

I'm at the moment involved in accountability Emails with some of the friends I made in Texas, So to quote James 5:16 "therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed".

Point being these guys through informal means are keeping me on track with my walk with the Lord, so i think its a great thing to do!

Thanks for sharing

Originally Posted by NateR

Last night our church had a mens' group meeting out at the Hughes farm. Mark cooked bratwurst and I got to help him out with the onions and peppers. We've had a few of these at the farm so far and it's a great way for the men in the church to just relax and socialize without all the formalities of being inside a church.

We've had a different guest speaker each time so far and yesterday we got to listen to the testimony of Coach Steve Smith, from Decatur, IL, who has coached many different sports at the high school and college level. During his talk he told us the story of the old mule and the well, which I will try to paraphrase:

There was an old mule who lived on a farm and one day he accidentally stumbled into an old dried up well. The farmer discovered the mule inside the well and, after much discussion with the townsfolk, he decided that neither the mule nor the well were worth saving. So, the farmer and all the townspeople began shoveling dirt into the well in order to bury the mule.

The mule, being very much still alive, was extremely distraught over this turn of events. However, as the dirt poured in, one shovel-full at a time, the mule realized that all he had to do was shake off the dirt and step up. So, as the townpeople continued to try to bury him, he just shook it off and stepped up.... shook it off and stepped up.... Eventually, the mule was able to walk right out of the well into the open air and escape what all the earthly wisdom around him believed to be a certain death.

The lesson being, if you don't panic or get discouraged and perservere in the face of overwhelming odds, you might find that you can escape what the world considers unescapable.

Anyways, just thought I would share that. We're getting ready to start up our Wednesday night Bible Study for the men next week.

good story there Nate and its a good lesson as well.

we have gotten our outdoors ministry kicked off and it is going great! Taking a few of our new guys out to kill some hogs with our bows monday night. I took my youth pastor Friday evening and I shot an 80lb sow(perfect for smoking). Yall need to get in on this.

BTW, Nate, what church do you go to brother?

[MattHughesRocks]

Do you have to be a man to post in this thread?

[Mark]

Originally Posted by MattHughesRocks

Do you have to be a man to post in this thread?

I guess you don't, you already posted. Next time pm me before you do and I'll give you the answer.

[NateR]

Originally Posted by Rev

BTW, Nate, what church do you go to brother?

1st Presbyterian Church in Hillsboro, IL. The same church that Mark and Matt go to.

It's actually the only Presbyterian church I have ever attended. I was raised almost entirely Baptist; but my dad would also allow us to attend services at the Jewish synagogue when I was in high school as well.

I'm not a member of 1st Presbyterian yet, but I do plan to join soon.

[Bonnie]

Thanks for opening the door for us women Michelle.

I love stories that have morals to them. Thanks for sharing, Nate.

Originally Posted by Jonlion

Great story Nate, i really like that one.

I'm at the moment involved in accountability Emails with some of the friends I made in Texas, So to quote James 5:16 "therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed".

Point being these guys through informal means are keeping me on track with my walk with the Lord, so i think its a great thing to do!

Thanks for sharing

That's great brother! I'm guessing you're back home and got there safely??

I have some great questions for accountability groups if you're ever interested. Just shoot me a PM with your email address and I'll send you a copy.