"Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." 1 Chronicles 28:20
Blessed to be a leader/facilitator of a new Men's group at the Salvation Army Emergency Lodge meeting weekly.
...also part of other small groups meeting in Milwaukee...
It is NOT a Bible Study or a therapy session!
Goal is to encourage and challenge the men!
One of the men asked, "What does it mean to be a man?" Further discussion for our next session!
Getting the men to start to be transparent...and talk. I will do alot of listening...helping the men to get to know each other.
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25
The men are at the Lodge for 60 days...so they come and go.
We will also be discussing what it means to be the "church" and the importance of "Friends", not just "acquaintances"
● It's always good to have a trusted friend where we can be transparent and share in confidence.
Importance of listening to people experiencing trauma.
Sometimes people just need to have someone to talk to. Someone to listen to them.
Available to meet with them one on one any time.
We don't really know how they "feel"...because we haven't walked in their shoes...so we listen, listen, listen...and pray.
Perception is reality!
What we have experienced and learned as volunteer Salvation Army Chaplains
Each man receives a Men's Devotional Bible. Probably one of the best Bibles for men...with all the articles and resources.
My prayer for them!
"Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." 1 Chronicles 28:20
God will make a way!
Who I Am In Christ
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14-15
Alot starts with us believers! More than we may realize!
● In Jesus Christ God gives us our identity, our purpose and our meaning in this life and in the life to come. 1 Peter1:1-12
A few of my favorite Bible verses.
"For in him we live and move and have our being..." Acts 17:28
“Come to me, all you
who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and
learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for
your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
“Therefore, I urge you,
brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices,
holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform
any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his
good, pleasing and perfect will” Romans 12:1-2
“Therefore, if anyone
is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All
this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the
ministry of reconciliation; that God was reconciling the world to himself in
Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-19”
“Therefore, as God’s
chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive
whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the LORD
forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which bonds them all
together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12-14
“Therefore encourage
one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.’ 1
Thessalonians 5:11
“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our
Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good
hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” 2
Thessalonians 2:16-17
“May the God who gives
endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you
follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5-6
“And let us consider
how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up
meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one
another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25
“How good and pleasant
it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like the precious oil poured
on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down
upon the color of his robes It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on mount
Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” Psalm
133:
“Be joyful in hope,
patient in affliction, faithful in
prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans
13:12-13
“Since, then, you have
been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is
seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly
things.” Colossians 3:1-2
“The LORD bless you and
keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the
LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
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