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Our Mission
Our mission is to disciple, counsel, and instruct men, women, couples, young adults, adolescents, and families how to live more openly in relationships, and how to live in and experience the freedom and fullness of the life Jesus Christ has promised for us all. |
Eyes of the Heart Quicklinks
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 True Heroes
One of the headline stories on the news in Denver yesterday was about a local pastor arrested for child sex abuse involving children from his congregation, so if this article seems a little jaded it is. It is paramount that we find people we consider heroes of our faith.
If you were to ask Christians today who do they follow or admire many would list their pastor, youth director, a Christian music artist, or even a Christian author. I am guilty; John Eldredege, C.S. Lewis and Mark Batterson are three of my favorites and they have helped me to redefine my own faith.
Take the time to sit with this question, "Who are my Christian Heroes?" Now many of you probably wrote down Jesus and the disciples. That answer doesn't count because that better be obvious, and pretty much the cornerstone of your faith. Many of you wrote down your preachers name or your youth pastor, but are they really doing the things that God instructed us to do (Matthew 28: 18-20) ? Jesus' toughest criticism was for the teachers of the law. I have to give youth directors some reprieve because many of them do it from the love of their heart (not money), but there are plenty who do it to sooth their own brokenness from lack of their own childhood or worse (sexual deviance), so who are the Christian Heroes? I am not knocking all pastors by any means that is not my heart; especially men like John Tinnin, Ken Anderson and others who understand that we are all broken and in need of a savior. However, people ahave become disillusioned with the institutional church and we need to change. We need HEROES!
What about people like me who enjoy reading what others say about God and writing my own thoughts? Don't get me wrong many authors want to pass along a message they feel is important; but they also want to get paid for doing it as well. They want to sell books; they want to be known, but success can lead them to be a substitute God for many misguided followers. I have been guilty of this myself on both counts.
I want to introduce you to one of miy heroes. His name is Paul Njuguna. Paul traveled from Kenya to Jackson, MS to go to seminary at Reformed Theological Seminary to learn the Word of God from theological experts. While we were both attending RTS we became very good friends. His smile immediately awakened a room when he entered. My children adored the man; his charm was genuine and the essence of Christ was all over him. He came here with nothing and relied totally on the provision of God while he was here. My sons Davis and Michael taught him to how play basketball. Davis still refers to Paul, as the man who is the best three point shooter in the world.
While eating with my family one day Paul confessed that Christianity was different in Africa from the United States. When I asked what he meant he explained, "We live by true faith." I was amazed at the answer, but the reality of the moment hit me square between the eyes. In the western world we feel like something is wrong with our faith, or worse with God if everything is not going just like we planned it. He also confessed to me that one of the top reasons for him coming to America was to find funding to build a water well in his village. A covert operation; the man was also very shrewd (Luke 16:1-8). Wow, just another trait that Jesus admired immensely. This man gave up three years of his life with his family, his friends and his church for water. Paul, I love you and you are my hero!
If you have a hero please share it with me at mike@eyesoftheheart.com. I would love to hear the story.
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A Vision for Marriage
 In the story of creation in Genesis 2, shortly after man is created, God says, "It is not good for man to be alone." So He creates Eve. Now we have relationship with another person. Since God created us in His image, one of the many things we reflect is the desire to be relational with others, especially our spouse. We are made to complement and need one another; to fight alongside one another, not at one another.
Most businesses have a mission statement, a vision and purpose for their existence. I often tell pre-marital couples that a vision for their marriage is very similar. Often times, the young couple can't see past their own infatuation of one another and tend to think that a mission statement for their marriage is loony. However, once you're married for a while, the idea starts to make sense. What is our purpose as a married couple? To quote John Eldredge, "Marriage is the privilege and the honor of living as close to the heart as two people can get. No one else in the world has the opportunity to know each other more intimately than do a husband and wife." We get to know the true selves of another person, not the false self that we tend to show the rest of the world. We are entrusted with another person's hopes and dreams, their hurts, their fears.
So is it any wonder why marriage can be so difficult? Sadly, many couples focus on trying to change their spouse to make themselves happy (I'm guilty of that on more than one occasion). Many couples tend to think this is the pinnacle of marriage - happiness. While happiness is important, it isn't the main goal of marriage; it is a result of something else. We marry someone who (directly and indirectly) challenges us to change and grow in ways we never knew we needed changing. Dan Allender said it best when he stated that as couples we are to "challenge each other to reflect the glory of God." The Bible begins and ends in marriage, so I'm thinking God wants us to understand the importance of this particular relationship. We can learn so much about ourselves in relation to God and others within the context of marriage. As we do, we allow Him to change the areas in our life that don't necessarily complement our spouse, and in the process become more conformed to Christ's image and live more freely. | |
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Upcoming Events at Eyes of the Heart Ministries
A Celebration of Eve-Valentine Dinner
 Come enjoy the music of Blake Scafidel as we celebrate the wonderful women in our lives. There will be music, good food and possbily dancing for all of our Baptist friends.
Where: The Man Cave, 400 Monroe Street, Clinton MS 601-924-5433
When: February 13, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Dress: Business Casual, but bring your dancing shoes.
Seating is limited and it will be a first come first serve occasion. Cost is $100.00 per couple
Calling Retreat-Strong Rock Camp, Cleveland, GA
Our ministry is built around the verse Ephesians 1:18. In this verse Paul writes, "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you." Nothing is as important as living within God's will for your life. Every man has a purpose; a calling on his life. As Paul expresses our importance and place in the kingdom later in Chapter 2 of Ephesians he emphasizes our calling again, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
As men if we don't step into our calling/our purpose/our mission that piece simply won't get done. Our role is our role; it is unique to us! I invite you to step into your calling with us. We are excited to announce that Gary Barkalow will be leading 'The Calling" weekend adventure. Please check out Gary's new ministry www.thenobleheart.com. Many of you who have attended "Wild at Heart" boot camp know Gary and his message of living a life of purpose. Come explore deeper what God has in store for your life.
 When: October 1-3, 2010
Where: Strong Rock Camp, Cleveland, GA
More information is coming!  |
| "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you" Apostle Paul |
| Eyes of the Heart Ministries
402 Monroe Street
Clinton, MS 39056
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