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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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 Working on Your Script
I had the privilege of sitting with five men this past weekend sharing our life stories. I don't mean the kind you share as you drink a beer with your buddies. I mean the gut wrenching stories that most people are afraid to tell anyone because they may be judged for their actions. It is amazing the power of a man's story as you listen to his life like a movie.
Their stories were stories of survival, restoration, encouragement, and heart break, but the consistent theme was God being there through all of it. It is easy to miss God in chaos if you don't know the whole story. Most of us would crumble under the weight of our life if we knew what was going to happen to us next, but God gave us the greatest gift; the ability to remember, so we could see how He has worked his magic in our past to mold us into who we have become. Unfortunately, most people never get the opportunity to share their life story (Rev. 12:11).
"Deer Camp" as we affectionally call the retreat we did this weekend is one of the most healing experiences that anyone could ever have in their life, but very few people have the courage to put their life under a microscope for total strangers to see. Those that step forward are rewarded with compassion, understanding, clarity, healing and most of all forgiveness from the Body of Christ.
Another huge benefit is the lifting of guilt that comes from hurts in our past. Many sins that we have owned for years are really not our fault. In the book of James it says, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed". Over the years I have realized there are actually two benefits to this verse. First, the sins that we are responsible for will continue to control our lives until we confess and repent. They are much like an open sore that never heals that controls your actions even when you don't realize it. Secondly, many people feel responsible for sins that were actually committed against them. These are just as bad as the first group because repentance is not necessary; it is forgiveness that must unfold for the abuser and for yourself. Jesus shows up every time we have Deer Camp to begin the healing process; He is an amazing Counselor.
I want to again thank the men who attended for entrusting your lives to the group, but more importantly for allowing Jesus to heal your wounded hearts.
Thanks Phil Hardin for showing me the path!! If you are interested in attending a "Deer Camp" weekend please email me at mike@eyesoftheheart.com.
Please take the time to read the following articles by my partner, Phil Prewette. He is a gifted writer. Also, I am including a letter that touched me deeply by a good friend and ally, Michael Thompson. Michael's name perfectly suits him because he carries the Image of God just like the angel Michael. He is a powerful man that his men have nicknamed "The General" If you are considering attending a Boot Camp event this one is the one to attend-See the upcoming events below. |
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Control
Last week as I was sitting in my counseling office listening to a client talk about managing the chaos in their life, I suddenly heard God say, "You need to let that go." Thinking it was for my client, I agreed. God said, "No, you need to let that go." You're talking to me, God? Trying to stay focused on my client, I finished the session. Shortly afterward, I start asking God what exactly it is I need to let go. The answer I hear doesn't necessarily surprise me. I hear Him say, "Everything."
This wasn't the first time God has told me to let go of something. He's been after me for quite some time now. The problem is I don't trust Him enough to let Him have complete and total control over every aspect of my life. I often tell people that they can't change anyone else, let alone control anyone; about the only thing we can control in our lives is ourselves. But even then, God wants control of our lives. He wants to change us, heal our wounds, and make us holy as He is holy. All that sounds great, but why do I resist so much? Why do most of us see what needs to change in our lives, but stubbornly cling to it, refusing to relinquish control?
The answers are many, but the bottom line is what I've already mentioned. I don't trust God enough to let Him have His way. Healing can be scary. It will require more of me and that's something that I'm not always ready to give. It's safer to do things the way I've always done them; it's familiar. Fortunately, God's grace is more than enough, but He is pretty clear in His desires. He wants me -- all of me -- not most of me, but all of me. In my life, God often works with me in letting go of one thing at a time, or even several things at a time. But the truth still remains, He is after my whole heart. It requires me to engage in areas I've refused before, and to step back from certain areas that maybe I've overstepped. It means speaking instead of staying quiet or keeping my mouth shut instead of running it. Change looks different for us all, but there should be outward evidence of the inward work He does in us. Realistically, I can control what I do with my heart. I can hide it and think I'm in control, when in reality I'm allowing other things to strongly influence that decision, or I can give it wholly and completely to Him. I think I'll choose the latter.
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Eyes, Ears and Heart
Welcome to the New Year! It didn't take long for the pedal to hit the floor and things to accelerate did it? A friend and I were talking last month about life with God, the church and why it's so hard for men, (including the two of us), to engage in life. It seems passivity is always trying to pull us in, like one of those guys at the fair on the midway constantly inviting you to play a game that you can't win. Another friend of mine and I were heading to a small men's retreat we were hosting with 25 guys at the beach. On the drive down he told me that even though he has been a Christian for 20+ years, he would describe his life as severely disoriented. I knew exactly what he meant.
Just this past weekend my two best friends and I were talking about an upcoming event where we will be sharing, and the subject came up (I turned it into a prayer later) that a surgery needs to take place in our eyes, ears and eventually in our hearts. Jesus often talked about all three (eyes, ears and hearts) and shockingly, the ones who did not see, hear or engage their hearts were the ones who should have. The faith leaders of the day, those who knew their scriptures backwards and those who led others in their God journey actually missed the son of God. It's scary that those who knew the most recognized him the least. How can that be? Answer that question and you might likely start a wave of freedom not seen since Martin Luther and his 95 Thesis back in the early 1200's. What if God was authoring another chapter of reformation? Not revival but reformation... taking what the church thinks it knows about Him and reforming it. Delivering, again, the key pieces that will change the shades and colors of Christianity as it's known today. We believe He is and we long to be a part of it!
God is authoring a much larger story than we knew and with every step our little band of hearts takes, we see how God is offering more. Doesn't that make sense- that with an infinite God and with Eternity on the line, it would be more and more and more? It is our prayer that we can be more and more aware, more healed, more restored and more set free so we might know more and more of the life God is offering. I believe that is the best way back to that little band of worshipers who started in Jerusalem. That's what I hope and pray God is up to in the hearts and lives of people. Drawing people's hearts close to His own... inviting them into intimacy and instead of service. Make no mistake, the service will come but it is clear from the time of Christ till today, you can have one (service), without the other (intimacy) and yet there is no way to have one, (intimacy) without it creating the other, (service).
We hope and pray you will stand with us in the months ahead. There are some invites and updates below that we hope you find helpful and engaging. Thank you for your prayers and financial support. You have no idea how they sustain us, thank you.
For the eyes, ears and heart we need... for the more that is ahead, and for the intimacy with the one who made us, and with grateful hearts,
Michael and Robin Thompson and the Zoweh Ministries
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Upcoming Events
March 18-21 Top Gun Retreat - Young Life Camp, Rockbridge, VA:
Not like any retreat you have ever heard of, or been to. Expecting 300 men, group sessions and time alone with God. Shot guns, clay shooting, fly fishing, archery, camp fires and rope courses during free time.
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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