Mens Night Out

LASAGNA!! O man! If you are a male, love to eat and hear an encouraging word or song you HAVE to find out about this amazing recurring event that Bob Havey and Alan Seigel have 'cooked' up for men in South Easton, MA every other month... MENS NIGHT OUT!

I was privileged enough to minister for my second time at one of New Englands premier Christian men's events, Men's Night Out... and again, it was definately a highlight in regards to my appetite for ministry... as well as lasagna.

I was thankful for the opportunity to minister and for God's faithfulness in moving men closer to Him by His word, worship and a call. God moved powerfully as He prompted us with an invitation to be 'topped off' by the Holy Spirit, which was recieved and acted upon by many men that evening. It is SO encouraging to see men listen intently and respond to the Lord's prompting. I can't even say how much of a blessing it was for me to be there... I TOO was ministered to greatly.

Two things stuck out after that night. (Alright, three things... but I wasn't going to write about my 'abdomen' in this post.) I had many great conversations that evening with men who were sincerely wanting to be more for Christ. I prayed with one man who earnestly repeated over and over 'consume me.' CONSUME ME. It wasn't just the words... it was the fervor in them, and I couldn't help but reiterate in agreement... YES Lord, consume him... consume US. I couldn't help but think, we were created from dust... and God breathed life into us... and much like wood when it is consumed is reduced to dust or 'ash'... WE TOO are to be consumed. I found myself thinking of the energy that comes from fire... the 'heat'... the 'light'... the 'crackle' and embers that rise. Yes Father, THAT's what we want to bring warmth, light, energy, to 'snap' for you... and to let the heat of Your Presence carry us upward as we die to ourselves and live and burn brightly for You. Yes Lord, consume us. (thank you my friend... you know who you are... it is ALWAYS an encouragement to see men FOLLOWING HARD after Him... you blessed me!)

The second thing that stuck out about the evening was a sobering yet encouraging conversation which caused me to rethink some things a bit. Another gentleman that night spoke with me and reiterated a story that I had told that LAST time I ministered at Men's Night... and he remembered it WELL. It was a personal testimony... a story about a God encounter I had some time ago. He closed the conversation with, "that has always stuck with me." This hit me... the power of a personal testimony. I mean, not that I want to neglect personal testimonies BUT I would so rather speak of just HIM sometimes... HE is IT! Why bother wasting time speaking anything else and yet, how HE chooses to work with, mold and speak to us is ALSO amazing. I prayed with this gentleman that evening... that 'we' would have MANY encounters to share that would point men to Him and the amazing relationship that we CAN and SHOULD have with Him. The Word says that we should be iron that sharpens iron... Father, give us more of the stories of encountering You... AND the personal PASSION that goes into sharing those amazing moments... and as we share them, let it be YOU Father who is glorified and lifted up... and let THAT be the message that stays with the hearers. (again brother, thank you for your encouragment... keep pressing in to Him and seeking His Presence.)

God is on the move... lets move with Him!

ALL HIS BEST,
Troy Bourne