Tues mornings at 6 am - waking up with God - November 2008

[Doug Kaufman]

Every Tues morning - five of us men get together at 6 am in the basement of a jewelery store to grow together with God. There is a lawyer, a cpa, a jewerly business owner, a guy that helps run a charity, and me (a realtor). I joined this small, intimate group recently - I'm amazed at how five guys with diverse backgrounds and active schedules can wake up to God. We are honest with God and honest with each other. We are bonding. We pray, read and study the Bible, share our joys and our many pains.I am the only individual who is a former twi'er - so I tend to listen more than talk - on purpose. To be involved with other men and being able to participate freely has been refreshing and healing. We can even disagree with each other. No one is kicked out, threatened, reported, or told they have 'spiritual problems'. (Almost sounds like the Nazi's - doesn't it). Knowing that I don't have to use the old twi vocabulary or preformulated beliefs is liberating.God is profound. God will work in your life, sometimes when you don't even ask. God will nurture and allow you to grow. God can and will use a variety of people and events to bring a person closer to Him. God will get your attention.One of the guys there is having difficulties with a second business in real estate development. With the state of the real estate market, real estate development is no way to live. It can be a life changing event, and not for the better. The emotional pain of the real estate market has forced him to rethink his life, and to consider a meaningful relationship with God.I was recently separated this past summer. My friend with the real estate difficulties gave me a hand in dealing with the initial separation and ultimately suggested to redirect my attention back to God. It's not a quick fix, but it's right.Both of us refocused because of circumstances we could not control. Pain can be such a marvelous teacher. Without the pain, we would not have sought the relationship with God that we currently have.These are my initial reflections of the past few months. As I continue to wake up to God, I will add to this spiritual diary - praying that it will help at least one other person.Doug Kaufman12/04/2008

[dick michaud]

Thanks for sharing Doug. Yes there is life after The Way. There are many wonderful, loving, and committed Christains out there with wonderful hearts and that is what we have to look at or ask God to show us.

[George M. Hendrix]

Don,
It's exciting that you are experiencing this.
a brother is a brother is a brother is a brother.........the spirit of God born within a man or woman or child is the same regardless of the environment from whence that birth came, it is God's gift of grace.
Isn't it wonderful, that when we have relationship with God our Father, and with our Lord Jesus Christ who is the head of the body, we find ourselves able to love without respect to religion, denomination, ministry, doctrine, theology, race, etc.? The love that God has for us and causes in us liberates us to proactively love others the same way He loves us. I think Jesus summed it up the best:

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Love and blessings!
George

[Dan Haas]

Thank you, Doug. I am praising God.

[Davis Crowell]

Doug...Good "stuff"!.......Yea! We do have to get to this "point" that you are realizing! I have attended a church here in Barrington, IL. "Willow Creek Community Church" for quite some time. A few years ago it was deemed "the most influencial church in America". I wanted to know why!!!!

Last week this fellow, Bill Hybels, who with a group of "rag tag" 20 year olds started this church in the early '70's spoke on "Preparation". He spoke of preparing our hearts our lives for this upcoming season. Does he believe Jesus Christ is God? Perhaps! Does he speak in tongues? Don't know! Does he believe we go to heaven at death? Yes!.....But you know what?...... He spoke to 1000's that weekend and lives were changed.

In your group that you meet with on Tuesday morning, you guys "get it". There may be only 5 guys, but you 5 guys have decided to "bond", to lay aside all this theological "stuff" and to genuinely love one another.

I applaud you

[John and Janet Ruiz]

That's good news, Doug. Sounds great. You were in the 15th Corps? I don't believe we ever met, but if we did and I've forgotten it probably went south for the winter with a few other brain cell bud's. I was in the 4th, with my lovely wife. Glad you're here and glad you made it! Look forward to more as you write.