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GREETINGS
FROM PHIL
"I remember the first time I was
truly in awe of God. I was caught up for the first time in
my life in something so massive and loving and transcendent
and ... true. Something I was sure could be trusted. I
specifically remember thinking the universe was safe, in
spite of all the horrible, tragic things in the world. I
remember being overwhelmed with the word true ... I thought
I was going to spontaneously combust with joy. This was
real. This mattered. What it was, I wanted more. I had never
felt that way before."
This quote is from Rob Bell's book:
Velvet Elvis - Repainting the Christian Faith. The
words capture my heart. Since God awakened my cold, dead heart
to Him years ago, I have stood in awe of Him and all He does
IN and THROUGH me. This communication with you is an attempt
to alert you to the work of God through our ministry with
Business & Professional Outreach, Intl. We also want to
share some of the wonderful things happening in our family.
The words of Rob Bell capture the feeling I want
to convey to you. Nothing arouses my heart the way seeing God
work in the hearts of the ones He brings our way does. I am
humbled and exhilarated by service to Him for the sake of
building His Kingdom and seeing restoration happen in the
lives of men and women who need Him. God is good and we praise
Him. I hope you enjoy this report ... CELEBRATE WITH US!!!
Ride ON!
Phil
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MEN'S COACHING
Since January, we have conducted three
Coaching Weekends at Ebenezer Place. Men's lives have been
changed. Listen to a sampling of the
comments:
"My walk with God was powerfully impacted by
sharing my heart with other men."
"The Weekend
has helped me to continue to learn and struggle with giving
control of my life to God for Him to
direct."
"I have been involved in other
recovery groups and men's groups for many years. This
experience ranks at the top of the list for me. Every man
who claims to be a follower of Christ would do himself good
by being part of "Deer Camp."
"I attended this
Retreat seeking to experience growth and clarity - through
this safe community of men; I am now seeing the blind spots
in my life."
"The Retreat helped me to
realize I am not alone in my despair and
problems."
"God is so good - He has
allowed me to see I need to trust in His plan for
me."
"A huge benefit of the Retreat for me, was
realizing I'm not the only one feeling isolated and
understanding the common faults we all
share."
"I can honestly say that I feel my
faith has been broadened and deepened."
"I feel
like I have had a beginning to a lasting
change.
God is using the environment at Ebenezer Place to
facilitate the gathering of men who need to be restored,
renewed, and reconciled to all He has for them. We will
continue to be faithful to all He wants to do through us in
seeing the lives of men impacted for the Kingdom. Please see
our website for future Coaching
Weekends. |
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| Highland Colony Men's RoundTable |
 On
Thursday morning in a corporate headquarters, men gather to be
Inspiration, Instruction, and Insight. As the morning begins,
John Nordan, our Host welcomes the men and offers them a
perspective for life and why we gather on a Thursday morning.
Then, one of the men shares his story ... how he is learning,
growing, and changing in his spiritual journey. Then, I begin
by quoting the following:
"Be on the
alert, stand firm in the faith,
Act like men, be
strong.
I Corinthians 16:13 - The Message
Men are being coached, counseled, and taught in this
community-wide outreach. We recently completed the series:
Lean on Me - How to Trust God as a Way of Life. At
present, we are working through the series: When a Man
Loves a Woman - understanding the Beauty and Mystery of God
through the Women in Your Life.
Here's are quotes from men
who are being changed:
"Be
on the alert..Stand firm... act like a MAN (I Cor. 16:13)
... something through the work of GOD, Phil Hardin is
teaching me.
Admitting that I fail-admitting that I have
come way short of my wife, my boys-my God."
"I
just wanted to let you know how much I have grown
as a man
in God's light since meeting you at Men's RoundTable. ...
I just wanted to let you know that it's really cool
to
have a man relate to the Lord and Life as well as you do.
Phil, you rock!"
I am humbled and
encouraged by these comments. I simply want God to use my
gifts to help men be all God designed them to be. The forum of
Men's RoundTable is an exciting weekly opportunity for men to
be fed spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. Through
music, video clips, and open sharing, men have a unique
gathering to overcome whatever hinders them from being the man
God intends them to be.
You can LISTEN to
the audio and see the video clip of each Thursday morning's
Men's RoundTable by going online to
http://philhardin.podbean.com/
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| Mentoring Group |
| Every Friday morning from 6:30 to 8:00 AM,
a group of men gather for instruction, equipping, and
encouragement. Two pieces makes this group unique. First, the
worship that the men offer to one another as they bring music
that have inspired and aroused their heart toward God.
Secondly, the men are studying the life of David. The stories
of David offer men a picture of how to face the many
challenges that confront them daily. Music and pictures being
used to awaken men to all that God has for them. Each Friday,
men leave this gathering with fresh perspective on how to walk
with God and have an influence in their family and the world
for the Kingdom of God. Consider these words:
"All
Jesus did that day was tell stories - a long
storytelling afternoon.
His storytelling fulfilled the
prophecy:
I will open my mouth and tell stories; I will
bring out into the open things hidden since the world's first
day."
-- Matthew 13:34, 35 - The
Message
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| Passionate Living Counseling |
| Karla and I continue to offer our ministry of
counseling to those whom God brings our way. Each week we sit
with men, women, and couples who are asking for special
attention to an issue that makes life not work for them. If we
can be of help to you or anyone member of your family or
friends, please call our office. We want to
help! |
| Home Front |
This last six months has flown by! Both
girls have been at pivotal points in their lives and we have
"burned-up" the highway to both Starkville and
Tuscaloosa!
First of all... drum roll... Audrey graduated from Mississippi
State University! Yes, and with honors in only four years!!
Needless to say we are so proud of her and her faithful years
as a student and as a spiritual leader on the campus. When she
arrived at MSU there was one "new" Christian in her sorority
who was trying to represent a living faith. Audrey saw her
house as her ministry and asked God for a spiritual legacy
there. The last week of school all the Christians in the house
had a time of sharing and launching the seniors... it was over
25 girls! Audrey truly "bloomed where she was planted".
Presently, she is interning with a very high profile
photographer in NYC (with Tom Cruise, George Clooney and Rudy
Giuliani on his website, I have classified him that way!). She
is learning so much and is seeking a job in the city after her
internship is completed. If anyone has contacts in NYC
please let us know since networking is the most effective way
of job
searching!
Abigail, too, has had a significant year! First of all her
book was released March 28th with her first book signing in
Jackson, MS. She had her "moment of fame" as she sat where
John Grisham and other famous authors have sat and signed
books for a fan base that was lined up to the door! At
19 years old she has experienced something most will never
know! Her book has been so well received. We look
forward to this year of traveling and promoting it!
You can also read and see about her foundation!! Needless
to say this has been a turning point in her young life! But
the fun doesn't end there! After some encouragement she
entered and won a pageant that led her to the state Miss
Alabama pageant (of the Miss America Organization). She had 2
months to prepare for this amazing week and she was fortunate
to receive the most scholarships of any new girl along with
recognition as a talent finalist and one of the seven
community service award winners. It was a growing week and she
is excited to go back! She also found her "spiritual" home
with the Navigators on campus and got to go on an outreach
with them over spring break. She has been asked to join the
student leadership and she is excited to learn how to disciple
girls!
As you can tell our worlds have been about "launching" this
next generation to be responsible godly leaders in their
world. We are humbled at their faithfulness to walk with Him
in every area of their lives. We are
blessed!
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You are a Partner in Ministry
We want you to know how grateful we are for your
support and friendship. We love the life God has given us. YOU
help to make our ministry calling possible. YOU are part of
our TEAM. We are grateful for YOU!
Passionately
Building HIS Kingdom,
Phil and
Karla |
| Business and Professional Outreach, Intl.
P.O. Box 958
Clinton, Mississippi 39060
Office Phone: 601-925-0707
Website:www.bpointl.org | |
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