Whetstone Ministries

November: Hunt camp TBD

pcdg — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:15:30 +0000

[ November 1, 2012; ]

October 12-13: Father Son Survival Camp, Arkansas

pcdg — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:15:00 +0000

[ October 12, 2012 to October 13, 2012. ]

September 23: Springdale, Arkansas AWANA begins

pcdg — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:14:17 +0000

[ September 23, 2012; ]

September: Small Groups reform and meet weekly September-December

pcdg — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:13:47 +0000

[ September 1, 2012; ]

July 21-27: Camp AWANA Pals camp

pcdg — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:13:09 +0000

[ July 21, 2012 to July 27, 2012. ]

July 21-27: Father BWCA Son canoe trip guided by Connor Jones

pcdg — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:12:24 +0000

[ July 21, 2012 to July 27, 2012. ]

July 14-20: Father Son BWCA canoe trip guided by Ron Fuhrman

pcdg — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:11:54 +0000

[ July 14, 2012 to July 20, 2012. ]

July 7-13: Father Daughter BWCA canoe trip guided by Ron Fuhrman

pcdg — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:11:16 +0000

[ July 7, 2012 to July 13, 2012. ]

March 16-17: FBC AWANA overnight Buffalo River

pcdg — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:10:36 +0000

[ March 16, 2012 to March 17, 2012. ]

March 1-4: ALERT reunion Buffalo River, Arkansas

pcdg — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:09:58 +0000

[ March 1, 2012 to March 4, 2012. ]

January: Small Groups reform and meet weekly January-May

pcdg — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:09:25 +0000

[ January 1, 2012; ]

December 2: Speak at the ALERT Cadet Christmas Dinner Tullahoma, Tennessee

pcdg — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:08:34 +0000

[ December 2, 2011; ]

Looking Ahead

rfuhrman — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 03:10:27 +0000

As to the year ahead, we have determined to do three specific things. One is to assemble a working team of men in our local area that will be involved in the events and small group activities that we are doing. Second, we want offer a mentorship that would impact some younger men. I believe that there are some men that would like to have an older man he could learn from regarding life and spiritual growth. I foresee working with group of about 5-7 men for a period of one year. This small team of men would meet as a group and with me as individuals at regular intervals. Reading, reflection and specific assignments would be met in an effort to develop spiritual maturity. These men would also participate in the other efforts of the ministry. Third, we are expanding the number of group outreaches for fathers and sons as we focus on the local area. Our objective is to “spread the net” and trust the Lord to bring the “increase”. Since teaching is an important element in the Whetstone mission I will accept more opportunities to preach, conduct more small group encounters and teach other men to lead groups. In summary, our objectives this year are to form a Whetstone leadership team, initiate a mentorship program for growing young men, and seek out those men that need to connect in life giving relationships. My wife also has a special burden for grandmothers and will be preparing a special outreach for them.

Ministry

rfuhrman — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:14:17 +0000

Dear Friends,

Ministry is as close as the next person we meet. Every person is fighting some sort of a battle and we have the opportunity to join with them in the fight. I have come to realize that I cannot fix anyone, although that is what I have been trying to do all my life. I assumed that ministry amounted to finding out what the problem was and then to offer something to fix the problem. In reality problems are God’s provision to know Him better. It is no secret that trials are one of God’s primary means to blessings. That is what James tells us. Difficulties are to be seen as friends, to be welcomed into our life to produce good things. It sure is hard and painful sometimes to go through problems, but that is the very opportunity we all have to connect with each other in the battles we encounter. There is nothing like a good friend to fight with us in the battle, to feel each other’s pain; to know God in deeper ways. How are you doing? I would like to hear from you.

Your friend,
Ron

PODS

rfuhrman — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 14:58:15 +0000

PODS stands for personal,observation, discipleship (or discovery), and spiritual growth. It is a word we’ve adapted to our small group approach. Over the last three years I have been involved as a chaplain in training. The training utilized small groups with a goal of personal and professional growth. I know the concept is not new and many are using this very successfully but for me it was a new thing.

My mode of ministry was teaching. I believed that if we just tell people the truth that the Lord would then produce the change. I was missing one important element in the process and that was that God wants to connect people in deep relationships to aid the growth process.

I have learned that the Lord uses people in the process of spiritual growth and it is exciting to see others growing in the Lord. I have also seen men participate in a group for a long time and miss some of the important dynamics of the group. It took me almost three years to finally realize what it was that I was experiencing.

Do you have a personal growth experience that you’d like top share with others? What can we do to help you launch a ministry to men? Send me your thoughts, questions and comments.

For more information about PODS, Learn More.

Giving Thanks

rfuhrman — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 22:28:18 +0000

I am so glad our nation’s leaders decided it was a good idea to encourage folks to set aside some time to give thanks. I can think of so many things that have happened this year for which we are grateful. We are thankful for all of you who have involved themselves in one of our events, for those who have grown closer to the Lord, for the safety He has provided over the many hundreds of miles we have traveled and for a clearer understanding of how we are to work out His calling . I continue to be amazed at how God uses people to do His work. I often feel like John Newton who said, “I am a great sinner but Christ is a greater Saviour.”

Our hunt camps were the best so far. Next year we plan to include opportunities for those who would prefer not to hunt with a gun but with a camera. In addition, we are planning on several Boundary Waters canoe trips. Permits are available in the early spring and I would like to encourage those that have never been there to take this opportunity to experience this part of God’s creation. I am also planning a leadership training trip for the early spring. If you would like to learn how to disciple men consider taking this time with a small group to experience growth as a Christian man.

Opportunities

rfuhrman — Wed, 23 May 2007 19:13:21 +0000

The other day I shared a message with some men and was impressed with the fact that God does not ‘need’ us to work for Him, because He is self-sufficient. But it is a privilege to serve Him, however, and to be a part of His plan. This morning I felt burdened and asked the Lord to use me today. On two separate occasions as I was doing normal things, I met strangers that had needs and both individuals opened parts of their wounded hearts to me. I believe the Lord allowed me to share His love with them. It is not hard to find a person with needs, if they are alive and breathing most likely they have a need. I trust that God will use you to care for hurting people, in fact it may be the next stranger you meet.

An Answering God – Psalm 20

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 16:42:22 +0000

Do you believe God hears you when you call?

Some people seem to have “selective hearing.” For example, children may pretend not to hear their mom or dad when they think they are going to be disciplined or when they think they are going to have to do something they do not want to do. Even adults are sometimes accused of doing this!

You may know someone who has a hearing problem and wears hearing aids. If they do not respond when you say something, it could be because they do not have their hearing aids in their ears, their battery might be exhausted, or your speech pattern may be difficult for them to understand. Surely they do not intentionally ignore you when you talk to them!

You can be confident that God hears you when you call to Him. He will “hear thee in the day of trouble; . . . defend thee; Send thee help . . . strengthen thee . . . fulfil all thy petitions” (vv. 1, 2, 5). Your love-relationship with the Lord began when He saved you; “Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed” (v. 6). God not only gave you eternal life, but He will continue to “hear [you] from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand” (v. 6).

David was called “a friend after God’s own heart.” He may have had a closer relationship with the Lord than you think you do, and he may have experienced salvation from many impossible situations in his life. But, when he wrote this psalm, he was able to totally trust the Lord, and he wanted people yet to be born, such as you, to be able to do the same. He was praying for you when he wrote, “[The Lord] Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfill all thy counsel” (v. 4). Trust the Lord, call out to Him, and tell Him your desires. He will hear you, because He always listens to His children.

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God” (v. 7).

An Awesome God – Psalm 18

admin — Mon, 23 Jan 2006 16:35:12 +0000

Have you told God that you love Him?
A man walked into a florist shop and said, “I need something to give to my wife for Valentines Day.” The florist, trying to be helpful, asked, “Would you like flowers, balloons, or a stuffed animal? We have a lot of choices.” He said, “Oh, I don’t know, just give me something.” She replied, “What do you think she would like?” He said, “I don’t know, just deliver something to the house that you think she will like.”
Obviously this was a man who did not know how to express love to his wife. Do you know how to express your love to God? It is easy to say words such as, “I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. . . . my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, . . . my buckler, . . . and my high tower” (vv. 1, 2). These are all true, but He is such an awesome God that these do not adequately describe Him. How can you really say, “God, I love you”?
Love depends upon relationships. They usually become stronger during difficult times. This is especially true of a relationship with God. David wrote, “The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me” (vv. 4, 5). You may never have difficulties as bad as David did, but there will be times when you have no option other than crying out to the Lord. He is pleased when you cry out to him because it acknowledges His desire for an intimate relationship with you.
Try writing out a prayer something like the following to express your love to God. “Lord, you know my heart better than I do. Please accept my love and gratefulness to you. Thank you for the difficult times that you have allowed to come into my life, because every one of them has caused me to love you more. You have been so good to me during my lifetime. I cannot imagine what it will be like to be with you forever. I am overwhelmed by the thought of it. Father, thank you for loving me, even during those times in my life when I have not been very lovable. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.”
<strong>“The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD . . . and sing praises unto thy name” (vv. 46, 49).

A Listening God – Psalm 17

admin — Sun, 22 Jan 2006 16:33:07 +0000

What if you think no one is listening to you?
A patient with a very common illness told the hospital chaplain, “If I just had a doctor who knew what to do about my problem, everything would be fine.” Her husband said, “She has a good doctor, but he needs someone to give him some lessons on ‘bedside manners.’” She needed someone who would listen to her questions and talk to her with a loving attitude.
It is awful to be in a situation where you do not feel like anyone is listening. When you have a problem or a need, you may feel that no one has time to show you that they really care about you. People offer all kinds of services, but it may seem that they are only doing their “job.” You may feel that people want to tell you what you need, instead of allowing you to describe what you think your needs are.
The good news is . . . someone is listening—someone who knows more about your needs than you know about yourself. The Lord is listening. Have you taken the time to get to know Him? How often do you cry out to Him when you have a need? David describes his experiences with the Lord, “I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God; incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest . . . them which put their trust in thee” (vv. 6, 7).
Are there times in your life when you do not cry out for help because you are not sure anyone is listening? Does it seem like your world is falling apart? There is another option. Believe in the Lord and trust Him to take care of your needs. He has not promised to arrange all circumstances in your life so that everything will be the way you want it. However, He has promised to always be with you and to provide what He knows you really need. It is up to you to trust Him.
Have confidence in the Lord and learn to enjoy life as He provides for you. There is nothing wrong with asking Him to change some circumstances in your life. However, learn to be satisfied with the life He gives you and thank Him for it.
“As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake, with thy likeness” (v. 15).