The Long Wait (Long Blog Too...), But It's Gonna Be Worth It!

I'm going to write here as much as I know of where God is leading me in presently. Probably the best thing for you (the reader) to do to have a idea of where God has been leading me is to read my last three blogs posted on this site. They will give the story of where He has brought me so far. Honestly it has been slow in coming, at least to my impatient flesh, but I have learned to wait, and in that waiting He has been preparing me.

I honestly don't know how He plans to manifest what "The Fishin' Hole" will become, but that's fine with me. I'll just follow Him one step at a time at whatever speed He wants to go. Going one step at a time means I can follow Him without trying to manipulate an outcome that I think should be achieved.

We have been having some Men's study here periodically. He has identified certain ministries for The Fishin' Hole to support. But how The Fishin' Hole will function has not been divulged to me as of yet. Nor am I having any anxiety about knowing how He will build it. I do confess to being excited and it is certainly nice to not feel pressure to make something happen.

I believe that God would like for The Fishin' Hole to have the same premise it was founded on:

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Psalm 37:4 says: “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart”. When I first read this verse I had a “Let’s make a Deal” mentality. My motive was to get the desires of my heart, not delighting myself in the Lord. I am now seeing how God means for this to work in my own life.

As far back as I can remember, I have loved fishing, the sea, and as I got older, boats. I remember as a small boy fishing with my grandfather, standing in shallow streams in Washington State, catching rainbow trout and putting them in a fish basket. I also remember as a small pirate fishing here on the Gulf Coast with my other grandfather. He would give me his cane pole and put a little piece of bait on the small hook and I would tirelessly catch one pinfish after another, all while drinking coffee with him out of his thermos. I recall the day I caught a 13 inch white trout (a monster at the time) while fishing with my dad. I cannot tell you how many Saturdays, during my teen years, I spent on the Three Mile Bridge with my friends fishing the night away. Then there was the time with my dad fishing in a way too small boat, in way too turbulent water, but we truly caught the monster that day! I have taken my own sons fishing, bringing back memories of good times together. Those were the days!

I spent many hours of my formative years in a pool hall. It was my favorite hangout because everyone knew me and many of us truly cared about one another. There was this unbelievable level of openness and trust. We would shoot pool, play cards, eat together and leaned on each other when necessary. Sticking together through thick and thin, and there was a plenty of both. Those were the days!

In the past I have spent my fair share of time as a volunteer bartender, in my home and others. Alcohol aside, it was always nice to spend time together with friends and share our life experiences. Those were the days!

“Cheers” is one of my all time favorite TV shows. It was often kooky and had a little to much hormonal overload from Sam. However it was a place where “everybody knows your name”. Who doesn’t want to be where everybody knows your name?

What does this have to do with Psalm 34? Please receive this as boasting in the Lord and not myself. I have been seeking God, trying to “delight myself in Him”, not as a means to get the desires of my heart but just to know Him more. Well, well, guess what. That’s right, “desires of my heart”.

He is bringing so many of the streams of my past together. He made me the way that I am. The personality He gave me is being aligned with His will to be used for His glory. It is amazing to me to look back at my life and see what He has been up to all along. The gates of hell cannot prevail against Him. The only thing that can screw this up would be disobedience. (Pray for me to know and do His will at every step).

So what’s up. Tomorrow Greg’s Fishin Hole takes a next step. The opening of a place where we can come together and share life. A place where we can be there with one another and for one another. A place where we can play, pray, laugh and cry. Where everybody knows your name, and I pray it will be a place where everybody knows His name. A place where God will get the glory. These are the days!

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The Fishin’ Hole

From Bible Study Paths Feb 2010

Mission/Ministry

Dateline: Panama City, FL Greg’s Fishin’ Hole

On an unassuming street, a mile or so as the gull flies from the white sugar sand beaches of Panama City, Florida, is a place where everyone could come to know your name! It is known as The Fishin’ Hole.

Greg May, saved Christian, husband, father, grandfather, postman, and well-loved friend of countless souls has taken his garage and made it into a place that is warm and welcoming for Believers and non-believers alike.

One Saturday night, my husband, Henry and I, visited The Fishin’ Hole. The cold cola and world famous nachos were in front of me almost before I could find my stool. The place quickly filled with old and young, men and women, laughter and hugs. I can’t wait to go again!

BSP: How did Greg’s Fishin Hole come about?

Greg: Jody, the best way I can explain how the Fishin Hole came about is my blog Crewed Awakening. The Fishin Hole is the manifestation of the rivers of my life coming together. What a revelation in my life to see how God has been working all along!

BSP: What is the desire that the Father has planted in your heart about this ministry?

Greg: At first my plan was to create a place of “comfort and safety” for believers (particularly men) to come together and enjoy one another, to fellowship, have bible study, etc. A “Cheers for Believers”, I thought. Although these are good things, God has busted right through this plan and expanded what the Fishin Hole is to become. Luke 15:1-2 comes to mind, Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him. The Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them.” (WEB)

I heard a man from the Middle East explain how seriously they take eating together. That for a Middle Easterner to sit at someone's table and eat with them meant that they were considered family! No wonder the Pharisees were offended when Jesus ate with unclean sinners. Aren’t we to do what Jesus did? Aren’t we to be Jesus to the world? Besides, what’s the difference between us (Believers) and them (non-Believers) besides the grace of God that we have accepted? So, I pray that the Fishin Hole is becoming a non-threating place where people from both sides of “the family” can come and ”eat” together like we should.

BSP: So what are some of the things that happen at the Fishin Hole?

Greg: We do have a regular (weekly) bible study. There has also been a couple of meetings of church groups at the Fishin Hole. We have had a guest speaker from Israel. But more and more the Fishin Hole is becoming an everyone place. There has been party nights with games and football on the big TV. There will be movie nights and food nights and combinations of both. Some friends of my sons had a Hurricane Party and on New Years Day there was a cookout and college football Bowl Games. People from both of my work places, my church, and other churches, believers and non-believers were in attendance. To me, that’s Kingdom stuff! I know we won’t get all of the believers to go to the non-believers and testify, and I know we won’t get all of the non-believers to come to church and hear the Good News, but I do believe we can get some of the believers to meet some of the non-believers at the Fishin Holes.

BSP: What is the atmosphere?

Greg: The “theme” of the Fishin Hole is a “man cave” with a fish camp “decor” (term used loosely).
Literally, my garage turned into a pub-like gathering place. Still “under construction”, we have a large “U” shaped bar (formerly a table saw table) that seats 10-12 people, a big TV, a piano, dartboard, etc. and seating for about thirty people. We’ve had live music and also play some tunes on our fine sound system! (just kidding) Well, you can hear it OK! The nachos and the root beer floats have already become world famous! (not kidding)

BSP: Who is Greg May?

Greg: I’m a stinking sinner saved by the grace of God. A stench only washed off by the blood of Jesus. If that sounds super holy or some kind of attempt at big humility, it’s not, it’s just a rather recent revelation of how big this salvation God has provided for me really is and I’m sure I still don’t know the full scope of it yet.

BSP:Who has influenced your spiritual life?

Greg: Jody for this question please look at the blogs at the Fishin Hole of the Fishin Hole Hall of Famers (Linda and Terri), in particular Linda’s teaching of the Word and living out the love of God and Terri’s living example of discipleship. Also my wife Hannah who lives a Godly life out in front of me. Perry Dalton who always had my back when we were in ministry together or I would have been wounded continually in battle. My current Pastor Alan Ferguson who is a constant encouragement to me. And last but not lesser by any means a group of kids in the 90′s (grown adults now) who lived out faith in front of me and I saw what it was to grow ”in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men”. You know who you are, everyone of you, thank you!

Jody Neufeld is Editor of Bible Study Paths http://biblestudypaths.com/

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I have had some feeling that The Fishin' Hole may function as a Home Church of some sort, or a Ministry that functions in some way like the ministries I support right now. These include local and overseas missions, and ministries that serve the homeless, widows, orphans, the hungry and others in need.

I believe that there are all kinds of churches ministering in the way God has called them serve. I believe that God is calling me (and whoever feels led to join me at The Fishin' Hole) to have two overwhelming purposes: To feed it's people and those elsewhere in need; spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally and financially. Whatever that kind of church or ministry or  Fishin' Hole that He wants that to look like is fine with me!

So stay tuned! You may just want to go fishing with us!

Drop me a line here or at gregsfishinhole@aol.com,

Greg

P.S. Those of you that I told you I was moving...that wasn't a lie...just more of God's timing...and I  
have learned how long that can be! #adayislikeathousandyears

 

 

 

Letting The Clutch Out

Just a little update on The Fishin Hole and what we're up to. Since the last blog update here in June, I have been moving ahead as God directs and waiting in other areas as He directs. I haven't always waiting on God's timing, even when I have had the best of intentions, if I believed God was showing me to do something, then it was "automatically" time to do it.

Like driving a car with an automatic transmission, I would hit the gas and go wide open. After being taught that my timing didn't always match God's, I allowed Him to put a clutch in my "God's timing" transmission. Short version, push in the clutch when He shows me something, then let it out and push the gas when He says.

So, in the last few months, we put His plan into first gear and we are about to shift into second at The Fishin Hole!

First gear was starting a men's group. We've been at this for about six weeks. It's been awesome. Born out of that, a few of the guys in the group have started another men's group that they lead.

Second gear is that God has identified some organizations that He wants me to support. These include various ministries that support the poor, needy, homeless, widows and orphans. I am excited and looking forward to shifting into second, all the while waiting in anticipation of third gear.

Check out the blog reports below to see how this came about and how it has been progressing.

And PLEASE pray for us to follow Him closely, but not get ahead.

Drop me a line,

Greg

Lets Go Fishin!

OK, here goes! If you have read the last two blogs here you have an idea what's up. The Fishin Hole (the place) is not ready for meetings yet, but The Fishin Hole (the mission) is ready to start. This verse really prompted me to move forward now: "Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house." (Proverbs 24:27)

So on Thursday, July 11th at 7pm, if you are interested in The Fishin Hole as a ministry in whole or in part (including Men's small groups, support of ministries to the homeless, widows, orphans, the poor and needy, among other things) join us!

We will meet at The Dock of the May (actually inside in the Galley) as it will certainly be a little warm outside! If you are planning to come (and I pray you will) call me, reply here in the comments or at gregsfishinhole@aol.com and I will give you directions if you need them. If you cannot come PLEASE pray for us to be guided by His will and plan!

I am truly excited and expectant and look forward to seeing you all.

Drop me a line,

Greg

Waiting Until It's His Time

I sent these next two paragraphs (partially edited) to someone I seek Godly counsel from:

"I've spent quite a bit of down time over the past 12-18 months (ministry wise), not bad though, good personal time with God! It was what I might call a bookend time. Starting with publishing "Crewed Awakening" and ending with a Men's Bible study I just finished called "It's in the Toolbox." It goes to the printer next month. In between the two books it seemed like a lot was happening including two sons getting married, a new grandbaby and busy life in general. 

 

In the last few weeks God has been stirring me to follow Him in some things. I can't tell you how increasingly anxious and excited I became, yet He seemed to be having me wait in taking any action until yesterday. As much as I didn't want to wait, I did, I've learned that it's not a good idea to run ahead of Him. I'll be reopening Greg's Fishin' Hole in the near future with additional emphasis on supporting organizations that serve the poor, needy, widows, orphans, homeless, etc. I'm totally open to God in this and I am not limiting Him but expecting more than I could ask or imagine. Such as a bigger place for the Fishin Hole, others coming along side in this ministry and whatever else He wants it to be. I would much appreciate your prayers and guidance in these matters."

 

 

The waiting wasn't easy as the excitement was building in me, but two mornings ago He showed me what actions to begin. I didn't "put out a fleece" or anything of the sort. I wasn't seeking confirmation. I just felt Him nudging me in my spirit to begin to move forward. So I was in no way expecting what happened next.

 

I had put the garbage can out by the street the night before. After it had been picked up by the truck I went to bring it back into the yard. Laying beside the garbage can was a doormat I have never seen before; it has printed on it "Fish Market" and a picture of a fish! Are you kidding me!

 

We are to be "Fishers Of Men", laying down ourselves as we feed those in need with both spiritual and physical food. Wanna go fishing with me?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drop me a line,

 

Greg 

 

The Come Back!

After two books, two weddings, a grandbaby and many other exciting events; Greg's Fishin' Hole will re-open in the near future! I am truly excited and expectant as I anticipate an expanded Mission for Greg's Fishin' Hole along with it's original purpose.

I have been seeking God about this and look forward to sharing this with you in the days and weeks to come. I have and will continue to seek Godly counsel for this endeavor from my personal spiritual mentors and those willing to be involved in this calling, beginning with those of you who have been in this with me all along.

Also, if you have a heart for helping widows, orphans, the poor, the needy and the homeless, please pray about joining us in this effort. I believe we are to begin with our support of those people and organizations that are already doing this type of ministry. If we are led to expand into more hands on service as we move along, then we will proceed in that call as well.

So much more later! Please watch for daily updates including more of what God is showing me and a confirmation that will truly amaze you!

If you would like to contact me about this, you can leave a comment here or on my e-mail at gregsfishinhole@aol.com. I excitedly await your replies!

Drop me a line,

Greg