Change a person, change a community. Change a community and change the world. The progress is simple, though the actual happening a little more daunting.
I often think of the people who are changed by spiritual parents or mentors. Continue reading Change One, Change The World
In God We Trust…
One of my gifts is that of teaching people to hear from God. My sincere question to someone describing a dream, vision or something else and asking me my thoughts, is “What is God saying to you about this?” Because at the end of the day it may in fact have more value and more insight then the best prophetic word you can receive. Only the other day a “pre-believer” asked me about hearing from God. In the beginning you may be unsure. You may not even be sure. But, I would say to you God truly has you on speed dial and is looking for you to answer and hear His voice. Continue reading Finding Trusted Counsel
A true spiritual parent or mentor will ascertain the gifts and the strengths of an individual. They will also look to the weaknesses as well as areas of change that can be worked on. But in the end, they look at both and encourage an individual to move forward towards completeness, wholeness and His pathway of purpose.
In the early 90’s I worked for a retail company. I worked in a lot of the locations. I traveled here and there adding “maturity” to their workplace as well as expertise. It was during that time I met some young men who over time became “friends”. As I moved up in the company they often contacted me with their business thinking and some conversations about faith and such. Continue reading Wisdom Walks In Freedom
There is no doubt in my mind that there will be times of crisis. Perhaps a loved one is ill or someone has died. Perhaps it is the loss of a job or a change in employment. Seasons come. The scriptures tell us in 1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. We will experience trials. Continue reading Trials May Not Be Optional
I want to be encouraged. I work hard to be an encourager. I have spoken numerous times on encouragement. It is and ought to be one of the pillars of the Christian walk. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Sometimes you are required to encourage yourself!
A true mentor will encourage the person he is working with. The world has moved in another direction. The generation of “me”. “Me” does not promote others. The scriptures are clear I think that we ought to look out for the needs of others. To lift them up. (Utopia moment…what if every one felt viable, happy and whole?) The mentor who understands the power and value of encouragement will cause their “mentees” to grow well. (Look at Paul and Barnabas in Acts 4:36-37; Acts 9:26-30 and Acts 11:22-30) Continue reading Encouragement is Key!
I don’t know about you but as a child I was pretty wild. Folks that knew me from my childhood most likely are amazed that I actually made it through that time in my life. Certainly it was the God from above who kept me from utter destruction. As a child, I grew up in a small rural neighborhood. With lots of neighbors. Let me tell you that even when my parents weren’t home my neighbors were watching! People looked out for one another. Continue reading Accountability Removes The Roughness
I often wonder what people are thinking. If a child was not gaining weight or growing, people would be concerned. They would begin to investigate the reason behind the lack of growth. Questions would be asked. Is it an organic reason? An environmental reason? Are the parents not contributing to the growth of their child? Something is not right…what is it? We would be concerned. Continue reading Growing Up Is The Way To Go
I had something pretty much already for this morning’s post on mentoring. Then I went to bed and the dreams kept coming and coming. So, let me share them with you and the connection I have found.
The first dream took me to this place that seemed rural yet populated. There was a man who was singing “If I had a hammer, I’d hammer out danger. I ‘d hammer out injustice…” Now at 3 in the morning I thought that was pretty weird,I will take a note and go back to sleep. (I did.) The dream came back. Someone had given him a hammer.And he was hitting a large steel girder placed in the ground. With each swing of the hammer, the resounding noise would cause the things about to “straighten”, to come into line. The longer he hit the more the “earth” developed harmony and order. Continue reading Dreams That Lead To Sound Thinking
Yesterday I wrote about mentoring. Many people wrote me about it. I am glad. I think it is often a piece missing in the walk of the believer. Today I want to deal with character a little. I can tell you a lot of people want to mentor, but currently do not have a grid for it. For one there are often areas of life that need to be worked on. This is important in moving ahead for both parties. Continue reading Character & Integrity Are Important In the Mentoring Process
Last night I had the opportunity to share on mentoring with the adult class at our VBS. (Which was epic this year!) One of the things the Lord shared with me some 15 years ago or so was. Every Timothy needs a Paul. Every Paul needs a Timothy. And every Barnabas needs a Paul.(And vice versa.)
Rather than make this a very long writing for a Saturday, I am going to break this up into a couple of parts. That thinking and subsequent decision is the result of listening to one of the best builders I know. A true Paul (Or Barnabas.) in my life. Continue reading To Mentor..Or Not To Mentor…Is There A Question?
