I’ve heard our lives are better when we have these three friends in our lives: a  christian mentor, a friend who is on a similar journey, and a friend who isn’t quite as far along in her walk that we can mentor.

Mentoring helped change the direction of my life.

I was ready for God to make big changes in my life.  Through my mentor, He provided a friendship that would help me grow and stay on course. I’ve learned so much over the years, that helps me run my spiritual race, I thought it would be fun to share some with you!

What my mentor taught me about myself, others and God

-          The right question, asked at the right time, can take a friendship from zero to 100.

-          It’s healthy to cry. Really.

-          Jesus adores us.

-          No one is above the need for flat-out-on-your-face-prayer

-          Praying in secret can include blanket tents and flashlights if you want it to

-          Nothing is more important than a daily time with Jesus.

-          We make time for what’s most important to us

-          Give away things that are attached to past relationships that we shouldn’t be attached to anymore

-          Even if we aren’t gifted for singing, sing loudly anyway

-          Feeling sorry-for-ourselves-temper-tantrums are no longer acceptable when we are past 2 spiritually

-          It’s okay to be sad, hurt, angry… just don’t live there

-          When you find your specific purpose, it will excite-you-like-crazy

-          If we never get what we want, Jesus needs to be enough

-          Christian women look the youngest, at any age

-          People are always, always more important than things

-          There won’t be dust in heaven (ha, this is probably specific to my mentor)

-          Not one sin is ever above God’s grace

-         We all have the ability to commit the sins we read about in newspapers – the only reason we don’t is Jesus

-          Healthy boundaries are always healthy

-          Pouring into others will have challenges.

-          Our rewards might come on this earth or they might come in Heaven

-          God watches over us when we sleep

-          He puts people in our lives sometimes for a time, a season and sometimes forever

-          Gucci aside, we are all called to lifestyle mentoring

-          Pedestals are too tall – even for short people

-          The Bible is either true or it isn’t

-          There are no coincidences with God

-          If Jesus wants you to have it, he will give it to you

-          Growing can be painful

-          Growth can include practical things like organization, time management, etc.

-          Great mentors have the patience equivalent to JOB

-          That Jesus believes in us more than anyone else

-          Seeing what Jesus sees in others comes before growth

-          Mentoring Is Circular — It should continue with the mentee becoming a mentor

-          There is no room for gossip or jealousy in friendships, bible studies or our lives

-          Teaching others to lead, speak and use their gifts builds everyone up

-          A great spiritual mentor points others to Christ, more than pointing to themselves

-          Thinking, talking & planning for eternity should. be. exciting. (not morbid!)

-          Whatever we need in Heaven (animals, chocolate, books… yay!) will be there — if it’s not, we will never miss it  

Do you have a mentor who has made a difference in your life?   What would you add to your list? 

Why Communication Matters

I spent a few months working at a local church near where I live.

This church is doing GREAT THINGS.

For instance, when I was working there I found out that this church…

• Assists people in its local community with food, gas or emergency shelter
• Houses a stocked food pantry
• Provides free or nearly free fun events for hundreds of children & families in the community
• Provided over 1000 Thanksgiving meals for local people in need
• Gave Christmas presents to hundreds of children and familes
• Adopts and supports ministries and missions

These may seem simple and natural for many churches – but for the person who walked in off the street, it could have been a game changer. When I learned just how this church handled the desperate person at their door or on their phone, it was a game changer for me too! 

Communication Creates Connections

Churches, we are want to hear WHAT you do and WHY you do it!

I don’t need to tell you I stopped writing this blog post to take my neighbor to visit a very ill friend (unless I’m making a point) because it’s probably won’t help you understand me better – but there are specific things – that your ministry should be communicating to your members, neighbors and community to build relationships.

What you say communicates what you care about and why you do what you do.

Communicating Your Mission and Message

I’ve been following Church Communication Strategist, Tim Peter’s blog on branding and communications for awhile.  I think it’s one of the best blogs on church and ministry communications, and his information is a wonderful resource for people who are passionate about church communications.

Tim recently created the church communication training resource Sayge Resources to help ministries create and share messages.  He shares these important 12 Essentials communication practices that he believes churches need.

The 12 Essentials of Church Marketing and Communications are

Vision Identification
Vision Identification is clarifying who you are, what you do, why you do it and where you are going. You will receive very specific instructions and exercises to achieve clarity on your vision.
 
Guest Experience
Your first-time guest experience is critical to guests returning to your church, and possibly to any church.  The great part is you can improve any experience and we will give you the ultimate experience evaluation checklist to make improvements.

Social Media
Learning to use social media to reach the lost and to extend the influence of the church isn’t just a good idea; it’s a must.  The key to social media is interacting with your audience through great content and conversations.  We will give you an easy-to-use content calendar to develop and distribute content.
 
Brand Standards
Brand Standards are the compilation of documents where you articulate your key communication messages, establish a visual identity and explore ways to protect your brand.  Your church will receive a Brand Guide to help you create your very own Brand Standards document.
 
Communication Strategy
Your communication strategy helps you determine what, when and how you will communicate.  The development of a communication strategy is critical and we will give you a template to develop a compelling strategy.

Project Systems
Andy Stanley says, “The systems down the hall trump the vision on the wall.” If you don’t have systems in place, standards and strategy mean absolutely nothing.  You will receive practical methods and customizable project management system templates.

Web Essentials
Today’s church visitors will most certainly check out your church on the Internet before they attend for the first time. Your website should be a web experience, not just a website.  You will receive case studies and critical evaluation tools to help maximize your web experience.
 
Audience Connection
Ever been disconnected on the phone but not realize it until you have finished speaking?  Then you understand the importance of making sure you are connected to your audience. We will give you customizable focus group agendas and surveys to connect with and learn from your audiences.

Volunteer Mobilization
You have an army of creatively gifted people who attend your church every week. Learning to recruit, train and mobilize them will catapult your communications ministry to levels you never dreamed possible.  You will receive volunteer job descriptions and master lists on how to recruit and train volunteers.

Creative Leadership
Creative people are not easy to lead and motivate.  Understanding how to lead creative people, and those in authority over you who lack creativity is critical.  We will equip you as leader with practical ways to lead with meeting agendas, exercises and tips.

External Marketing
Most churches make the same marketing mistakes: the message is not unique; the content is not inviting; and there’s no long-term strategy in place. If that description fits your church’s marketing, it’s time to make some changes.  You will receive over 50 practical and relevant ways to market your church.

The good news is, you don’t need hours of research, big budgets and countless cups of coffee (ok,… maybe you will always need your coffee!) to master The Essentials of Church Communications.

The Sayge monthly training contains the wisdom of some of the greatest church communication leaders in our nation today. Each month you will receive a coaching video, comprehensive eBook, and hands-on application tools to help you master the 12 Essentials of Church Communications – at a great price.

Check out Sayge if you’re ready to take the next step in your Church or Ministry Communications

What’s the most challenging part of ministry communications?  Let me know in the comments! 

One of the most wonderful things about the Christmas story is that Jesus came to earth for EACH ONE OF US.  He loves us so much more than we can ever imagine; He knows the number of hairs on our heads ….

He knows exactly what EVERYDAY things will fill up our hearts in BIG ways and remind us of his love for us.

Margaret Feinberg has a new book and 7-session DVD Bible study called Wonderstruck: Awaken to the Nearness of God which releases Christmas Day. (She’s offering some crazy promos right now with up to $300 of free stuff. I’ve seen the book for as low as $7.95 on Barnes & Noble!).

Her book shows us how to be more aware of God’s special-on-purpose-surprises. 

This is our personal invitation to toss back the covers, climb out of bed, and drink in the fullness of life – turn your prayer life upside down, stir our desire to live more abundantly, and take our relationships with others to the next level next year.

Margaret recently posted a great warning on her site that those who have read Wonderstruck have experienced the following symptoms:

-An inability to stop smiling
-An uncontainable desire to pray
-A loss of interest in judging others
-A quiet, unshakable confidence in God
-A renewed ability to see the wonders of God all around

These would make for some adventurous New Year’s goals — and we could keep our chocolate!!

God goes to great lengths to show us how deep His LOVE is for us.
God wants to bless our socks off in ways that he can.

There are times, I walk -around-with-an-all-day-smile at his love for me! Once, I wanted a small, nice wooden box to place some special scriptures in. I didn’t really have the money to buy one. A few weeks later, I stopped into a second-hand store, and there it was — a small cedar box, exactly what I had been thinking about. Not only this, but there was also a small version of a picture that I had been admiring for awhile.  I knew immediately they were for me!

I’ve sat in wonder at sky painted in colors that catch my breathe, and I’ve stared at the wonder of leaves that paint a wondrous picture of colors.  I’ve ran into old friends I prayed for the courage to call, and been amazed at how God opened doors I couldn’t knock down.  Small, personal, and specific made me feel loved, known and adored in a HUGE way. 

He does it for all of us, not just me.

So, how has he “awed” you and shown you wonders of his love for you? 

Want to learn more about Wonderstruck? Watch the Wonderstruck Video!

Should I give Jesus my chocolate?

I put it out there the other day and I can’t help but talk about it.
Thinking about Jesus  wanting “everything” eventually gets me thinking of chocolate…

For those of you who know me,  you know that I’m not being disrespectful, I’m serious. A few of you have told me I need delivered, and other friends… well, I think we are even better friends because we share our chocolate with each other in rough times (you will need to read on).

Wondering why in world I would even consider such a crazy thing?!

I’ve been part of Mary DeMuth’s launch team. I’ve been doing the happy dance for weeks now, and NO it’s not on video, and my family is thankful that I’ve decided to NOT embarrass them in this way. I’ve been reading through Everything. It’s about growing like crazy in real ways, that aren’t programmed, and are often NOT easy. YET,  we get so. much. more. back. from. Him.

Why it took forever for me to give Jesus anything

When I walked from Jesus as a teenager, I walked far and fast.

At some point, I started thinking about walking back towards him

I listened to Christian radio stations, while at a bar had curious talks that I can’t remember now about Jesus, and sporadically visited church, trying to blend in the back row wearing-a-you-can’t-hide-in-that-crazy-short-dress, sister.

“When we operate by considering Jesus as the well, drawing all to Himself, we can rest instead in His genuine irresistibly and His ability to draw others to Himself.” – MaryDeMuth, Everything

He drew me.

I debated… afraid of failing, not doing it right again…

But he didn’t give up.

And I wish that I wouldn’t have wasted so much time thinking it over…

My life would have changed so much sooner.

He asked for my past

When I finally decided that I was going to follow Him, I THOUGHT I had decided to give Jesus everything.

Because He could handle it, I piled it on… unhealthy relationships, abuse, loss, abortion, bad decisions.

He took every bit of it. 

He carried it off

And handed me back peace, security, joy 

things I could never find before no matter how hard I tried.

“I must depend on His ability to bring sprouts limbs, flowers and fruit.” – Mary DeMuth, Everything

And he asks us to give more, grow more

If I could have stayed in the place where I just gave Jesus my past, we wouldn’t be talking about chocolate – we still are, really. The past few years, I’ve struggled giving Jesus many things – my career, marriage, mommy expectations and my body.

When my body rebelled on itself and I got psoriases in waaay too many places to be cute, I gave Jesus my desire to look how I want to look. Many times I sat crying next to a pile of clothes that didn’t cover anything right.

Lots of tears, anger, giving, taking back, and finally I handed it over as much as I could.
And he gave me back inner confidence – not cover girl confidence, but Jesus kind of confidence that doesn’t wash off easy. What’s grown in and through my hard places is only evidence of Jesus being there.

Sometimes I’ve said, “Okay Jesus… how much more do you want?”

And I think he might say,  ”Depends… how much do you want back from me?

And I want ALL that Jesus has for me.

We made it back to chocolate, and you thought we’d never make it back!
This is where I probably should say, I will give up chocolate – but I don’t know that I’m ready… yet.

But I do think about the debating and time I wasted before, and I think about all he gives and I wonder if I should hand it over now. 

I DO know He’s waiting for when I’m ready,

and He will have something so much BETTER  than chocolate for me.

Since I’m still having chocolate …

you should enter this Pin It & Win It Contest to win a Kitchen Aid Mixer, in sky blue #Everythingbook color.
If you win, you could make some chocolate chip cookies to share with me!  :)

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/winterdove

RACE

I think I’ve been in a race all my life.

Three months early I came because I wanted to win.

Come first.

And I needed a large head start

Because I would fall so far behind that it would seem like I had

Dropped

Out

Of

The

Race.

But life and pain and circumstances and my own stubbornness couldn’t keep me from seeing

that there was always a way back, a cleared path laid out just for me

where I could re-join

and run with all my might

I’ve stopped to train, to rest, to breathe the wind deeply into my chest

To savor the word. time with the father and son

Filled, washed, revived

And I see the new path and I run.

(stop)

Every Friday Lisa-Jo, The Gypsy Mama chooses a topic and bloggers gather up the courage to spend only five minutes writing (no editing) and share what they wrote. #fiveminutefriday

I hate quitting

While Jon Acuff might like the word Quitter,

I’m guessing for the rest of us, quitting rarely looks appetizing
and when we risk it, it sits heavy and soured in our stomachs. In our just-do-it-culture, it’s no surprise that we don’t want to befriend the word, thought or deed – praying none of its bad-habits or mannerisms rub off on us.

But what if God begins to leads us to quit?

What if quitting is part of practicing listening and learning to trust Him more?

Quitting is almost as hard as starting.

When know that quitting is for our good, the goal can motivate even the weary.

When I finally quit smoking seven years ag0, I was excited that soon I’d be able to inhale deeper and exercise harder.  No negatives to my quit – I didn’t worry that I’d miss my hair smelling like stale cigarette smoke, or that my food would taste too good.

But quitting doesn’t always feel so sure or nice.

Sometimes when we have to give up doing something good, it too closely resembles a loss.  It makes sense that we hate losing more than quitting. That’s why small things can be just as hard to release.

We seek. We ask. and if the answer comes in the midst of doing – how often do we begin the chant of unhelpful words said to ourselves?

When we put up a fight to do it all, our tight fitting boots don’t leave room for us to grow into the place where God calls us.

Source: Everything book, marydemutheverything.tumblr.com
Graphic created by Renee @reneeannsmith.com 

Quitting can narrow our focus

maybe. uncomfortable. stops. are. ways to make our paths straighter, smaller. Straight paths create mixed feelings for a lot of us, especially those of us who cling to lots of choices. 

How do we quit then?

Instead of feeling cut-0ff from the rest of the world, I’m trying to rest in as I let things get cut away, the most fitting things for my life are able to freely grow along my path.

Writers have to learn this too.

Cutting, deleting, turning back, and starting over is the difficult, rewarding plot of the writer.

I started my first blog in “play” mode.  No real plans or pressure, and I gave myself the freedom to practice writing when I felt like writing and shared bits of my writing in smaller, quite places online.

On this blog, I’ve quit “playing” and my writing is becoming a little more intentional, and  focused. I joined other bloggers, through communities online – wonderful, beautiful ones, healing ones.

but I sense the need to stop. and. focus. here. so. that. I. can. see. my. own. path. come. into. view.

So, if you haven’t noticed, I’m quitting my 31 days of prayers for a five-year-old series

I completed it last year, and was so excited that worked full-time and blogged all 31 days.  Even though it seems like I have more time this year, God is narrowing my vision. There are some fabulous topics from other bloggers at the Nester’s place. You really should visit!

(Or you can just visit a few of my favorite 31 dayers – the Gypsy Momma, Raggle -Taggle, Chatting at The Sky )

My plans to be involved in online community and prayers for my son haven’t changed –  but the gentle voice leading me, or maybe I just got quiet enough to hear it.

What on your path is becoming smaller, more focused?

Is your writing path spotted with stops and redirects?

By the way, Mary DeMuth’s new book, Everything is going to be released in 4 days!  Woo Hoo!!

I read an advanced copy of Everything  and I’ve been blown away by the deep spiritual truths, wrapped in easy-to-apply words for every believer. You will want to add this book to your collection of books that changed your life!

31 days is a community of hundreds of women who have gathered together over at the Nester‘s place and write on one topic every day during the month of October

31 days is a community of hundreds of women who have gathered together over at the Nester‘s place and write on one topic every day during the month of October

31 days is a community of hundreds of women who have gathered together over at the Nester‘s place and write on one topic every day during the month of October

31 days is a community of hundreds of women who have gathered together over at the Nester‘s place and write on one topic every day during the month of October.

We barely made it out the door,

And for the first time since school started, there were no prayers …

I’m giving myself grace.

And I’m thankful our children always gives us more grace than we would give ourselves.