We Are Called to Be Different

September 9, 2022September 5, 20227 Comments

Table of Contents

We are called to be different.

These days many of us would prefer to melt into the crowd than to stand out as different. We would rather not stand out or bring attention to ourselves. But in truth, as Christians, we really should be different. Our lives should attract others to us. No, rather it should attract others to Christ.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10

I recently read these scriptures from 1 Peter. They always prick my heart and cause me to look deep to see if my life is indeed different. However, this time it seemed to have even more meaning. The reason is that it was brought to my attention to whom and when this was originally written.

Perspective Changes Things

It was written by Peter to the Christians in Rome around 60 AD. The emperor of Rome at that time was none other than Nero. You know, the guy who let Rome burn. The guy who persecuted Christians horribly by placing animals skins on them and throwing them in with wild dogs to watch the dogs attack and devour them alive. Other times he dipped the Christians in wax, tied them to trees, and burned them alive as candles for his evening parties.

When I think about the fact that Peter gave these strong instructions to persecuted Christians, I am ashamed that we are so timid to stand up for Christ because it may cost us something. We give in to the tiniest of temptations because we don’t want to be different or called out.

10 Ways to be Different

Rid yourselves of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. (1 Peter 2:1)
Crave the Word of God. (2:2-3)
Abstain from sinful desires (2:11)
Submit to EVERY human authority. (2:13-14) Notice it doesn’t say “If you agree with them”.
Love the family of believers. (2:17)
Fear God.
Honor the emperor. (This was Nero remember?) Are we honoring our president?
Submit to your masters. (2:18) Can we change the wording to ‘Submit to your boss?’ even when they are harsh
It’s commendable to suffer for doing good. Persevere! (2:20-21)
Don’t retaliate when threatened or insulted. (2:23)

This is the first of Peter’s instructions to the Christian in Rome.

He goes on to address the way we treat our husbands and wives. Peter tells us how we should treat one another, being kind and compassionate and understanding. And then there is the idea that we shouldn’t repay evil for evil. He tells us that Christ gave us the perfect example and we should follow His example giving up all of our so-called rights just as He did for us. He took on suffering and we should do the same.

That is how we stand out. We stand up for what is right paying the price no matter the cost just as Christ did. Let’s make a pact to start be different from the world. Ask God to help you live more like Him in the coming year. If we all join together to live different lives think of the difference it will make!

From one Christian to another, let’s do this!

Called to be #different! Let's Do this! Click To Tweet

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How Experience Creates a Deeper Faith Walk & LinkUp

February 11, 2020February 19, 20206 Comments

Christianity is more than a theory about the universe, more than teachings written down on paper; it is a path along which we journey – in the deepest and richest sense, the way of life.
from The Orthodox Way by Kallistos Ware

The Way of Life: a Path Which we Journey

This quote in itself is the experience that I desire to find this year. I want to follow the old paths as Jeremiah instructed us. (Jeremiah 6:16) And here it was in the first chapter of Bob Bennett’s Disciplines for the Inner Life. You see, Christianity is more than just a prayer and hallelujah. It’s a personal relationship we experience every day, deeper and greater.

Christianity is more than just a prayer and a hallelujah. #ancientpaths #experiencegod Click To Tweet

Yes, We are saved by faith through grace and that is all it takes to be saved. But I submit to you that there can be a much deeper faith walk than just believing that Jesus saves. We can experience this faith and salvation in such a deeper and more real way if we follow His paths and draw near to Him. We can truly experience God when we follow His paths.

Created for Relationship

God created us for relationship: not just to be someone He could lord over and tell us what to do. He desires to be our Father and our Friend: to “walk with us and talk with us and tell us we are His own“. But He also wants it to be a two-way street. That is why He has given us free will – an opportunity to chose this life. He wants us to desire to be with Him just as much as He wants to be with us.

How to Experience Relationship w/God

great faith walk #spiritualdisciplines #faithwalk

Just as with any relationship, talking and spending time with that person is the very best way to get to know them. When my husband and I were dating, we lived four hours apart. But we spent every evening talking on the phone. Many would say that a long-distance relationship is difficult, but we spent all that time talking where few talk this much when on an actual date. By the time our wedding rolled around, we knew each other well.

Throughout Biblical history, men and women talked with God; they questioned Him. They came to know Him through experience.

Adam and Eve walked with God in the Garden every evening. (Genesis 3)

Jacob wrestled with God and begged Him for His blessing. HE said I won’t let you go until you bless me. (Genesis 32:22-31)

Job sat with God and questioned Him about His ways. He learned much and His thoughts about God became more clear. (Job 42:1-6)

The Samaritan Woman talked with Jesus and questioned Him until she understood about the Messiah. She hung on every word He spoke. Then she ran to tell others what she had learned. (John 4:1-26)

What’s the Difference?

Jeremiah described compared those who followed after God and those who did not. Those who follow after the ways of man find themselves weak and parched while those who follow after God become strong like a tree planted by the waters.

This is what the Lord says:
“Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans,
    who rely on human strength
    and turn their hearts away from the Lord.
⁶They are like stunted shrubs in the desert,
    with no hope for the future.
They will live in the barren wilderness,
    in an uninhabited salty land.

⁷“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
    and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
⁸They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
    with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
    or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
    and they never stop producing fruit.
Jeremiah 17:5-8 NLT

Desire to Experience the Power of God

The Apostle Paul desired to know God more than anything. He considered anything in this life not worthy of holding on to. It was like garbage to him. He wanted to experience the Power of Christ that only comes from surrendering everything to Him.

⁷I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. ⁸Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ ⁹and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. ¹⁰I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, ¹¹so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!
Philippians 3:7-11

In Conclusion

Let’s finish up with the next few thoughts from Kallistos Ware…

There is only one means of discovering the true nature of Christianity. We must step out upon this path, commit ourselves to this way of life, and then we shall begin to see for ourselves.
So long as we remain outside, we cannot properly understand. Certainly we need to be given directions before we start; we need to be told what signposts to look out for, and we need to have companions. Indeed, without guidance from others it is scarcely possible to begin the journey.
But directions given by others can never convey to us what the way is actually like; they cannot be a substitute for direct, personal experience. Each is called to verify for himself what he has been taught, each is required to re-live the Tradition he has received.
“The Creed,” said Metropoliton Philaret of Moscow, “does not belong to you unless you have lived it.” No one can be an armchair traveller on this all-important journey. No one can be a Christian at second hand. God has children, but he has no grandchildren.”
From The Orthodox Way by Kallistos Ware

The Creed does not belong to you unless you have lived it. Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow #experiencegod #ancientpaths Click To Tweet

Are You Ready to Experience Christ?

How do you see the things of this life?

Do you desire the things of earth or the things of Heaven?

Seek Him, know Him, and obey Him then you will experience Him fully and completely. Follow my posts this year as I seek to go deeper with Christ. I want to know Christ and experience the power of His resurrection.

I would love for you to partner with me.

In Christ,

It’s Your Turn

How do you leave a legacy with your deeper faith in Christ? What disciplines are important to you?

How to Find the Right Husband

February 4, 2020January 31, 20206 Comments

A Jewel in His Crown by Priscilla Shirer

jewel in his crown : the right husband — created in canva.com

I picked up this book for some insight into writing a post about self-esteem. As I expected, Priscilla Shirer is right on target. As with her preaching, she gets right to the truth of the matter and makes us look deep into our own lives. She will open your eyes to the source of your low self-esteem and actions that come from it. If you haven’t read this book yet, pick it up soon.

We may earn a small commission for our endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website. Your purchase helps support our work in bringing you spiritual encouragement and other favorite product reviews. Thank you.

What I Wasn’t Expecting

I know that how we look at ourselves can obviously affect our relationships not just with friends and family but also with men who would be potential dates or husbands. I was surprised to find a chapter on finding a mate right smack in the middle of this book on self-esteem.

Having made the same kind of mistakes when it came to love interests, I found myself connecting with Priscilla. She shared how she sabotaged relationships and I realized that I had done the same thing in my college years.

We Were Made for Relationship

Today’s society will beg to differ from Priscilla’s words but she has taken her ideas straight from the Bible. Here are some truths she brought forward.

We’re made to be a helper.
God created us to be in a relationship with men.
Our primary purpose is to come alongside a man and assist him.

Ironically, the very thing we were created to do, the very thing we want to do the most, is the very thing that often contributes to our low self-esteem.
One reason for this is the way we prepare ourselves for relationships. Most of us don’t spend time waiting for God’s chosen man by reading His Word, meditating upon His ways, and praying for His wisdom. Instead, we read novels, go to movies, and get hooked on soap operas. We buy into a fantasy world, and we secretly hope that it will one day become the portrait of our lives.
A Jewel in His Crown, Prscilla Shirer

Most of us don't spend time waiting for God's chosen man by reading His Word, meditating upon His ways, and praying for His wisdom . – Priscilla Shirer #findingahusband #gettingthatfirstdate Click To Tweet

The Sin of Control and its Curse

God placed a curse on women. And it follows with her sin. She wanted to do what she wanted to do and she did it. Still today, we are most tempted with the matter of control. We aren’t willing to wait on God to fulfill His plan for us. So we take things into our own hands.

We chase after men rather than letting them pursue us. Men aren’t made to be “captured”. They were made to be the pursuer; to search us out and “win the prize”. When we are falling over ourselves to get their attention, it causes them to lose interest.

We are never, and I mean never, to throw ourselves at a man. – Priscilla Shirer #findingahusband #gettingthefirstdate Click To Tweet

Do We Trust God Enough?

We are often afraid that if we wait on God to bring the right man into our lives, we will miss our chance and end up alone. But God has a beautiful plan. If we draw close to God and His principles, our spiritual beauty will draw the right kind of man to us.

When it comes to taking you from where you are into the phase of life He has chosen for you, will you trust in the Lord to take you to the other side? Your destination may be a whole lot closer than you think. You need to trust Him through patient obedience as you wait on Him. Remember, you are a jewel – a jewel on layaway.
A Jewel in His Crown, Priscilla Shirer

He’s Got This Worked Out

It’s hard for us to believe, but God has this figured out. He knows exactly what kind of man you need for the right husband. You can rest easy knowing that at the right time and the right place God will bring you together. You truly can sit back and wait.

You are of matchless worth. Believe it. And rest in the fact that you are a valuable jewel saved for that one special someone. When we are always chasing after a man it is because we think we aren’t worthy enough, not beautiful enough, not desirable enough to draw that man to us on our own character.

When the Right Husband Comes Along

So as we wait on God for the right husband to come along, we need to spend our time reading His Word, meditating on the scriptures, praying for wisdom. As we grow in Christ we become more attractive on the inside and the outside to the spiritual man you actually want and need.

When someone comes along, you can look for a few specific things.

He will cherish you. He will do whatever it takes to please you. You will feel like a princess. When he talks of you, it will be praise.
He will be the leader in your relationship. You will have been chosen by him without you chasing after him. He will be a great decision-maker. This does not mean that you will be treated like a floormat. If he is doing #1 above, he will include you in the decision making process. He will want you to be happy with the decisions.
And, of course, He will have a strong relationship with the Lord. Not because you love the Lord, but because he has made a firm choice to follow Christ. It must be real or it won’t last.

Are You Attracting the Right Husband?

What tendencies do you have in the way you relate to men/your husband?
Do you truly trust God to take you to the other side of singleness?
What relationships in your life need to be given to God?
What do you expect from men whom you choose to date?
Do you want to date at all? Why or Why not?

Grieving is a Gift

October 22, 2019April 29, 20202 Comments

“Grieving is a Gift” may not settle well with you. One doesn’t realize how much effort grieving takes until life hands you a situation with which you experience grief.

Grief and grieving aren’t just for death. You can experience grief in the loss of a job, friendship, a move, divorce, a child marrying… the list is inexhaustible.

How we grieve is of great importance and grieving well takes some work. I am going to recommend to you that you grab a copy of the book “Good Grief” by Granger E. Westberg. This book has become a valuable tool for me and I hope you will read and re-read it as necessary. Stop in at your local Christian book store or pop over to amazon.com and order yourself a copy.

Stages and Phases

Dr. Erich Lindemann, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard, described the stages of grief and the grieving process in his article “Symptomology and Management of Acute Grief” published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, April 1991. Granger says “In this remarkable study he (Dr. E Lindemann) demonstrated the difference between normal grief reactions and abnormal or morbid grief. He showed the importance of helping the grief-stricken face up to the struggle of “working through” grief.”

Granger also goes on to list the stages of grief and reminds us all that we will not necessarily go through all the stages, much less in the same order.

Stage One We are in a state of shock
Stage Two We express emotion
Stage Three We feel depressed and very lonely
Stage Four We may experience physical symptoms of distress
Stage Five We may become panicky
Stage Six We feel a sense of guilt about the loss
Stage Seven We are filled with anger and resentment
Stage Eight We resist Returning
Stage Nine Gradually hope comes through
Stage Ten We struggle to affirm reality

When grief comes knocking

Looking back, I would say that my first experience with grief was when I graduated high school. It was a major change in my life. I was moving on from being a kid in high school to becoming a young adult. Graduating meant that I was leaving the comforts of the life I knew and embarking on a brand new adventure and I was scared.

Going to graduation parties became a real struggle. I remember sitting in the car and crying not wanting to go. Going meant it was over and moving on just seemed daunting. I was grieving a personal loss. I was upset that everyone else seemed happy celebrating, but I just thought of graduation differently, and that was okay as long as I didn’t continue feeling that way. The work of grieving had begun. This grieving was a gift and it was preparing me for bigger griefs I would encounter in life.

Eventually, the feeling faded. I began to happily anticipate my college training in the Veterinary Technician program and looked forward to registration day at MATC.

Grieving has no time limit, it’s not an exact science

Grieving will be different for us all. It is within that difference we need to be patient with one another. We lead different lives, have different responsibilities and will have our own unique way of grieving. What may work for me, most likely won’t work for you and that is okay, as long as we grieve well.

All too often, when we encounter someone grieving, we want them to stop crying, and to cheer up. Crying makes people uncomfortable. Crying reminds us of how broken we all are. It may also remind us of a time when we were grieving and how uncomfortable it feels, how vulnerable you feel when you are grieving.

Grieving well

Grieving is a gift that I have come to appreciate. For me grieving something or someone keeps my eyes focused on an eternal destination. This is not our only life. I like what Apostle Paul says:

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 New International Version (NIV)
¹⁷For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Grieving stresses to me mindfulness- begin mindful of where I place importance on people and things. Is what I am doing, thinking, saying making a positive difference for me and those around me?

Grieving also helps me in relating to others who are hurting. I remember my friends who stopped by my parent’s home while my dad was dying. The hugs and words of encouragement were a balm to my soul. Hearing others talk about their hospice experience was helpful also.

I am thankful that I have learned to grieve well.

Movie Review: Same Kind of Different

June 14, 2019July 30, 20202 Comments

movie poster - Same Kind of Different as ME

This Movie Stirred My Soul

I just finished watching a movie, The Same Kind of Different as Me. I had to come to tell you about it immediately while my heart was still moved. This movie is based on the true story of an international art dealer who cheated on his wife. His wife forgave him but for penance, she required him to come with her and serve at a local homeless shelter. She dreams of an angry homeless man that is very wise. Low and behold he showed up at the shelter. Deborah tells her husband to befriend him. It took time and several tries but he finally makes friends with him and the story begins. I don’t want to spoil the story so I will stop there.

I will say that the homeless man taught me two things I hope to not forget:

We are all homeless, just looking for the way Home. Everyone has a past we are not proud of and we are homeless because this world is not our home. We need to look beyond what we see (race, status, education) and realize that God is the only way home. We are all the same kind of different and we need to come together to help each other make it home.
Some people need to have the “hell” loved out of them. Sometimes, we must look deep, really deep to find the good in people. But it is there. We can’t give up on them. Keep loving them until they find the God that loves them.

Watch the Trailer

Same Kind of Different Touches all Emotions

This film will have you learning, laughing, crying, and finally, searching your own attitudes of the heart. Check out the 4-day devotional plan available on YouVersion.

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Rent on Amazon Video

At the time of this writing, rent it for $2.99. However, Sign up for a trial month on Amazon Video membership for only $3

Same Kind of Different is based on the book written by the actual people that experienced this God Story. It has some great actors like Jon Voight, Greg Kinnear, and Renne’ Zellweger. You will also love a beautiful song by Brad Paisley, Stubborn Angels.

Brad Paisley’s Stubborn Angel

True Story Told by Those who Experienced it.

If you are more of a book reader than a moviegoer, you can pick the book up in hardcover, softcover, Kindle, audiobook or CD MP3. There’s is even a children’s version to help you teach your children about kindness.

This movie stirred my soul. #samekindofdifferent Click To Tweet

Do a Book Study

Same Kind of Different as Me

How Your Simple Life Can Leave an Eternal Legacy

April 23, 2019April 29, 20204 Comments

You had a great life planned out. But here you are changing diapers, running a vacuum cleaner and planning daily meals. Or maybe typing business notes for your boss or scrubbing floors at a restaurant. How did you end up here? And how are you going to make any difference in the world doing this? You only have one life.

You had a great life planned out, but here you are doing menial tasks. #leavingalegacy Click To Tweet

Challenge Accepted

A retreat speaker once said she had chosen “GG” to be her grandmother name. It stands for “Godly Grandmother”. My mind drew a picture of a saintly old woman in her rocker with her Bible on her lap. Yes! I want my children and grandchildren to have a godly grandmother. One whose voice and advice echos in their mind long after I am gone.

I have always looked up to my grandmothers and I want to follow in their footsteps. I decided then and there that “GG” was my desired grandma name also.

What Makes a Godly Godmother?

I returned home from the retreat and God began to talk with me about what does that mean? Are you suddenly a godly grandmother just because you have 3 or 4 grandbabies? A grandmother is loved and treasured. She makes cookies and treats for her grandkids but how do you get that “godly” word to form in front of “grandma”? God began to show me that to be that Godly Grandmother, it had to start now. Now before my children are even raised and having children of their own.

Actually, it doesn’t really have anything to do with being a grandmother. It has to do with living a holy life before God and man. Studying His Word. Spending time in prayer, listening to Him, obeying His commandments and instructions to you, worshiping Him on a regular basis. Living life before your children and grandchildren that exemplifies God. This is the definition of a godly grandparent.

It has to do with living a holy life before God and man. #LeavingaLegacy Click To Tweet

Only One Life

There’s a familiar poem by C.T. Studd. You may only remember these two lines. But really, they say it all.

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. – C.T. Studd

https://paulhockley.com/2016/05/24/quote-only-one-life-twill-soon-be-past-poem-by-c-t-studd/

I recently picked up a book by Jackie Green and Lauren Green McAfee. You may know them from the largely publicized fight for rights ~ Hobby Lobby vs. Obamacare. Jackie and her husband is the founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby. Or more recently they have been largely involved with the creating and opening of the Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C.

Only One Life: How a Woman’s Every Day Shapes an Eternal Legacy

Mother and daughter teamed up to write this precious book about legacy. They share about the matriarchs in their own family and how they themselves have been challenged to continue the legacy to new generations of the Green family.

There lives alone would encourage us to live godly legacies but they don’t stop there. They submit that there are many ways to create a legacy in our lives by showing us a dozen different roads to legacy. This alone creates an excitement that, “yes, indeed”, no matter where you are in life, you can create a lasting legacy. Legacy comes from the courage we live out through our struggles. It comes from lives of generosity, wisdom, compassion, and of course, the faith and prayer that we might first think of.

"yes, indeed", no matter where you are in life, you can create a lasting legacy. #bookreview #legacybuilding Click To Tweet

Jackie and Lauren create this excitement by sharing stories of women. Stories of Biblical women, known and little known, that made a difference all the way to the cross.

Legacy Builders of All Times

There are also so many women of history that encourage us that we can make a difference for the next generation. They share about Susie Spurgeon, Elizabeth Elliot, and Corrie Ten Boom, and many more down through history.

And then there are those leaving legacies right now in front of our very eyes, such as Joni Eareckson Tada, Mary Beth Chapman, and Christine Caine to name a few. And the list keeps going and going.

Even if you have no legacy to fall back on. You can lean on these and others to encourage you to build your own legacy for others. Even if you have no children to whom a legacy can be left, others can see your life and be encouraged.

I recommend this book, Only One Life: How a Woman’s Every Day Shapes an Eternal Legacy It would be an excellent place to begin to find leaders that leave you an example for building a beautiful legacy for the next generation.

Concluding With the Authors

“We believe that God will multiply our days and shape an eternal legacy.

So, women of God, together let’s be a generation of legacy-building leaders—of generosity and prayer, through loyalty and witness—wherever God calls us to go. A great adventure lies ahead!
Only One Life: How a Woman’s Every Day Shapes an Eternal Legacy

CHALLENGE: Let’s Make a List

Summer LEgacy Link-up ~ Will you join us?

So, who has built a legacy for you?

We want to know. Michele and I are planning several legacy link-ups this summer. We’ll begin with women who have built your legacy. Start thinking about who that is and write a tribute to her. Post it in your own blog and then come back here and link up with us. Share your post and read about other legacy builders from our readers. Michele and I are excited to learn who has built a legacy in your life and why they encourage you to continue the legacy.

Leaving a Legacy;

Subscribe before you leave to be notified when the link-up is live. We can’t wait. How about you?

I purchased this book after seeing the Greens interview on the Huckabee Show. The above review is my personal and honest review. Following you will find the Huckebee Interview.

Huckabee TV Show

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Table Mentoring: Blessed to Be a Blessing

March 22, 2019April 29, 20207 Comments

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am not being paid to write this or being told what to say.

Table Mentoring: A Simple Guide for Coming Alongside by Sue Moore Donaldson.

I’ve had a desire to come alongside others for years now. (And have actually been doing it) But I really didn’t feel like I knew what I was doing. This little book gave me assurance that I was doing the right thing plus a few more pointers as well.

I’ve heard the admonishment that each of us should not only have a mentor but be a mentor as well. Are you turning back to give someone behind you a hand? This little guide will help you do it.

Here’s an excerpt Sue asked me to share with you …

In my early 20’s I met Jeanne Garrison. Jeanne was wise, gracious, funny, and for some reason, loved me. She showed it by pouring her wisdom into me, her time into my time, her life into my life. Living life with Jeanne alongside made all the difference.

I was a new college grad, starting my first whirl into the real work world—single and facing my first career, a new roommate, a new town, and a new church family. Not floundering exactly, but needing emotional, practical and spiritual support.

Meeting my Mentor

I don’t remember how we first met one-on-one. I do remember sitting at Jeanne’s table, talking and talking, usually a cup of tea in one hand and a pen in the other. (It was good to have a pen when I spent time with Jeanne.) I also remember Jeanne’s response: spoken with a smile, a gentle word, often a chuckle of understanding–never a judgment:

“You know, Sue, this is how it was with my mother.”

“Sounds like you could use help in this area – let me get this organized for you.”

“The most important thing you can tell your students is that God is your most important thing.”

You see why I was grateful. Everyone needs a Jeanne.

In my late 20’s I met Karen and Carol, Debbie and Gerri. They were high school Juniors—smart, motivated, filled with dreams and goals, and for some reason, they loved me, too. I asked them one afternoon:

“Would you like to meet with me after school some day–say, Wednesday? We can talk about your dreams and goals, your guy-relationships, your mom-relationships, and most of all, your relationship with God?”

They said, “Yes” and off we went. We met three months, once a week, and then, I sent each on their way: to meet with a Freshman girl. Fresh from our three months, on to a new three months. Table mentoring, one-to-one, one-to-three. Passing on what they knew, what I knew and now, I pass it on to you.

Table mentoring worked.

For me, for Jeanne, for high school girls ready to fly. And it can for you, as well.

Do you need a table to Table Mentor? No. But a table imbues intimacy—an elbow-touching-grab-a-hand-in-prayer type of closeness. Maybe not at the first meet-up, but definitely in the mix along the way.

Table, bench, back steps, dorm hallway, coffee house

—choose whichever promotes the progress of a hearty sharing. The place or porch doesn’t matter. Taking the time to listen does. Tell a story, gently nudge, cry some, laugh a lot, and give all to the Mighty Counselor before and after and maybe in the middle. Coming together until the misery is out of the commiserate as you both sit at Jesus’ feet.

I love to describe MENTORING as “to come alongside”

which is found in The Message version of I Corinthians 1: 3 and 4–

“God comes alongside us when we go through hard times,

and before you know it, He brings us alongside someone else

who is going through hard times so that we can be there for

that person just as God was there for us.”

I Corinthians 1:3,4 MSG

Two things to consider:

We mentor another from our own experience of being mentored by God. As we experience God’s “alongside-ness” in our up’s and down’s, joys and sorrows, we can more naturally share His overflow with someone who is where we have been.

“God comes alongside us when we go through hard times…”

We mentor another by getting close enough so that mutual vulnerability is natural and trusted. Authenticity is the vanguard of artless discipleship.

“…He brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.”

You don’t need a table to be a Table Mentor.

You do need an ongoing relationship with the Ultimate Mentor, and a bold desire to get close to someone who needs to hear what you’ve learned.

-Excerpt from Table Mentoring: A Simple Guide for Coming Alongside, Sue Moore Donaldson

Are YOU mentoring someone?

How about giving it a try? Come alongside someone who is going through something you have gone through in the past. You won’t regret it.

Also, check out my review of Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth’s book Adorned: Living Out the Gospel Together

I’ve been coming alongside people with Fibromyalgia.

Fibro is one of those Invisible Chronic Illnesses. It’s so hard for family and loved ones to understand what is going on. I have created a Facebook page to help the friends and family of fibro warriors. Come join us over at Fibromyalgia – Is It for Real? Maybe we can answer some of your questions.

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What Can We Learn From a Broken Heart?

February 8, 2019July 10, 20206 Comments

My experience of love these past two years has been heartbreaking. But when I look back- it’s the areas that broke my heart that taught me the most.

Broken Expectations

Broken expectations leave a person left with what remains. And what remains is the truth, no matter how painful that truth may be.

Often in family and friendship- especially the kind of friendship that is viewed as family, we expect these friends and family to always have your back, always be there for you. After all, when we think of love, that is one aspect that seems most definitive of it.

The truth of love, however, is that the depth of it runs differently for each person. Their depths of love are based on their understanding and perception of love and those things are based on a person’s experience in life.

Unconditional Love is rare

All that to say, love, true, unconditional love, is rare. Love that doesn’t expect things in return and isn’t based on anything other than simply wanting the best for another person, because you simply and only care about that person’s wellbeing- that experience, is rare.

When experience breaks your heart enough- soon expectation is broken. And it’s there that humans are left to decide how they will allow love back in their hearts.

Allow Truth to Define your Heart

What I have learned is that your heart, is your responsibility. Giving someone the power to influence it is a big gift and it is one that shouldn’t be done lightly. You’re responsible for allowing what shapes and defines your heart. It is very important to have a healthy boundary for yourself and to allow truth first to define your heart. Truth takes awake selfish ambition, truth keeps you humble enough to know you’re not perfect and brave enough to know when to stand and speak up.

I’m not sure that this post is so much about love as it is about self-respect, but I believe one cannot love from a truthful place without first having self-respect.

Love and Self-Respect

Truth and an Open Heart Builds a Foundation for Love Click To Tweet

It is up to you to find Truth and to open your heart to it. When you do, you will find humility and strength. And then, you will receive the foundation to love, truly, yourself and others.

-Thoughts from Jessie ❤️✊️

What’s A Christian to Say? part 2

October 14, 2018April 29, 20202 Comments

What Christians Should Say When Asked

Earlier, I began a discussion about our talk as Christians. How are we to respond to the ugly talk that is everywhere these days? I gave the first step in how to show Christ in response to others ugly talk. Now let’s discuss step two. Continue reading →

What’s a Christian to Say? part 1

October 13, 2018March 17, 20216 Comments

What Can I Say?

I am saddened by the foul and abusive talk that is being spewed out all around our country. One might want to speak up and voice an opinion but the response is so ugly that they decide to keep quiet. I don’t want to talk politics here but what’s a Christian to say?

Now, I’m not really interested in what a Christian should stand for politically. I’ll leave that between them and God. I am more interested in how a Christian should speak about his beliefs and defend his faith in an anti-christian world. It was Billy Graham who said,

Our society strives to avoid any possibility of offending anyone—except God. – Billy Graham #Walkaway Click To Tweet Continue reading →