Although the mentor may be aware that the relationship is destined for mentoring, announcing that fact is usually not necessary.  In order to mentor someone there must be a level of intimacy that has naturally developed.  If you want to speak into someone’s life, you must first invest into them; invest time.  My pastor for life, Bishop Phillips (see Promiseland, Austin, TX) always said, “People don’t care what you know until they know you care.” 

Be careful not to express an attitude of “I am better than you”, “I am ‘ahead’ of you” or “I know more than you”.  Once pride is revealed (even perceived pride) by the mentor, establishing a mentoring relationship will become more difficult.

Jesus never told people, “Follow me, or else”.  If you are a leader, people will follow you regardless of your “position”.  Not sure where I heard it but…”if no one is following you, you aren’t a leader”.  If you are a leader, no matter what position you are in (even if you hold no official “position”) people will naturally follow you.  Mentoring works in a similar way.  If you truly called to mentor, you will not have to prod or beat people into following you – it will happen in a natural way.  If will often happen over coffee or while just hanging out, or maybe while you are painting a wall.  It doesn’t have to be intentional to be mentoring.

Often times mentoring is simply about casting a better vision for the mentoree.  Speak to who God created them to be even if they aren’t there yet.  Speak to their purpose; speak to their calling; speak to their gift.

This will be an opportunity to fellowship and pray!

This week, in association with Promiseland San Marcos, we are starting a small group for teens.  We will be meeting on Thursday night, 7:15 p.m. in Kyle, TX.  For more information, you can email me at cbgrace71@yahoo.com.

DVDs of this event are now available.  If you would like to purchase a copy via paypal, please email me at cbgrace71@yahoo.com and we will get one in the mail to you!!

I’ve been contemplating this question because I feel that doing the right thing for the wrong reason is still wrong.  As I always, I take it to the authority on such matters…the Bible.  These scriptures are from the Message Bible.

Proverbs 17:20
A bad motive can’t achieve a good end; double-talk brings you double trouble.

Proverbs 21:2
We justify our actions by appearances; God examines our motives.

Proverbs 21:8
Mixed motives twist life into tangles; pure motives take you straight down the road.

Philippians 1:15-21

It’s true that some here preach Christ because with me out of the way, they think they’ll step right into the spotlight. But the others do it with the best heart in the world. One group is motivated by pure love, knowing that I (Paul) am here defending the Message, wanting to help. The others, now that I’m out of the picture, are merely greedy, hoping to get something out of it for themselves. Their motives are bad. They see me as their competition, and so the worse it goes for me, the better—they think—for them.   So how am I to respond? I’ve decided that I really don’t care about their motives, whether mixed, bad, or indifferent. Every time one of them opens his mouth, Christ is proclaimed, so I just cheer them on!

So Paul said he didn’t care about motives as long as Christ is proclaimed.  Interesting.  As Proverbs says, if your motives are off you will get off course.  If your motives are off then you cannot achieve a good end.  And God examines our motives; our hearts. 

So why do you do what you do?

I was reading today about who McCain choose as his running mate, the “Lady” (as we say down here in the South) Governor from Alaska.  My thoughts….

No matter who we elect as president this year, there is going to be “FIRST”.  Either the first woman Vice President or the first African American President.

Yesterday, I was surfing through blogs and I noticed this trend…it is really a trend among Christians.  It is the idea that we are never good enough; we must always strive for perfection.

Earlier this year, I read “Captivating” by Staci and John Eldridge.  They start their book by letting the reader know what it is not about.  For years, I have not read books written for women because it seems like the message is always the same, “You aren’t measuring up and if you will just follow these simple steps you will be perfect”.  I realized years ago, I just can’t be perfect.  Staci and John let their readers know right from the start their book is not about “doing” anything…it is about being who God created you to be; it is about being FREE to be who God created you to be.

My question today is who do you think you are?

The scripture in Romans has always spoken to me…do not think more highly of yourself than you ought to think.  What about thinking more lowly of yourself than you ought to think?  What about the person who always thinks they are un-usable, worthless or unworthy.  What about the people who constantly think they need to change and are constantly working on changing.

How about this, leave the changing to God…if He wants you to change, He will work it out. 

I am not a merciful person.  When I was young, I thought there was something terribly wrong with me as I was surrounded by many other women who were just dripping with mercy.  I have learned to have God’s compassion; to feel God’s heart toward people in times of pain and sorrow.  Still, I am not the one to cry to if you aren’t feeling well or if someone “hurt your feelings”.  My general response will be “Suck it up.  Get over it.  Move forward”. 

I may not be very compassionate but I am a person who sees where things should go and I get things done.  If I am asked to plan and event or get something done (If I am given a mission); I can make it happen.   

Sometimes people who are super compassionate, focus so much on hand holding and taking care of everyone else that they have difficulty getting things moving.  But match them up with someone like me and a healthy balance begins to occur (by the way, Dennis is a very merciful person).   The group can move along and no one gets left behind. 

One quote John Eldridge used in Wild at Heart was(and this may not be precise) ”Do not ask what does the world need.  Ask what you are passionate about.  What the world needs is passion”  Stop tyring to be what everyone else needs and be you.

I could focus all my time and energy on trying to be something that does not come naturally to me or I could just be the best me that I can possibly be and let God work on the transforming part.  I can tell you this, I am much more merciful these days than I was when I was 19. 

What do you think of you?  Can you appreciate who God made you to be?  Or are you always focused on being like someone else; some ideal?  Focus on who God says you are; who He designed you to be.  He will work out the details.   Be the best you, you can be.  That is not to “glorify” areas where aren’t measuring up.  

It’s like this…I have a friend who has a vivid imagination.  When he was growing up, he always told the biggest stories.  Kind of cute when a four year old tells you a wild story.  As an adult, the stories were really lies.  When he became a Christian, he had to stop lying.  God created him with this vivid imagination.  God meant it for good…Satan wanted to use it for evil (lying – exaggeration).  That guy prays the biggest prayers.  He has the imagination for it…he thinks BIG!  In Ephesians 3:20 God says that He can do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can think, imagine or ask.  The Kingdom needs people who have BIG imaginations, we need their big ideas and their prayers.  God created him that way on purpose; for His purpose.

How did God create you different?  How have you been thinking of yourself?  Can you appreciate and even celebrate who God made you to be?

Verse 1:
This is my prayer in the desert
And all that’s within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger in me
My God is a God who provides

Verse 2:
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames

Chorus:
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon forged against me shall remain

I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

Verse 3:
And this is my prayer in the battle
And triumph is still on it’s way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I’ll stand

Bridge:
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

Verse 4:
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I’m filled to be emptied again
The seed I’ve recieved I will sow

They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom,
         And talk of Your power,

 To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts,
         And the glorious majesty of His kingdom.

 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
         And Your dominion endures throughout all generations. 

^{-Psalm 145:10-14}

Are you Kingdom minded??

If you would like to be, read the book of Matthew.  Jesus taught in-depth about His Kingdom; what it looks like and what it is.