Mentoring Moments for Christian Women

Your First Mission Field

Page — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:00:09 +0000

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” ~ Romans 10:14, 15 NIV

When I was a child my parents always led us in family devotions. We would read a Scripture and pray before bedtime. One night my mom was reading the Scripture and it dawned on me that if I were to die I would spend eternity separated from God.

I knew I had done wrong things and had not asked God to forgive me and come into my heart. As I thought about how my family would be in heaven and I would not, my eyes filled with tears. Mom asked what was wrong. I told her what I was thinking. In a matter of fact way she asked, ”Well, would you like to ask God to forgive you and come into your heart?” I answered with a tear-filled yes. We prayed sitting on my bed and my eternity was changed forever. That was not the first night we had done family devotions. We had devotion time all of my life, but that night my heart was ready. That night I had a realization of my sin and the consequences of it.

You may be like my parents and have participated in nightly family devotion time. If so, keep on. If not, now is a great time to start. It is not too late. Your children are your first mission field. You can start simply with a children’s Bible story book. As your children get older, start reading from the Bible. There are many devotion books for families at your local Christian bookstore. No matter what you choose to use, start now.

Please pray for moms and dads today. Pray that they will draw close to the Lord and will have confidence in leading their children to know Christ.

Ro-tel Salsa

Tracey — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:00:22 +0000

Love spicy food? Love easy recipes? Have I got just the thing for you! This salsa has been a big hit in my home for several years now. The recipe is super simple and can easily be adjusted to suit your family’s tastebuds. Be prepared though, it’s gobbled up quickly and they will want more.

2 cans original Ro-tel tomatoes (10 oz)
1 fresh medium jalapeno pepper, finely chopped1 medium onion, finely chopped
Juice from 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons)
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons dried cilantro or 2 tablespoons of fresh, chopped fine

I dump all the ingredients into the blender, set to pulse, and puree until desired consistency. If you like a more chunky texture, omit the blender, mix together and you’re done. Refrigerate.

This can be eaten right away but the longer the flavors meld, the better it tastes.

What It Takes To Be a Mentor

Carla Anne — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:00:51 +0000

Women often ask me to mentor them in their marriages. The marriage road has been rocky for us – we’re the first to admit that – but we keep at it with persistent determination. These women know I will be honest with them, and that I will challenge them. But I will not ask them to do things I am not willing to do myself.

Mentors are not preachers, and are more than just teachers. Mentors are those who are willing to live honest and vulnerable lives, sharing both the good and the bad. They need to be willing to listen to the stories that need to be told and give encouragement. But it can’t stop there.

Mentors need to give direction, speak frankly and be honest about the state their mentee is in. A mentor who applauds poor behavior in an effort to encourage is doing more harm than good. When she refuses to challenge sin in an area of her mentee’s life, she has compounded the problem and become part of it.

There are times and places to be silent, for sure. And we want to make sure we are giving only a little bit to work on at a time. Overwhelming someone with changes they need to make is not productive. But neither is avoiding delicate issues.

Before you agree to mentor someone, be sure you are on track with God. Your time with the Lord is paramount. Without the power of the Holy Spirit moving in you and giving you wisdom, anything you say, any exercises you assign, any stories you tell will be wasted. Unless you are fully submitted to Jesus Christ on a daily basis, you will not be in a position to challenge a sinful lifestyle or attitude.

“How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” (Luke 6:42, NLT)

Carla Anne Coroy

From Here to Maternity

Vicki — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:00:05 +0000

Do you ever hear an expression that reminds you of something your mother used to say? Do you find yourself using the same expressions—even the ones you swore you wouldn’t—with your own children? A mother’s words, whether because of wisdom or mere repetition, can become set in concrete in our minds.

Mothers have an adage for every occasion. Meeting strangers: “Don’t talk to them or take anything from them.” Meals: “Eat everything on your plate. There are starving children in China.” Accidents: “Don’t do that. You’ll break your neck.” (My neck was apparently in danger many times.) And just in case: “Always wear clean underwear with no holes in case you’re in an accident.”

Then there was her seasonal advice. Would I really catch pneumonia if I didn’t take a sweater in the fall or went out in the winter with wet hair? I don’t know what would have happened if I wore white shoes before Easter or after Labor Day. I grew up being warned against such folly and so far have avoided it.

See if any of these motherly expressions bring back memories:

“Don’t ask why. Because I said so.”

“A little hard work never hurt anyone.”

“Pretty is as pretty does.”

“If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”

“I’m doing this for your own good. Someday you’ll thank me.”

Motherly advice is nothing new. It has been going on since Eve, who probably warned her children of the danger of talking to snakes. In the Book of Proverbs, Solomon tells us that his mother gave him advice: “The sayings of King Lemuel—an oracle his mother taught him” (Prov. 31:1 NIV). Since there was no “King Lemuel” in Israel’s history, most Bible scholars assume this was what Solomon’s mother called him. (Mother’s nicknames—a whole ’nother category.)

What did Solomon’s mother tell him? She warned him against wild women and alcohol and urged him to be a kind-hearted ruler (31:2-9). History records that advice—like that of many other mothers—was mostly ignored.

Whether personally heeded or not, the proverbs Solomon collected that were included in the Bible abound with motherly (and Heavenly Father) concern and wisdom. Here are a few that Solomon may have heard while growing up around the palace:

“My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them” (Prov. 1:10).

“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” (6:6).

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (16:28).

“Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle” (23:5).

“Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue” (17:28).

“The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother” (29:15).

In other words, Solomon’s mother (like you and I) probably said to her offspring: “Someday you’ll thank me for this.”

Vicki Huffman is the author of two Christian non-fiction books and one Christian-based novel which are available in various forms through the author (email Mentoring Moments) or amazon.com. To read the first chapter of her novel A Secret Hope at no cost, follow here.

Book Review: Drawing Strength from the Names of God

Lydia — Thu, 10 May 2012 10:00:35 +0000

Drawing Strength from the Names of God by Catherine Martin (Harvest House, 2010) is a gift book enhanced with beautiful photography. Martin shares eleven names of God and how we can draw strength from His character. Just under fifty pages, the book can be read in one sitting, or you could read one or two names of God at a time and meditate on them.

Each four-page spread begins with a photo of a majestic nature scene and a verse followed by encouraging thoughts about that name of God. The next two pages cover ways to draw near to God and to delight in Him as you reflect on His name. The text is written in two side-by-side columns, with two-thirds of the page used to share thoughts and one-third of it filled with corresponding Scriptures. Each section ends with a prayer.

Martin begins at the beginning with Elohim, God our Creator. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). We can draw strength from God our Creator, knowing He has a purpose for our lives and created us for His glory. Other names of God include El Elyon, He is our Sovereign; Adonai, He is our Lord; and El Shaddai, He is enough for us. Although all the names of God reveal wonderful aspects of His character and strength, I especially appreciated reading about Yahweh Jireh, our faithful Provider; Yahweh Rophe, our compassionate Healer; and Yahweh Ro’i, our good Shepherd.

No matter what our need, we can come to Yahweh, He is everything we need; or El Shaddai, who is enough for us. We can bring our worries to Yahweh Shalom, who gives us peace; and it’s comforting to know El Ro’i sees us. Martin ends with Abba, Father, which shows God’s tender affection for us.

Reflecting on these names helped me know God better and encouraged me to draw near to Him in prayer. No matter what we face, we can draw strength from God and find meaning for each day by reflecting on His names.

Written with warmth, compassion, and reverence toward God, this book offers comfort and reassurance. It’s a book to reread in a quiet moment or use during your devotional time. It also makes an encouraging book to give friends to remind them God always cares, and they can draw near to Him during any season of life.

Drawing Strength from the Names of God

Peace in the Midst of Suffering

Rhonda — Wed, 09 May 2012 10:00:23 +0000

We can have inner peace through suffering, which makes no human sense, when our minds are focused on God and His Word.

We can use trying situations as an opportunity to teach our kids the solid foundation of peace, personally experiencing what they have heard about in Scripture. We can role-model to them calm confidence, and being doers of the Word, not hearers only. Modeling how not to be consumed with worry, doubt, and fear and thereby making them scared. We all have a chance to teach them the opposite–we all can choose a different path and peace. Thank you, Lord.

“.. and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.⁸Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. ⁹The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:7-9

The Bible directs us to certain responses during times of suffering.
God is at work in our character through trials. My family saw the loss of my husband’s job as a real life opportunity to apply Scripture, showing how to respond in word, action, and mind. Through the unknown we are to persevere, to endure, press on, fight, looking for how the Lord wants to change and grow us.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

The outcome is already known by God.
We can confidently walk through trials knowing that one of the sweetest blessings of all is a deeper, more intimate walk with the Lord, whom we KNOW is real.

The real treasures in life: knowing Christ in an intimate way.

Look at Scriptures with the word treasure in them. Treasure means a deep walk with the Lord, and the richness of His character we personally experience as He meets our every need!

“…I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” Job 12:12

“..Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11

The end of the story is actually insignificant – God provided for all of our needs and another job for my husband in His timing, but the journey of our hearts is the real story. I hope you view your trial this way. I hope you will put off any signs of worry and put on trust.

Resting in His Sovereignty

Rhonda — Tue, 08 May 2012 10:00:36 +0000

The tendency for all of us want to control things is great. When we experience situations we cannot fix, make sense of, see any sign of relief from, or see any possible positive outcome from, we are called to trust in God’s sovereignty. It is God, our Heavenly Father, who will give us the inner peace needed to confidently, even if painfully, endure with the right attitude, knowing that He is at work for His glory and for our good.

When my husband lost his job of nineteen years, we gathered together our six then middle-school age and younger children, explained what had happened and that our trust was in God. We started a prayer journal to record the faithfulness promised in Scripture. We knew this was not so much about his job as what God wanted to do in our lives. We wanted our children to recognize His Word is true as we together learn what God is teaching us:

God is sovereign.
This means that He allowed this particular event to happen. He could have said no to it. He could have used any other crisis or situation, but He allowed this particular situation. He already knows the outcome, and we can confidently walk through it – even the unknown – knowing that it is for our good and His glory.

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6-7

Christians will go through suffering.
Suffering is promised, so expect it. We saw this as an opportunity to teach our children that this is part of our walk. We want them to know how to handle rough times, not with anxiety, walking around on egg-shells and feeling the pressures of finances because they hear their parents worrying. Instead we hope they will look through eyes that trust God, fully expecting Him to meet our needs in His timing and to work in our lives in the process.

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. I Peter 4:12-13

God will provide.
We can leave every fear or concern with Him, casting our fears on Him, knowing He cares and will provide for us. We need to continuously put off worry/ put on trust, as discussed yesterday. My husband and I saw this trial as a way to show our children God’s faithfulness and to teach them to walk confidently through challenging times.
(Matthew 6:25-33)

Prayers for a job were not answered overnight, nor exactly as we first envisioned. Over the course of time, my husband decided to open his own firm–which he still has today. My sons and daughters saw their father walk into the unknown, not being ruled by fear or bitterness. He humbly sought the Lord for direction and trusted in God’s sovereignty. As my children enter adulthood, I pray the power of God’s sovereignty and faithfulness in our family will build and encourage their faith.

No related posts.

Put off Worry / Put on Trust

Rhonda — Mon, 07 May 2012 10:00:22 +0000

Did you know that TRUSTING IN GOD in all circumstances is the third most emphasized character trait in the New Testament, behind the qualities of love and humility? This certainly implies that we all struggle with loving, being humble, and wanting to be in control of situations so that we have no need to trust anyone or anything.

Some opposites of trust are worry, fear, anxiety, frustration, and even panic over not being able to fix, change, or control whatever is weighing on our minds. I love reading Scripture with the question in mind: “What does God tell me to PUT OFF, so that in its place I can PUT ON trust?” It’s the way of thinking around my home these days.

Here’s what I found.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.
PUT OFF: my own reasoning and trusting in myself
PUT ON: trusting in the Lord

Jeremiah 32:27 “…I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?”
PUT OFF: doubting
PUT ON: confidence in God

Psalm 91:1-2 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
PUT OFF: dwelling in my own fears, being along, being consumed with my situation
PUT ON: dwelling in His Word, His truths, His character, communing with Him all day long, digging in deep and seeing the truth of Him being our shelter.

Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
PUT OFF: fear, being overwhelmed, worry
PUT ON: confidence in knowing God is with me and He will personally strengthen , help, and uphold me.

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
PUT OFF: being terrified, discouragement, feeling alone
PUT ON: strength and courage, directly available through Holy Spirit, knowing God is with me at all times, and will equip me for whatever the situation needs

Matthew 6:25,33 Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things….But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
PUT OFF: worry about life and needs being met
PUT ON: trust in God for my provisions and seek Him for my priorities so that my responses line up with Scripture

Join me tomorrow as we continue talking about putting off worry and putting on trust. I will be sharing a time of personal crisis when the Lord revealed His sovereignty and peace.

Do you have a testimony of putting off worry and putting on trust you would like to share?

Do I Trust God?

Book Review: The Way They Learn

Kellie — Fri, 04 May 2012 10:00:30 +0000

Most have heard and / or read Cynthia Ulrich Tobias’ book, The Way They Learn: How to discover and teach to your child’s strengths. I have been a late comer to the party, allowing this gem of a book to sit on my bookshelf for several years.

As a Focus on the Family book published by Tyndale House, I knew it would be good. Timing is everything and the time arrived last fall. Four children, four different learning styles, two of which include learning disabilities, this Momma needed insight.

Tobias delves into the variety of learning styles and helps parents and teachers discover consistent patterns. I appreciate her ability to highlight the myriad of styles and maintain the beauty of each. No style is a right or wrong style although most public school settings are better suited to one style over others. We are all created marvelously different. How one child learns and processes information is different from the next, but not wrong.

Not only was I able to see patterns in the learning styles of my children, but I recognized my own. This was an eye-opener as I realized why I do certain things the way I do. Maybe I’m not so crazy after all–and it explains some of my grades in high school too! The book also helped to explain the difficulty I was having teaching one child. It seems our learning styles are opposite, meaning the way I teach is not the way this child needs to learn. Adapting my teaching style to meet the needs of my children has benefited each of us. As Tobias says, “Learning how to recognize and appreciate learning styles can help you identify the natural strengths and tendencies each individual possesses.”

If you are struggling to figure out the learning style of a child and how to help them succeed on their educational journey, The Way They Learn is a marvelous starting point. Along the way you may learn a few things about yourself too.

We may be drawing to the end of a school year, but it is not too late to understand our children and our students. Did you know MMCW has an education section on our blog? Look for more upcoming educational posts over the summer.

Do you have suggestions regarding books dealing with the learning process?

The Way They LearnBy Cynthia Ulrich Tobias / Tyndale House

Learning styles expert Cynthia Tobias gives parents a better understanding of the types of learning approaches that will help their children do better in school. Once these approaches are understood, any parent or teacher can become more effective in helping any child grasp confusing concepts, stay interested in lessons and utilize his or her greatest strengths. Focus on the Family Recommendation.

Is it a Sin to Have a Large Family, Part II

Cheryl — Thu, 03 May 2012 10:00:19 +0000

Only since 1970 and the publishing of Paul Erlich’s secular book, The Population Bomb (he studied insects for a living), has the notion that having more than two children was a mortal sin against the planet become part of the modern psyche.

There is no population crisis in Western industrialized nations. In fact, quite the opposite. Instead, the crisis we face today is the polar opposite of what the strident environmentalists warned us about in the heyday of mood lamps, LSD, and Bob Dylan.

The alarming reality is the birth rates in all of Western Europe, Japan, Russia, and even China are in serious decline. These nations are not only failing to replace their current population but their very future existence is in doubt. In some cases they are losing people at a current popular rate of decline of 20% or more.

Responsible economists are predicting that if this population rate of decline is not reversed, it’s only a matter of decades until their economies collapse from lack of workers and a dearth of spending consumers. It might be of interest to note the Scriptures speak to such a foreboding dilemma, “A large population is a king’s glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined” Proverbs 14:28.

The United States is only sustaining its current population due to the large influx of immigrants who are having large families. Otherwise, we would be in the same sinking ship as Western Europe, Russia, or other nations, which are actually paying families to have more children.

But are we overrunning the planet? We had someone from the funeral industry once explain that if you buried all the earth’s population right next to each other it would fill up a space the size of Rhode Island and perhaps Connecticut. So if there is not a genuine overpopulation crisis at work today in our society (just the opposite is actually true), why the renewed calls for one or two children families?

We believe the current birth dearth is more a philosophical or theological crisis than an ecological or economic one. As we have turned away from the Judeo-Christian ethic to a secular and agnostic belief system, we have in the Western cultures at the same time lost faith in our purpose, meaning, and destiny as a society. If we really have no reason to exist other than to serve ourselves and our narcissistic ambitions, why have kids at all?

The false gods of materialism, hedonism, and even the worship of nature (what Francis Schaeffer called the idols of “personal peace and affluence”) have left us so empty and drifting that we have no reason to reproduce another generation. Saving the whales has become more important to us than saving our way of life or saving souls. After all, the little crying creatures can be costly, an irritating interruption, and a real nuisance if pursuing your personal space and higher standard of living are your only real goals in life.

Let us say it clearly — the threat of having too many children is not America’s looming crisis, rather it’s having too little reason to live and to create another generation that is the real problem.

Just 100 years ago, Americans faced far more disease, lack of medical resources, and harsh standards of living than we do, yet they chose to have large families. Was it simply to make sure a few kids survived or because they lacked access to contraception? Perhaps in some cases, but the primary reason was they believed in the promise of America, the joy of family, and in a faith that said God would take care of them. The result was the most prosperous, industrious, creative, forward-looking and blessed society that our world has ever seen.

Our six precious children (and our son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and grandson), are all gifts from God, and they will tell you they are glad their highly educated mother (Master’s degree) stayed home to raise them. Furthermore they will admit she did not waste her education in doing so. Instead of squandering her hard-earned resources she invested them in the next generation by providing a secure and loving environment for our children.

Our six children

Twenty-five years ago when we discovered we were pregnant with our fourth child (we have six altogether), a very concerned and sincere nurse at the clinic asked us, “Are you two part of some cult?”

“No,” we answered, “We’re just making sure there is someone to pay your Social Security when you retire.”

There was more truth in our answer than we knew at the time.

For more information about the population crisis, Mentoring Moments recommends the fascinating yet chilling video Demographic Winter.

If you are viewing this post in an email and can’t see the video, you can click the linked title to view it on You Tube.

Bob & Cheryl Moeller