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Archive for the tag “mentor”

08 Nov 2017

New Years Resolutions

How do you launch your New Years resolutions? How do you plan to succeed in accomplishing them? Well, I think you might be surprised to read this information but most start them planning and practice to late to win.

I have a chiropractor friend, who I will refer to as Dr. James (since it is his name) that teaches his clients to begin the resolution or any new habit a month in advance to accomplish it. The idea is simply starting to create the habit, routine and disciplines.

We shared some time thinking and digesting this idea recently at youth group. I would like to share some highlights from this experience.

  1. Identify five major stresses in your life.
  2. Identify which you can change (control) and those you cannot control.
  3. Change those you can, give to God to those you cannot.

Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us to not work about things but pray.

  1. Who do you represent?
  2. Your clothes? Mine say DYM, YW, Nike, DHSM, Michigan etc.
  3. Your friendships?
  4. Your future?

We can discover a lot about our attention or life.
Leviticus 19:4 reminds us not to trust in idols but God.

  1. Review time… please refer back to the previous 1,2&3 and check for similarities? Is God trying to reveal something through them?
  2. Repair relationships.
  3. Who do you have conflict with?
  4. How can you forgive them? Or make the relationship better?

Ephesians 4:31-32 reminds us to get rid of all bitterness etc.. forgive one another as Christ forgives you.

  1. Make time for Jesus. Seems simple but it has to be a priority in our day.

1 Timothy 4:13-14 reminds us to devote ourselves to reading bible, praising God and teaching others.

  1. Spend time praying
  2. Make a top five list of things, habits etc you want to continue doing… for example devotion time, exercise daily.
  3. Make a top five list of things, habits etc you want to stop doing… for example cheating on tests, lying, talking bad about yourself..

1 Thessalonians 5:17 reminds us to never stop praying.

  1. What is the best time of day, week for you to pray?
  2. What can you do to make that happen?
  3. Who can support you in this commitment?

 

I know it is a huge list and seems to be overwhelming but I would totally encourage you to take the next month to get a routine and healthy habits to accomplish some growth.
I enjoy watching sports and often think it would be cool to play in the NFL or whatever… but I am not willing to do the work to accomplish that… Often we think of people who are spiritual champions and want to be like them… but we aren’t willing to do the time to be like Jesus.
Friends it will take work to make it a priority and we are all able to make them… after all we do everyday…

Happy New Habits day to you.

 

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04 Mar 2013

The Mentor to create mentors

Today while at the Simply Youth Ministry Conference. I had the privilege of sitting in a worship on developing student leaders. I would say Dan Webster and Tony Schwartz did an awesome job of walking through the process of building, growing and developing leaders (both young and old). Tony is so influential in his leadership he invited a former student, who now is in his early 20s, to come hang out.. but he needed to wear a tie since it was a tie event… little did the poor guy Tyler know he was messing with him and was the only one wearing a tie… I wonder if some of the youth workers at the conference packed tooth brushes and socks… and this dude shows up in a tie.. Now that is impact and don’t feel sorry for Tyler. I encouraged him to let Tony take him to dinner… at an expensive place..
As the night progressed I realized two things… leadership, discipleship is contagious. How ever you lead them they will do the same. I want to be the guy who has students coming back and sharing time with me when they are 20.
Secondly, Dan had invested in Tony and some other boys, who in turn invested in other guys. One of those guy’s name is Dave Corsten. Who I consider to me a great friend. You see our paths crossed in Grand Haven Michigan at a church we called CLC.. I was coming off a tough run with a church and was ready to throw in the youth ministry towel and Dave said no man you need to get back in the game.. I heard his words but knew his love for me as a friend and listened.
That was 12 years ago.
I hope you will be that person in someone’s life. The person who will see the big picture and invest in students.
Be the Mentor you are designed to be

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