As of a [...]]]> It never ceases to amaze me how God moves us from one location to another. In May, we met a precious couple named Phil and Pam Eccles at Indy First Nazarene, who had searched for a singer/speaker online for their women’s luncheon on Mother’s Day weekend and found yours truly. Terry and I instantly hit it off with these 2 partners in crime and immediately started praying about what God had in store for all of us.

As of a week ago, God saw fit to bring us to Camp Eccles and we are having a blast each evening as we devour Pam’s cooking and then all work together on CLU with the upcoming conference being held here Oct 15th. Pam has even taught me how to grocery shop and save big bucks. She is inspiring me to be a better wife.

I love how God not only orchestrates our footsteps, but always in His perfect timing. We know, that we know, that we know, that we are in the center of His will and following Him as He leads us in ministry.

So thankful for our supportive family, friends and church home back in Hendersonville, TN. Especially grateful this week for extended family all over this country who welcome us in with open arms and love us like Jesus does.

Ahhhhhh, “The Great Adventure” continues!

                          

Few Christians dispute the wisdom and benefits of [...]]]> “I honestly would not be where I am today without those mentors having been in my life.” I have also had the fortunate opportunity, of having mentees myself, actually it has been a privilege to be their mentor because I learn so much from the experience myself, every time.
I really believe that without having good teachers and mentors in your life you will not progress as far as you would if you did.

Few Christians dispute the wisdom and benefits of mentoring. Titus 2:3-5 specifically targets women’s relationship with one another. Paul encourages the young pastor Titus to identify qualified older women who could, and should, teach and model godliness to the younger women in his church body:

“Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.”

Many a young woman in today’s churches eagerly desires such a mentor. But they have difficulty finding an older woman willing to step into that role. Older women often feel unqualified, bewildered, and fearful of over committing. But what’s really involved? What does it take to be a mentor? Perfection? Formal training? Grandmotherhood?

No.

A heart for God, experience in life, a love for people. If you have these characteristics, you can mentor someone else. But what does it look like? Here are a few qualities of an effective mentoring relationship.

Be available
You don’t have to be a Bible scholar to mentor another, but you should love the God of the Bible and want to abide by His Word. You don’t have to be a trained psychologist, but being available with timely and godly advice can make the difference for the individual who is without an anchor. Younger women need the experience, endurance, and example of older women. Who else will guide them? The pastor? Maybe. Their husbands? Sometimes. But they can only go so far, because they are men. Men can’t be mothers, daughters, or wives. Women need women.

Sometimes, “I’ll pray about it” is the most appropriate way to begin your decision-making. But when it comes to mentoring, I’d have to agree with Norma Becker, member of the board of directors of Campus Crusade for Christ, Canada. When a younger woman asking to be mentored suggested they pray about it, Norma responded with assurance: “We don’t pray about commands.”

Remember Titus 2. While prayer is wise when seeking discernment in how much mentoring one should do, how many hours to commit, etc., the basic idea of “Do I become a mentor?” is clearly commanded in scripture. Be obedient, and be available.

Be purposeful
What is this younger woman seeking from a relationship with you? A better understanding of the Bible? Then decide upon what sort of study you want to focus on. Buy it, and go for it. But what if she really wants a prayer partner, someone who will help her establish a better devotional life? Don’t feel compelled to run out and buy a Bible study; pray with her. Maybe this woman needs parenting help because she didn’t grow up in a Christian home and has no model to follow. If you have older children, you may be the perfect match for her. When I was a young mother with a 10-month-old, my friend Julia — holding her newborn — asked me to be her mentor. All she really wanted was a big sister, someone who was a few steps ahead and could encourage her along the way. Our time together consisted mostly of walking our babies, talking about our lives as wives and mothers, and praying together. Mentoring is not always Bible study.

Be creative
Regular times and days suit the chronologically challenged, but there is always room for variation. Go out for coffee, meet for breakfast, have afternoon tea… whatever time and place meets your needs, try to schedule it in. What activities can you share – walking, running, cooking, hiking – with a young person? Christian mentoring isn’t about being intensely spiritual all the time, it’s about building relationships.

Be a listener

When you have managed to get together with this new friend, try this: Listen. Let her open up. Don’t feel compelled to dole out advice for every topic she might raise. Wait until she asks for your thoughts before offering them. Be trustworthy. The person you mentor must be able to trust you implicitly and know that nothing they tell you will ever be taken any further. It is a completely sacred relationship.

Be real
When it is time to do the talking, remember that honesty makes you vulnerable. We are all sinners saved by grace, continuing to be transformed into the image of Christ. And none of us is finished yet! So don’t be afraid to be genuine, to reveal your weakness. In Christian mentoring, the grace of God gets the job done through us (and sometimes in spite of us).

Be an example
“Do as I say, not as I do,” is as infamous in mentoring as it is in parenting. Mentors must show their trustworthiness, demonstrate their love for God, actually pray when they say they will. Words alone are empty. Let’s be like Paul, who encouraged the Corinthian church to do as he did: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you” (1 Cor. 11:1,2).

Be a teacher
Certain mentoring situations call for teaching. My friend Sandi taught women’s Bible studies at church. I attended. Then she let me teach one session of a short study on Titus. Later, she stepped down from the official job but continued teaching while I prepared to move into the position. I adapted a study and created lectures for our group. It seems I was always asking for her input — what did she think about this or that? Finally, I began teaching without her input, completely on my own — a baby bird having been pushed out of the nest for good.

From the mentor’s perspective, the process seems something like this:

I do, you watch
I do, you help.
You do, I help.
You do, I watch.

It will look different in each relationship, but mentors must find ways to encourage and develop godliness in the younger women. Whatever purpose brought you together, challenge her in that area of life, encourage her to step out in faith and wisdom, gleaned from you and others, trusting the Lord for everything.

End well
A mentoring relationship should not be like nursery duty at many churches, or like the Supreme Court justices — appointed for life. Commit to a specific period of time. Perhaps you’ll agree to meet for six months or maybe a year, then evaluate at the end of that time. Both of you may want to continue. You may find that the purpose for which you were meeting has been accomplished, and it’s time to move on. The relationship will remain, but the regular meetings would end.

                          

Back in May we were in Indianapolis on Mother’s Day weekend for a couple of ministry events. We started driving home in our ’97 Toyota Camry (which had close to 250,000 miles on it) after church on Sunday afternoon. Just as we approached the Indiana/Kentucky state line on I-65 South, the car started slowing down (drastically) and I heard Terry say, “OH [...]]]> Here is just one of many “God Stories” we have experienced since “Living by Faith” in full time ministry:

Back in May we were in Indianapolis on Mother’s Day weekend for a couple of ministry events. We started driving home in our ’97 Toyota Camry (which had close to 250,000 miles on it) after church on Sunday afternoon. Just as we approached the Indiana/Kentucky state line on I-65 South, the car started slowing down (drastically) and I heard Terry say, “OH No, I think that timing belt we’ve been needing to change just broke!”

We had just enough speed to crawl off the highway and onto the very small shoulder, just before crossing the Ohio River bridge. Semi trucks were whizzing by so fast and so close that just getting out of the driver’s door was a dangerous proposition! It had been a long time since either of us had been stranded, desperately needing a tow and a bit more patience with each other. Those trucks not only rocked our little car, but rocked our little world and shook us into the harsh reality that cars, like people, can occasionally break down.

After praying, googling, tweeting and facebook-ing we decided to contact Pep Boys and have them tow us to their garage to fix the car…Two and a half hours later, the tow truck finally arrived. We were hot, sweaty, exhausted and hungry. We ended up having to stay over night in a hotel.

Here’s the good part where God supplied our needs. We had $700 in cash to our name. Our total expenses to tow, fix the car, pay for our hotel, food and gas came to $700. We didn’t have too much or too little, as He had provided us with just what we needed at that time and place! Isn’t God just great?

                          

Simply call (646) 721-9899 during the show to listen via phone.

CLU experienced an absolutely wonderful show about adoption when Laura Sinclair talked about what it was like to be adopted and how she came [...]]]>

Join us on Tuesday evenings at 9 pm eastern for our “Get a CLU” series as we
“Get Real, Get Help, Get Over It and Get On With It” on Chicks Like Us, a weekly radio talk show and mentoring program for women who want to make a difference.

Simply call (646) 721-9899 during the show to listen via phone.

CLU experienced an absolutely wonderful show about adoption when Laura Sinclair talked about what it was like to be adopted and how she came to find her birth mother at the age of 31. She was also able to meet her birth father and give him the gift of life by donating a kidney.

We also heard from Tania Laney who is the Leader of our very first Chick Clique in Owensboro, KY. Tania shared about adopting twins from the Philippines and what it was like to meet the mother of her beautiful girls. She will be back on this week’s show.

Chicks Like Us Weekly Radio Show

                          

We also heard from Tania Laney who is the Leader of our very first Chick Clique in Owensboro, KY. Tania shared about adopting twins from the Philippines and [...]]]> CLU experienced an absolutely wonderful show about adoption when Laura Sinclair talked about what it was like to be adopted and how she came to find her birth mother at the age of 31. She was also able to meet her birth father and give him the gift of life by donating a kidney.

We also heard from Tania Laney who is the Leader of our very first Chick Clique in Owensboro, KY. Tania shared about adopting twins from the Philippines and what it was like to meet the mother of her beautiful girls.

Chicks Like Us Weekly Radio Show

Listen to internet radio with Chicks Like Us on Blog Talk Radio

                          

Simply call (646) 721-9899 to listen via phone or click here:

This week’s show: Get A CLU about Suicide

Chicks Like Us Weekly Radio Show

Listen to internet radio with Chicks Like Us on Blog Talk Radio

During my last nine years of ministry, I have met so many amazing people who are truly making a difference and shaking things up. I have learned a great deal about life-controlling issues [...]]]> My husband and I have sold our house and given away most everything we own to pursue what we believe is God’s will for our lives. We are on the road 24/7/365  touring the country to raise awareness for non-profit organizations that are saving and changing people’s lives.

During my last nine years of ministry, I have met so many amazing people who are truly making a difference and shaking things up. I have learned a great deal about life-controlling issues and the statistics affecting both men and women, as well as children. I have done volunteer work for some incredible organizations and my only complaint is that not enough people know about the hope that is being offered. As a result, people are suffering because they do not know what is available to them.

I want to spend the rest of my life doing all I can to meet the people who are making a difference, rallying the troops, pooling our resources together, starting support groups and raising awareness while helping these organizations support their cause. We want to get the word out and let others know that there are answers for their dilemmas. There is hope, help and healing for those who are hurting.

We will educate, empower and equip people with the life-changing tools they need to make healthy life choices. I want to have answers when someone cries out for help. Most people have heard of the huge non-profit organizations that do so much good in the world, but there are so many organizations doing great things that not enough people have heard of and we want to change that.

One of my favorites npos is headquartered right here in Nashville. Mercy Ministries was founded by Nancy Alcorn over 27 years ago and is a global ministry that is literally saving the lives of girls ages 13-28 who are battling life-controlling issues such as eating disorders, addiction, self harm etc. They provide a home for the girls, free of charge, and have over a 90% success rate. Most all of the Mercy girls go on to lead very healthy and productive lives and the gift goes on. Teen Challenge has an 85% success rate in dealing with substance abuse. They provide homes for both men and women of all ages. I could go on and on.

The problem is that these wonderful npos cannot change and save lives if no one has ever heard of them. That’s where we come in. Our primary focus is to travel from city to city across the country, meet pastors and founders of npos and see what we can do to raise awareness and funds for them in their communities.

Statistics have shown that women are twice as likely to suffer from depression as men are and tend to isolate thinking they are crazy or that they are alone in it and no one would ever understand. For those of us who have been involved in raising awareness we know that simply isn’t true and that if people only knew how many others were suffering…all around them…everywhere they go…we could help greater numbers.

We want the church to be at the forefront of this very focused mission that will seek to set up support groups and offer hope and encouragement to those who are hurting. I have personally witnessed radical life change and I know what is possible, but I am sad when I speak of these things and then someone in great need of the services offered walks up to me and says they never knew this or that npo existed. We may only make the difference for one person, but we are going.

Here is how you can help. We need to meet everyone we can who would be interested in joining our efforts and introducing us to these awesome people around the country. Please stay tuned for more details and statistics.

                          

2010 Music, Motivation, Missions-Minded Mentoring Ministry in Motion- Raising awareness and funds for Non-Profit organizations across the US that are radically changing and saving people’s lives on a daily basis.

We are going to need your help in planning our upcoming US Tour. We are open to any ministry opportunities there may be in your area. We are working now to map out a travel schedule so that we can [...]]]> Changing the world…one life at a time…one city at a time

2010 Music, Motivation, Missions-Minded Mentoring Ministry in Motion- Raising awareness and funds for Non-Profit organizations across the US that are radically changing and saving people’s lives on a daily basis.

We are going to need your help in planning our upcoming US Tour. We are open to any ministry opportunities there may be in your area. We are working now to map out a travel schedule so that we can manage our time to the best of our ability and cover as much ground as possible. This tour is in the planning stages so we are wide open for venues right now.

Many of you have written to ask how you can help? What we need right now is contacts for churches, Christian bookstores, radio/tv stations etc. Ultimately, it would be awesome to find Christian leaders who are willing to head up street teams of believers who are movers, shakers and great networkers. That way we can accomplish as much as possible.

We are planning to work in FL this winter, January-April, then move west from there. We know for sure that we want to spend at least a week in each city, so that we can visit the surrounding areas within a 3 hour drive.

A typical week would look like this:

Monday-Tuesday: Days set apart for travel, phone calls and networking opportunities including followup from the previous weekend.

Wednesday Evening Church Service:
I share my story through music. This usually lasts one-hour. (Concert/Speaking)

Thursday: Sing during the afternoon at a nursing/retirement home, then sing/speak at a prison that evening.

Friday-Saturday: Women’s/Seniors/Youth Events (ie. Retreats, Conferences, Luncheons and Lock Ins)

2 Sunday Services (am/pm): I share my story through music up to one hour. (Concert/Speaking/Testimony)

Our goal is to meet the families and friends of our friends who can refer us and help us build strong and lasting relationships. Word of mouth has been our best marketing tool for 9 years now and we are praying for God to expand our territory so we can reach more people. We need the names, numbers and email addresses of Pastors, Christian bookstore owners and radio/tv station managers who would be interested in helping us visit their communities and move across the country. We need to meet as many people as possible who want to change this world. One life at a time. One city at a time.

Are you familiar with any gospel stations in your area? I want to visit them face to face, introduce myself and thank those who have played my music.

Thanks in advance for providing us with the contacts we need to make these things happen. Looking forward to seeing you soon!