Brick or Stone?
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I’d like to tell you about the two materials that were used to build walls in ancient Egypt. One of these was bricks and the other, stones. The bricks were man-made by Israeli slaves. These bricks were identical to each other. When finished, they were taken from the ovens and stacked in neat rows to make up the walls. Stones, however, were quarried and then piled up, as the wall builders made them suitable for their purposes. They did this by chiseling them into shapes that formed the necessary fit. Unlike mass-produced bricks, stones are unique creations of God. Unlike bricks, stones are a unique creations of God. The Bible says in 1 Peter 2:5 (NKJV), “…you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” I want to encourage you that you are uniquely made. You are one of a kind, and a necessary part of God’s spiritual house. Nobody else can fill your place. Without you, there would be an irreplaceable void in God’s house. You are important and valuable to God, His purposes and the unity He calls for in His people. Take advantage of the fruitful opportunity to take your place and enjoy your blessings. I’m Dr. Bob. I invite you to listen to my previous Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com/blogs.
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Unwrap the Package
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to ask if you ever received a gift and tried to guess what it was before you unwrapped it, only to find out your guess was way off? I want to encourage you to take the wrappings off the package before you make any judgments. Perhaps you guessed that I am not talking about your next birthday present. I am talking about not judging people by what you first see. Make it your habit to spend enough time to learn what is inside a person. Otherwise, you will misjudge many who you meet. You will certainly miss out on those who might have become your very good friends. Some might even be holding the keys to your success within the character of their hearts, and the opportunities within their sphere of influence. I’m Dr. Bob. Be like the prophet Samuel. First Samuel 16:7 tells us the Lord does not see as we do, but He looks within the heart. Samuel understood this and passed by all the tall, strong, good-looking brothers finally to find David, who appeared to be the least probable, but was actually the best of bunch. Write me at Dr. Bob@mentoringministry.com and let me know what you think.
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Just a Little Bit More
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a mentoring minute, I want to encourage you to ask God for just a little bit more – to be just a little bit more like Him, and to have just a little bit more of Him. Yes, He has no problem with your asking. It is as good a prayer as there is, because His desire is that you be as much like Him as possible. Here is my suggestion. Let your request be focused on the things that will give you more of God, more godly discernment, more spiritual understanding and more knowledge of His will for your life. It is a simple, yet incredibly mature, profound prayer. The Apostle Paul prayed it for his Colossian friends in Colossians 1:9-10. Take the time to study it. Pray it over yourself. You and those you love are the reason the Holy Spirit made sure this prayer made it into the Bible. It is a prayer worth praying. Make it a habit, every day, to pray it over yourself and those you love. I’m Dr. Bob. Contact me at www.mentoringministry.com and I will agree with your prayer.
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Flower Gardens
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a mentoring minute I want to talk to you about flower gardens. A flower garden will only reach its potential when it is nourished, cared for and kept free from the damaging intrusion of things that should not be growing there. Your marriage is very much like a flower garden. For it to reach the fullness of its beauty, you must nourish and care for it, while protecting it from what has no place growing in it. Look for my new book, “Growing Together – Marriage Enrichment for Every Culture.” It will be on my website bookstore in May. I’m Dr. Bob. Contact me at www.mentoringministry.com and let me know what you think… and if you have any questions about marriage, or enriching your marriage, I will be happy to try to answer them for you.
Flower Gardens
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Love is what?
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a mentoring minute I want to ask if you understand what love is? Have you ever said, “I love movies” or “I love pizza” or “I love my car”? What is love? Let me suggest a definition of love, according to how God sees it. Here it is: Love is your deliberate effort to bring as much of God’ goodness and grace to someone as you can, at whatever the cost to you might be. Think about it. Share the thought with a friend. I’m Dr. Bob. Contact me at www.mentoringministry.com and let me know what you think.
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