Randy’s November, 2011 Update:
As some of you may know, I come from a long line of German farmers. One thing I learned from growing up in that culture is that, in general, German farmers don’t want to be served up a plate of fluffy nonsense with little substance, they want meat and potatoes! You can keep your fancy-schmancy theological theories, existential exegesis of ecumenical eschatological ontology (Ach Du Lieber!), and all those other words most people don’t understand (including me)! Just give them something practical that works; that fills them up; that helps them know and love God, and others, more deeply.
That cultural background has served me well in many ways. As I meet with people, I try to keep things as practical and experiential as possible. I love to share illustrations and exercises that I have found helpful and practical and life-changing, if taken to heart. Below, Danielle shares a couple you may want to try:
Danielle’s Story:
“My name is Danielle Squires and I have been meeting with Randy for eight months.
“I am currently leading a small group in Student Impact, the high school ministry at Willow Creek Community Church. I have served as a women’s small group leader in Axis, the 20somethings ministry, as well.
“On the first day I met with Randy, I had written in my journal, “My hope for this season is to better understand who God has designed me to be and how I can bless others through what I have learned.”
Renewing Her Mind…and Heart:
‘Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think” (Romans 12:2 ).
‘Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent of praise. Keep putting into practice all you have learned and received from me.” (Philippians 4:8,9).
“The truth of these scriptures has been something I have learned on a deeper level, not just in my head but in my heart.
Danielle’s Struggle:
“I have always struggled with being fearful and with feelings of inadequacy.
“God has revealed cures for these fears through some of the illustrations and exercises that Randy has shown me.
Top Ten Lies Exercise:
“One spiritual exercise that helped me understand the verses in Romans and Philippians the best was writing down the Top Ten Lies I hear most consistently. [Lies like: “You’re not good enough”, “You won’t be accepted if people know about your past”, “God won’t do that for you”, and “You won’t be able to make a difference in this world”.] Followed by writing down the truths, from the Bible, that God has to say about those lies.
“I’ve found that there is healing when I write down my thoughts. When it comes to lies, it takes away the power from the words. When I pair up the truths of scripture to my lies, the truths become that much more powerful.
“Through this exercise, I began to hear the whispers of what God says about me and could recognize easier when a thought wasn’t of Christ.
Don’t Compare or Label Exercise:
“Another exercise that I connected with is practicing not labeling everything as good or bad, and being able to see things for what they are.
“I have always been able to see the good in others. I started noticing that I would compare and label myself as bad because I didn’t have what they had. The enemy would whisper that I wasn’t as good as them and I would feel defeated being around certain people.
“God doesn’t want us to condemn ourselves for what qualities we don’t have. He wants us to embrace the gifts and strengths he has wired us with. We are all uniquely made.
“Through this exercise, I have been able to transform my thoughts to admire the beauty in others and not have to feel like I am not as worthy as them because they have something I don’t.
The Impact of Mentoring:
“Meeting with Randy has changed the trajectory of my life. This experience has made me realize how powerful meeting with someone can be. It’s impossible to express it in print. The wise counsel that I have received has given me a new perspective of who God is and how crazy in love He is with me.
“Learning about the strengths that God has created within me has rooted the idea of how much of a responsibility I have for developing those strengths to further the kingdom. God has put it on my heart to share everything he has been teaching me to anyone who will listen, and has especially given me a heart for high school girls.” – Danielle Squires
Concluding Thoughts:
Studies have shown that when we learn something new, if we don’t put it into practice within 72 hours, we lose it. So I encourage people to put things into practice immediately. I ask them to share what they are learning with someone else; give it away. Not only does it help the new learning sink in more deeply into them, it may also bless someone else. Love gets multiplied.
Danielle is one of those people who continually shares things with the women around her. She frequently comes back with stories of how the women, she shared with, related to what she has been learning. Some even began applying the lessons in their own lives with positive results.
Each person we’ve invested in through this ministry lives out what they’ve received in their own unique way, which is a beautiful thing. Danielle is someone I could envision doing something similar to what I do someday, walking alongside younger people and being a spiritual shepherd and mentor.
I think the world is and will be a better place to live because of Danielle and the work God is doing in her life and through her life.
Don’t let anything hold you back, Danielle.
Thanks:
Thank you for your prayers and support, and for investing in young leaders like Danielle! Transform a leader and you hopefully transform a whole group, a neighborhood, a community, a state, a country, a continent, and perhaps the world. It all starts with one, with ripples into eternity.
If you haven’t already, I’d love to have you partner with me in this life-changing ministry.
Your contributions are tax deductible.
Happy Thanksgiving!
In His Love,
Randy
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