the silence

Note: Perhaps you've noticed the GAP since my most recent mentoring moments post. It is linked to that little phrase in my last entry, "barring another computer crash." Perhaps I should have lowered the bar :-). A virus ate through my computer and initiated its untimely demise...and dear Dell was backlogged...so my new computer arrived one month ago. To date, I've only spent two hours on the phone with a technician servicing my new computer. Not bad: 5 weeks old, 2 hours on repair. It's a promising start!

So let us continue with mentoring principle #2: Life is the offspring of life.

Programs do not birth spiritual growth, life does.

Paper does not parent a soul, life does.

The programs, the paper...they are helpful tools but tools are the servant (not the source) of life.

I am grateful to live in a culture where tools are excellent and easily accessible. When we combine appropriate tools with actual connections--something powerful occurs. Within a church, when we combine "pulpit to pew" with "shoulder to shoulder," we transition from inspiration to integration; from expounding, to equipping.

Very early on--even before Jesus interrupted my atheistic existence--I encountered the power of the "present of presence."

Next week I'll begin to tell the stories of the first of these "presents" I received.

principles of mentoring: 1

Technically it's still summer where I live but the leaves are falling and the mornings are wonderfully crisp. I want to thank all of you who prayed with me through the summer. Your prayers strengthened us through a full few months.

Now on to the new mentoring moments series. Each week (barring another computer crash) I will share some thoughts on a subject very dear to my heart: mentoring. Please feel free to email me questions throughout the Fall at contact@truthportraits.com.

Principle #1: Don't get hung up on terminology. Focus on following Jesus' example of growing others.

In our day people often snag on whether they are coaching, discipling, mentoring, teaching, guiding...Please know that I will use these words synonymously. Many books have been written distinguishing these phrases as different forms of investment. But as I share over the next few months, I will not expend energy trying to determine where one form begins or where another overlaps.

One of my first personal (as opposed to group) Bible studies was on the life of Jesus as a mentor. I walked through the gospels and considered each interaction he had with others. Regardless of what we call it, Jesus' model is life-changing.

summer of prayer, week eight

Hello praying friends, I apologize for dropping off of the planet for the last two weeks. Today is my first day back in my office after a dear friend passed away.

Thank you for your prayers for Keona and me on our prayer retreat (WONDERFUL!), for little Louie (we're continuing the search for speech therapy), and for the book (it's been on pause the last few weeks).

For the rest of August, I would treasure your prayers for the following:

1. Please pray for Jayne and her two teen boys, John and Andy. Family and out of town friends will be heading home soon.

2. Please pray for dear Keona. We have had concern about her visual perception abilities and she has been taking a series of tests. On Monday we see a pediatric ophthalmologist to explore this concern further. Initial tests strongly point toward visual dyslexia.

3. The book deadline seems close to impossible at this point. I haven't had the emotional energy to write at all for the last 10 days. Please pray for strength as I begin to turn back toward the book tomorrow and also for grace with my dear publisher.

Much love,
alicia

summer of prayer, week seven

Wonderful news! We spoke with our friends the Zickafoose's and they were so glad to report that Joe has not been sick as they had anticipated from the chemo! Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray that Jayne stays healthy so she can stay with Joe while he's in the hospital the next few weeks.

Thank you also for your prayers for the release of the new resources and for my time speaking with the Chaplains. They were a very receptive group of sincere, substantial souls.

For the next week:

1. Tomorrow, Keona and I leave on a spiritual retreat together for 48 hours in Kansas City. We're going to a kids worship gathering, staying at a hotel, doing her nails together for the first time, and enjoying some special "mommy & me" mentoring time. She's so excited. In fact, it's almost 11pm and she's STILL awake!

2. We've had visits from 4 professionals this past week for little Louie. The doctors feel Louie is 9 months delayed. The First Steps teams feels he is only 4-6 months delayed. Now we begin wading through insurance and therapy options. We would appreciate your continued prayers for a team to grow around our dear baby boy.

3. I am writing 'like the wind' these days for the next book. Please pray for a very fruitful August :-) !

summer of prayer, week six

Thank you all so much for your prayers last week! The trip to Louisiana was FABULOUS. Today we met with the director of services for First Steps for Louie. And it appears that all is well with the insurance medical claim. Whew.

For this week, I would greatly appreciate your prayers for the following:

1. A dear friend, Joe Zickafoose, begins chemo Friday morning in preparation for a bone marrow transplant. The doctors told him that he would be very sick for weeks. Joe and Jayne are incredible people. Please pray for them during this difficult time. Joe was diagnosed with cancer earlier this summer.

2. Friday at 9am and then again at 1pm I will be speaking to a group of chaplains and spouses on the themes of Crossward and Anonymous. Please pray that these messages encourage their weary souls.

3. An hour ago, we sent an email announcing three new resources for Anonymous! Please pray for the bible study and DVD teachings in particular to get in the hands and hearts of those who will benefit from it's message.

summer of prayer, week five

summer of prayer: week five

Hello friends!

Updates from last week:

1. The publisher had their meeting and decided they do want me to write the devotional! Thank you so much for your prayers. I'm very excited and passionate about the theme.
2. At Louie's evaluation, they concluded that he is a year delayed in his expressive language. Next week a set of specialists come to our home for a full assessment.
3. It was a joy to share with the missionaries and all the DVD edits have been completed. In fact, today I held in my hands the Anonymous DVDs, bible study, and journal!!!

For this week:

1. Please pray for safe travels and effective ministry as Mom, Keona, Amy and I drive to speak in Louisiana.
2. Please pray for wisdom as we begin to customize services for Little Louie.
3. Please pray that I can write "like the wind" when I return from Louisiana.
4. It's been a month since the dear woman ran a red and totaled our car. Next week I finish a round of physical therapy. Please pray for clarity and favor as I try to tie up the loose ends of the medical claims.

Thank you friends.

summer of prayer, week four

summer of prayer: week four

I am so grateful for your partnership in prayer this summer! For those of you who may be new to this blog, normally we spend several weeks focused on a theme but this summer I am inviting you to join in prayer with our family. In August I'll resume the mentoring moments blog with a 12 week series on mentoring.

This week, two dear friends came into town which was (and still is) a great joy. Precious Keona went to her first summer ballet and tap classes. Bear had a great time interacting with others at his two meetings and is now on a 24 hour prayer retreat. The final edits took place for the bible study and journal. Thank you all for your prayers!

Prayer requests for this week:

1. Well, for those of you who have been faithfully praying for the publisher's meeting, they postponed it until this Wednesday! Keep a-praying :-).

2. On Monday we go in for Louie's developmental evaluation. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors.

3. On Tuesday, our dear Aunt Stefa heads back home (we will MISS her) and I go from the airport to share on Anonymous: Jesus' Hidden Years and Yours with a wonderful group of missionaries. Immediately after that I'll be working with Joel on the final edits for the Anonymous DVD.

Thank you for your prayers!

alicia