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A Spiritual Direction Choach Must Be Authentic - Jayme Lee Hull

Power Perfected In Weakness

By FaithNo Comments

By Stephanie McGraw | November 14, 2017

 

Have you ever had those days where you feel ugly inside? Maybe it was a busy day where you had a lot to do and not a lot of time, and you feel like the world is against you. Traffic was obviously planted there by satan to ruin your day, your order was not ready for pickup and you are going to be late for a meeting, or your baby decides to wake up 10 times in the middle of the night, and then your coffee maker isn’t working the next morning…everyone is out to get me.

Before pointing out how untrue that remark is, I want to say I have thought these thoughts and felt these feelings a lot recently. As much as I hate saying, “I’ve been really busy lately,” the truth is, I have! But that can’t be an excuse for my poor behavior. My inability to perform perfectly on a daily basis cannot be blamed on circumstances or those around me. I have to take ownership for my faults and recognize that I am a human. I was never designed to be a perfect being that handles every frustration life throws at me effortlessly.

 

Be Filled

That can be difficult for anyone to accept—especially a perfectionist and a Christian. There are days where I do not earnestly seek to be filled with the Spirit, and all that’s left is Stephanie with all her vulnerabilities and human tendencies. On these days I can get easily frustrated by people “in my way” and sometimes even show it. It’s times like these I think, oh, please don’t find out I am a Christian. How ironic and ridiculous and pitiful. It saddens me even more because I know that my impatience is the result of being far from the Lord. Without the Spirit penetrating my heart, I am hopeless in my weaknesses.

When I misrepresent Christ in this world I feel pretty ugly inside because I know that I have missed an opportunity to give Him glory. It’s moments like those where I stop in my tracks and have to do some reevaluating. It’s moment like those where I realize that I am not as great or strong as I thought, and I am just as much in need of His strength today as I was the moment I became a believer.

 

Believe

One thing never changes in a believer’s life. While we may grow more experienced and wiser, our need for Him never changes. And if it isn’t Him reminding us, it is our own humanness that will. But how relieving is it that God does not leave us helpless and hopeless in our weaknesses?

 

Power Perfected

2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.’ Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.”

Beautiful

Something beautiful happens when we invite and allow the Spirit to enter into our weak areas. And though we don’t deserve His help, He shows us grace and strengthens us in those times. Our weak moments are opportunities to experience His grace and His power and to ultimately give Him glory. When we rely on His strength, we get to witness the supernatural power that transcends flesh. On days when I feel discouraged, I remember this truth and it gives me great hope and comfort.Visit

Visit Stephanie’s website and read more at www.wordsunfolding.com  

Follow Stephanie on Twitter https://twitter.com/McGraw_Steph

November 14, 2017
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Out Of The Overflow

By FaithNo Comments

By Stephanie McGraw | October 17, 2017

 

I have been blessed to have many great mentors in my life thus far. They have invited me into the business and messiness of their own lives, and walked with me through my own, sometimes disheveled, reality. I am still learning how to be a mentor myself, and there are a few things that I have learned along the way.

 

I am not the hero.

 

As a small group leader or mentor, it can be easy to fall into the “hero” trap. This is where you allow your position as a leader or mentor to feed your pride. You love the attention and power that your standing has, and so you condition those you lead to “need” you, and sometimes even put you on a pedestal, often subconsciously.

 

For the longest time, I cultivated small groups that helped girls feel safe and loved, but I rarely equipped them to pursue their faith on their own. While leading by example is in itself powerful, there must also be intentional disciple-making in the process. How will these young women fare if I were out of the picture? Am I setting them on a path where they can eventually lead someone else themselves? Am I stealing God’s glory quietly in my heart? These were hard questions to ask myself, and the truth was a heartbreaking reality to fathom. But it was necessary for me to stop being the hero, and instead, make Christ the hero.

 

I must take care of myself first.

 

I can’t tell you how many times I walked into a small group setting or coffee meeting with a girl, and my heart was not in the right place. Although I believe the enemy works especially hard on the days when opportunities to lead are on the agenda, there’s also some self-ownership that has to take place.

 

After doing ministry for a few years, it can become easy to rely on stock responses that we have often recited, and rely on our own knowledge from past experiences to be our main and only tools in the toolbox. The result is apathy in our own hearts, and appearing disingenuous to those we lead. Trust me, these girls can see right through in-authenticity. While past experiences can be powerful, and we should recycle them, we can’t only live off of our highlight reels. We need to continually be cultivating hearts that seek God’s movement in our lives. We need to constantly be changed and reminded of His love.

[easy-tweet tweet=”We need to continually be cultivating hearts that seek God’s movement in our lives. ” user=”@McGraw_Steph” hashtags=”#hearts”]

Transformed

When we are being transformed into His likeness on a daily basis, we will have new wisdom and insight to share with others. If we want these girls to pursue the Lord, we need to be pursuing Him ourselves. We need to show them what a faithful walk looks like. By doing so, we are filled with the Spirit, and out of the overflow, we can fill others.

 

In addition to spending time in prayer and reading and meditating Scripture, we also need to recognize that taking care of ourselves sometime’s means getting help. It’s ok to ask for help. It can be hard at first but pray for people in your life that you can call on whim and will remind you of what is true.

 

The result? We are left breathless at God’s divine appointments and strange conversations that make us feel like the other person was just reading our diary. The Spirit draws us closer to Him, and naturally to others, in organic, authentic, and life-giving community.

Visit Stephanie’s website and read more at www.wordsunfolding.com 

October 17, 2017
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4 Bold Steps to Help You Connect Right Now With A Mentor

By MentoringNo Comments

By Jayme Hull | March 21, 2017

 

If mentoring is about a relationship, then can you methodically find a mentor?  In a word, yes, but it isn’t going to be a method like you might often think of a method.  It is more of a process.  Let’s walk through the process together, step-by-step.

“Mentoring is not a formula or a checklist; it’s a relationship.”

Step One:  Be Aboveboard.

The truth is you desire more personal communication and real relationships. Begin to intentionally look at the women around you at work, church, the gym, or where you volunteer. No one will ever be perfect. What you will notice is how they handle the difficult situations of life and make the choice to move forward in their own life.

Believe me, neither good friends nor a good mentor will just “happen.” So don’t merely sit on your couch drinking a smoothie and praying. Pray, certainly. But then get up and move.  While you are out and about doing life watch for those around you who do life in a way you can admire.

Step Two:   Be Authentic.

Start a conversation with this person face to face. Share encouraging words with them and how you admire the way they choose to live life no matter what they are facing. Have a brief conversation about your desires to work on things in your life and grow in that area of your life.
Remember, Mentoring is so much more than just an appointment on your calendar—it’s a way of life.  Therefore, you will want to look for a mentor who you feel you can spend a part of your life with sharing and growing.  You will need to be willing to open up to this person and share who you are, your strengths and your weaknesses authentically.

[easy-tweet tweet=” Be encouraged! God will give you the right words at the right time. Matthew 10:19″ user=”@JaymeHull” hashtags=”#mentors #encouraged #words”]

You will do this by spending time together.  This will take an effort on your part which you must be ready to blend into the other areas of your life.

Step Three:  Be Available.

Invite this person to meet for coffee. Ask them to share their life stories and consider becoming your mentor.
It is important to meet face-to-face after all God created us for face-to-face relationships long before social media began to take over our lives.  Just because you can build a relationship behind a computer or phone screen doesn’t mean you should.  True authentic relationships are best done face-to-face.

“Alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much.” Helen Keller

Step Four:  Be Approachable.

If you are inviting someone to share their life stories and pour into your life, you will need to be teachable. The only way to get unstuck and grow is to listen to wise godly counsel and pray about your mentoring conversation.

You will want to be willing and open to making changes in your life.  Allowing your mentor to help you take the first steps to better relationships, better choices and greater days.

Start today to seek people who can walk with you in living out your questions day by day. God didn’t create you and me to do life alone. Seek a mentor today and discover how this relationship will change your life forever.

For more encouragement about Finding a Mentor Visit:4 Little Known Secrets About Mentoring

Jayme-Hull_Facebook-Cover2

Available now on Amazon.com
March 21, 2017
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How To Write A Better Life

By Faith2 Comments

By Emily P. Meyer | March 14, 2017

 

Are you a social media scroller, liker, and sharer? I know I am. Words mean life to me as a writer. And pictures? Well, as a story-teller, those mean legacy to me. But sometimes, as I’m scrolling through, liking and sharing away, I have to ask myself a question:

Am I living what I’m liking?

Am I swallowing what I’m sharing?

That’s when things start to get real inside.

 

Often, when applying for a new job, one thing that’s required is a letter of recommendation. These letters are requested from people who have seen your character from various perspectives. These brief words that start with a “To Whom it May Concern” and end with a signature of sincerity put on paper what is lived in life and either fan the flames or extinguish opportunities to make a new impact.

Our Lives Are Letters

Paul talks about how as believers, our lives are letters of Christ to the world. Whew. That’s pretty serious.

If I claim His name, I want to read well to people, not just with words, but with wholeness and authenticity.

[easy-tweet tweet=”Before professing something with my lips that I’m learning, I need to first let it seep into my life.” user=”@JaymeHull @EmilyPMeyer” hashtags=”#write, #betterlife”]

When I view my life as a holistic letter that represents something beyond myself, that challenges me to respond to God’s refining penetration of my heart before setting out to change hearts by myself.

Perhaps that’s how we can all write better letters with our lives. More than sending out live tweets, we must sit a little longer with life-transforming tweaks.

I like what I once heard Lysa Terkeurst say, “Things will fall apart if we make that public declaration if it isn’t our personal revelation.”

Authenticity

If authenticity and truth are what we crave, it’s in the caves of quiet we must let the two marry before we speak so loudly about it.

Even when we speak, we will surely still stumble. But it will be a redeemed stumble that produces more surefootedness, amen? It will be a walk that matches the talk and represents the transformation brought by the flawless ink of the Holy Spirit well.

Don’t stop tweeting, sharing, and liking the good stuff. But don’t let what’s shouted on your platforms mask the whispered heart shaping that God longs to do in your prayer room.

[easy-tweet tweet=”What’s tattooed on our hearts makes our life’s letter read better. ” user=”@EmilyPMeyer” hashtags=”#write, #letter, “]

When the beat of our hearts matches the rhythm of our integrity with the love and truth of God, then we know we’re living a better letter.

What we write on paper (or with pixels) is only theory until it’s etched into hearts and lived sincerely.

“You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” 2 Corinthians 3:3

 

Visit Emily’s website http://www.emilypmeyer.com

March 14, 2017
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How To Make A Difference by Sharing Your Story

By MentoringOne Comment

One of my favorite things to do is to meet new people. I enjoy spending time talking and sharing our God stories over a cup of coffee or iced tea. Stories are powerful. I’m convinced that no one should keep their story to themselves. God meant for our stories to be shared.

“So here’s what I want you to do. When you gather for worship, each one of you be prepared with something that will be useful for all; Sing a hymn, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an insight.” 1 Corinthians 14:26

 

Back during my college years, while I was a struggling student and searching for answers to my questions, someone took the time to stop and share their God story with me.

All it took for my life to be changed forever was for that one person to share, and for a second person to step up and become my Mentor. The answers to my questions didn’t come immediately but I was no longer alone. My mentor walked alongside of me in both the good and bad times as we shared our stories with each other.

I want to invite you to watch the video below of my millennial friend, Hannah, as she shares her God story. I know you will be encouraged and inspired by this message of hope and that you’ll learn the importance of pouring your life into others through a mentoring relationship.

Hannah's Mentoring Story

Hannah

[easy-tweet tweet=”God invites us today to live a great story with Him. —Lysa TerKeurst” user=”@JaymeHull” hashtags=”YourStory, Mentoring”]

 

So what about you?

Regardless of what you’ve gone through in the past, or your current circumstances now, your story matters! As long as you are still breathing there is hope. Someone needs to hear your story.

 

[easy-tweet tweet=”Sometimes God redeems your story by surrounding you with people who need to hear your past so it doesn’t become their future. —Jon Acuff ” user=”@JaymeHull” hashtags=”Story, #Mentoring”]

 

As believers in Christ, we can be encouraged, because God wants to use us as the hands and feet of the Gospel. Let’s be authentic and share our stories so the world will say, “I want what they’ve got!”

The next generation is watching and searching for answers to the problems of this crazy world. We need to spend time with them face to face. Instead of criticizing them, let’s come alongside of them and invite them on our adventure of faith.

We need to make our faith inviting, interactive and relevant. Never underestimate the power of Christ’s love. You can changes lives when you begin to listen more to others and SHARE YOUR STORY.

Click here http://thelife.com/challenges/share-your-story to learn more on how to prepare your God story!

 

 

July 15, 2016
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How To Reach the Millennials Through Mentoring

By MentoringNo Comments

A recent study shows the Millennials are the largest living generation in America today. This generation is unique and diverse. They are the first generation to be born into using the Internet and new technology. But more importantly, did you know they also desire to have a Mentor who will do life together and share their God stories?

You may be asking, “Who are the Millennials?”

The Millennial generation is between the ages of 18-34 in 2015 with the youngest born in 1997 and the oldest born in 1981.

mp_mentoring_shareables_2016-K-2

 

Despite what you hear on the evening news, movies and social media, Millennials long to have someone to look up to and they desire to make a positive impact on their world.

Recently, I decided to share my passion for mentoring through recorded Video Interviews with a few Millennial friends I mentor and other women I have trained as mentors.

Meet my friend, Emily.

Emily and I met at a Young Adult Ministry gathering at a local church. She attended a Bible Study I was teaching in my home and after getting to know each other, I invited her to meet me for coffee. I am so blessed to be a part of her life and share her God story with you.

What I love about Emily is how open and authentic she is about her relationship with Jesus and every aspect of her life. She is eager to learn and grow and it shows as a young Millennial Christian Professional.

 

emily

Emily’s Story

Here are a few takeaways from this Video Interview:

  1. Pouring into a Millennial will make a impact as you have honest and relevant conversations.
  2. Being a safe person to discuss life is an important part of mentoring.
  3. Becoming a cheerleader and spiritual guide with the next generation will change lives.

On my website http://www.JaymeLeeHull.com  I have recorded 9 Interviews to give you a glimpse of How Mentoring Works.  Just click on the YOUR STORY page in the Menu at the top of the Homepage.  I know you will be encouraged and inspired with each interview.

I believe mentoring isn’t just a nice idea. It’s critical for your growth—professionally, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. Pouring into the next generation can make the difference between success and significance. Between performing at work and developing your potential. Between doing and becoming.

[easy-tweet tweet=”Mentoring is never just about us. It’s about God working in us to prepare us for what He wants to do through us.” user=”JaymeHull”]

Now it’s your turn.

Step out. Challenge yourself.

My message to the Millennial:

Surround yourself with people you can learn from. Know that you don’t have to do life alone.

Trust God. Be Yourself. Seek a Mentor

My message to the Mentor:

Give yourself away. Share your God stories. Look around at the Millennial generation and pour into their lives.

Trust God. Invest in others.

My message to both:

Remember, you can be “confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6)

May you be brave enough to be vulnerable, strong enough to reach out, and may you meet God in new ways as you connect with Him and your new mentoring relationship.

Share your comments and questions below. We’d love to hear your God stories!

June 27, 2016
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Two Ways To Begin A Mentoring Relationship

By MentoringNo Comments

by Jayme Hull| March 16, 2016

 

Let’s be honest. If this is the highest tech connected society with iphone, ipads and the Internet why do we still feel so disconnected, isolated and alone?

God never intended for us to do life alone.

Connecting with a mentor to walk alongside me changed my life forever and it can change your life too!

Finding a mentoring relationship is not just about us, but it is about God working in us for what He wants to do through us. How do you find a mentor? How can you develop a relationship and begin to watch God’s plan for you unfold?

“By connecting with a mentor, you can do the hard work now to discover who you are and what you want. You can explore your beliefs and what defines you. You can figure out where you came from and where you’re going.” Face To Face: Discover How Mentoring Can Change Your Life.

 

Two simple ways to begin a Mentoring Relationship:

  1. Step out. When I was seeking a mentor, I decided to step out and ask for help.

         Ask someone to introduce you to someone that you can learn from and grow together.             Someone further along the path in their faith and life experiences.

  1. Reach out. Meeting other Christians around you can sometimes be awkward and difficult but it is well worth our time.

Reach out to someone you already know and admire. Share your desire to learn from them and ask them to meet with you for coffee to discuss mentoring.

Faith involves risk taking. You and I must intentionally step out of our comfort zone and seek others in an authentic mentoring relationship.

First of all, be diligent to pray and ask for God’s guidance as you seek a mentor.

Ezra 10:4 “Get up…Be strong…Take action.”

God will lead you to the perfect relationship that will help you to grow and help you to discover your God-given calling. Don’t get discouraged. If you don’t find a mentor right away, trust that God has the situation under control and will lead you to the right person in his timing.

“Instead of waiting for someone to take you under their wing, go out and find a good wing to climb under.” Dave Thomas

March 16, 2016
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The 4 Steps to Getting Connected to a Mentor

By MentoringNo Comments

By Jayme Hull | February 29, 2016

 

If mentoring is about a relationship, then can you methodically find a mentor?  In a word, yes, but it isn’t going to be a method like you might often think of a method.  It is more of a process.  Let’s walk through the process together, step-by-step. “Mentoring is not a formula or a checklist; it’s a relationship.”

 

Step One:  Be Aboveboard

The truth is you desire more personal communication and real relationships. Begin to intentionally look at the women around you at work, church, the gym, or where you volunteer. No one will ever be perfect. What you will notice is how they handle the difficult situations of life and make the choice to move forward in their own life.

Believe me, neither good friends nor a good mentor will just “happen.” So don’t merely sit on your couch drinking a smoothie and praying. Pray, certainly. But then get up and move.  While you are out and about doing life watch for those around you who do life in a way you can admire.

 

Step Two:   Be Authentic

Start a conversation with this person face to face. Share encouraging words with them and how you admire the way they choose to live life no matter what they are facing. Have a brief conversation about your desires to work on things in your life and grow in that area of your life.
Remember, Mentoring is so much more than just an appointment on your calendar—it’s a way of life.  Therefore, you will want to look for a mentor who you feel you can spend a part of your life with sharing and growing.  You will need to be willing to open up to this person and share who you are, your strengths and your weaknesses authentically.

 “God will give you the right words at the right time.” Matthew 10:19

You will do this by spending time together.  This will take an effort on your part which you must be ready to blend into the other areas of your life.

 

Step Three:  Be Available

Invite this person to meet for coffee. Ask them to share their life stories and consider becoming your mentor.
It is important to meet face-to-face after all God created us for face-to-face relationships long before social media began to take over our lives.  Just because you can build a relationship with a computer or phone screen doesn’t mean you should.  True authentic relationships are best-done face-to-face.

“Alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much.” Helen Keller

 

Step Four:  Be Approachable

If you are inviting someone to share their life stories and pour into your life, you will need to be teachable. The only way to get unstuck and grow is to listen to wise godly counsel and pray about your mentoring conversation.

You will want to be willing and open to making changes in your life.  Allowing your mentor to help you take the first steps to better relationships, better choices and greater days.

Start today to seek people who can walk with you in living out your questions day by day.

Jayme-Hull_Facebook-Cover2

Available now on Amazon.com
Searching for more details about mentoring? Click HERE
February 29, 2016
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The Missing Link

By Mentoring2 Comments

As a young professional in New York City, surrounded by stars and fashion, I often felt about two inches tall. Unseen by some, judged by others. Sure, I had a few friends, but I longed to find a woman who had been in my shoes and was a few steps ahead of me.

One Sunday, I mustered up the courage to talk with a pastor at Times Square, who connected me with a mentor. Her warm eyes and inviting smile put me at ease the first time we met.

“I feel so incompetent. I’m way out of my league here.” It all came tumbling out.

“Some days, I just want to stay in bed, pull the covers over my head, and drown out the noise of traffic with re-runs of I Love Lucy.”

Surprisingly, she wasn’t put off by my confession of how utterly alone I felt and how distant God seemed. She listened, really listened. She didn’t offer cliché answers or rush to give me advice. I felt known, heard, and understood.

Little did I know the profound influence she would become in my life and how our mentoring relationship would significantly shape me.

Mentoring is, at its essence, just doing what Jesus said. The Bible references “one another” over 100 times—from “Love one another” to “Build one another up” to “Pray for one another.” My mentor put a face and a heartbeat to all of those verses!

I can’t imagine going through my college days, young married years, my kids’ terrible twos, career transitions, the death of my parents, and countless other rattling life events without the support of mentors.

Now, years later, I have the privilege of mentoring younger women. Some are young professional business women, others teachers, doctors, musicians, designers or moms. Some have cute little apartments, others rambunctious little ones. As we sit and talk over lattes or hot chocolate or sweet tea, I am inspired by their courage and honesty. Their eagerness to grow and change and become. Their heart to love people and join God in doing good.

A recent study by Barna Group found that nearly 75% of women are not sure that they are making the right decisions in life.

Younger women are hungry for the opportunity to connect personally and build a growth-oriented relationship with a mature Christ follower who can speak into their life.

In a world that is increasingly impersonal and systematized, face-to-face mentoring is the missing link. Mentoring is a win-win situation: Younger women are encouraged and grow, and older women find new purpose.

Perhaps you are longing to find a mentor, or you’d love to become one.

You may not have even heard of the word or concept of “mentoring” before reading this blog.

Maybe you are a volunteer or in leadership at your church and God is prompting you to start a mentoring focus in your ministry.

Regardless, it will take intentionality, planning, and prayer.

But growth always happens best in relationships.

God created us as women to learn from and support one another. To stick together in life’s darkest moments. To celebrate and cheer each other on.

Whatever season you’re in, now is a great time to step out, be encouraged and begin seeking a mentoring relationship.

Here are 3 Tips to help you Connect with a Mentor

  • Share what you admire about them
  • Be Authentic. Share where you are and how you want to grow.
  • Invite them to meet again and consider becoming your mentor.

I truly believe with all of my heart that…

“Sometimes the road to finding a mentor can be awkward, difficult or discouraging, but the walk is well worth the distance.”

One of my favorite action verses is from Ezra 10:4

“Rise up; this matter is in your hands. . . so take courage and do it.”

“Instead of waiting for someone to take you under their wing, go out and find a good wing to climb under.” –Dave Thomas

February 24, 2016
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