February 2012

Dear Friend,

As I watched with delight, my little Kid’s Hope mentoree was full of joyful energy and showing me his newly learned dance moves. With pride he also pointed out that he was wearing his Kid’s Hope tee shirt. I mentioned that I liked the shirt but I liked what was in it more! He proceeded to pull out the neck of the shirt so he could look inside and asked, “What’s in it?” I smiled and said, “You!”

Picture for a moment our Lord acting as the mentor for our church. Our Lord loves us as individuals and as a part of His body – the one holy catholic apostolic Church. Jesus is much more concerned about us than the things that surround us…clothing, jewelry, cars, or houses. Jesus is much more concerned about our church family than the buildings and grounds which we use for our services, celebrations and activities.

Are we aware of just how much our Lord loves us and delights to share time with us?

Are we aware of how the Lord loves us and wants to mentor us so that we become stronger in faith and more effective in living to God’s glory?

Are we giving regular time to meet with our mentor? Are we giving time individually and corporately?

Are we listening and sharing with our mentor so that we might make positive steps in understanding and growth?

Are we able to tell or show our Lord some new things that we have learned or skills that we have developed?

Are we anticipating the benefits while also investing in the relationship?

In this month when we pray for Kid’s Hope Mentoring, I trust we will also think of how we are open to the mentoring that God wants to offer us. The more we receive from our Lord, the more encouraged and equipped we are to invest in the lives of others to the glory of God.

The weeks of Lent begin on Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2012, and these are great weeks in which to invest in our relationship with our Savior and Lord.

With you in God’s amazing grace,

Pastor Ed Black

Sentence Sermon: People often say, “practice makes perfect,” but in reality “practice makes permanent,” so we need to be mentored or trained in the best way.