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 Mentor's Inspirations
by Pastor Jim Mullett of Hillside Chapel
in Jackson, Ohio
www.thehillsidechapel.org
Pastor Mullett is my childhood Pastor, mentor and friend. I wanted to post these on our website to let you in on the inspiration that God
places around you every day. I enjoy these inspiration notes he writes every Sunday, and they're just too good not to pass on, so with Pastor
Mullet's permission, I am pleased and blessed to be able to share them with you. God Bless and enjoy! ~Pastor Cory P. Pariseau Read the Mentor's Inspirations ArchivesJune 25, 2006
How much risk are you willing to assume? But when we become vulnerable might we not become wounded? Indeed yes, vulnerability
requires us to be open. There is no way we can live a rich life unless we are willing to suffer depression and despair, fear and anxiety, throw
in anger and the agony of forgiving, criticism and even rejection. I doubt if any of us can match the Lord Jesus when it comes to voluntarily accepting risk. But then He tells us in 2 Corinthians 12:9
My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. When we make ourselves vulnerable the effect on others will almost invariably be disarming. Strength controls people but Wounded
Healers can change the heart. Have a good week…JimJune 18, 2006
Do we find life as a problem to be solved or a mystery to be lived? Far to often life becomes a all consuming problem! We are born with an
aggressive "me first" nature. Our Capitalistic culture teaches that what I can earn is mine to enjoy. Our greed takes over and we lay up for
our future security much more than is needed even at the expense of others. Add a bit of fear and we can soon become a nation of warring individuals even willing to kill. The Prince Of Peace tells us in Matthew 13:11
"It has been given to you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom Of Heaven". One of those mysteries is the phenomenon of Love. Not only the romantic kind that traps us into marriage but the
love that prompts us to live by the Golden Rule, doing to others as we would have them do to us, everyone, even our enemies. Returning
good for evil is a mystery that can change the human heart and even perhaps the heart of a Nation but it starts in a solitary individual life, perhaps your life. Think about it….. Jim June 11, 2006
I have heard people brag about their superior spirituality. A scripture comes to mind: Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall, Corinthians 10:12
. How can we define Spiritual Maturity? I would call it "A constant attempt to be in harmony with God" Spiritual growth is
a slow lifelong process of a search for Truth in an arena beyond science. It must be a walk of Faith. It is something we experience as a
paradox. On one side it is very humbling to live in the presence of Almighty God. On the other side it is a tremendously uplifting
experience. Abraham spent his life looking for a city that was out of this world. This week take time to meditate on Hebrews chapters 11 & 12.
As for us, the Mullett family is creating memories at Myrtle Beach. This was our Christmas gift to our children and grandkids. See you again next Sunday…Jim June 4, 2006
Amazing Grace! Mostly we only think of it in relation to our salvation. I believe it also is a miraculous factor in our physical survival. As a
young teenage "chemist" I learned that combining certain common household items produced a gas. Mix these items in a bottle and plug
it; the cork would soon be blown high in the sky. My next experiment was to cap the bottle. I set it on a fence post, ran back about a
hundred feet and waited -and waited. Finally I started edging closer for a better look until I was within eight or ten feet. Perhaps the cap
was not tight enough and the pressure leaked off but how could I know? Should I pick it up and release the cap? After some time of debate
I decided to walk away and leave it. Within fifteen seconds behind me there was a loud explosion. I whirled around and the fence was invisible in a white cloud of gas. The bible says
"It is appointed to man once to die" Only once. All other times there is God's loving Grace
protecting us. Grace cannot be explained by science or natural law. It is a miracle of God directed to us for our safety and spiritual growth. Have a good week….Jim May 28, 2006
Is the Christian Faith under attack? Yes I have read the DeVinchi Code and will probably go see the movie. There never was a question in
my mind, it is fiction. But now we have the Judas gospel and it is authentic, at least the document is ancient. The content however does
not ring true with scripture. Amid all the media attention do we need to be defensive? I remember our old yellow tomcat. One night about
bedtime there was a terrible growling noise on the patio. I looked out the window. A stranger was spitting, hissing and threatening. Just
outside the door sat old yellow, quiet and attentive, but ready. Suddenly there was a flash! The visitor pounced. The fight didn't last three
seconds and the strange cat was on his way never to be seen again. As for yellow he simply walked into the house and quietly went to his bed. He was smiling. Apparently had read Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful….Jim May 21, 2006
What in the world might Jesus be suggesting in Matthew 10:39 when he said,
" He that finds his life shall lose it; and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it"? Is this some kind of paradox, or another one of his riddles? In our heart of hearts there seems to be an
unfulfilled yearning for something more… the fruitless chase to the end of the rainbow. Committing your life to Christ results in a slow but
sure transformation of our nature into something "out of this world". Our Creator "infects" us with his own Divine Life. We are Born Again;
born of the Spirit as Jesus put it to Nicodemus. There is no such thing as "Cheap Grace". It will cost you everything you are and what you
get in return is something you can't really explain or understand. It is the Peace of God. Yes or no, it's a choice we all make. But then he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. … Jim
May 14, 2006, Mothers Day
Who can find a virtuous women, her price is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10 Today consider the price mothers pay when their sons,
daughters and husbands go off to war. Sure there is a sense of pride when they go but even greater is the fear that they might not return.
For far to many that fear becomes reality and then the question must be ask: was it worth the life of my loved one? Stand in their position
and ask yourself if this present war is worth the life of your children. Multiply your answer by the many thousands of mothers both American
and Iraqis who are destitute and bereaved by the slaughter of family members. Is this really the price of freedom when Jesus said "If the Son will set you free you will be free indeed
"? Stand up Christians, God offers us a better way! After the Civil War Julia Ward Howe
called for a "Mother's Day for Peace" with a proclamation calling mother's to work to abolish war. On the internet read a good article "Living the disarmed Life" By John Howard Yoder: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Howard_Yoder
Think about it…JimMay 7. 2006
It's Springtime in Southern Ohio! My garden has been planted and is "peeking through. The leaves are green on the trees. The lilacs have
bloomed and the dogwood and redbud are brilliant. Isabel just went to town for more mulch and flowers. This is my favorite time of year.
With new life all around the cold death of winter has been forgotten. I am reminded of the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:25: Whoever
desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Another time He said "unless a grain of wheat
falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies it produces much grain". Life is like that; we hate the thought and pain of
death but that is only part of God's plan. Remember during this season that God's ultimate plan for life is resurrection. It will be Springtime in Glory…… Jim April 30, 2006
Our Spirituality is the engine that drives us to joyfully succeed in our life journey. Consider wisdom to be the steering mechanism. Scott
Peck in his first book "The Road Less Traveled" speaks of self-discipline as the means of spiritual growth. It does not come easy or by means
of a great revival as some Christians would like to believe. In fact Peck does not necessarily make it an issue of Christianity. He gives us four tools of discipline that lead to our spiritual evolution:
1.
The ability and will to delay gratification.
2. Accepting responsibility for our own life and action.
3. Dedication to truth and reality.
4.
Balancing which he defines as extraordinary flexibility required for successful living in all spheres of activity.
He describes the book as "A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth". Peck embraced Christianity and was baptized some years after
he wrote the book. I recommend it to all who like me have not yet fully arrived… Jim April 23, 2006
What a relief, tax day has passed for another year. Have we been reminded of our poverty or was it our wealth? One thing is sure; our
government has an inexhaustible appetite for our dollars. It seems the national debt is out of control. As of today the debt exceeds 8.3
Trillion dollars or $28,058.14 for every man, woman and child in our country. Take your calculator and try to figure out how far back in
history 8.3 trillion seconds would take us. If you can find the answer please e-mail it to me, I gave up. I'm just curious. As Christians might
we be called to live a more simple lifestyle and make it our goal to personally be out of debt. In Matthew 5:5 Jesus said The meek will inherit the earth
. Might this become our lot and responsibility if or when the United States can no longer pay up? Don't let that day take
you unaware, each day we spend 2.2 billion dollars more then we take in. Oh let me see, is this inspiration or a challenge?? Think about it…Jim Mullett April 16, 2006
The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my Salvation be exalted. Psalms 18:46. What more can I say this Easter Sunday?
Mark these words of David in your bible and carry this knowledge with you in the coming days. Meditate on it and give thanks…God is alive…Jim April 9, 2006
From the Living Bible, Luke 19 28-44
The Passion Week; Day One
The fickle crowd was hailing Jesus as their new King. They wanted more miracles, more free food and physical healings and surely,
supernatural defeat to their Roman enemies. Now they would live on easy street. But as they came closer to Jerusalem and he saw the city
ahead Jesus began to cry. "Eternal peace was within your reach and you turned it down," he wept. "Now it is too late, for you have rejected the opportunity God offered you".
Thought for today:
Inner peace, right now amid all our problems and troubles is possible. Jesus taught the way in the Gospels. You too can
find the way if you are willing to put in the time and effort. A good secular article to read was found in April 2000 issue of Readers Digest Page 97, Secrets of a Life Well Lived. Five points:
1. Lend yourself to Love.
2. Quit your job if it's not ethical.
3. See America
4. Lighten your load
5. Encourage a child.
This life, your life, is too precious to only be second rate.
Happy Trails – Jim Mullett April 2, 2006
It was Blue Jean Sunday, March 26, 2006. There was not a suit or tie in sight. It was a day to wear clean work clothes in honor of all the
volunteers who served with the Mennonite Disaster Service. Eighteen months ago Hurricane Charlie had ripped through Desoto County
leaving a trail of unbelievable destruction. Pine Creek Chapel opened their church to serve as headquarters. A topnotch commercial
kitchen on wheels rolled into position as did a shower and bath facility. A new dormitory was built to house the workers. RV hookups and
sewers appeared behind the church for long term staff and then they came, a new wave every week offering free labor to the destitute. 160
home were either totally rebuilt or repaired. Arcadia, Florida has shared in the Vision Statement of Mennonite Church USA: God calls us
to be followers of Jesus Christ and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to grow as communities of grace, joy and peace, so that God's healing and hope flow through us to the world.
After 2000 years Jesus still makes a difference…. Blessings for the week…Jim Mullett March 26, 2006
We are in the season of Lent and Mardi Gras. Of sin and Redemption. Do I have any words of wisdom on the subject? No, none
whatsoever! The apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians chapter one says the Gospel is not preached by words of wisdom but by the message of the
Cross of Christ. The message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but to those of us who are being saved it is the power of
God: Verse 18. Our Salvation is an act of God starting at the Cross 2000 years ago when he loved us enough to die and pay the penalty for
the sins of the entire human race. When I recognize myself as a sinner and accept that atonement I am completely forgiven of all my sin. I
am made holy and fit for Heaven. As I then grow and mature in the Faith Mardi Gras and all it's allure fades into oblivion. A simple prayer will do; Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner. May God Bless…. Jim
March 19, 2006
Several days ago I found myself very much intrigued by a small piston driven engine. It was totally sealed with no fuel lines, no intake or
exhaust yet there it was rapidly spinning a flywheel and powered by nothing but heat from the sun. In our polluted environment this is
technology of the future. In Genesis 2:15 God placed man into a beautiful unspoiled garden called Eden and gave him instruction to tend and keep it
. Today our garden is called Planet Earth and we still have the same instructions. As citizens today we can hardly avoid the use
of fossil fuels but we can plant the flowers and dispose of our trash, maybe even develop a lifestyle that would not produce so much refuse.
Remember also that God has given to us and our children a mind that can be educated to develop new and better energy sources. God
has provided for all we need to keep this garden beautiful and healthy. Blessings for the week…Jim March 12, 2006
So when do we reach the highest point in our life? Where is your personal pinnacle? Have we set any goals to reach for? The Apostle Paul
said "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" Philippians 3:14. But so often we fail miserably! If
Edison had quit at failure 1000 he never would have invented the light bulb but every failure taught him something that brought him
closer to his goal. We need that kind of persistence if we are going to mature in our Christian life. At age eleven I publicly made the following pledge: "
All I am, all that I possess, all of which I am capable, every act, every word, every thought, every emotion, all are His and shall be His forever, come what may I am the Lords.
" Many periods of my life I forgot all about that pledge but occasionally I keep coming back to it. When our ultimate goal is the high calling of God in Christ Jesus it takes an entire lifetime and at the end God
Himself will lift us to the pinnacle. Don't miss that call….. Jim March 5, 2006
So what was in the mind of God when He created mankind and placed us on this earth? What is His purpose for my existence? Is it to do something great for Him? I don't think so. One universal rule is "
love, to be love, must have an object for its affection". Today read 1 John 4: 7-11 which states specifically that "God Is Love
". In our physical life our basis for love and affection is rooted in our sexuality. Could it
be that in God there is a divine, holy and spiritual aspect of sexuality and we have been created in that image of Him? When He said "it is
not good for man to be alone" was He speaking from His own experience? It is also not good for God to be alone. His purpose for us then
must be to freely love Him in return, not because we have to but because we choose to. The great evil of this world is that we have not
learned how to love each other. Therefore we cannot love God. Is there any individual in this world that you would die for? God's love for you is very real. Enjoy the romance this week…Jim 25 Feb 2006
So how did we get here? In Psalms 139 David said, You formed my inward parts: You covered me in my mothers womb. I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are your works
. Was it just a biological accident? No. There was a Master Planner that designed and created me. God's method in the natural universe is to plant a small seed and let it grow. The small acorn in
100 years develops into a large and stately tree. Given enough time and loving care a 200 pound human being develops from a
microscopic cell. Even the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus said is like a small mustard seed that grows and develops but when it comes to
evolution many Christian people will become defensive. One thing is sure, God made us; we didn't just happen. Could it be that God
made this universe with just the right stuff that under His watchful care and direction it developed over billions of His eternal kind of days
and years. Lets not miss God's words in Genesis 1:24 where He said "Let the EARTH BRING FORTH the living creature. Next week: Why did He do it? What is the purpose of my existence?…Think about these things….Jim February 19, 2006
Three questions every thinking person struggles with: Who Am I? How did I get here? And for what purpose? Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:10
we are His {God's) workmanship. In First Thessalonians 5:23 he prays for complete sanctification of our spirit, our soul and our body. Like
God we are a trinity. God is a Spirit therefore it is in the realm of our spirit that we are created in His image. Like Him, we are eternal and
immortal. Through our spirit we have the capacity to worship and be inspired. In Genesis He breathed into man the Breath Of Life (His life)
and man became a living soul. When Adam sinned he died spiritually. That's why Jesus told Nicodemas, you must be born again. When
we accept Jesus as our Savior God again breathes His life into our spirit. The next time you introduce yourself think how wonderful you really are! In the image of God!
Next week: how did I get here? …Jim 11 Feb 2006
Be My Valentine! How those words would stir the emotions during those school day romances and still bring pleasant smiles today. It is the
beautiful love stories of the Bible that catch my attention today. The story of Ruth and Naomi her mother-in law, both widows and how
Naomi directs the younger Ruth in finding lifelong love with the man Boaz. This Tuesday you can find the Old Testament book of Ruth
well worth the time it takes to read it. And then there is the heartbreak of Hosea married to Gomer and raising a family in spite of her
constant infidelity. When she leaves him and finds herself sold as a slave he remains faithful and committed and buys her back. In
Ephesians five the Apostle Paul alludes to the greatest love story of all time when he instructs men to love as Christ loved the Church and gave himself
for it. Love is about the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do to you. It is God's solution for many of our
problem. Giving ourselves to another adds a nice dimension to our life that cannot be achieved any other way…. Blessings for the week…..Jim. February 5, 2006
Paradox: Is this a one way or a two way street? The ten commandments say, remember the Sabbath day to keep it Holy. Jesus said, The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath
. Mark 2:27. Shall I serve the Church or shall the Church serve me? When you go to church one should expect to be inspired by the music and hymns, by Spirit filled preaching and teaching, in the communion sacraments,
by the fellowship of friends and even perhaps by the architecture. The Spirit of God finding and entering us in church and continuing in us
through the week keeps us Holy. That's a one-way street. When we maintain the church with our tithes and talents that makes it two ways.
You will never find a perfect church but in the church you can find a perfect God. Have a great week…Jim 28 Jan 2006
"State Of The Union", how about "State of the Church? Ron Sider in his new book "The Scandal Of The Evangelical Conscience" writes;
Scandalous behavior is rapidly destroying American Christianity! Pollsters are finding Evangelical Christians divorce their spouses just as
often as their secular neighbors. They beat their wives as often as their neighbors. They are almost as materialistic and even more racist
than their pagan friends. They claim that Jesus is Lord but with their actions they demonstrate allegiance to money, sex, and
self-fulfillment. My challenge this morning is to make sure our Faith is a matter of the Heart rather then an Oral Whirlwind. In John 12:26 Jesus said
"If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me: and where I am, there my servant will be also". That calls for Discipleship and
change of lifestyle. There is no such thing as "Cheap Grace" where you just say the magic words and receive a fire insurance policy. In the
New Birth our sins are surely all forgiven but unless Jesus becomes Lord and Master of our life religion is only a farce. Following Jesus is a daily walk. Let's do it! Blessings to You…Jim
January 15, 2006
About 2600 years ago in present day Iraq a King built a huge statue unto himself and demanded that all his subjects worship it; Daniel
chapter three. Thank God for a Constitution that grants us separation of Church and State! Shelley once wrote a poem describing the
remains of a statue in the desert. Inscribed on the pedestal: "My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings: Look on my works, ye might, and
despair!" Yet all that is left of the statue is two vast trunkless legs of stone and a obscure face half buried in the sand. Our life on earth is
limited but the memories we create today will live on in the hearts of the next generation. Investing your time and influence into a child is
of far greater value than leaving behind a large estate. Can you think of anything in history that has outlasted the stories of the Bible?…Blessings today…
Jim January 8, 2006
M Scott Peck said; Life is complex. There are no self-help manuals, no formulas, no easy answers. The right road for one is the wrong road
for the other. It is a rocky path through the wilderness. Jesus said: My sheep hear my voice and they follow me. John 10:27. In Matthew 18
we have the beautiful story of one lonely sheep that lost its way and how the Good Shepherd goes into the mountains seeking and finding
the helpless stray. We can walk life road with confidence knowing somebody bigger than you or me cares enough to watch over us. There
will at times be difficult portions in our pathway that we would rather avoid. Meet your problems head on, It's easy to get lost in a detour. Happy Trails…. Jim Read the Mentor's Inspirations Archives
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