Relationship – James & Carolanne https://ptc.jamesandcarolanne.com Serving God as a web programmer with Digital Strategies. Sun, 11 May 25 08:29:57 +0000 en-US Global Daily for June https://ptc.jamesandcarolanne.com/2012/06/26/global-daily-for-june Tue, 26 Jun 12 15:40:25 +0000 https://ptc.jamesandcarolanne.com/?p=1670 TheLife.com and the related 35DayChallenge.ca. These sites are geared for churches and individual believers who are wanting to grow in their faith and take the next steps in their spiritual journey. We are also participating in a major outreach during the Calgary Stampede this year. Please pray for us in the following areas:
  1. For the ministry currently taking place on TheLife.com. Many Christians are using TheLife.com to take a stand for what they believe and publicly declare that they are following Jesus with all that they are and have. Please pray for them in this, that God would use each one mightily for His glory.
  2. For those who are taking the 35 day challenge. Built on the technology powering TheLife.com, the 35 Day Challenge is a five week long faith adventure where the participants are taught to share their faith with three other people in their lives. Please pray for the 600+ people currently taking this challenge.
  3. For additional financial support. Carolanne and I are still lacking quite a bit of support. So far TruthMedia has been covering most of the shortfall however the ministry itself is also quite low on funds. Please pray that God would provide the support we need.
]]> Mentoring Makes a Difference! https://ptc.jamesandcarolanne.com/2011/11/27/mentoring-makes-a-difference Fri, 25 Nov 11 16:16:16 +0000 https://ptc.jamesandcarolanne.com/?p=1460 First of all thank you for that wonderful message. I think this is an awesome ministry. It was a life saver for me, and now I hope I can help it be for others. When I came to this site over a year ago, it helped change my life forever. I felt so alone, had sunk to the bottom of the sea. Since I found this site and my wonderful mentor and friend, my life just continues to get more and more blessed. I have recovered the joy and happiness I didn't ever think I would find again. You got me through one of the most devastating times in my life. And now the blessings continue as now I can be a mentor and understand how some of these people are feeling. They not only acquire a friend, but I also. For me, just having someone I can be honest with, vent to, and know they are listening is the best therapy I have had. I am so thankful I could be part of this. Thank you Why not consider becoming an email mentor yourself?  You can find out more here: http://truthmedia.com/mentor/]]> A mentor is used by God to stop a destructive affair https://ptc.jamesandcarolanne.com/2011/08/26/a-mentor-used-by-god Fri, 26 Aug 11 15:21:28 +0000 https://ptc.jamesandcarolanne.com/?p=1374 As a result of the conversation that took place this week, This woman, we’ll call her Jill, made the active decision to end the relationship with this pastor. It was a difficult one, but she realized that the breaking up of two marriages to fulfill her desire for love was not what God wanted her to do. Later she told her mentor, “You know yesterday when at the end of my rope, I don’t even remember what I googled, looking for advice..and somehow ended up on your website and got you. God is so beautiful.” I found it remarkable to see the many things that happened in the course of the messages that went back and forth: * A mentor was used by God to have a profound impact in a woman’s life and was able to connect her back to God and away from a destructive path. * A woman who was seeking love in all the wrong places was able to see a glimpse of the consequences that would result from her choices. She instead chose to turn to God and walk away from her sin. * Two families were saved from destruction * One church did not have to face the devastation of a pastor’s divorce These two families need prayer. God wants to use both this pastor and this woman to further His Kingdom. Please pray that they would stick to the decisions that have been made and that they would turn away from future temptations and back toward their spouses. Relationship issues are one of the top reasons why people end up on our site and in conversations with mentors. These issues open the door to conversations about spirituality and the role God has in their lives. What a huge open door to share the message of God’s love. Thank you for serving with us. Life changing connections are being made every hour of the day through this ministry. We need your help and deeply appreciate your prayers, finances and the role you play as you serve together with us.]]> Who do you smell like? https://ptc.jamesandcarolanne.com/2011/08/22/who-do-you-smell-like Thu, 01 Dec 11 14:47:45 +0000 https://ptc.jamesandcarolanne.com/?p=1333 biennial Zone Conference I had an interesting conversation with one of our newer staff members.  He was telling me all about his favourite hobby restoring an old car.  His wife, apparently, doesn't share his same passion, referring to the vehicle as his "mistress".  She could always tell when he'd been spending time with "his mistress" because when he came in he brought with him a certain "aroma".  (Eau de engine oil and axle grease) This was the comment that caught my attention and I spent most of the conference pondering it.  As a follower of Christ, do I "smell" like I've been spending time with Him?  I've been reminded recently that we can't say we have a relationship with someone unless we actually know them.
As a follower of Christ, do I "smell" like I've been spending time with Him?
Furthermore, you can't really know someone unless you actually spend time with them, talk to them, hear their heart and passions.  So using those criteria I've been challenging myself: "do I have a relationship with Jesus?  Or do I just know OF Him?"  When others interact with me, can they tell that I've been spending time with Him?  Can they smell His presence on me? I have many struggles in putting this into action.  I know that the most important way I can learn about Him is through reading about His life and ministry in His word, the Bible.  I know that I always enjoy it and feel refreshed and renewed when I spend time reading and in prayer and yet it's so easy to postpone it due to the busyness that I create.  It takes a lot of strength of will to stop and force myself to spend time in His presence, even though I know I always enjoy it.  There are always other things I could do, or think about, or resolve. Another problem is that of superficial familiarity.  "I've read it all before!"  When I think about starting to read His word, my first thought is often "I already know how that story goes."  I've actually found it really helpful recently to read other books ABOUT Him that perhaps have opened my eyes to see Him in a new light.  One such book I read recently was "The Shack".  After reading that, I couldn't HELP but go back to the Bible and read more about this Jesus, the man, the carpenter.  The Gospels are also a fascinating read, especially when you focus on who Jesus was and what he was doing.  It always makes me smile when He leaves the "religious leaders" speechless.  You can't deny that He had a pretty decent sense of humour. Another way to find time to spend with Him is while commuting. (plus it may help combat road rage ;))  Buy the Bible on CD (or digital download) and listen to it on your way to work.  When I drive to work, it's an hour each way and usually I can make it through more than one book of the New Testament per trip.  (when I'm not carpooling) I'm starting to get preachy so I'd better stop.  (that wasn't my intent)  I hope you've found this inspirational.  Maybe you have some ideas that I haven't mentioned on how to "keep it fresh".  I'd love to hear them.  Hope you have a great day and week.]]>