Are you a men-pleaser? (Test yourself)

How do I know if, in anything, I am seeking the praise of men? (20 questions to ask yourself) 1. Why is it I say the things I do? What is the purpose of each thing said? (examine motives) 2. Do I seek constantly to justify my words or actions to other people? 3. How much do I talk about myself? 4. Do I enjoy talking about myself? 5. Am I easily distracted when I'm talking with someone and others walk by? 6. Do I explain something or a situation differently to different people, who don't differ greatly in age or intelligence? 7. Am I less willing to expose my weaknesses to some people who are more admired or respected? 8. Do I justify myself at the expense of others? 9. Do I falsely slander other people to make myself look better? 10. Do I constantly compare myself with other people? 11. Am I ashamed to go somewhere or do something, that's not forbidden in Scripture, because of what others might think? 12. Do I constantly think that other people are looking at me or listening to me? 13. Do I act differently around different individuals or groups of people? 14. Do I think about pleasing other people more than I do about pleasing God? 15. Why do I admire the people I do? 16. Do I feel pressure around certain individuals to perform or do I fear not performing properly? 17. Am I slow to expose my weaknesses, yet quick to assert my strengths? 18. Do I welcome correction and rebuke from anyone at any time in any place that's appropriate? 19. Do I feel like my opinion always has to be heard? 20. Do I constantly seek validation or justification for my words, actions, feelings or desires from other people? *If our answer is yes to any of these questions, then we might be seeking the praise of men. "Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God. " (1 Cor. 4:5)

BIG NEWS!!!

Wow, a lot has changed over the past months! I want to inform you of what's going on, so that you can continue to pray that the Lord would lead me in the way I should go (Ps. 143:8) and that I would seek to be most happy in Him (Ps. 21:6, 16:11, 37:4, Phil. 3:1, 4:4). Over the past 3 months the Lord has been re-opening my eyes to an opportunity that I was interested in over 2 years ago. When I returned from China in the summer of 2004, you'll remember me reporting that the Lord had overwhelmed my heart and mind with the need for training and discipleship among the Chinese people. It was then that I began to consider how I might be best trained and prepared to serve such a purpose. The training program that interested me the most was called The Bethlehem Institute in Minneapolis, MN. The one drawback to the program was that it required a year of Greek language training, which is what prevented me from submitting my application. The Lord, at that point, saw fit to take the desire for the program out of my heart and mind for two years, until about 3 months ago, when I was cleaning out some papers, I found my application, realized that I now have a year of Greek language training, and began to prayerfully reconsider the program. While considering, I came to find out that two of the three tracks of the program are open to anyone in the church who is interested. Also, the church in which the program is based, offers a missionary training program, called the Nuture Program, which is very God-centered and well-researched, while the pastor himself is passionate about pushing the body toward the unreached people groups of the world, which is very attractive. Further, another thing I have realized over all my years as a student, is how much having to work and go to school at the same time, effects the quality of my work and education. So, after many months of prayer, consideration and seeking the counsel of many friends and trusted advisors, it looks like I will be moving up to Minnesota at the beginning of August to work and save money, to begin participating in track 1 of the program and the Nuture Program, and to get involved in the international student ministry at the University of Minnesota. This is still a huge prayer request, seeing as I have not yet been accepted to track 2 of the program, which is what I also want to take part in. This is probably the biggest step of faith that I have ever taken, and though it is extremely exciting, it is also a little scary. Would you please pray that the Lord would be my peace (Isa.26:12, Phil. 4:7, John 14:27), replace my doubt with faith (Luke 8:22-25; Mark 11:22-24; Heb. 11:1,6; 1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Cor. 5:7), and enable me to make wise decisions (James 1:5, James 3:17, Prov. 9:10, Eph. 1:17)? It's a really exciting thing to put yourself on the line by faith, going outside your comfort zone, yet I dare not do it without the support of many fighting for me in prayer. So much more to say about this, but this will suffice for now. Please feel free to contact me at (502)741-6998 or jacalcote@yahoo.com, if you would like to know more or just catch up. I am planning on coming back to Texas the last week of July to visit and attend a good friend's wedding, so I hope to see many of you then. Blessings!