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

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June 24, 2007

And when I die I hope my soul ascends slowly
So that I may watch the earth receding out of sight,
It's vastness growing smaller as I rise,
Savoring it's recession with delight.

Anticipating joy is itself a joy
And joy unspeakable and full of glory
Needs more than "in the twinkling of an eye,"
More than "in a moment."

Lord, who am I to disagree?
It's only we have much to leave behind; so much…
Before, these moments of transition
Will, for me, be time to adore.

Written by Ruth Graham 1920 – 2007

June 17, 2007
And a very special Fathers Day it is. Yesterday I turned on the radio and learned I was chosen Father of the Year in our community. I humbly accept the honor and all the nice gifts that come with it: A weekend retreat at a state lodge, A 119 piece tool set, Golf clubs and an outing for the entire family and the list goes on including a one hour massage. So what's the deal that makes a good dad? In a nutshell I would say, accept responsibility for your mistakes and don't repeat them. Establish and keep the family traditions. Example: Many years ago in the Christmas Season we choose a nice restaurant beside a lake for a meal and gift exchange. I heard our daughter exclaim, this is great, we ought to do this every year. We haven't missed a year since; same restaurant, same waitress who also is involved in the gift exchange. Above all practice your Faith, don't just talk about it, be real in your lifestyle. Your kids are smarter then you might think. They will reflect who you are. My first bible memory assignment in school was Ephesians 6: 1-4. Look It up …..Thanks for your time... Jim Mullett

June 10, 2007
The ancient mariners feared the uncharted waters too far from shore. Their nautical maps noted; beyond, there be dragons and they drew pictures of fire breathing monsters. When God spoke to Job He painted a picture of this mythical creature and called it Leviathan. Our Nation's fears and my fears are evident in the presidential debates of the past weeks. As a people our confidences is in our mighty Military machine fueled by the Religious Right. We run this machine arrogantly and roughshod into and over other Nations and then we wonder why they hate us so. Ron Paul of Texas understands this problem and dares to speak out but none of the other candidates want to hear. As Christians our confidence has been misplaced. God can and will be in control if we as a Nation choose to follow the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. It is the only way to lasting peace. Leviathan represents our fears. I give you God's promise in Isaiah 27: 1 In that day the Lord with His severe sword, great and strong, will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent. He will slay the reptile that is in the sea. History teaches us that Military might will fail. Faith in God must be our strength. Think about it…..Jim

June 3, 2007
He was just a small dog but this dog was special. He was the same age as our youngest grandchild and lived in the same family for sixteen years. Old age takes its toll even on our pets and so this week he was lovingly laid to rest under the plum tree. It was a long and tough decision to finally take him on that last trip to the vet. Grief and sadness is a part of life that overtakes us and nothing we can do will stop it. In the quiet moments we shed our tears. Tears are therapeutic, provided for us by a loving God. Jesus, as an adult male wept at the tomb of His dear friend Lazarus. He feels our pain and promised never to leave us. It's comforting to know He will walk with us while time brings healing and joy returns. Rest easy little Jingles. We love you…..Jim

May 27, 2007
Boats, Weddings and beauty; Jesus enjoyed them all. Yes Isabel and I are in Canada. This evening we attended a beautiful wedding on board a boat on Lake Ontario. The ceremony, the meal, the reception stretched the imagination making a most memorable experience with the city of Toronto in the back-round. The Chinese bride and Canadian groom made a lovely couple. May God bless the union with long life and happiness. In our culture and society today marriages that last a lifetime are becoming the exception but Jesus can make it happen. In Johns gospel chapter two Jesus preformed His first miracle at a wedding. Verse 11 says He manifests forth His Glory. It is His love that shines on us and we reflect it back to Him. So it is in marriage as husbands and wives reflect each others love. Love is not only a romantic feeling but a commitment to always enhance the life of my mate both spiritually as well as physically. It is to be the best that I can be and give my best to my partner. After all, Jesus gives us His divine life just because he loves us. He is our model in marriage. Whether you are single or married love is a wonderful experience. Try it, you'll like it...Jim

May 20, 2007
Saturday evening and I am tired, almost to tired to answer Isabel's call to supper. Doc said my blood is low whatever that means but eat more liver. Come on Doc, you know I can't stand that stuff! Suddenly I remember I've forgotten all about inspiration so here I sit at my console totally empty and nothing to say. But this week I've been thinking about the Beatitudes and the first one says, Blessed are the poor in spirit. It's OK, silence is golden. You don't have to have the last word of wisdom. Just relax, the Kingdom of Heaven will be yours anyhow. Thanks Isabel for drying the dishes tonight….Jim

May 13, 2007
Mother's Day! Some were good, some were bad, most were in-between. Consider the widow of Zarephath in 1 Kings 17: There was a severe famine, she was gathering firewood to bake the last bit of food for her and a son and then expected to die. She gave it to a man of God trusting the words of Elijah that the oil and flour would outlast the famine. She was a women of great faith yet in verse 18 she alludes to a sinful life. She was an ordinary mother whose life was touched by the Grace of God in her hour of need.

How about us today, with the fuel gauge on empty and gas at $3.19 per gallon we can depend on God to sustain us. Mothers can always find a miracle when times get tough…Jim

May 6, 2007
Irregular People! Some folks just don't fit in with our normal understanding of how life should be. They march to a different tune all by themselves and consider the rest of the world to be out of step. In our communities, in our churches and in our families, the closer they are to us the more we become frustrated with their thoughts and actions. We can spend our lifetime trying to change them to no avail. What can one do when we reach the end of our rope except hang on and pray that it don't end in a rampage as it did in Virginia? Jesus in the Beatitudes said: Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. OK so none of my irregular people shot anyone yet, but Jesus could you hurry up a bit with the comfort??? Jim Mullett

April 29, 2007
Oh those people of Faith in Hebrews 11! Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and Moses, Even the harlot Rahab and the list goes on. What about us today? We too are people of Faith. Verse three says By Faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God. And thank God for verse 40: God having provided something better for us that they should not be made perfect apart from us. But then I would never measure up to who Abraham or Moses were. I'm with the guy that prayed Lord I believe, help my unbelief. For ordinary people like you and me there is only the free gift of God's Grace. I accept it by faith……Jim

April 15, 2007
Could this be real? The bible says in Hebrews 13: 2 Men have entertained angels unaware. Thursday evening, April 5, Isabel, our grandson Tyler and I were traveling North on interstate 75 in Southern Georgia on our way home from Florida. We had spent the previous night and most of that day in a motel while our car was being repaired. Now the problem re-occurred and we were stranded along the hi-way in a remote area. The sun was low in the sky. Tyler and I were out of the car. I had raised the hood and was looking at the engine. When I turned around there within twenty feet of the car set an old tow truck with lights flashing and a dilapidated trailer parked on the shoulder in front of us. None of us had seen him arrive. The middle age driver wearing an old red T-shirt and jeans assured us of his help as long as we needed him but he was not equipped to haul us in. Then the car started again and he ask us to follow him to the next exit where there was a convenience store. He told us there was a Chrysler dealership and motels at exit 146 some miles up the hi-way. With the engine barely running we followed him to the store. There I noticed he was wearing a pistol in plain view. While we were deciding what to do he bought some snacks, cigarettes and $80.00 worth of instant lottery tickets. Definitely not my idea of an angel. The car was now running about normal and we decided to try for exit 146. Our friend still had some tickets to scratch but assured us he would be along shortly and would stop if we didn't make it. I watched for him in the mirror but didn't see him again. Just as we were exiting there he was pointing us in the direction of the motel. It had just gotten dark. We were safe. Those are the facts – What do you think??? Jim Mullett
P. S. The next day the car quit again in Tennessee so we were hauled to a dealership where we left it and bought another.

April 8, 2007
Resurrection Morning! Jesus is the undisputed King of Kings and Lord of Lords and He says to us; I bestow upon you a kingdom just as My Father bestowed one upon Me that you may eat and drink at My table in My Kingdom. Luke 22: 29 & 30. Is this our reward for being servants of God or is it a gift of His love and Grace? The final book of the bible is a Revelation of Jesus Christ and He shall reign forever and ever. The evil Devil has been defeated and will be cast into a lake of fire never to return again. Our God is alive!

April 1, 2007
Palm Sunday. Luke nineteen. Jesus rides a donkey into Jerusalem, weeps over it and then cleanses the temple. Look at the parallels then and now in America. The masses are hailing a person who can give them the greatest mighty kingdom on the planet. People believe peace can be found through their own invincible military regiment.. The religious institution has become an avenue of money and wealth. These are the things that cause Jesus to be sad. Verse 42 He says If you had know, even you, especially in this your day the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. He then continues to foretell the judgment to come on Jerusalem. Jesus said My house is a house of prayer. Then, as now there were a few who knew Jesus intimately enough to be at peace with him. Some of them were women. Most were just common folks like you and I…..Jim

March 25, 2007
There's a snake in my garden! It's the same reptile that invaded Eden and tempted Eve to take forbidden fruit. But I do have an advantage that Eve didn't have. The Devil's head has been crushed and his power taken away. The only strength he has over me is what I am willing to give him. Some folk go looking for the devil under every rock so we can order him to leave the garden. The best way is to ignore him and turn our attention to Jesus, then the snake has no choice but to slither away. God is the superpower and He grants mankind the ability to freely choose. The scripture I remind you of today is found in 1 Corinthians 10:13, No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you will be able to bear it. I use that promise a lot….Jim Mullett

March 18, 2007
Gospel of Mark chapter ten is a tough one. In America the family is broken and in trouble. Mom is at the job. The children are unsupervised and Dad is gone. Divorce and single parenting is rampant. This is not how God intended it to be. Jesus said: from the beginning of the creation God made them male & female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife. What God has joined together let not man separate. Yet the devastation of divorce is upon us and Christian homes are not immune. Now what? We can't fix it ourselves but God's matchless Grace can see us through. To those caught in this web, pray this prayer: Dear Lord take up the tangled strands where we have wrought in vain, that by the skill of thy dear hands some beauty may remain. To the rest of us: If God in His love, mercy and forgiveness grants His child a second chance, we are not the judge. Having said that, I don't believe God can ever bless the guilty party in a love triangle unless true repentance takes place. Happiness is only found in His original intent…. Jim

March 11, 2007
Last Sunday a visitor stood by the door of our church asking what is meant by The New Birth spoken of in John 3 to Nicodemus. Later I came home and read from Marks' Gospel chapter 7. Jesus said out of the heart of man comes evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things originate in the spiritual heart of man and will keep us out of Heaven. That's why we must be Born Again. God replaces that nature with His own. It is the beginning of the pathway to Holiness without which no man will see the Lord. The New Birth cleans up an evil heart and forgives all our sins. Our life on earth is limited. To waste even a single day living in wickedness is pure folly. True Christianity is not dull….Jim

March 4, 2007
So while we were in Florida our home in Ohio was ransacked, our truck taken out of the garage and left wrecked fifteen miles away and I missed the inspiration last Sunday. We needed to go home and secure what was left. So are there any lessons we can learn from living in a high crime rural area? Yes. First, forgiving the unknown culprit frees one from the anger one would normally experience from being so violated. However forgiveness should not free the criminal from the long arm of the law. The investigating officer told us "The law is not here to be forgiving". Second, relationships to God and Family are far more important then wealth. Our well-being and personhood must not be dependant on our possessions. Paul said, I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content. Jesus said, do not lay up treasures on earth where thieves break in and steal but lay up treasure in Heaven. Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.

Having said all that, I hope they catch this guy! Have a good day with us….Jim

February 18, 2007
For a scripture basis this morning read Mark 3:13-19 and I would ask Jesus,
Why did you choose two guys like Peter and Judas? You sent them out to preach. You gave them both power to cast out demons and heal sickness yet when the chips were down both turned their back on you. Peter denied knowing you and Judas sold you to be killed. Verse thirteen simply says You wanted them. If you wanted them it would be a clear indication you want us too and when we sin you are there to forgive us just like you did for Peter without even a word of chastisement. That's real love….better even than Valentines Day….Thanks Jesus, I needed that...Jim

February 11, 2007
Why, Why, Why? Reading Mark chapter two that word seems to be dominate. Why Jesus do you break our Sabbath rules? Why do you eat with sinners? Why don't you and your disciples fast as we do and why did you speak blasphemy and tell that sick man his sins were forgiven? In response Jesus simply turned to the paralyzed sick man, healed him and sent him home, declaring "that you may know that the Son Of Man has power on earth"! The crowds glorified God. Levi quit his job with the IRS. Jesus and His disciples went to dinner but those religious scribes and Pharisees, consumed by hatred and envy plotted to kill their Lord. If our religion does not set us free to celebrate then we would do well to take a second look. Jim

February 4, 2007
This morning the International Sunday School lesson is taken from the beautiful story of the good Shepherd in John chapter 10. Speaking of the sheep pen Jesus said "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and out and find pasture". He said "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep". He said "I know my sheep and my sheep know me but I have other sheep who are not of this pen. I must bring them also". What a comforting, reassuring and intimate image of our life in Christ. Could it be that in our secular materialistic society you or I might be one of those "other" sheep? How lush and green is the grass in your pasture field? This world offers many substitutes but nothing can compare to the intimate and secure environment provided by our Good Shepherd. Have a happy day…Jim

January 28, 2007
For Christian parents who are concerned about the spiritual life of their adult children I give you the wisdom of Dr. Scott Peck. He writes in his book Denial Of The Soul pg 124 about stages of spiritual development. (I quote)

Stage 1, which I label Chaotic, Antisocial. In this more primitive stage people may appear either religious or secular, but either way, their belief system is profoundly superficial. It may be thought of as a stage of lawlessness.

Stage 2, which I label Formal, Institutional. This is the stage of the letter of the law in which religious fundamentalists (meaning most religious people) are to be found.

Stage 3, I label Skeptic, Individual. Here is where the majority of secularists are situated. People in this stage are usually scientific-minded, rational, moral and humane. Their outlook is predominantly materialistic. They tend to be not only skeptical of the spiritual but uninterested in anything that cannot be proven.

Stage 4, I have called mystical, Communal. In this most mature stage of religious development, which may be thought of as one of the spirit of the law, women and men are rational but do not make a fetish of rationalism. They have begun to doubt their own doubts. They feel deeply connected to an unseen order of things, although they cannot fully define it. They are comfortable with the mystery of the sacred. (end of quote)

So dear parent take comfort in Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Jim

January 21, 2007
In our Last Sunday School Class someone raised a good question; What was the purpose of all those Old Testament laws for the Hebrew people such as forbidding work on the Sabbath? I would counter with a question; When Jesus was born would there have been a Jewish Nation had it not been for the laws and rules? It is our perimeters that we accept for ourselves that gives us an identity. I cannot honestly call myself a Christian unless I accept and practice the life Jesus calls me to. It involves loving God, and my neighbor as myself. He calls on me to take up a cross and follow him. His rules are not as well defined as those in the Old Testament but then at our invitation He places His Holy Spirit into our heart with this promise; The Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things. John 14:26 His presence becomes visible in our lives. The world can spot a phony very quickly. Sinners also recognize the rules….Blessings…Jim

January 7, 2007
What is a Christian? CNN ask the question of a panel of the several popular pastors of large mega churches. A Christian was described as one who supports the nation of Israel, one who is in a battle against evil, one who is expecting the apocalypse, one who expects God to make him wealthy and another simply said one who loves all people. Only once at the end of the entire hour was there any mention of Jesus Christ. What a tragedy to identify ourselves with His name but not to recognize Him as the source of Eternal Life. He said "I am the way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me. And in Matthew 7:22 Jesus said "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord have we not prophesied in thy name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from me. Be sure you are not following a wolf in sheeps clothing. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Learn to know Him….Jim

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