Guest: James Emery White

Pastor, Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, NC

President of Serious Times a ministry that explores the intersection of faith and culture, find more about this at ChurchandCulture.org

Find someone further down the road - get into a mentoring relationship!

In life, God doesn’t often give clarity. He wants you to trust Him and walk by faith, not by sight.

Where are your giftings and passions - and how is God going to weave the way that He’s created you into a life path and career?! Your gifts tell you what to do, your passions tell you where.

There is a big difference between success and significance. Significance is what we’re really made for - making a difference in this one and only life!

Historical mentoring - read biographies of men who lived life well. Dr. White recommended one book that influenced his life - Borden of Yale.

Advice on relationships with women - don’t compromise. Don’t date someone that you know that you should not marry (a person who is not a believer, Scripture speaks to the issue of being “unequally yoked” or connected your life with a person who does not have Christ at the center of their life). Second biggest decision in life - who you’re going to marry. Don’t play around with this decision. What you’re looking for is someone who becomes more attractive to you the more you get to know them and spend time with them - the concept of “inward beauty.” More important thing in a relationship is to be “one in Christ.”

Advice on relationships with guys - when you spend time with someone, are you being influenced or are you the influencer - be honest, are you getting sharpened by spending time with that person?! Do I walk away wanting to do more for Jesus…or a little less loving and generous? Be honest with how others influence you. Guy, also don’t discount the influence of both older men and women - for example, The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom, great book for everyone to read.

Dr. White is the author of more than 20 books - here are the 8 books of his that I’ve read and recommend:

A Mind for God

Serious Times

A Traveler's Guide to the Kingdom

Meet Generation Z

A Search for the Spiritual

Wrestling with God

Embracing the Mysterious God

The DaVinci Question