Do you trust God?

Hand extended

Normally I don’t promote other people’s products – I want you on my site purchasing mine!  :D – and in fact, I have not even read the following book to even know whether to recommend it to you or not. 

BUT the video book trailer is what caught my eye tonight on my Google Reader.  I wanted to share it with you tonight.  Sheila Walsh does an excellent job with video, challenging us on whether we trust God.

Do you trust Him?

The precious women of God in our lives

Patty Bartlett, Beth Jones, Diane Bishop

Today was a long but good day.  This morning, my friends Patty Bartlett and Diane Bishop, the speakers for our Wash Over Me ladies’ retreat here in Butler, stopped by so we could pray about the retreat.

I laid out Ray’s grandmother’s antique china teacups on the dining table, lit a scented candle, put on some water to boil, and set out the honey and a variety of herbal teas for us to enjoy sipping as we chatted and prayed.  Here is a pic of the three of us, sitting in my dining room today.  Don’t ya just love the bathroom toilet as the right elegant touch for the photo’s background, LOL! 

After tea and prayer,  I met sweet friends Lois Graham and Kimberly Ehlers in my Prayer, Purpose, Passion webinar room at CWA to give them a “tour” of the room before our exciting Step Up! webinar on August 31. 

Oh, you should have joined us girls today – we had so much fun and laughs!  But the webinar will be even better.  If you have not already signed up for this event, be sure to sign up today as room is limited! It is going to be a blast!

This afternoon as I reflected on the day, I felt so thankful to Jesus for the wonderful women of God He has brought into my life. I had a poor relationship with my mother growing up as a child, and God has seen to it to bring many spiritual mothers and sisters across my path through the years to pray for me, encourage me, and impart His truth and wisdom into my life. I don’t know what I would do without these beautiful women of God who are such precious gifts to me.

What about you?  Who are the women in your life who are important and who help you to walk along in this journey of life?  Be sure to let them know how thankful you are for their presence in your life and how much you love and appreciate them!

PS:  Want to connect with women of God and make new friends?  Sign up for our Step Up! webinar here.

Step UP Webinar! Be an overcomer and fulfill your great purpose!

Woman stepping up

Are you fulfilling your great purpose right now, today?  Or are you struggling to just  get through the day?

Are you an overcomer – or are you overcome by the stress in your life?  Do you need an afternoon to relax and to be encouraged that God has a wonderful plan for your life and a great purpose? Then this webinar is just for you!

Join Lois Graham and Kimberly Ehlers at my third webinar, Step UP! You will LOVE these precious friends of mine. They are anointed women of God!

 There is no charge for this webinar, and you will receive bonus goodies just for coming.

To learn more, click here!

Interview with Heather on Nashville mission

Heather Denney

Do you have a heart for missions work?  Our daughter Heather is back fom her mission to Nashville, TN, and it’s life-on-the-go as usual with Kyle’s and her two little girls getting ready for school next week, her part-time zumba class, time with friends, and church activities. 

Tomorrow I will be interviewing Heather here on TalkShoe about her recent mission trip to Nashville to help the flood victims.

You don’t want to miss this exciting call!  You can choose to talk, text chat, or just listen into the call with a land line, your cell phone, or via Skype. On TalkShoe, you can make new friends, network, and connect with people with common interests. It’s a lot of fun!

I hope to “see” you there!     Again, the link to the Talkshoe interview with Heather is here.

More than Mrs.: Your true identity

Just married car

When you feel alone in your marriage, it is very important that you understand who you are in Christ. When a woman marries a man, typically she takes his last name, all joint property become legally theirs, and she gives her body to him to consummate the marriage. She becomes Mrs.  His wife, his helpmeet.

 But this woman was God’s before she was his!  You are more than Mrs. God your creator is your Husband, and you are also His royal daughter!  As you begin to learn and walk in your true, God-given identity and great destiny, you will be a powerful witness to and influence on your husband, your children, and all those around you.

God is with you and you are not alone – no matter how your husband is treating you right now!  Learn some practical tips to tap into and walk in that royal identity.

Just click here.

Do you have the tools you need?

Pampered Chef dessert

Last night I went to my friend Genevieve’s Pampered Chef party. (No, I do not sell it!)  But I enjoyed watching the consultant Susan prepare the Cherry Cheesecake Trifle** dessert, and show us the cool gadgets to make life in the kitchen easier (some of us need all the help we can get!) 

The PC meat tenderizer, bamboo spoon, garlic press, and other tools  made me think about the different aspects of our lives:  marriage, parenting, at-home business, homeschooling, speaking, writing, etc.  Do you have the essential tools you need to succeed?

The right tool can make all the difference in the world.  When you are chopping vegetables for your fresh greens, salads or soups, you want a sharp knife, not a dull one. 

Another example is that the tool of effective, loving communication in marriage can result in closer intimacy with your husband.  On the other hand, blaming, interrupting someone, not listening, and being self-absorbed, are all destructive to good communication.

In homeschooling, choosing the right method of learning for your child, such as Charlotte Mason’s gentle ways, may mean much more joy in your children’s learning.  But insisting on using dry, dull textbooks and a rigid schedule only as the tools for your child’s education may result in frustration for both parent and child.

In your business, the powerful tool of God’s word, sincerely caring about your clients or customers and generously giving to them, and investing in knowledgeable coaches and mentors are incredible tools to achieve success.  On the other hand, being constantly disorganized or procrastinating, not backing up your computer data, and getting sucked into the Facebook black hole all day long are going to hinder your business growth and achievement.

What tools do you need to buy, invest in, or learn to be all that God created you to be and to see your dreams come true?  What essential tools do you need today to have what you truly desire in your marriage? Parenting?  Homeschooling? Your business, career, or ministry? Ask God to help you find and use the right tools for your fulfilling, successful, productive life.

**Cherry Cheesecake Trifle dessert recipe

Bottom layer…cubed angel food cake (1/2 large, round cake)

2nd layer, “light” cherry, strawberry, blueberry or other fruit filling (1 can)

3rd layer,  1/2 filling mixutre

Filling Mixture:

8 oz. Light Cool Whip

2 boxes sugar-free White Chocolate OR Cheesecake instant pudding

3 cups 1% milk

Mix milk & pudding. Fold in Cool Whip.

Directions:  Put cubed cake on bottom of glass dish, cover with pudding mixture. Scoop out fruit filling from can and pour on top of pudding mixture. 

Repeat layers, using large scoop. It looks like snowballs.

Second option:  Put pudding mixture in glass using scoop. Spoon cherry pie filling over the top, using no cake. Called “Cherries in the Snow.”  (You can also substitute strawberries or other fruit…delish!)

God’s Favor for the Ladies’ Retreat here

Wash Over Me ladies’ retreat – Woman under waterfall

Yesterday my friend Diane and I went around the town square to talk to local business owners about our September One Day Intensive ladies’ retreat, here in Butler. God gave us incredible favor from the businesses already, giving us some GREAT gifts for door prizes, and we are not even done yet!

Patty Bartlett (our other ANOINTED speaker!), Diane, and I are SO excited about this retreat. If you are not already signed up for this retreat, sign up today HERE as seating is limited. 

We will have praise and worship, Biblically-rich teaching, a “beautifying” preparation session on Friday, a tasty brunch on Saturday morning, and fellowship with other ladies. 

I can’t wait!  How about you?  Ready for some rest, relaxation, and fun?

Hope to see you there! 

“Your favor, O LORD, made me as secure as a mountain.” (Psalm 30: 7, NLT)

Heather and team back from Nashville

Heather Denney, working in Nashville house

Nashville – men working in house

Nashville mission team

Our daughter Heather and the team from Eagle Creek Church are back from Nashville.  It was hot, hard work, and Heather’s arms and legs are still sore.  A couple of times while working, she  got light headed from the smell and the heat, and had to sit down. But they completed the mission they went there for, and she is glad she went.twitter.com/eccfloodrelief).

She has a busy week,  teaching zumba aerobics tonight and helping today and this week with kids’ Vacation Bible School, so please pray God’s rest and strength for her.  

On the mission trip, they gutted the house, leaving the results up to God (they don’t know if it can be salvaged or not).  Heather and a team member were able to pray with and encourage an older  man who had just lost everything he had in the flood.

Here is what Heather shared yesterday with family and friends about the trip:

Hello family and friends! Many of you know that I went with my church last week to Nashville, TN July 28-July 31. We went to help Anchor Christian Fellowship do demo at a house that was damaged in the flood.  To prepare for my trip, I received a tetanus shot the week before, but I hadn’t had one in 14 years, so it needed updating anyway.

Our team of 8 left Wed. night after work in one car and one truck. There were 3 women, 4 men and one teenage boy that went. We arrived to our hotel 3am Thur. and then were up to work at the house by 9am. It was a very hot day, so we only worked til about 2pm. I’ve never sweated so much in my life!

The house we were working on was owned by a woman that we had hoped to meet and interview, but didn’t get a chance to. She had lost EVERYTHING because the water was up to her roof!

We’re not sure if the house is salvageable, but in order for the insurance to even consider it, it had to be gutted. We tore down walls, tore up the wood flooring and sub-flooring, etc.

Because of the damage, there was lots of mold, so we had to wear respirator masks, gloves and boots. I personally wore goggles, too. We then went back to our hotel to shower and rest before eating dinner at 6:30pm.

The plan was to go out as a group, but the guys were so wiped out that they just ate dinner on their own and stayed at the hotel, while we ladies toured downtown Nashville and got back around 11:30pm.

We had a morning devotional on Fri. at 8am based on Matt. 5:13-16. Our team leader, Mike, encouraged us that even though it may seem like what we’re doing physically is a “waste”, it’s not spiritually because the reason we came was to be a light and salt to Nashville and show that we care.

We then headed out by 9am to do another hard day’s work. It was not as humid as the day before, so we were very thankful! Our team leader interviewed some of us about the trip and also did some live footage (

We worked til about 3pm and then went back to the hotel to shower and rest. We then all went downtown as a group to eat and then go to a worship concert at Anchor Christian.

Some of us stayed in downtown to do some shopping and pics, then headed back to the hotel. We checked out and headed on the road by 9am Sat.

A neat story I have is that I was able to pray for an older man at the hotel before we left, so I felt that completed the trip for me.

As I sat in church today thinking of the people we encountered while there, I began to well up with tears. I can’t imagine having to go through that type of disaster and losing EVERYTHING we have and feeling hopeless.

One man we encountered actually came to the house while we were working on it and told some of us his story. I didn’t hear everything, but what I do know is that a year ago, he had lost his wife to cancer, I believe. Then this year, he lost his income of 3 rental properties due to the flood.

He had a very hopeless look in his eye and I wish we had prayed for him, but a team member told me she tried and he was resistant. I prayed for him anyway in my mind. I do believe him and the other people were thankful for us coming, though.

Anyway, I’m VERY thankful that I had the opportunity to go on this trip and I do believe it’s the start of many more to come. I’m VERY thankful for the new Missions Pastor and his family at our church, so that our church can get more involved in missions, both local and foreign.

Thanks to everyone who thought or prayed for us. As soon as I have access to the interviews, I will send it your way. For now, you can look at the live footage on twitter and see the attached pics.

Blessings to you all and I love you dearly! – Heather  

P.S. I do want to make a special shout out to our parents and Kyle for allowing me to go. The Lord will bless you for helping me with the girls, and dad, thanks for the boots!

Heather and “Elvis,” downtown Nashville

Chelsea’s wedding and the media frenzy

Chelsea Clinton, Marc Mezvinsky

There are a lots of summer weddings going on right now, and one that is creating some buzz is the one of Chelsea Clinton, daughter of former U.S. President Bill Clinton and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The media is covering everything from the secrecy of the wedding details to Chelsea, raised Methodist, marrying a conservative Jew. There’s also talk that the wedding may cost $1 million on upward.  Rumors are that Chelsea’s wedding gown will be designed by either chic designers Vera Wang or Oscar de la Renta.

Some reports say that guests may include Oprah and Steven Spielberg – but not President Barak Obama, who said he wasn’t invited and that two presidents at a wedding would be one too many. (I thought this remark was hilarious.)

Reporters are supposedly going on private properties in Rhinebeck, NY, where the wedding is located, and a Norwegian photographer and a newspaper editor have been arrested for trespassing on Astor Courts estate, which may be the location of the wedding.

Really, I can’t imagine starting off a marriage with this kind of media frenzy!  It reminds me of sharks feeding, and blood everywhere.  Weddings are stressful enough as it is.  This isn’t helping them to start off on the right foot!

Marc and Chelsea will have the usual challenges, no doubt – working through the (BIG) male/female differences, adapting to each other’s personalities, learning to communicate well and how to handle disagreements,and  balancing work and family.  They also will have to adjust to married life with the pressure of  paparazzi, the scrutiny of the public eye, and their differences of faith.

I’ve certainly never been a fan of the Clintons, but I do hope for the best for this young couple and that they can endure the course, finishing the race well – not wind up another sad statistic.  Marriage is a marathon, not a sprint.

In the weeks ahead, I’ll be sharing more about marriage, from some things God is putting on my heart, so stay tuned. 

Below is a cute video of a couple just pronounced husband and wife…in this social media era.

Prayer and Your Business article

If you are a work at home mom (WAHM), entrepreneur, or business owner of any kind (online or off), you know its delicious benefits such as being your own boss, spending more time with your family, taking a fun day off, etc. – as well as its challenges (financial security, balancing work and family, and being completely responsible when things aren’t going well, etc.). 

Whether you are just starting out or you already enjoy a thriving, profitable business, God is interested in every aspect of it. God loves you, He cares about you and your business, and He wants to bless you – in ways you can’t even begin to imagine!  (1 Corinthians 2:9).

My friend Laurie Neumann asked me to write an article for her website Christian Home Business Connection.  Here is her blog post with the link to my article.

While you are there, be sure to check out Laurie’s website. Her site is a wealth of information on having a home business. She’s a wonderful, giving person, an anointed writer, and she has great, practical resources available to encourage you and to help you in your home business. I just love Laurie!

Want to go even deeper with your business?  I especially recommend Laurie’s membership site, The Christian’s Guide to Starting a Home Business. It is packed with wonderful info for your home business – AND for the first month’s resources, Laurie interviewed me, so I want you to hear it!      This membership site will truly bless and encourage you with all of Laurie’s goodies – even with bonuses from experts like Jimmy D. Brown, Alice Seba, and Kelly McCausey.

PS:  Don’t forget to check out my article at Laurie’s site here. I also love her site’s newest article on business success for introverts.

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