Getting a little personal?

This morning I was attending the Savvy Saved Women Entrepreneurs Virtual Summit, and a question was raised by an attendee in the chat box, “Can you get too personal when running an online business?” The attendee meant if we, as entrepreneurs, should separate our business from our personal lives, keeping personal things OUT of our business.

For some people, that answer would be yes. For me, it would be no. My business and my brand ARE me, Beth Jones. My business is simply one piece of the whole of this life that God has given me.  God is my priority, then  my family, then my business and all else. My personal life affects my business and vice versa.

My family is both affected by and involved in my business. Often when you see a video of me, the video person behind my smart phone recording it is our youngest daughter Leah. My husband Ray is my business sounding board, my wise counsel, and the money bags  financial backer/adviser of my business. Our oldest daughter Heather and my sister Maria are my greatest encouragers.

My blog is filled with stories about my family. In fact, I recently posted this cartoon on my Facebook fan page with this comment: “My family realizes by now that EVERYTHING is potential content for my blog!”

This is so true. My obsession with recording intimate moments of my family’s lives began when my father-in-law Charles gave Ray and me a dinosaur-sized video recorder when Leah was born, so we could send him videos on VHS tapes (he lives in another state and couldn’t visit that often).

We have literally HOURS of videos of Leah as a baby laying on the pink blanket, the brightly colored blanket, the soft white blanket, cooing, sucking her thumb, sleeping, and yes, even spitting up on Heather’s shoulder, lol.

In one video, you can even see Ray’s hairy underarm as he, shirtless, reached over to stroke Leah’s cheek. In another video, Heather turned the camera on me, with her following me around the house and I was the one, having a bad hair day and now annoyed and frowning, saying, “STOP it, Heather!” She was simply giving me payback.

Despite that video, I still didn’t learn that my family protested every mundane moment of their lives being recorded for all the world to gawk at.  Fast forward many years, when I began my business about a year ago and technology was changing at the speed of light. I could now record my family on my FLIP recorder and my smart phone at the push of one button – and use it as GREAT content for my business! Or at least I think it’s great. (I hope you like it, too!) At least by now, my family has learned to tolerate the obsessive picture-taking, video recording, and blog-writing about their lives.

My open-as-a-book friend Susan Evans commented on my Facebook picture, “I told my husband that if he wanted to know what was going on in our family, to read my blog!”  Exactly.

No, I won’t separate my personal life (i.e., my faith in Christ, my family, my friends, etc.) from my business, because they are such an important part of my life. God and they truly are the inspirational material for my writing, speaking, and coaching.

That doesn’t mean that I believe people should “air dirty laundry” (i.e., such as the arguments Ray and I have sometimes, like the one yesterday over who spends the most money – we can have some doozies because we’re both hard-headed and stubborn!).  But I do believe that people should be real and authentic, sharing themselves, who they and their families really are, as a part of their business.

Letting people into your personal life, getting a glimpse of you and those around you, is what builds the Know, Like, Trust (K, L, T)  factor. It makes you more real and more approachable to your readers.

Let them see you are a flesh-and-blood person, with real problems, real pain, and real struggles. That doesn’t mean to bombard your readers and listeners with all the gory details of your husband getting hurt at work from lifting a heavy patient or your car breaking down on the highway when you’re on your family dinner night.

After all if your life is just a big mess, why should they follow or listen to you to help them?  They need to see that you have something positive, encouraging, and helpful to offer them, that will solve their problems – and it’s important that you are walking the talk in your own life.

But let your personal life be a part of your business. People relate to personal.

Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Recently when I flew to Georgia for my sister Maria’s college graduation, I went to visit my dad at his nearly 100-year-old house.

My dad, forever the workaholic, says he is now “semi-retired” as a CPA; instead of working from 8 or 9 a.m. until 9 or 10 p.m (like he has many years of his life), he now “only works” from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. This amuses me because he is 75 years old! He just loves to work and gets a lot of fulfillment out of it.

While I was there visiting him, he showed me some fruit trees and a grape vine he had planted in the back yard, which I will share more about in a minute.

My dad Leland Jr. was raised by a small tobacco farmer, Leland S. Moore, and worked hard on the farm every day with his mother Leola, his brother William and his sister Betty, and other relatives. They also grew other crops, such as cotton, watermelon, corn, and peanuts. Daddy laughed when he told me a relative of his told my dad that he’s the only person he knows who had actually plowed with a mule when he was younger!

My grandfather Leland, who died before I was born, believed in hard work. Daddy told me the story, laughing, of his uncle Jesse, who got mad because my grandfather once made him plow a whole field and then didn’t plant anything in the field; he had just made Jesse plow it to do the work to keep him out of trouble.

This vein of hard work runs in our entire family. My dad, my brothers, my sister and I all tend toward workaholism. As I was growing up, my father – who had his CPA business in our home – always made sure that us four kids were doing some kind of work. “Idle hands are the devil’s playground.” If he came upstairs to check on us after we were home from school and we were sitting in front of the T.V. watching the Flinstones or Gilligan’s Island as we were prone to do, he would immediately put us to work: washing the car, raking leaves, doing laundry or dishes, vacuuming the floors, dusting.

On Saturday mornings – our one chance to sleep in after school all week – our dad would come into our rooms to wake us up for some inane chore that would take hours of our day, like washing our house’s wrap-around porch. At the time, my brother Greg and I (who seemed to get the bulk of the work because we were older) disliked and resented it. Now I really appreciate my father teaching me a strong work ethic! My dad knew that laziness is a poor character trait.(Everything in moderation – sometimes we do need to rest, relax and just have FUN!)

Anyway, back to the fruit trees. Growing things – and doing hard work – is just in my father’s blood. So he was upset when the fruit trees he had planted – lemon, orange, and cherry – only produced small fruit, and then birds or something ruined the fruit on them. The grape vine had not produced at all. I could see the disappointment on his face as he showed me the trees and my heart went out to him. Of course, it could be that particular soil wasn’t conducive to growing those types of trees and the birds didn’t help. The orange tree eventually produced small oranges, and my dad was proud of that and took a picture with Maria’s kids with the oranges in their hands. But God immediately began speaking to me through these unfruitful trees.

What kind of legacy do we want in our lives and to pass on to our children? A godly legacy or none at all for our children, grandchildren, and future generations? It all starts with us – our decisions, our choices, today.

Will we obey God? Will we teach our children and grandchildren to obey God’s word? Will we be a godly example for them to follow, and experience God’s blessings – prosperity, divine health, joy, peace, love, goodness, self control, patience, kindness? Or will we show them instead strife, anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, depression, discouragement, poverty, debt, struggles, unhappiness?

“Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 7: 16-19, NLT)

We can either produce good spiritual fruit in our lives, and have it live on through our children and future generations, or we can produce bad fruit and have that live on in our families. Which do you choose?

After my father showed me the fruit trees, though, he then pointed to a huge pine tree nearby that I was looking at and he said, “I planted that tree here just before you were born.” I gasped, “You did?” Even now, remembering this, tears fill my eyes.

I looked at the enormous tree and then up at it, reaching high into the blue sky. God spoke to my heart immediately and showed me that I had a choice: I could either be like those unfruitful fruit trees, that the birds of the air had eaten its fruit from, or I could be like this enormous, tall tree growing high into the heavens, steady and strong and lasting.

It blessed me SOOO much. I, Beth, could leave a lasting legacy for my children and grandchildren by following God!

Which do you choose today?

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15: 1-27)

Don’t you just love a cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter day or night?

I want to invite you to my Virtual Hot Cocoa call tomorrow, Thursday, December 29 at 11:00 a.m. Central Time (12 p.m. Eastern Time) at Talkshoe. I will be sharing on The 12 Things I Learned in 2011.

I invite you to join me for this hour-long show, to share at the end of the show your own stories from 2011 – the good, the bad, and the ugly – and receive encouragement and equipping with God’s eternal words of truth and empowerment with the wonderful Holy Spirit to take you into 2012 for an incredible year!

You can join me in the chat room by clicking here. Or you can call in with the call-in details below:

Phone Number: (724) 444-7444
Call ID: 98698
PIN: 1 # or Your Talkshoe PIN

I’d love to see you there – and bring a friend!

Image Resource:Image: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

You wouldn’t knowingly eat a piece of fruit or a vegetable that was saturated in pesticides or other chemicals, or allow your child to do so, would you? You don’t want those poisonous, harmful toxins in your body. It’s the same thing with our minds. We must detox our minds from the poisonous effects of sin (which we all struggle with), and renew our minds each day with the Word of God.
If you missed my friend Bess Blanco‘s Family Health Matters radio show, where I shared on this topic, you can still listen to the replay at Blog Talk Radio. Just click here.
Enjoy and please let us know your comments below. Bess has invited me back for future shows to share more on this topic, so stay tuned! If you are not already signed up for my newsletter, sign up at the top of the page on the right hand side so you will get my latest updates.

Today was a full day, consisting of reading from Isaiah this morning, talking to Ray after he got off his work shift, homeschooling Leah, a call with a friend, running errands in town, selling one of my ebooks (The Hands of A Woman), making a new friend, shopping a little at Kohl’s, and finally catching up with friends on Facebook tonight. I remind myself on days like this, “It’s not enough to be busy. So are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?” (Henry David Thoreau) But I believe that today I was about my Father’s business!
I want to make sure my moments are counting, and are not just wasted here on earth. I connected with people today, not a surface, just-passing by, “Hi, how-are-you”, kind of connecting, but a deeper connection that feeds the soul.
I’m thankful that even though Ray has worked a whole shift, often without any sleep at all on his down time there – he is still willing to listen patiently to me as I blab on and on about something on MY mind. Each time he listens, though, I feel a little closer to him -( he probably just feels tired!) 
I connected with my friend on Skype. Initially she wanted me to call her for us to talk about something business-related. The conversation quickly turned to spiritual meat. She shared with me how years ago, God had given her a very specific and  strong word, “Remember Lot’s wife.” He  told her to leave her family and everything familiar to her. In other words, deny herself, take up her cross daily and follow Jesus. (Luke 9:23) So often, we want to hold onto what is safe and familiar – what is comfortable. God hasn’t called us to be comfortable, but to be obedient.
We are often too busy staring back at the past like Lot’s wife, thinking how good it was, or feeling its regrets or what coulda-been-today, that we forget to focus on now and the great future God has planned for us. (Jeremiah 29:11) She and I also talked about following the path that GOD has for us – even if it is the road less traveled (which can sometimes be a lonely road, where others speak against you. But God is always with you and will never forsake you.) Follow Him. You answer to Him alone!
I also connected with the woman who bought my book, a fellow life coach and counselor. I discovered after emailing her, that she had been wanting to talk to me and hadn’t had a chance yet. We both had the exact same idea for a joint project, which I thought was interesting. It confirmed for me this was another God-moment. He astounds me the way He divinely orchestrates details of and relationships in our lives. There is no detail so small in your life that God is not involved in it, or is not interested in it.
And I made a new friend today, meeting her at Panera Bread. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and smelled of coffee and sweet cakes. Here is one of the pretty paintings on the wall that I admired, as I waited a moment for my new friend to arrive.

Of course, I ordered coffee while I waited. I brought a colorful, spiral-bound notebook and a black gel pen, which later leaked on my hand and my friend’s as we wrote with it. But this woman was sharing such good stuff that I was VERY glad that I’d brought my notebook to capture and preserve what she was saying! She was in sweats because she’d been on a field trip with a school, and didn’t want her pic taken today because she knew then I’d post it on Facebook, lol…but next time!!!

It was so nice to be able to talk to a life coach IN REAL LIFE. I have MANY online friends who are like me: speakers, writers, life coaches, moms working at home, entrepreneurs. These are some of my fave people to talk to and learn from and teach/share with each day. We share hearts, we laugh, we encourage each other, we pray for each other on Skype, on telecalls, on webinars, in email, on Facebook, at virtual events. But I don’t know them IRL. I’ve never met them IN PERSON. Sometimes I wonder – if they met me, would they still like me?
It was just so COOL talking to a real live person about these kinds of things that energize me and fill me with joy – my faith in God, my upcoming Virtual Spiritual Spa in January 2012, working with clients, doing women’s retreats, writing, building a  business, my family, marketing, live events,  etc.  My family and my friends  IRL scratch their pretty heads at my “job” and just think I”m crazy. I’m kidding. But they really don’t understand what it is that I DO.  They have never run an online business and they don’t relate to it.  My friends online DO get it because they live it, breathe it, love it like I do.
So this new friend of mine, who I “met” first on Facebook, agreed to meet at Panera Bread restaurant at 3:30 p.m. and we did not leave until a little after 6 p.m.  I could not believe we talked that long with this being the first time we met! But why not ? She was outgoing, friendly, smart, funny, wise, and practical. She gave me great ideas and I shared mine with her.
It was like our own little mastermind right there in Panera, with me drinking coffee. The more coffee I drink, the more I talk. (Ask Ray!) She and I laughed, we fed off each other’s passion and positive energy, and we just had FUN.  We left, exchanging cell phone numbers and with plans to talk next week. I’ve made a wonderful new friend who inspires me, whom I would have never met if it wasn’t for the organization NACWE – God is so good!
My next stop: On The Border. (By this time, Ray was texting, “Where are you?”)  Have I ever told you how much I LOVE chips and salsa? It’s my treat every couple of weeks to go eat Mexican food. If I am missing, check the Mexican restaurants first.

I ordered the chicken fajitas tonight. I have never been to a restaurant where the fajitas arrived, nearly on fire – the thick, grey smoke ascending so heavily and quickly to the ceiling. People were coughing and staring and laughing, not just at my fajitas, but other people’s in the restaurant who had ordered them, too. A family moved their children to the other side of the restaurant to be able to breathe. Yes, the smoke was really that bad. But they were delicious. One woman on my Facebook page told me that she was jealous seeing this picture.

Finally, I went to Kohl’s “just a minute” to see if I could find a sweater with faux fur. Don’t ask me why, but I have wanted one SO bad ever since I noticed that fur is SO in this winter. FAKE fur, that is. (All animal lovers, do not send me hate mail about fur clothing. You can feel relieved that I am not advocating killing innocent, precious animals just to pamper myself.)  Here I am in the dressing room, trying on a sweater WITHOUT fur. I wanted to buy it, too – maybe next time.

Here I am wearing the faux fur grey sweater that I found on sale for $50 off – normally over $70, marked down to $28. I LOVE sales!

All in all, it was a most excellent day. I came home and chatted a minute with Ray and Leah about the day and theirs. We were all amused at something silly, and I heard the beautiful music of Leah’s laughter. I am so thankful to God for my family and love them so much.
I had received a postcard from my sister Maria, written on her recent trip to Boston, sharing about the unique  architecture of buildings there and long walks she and her friend made to the Commons, a huge park with an ice-skating rink. It blessed me that she had thought of me on her trip and sent a postcard – don’t ever discount the little things.
Then I checked my email tonight and a friend had written me, “I just love you!” It was the perfect day’s ending…now I can’t wait to wake up to tomorrow!
What was your day like? Make a good memory today with those you love, those you meet.
Please share your comments below.

Kimberly Ehlers

• Perfectionism and your child’s health – 2 big bumps that throw our Christmas off course
• What a joyful Christmas really is and practical tips to having one
• Centering our Christmas on Christ.

Come and be encouraged!
You can join Kimberly at Blog Talk Radio Thursday by clicking this link.
Or you can into the show with the Blog Talk Radio details below:
Call in number to speak with the host:
(646) 716-4375
I can’t wait and will see you there!

You are invited to join us! I’m so excited and honored that my dear friend and peer Bess Blanco of The Intentional Lifestyle has asked me to be a guest on her Blog Talk Radio Show, Family Health Matters.
The show will air about 30 minutes and will be this Thursday, December 1, at 11 a.m. Central Time (12 p.m. Eastern Time). We will be sharing about Renewing Our Minds. We’d love for you to join us at this link:
www.blogtalkradio.com/bessblanco/2011/12/01/stepping-stones-with-beth-jones
You can also call in with the following Blog Talk Radio details:
(760) 283-4649
I love Bess, and believe you will love her, too! She’s such an encouraging, passionate, positive, motivating woman of God. Mark your calendar now and we will see you there!

Here is a video I created just for you today. Enjoy!

Video of Women Entrepreneurs and Powerful Tools

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” ~Victor Frankl.
Change. It’s inevitable in life, like the seasons…the trees, that a few weeks ago displayed like an art masterpiece beautiful gold and red fall leaves, are now bare, stark, preparing for winter.
Tonight I saw a picture of my aunt, who I haven’t seen in years, and she had changed a lot…she looked, yes, old. Inside I winced, wanted to withdraw, grew uncomfortable because it forced me to suddenly look at and acknowledge my own mortality.
This aging thing is for the birds!
I don’t want to get old. I still feel fairly young (well, most days, except when I’m around teens or 20-somethings, who seem to have found the spring of eternal youth!).
I don’t like what often accompanies old age…the grey hairs, the wrinkles, the aching joints, the loneliness – and sometimes other more serious problems, like the heart attack just suffered by someone Ray and I have known for years, who is only in his 50′s (we are believing for complete healing for him!).
I think aging is mean!
I have always felt that old age was cruel. Why does God allow us to age and get old? Why do some people age and get sick and suffer? It seems mean. Why would a good God allow His creation to AGE and become feeble?
God never meant for us to age and die
Yet I know that God never intended this for His creation. He made Adam and Eve to live forever. When they chose to eat the forbidden fruit, that is when sin entered the world – and death, and aging.
The moment Adam and Eve ate the fruit, they began to die. And they knew, they could feel it and sense it. Then when they saw their son Abel dead after Cain killed him, horror overcame them as they realized just what they had done – the deadly consequences of sin.
Good changes!
Not all change is bad, of course. The precious birth of babies. Every baby born is a miracle! Weddings are always fun and are usually good changes for people. So are graduations, moves to a new, better home, getting braces (after the braces are off – straighter teeth!), and traveling to a new town, state, or country. These are good changes and bring much needed refreshment to our souls.
>The beauty of age
And aging has its own peculiar beauty. Some of the most spiritually and emotionally free people I know are senior citizens. They have learned to laugh at life and themselves, and that difficult, but valuable, lesson, “Let go and let God.”
They have been educated in the school of hard knocks and have gained great wisdom to pass onto us in middle age (and youth), if we would just listen to them.
And beyond skin that is wrinkled (like my hands are beginning to), and a little more “meat” on the bones (no longer the youthful figure of 16), the Bible says that gray hair is a crown of glory, gained in a righteous life. (Proverbs 16:31, ESV)

The hardest kind of change, though, is within ourselves. The apostle Paul was reading my mail when he wrote:
“And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.I want to do what is right, but I can’t.I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.
I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.”
I am clearly reminded of this passage when Ray or our daughter Leah comments after I am easily irritated about something, or when I get impatient because the intersection light is being slow to turn green, or I can’t wear last year’s pants because I have gained more weight this year from lack of discipline, instead of losing weight like I wanted.
Daily fountains of grace
As Victor Frankl said, we are challenged to change ourselves.  Really, it’s impossible; we can’t do it ourselves.  Instead, daily we have to go to the foot of the Cross and cry out for grace and help and strength.
Daily we have to admit to God, “I can’t do what is right! Please help me!” Daily we have to bow before Jesus and whisper that we messed up – again, when yesterday we had such good intentions for doing was right today.
I am thankful that while I can’t change myself, God’s Spirit in me is able to transform me “from glory to glory.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
The one thing that never changes
I am also thankful that although seasons come and go in our lives, and although our mirrored reflection  may change throughout the years, one thing never changes – the love, mercy, and help of God.
“For I am the Lord; I change not.” – Malachi 3:16
“Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” James 1:17, NLT
“For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” – Psalm 100:5
Image Resource: Image: phanlop88 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Why should all the stores have the fun? You can get a deal today on something you will love, without ever needing to leave your house!
I’m having a Black Friday Sale through Saturday, November 26 at 9 p.m. Central Time.
If you have been wanting to take my virtual intensive 6-week class, but have not signed up yet because of the price, it is now 50% OFF for 48 hours! Seats will fill fast and seats are limited to 5 people. To secure your spot now, just click here.
Also, all my products are 65% off the regular price for 48 hours only through Saturday, November 26 at 9 p.m.  I have never had this kind of a sale before!  Just click here.

My dear friend Kimberly Ehlers and I were chatting by email this morning about needing to hear God’s voice for our specific business.
What works for so many of the “gurus” on the net may not work for or prosper yours. God has a unique plan and purpose for your life, your family, and your business.
We need to simply extract the precious from the worthless (Jeremiah 15:19, NASB), and apply what we’ve learned from those who are successful and implement what does help us. The key is hearing God’s word on the matter, listening to our gut instinct, and honoring our core values
I shared with Kimberly that I believe we should all do what Shakespeare wrote:
This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
When we are true to ourselves, to our core values like our faith, our family, homeschooling, etc, then we will live authentic, fulfilled, happy, successful lives.
If you are a homeschooling mom like Kimberly and I are, then your child’s homeschooling will need to be a priority over your home business. That doesn’t mean neglecting your business. But it does mean your child’s education must take precedence.
If you work full-time at a job outside the home because that is the career of your dreams, you need to honor that core value and not get pulled away from your passion by guilt trips from other parents to do fund-raiser cookie sales door-to-door.
If you are a new, young mom who has wanted a baby for years and just had a newborn, your baby needs to nurse or drink her bottle on a regular schedule instead of you putting off her feeding, letting her scream, while you are sucked into a draining phone conversation with a friend who is whining on the phone to you about her inconsiderate fiance’.
Maybe one of your core values is staying fit and healthy. Be sure to incorporate healthy eating, sufficient rest and entertainment, and exercising into your daily routine.
Or perhaps one of your core values is writing – writing is an essential part of your soul. (Only writers truly get this, because writing is like air!) Create space in your schedule to write daily instead of compulsively organizing your spices cabinet.
Whatever your core values are, that is what you need to prioritize and stay true to each day.
I encourage you to take some time today to pray and think about your main 5 to 10 core values, and write them down. Then live your life in such a way as to focus on them and avoid distractions so you can live intentionally and authentically.
Image Resource: Image: renjith krishnan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

This weekend after church and also late yesterday afternoon I crashed, sleeping for several hours to refuel from Leah’s birthday party. While sleeping, I had a bad dream, probably from fatigue.  I dreamed the Smoke Monster from Lost was chasing Leah and me through a house, up the stairs. Then I woke up.
Many times in our lives, we deal with a real Smoke Monster – that of fear.  I listened to the replay of Krista Dunk’s Breakthrough Conference from this week, and heard an excellent teaching tonight by Ericka Jackson on Fear and Fearlessness.
What Fear is NOT
Fear, she said, is NOT False Evidence Appearing Real. This has been taught so much in the secular world that now the Church is repeating it over and over. This explanation has no Biblical basis.
Actually, Ericka said, fear is real. This is the definition of fear: a lack of surrender or submission to God.
Fear illuminates the areas of your life where you do not believe and have faith in God and His word!
Fear means that you are not yet purified from uncleanness and darkness. It means that you are not yet perfected in God’s agape love, because perfect love drives away all fear.(1 John 4:18)
Like the Smoke Monster, fear will chase you down, fill you with terror, drag you off course, and eat you alive.
It will hinder your great purpose and destiny.
>Fear will keep you from manifesting your greatness.
God has called you and me to greatness, because we were made in the image of God, who is great. (Genesis 1:27)  In Ericka’s mp3 audio Now Is Your Time, she challenges you and me to look at the areas of our lives where we are not living out our greatness in Christ.
>Examine your marriage, children, job, ministry, health, environment, finances. What currently doesn’t reflect your greatness, your full potential in God?
Wherever you are afraid, that is the area where you are not trusting God.
Ericka exhorts you and me to leave the past behind us, to let it go, and to choose to walk in step with God each day, trusting in Him.
Nothing is impossible with God
Because Jesus Christ lives inside of you, you have the power to overcome anything and nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:26-38) You are destined for greatness, and to do Jesus’ greater works. (John 14:12)
You must heed God’s urgent timing on your calling. Don’t put it off another day. Don’t let fear hold you back from your potential.
The time is now. Today is the accepted time, the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2)
Get focused, set your eyes on Jesus and on your purpose. Get rid of time thieves and distractions, catching the little foxes that spoil the vineyard. (Song of Solomon 2:15)
Ericka says removing distractions from your greatness doesn’t mean leaving your husband or kids because they are getting on your last nerve. It doesn’t necessarily mean you should quit your job today.
Get a new mindset- not having a spirit of  fear, but of love, of power, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) In other words, thinking the thoughts of God, having His heart of love, doing what God does.
Time is short. Ericka exhorts us there is to be no more watering down of God’s vision for your life. There is no more time to play around. We need to be about our God our Father’s business, and do what we’re called to do and to be.
Maybe you feel that you have just been too hurt, or messed up too bad in your life. Ericka encourages us that the purpose of your painful past was to create the tools, insights and expertise you need today, not to just wound you.
God can turn your pain around 180 degrees and use it for His glory, like He did with Joseph whose brothers threw him in a pit and sold him into slavery. Later he was raised up by God to be second in command in Egypt and to deliver his family in the drought.
Your past has made you stronger. It has equipped you for your greatness. Your time for greatness is now.
Yes, the Smoke Monster of Fear is  very real.
It will rob you of your full power and anointing in Christ.
It must be cast down through the blood of Jesus and through you standing in your rightful position through God. The battle against Satan was already won over 2,000 years ago through Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross.
We must give no place to fear, because it only wants to torment us and keep us from our great purpose.
We must learn to stand in our rightful place through Christ, co-heirs reigning with Him. Ask God to deliver you from fear and to cleanse you of its effects in your life.
Say no more to the Smoke Monster of Fear.
Say yes to God and your great purpose.

*********************************************
Want to learn more about living a passion-filled, purpose-full life? Sign up for my January 2012 Coaching Class/Book Study, Stepping Stones to Your Purpose and Passion. Just click here.

This weekend we celebrated our youngest daughter Leah’s 17th birthday. It’s so hard to believe she is that old. It seems such a short time ago that she was a newborn baby in a long pink nightgown.

We had her birthday party at Aaron’s Family Fun Center in Belton, where the youth could bowl and the little kids could play games in the arcade. I rented two lanes for 10 kids for an hour. We don’t bowl that often as a family. This was the first time Leah got a strike, so she was excited about that.

When the time for the paid bowling was up, Leah’s friends said they wanted to bowl more. It would’ve been $42 more, but I talked to the manager, reminding him that we already had spent a lot of money there, renting the lanes and ordering 3 pizzas and two pitchers of soda. God gave me favor and the manager agreed to let them bowl 30 more minutes free.

Some of the boys who came to the party became quite competitive: Nicholas, Aaron, and David. I was beginning to wonder if it was going to turn into a bloody gladiator game. What is it about sports and male testosterone? Here to the left is Nicholas bowling. I thought it was a good picture of him in action.

Ray was bowling in the other lane. He had playfully joined the little kids and joked that little Abi (6 years old, I think) kept throwing the ball hard, getting strikes and beating him.

I didn’t have time to bowl. I was running around the bowling alley, ordering pepperoni  pizzas for all the ravenous teens and making sure they had drinks and snacks. After the party and Ray’s parents drove back to Arkansas, I collapsed in bed for two days from exhaustion. :O

Here are Heather and Kyle playing a game in the arcade…or is it really playing? They are both very competitive, too.

Heather is like me – she loves winning and hates to lose any game. :O
You can see the determination on Heather’s face in the picture, lol.

I had ordered Leah’s cake from the local bakery. Leah is an incredible artist, so she and I picked out a cake  with an artist palette on it, which was really cute and so Leah-ish! They did a good job on it (both decoration and taste!).

 





Ray’s dad took some great pics for us with his camera. Here was a gorgeous one of Heather. Ray says it looks very Aubrey Hepburn-ish. I love the stark blue background, too. This is not an edited picture.

 





Here are our three beautiful daughters, Leah, Eden and Heather.

 



Eden works at a bakery, making cupcakes each morning. She also has a side business baking cupcakes. She made some for Leah’s party – eggnog, mint, chocolate, banana. They turned out pretty. She’s having fun with her cupcake business.

 
The little kids loved the arcade. Here is Ray, putting in another dollar to get our grandson Jacob coins to play more games. Jacob ran all over the bowling alley, tried all the games, and had a blast. Eden, her fiance’ Dalton, and Heather chased after him all night.

 





Here are Leah and her friends watching the bowling.I think they like having their picture taken as much as Leah does.

 





One of the gifts Leah asked us to get her was a warm, soft bathrobe. (We also got her some snow boots, a set of Ipod earphones, a new watch, and a silver snowflake necklace with 1/4 diamond in it.) Leah’s friends teased her that she could fashionably wear her robe with her new snowboots.  I love seeing her smile and laugh like this.

 



Ray’s parents, Charles and Sue Jones, drove in from Arkansas to help celebrate Leah’s birthday. They’ve been visiting us since Thursday.  I am not well-known for my culinary abilities so when guests come, I have to actually think of decent meals to cook. :O On Sunday after church, I crashed in bed, asking Ray to please feed his parents my home-made potato soup that I had fixed for them on Thursday night.

As he was dipping some in a bowl for his dad, the bowl fell off the countertop onto the floor, and the soup splattered everywhere. Ray hurriedly cleaned it up before I woke up and saw it, screaming. :O  His dad told me about it later, laughing, when I asked if they got enough to eat for lunch. He said things hadn’t exactly gone according to plan.

Here is a picture of his parents. (Don’t worry, on Sunday I cooked for them again. They didn’t go home hungry.)

All of us had a good time at Leah’s party. I was so blessed to see her having fun with her family and friends. Here is Leah with her friend Nicole. Nicole has been a great friend to her, as well as her sisters and brother.

 








Here is Leah opening some of her gifts.

 







Here is a pic of her with her friend Kinsey. Leah had a great birthday. Thanks to everyone who helped make that possible.

Leah, I hope you had a happy birthday. We love you so much!

Be sure to cherish the moments with your kids. They fly by.
“And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.”(Mark 10:13-16 ESV)

I’m going to start focusing on writing more the rest of this year and in 2012, and one of the things God has put into my heart is to write Bible studies and other books for you that are practical, relevant, and can be applied to everyday life.
We’ve heard that 20-somethings are leaving the church in droves, although there is some controversy over that statement. But one of the reasons they get disgusted and leave is because they see hypocrisy in their parents, other adults, and church leadership, and because they feel the Bible is out-dated and doesn’t apply to their lives and their generation.
Yet God’s Word is timeless. It is still very much for today, as its truths are eternal…for senior citizens, for middle aged adults, for young adults, for teens, for children.
I’d love to get your feedback for Bible studies and other books, ebooks, webinars, teleseminars, workshops, and events that interest you and  are relevant and applicable for where you’re at right now in your life.
What topics interest you the most? Pursuing your purpose and passion? Marriage? Parenting? Time Management? Priorities? Goal-setting? Success God’s way? Faith? Healing? How to Forgive Someone Who has Hurt You? Books of the Bible? The Spiritual Gifts? How to Use Your Gifts for God? Balancing all you do?
Please fill in the blank: I’d really love to hear or read/study/learn more about _________________________.
Your opinion and thoughts are important and they matter to me!  What would help you? Please leave your comments below or email me at elizabethdjones@gmail.com.

It’s been softly raining here this morning. A wonderful day to curl up with a good book under a quilt, drinking hot cocoa. I’ve had other things to do, but have enjoyed listening to the rain as I’ve checked email, posted on Facebook, filled the Google calendar with telecalls I’m attending this week, opened the packages that arrived via UPS today for Leah’s homeschooling (Plutarch’s Lives, a knitting kit, and a Growing Crystals Science Kit), and have been praying for my friend Shelley, who was admitted to the hospital’s cardiology unit this morning and is having tests run on her. Now I’m sitting down to write, wanting to capture the sound of the gentle rain forever in my heart. It’s so relaxing. It feels good to just sit here and listen, peace and happiness washing over me.
On Mondays we often have a long to-do list, and at times it can feel overwhelming. I want to encourage you to pray over your to-do list each day. Ask God what is the one priority He wants you to do each day? What is the next step for your life, your writing, your speaking, your coaching program, your business? Then obey Him.
Do you feel like you’re just spinning your wheels?
That is what He will anoint and bless. That is what will bear much fruit…you won’t just be spinning your wheels, or stressing out over all that you’re not getting done on your to-do list.  Jesus commended Mary because she was doing the one thing that would not be taken away from her – spending time at Jesus’ feet, being taught by Him.
This is what I want you to do for me today, God!
Jesus said we can do nothing apart from Him. So often we make our plans, and ask God to join in with us, instead of seeking His face and asking Him to use us in HIS plans. We have it backwards. God desires to use the wonderful gifts that He has put inside of you for His glory. He wants you to partner with Him to expand His kingdom here on earth, and it is a great privilege and honor. There are people He is wanting you to reach and to touch with His love and grace. Are you willing?
Set aside your plans and your agenda. Ask God to write His to do list in your heart. More often than not, God wants us simply to be instead of to do.  We can get so caught up in “doing” that we fail to accomplish the one important thing that God wants us to do – and to prune the rest (or it can wait for later).
The one thing may be to hug or laugh with your child
The one thing may be setting aside quiet time each morning to pray and read the Bible. It may be visiting a relative who’s hurting or sick. It may be encouraging a friend who desperately needs it. It may be hugging your child or laughing with him or her. It may be making a tasty sandwich for your spouse, or going on a date with him – without the kids!
Listen each day to God’s nudges and promptings
It may be writing the outline for your book or a chapter. It may be working on the speaking presentation at the conference, or creating a video. It may be making a new friend on Facebook, Twitter or at a business lunch. It may be creating your own local networking event.  God will show you what He wants you to do, just as I felt prompted to text Shelley this morning and tell her I missed her – and found out she was in the hospital! Listen to God’s nudges and promptings. They are important.
Disappointed with this year’s results? With God there’s always HOPE.
Maybe you feel like this year hasn’t gone the way you wanted. For all your “doing” and your hard work this year, you are disappointed in the results. You had such high hopes. Yet with God there is always HOPE. The year 2012 is a year, I believe, of new beginnings for us. A brand new, fresh, exciting, adventurous year. I believe great things are ahead for God’s people. Our part is to simply believe and receive and obey God.
Do the one thing God tells you to do…starting now. Listen, like listening to the sound of rain. Obey. Then be in awe and thank Him for what He does to display His glory, through you.

I grew up in the 80′s and one of the popular songs then was by Robert Palmer, called Addicted to Love. Guys loved it, because the video features beautiful women with thick red lipstick, dressed in short black dresses, black stockings, and heels – with them dancing and playing a bass guitar and other instruments in the background as Robert sang, “Another kiss, and you’ll be mine.”

When I was thinking yesterday about people’s addiction to Facebook, that song and the title of this blog post came to mind. Today when I went on YouTube to find the video, I laughed when I watched it – so 80′s.  Just replace the word “Love” in the song with “Facebook.”

“Might as well face it…you’re addicted to Facebook.”

But addiction to Facebook can be serious. It can be like a black hole that sucks you into it for hours, stealing your time and consuming your life. It can get out of control and keep you from fulfilling your purpose. One writer friend of mine is having trouble finishing her new book because she says she is spending too much time on Facebook and is becoming distracted with other things.

Another precious friend Susan Evans wrote a blog post about her addiction to Facebook that you may enjoy called Scared of Facebook.

Of course, Susan was using it to minister to other women. But at night when her husband wanted her to watch t.v. with him at night, she was on Facebook, counseling women. She said she was prioritizing helping women over spending time with her husband. Susan said God unplugged her for the summer and she had Facebook addiction withdrawals. She didn’t know what to do with all that time she’d been spending on Facebook. She missed checking on her friends and helping women.

Susan started a fresh account after a year with a promise to her husband that it wouldn’t get out of hand again. But Susan says she is scared she can’t keep that promise. She told herself when she got up in the morning and had her coffee, praying, that she would not get on Facebook before she was done praying. But she felt an irresistible urge to get on Facebook and she started praying faster so she could get on it.

Susan is so funny to me (she’s so real!), but I realize it can be a serious problem, an idol. She prayed to God to help her with this problem, and He’s helping  her to maintain a balance with it. She has more energy, is more efficient in homeschooling and with her business, and gets more done now by staying off the computer.

What about you? Can you live without Facebook?

My speaker/writer/coach friend Rochelle Valasek has a laptop that crashed and no longer works. She’s shopping for a new one now. I called her yesterday to say hi and just to check on her. I told Shelley that I thought I would cry if mine tore up. I asked her how she’s running her business without being online.  She admitted it isn’t easy and she has cried some, but has found that she can survive – and even keep her sanity – without daily doses of Facebook. She does pop in once awhile on her husband’s computer to just check in with friends. But she can live without it.

Some people choose to have a Facebook or social media fast. They deliberately unplug for a day, a few days, a week – or like Susan, a year, to get their priorities straight. They learn that, if necessary, they can live without it…at least for awhile.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg says over 250 million people worldwide use Facebook. It’s not going away. But we can learn to set limits with it and not let it become an addiction and/or idol in our lives, replacing God.

Here’s 5 clues to tell if you have a Facebook addiction:

• You lose sleep over Facebook, staying up until 3 a.m. on it and then are too tired the next morning to be useful to anyone.
• You spend more than an hour a day on it. Here’s the thing. Social networking isn’t more fulfilling than real life. If it is, it’s time to reevaluate your life.
• You become obsessed with old loves, “just friending” an ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend….and soon are meeting him or her for a lunch date. Trouble!
• You ignore work in favor of Facebook.  You sneak onto Facebook when your boss or co-workers aren’t looking. It’s so much more interesting than work!
• The thought of leaving Facebook leaves you in a cold sweat. Virtual reality is your reality. Sad.

“Our Facebook, who art in heaven…”
I would add one more. Do you check Facebook before praying to God in the morning?

Facebook Don’t's – Please!
Some people use Facebook like a to-do list checklist: “Fixed blueberry pancakes for my luv this a.m.  Organized my drawers. Need to stop by drycleaners, then buy groceries. Going to party 2nite, woot!”

Others use it as a public platform for airing family or relationship problems to create drama: “My husband is SUCH a jerk sometimes!”, “Anyone want my wife for sale?”, “Some people are SOOO selfish and immature! I’m through with Bryan, 4 good!” or “It must be nice to have parents and siblings that really care about you. I’m so jealous.”

Worse are couples on Facebook who show PDA pictures or update their statuses or comment to each other as if they are alone and not on a public forum. “Baby, you are so hot!” or “My wife makes me feel like a real man! I love when she kisses my ear!” provoke a reaction from family and friends like, “Get a room!” or “Ugh! Please, TMI!” Yet how many people are going to their Facebook walls just to see what they’re saying to each other today?

There’s also the people who seem to have disappeared from their Facebook for months or even a year, then suddenly one day they are creepily commenting on your wall, “LOL!” or “Yeah, I was comparing the Evo and the Iphone, too!” Are they just stalking you and everyone? It’s unnerving.

Others with little wisdom take pics of themselves and friends drunk or high, or text drunken or stoned messages to post as their status updates – which their employers or potential employers can see – and use against them. (Yes, I’m talking about some Christians!) And some people can’t get enough of this type of activity…Facebook is popular because it leverages people’s nosiness. How else would you find out what your family members or friends are doing every day?

Other people use Facebook to stalk business competitors, to see what they’re up to this week and then copy whatever they’re doing, claiming it as their own, or improving upon it. Last week on a marketing call I attended, a woman was concerned that her products or services would be “copied” by others, and I assured her that it probably will be – and to remember that imitation is the highest form of flattery.

The other extreme is saying Facebook is the anti-christ and that you’re not using it at all because it is plain evil.

Moderation and balance are the key.
Don’t let Facebook consume your life; really live in your real world!

We use Facebook for a variety of reasons. It is a wonderful invention, but it can’t consume our lives. We need to live in our own real world, loving the people in our lives and really living.

Social media was created to enhance life, not replace it. Evaluate how much time you are spending on Facebook (or Twitter, LinkedIn, or other social media sites), as well as your purpose for using it.

Use good Facebook etiquette. Practice wisdom. Be kind. If you’re wondering if you should post something, don’t. You don’t want that one comment you made when you were angry going viral. Why do people feel compelled to say rude things on Facebook when they wouldn’t do this face to face with someone?

Create firm boundaries with your time on it; if necessary, use a kitchen timer to set limits for yourself so that you’re not neglecting yourself, your family, and your daily tasks/work. If you find you can’t control it, get counseling help with accountability. Like any other addiction, there is no shame in admitting it’s become bigger than you and you need others’ intervention. We know Facebook CEO Mark wants us addicted to it…he’s getting richer from the more it grows. But what is richer in life than real-life, flesh-and-blood family and friends?

Facebook can be your global platform
Facebook is an incredible tool which we can use today to keep in contact with family and friends, especially in other states or even across the world. It enlarges your territory to give you a greater sphere of influence for God. It is phenomenal for growing your business. My friend and coach Diane says that 90% to 95% of her business comes from Facebook.

Facebook can be a blessing in your life. I have met amazing women of God through Facebook and Twitter, and am so thankful to God for it. It can also be used as a great evangelism tool. You can now have a global platform to share God’s good news with others in the U.S. and countries across the world.

But let your magificent obsession be God, not Facebook. Be addicted to Him, who is TRUE love.

>***Want to find out more about spending time with God? Check out my 7-audio, quiet time devotional series. Just click here.
Image Resource: Image: Kittikun Atsawintarangkul / FreeDigitalPhotos.net>

When I spoke at Women’s Aglow this year, one of the attendees came up to me as I was taking a seat and handed me a piece of paper with a poem on it. “This is for you,” she said. I thanked her, and then later when I was alone I sat down to read and absorb it. I don’t know why she gave it to me, other than she just wanted to bless me with a gift and maybe God wanted to use it to speak to my heart. I’d like to share it with you, too. The author is unknown, but if you know, please tell me:

A Prayer For True Womanliness
O LORD Grant
That I may be always virginal in spirit,
surrendered to Christ in all things.
That I may know the joy of true motherhood,
giving saints to God.
That I may be a woman of love, radiant
with the Charity of Christ.
That I may be a woman of silence,
creating tranquility and peace about me.
That I may be a woman of purity, veiling
my womanliness in modesty.
That I may be a woman of understanding,
encouraging and helpful in counsel.
That I may be a woman of tears,
compassionate for a suffering world.
That I may be a woman of laughter,
bringing joy and hope to all around me.
That I may be a woman of generosity,
giving of my own without measure.
That I may be a woman of patience,
answering with gentleness and love.
That I may be a woman of tenderness,
shielding the sensitive, consoling
the sorrowful.
That I may be a woman of hospitality,
making welcome the poor, the lonely,
the weary.
That I may be a woman of prayer, seeking
my strength in God.
That I may have the heart of an apostle,
drawing all those around me to Christ.

Well, I think I have some work cut out for me this week!

Our youngest daughter Leah

She and I were talking about balance:  taking care of your family, grocery shopping, doing errands, and other daily tasks, while successfully running a business.She has been busy with taking her kids to parties, buying groceries and going on a date with her man, and wasn’t sure if she would be able to do an online workshop like she wanted to this month or next. She wondered how others “do it all.”

>Here is what I shared with her today: “Your family can’t be replaced. I have many, many regrets over lost, wasted time, being too busy at times and not savoring precious moments with my kids…now our youngest is almost grown. Workshops can wait….just remember your priorities, do the next thing God says to do, one step at a time, and don’t compare yourself with others who seem to be “doing it all”…you are beautiful, uniquely you. Also, “doing it all” is just an illusion.”

We have a limited window of time with our children while they are still at home. Empty nest comes all too soon. Truly they grow up in a blink of the eye. I don’t believe that God wants mothers to put their entire lives on hold when they have children, making their kids the center of their lives, never taking time for themselves, finding hobbies, getting more training or education, or finding out who they really are besides a mom. In those cases where the woman revolves her whole life around her children, when the kids grow up the mother is completely lost, having a major identity crisis.

I have a friend in this situation right now. She has always been a stay at home mom and homeschooled her children, and now her kids have flown the nest – and her husband moved out when they did, saying he doesn’t want to be married to her anymore. “Beth, what am I supposed to do now?” she asked me recently. “I don’t know what to do!” She needs to find out who she really is, apart from being a wife and a mother. God created her for a great purpose.

>What I am saying, though, is to not let time pass without cherishing your time with your kids. Make sure you spend time each day with them and let them know how much you love them. Take time out for your marriage, before your kids grow up and you’re facing a stranger across the kitchen table with nothing in common and nothing to talk about.

>Don’t let your business take over your life, like some hideous, out of control monster like The Blob. Don’t let your family feel like they are second place -or last – next to your business. God brought these precious ones into your life to love.

Maintain harmony between your family, your home, your friends, your business, and other areas of your life.

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. – Psalm 90:12, ESV

Did you miss last week’s Talkshoe show with award-winning author and speaker Patty Mason? Then you missed such a blessing!

Patty was very transparent in the struggle she had with depression and anger. She realized that the illusion of the American dream, “having it all” – owning the nice house and car and being financially blessed, marriage to her sweetheart, having kids, being on stage and being applauded and awarded for her great accomplishments – left her empty and hurting. Depression overtook her life at what seemed to be the pinnacle of her dreams, and it was only when Jesus touched her, that her life changed to one of joy, peace and true fulfillment and satisfaction.

You can still hear the show by clicking here or listening on the Talkshoe player before. Be sure to check out Patty’s book, Breaking Free: Breaking the Bonds of Depression Without Drugs.

***Want to go deeper into the topic of depression? Check out my ebook on women and spiritual warfare, The Hands Of A Woman: Everyday Women In Everyday Battles. In this ebook, I share several stories of women with severe depression, including part of my own story, how common depression is among women, the causes of depression – and the solution.

Our daughter Heather did so good taking Leah’s senior pics (she had a beautiful model to work with!) that it’s hard choosing just one. Here are just a few samples of the pics. Which is your favorite? Please leave your comments below.

Leah - Dunn Cider Mill

Leah - Dunn cider mill - by barn

Leah - Loch Lloyd Community by the L

Leah - Dunn Cider Mill - by pumpkins

Leah - Loch Lloyd Community - on rock

Leah - Loch Lloyd Community - by roses

Leah - Dunn Cider Mill - by tree

Leah - Loch Lloyd Community - smelling roses

Leah - Dunn Cider Mill - leaves

Leah - Dunn Cider Mill - trees

Leah - Loch Lloyd Community - rock

Leah - Dunn Cider Mill- closeup

Andrea Sharp

The Busy Mom’s Guide to Balancing All of Life’s Projects

I Don’t Know How She Does It hit theaters recently, as movie goers nationwide flocked to see the A-list cast, including Sarah Jessica Parker, Piirce Brosnan, Kelsey Grammer, Christina Hendricks and more. The film tells a story of a working woman, wife and mother, and how she overcomes both personal and professional dilemmas throughout her hectic daily routine. In today’s economy, the number of working mothers has dramatically increased, and “Supermoms” nationwide are proving day in and day out that they are an unstoppable force.

Speaker, author, and founder of SharpWomen, Andrea Sharp is the real-life Kate Reddy (played by Sarah Jessica Parker), who knows a thing or two about chaos and finding the right balance.

We all have those days where we’ve got the plates spinning in the air, and we’re just waiting for them to drop on our head. Andrea uses humor and an inspirational look at life, Andrea’s mission is to reach women with the message that the most important thing you can do is make time each day for yourself.

Andrea will be my special guest on my Women’s Battles Talkshoe show on November 10 at 2:30 p.m. Central Time (3:30 p.m. EDT).  In this segment, Andrea will provide encouragement to women around the country as they deal with the business of life:

• Real life tools and recommendations you can use to make your life less hectic

• Juggling your to- do list

• The importance of perspective when managing your schedule

You can join us in the chat room here: http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=98698&cmd=tc

You can also call into the show with the call-in details below:
Phone Number: (724) 444-7444
Call ID: 98698
PIN:  1# or Your Talkshoe PIN #

We’d love to see you there!

What are you afraid of? We all struggle with  fears. You may have these:

• fear over a troubled marriage
• fears about our children’s safety or health
• fears over our own health
• fears about phobias
• fears we’re not “good enough” or perfect
• fears of rejection
• fears about our finances/the economy
• fears we may make a mistake/do something wrong
• fears our business will fail
• fears even of success.

God doesn’t want us afraid. It is bondage. Jesus came to set us free. Fear hinders or stops us from our great purpose. It paralyzes us and keeps us stuck.

On November 5 at 11 a.m. Central Time (12 noon Eastern Time), I am having a virtual workshop, Fearlessly Forward. This workshop is based on the movie Secretariat, the champion racehorse who won the Triple Crown. God created Secretariat to run – and to run FAST, to WIN. You are a winner, too. God has a great calling for your life.

It’s time to push past your fears and to move faster into your purpose. There is no time to waste. Time is short. We need to be about the Father’s business in our business!

Click on the video below to learn more about the workshop on Saturday, November 5 at 11:00 a.m. Central Time (12 noon Eastern Time). Just click here to learn more about the workshop and to secure your spot in the class.

Yesterday I posted about Ray, Heather, Leah and I going to the cider mill so Heather could take Leah’s senior pics and we could visit Eden and Jacob.

On the way to Kearney, a small, rural town, we rode in Heather’s new car, a 2011 Kia Optima. Heather has been praying for several years now to get a new car. The Kia is NICE and is fully loaded with features, including a sunroof, back-up camera on the dashboard, smart key with push button start, keyless entry, heated steering wheel and seats, the ability to talk on her cell phone through the car, and GPS on the dashboard. Ok, why does our child have a better car than we do? But I am so happy for her. Just this week I was praying for God to provide another car for her.

When Heather dropped us off at the commuter parking lot where we met her to ride with her, I wanted to take her picture in her car. I thought it was hilarious when Heather waved out of the top of her sunroof. The weather was beautiful this weekend, and it felt great riding down the highway with the sunroof open.

One of the great features about the car is the GPS on the dashboard. Heather thought the automated woman’s voice  on the GPS was annoying and turned the sound off at one point.

Heather is a great woman of God and is obedient to Him (most of the time!). But I thought about how our relationship with God is like Heather not wanting to hear the instructions on the GPS. This morning I was reading in the book of Ezekiel, where the prophet Ezekiel had the vision of the four living creatures and God sent Ezekiel to speak to the rebellious house of Israel:

“…and I heard a voice of One speaking. And He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet and I will speak to you. Then the Spirit entered me when He spoke to me, and set me on my feet, and I heard Him who spoke to me. And He said to me, “Son of Man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me. they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. For they are impudent and stubborn children.

“I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, “Thus says the Lord God.’ As for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse- for they are a rebellious house, yet they will know that a prophet has been among them…You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious. But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.

“Now when I looked there was a hand stretched out to me and behold a scroll of a book was in it. Then He spread it before me, and there was writing on the inside and on the outside, and written on it were lamentations and mourning and woe. Moreover He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find, eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll. “And He said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.” So I ate and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness.” (Ezekiel 2:1-5, 7-10; 3:1-3)

I’m sure Ezekiel didn’t want to do the job. Who wants to be a prophet? They are notoriously known for being mocked, ridiculed, spit on, imprisoned, and killed. But God had commanded him and he obeyed.

God also told him to eat the scroll. I love that picture. God tells Ezekiel to feed his belly and fill his stomach with the scroll. Every day we fill our stomachs with food, whether healthy foods or junk food. How often do we fill up on the Word of God? It will be like honey in our mouths, just as it was to Ezekiel. The word of God strengthened Ezekiel so he could prophesy the pure, undiluted word of God to the nation of Israel.

God wanted to show mercy to Israel so they would repent and would be restored to a right relationship with Him. God isn’t a harsh judge who just can’t wait to zap people or throw them in hell.  God’s desire is to have an intimate relationship forever with us because He loves us so much.

So often we are like the stubborn, rebellious house of Israel, and like Heather not wanting to hear the GPS instructions because it can be annoying. You know, things like: “Love your enemies,” “Forgive others,” and “Wives, submit to your husbands.”  Things we really don’t want to do, but we know it’s God’s will and that we should obey.

God’s word is like our GPS for life. It is our map that gives us our instructions and directions for life. If we follow it, it will get us to where we need to go. We won’t be lost, confused, or distracted. If we ignore it, “turn down the sound” simply because we don’t like hearing it, we can run into trouble, especially if we don’t know where we’re going.

“Accept instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in your heart.” Job 22:22

***Would you like to learn more about intimacy with God? Click here for my ebook, Walking With God.

Heather taking Leah's pic

This weekend Ray, Leah and I went with our oldest daughter Heather to take Leah’s senior pictures. I can hardly believe I am writing this – her SENIOR PICS?

Anyway, we wanted her pictures to have a pretty nature background so we drove to the Dunn Cider Mill, the Loch Lloyd scenic, multi-million-dollar-home community, and other pretty areas.

I desperately wanted to find a red maple tree for Leah to stand in front of, but Ray said we couldn’t just barge up to someone’s home and borrow their tree for our picture’s backgrounds because we could be charged with trespassing. (Would they really care?! He said yes, especially in a gated community. We had to get a visitor’s pass just to take pics there!)

At the cider mill, Ray went inside the mill store to buy some cider doughnuts. He came out with one for each of us.

I wanted to take a picture of the doughnuts (I take pics of everything!), and as I opened the bag to get a closer view, he accidentally dropped the bag and all of the doughnuts fell on the ground.

I’m sure the birds appreciated those cider doughnuts.

Ray with hot apple cider

So off Ray went, frustrated, to stand in another long line to order more cider doughnuts. Apparently everyone else had gotten the same idea.

They were worth the wait. The hot apple cider Ray bought was delicious, too.

Heather took Leah’s pictures for me, which saves us hundreds of dollars because photographers are expensive.  When she finishes editing them, I will post them here and on Facebook.

After that we  visited our middle daughter Eden and her 3 1/2-year-old son Jacob. For lunch we went to Gino’s, an Italian diner. Lunch was great. Whenever Ray and I go out to eat somewhere, it’s common for Ray to ask me if I want to order a certain dish that he recommends to me and I say no; then when he orders it himself and it arrives, I want to have a bite of his (or a couple of bites – one time when we dated, I ate almost his entire salad while he was gone to the restroom. He’s more careful now when he offers me a bite of his food.).

This time Ray ordered Chicken Spedini, a lightly breaded, broiled chicken topped with a mogu sauce (lemon, oil, garlic, and oregano). After I tasted his, I said, “That is  really good! I should have ordered the spedini!” Ray’s reply was, “I told you so.”

Jacob sticking out his tongue, lol. (Dalton, Jacob, Eden)

But I did enjoy the sampler tray that Heather and I shared: lasagne, chicken alfredo, penne marinara, and fettucini. I gave Ray and Eden the Italian sausage. Leah tried the pasta con broccoli, Eden ordered a Caesar’s Salad with chicken, and Eden’s boyfriend Dalton ordered pizza.

Jacob wanted spaghetti with a meatball, and then he only ate the tomatoes from Eden’s salad, refusing to eat his spaghetti. It was almost Jacob’s naptime so he was tired and whiny – but he is absolutely adorable with his brown spiked hair and brown eyes. Ray enjoys having at least one boy child in the family so far. For years he and our son-in-law Kyle have felt surrounded with all the females in the family, especially at certain times of the month.

I loved Gino’s. The owner walked around the restaurant, singing loudly and asking everyone if they were enjoying their meals. Italian music played in the background. It made me long to go to Italy again. Ray and I traveled to Europe for ten days for our 10th wedding anniversary: primarily Switzerland, but also Italy, France, Germany, and Lichtenstein.

We loved it. We ate delicious food that was unbelievably cheap, walked and drove on cobblestone streets, enjoyed museums and admired the breathtaking cathedrals and architecture of other buildings, bought tons of Swiss chocolate for souvenirs for family, stayed in a ski lodge in the Alps, went up Eiffel Tower at night, bought chestnuts from a street vendor in Paris, bargained for a French beret for Heather at a sidewalk marketplace, saw an incredible castle in Lichtenstein, and saw the most beautiful blue-green waterfall in Italy that I’ve ever seen, next to Niagara Falls. I think it’s time for another trip!

Ok, back to this life….After lunch, we went to see Eden’s workplace, a bakery where she makes delicious cupcakes from scratch each morning. Their popular one right now is pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese icing, drizzled with melted caramel. I ordered vanilla with chocolate icing, of course!  Ray chose key lime, Leah mint chocolate, and Heather chocolate and peanut butter. Jacob refused to eat his cupcake and instead ate a Snicker’s bar. Then he wildly ran around the bakery as the sugar rush started kicking in, and Ray told Eden we should go so she could still keep her job.

It was nice going somewhere new and trying a new restaurant. Take time out occasionally to go someplace where you’ve never been to get a different perspective and to de-stress. Meet new people, eat new types of food, window shop. Take a break from your usual routine, even if it’s just to drive to the next town or go for a walk in your neighborhood.

This “trying new things” applies to your personal life, and to writing, speaking, coaching, or whatever your business or ministry is. Today I rolled down my car windows, feeling the wind and sunshine on my face, and enjoyed the sight of fall leaves floating through the air as they fell from the trees. Such a simple thing, but it made me feel happy!

“Everyone has a “risk muscle.” You keep it in shape by trying new things. If you don’t, it atrophies. Make a point of using it at least once a day.” – Roger Von Oech, author of creative thinking classics, inventor, and speaker

Leah, Ray & Heather at cider mill

This week it’s actually become cold in Missouri and I commented to Ray as we lay in bed last night, “Isn’t that strange? It got cold so quick!” Ray said no, that isn’t strange, that this happens every year here in Missouri, and every year I say to him how strange it is —he said that Missouri has just 3 days of fall.

He said one day the leaves are changing beautiful colors and the next day it’s 40 degrees with a forecast of snow. That made me laugh and I have laughed every time I think of Ray saying that: “Missouri has just 3 days of fall.” He despises cold weather, especially snow – mostly because he’s the one who has to work out in the freezing snow and ice on car accident scenes as a paramedic, while Leah and I get to enjoy looking out the window at the pretty snow, enjoying a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows in the toasty warmth of our home.

Sometimes it seems like the seasons of our life are SO long. We become impatient and wonder if those big dreams in our heart will ever come to pass. Other seasons in our lives feel like “just 3 days of fall,” and  pass so quickly, like our children growing up and all too soon we have an empty nest. Whatever season you’re in right now, God has a great plan for your life. (Jeremiah 29:11) You are in the right season as long as you are trusting and obeying God!

Tonight I read in Ephesians 1:1-14. I want to share some excerpts from it:

“How blessed is God! And what a blessing He is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long ago before he laid down earth’s foundation, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!)”

“Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people – free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free. He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, let us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.”

“It is in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.”

Isn’t that beautiful? Let’s recap this:

• You have high places of blessings in Him.
• You are the focus of His love, made whole and holy by His love.
• You are free.
• You are not just free, but abundantly free!
• Whatever season you’re in right now, God has a long-range plan for your life – and it’s going to be good!

In this week’s post I shared how God is preparing you for great things. It’s in Christ that you find out who you are and what you are living for.  Seek Him.

This morning I read Andrea Sharp‘s ezine and was encouraged by a story she shared in it about when she was a young adult and was hired to be a camp counselor at a kids’ camp in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. She was excited about doing this. One day she was called into the office by her supervisor and was told that there were too many counselors for the amount of kids coming. Since she was the last counselor hired, she was being moved to another area of camp help -kitchen service.

She would prepare meals each day and wash the hundreds of plates, cups, and silverware. Andrea was embarrassed and humbled, and questioned God why she was having to wash disgusting dishes each day. But tremendous growth occurred in a place of humbleness. She began to enjoy the freedom she had with her position that she wouldn’t have had as a counselor, and met an amazing group of people that she worked with on the kitchen staff and on campus.

 She wrote: “Now looking back over that summer, I realize that God grew me in astounding ways.  It’s not the position that matters, but the heart behind it. No matter what job we may hold, whether it be a homemaker or a working woman, God desires that we embrace this opportunity and share joy in our sphere of influence.”

Maybe you’re not yet in the “position” you desire or have what you want yet. You’re now in a waiting room, being readied and refined by God for what’s ahead. Be patient during this humbling season of preparation. God is preparing you for exciting, great things to come. God also has you in a sphere of influence right now that is His desire for you today – a sphere unlike anyone else’s, an incredible opportunity that He has entrusted to you alone.

You may be a stay at home mom, helping your husband with his needs and homeschooling her children. Right now that is your realm of influence and it is not a light thing – but a great opportunity to minister to your husband and to sow into children’s souls and to raise disciples for Christ. You may be a website designer who does graphic design. That is your sphere of influence – your anointing and creativity coming from The Designer of the Universe.

You may be a writer, speaker, or life coach with just a handful of clients, wanting to grow your business to an international, membership-based organization. For now your five to 10 clients are where God has you, your very own “mission field,” using your spiritual gifts, talents, and skills to practically help, pray for, encourage and motivate others to become all God desires.

You’re not just washing dishes or working in a cubicle. You are in the right place at the right time right now – and you’re being prepared for great things to come!

“In the same way, the last will be first, and the first will be last, because many are called, but few are chosen.” – Matthew 20:16, ISV

Image Resource: Image: vegadsl / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Today I didn’t want to get out of bed. Nothing unusual about that. I’m not a morning person. And it’s a Monday. But as I lay in bed in the dark after Ray left for work (usually I drive him to work), I pondered why I didn’t want to face the day. Part of it is that yesterday was delicious. I had some much needed time alone with God.

I was able to spend some time praying, and enjoy absolute quietness, which is rare (I have a very noisy family). I didn’t want to lose the peace from my time of solitude with God by going full-force into Monday with all its to-do’s. So I deliberately set aside time this morning to read the Bible (Joshua 1) and to journal to quiet my soul before I started the day.

Journaling can be a calming part of your spiritual disciplines each day. You don’t have to spend a lot of money or time to do it. You don’t have to buy an expensive journal or pen. My favorite pen in the whole world to write with is an ultra-fine, black Sharpie.®  I should have stock in them. Two Sharpie pens are $1.99 at the local Walmart. You can also get Sharpies® in different, fun colors like purple, green, red, blue, etc. They write effortlessly across a crisp, white, fresh page.

You can buy an inexpensive  journal at Border’s or your local book store, Walmart, or the dollar store. I don’t buy expensive journals, but I do enjoy picking one out that is colorful. My journals’ covers have had ladybugs, spring flowers,  zebra stripes, polka dots, etc. The one I have now is purple faux leather with wide lines on the pages, because I love the color purple and like to have lots of room to write. Choose one that you enjoy looking at, because you’re going to spend some time in it.

Sometimes I read the Bible before I journal, and record the scripture I’m reading, then journal about that passage. For example, today I read Joshua 1, which my friend LaTara Ham Ying had encouraged our Challenge Circle to read this week. It spoke volumes to me and was in perfect alignment where I’m at right now with a workshop that I”m planning for November 2011, Fearlessly Forward. (If you’re not on my mailing list, sign up so you’ll be sure to hear the details first!) God amazes me how He confirms His word!

The Scriptures can be a springboard to write. For example, today I copied Joshua 1: 1-2 in my journal, reflecting on how God wants us to have courage and not be afraid – and to know that He is always with us. I also wrote down ideas for the November workshop.

In your journal, you can also just record your own thoughts, write a song, do copywork from a poem or a book you’re reading and love, draw, press flowers or trace beautiful, colored fall leaves, or whatever you want in your journal. Let your creativity flow. It’s yours.

I encourage you to date your journal entry. Later you can look back and fill in dates of when and how God has answered prayers or worked in that specific situation. It can serve as a memorial like the stone altars the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob built to God to worship Him to remember His promises and His miracles.

“Christians through the centuries have written spiritual autobiographies, personal diaries and journals. Some are available to us, while the contents of others are known to God alone. Some were written to be read. Others were so personal and confidential that they were ordered burned at the authors’ death. Some classic autobiographies are: Augustine’s Confessions; Teresa of Avila’s Life; George Fox’s Journal; Thomas Merton’s The Seven Storey Mountain, Dag Hammarskjold’s Markings; and Henri Nouwen’s Genesee Diary and The Road to Daybreak. The personal reflections of some of the great missionaries can also be accessed and read. It is worthwhile to mention here that we are not in competition with others. Our journal is ours.”

(http://www.upwardcallministries.org/Journaling_as_a_Spiritual_Discipline.pdf)

You don’t need to worry about proper spelling or grammar for your journal. Lay the internal editor to rest, and just write, your thoughts unstopped. Let your journal be your sounding board to God.  Pour out your true feelings.

“Rise during the night and cry out. Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord.” ~ Lamentations 2:19

I believe the Psalms may have first been portions of David’s journaling. When he was angry or depressed, he shared this openly with God.

Ask God questions and listen for His answers, guidance, direction, Wisdom. Journaling is a path of discovery. You are inviting God into your writing and your life.  It will take you deeper in faith with Him.

You can journal in your bedroom, on a bus or a train, at the park after your nature walk. You can have worship or praise or some type of soothing music in the background, and a cup of hot coffee or a cold drink on the table as you’re writing. This is your time to reflect, ponder, ask the hard questions, dream.

If you have problems with insomnia like me, you can write in the middle of the night, recording your prayers, things that are weighing on your heart, or ideas for a book, your next event, conference, webinar, or telecall.

“The goal is to allow the Holy Spirit to use the time of journaling to bring together in a redemptive and revelatory way His love and your need articulated from the depths of your heart.”

(http://www.upwardcallministries.org/Journaling_as_a_Spiritual_Discipline.pdf)

Begin journaling and see where it takes you.

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you. Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, going-to-work and walking-around life – and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him.” ~ Romans 12:1

Image source: Image: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Don’t you love parties? One of the best parties to attend is a Facebook party. If you’ve never attended a Facebook party, they are a blast! You make new friends, network, and you can win GREAT prizes just for coming!

I’m planning my first Facebook party EVER on Tuesday, October 25 at 11 a.m. Central Time (12 noon EDT). It will be on my Facebook business page at this link: https://www.facebook.com/BethJones.net

The theme of this party and my November online workshop is Fearlessly Forward. It’s based on Secretariat, the first U.S. Triple Crown winner champion racehorse in 25 years. Secretariat was created by God to RUN FAST – he had no fear in running! The movie Secretariat with Diane Lane is awesome!

Like Secretariat, we need to keep pushing through all fear and intimidation to RUN the race well, to fufill our great purpose from God and pursue our passion!

All you do to attend the Facebook party is sign into your Facebook account, come to the page a few minutes early, and wait for the party to begin. You refresh every few seconds to see the questions and everyone’s answers – and if you won one of the prizes!  It’s a great way to make new meet new people, network, and share your website and about your business. You will love it!

I hope to see you there on Tuesday, October 25, at 11 am CST!

Video of Secretariat

“He fed his spirit with the bread of books.”  ~Edwin Markham

I’ve always been addicted to loved books and considered them friends. I usually have a big stack of books to read. When I run out, I order more on sale from Amazon.

Yes, I’m a book junkie. But I wait for months after a new book has come out and everyone is screaming about it, “You HAVE to read Crush It!” or “Did you hear  about Seth Godin’s new book Poke the Box?”  (Actually, I think I got that book free from Seth’s site.)

After the hooplah has died down, Amazon offers used best-seller books on sale as low as $2.99 – I love it!  (Some Kindle books are even cheaper.) By now, Ray and Leah know that any packages the UPS man drops off on our front porch are for me.

Leah no longer asks, “What is it?” She just hands me the scissors and she waits as I rip it open impatiently to see the title: Run Your Butt Off. (Just kidding; I haven’t ordered that one yet…though I should! Or maybe I should just run, instead of reading about running.)

For Ray’s birthday this year, I bought him a Kindle, but I love actually physically holding a book in my hands. When the local Borders went out of business, I was upset. Where were all those lovely books going? What would happen to them? With the Kindle and Nook, I fear the worst fate for books.  Give me  a good book, some comfy pj’s, a soft blanket, and  a cold drink or cup of coffee, and you won’t see me for awhile. Heavenly.

Right now these are the stacks of books that I have by my bed, on my desk, and in my dresser:

• I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings (Maya Angelou -a book  recently recommended to me by a friend)
• Maya Angelou – A Glorious Celebration (same friend)
• Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God (Francis Chan – on passionate faith)
• Life’s Healing Choices (John Baker, Foreward by Rick Warren – my coaching class/Bible study curriculum)
• Food and Loathing – A Lament (Betsy Lerner – on thinness being the key to success, or so we think)
• Now Discover Your Strengths (Mark Buckingham, recommended by my coach)
• Find Your Strengths : What The Happiest and Most Successful Women Do Differently (Mark Buckingham, recommended by a friend)
• What Clients Love: A Field Guide to Growing Your Business (Mark Beckwith)
• The Trouble With Islam: A Muslim’s Call for Reform in Her Faith (Irshad Manji)
• Saving Money and Time Without Losing Your Mind (8 authors on frugality and time management)
• Living Simply (Joanne Heim – love her writing!)
• Misplacing God (Joanne Heim)

Plus, all the downloaded pdf’s of various topics from home management and healthy recipes to marketing that I’ve saved on my laptop “to read later.”

Obviously, I can’t read these all at once. I just have to read them in bite-sizes each day, usually at night before I go to bed. I could wake up earlier in the morning, but I often have problems with insomnia (my friend Diane calls this “entrepreneurial ADD”), and I love to sleep.  I’m not a morning person. In fact, extremely cheerful morning people tend to really annoy me. (I’m sorry if you are one!) Ray knows NOT to say “Good morning” happily to me when we first awake or he’s in trouble. Since I have insomnia, I probably should read all my books then, in the middle of the night….but then that might make my insomnia worse.

What are your favorite books? What are you reading now?

Do you prefer physical books, or do you like reading yours on the Kindle, Nook or other device?

What do you think will happen in the years to come with books? Will they become a thing of the past, like dinosaurs?

I hope there will always be physical books.

Share your comments below.

This weekend I finally got to go on a date with Ray and see the movie Courageous, made by the same producers of Fireproof and Flywheel. It’s a movie about four men who are law enforcement officers who find that fatherhood can be just as challenging, if not more so, than their difficult jobs each day…and they need God’s help to do it effectively. A sudden tragedy binds them all together and causes them to wrestle with their doubts, fears, and faith…and to wonder, as men do after watching this movie, Am I a good father? More importantly, a godly father?

Fireproof is one of my favorite movies, so I was a little skeptical going into the theatre that another movie made by Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA, could even come close to Fireproof. But this movie made me laugh and cry. The movie also inspired me. Even Ray liked it – who is a hardcore sci-fi or action movie guy (you know, blood, gore, guns, knives, machine guns, racing cars, exploding buildings, exploding people, etc.).

Not everyone grows up in a home with a godly, or good, father. Statistics show that 85% of all youths in prison come from fatherless homes, 90% of homeless and runaways come from fatherless homes, and 63% of youth suicides come from fatherless homes. “Children with involved, loving fathers are significantly more likely to do well in school, have healthy self-esteem, exhibit empathy and pro-social behavior, and avoid high-risk behaviors such as drug use, truancy, and criminal activity compared to children who have uninvolved fathers.” (source: http://thefatherlessgeneration.wordpress.com/statistics/)

This just means that we all need a godly, loving, strong father. Children need a good daddy!

If you didn’t have that, as so many people haven’t, then you can have a good Father through God. The Bible says God is a Father to the fatherless and a protector of widows. (Psalm 68:5) Come to God today, and let Him be the Father to you that you might not have ever had – and need.

Video of Courageous

Do you want to do incredible things for God, but feel you aren’t good enough? Then you’ve come to the right place. God the Potter desires to create you into His Beautiful Masterpiece – and what is more, into a vessel for HONOR!  Join me and my dear friend Rochelle Valasek for our webinar, The Master’s Hands.

I am so excited to be doing this webinar with Rochelle. She’s a great woman of God, an anointed speaker and writer, and you will love her contagious enthusiasm, sense of humor, and passion for God.

Our webinar is planned for Friday, October 14, at 7:00 p.m. Central Time to 9:30 p.m. Central Time (8:00 p.m. EDT to 10:30 p.m. EDT). Best of all, it is at no cost to you!

I love the scriptures on the Potter and the clay, and have always been fascinated by a potter working on a pottery wheel with clay. God our Potter works with us, His creation the clay, so patiently each day, so that we can become the vessel He intended for His glory!

Maybe you feel unworthy of doing anything great for God because of something wrong you’ve done in your past (or even your present). No matter how “marred” you may be, God can take you and reshape you into His Beautiful Masterpiece. God has wonderful things planned for you. He can restore and reform you into His image!

We’d love for you to join us for this exciting webinar. You will receive a recording replay, as well as bonuses for attending. Be sure to bring a friend!

To find out more about our webinar and to reserve your spot today, just click here.

Video of potter working with clay on pottery wheel

If you’ve hung around here for awhile, you may remember precious Hadassah, the little girl our friends Pat and Kim Weber adopted from China. This weekend, unfortunately Pat’s mom passed away so Pat and Kim drove from Florida to Missouri for the funeral with all their kids in the van. (Please pray for Pat and his family for their loss.) Leah and I were able to see them yesterday at a park, and then we ate (my first) Super Chief Philly cheesesteak sandwich at Chartroose Caboose.

You can see in the picture (right) that beautiful Hadassah is really growing, and her hair is much longer now.  Her older sister Megan loves to dress up her little “doll” in dresses, brushing her hair. Hadassah has 3 older siblings who love her dearly and are so happy to have this gift from God in their family!

I told Hadassah at the park as she was swinging that she had to say my name before I left, and she said it right away: “Beth.” Of course, that made my day! I smiled big at her and said, ‘That’s right! I helped to pray you in!”

Hadassah finished the physical therapy on her hand, and uses it well now – an answered prayer! Some of the fingers have straightened some as a result of the physical therapy, which gives her more ability with it. She’s healthy and happy.  She has a good appetite and loves asking Pat for part of whatever he’s eating on his plate, too.   As I sat next to her at lunch, she wanted more ketchup on her sandwich and french fries – she loves ketchup. One of her favorite foods is rice.

She calls herself “Dassah,” and when Pat teases her and says, “Are you Dassah Doo?”, she says, “No, I am Dassah! Not Dassah Doo!” LOL.

The Webers’ kids are so beautiful and precious. I really miss all of them. Below is a picture of them outside the restaurant. Caleb is the oldest (and about 6 feet tall like his dad Pat!), then Nathaniel, Megan, and little Hadassah. Caleb took a mission trip to Trinidad this year with his church. All their kids are so smart, spiritually gifted, polite, and have a great sense of humor. They love laughing and to make you laugh.

Recently Pat had some work to do in Atlanta, GA, and Virginia, and since Kim homeschools all of them, they rented a van and drove to both states, visiting science museums, Patrick Henry’s home, and other educational sites.

Kim, for me, epitomizes the Proverbs 31 woman as no other woman whom I’ve met. She truly inspires me. She fiercely loves her husband and her children; she’s an excellent homeschool teacher, a great cook (Pat told me this weekend he LOVES her baking!), and she sews; and she has a giving, loving heart, ministering to all who come across her path. Pat and the kids adore her – and vice versa!

Cherish your friends. Let them know how much you love them – call them, email, write them, text them, visit them, pray for them…don’t put it off until tomorrow. Today is the sacred space we have to love others.

“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.” ~ Donna Roberts

Almost 3 p.m.  It’s already been a full day of work. All over tech issues. If you know me very well, you are aware that tech stuff drives me crazy. It’s NOT my area of anointing. But starting my own online business over a year ago forced me to learn some tech things by necessity, whether I liked it or not. (I don’t like it, thank you!)

Today you will notice a new opt-in form at the top of the website on the right hand side by Mail Chimp. You have no idea how much WORK it has taken to get there. Hopefully it is STILL working! :O  It’s not the company’s fault that I had trouble. I should have contacted customer support at the start.

See, WordPress sites and Mail Chimp have cat fights sometimes (some type of conflict), so it wasn’t on my end, either (amazing!). Sweet Jessi with Mail Chimp’s customer support told me about a WordPress plug-in that would fix that and that I should have no more problems.

Don’t quit!

Plug-ins are great. There’s a few plug-ins for Mail Chimp available, and after I installed the second kind of plug-in, I was finally able to get the Mail Chimp opt-in form to work. I wanted to give up, but I don’t like being a quitter and can be determined (to my own detriment sometimes!).  But I pushed through the obstacles and did it! (Lesson: talk to Jessi or someone in customer support FIRST!)

If you’re not already on my mailing list, you can sign up today and get a complimentary audio mp3 download, You’re Exactly What God Meant – plus two bonus gifts.

I am testing Mail Chimp to use for my ezines instead of Aweber. We’ve all heard that Aweber, Constant Contact, and 1Shopping Cart are the best. I’ve been using Aweber for almost a year now and it’s reasonably-priced.  Aweber is great!  But every little bit of money adds up when you’re running a business, and there is no cost to use Mail Chimp. My friends LaTara Ham-Ying, Arika Lewis, and Rochelle Valasek told me about Mail Chimp. They love it.

Who knew? I could be a model!

Segue: What I love is the cute little monkey that is their logo. He wears a mailman’s hat and a blue messenger bag for his mail. When you log into the site with your email and password, he’s there to “greet” you with funny jokes. One of the ones he said today was, “You could be a part-time model, Beth.”

I took a screenshot of it and saved it in my Paint.Net program in a file for the days that aren’t going well and I”m thinking of career options (just kidding).  I think I DO like Mail Chimp after all!  Rochelle, or Shelley as I call her, told me about the monkey’s jokes and said it always makes her laugh. But she laughs a lot anyway and she makes me laugh.

The PANIC Button

After today’s stress with the opt-in form, I need the laugh! Shelley and I have texted throughout the day. Mostly me.  This morning after something unexpected happened after I imported my Aweber list into Mail Chimp and I told her what was going on and to HELP, she texted me, “DON’T PANIC!”  This immediately made me wonder if I SHOULD panic. Did she know something I didn’t?!!!  Today her browser’s been crashing and I’ve been battling the tech gremlins. I wish she lived closer so we could go out tonight to eat Mexican and we could both just laugh over today!

Which one is your favorite?

I have not made up my mind yet about switching over to Mail Chimp and have not deleted my Aweber account YET (just this morning someone told me they were severely disappointed with Mail Chimp and are not going to use it).  I am still testing the waters. I’d love to hear YOUR thoughts and experiences.Which ezine/newsletter/autoresponder service do you use and why do you like it?

I love the variety of templates Mail Chimp offers for ezines (your newsletter). Already I’ve gotten compliments on the one I sent out yesterday to my list. I have been wanting a change with my ezine’s template for awhile now.  I’m very much a visual learner and love anything visually appealing. Mail Chimp has some pretty ones, that you can design just for your niche and their needs. Aweber seems to have limited templates for ezines/newsletters. (I do believe that Aweber is one of the most dependable and reputable services out there – one of the best.)

A banana split sounds good!

I know that sounds like a random thought. The editor on the templates for you to write your emails on in Mail Chimp is extremely user-friendly – more so than Aweber, I think. Mail Chimp offers a variety of tools like A/B split testing (not that I know what that really is – but their picture had a banana split on it underneath it so that is why I noticed it, lol).

They also have Google Analytics integration, an Iphone app, social media sharing, and syncing with your shopping cart. These features help you to assess how effective your “campaigns” are (your emails that you send  to your list).

Do you have good open rates?

There’s a lot of factors for people opening – and not opening – ezines: compelling headlines, day of week and time, information overload, too few or too many sent over a period of time, solid content, visual appeal, etc.  You want to make sure your tribe is READING your ezines (good open rates), is CLICKING on your links in the ezine,  and is wanting more – hopefully resulting in building a strong, trusting relationship with them and ultimately leading to your products’ and events’ sales. 

If you are a writer, speaker, life coach, website designer, or someone who has your own business and need a service for sending out ezines/newsletters and/or an autoresponder, you might consider Mail Chimp.  You need a way to stay constantly in touch with your readers/listeners…they need to hear your important message and as Robin Tramble so often says on her anointed telecalls, the “yummy things” you have to offer – the encouragement and help they need.

Weigh the pros and cons.  Test it first. Be sure to contact customer support FIRST for questions/trouble-shooting, and if you have a WordPress site, upload one of Mail Chimp’s plug-ins in your WordPress dashboard for your opt-in form. Encourage feedback from your readers about it.

And don’t forget to read the jokes by the monkey when you sign in. They are cute.

***

Sign up today for Beth’s personal mailing list at www.bethjones.net. and receive your complimentary audio mp3 download, You’re Exactly What God Meant, plus two bonus gifts.

I am in a chatty mood today and thought I’d just do a post of random thoughts today.

First, I am LOVIN’ this cooler, beautiful fall weather. Fall is one of my favorite times of year. This week was the official first day of fall. What do you love about fall? Some things I love are:

• Beginning a new homeschool year with Leah
• Cooler weather
• The leaves changing beautiful colors – red, gold, orange, yellow; God is an incredible artist!
• Starbucks coffee – I am going to try the Pumpkin Spice Latte’ with the Starbucks gift card that my sweet sis Maria bought me for my recent birthday – yum!
• Hot chocolate with marshmallows in cute mugs
• Pumpkin scented and spiced apple scented candles
• Fall crafts – door wreaths, centerpieces, knick knacks for side tables
• Walks outdoors, the sun shining on your face, the cool breeze blowing, and the leaves crunching underneath your feet
• Beautiful fall fashions – right now Kohls has some gorgeous sweaters
• The hope of new good things in life with a new season.

Second, I am enjoying my new phone – but still getting used to it and learning how to use it.  I laughed at my friend Susan Evan’s blog posts How Technology Rules Us Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 because initially she didn’t want a cell phone but she loves hers now, especially the video feature.  Like me, she doesn’t always hear it ring.

My family has gotten annoyed with me for not hearing it ring as I’m doing chores here or working on something, and especially frustrated with me for leaving my old phone here at the house when I run to Walmart, the post office or to buy groceries. “What is the point of having one?” they’ve asked me. I am doing better now with the new phone.

Today, our daughter Leah’s cell phone arrived in the mail. It makes my whole day to hear the UPS man knock on the door, although I don’t actually know what he looks like because he knocks and then I think RUNS to his truck, speeding off. I know when the UPS man comes, we have a present in the mail – a good book (I recently ordered I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou), a check from a family member for a birthday or Christmas, or a new tech gadget.

Leah’s phone is Sprint’s Samsung Replenish, which came with a promo offer. I wanted her to have a cell phone in the event of a disaster, to quickly get ahold of Ray and me if we’re not here (which is not that often. I am here most of the time, but I feel better now with her having a phone in the event of an earthquake or tornado!). It has the qwerty board for texting and wi-fi for email and Facebook.  She is charging it now and can’t wait to use it. Four out of five teens in the U.S. carry a cell phone, viewing it as the key to their social life. What do you think about this as a parent? For that matter, has texting/cell phones helped your social life? I personally love the convenience of texting.

Third, I wanted to share the video below with you. I love the song. Our daughter Heather just went to a huge women’s conference in Springfield, MO, where they played it. I lift my hands to God for all He’s done! I pray it encourages you today.

My husband Ray and I were talking last night and he forced encouraged me to work on my blog and WRITE. He said some of the things I’ve been sharing on my blog are terrible just online events and they can be posted on Craigslist for sale Facebook. You may be sighing with relief now and thinking, “Thank God, SOMEONE told her! I am SICK of hearing about her next Talkshoe show! I want to read a real BLOG!”  Ray won. Today’s blog is about my new smart phone – and it WILL have a good point.

I have changed since I married Ray and one of those ways is in the gifts I want Ray to buy me for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, my birthday, St. Patrick’s Day, Groundhog day, Talk Like a Pirate Day….just kidding. Now instead of requesting a cute stuffed bear or a marquise diamond ring, I ask for geeky gadgets: a purple Ipod, a laptop, or as I did for today’s birthday, an upgrade to my cell phone. Of course, if Ray comes home bearing gifts like the chocolate peanut M & M’s that he brought in the other night, I’m NOT going to turn up my nose!

For my birthday (which is today – leave happy birthday comments below, lol), Ray got me the Evo 4G smart phone. I wanted an Iphone because my friends have RAVED about how great it is.  In order to get an Iphone, we would’ve had to switch carriers, get a 2-year contract, put down deposits, and had to pay $199 each for our Iphones. Uh…no!

Ray gets a discount with Sprint through his employer. We were able to upgrade both our phones for much less than it would’ve cost to buy us two Iphones with AT&T.  PLUS, the Evo has 4G wireless connectivity, downloading up to 10 times faster than a 3G – which the Iphone doesn’t have now.  It’s fast – I love fast!

I’m still learning HOW it works.  Thank you God for my teen child Leah. This generation seems to just GET technology.

Yesterday Ray and I weren’t able to transfer the data on my old phone to the new one, but Ray showed me how to sync my laptop and phone. For all non-teens, sync means same…I transferred what’s on my laptop to my phone, including Microsoft Contacts.  I didn’t have to peck away all day on the phone’s keyboard every family member’s, friend’s, or business associate’s name, phone number, email address, etc. The syncing was done within 10 minutes through a USB cable.

The “sync” process made me think of our relationship with God.  Are we in sync with God, with His word? The definition of sync is: to synchronize, to happen at the same time, to make happen at the same time and speed.

In other words, harmony and agreement. Walking and talking with Him, as Enoch did until he was no more. (Genesis 5: 24) Not running ahead of Him and His timing, or lagging behind and missing His will.

Are you in agreement with God? Or do you just want Him to be in agreement with you and your plans?

Sync with God.

***

Want to learn more about walking with God each day? Just click here.

This weekend, I walked and jogged my second 5K walk at the Stop Child Trafficking Now Kansas City 5K Run/Walk. Earlier this year our daughter Heather encouraged and challenged me to do a 5K with her (with her running it and me walking it). I didn’t think I could do it, but God helped me to finish it. This Saturday I did another 5K, walking part of it and jogging part of it.  This one was harder than the last one, with the hills in Kansas City. But I pushed on and even beat my last timing! As I crossed the finish line, I was so excited!

From their website, Stop Child Trafficking Now is an organization “that addresses the demand side of child sex trafficking by targeting buyers/predators for prosecution and conviction. While over 260 organizations are currently focused on rescuing children, until the demand side is addressed, the supply will always exist. Few people know that virtually no convictions have occurred in the U.S. in the last 10 years, thus this heinous crime grows. SCTNow has launched a national campaign to raise money for retired military operatives targeting the demand side of trafficking. These Special Operative Teams gather information on child predators both in the U.S. and abroad, information that will be used to convict child sex buyers.”

Everyone getting ready for the 5K

One of the speakers at this event is a woman who was a victim of child trafficking. From an early age, she was targeted and led onto the streets of Kansas City, MO,  into a lifestyle of prostitution, drug addiction, and alcoholism.  The average age of children who are targeted and are trafficked are 12 years old. Many children get lured into it through the internet. (Be alert to what your child is doing online!)

This woman was beaten and arrested many times. She said some children and women don’t make it out alive from the streets. God delivered this woman from her lifestyle of prostituting and addiction, and she now rescues and helps child victims in her organization in Kansas City. She is a Christian and boldly declared her faith in God at this 5K – it was awesome!

With every step I took in this 5K, I was taking a step of faith and victory for the children who are victims of child trafficking. I was also able to raise $50 for this worthy cause on my personal SCTN page.  You can still donate to my personal page here, by check or donating online.

Remember that whatever goals you have, you can accomplish them, step by step! Just keep going; you can do it. A pasted clipping on my vision board says, “You have to get over the hurdles and keep running.”

Me, red-faced but happy, after I finished 5K

Lately I’ve had a lot of events that I’ve been sharing about here, which are fun, but sometimes people just want to read blogs, not get another Facebook event invitation or hear about another radio show or webinar. I decided to just WRITE a blog post. Normal, everyday, routine stuff that will hopefully make you smile and get to know me better.

First, a confession. I’ve been eating WAY too many Baby Ruth chocolate candy bars lately. This is doing NOTHING for my weight loss goal or to prepare me for the 5K that I’m walking on September 17 to raise funds for awareness of child trafficking….but they sure taste good.  I get the Baby Ruths at the dollar store in town because they’re a lot cheaper than the convenience store/gas station and I’m at least going to be frugal about it.

I crave chocolate at certain times of the month and relate to that expression, “There’s more to life than chocolate, but not right now.” (Anonymous) Life really is better sometimes with chocolate. Have some chocolate.

Second, my younger sister Maria, who lives in Georgia,  is in her last semester of college, majoring in psychology to get a B.A. degree to become a psychologist or a researcher (continuing with the master’s program after graduation). She has been working full time as a bookkeeper for a CPA, is a single mom of 3 kids, and attends college full-time…and has been consistently making dean’s list. I am SO proud of her.

With God’s help you really CAN do all things through Christ  and achieve your goals – Maria is living proof! I am praying for God to provide the money for me to fly to Georgia to be at her college graduation in December this year.  A round trip flight usually costs around $450, unless Orbitz has a deal (usually on a red-eye flight!). I can’t wait to visit her, my two nephews Nicholas and Brandon and my niece Katie!  I haven’t visited my family there in a couple of years now, so it’s time for a visit!

Third, Ray and I are looking at upgrading our cell phones. When he was in Haiti last year, his cell phone didn’t work most of the time while he was gone for 40 days, which was quite frustrating for me. I needed to know if he was in the middle of another earthquake aftershock and was still alive, if he was starving (their food supply was quite low at times), and very important things like how to get my printer paper unjammed.

So he needs a new phone and he suggested that I upgrade mine while he’s at it. My friends rave about the Iphone and that is what I really want. But we’d have to switch carriers from Sprint to ATT, get a new 2-year contract, and pay a lot more money to get Iphones. So Ray is looking instead at our carrier Sprint’s Evo, which has 4G (meaning the internet is faster on it than the 3G). He thinks the Evo is actually a better phone than the Iphone. Some of his friends at work have the Evo 4G and he loved it.

Do you have an Iphone or an Evo or another type of cell phone? Why do you like it? Which do you think is the best? Leave your comments below. Ray gets his Sprint upgrade free because his phone isn’t working right, and if I got an Evo upgrade, it wouldn’t cost that much. My family says that no matter what phone I upgrade to, I will still forget my phone at home when I run errands or else not answer it so what’s the use?

At any rate, I’m looking forward to a new phone, because although I love my red cell phone (my website’s header purposely shows a red phone; I had it designed that way since I have a red phone IRL), it’s not real user-friendly. The keys on the qwerty board are SO tiny and hard to type on and read. When I text someone, it looks like this: “Going to the srore noq; cakk me larer.” (Going to the store now; call me later.)

I tested the Evo phone at a Sprint store this weekend and it looks easier to use. I’m very excited about getting a new phone. It will be my birthday present this month. My friend Jane and I laugh because now instead of wanting flowers or jewelry for our birthdays and holidays, we want geeky tech gadgets instead. In fact, women prefer cell phones to designer shoes.

Fourth, last year Leah and I took some extra days off school so we went quite a bit into the summer with her homeschooling. That pushed back the beginning of this year back, too, since I gave her a month off in August and part of September for summer “vacation.”  We will start homeschooling again next week. I can’t believe it’s her senior year of high school! Where did the years go?  I plan to start blogging more consistently on my homeschool blog here, so if you’re a homeschooler, subscribe to the posts or check in each week (and subscribe to this one, if you’re not already – the little orange button at the top on the right side).

I’m praying to get away for a whole day before next week to just pray about the year and to do some intense planning. I want this last year to be our funnest, most memorable year yet with lots of field trips and hands-on activities.

Recently I asked my friend Sherri if she felt empty or lost since her youngest child just graduated from homeschool and she’s not homeschooling any more. She said no, she was loving it – she can now focus on her writing and speaking.

Another friend of mine does feel lost. Her kids grew up, went to college, and moved out. Much of her identity has been wrapped up in being a homeschooling mom. Recently when she called me, she asked, “Beth, what am I supposed to do with my life now?” My heart ached for her.

I think it’s important that we know our purpose and what God has created us to be and to do. When your season of homeschooling is over, God has other things in store for you – good things! (Jeremiah 29:11) God will never leave you or forsake you!  Pray and ask God what this new chapter of your life holds. I encourage you to take my fall coaching class/book study if you want to get unstuck and need more direction.

Finally, I’m planning to get mine and Leah’s haircuts this week. This year I’ve had some problems at the salon. My recent highlight was not what I’d hoped, so maybe trimming some of it will help (the top is brassy). I’m looking for ideas for a cute new cut. Got any?

That’s my blog post for today.   Hope you’ve enjoyed it. Leave your comments below or just say “hi.” I’d love to hear from you!

Img src: Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Did you have a good weekend? I did! For a couple of months now I’ve been planning our oldest daughter Heather’s surprise birthday party. We had it yesterday and she was surprised – mission accomplished!  Speaking of surprises, this Wednesday, September 7, at 12 noon Central Time (1:00 p.m. EDT), I’m having a preview call on Talkshoe about my upcoming, online group coaching class/book study and will be offering a brand-new bonus if you sign up for the coaching group/book study within 24 hours of the preview call.

When you sign up, you’ll also be entered into a contest for a free gift card, too. On this call I will share 10 Tips For A Fulfilled Life.

The call will last about 40 minutes with time afterward for Q & A if you have any questions about my upcoming coaching group/book study. To find out more info, just join us in the chat room at Talkshoe here.

You can also call into the show by cell phone or Skype with the call-in details below:
Phone Number: (724) 444-7444
Call ID: 98698
PIN: 1# or Your Talkshoe PIN

I’d love to see you there!

Over the last year and a half online, I have been amazed at how God has sovereignly connected me with anointed, godly Christian women, specifically other writers, speakers, and coaches. These were women I would have probably never “met,” had it not been for the wonders of technology!

Some of them I have encountered on Facebook, some on Twitter, some in online events like webinars and teleseminars or workshops of some type. I am so thankful for each and every one of these women of God.

One of these women is Tonia Harrison. Tonia was a special guest on my Talkshoe show earlier this year. (Episode 8, 6/23/11)  Tonia is a wife, mother, speaker, author of Designed With Your Purpose In Mind, and life coach.

Today an article I wrote, Strength In The Storms, is on Tonia’s website. You can read it here.

While there, be sure to check out Tonia’s blog and her products and services, especially her 8-week Life’s Healing Choices Coaching Group.You receive the book Life’s Healing Choices by John Baker, weekly 30-minute DVD lessons by Pastor Rick Warren , weekly 60-minute coaching sessions by phone or your computer. The classes will be every Thursday, 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. CDT, for eight weeks, beginning September 15.

The deadline is September 1, so hurry to sign up today. Just click here. I know it’s going to be awesome!

Beth's new fall online coaching class/book study!

“Curiouser and curiouser,” said Alice in Alice of Wonderland. Are you curious about my new fall group coaching class/book study, but aren’t sure yet about investing the $99 in it yet?

To find out more about this new online class which begins September 13, I invite you to attend my free Talkshoe preview call on September 7, at 12 noon Central Time (1 p.m. EDT). You can join us in the chat room here or call in with your cell phone or by Skype at:

Phone Number: (724) 444-7444
Call ID: 98698
PIN: 1# or Your PIN #

Do you want to live a fulfilled life? Do you want to know the secret to achieving it? Or do you want to stay stuck in your pain where you are now, unhappy, confused, and frustrated? You can join my free preview call, “10 Tips For How To Have a Fulfilled Life.”

On this call, I’ll share 10 practical tips to help you live a fulfilled, victorious, joyful life. You will also learn more about my new upcoming group coaching class/book study which starts September 13. Find out more at www.bethjones.net/articles/groupcoaching.

As Christians, we not only want to make an impact today but for eternity.  Our lives are not our own, but belong to God.

We want to be people of power and of influence to further God’s Kingdom.  John Maxwell says that to positively change your life and others depends on your degree of influence. Without influence – and the most important quality, integrity – success is impossible, he says.

You don’t have to be famous like Justin Bieber or Oprah to be able to influence others in a positive and great way. Everyone is an influencer, Maxwell says. Spouses make a difference in each others’ lives. Parents influence their children. Friends affect each other. Teachers influence their students. You can influence your professional peers. We all have some sphere of influence in our lives, whether large or small.

You’re not “just a mom” or “just a policeman.” My husband Ray is a full-time paramedic, yet he’s often a “preacher of the night,” ministering to his patients just through caring and giving them encouragement in the back of an ambulance. In my mind and many others’, Ray is a hero for what he does. Where would our society be without paramedics, firefighters, police, or our U.S. military?

You have no idea how much impact you are making for all of eternity, even if you’re not “in the limelight.”  Billy Graham has led thousands upon thousands to Jesus.  Yet what about the person who led Billy Graham to God?

The dictionary defines influence as “the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others.”

To be a greater influencer, you listen to others and you respond to them and their needs. You give them value and impart good things into their lives. You offer and teach others what you know. You are mentored, then you mentor.

You share your personal story, your pain, your tragedies, your vulnerable places – and your lessons learned. You give them the comfort God has given you. (2 Corinthians 1:4)

Don’t underestimate the impact of your influence. Your children’s little eyes are watching you, as well as your spouse, your friends, your peers. You want to encourage others to be all that God created them to be, to call them up higher.

Your words have weight. Your story heals. Your gifts help. Your life is an instrument God is using in the life of others.

If you don’t step up into your calling, it can negatively affect other people who God is bringing purposely into your life for you to help and to influence. They need what you have to offer. You have answers and solutions for them. Share them – today.

You are a person of influence.

This week was back-to-school for many children, and the new season is a perfect time for us adults to learn new things, too. This fall I am offering my first online group coaching class/book study, using my new ebook, The Hands Of A Woman: Everyday Women In Everyday Battles.

You will discover how to get past your pain to live a joyful, victorious, blessed life of God’s purpose.

This class has limited seating. Class size is limited to only 5 participants, and will be held for 5 weeks beginning September 13 at 11 a.m. Central Time, covering each of the 10 chapters in the ebook. We will start and end each class session with prayer, and you will receive mp3 recordings of each class along with any handouts or worksheets.We’re going to learn a lot from each other and have fun!

If you register within one week of today, you will also receive my ebook Prayer, Purpose, and Passion as a bonus. To learn more about this class, just click on this link: www.bethjones.net/articles/groupcoaching.

If you have any questions, email me at elizabethdjones@gmail.com.

Did you miss today’s Talkshoe show with Terri Porta?  She’s an anointed teacher of God’s word, and she’s lots of fun. I just love her positive, faith-filled attitude, her contagious laugh, and her playful, child-like spirit. We’ve never met, but she’s my new friend!

You can listen to the replay here at Talkshoe. Terri shared on the different types of love in the Bible (eros, philos, philos-sorge, and agape), and she taught on how God’s agape love is manifested in action toward Him (obedience) and toward others (loving them unconditionally as He loves us).

Let’s do a heart check right now. How are you doing with loving God and others?

Terri has several handouts from today’s session available at her Yahoo support group, which you can download when you subscribe to her group at supportinggodlywomen-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. If you enjoyed her teaching today, Terri is offering a more in-depth Bible study in the fall, which she will be sharing about soon in another Womens’ Battles Talkshoe show, so  stay tuned for details.

To learn more about Terri, visit her website at www.TerriPorta.com. I’d love to hear your feedback on the show.

What topics interest you for future shows?  Just share your comments below.

So far it’s been a great day! I had an awesome coaching session this morning with my coach and we brainstormed about my new fall coaching group/book study using my new ebook, The Hands Of A Woman: Everyday Women In Everyday Battles. I can’t wait to tell you more about it and am making plans for it now. I’ve never done anything like this before and am SO excited!

It will start in September, and will run for 5 weeks, once a week on Tuesday mornings. We’re going to learn new things from each other and will have lots of fun! This month I’ll have a Talkshoe preview call telling you more about it.

You can either sign up for my ezine at the top of the page on the right hand side to hear about what’s coming up soon, or subscribe to my blog posts by RSS (the little orange button at the top of the page) or receive blog posts in your email inbox.

I’m also excited about my Talkshoe show today with Terri Porta at 2:30 p.m. Central Time (3:30 p.m. EDT). Terri is PUMPED about this; it’s going to be so good!  She will be talking about God’s love in action, she has a worksheet for you, and we are planning more classes ahead. Terri is a wonderful woman of God, wife and mom, real estate agent, and support group leader. She has 15 years of biblical studies and research behind her, and you will be getting this FREE today! Join us in the chat room here or call in:

Talkshoe Phone Number: (724) 444-7444
Call ID: 98698
PIN: 1# or your Talkshoe PIN

I want to share an excerpt with you from pages 28-29 of the great book Living Simply, by my new friend Joanne Heim.

“I want a rich, full life, one filled with love, joy, family, memories, laughter – don’t you? The stories I love to hear my mother tell are filled with relationships, sights, sounds, smells, morals, lessons learned, and fun. I just can’t imagine looking back on my life someday and telling my grandchildren stories about shopping at the mall, or the day I got everything checked off my to-do list. I think our culture has determined that abundance has to be material stuff, and we have bought into it…The abundant life Jesus talked about has to be in keeping with His character…The things He emphasized as having the greatest value were loving God and loving others…Any life He wants us to have abundantly must involve these things, if we desire to stay true to who He is.”

“2/29/04. (journal entry) I was lying in bed thinking about an abundant life -  something Jesus said. He came to give us: life, and that we may have it more abundantly. That’s what I want – that’s the crux of it. I want my marriage with T. to be abundant – filled to overflowing with love. I want to parent that way – to have abundant love, joy, patience, time, fun with and for A. & E.”

“Does abundant/overflowing mean full to the brim with not enough room for more? Or does it mean filled with open space and time everything? I hope it’s the latter. I don’t want my life to be hectic, and pressed, but rather filled with joy and the things that make it worth living. I want God to be abundant in my life, too, for His love, presence, and grace not only to be sufficient but to overflow from my life and into the lives of others.”

Oh, I so agree with you, dear Joanne! (and please keep praying for Joanne, especially for her left arm which is still paralyzed – God has done miracles with her- I am believing for more to come!)

I desire that abundant life in Christ, how about you?  And it all starts with God’s love.

Hope to see you today on the call with Terri!

When you begin your own online business, there are a lot of voices out there telling you how to achieve “success.” It’s so important that first, you listen to GOD”S voice. He is the one who gave you the idea for your business; it belongs to Him. Seek His wisdom. “But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant which He swore to your forefathers, as it is today.” ~ Deuteronomy 8:18, NLT.

Secondly, it’s important that you don’t allow yourself to develop “guru clutter,” a trap I had fallen into this past year – listening to too many “experts.” It will just confuse and overwhelm you. After some wise counsel, I went back through my email inbox and unsubscribed from a LOT of ezine lists I was on from many gurus, staying subscribed to only the ezines of mentors who wanted to do business GOD’S way and who I felt could truly help me….the ones who were where I wanted to be in the years ahead. The ones who also had fallen down a time or two, struggled some, but had pressed on in faith until now they were experiencing God’s blessings. Carefully choose a few mentors and coaches who you greatly respect, admire, and who you desire to learn from as you take steps to grow and expand your business.

Be sure to also have a tribe of encouraging, supportive people who believe in you and your big vision and who can pray for you. Ask God to provide intercessors who will pray regularly for you. Share your business’ needs, challenges, and goals with them so they know how to pray effectively. You need people you can “just be real with,” who won’t judge and criticize you, who won’t be naysayers about your business but will tell you that you CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens you – people cheering you on to be the woman or man of God that He created you to be, fulfilling your amazing purpose in Christ for His glory.

As you move faster into your purpose and ultimate destiny, you are going to have great opposition from the enemy Satan. Yes, expect spiritual warfare. The fact is that he hates you and doesn’t want you to succeed and to fulfill your life’s purpose. You and your business that glorifies God are a threat to the enemy. But God wants to abundantly bless your business – not so you can buy more toys, but so that you can help to share His good word with others and build His Kingdom.

It’s not going to be easy. Sometimes you’ll feel frustrated and want to give up. But don’t quit. Keep tweaking your website and business. Find out what works and what doesn’t. Take risks, try new things. Build relationships with others. Outsource, hiring people to do the more tedious tasks so that you can focus on the areas that you are ANOINTED and called to do by God.

LaTara Ham-Ying with Integrated Woman Ministries shares about the “wrinkles” in business that you will have to iron out in her video below. I absolutely LOVE what LaTara said about getting a pencil and paper, getting quiet before God, and just listening to Him. This part of the video was SOOOO powerful. God will show you what to do and how to succeed. You can get more encouragement, inspiration, and great business ideas from LaTara by clicking here. I’d love to hear what you think. Just leave your comments below.

Leah driving in town

It’s hard to believe that our youngest daughter Leah  is driving now. She has her learner’s permit and we are trying to get in all her hours of instruction for her to take her driver’s license test soon.  Since Ray works so often during the day, I primarily have the role of “driving instructer,” a role I must admit that I am not real comfortable with…there is something about leaving my entire fate into the hands of a 16-year-old that unnerves me.

Please understand, Leah is actually a good and careful driver.  She doesn’t have the lead foot on the accelerator that our oldest daughter Heather had (still has!) or the distracted mindset of our very Sanguine middle daughter Eden, who loves to simultaneously chat and laugh, listen to music, pop gum, and modify your instructions to her own liking.

But Leah does take right turns at the speed of light. Luckily, there haven’t been any cars or trucks in the opposite lane as she takes them, or our cute, black, Saturn Ion car that we bought last year would be flat as a frisbee by now. Today I decided that she needed practice with the right turns.

As she turned right to go onto a road that is underneath a train bridge, a van approached us from the opposite direction.  The road under the bridge is a small area, not allowing a two-car passage. I told Leah to stop, and then again – and then again LOUDER as she kept driving, turning the wheel, and she narrowly missed hitting the van. She later said she didn’t want to slam on the brakes which could cause an accident – but the point was that she needed to listen to the instructions.

I think my blood pressure is still up from the stress. If I can get through teaching Leah to drive and her passing her driver’s test to get her license, I will be ok and can face anything in life.

Like Leah learning to drive and needing to follow my directions to teach her to drive safely, it’s important that we listen to the “driving instructions” in God’s word to avoid “crashing” in this life. “Safety” is the main goal in driving; obedience and intimacy with God is our main goal in our relationship with Him. The best way to teach our kids, of course, is by our own good example.

Exodus 12:24 says, “You must follow these instructions. They are a permanent law for you and your children.”

How’s your driving?

Have you wondered “how” to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength? On August 9 at 2:30 p.m. Central Time (3:30 p.m. EDT), listen in for a gentle hug from God’s Word over a cup of coffee with me and my special guest, Terri Porta, www.SupportingGodlyWomen.com. Love is a verb, verbs connote action.

This class explores the depths of God’s love for his kids and helps you, with a step-by-step guide, to fit loving God as an action, into your busy lifestyle. God’s love dispels fear, heals scars, and defeats the enemy in one stroke. Learn more about it and you will challenge the walk you have, while growing closer to him. Romans 10:17; So faith(believing) comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

You may remember Terri from our show before. Terri Porta is a working wife and mother. She is a licensed Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX of Billings, a business owner, an author, a support group leader and an award-winning speaker. Her blog, www.SupportingGodlyWomen.com is named after the support group she runs in Billings, MT. It reaches out to women with a focus on all five areas of life, Relationships, Financial, Emotional/Mental, Physical, and Spiritual with a strong emphasis on Leadership.

Terri is a wonderful, gifted teacher with an arsenal of 15 years of biblical studies and research behind her, who brings fresh, relevant insights and humor to the table. We’d love for you to join us August 9 in the chat room by clicking here. Or you can call into the show with your cell phone or by Skype. Below are the call-in details:

Phone Number: (724) 444-7444
Call ID: 98698
PIN: 1# or your Talkshoe PIN

In yesterday’s post we talked about the fruits of the Spirit, and one of those fruits is joy (did you grab  my free mini-ebook in that post?). The joy of the Lord is our strength. (Nehemiah 8:10) When we lack joy, we lack strength. Some of the things that can deplete your joy are exhaustion, fatigue, stress, burnout.

We don’t want to burn out; we want to stay on fire for God. One of the best ways to do that is to take care of ourselves for God and our families, so we can do the things God has called us to do.

Daisy Sutherland aka Dr. Mommy Online shares three great tips to help you avoid burnout in her video below. Enjoy!

Video, Dr. Mommy

Health Tip: Avoiding Burnout from Daisy Sutherland aka Dr. Mommy on Vimeo.

What is Meant by the “Fruit of the Spirit”?

The “fruit of the Spirit” is made up of nine visible attributes of a true Christian’s life. These fruits, or traits, are spoken about in Galatians 5:22-23 and include:

• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Longsuffering
• Gentleness
• Goodness
• Faith
• Meekness
• Temperance

They are the qualities or “fruits” that Christians should be manifesting in their lives. When believers in Christ live their life by these qualities, the world sees the result. That result is someone walking in the fullness of the power of the Holy Spirit – hence the name “Fruits of the Spirit.”

If you are on my ezine list, read this blog or listen to my podcasts often, you know I am very passionate about people using their spiritual gifs. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are precious. But I believe the fruits of the Spirit are even more important, because they are the very nature of Jesus. What good would it do to have a powerful teaching gift, but not have love or joy?

Christians mature in their growth by studying and then applying each of these fruits (God’s characteristics) in their lives. It is important to understand that these nine qualities come directly from God Himself. Each Christian’s goal should be to incorporate them into their own personality. This isn’t done through your willpower or human strength, but by the incredible working of the Holy Spirit in your heart and life.

Made in His Image

God created man and woman in His image. (Genesis 1:27) He wants us to have His own divine qualities and to be a reflection of Himself to the rest of the world. God knows that because of our sin nature, it is only by the power of His Spirit that Christians can actually live out these qualities on a daily basis. (Titus 3:5-6)

Let’s say you are having a bad day. It’s 100 degrees outside, your house’s air conditioning unit is not cooling the house properly, and you have a lot of work to do. Do you naturally think joyful, good, gentle thoughts in that particular situation? No. More likely, you feel irritable rather than joyful (like I struggled with today, because that was my exact situation today!) Heat seems to bring out the worst in us! We need God’s help by His Spirit. As we come to Him for help in prayer, God literally infuses the believer with fresh doses of His godly characteristics to then pour out to those around them.

It Only Takes One Thing to Receive the Fruits of the Holy Spirit

Of course if you don’t already know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, that is a prerequisite! If you don’t know Him, let me invite you to meet Jesus. He is my Best Friend.  All you have to do is call on the name of Jesus, repent of your sins, and be saved. (Romans 10:13, Acts 16:31) He will change your life in an incredible way. He will forgive you of any sin and give you life. He will always be there for you and help you!

In order to have all nine fruits, you and I have to first die to self and allow Christ to dwell in and through us. In other words, we have to surrender to God. We must allow Him to change our hearts and lives. That isn’t easy, but it’s so rewarding. Once you yield yourself to God, you can watch as God does miracles in your life and these qualities will flow through your life and into others’ lives around you like a waterfall. (Think Niagara Falls!).

No Room for Anything Less

This change by God takes a fully humbled and surrendered heart to the Holy Spirit and an awareness of your intense need for the Holy Spirit’s power at work in your life. Then the “fruit of the Spirit” will truly be seen by the world for what it is – a living proof of God’s nature in His people. John the Baptist said about Jesus, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30) When there’s less of self, there’s more room for God.

Are you living proof of Jesus? Allow His Holy Spirit to fill you and to manifest His Fruit of the Spirits in your life today.

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Joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Want to learn more about living a life of joy? Just click on the link below for your free mini-ebook (pdf), or right-click and save it to your computer to read later at your convenience.

Click here for your free mini-ebook on joy

Will the real woman of God please stand up? This is the topic of our next Talkshoe show on Thursday, September 1 at 2:30 pm. Central Time (3:30 p.m. EDT). I’ll be joined by my special guest Tony Robinson of www.WellWateredWoman.com, and Tony will be sharing from Luke 13:10-16 about the woman who was bound with the spirit of infirmity for 18 years and could not stand up straight.

Tony is founder of Well Watered Woman, a global ministry dedicated to encouraging, enriching and empowering women in their walks with the Lord. Being radically changed by Gods amazing grace and love, she is passionate about seeing women walk in all that God has destined for them. Tony is wife of 20 years to the love of her life, Reggie, and mom to their four beautiful and gifted children, each walking out God’s purpose for their lives. She is a minister, devotional writer and Godmom to some pretty amazing kids.

Tony has also formed ministries and groups to encourage and support women in their roles of Godly wives, mothers and home educators. As a speaker Tony is a woman of vision and purpose who delivers the word of God with passion, transparency, humor and authority. Through her walk of transparency and availability she connects with people and draws them to the Father. Her mission is to leave an indelible mark for Christ everywhere she teaches and speaks.

Her passions include her family, reading, traveling, Lay’s potato chips and an occasional ice cold Pepsi.

You definitely do not want to miss this anointed, prophetic show! We would love for you to join us in the chat room. Just click here. You can also listen by cell phone, or Skype. Here are the call-in details below:

Phone Number: (724) 444-7444
Call ID: 98698
PIN: 1 #

Mark your calendar today. We hope to see you there!

As believers in Christ we face spiritual battles each day. And sometimes you get tired and weary of fighting. The good news is that you’re not alone and that the battle belongs to the Lord. I like how Francesca Battistelli says it in the first lyrics of her song, “Free To Be Me”":

I’m still looking for a dream
A war’s already waged for my destiny
But You’ve already won the battle
And You’ve got great plans for me
Though I can’t always see

In the midst of the battle it’s hard to see the progress you’re making and the victory that is just on the other side. Satan is relentless in his attacks against God’s children. But you’re almost there, so don’t quit! You may feel like giving up on your dream. Yet God has already won the war for your destiny at Jesus’ finished work on the cross. God has great plans for your life. (Jeremiah 29:11) Keep fighting!

Video, “Free To Be Me”

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Want to learn more about spiritual warfare? Check out my ebook, The Hands Of A Woman: Everyday Women In Everyday Battles. Just click here.

I mostly listen to Christian music, but this weekend I saw the eye-catching headlines that Amy Winehouse recently was found dead in her London home, for unexplained causes (an autopsy is being performed). I’m not a news hound and I’d never even heard of her. She was a British singer-songwriter, who, according to Wikipedia, was known for her powerful contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres including R&B, soul and jazz. Some find her very offensive because of her film history, her lifestyle, her addictions, and her music’s and videos’ sensual content, but her album Back to Black led to six Grammy Award nominations and five wins. She was said to be a big influence in the rise in popularity of female musicians and soul music, and for revitalising British music.

I looked at a few pictures of her on the internet. Amy was beautiful and had coal-black hair; she borrowed her Beehive hairstyle and Cleopatra makeup from The Ronettes, a 1960′s girl group from New York. (Wikipedia) When she died, she was only 27 years old – just three years younger than our daughter Heather. The prime of her life. It is incredibly sad.

While I don’t subscribe to celebrity magazines or even often read news about celebrities, ever since I was little I’ve always had an interest in their lives -I suppose because their lavish lifestyle is intriguing and so far removed from my own ordinary lifestyle. I‘ve especially always had a fascination with famous, successful people whose fate was met suddenly by a premature, tragic death. It’s made me wonder: WHY did they die, especially when they seemed on the pinnacle of their career, the moment of their greatness?

Apparently Amy led a very troubled life, struggling with drug addiction, drinking, self-mutilation, eating disorders, and violent mood swings. This kind of lifestyle isn’t atypical for gifted, very successful musicians and celebrities. Nor are their untimely deaths unusual. We’ve seen it time and again - Jimmy Hendrix, Elvis Presley, Judy Garland, Margaux Hemingway, Marilyn Monroe, River Phoenix, and most recently Michael Jackson.

We look at their lives from afar, often with blatant curiosity, awe, disgust, and even envy at times. We sometimes think that having millions of dollars like these celebrities have made will solve all of life’s problems and will make us happy. But that isn’t true.

There is nothing wrong with being prosperous or becoming famous. God wants to bless His people financially – to further His kingdom. It takes money to run ministries and to take the gospel to the nations. But without an intimate relationship with God there is no life and there is no fulfillment or true happiness. Without Him there’s a deep, dark hole and void inside of us. We are all searching for something from the time we are born. We try to fill it with many things. But that emptiness and longing is only filled through a relationship with our Creator, and we receive and develop that relationship through a faith in Jesus Christ.

Do you know the God who made you? We will all meet Him one day face to face. Are you ready? I wonder and grieve, did Amy know Him? 27 years old. So young! She’s now gone.

After I read the news of Amy, I googled about her and then went on YouTube to hear her music. Even if you and I don’t agree with her lifestyle or even her style of music, there is no doubt that she had an amazing gift and talent from God for writing and singing. Here is her award-winning song, Back To Black. It is eerily prophetic of her early death with its lyrics, “I died a 100 times.”

My prayers are with Amy’s family and friends.

What are your thoughts? Please leave your comments below.

DISCLAIMER: You may not want your children or teens to view this video. This video is NOT G-rated (family-friendly) and its lyrics may be offensive to some. The lyrics contain one very sexually-explicit line at the beginning of the song and other lyrics that reference drugs. Amy was not known for dressing modestly, either. But this is the real world we live in today, and that our children and our grandchildren live in. I share the video simply to let you hear the gift which God put inside this woman that, so sadly, could have been used in a great way for God’s glory…and her life was tragically cut short by the enemy.

Video – Amy Winehouse – Back To Black

Beth Jones

Are you going through a tough spiritual battle right now? No matter what you’re facing, God will never leave you. The battle belongs to Him. As a believer in Christ, you are equipped to fight the enemy Satan through Christ’s power and Spirit. In my interview on OnlyByPrayer podcast, Jane VanOsdol and Mary Kane of www.OnlyByPrayer.com and I discuss the topic of spiritual warfare and my new ebook, The Hands Of A Woman: Everyday Women In Everyday Battles..

If you missed the call just click here or listen on the Talkshoe player below.

Felice Gerwitz

Felice Gerwitz, publisher, editor, author, seminar leader, of Media Angels, Inc. (http://www.mediaangels.com) will be speaking again on Let Go and Let God Minister to Your Heart and Your Family on Thursday, July 21, at 10 a.m. Central Time (11 a.m. EDT).

Felice is one of my favorite speakers, and she will be sharing from her heart. You don’t want to miss this anointed call. Here are the details to join Thursday. You can listen to the entire webinar right from your computer on Felice’s website.

Who: Felice Gerwitz – “Letting Go and Letting God Minister to Your Heart and Your Family”

Do you find yourself holding on to more worries? More concerns about your family? Your finances? Your trials? All the things you think you or your kids are missing in life? Join Felice Gerwitz, a long-time homeschool mommy and learn how she has struggled with these things and more and learn how she has learned how to really let go and let God be in control! She will share the five tips she has learned in this journey as well as the ways the Lord has blessed her family with answered prayers.

Join live in order to win doorpizes. Win a free one year’s subscription to all the expos, $75.00 worth of free books and products. Bring along a new homeschooling friend to enjoy the fellowship of like-minded moms during the chat sessions.

Guest post by Bridget Haymond

Being pregnant is a lot like waiting for a promise or vision to be fulfilled.  It is accompanied by lots of excitement and planning, while your heart is full of hopes and dreams for the vision you are carrying.  All vision is combined with a waiting period and there is also the ensuing growth process, which generally brings some discomfort to one degree or another, and this process is unique to each pregnancy.  So let me ask you this:  are you uncomfortable and restless, knowing there is something more on the horizon?  Congratulations – you’re pregnant with vision!

“Sight is a function of the eyes, Vision is a function of the heart”. – Myles Munroe

Vision brings about it’s own growing pains as we are groomed and prepared to move into that vision.  Sometimes the promise is fulfilled quickly, but other times the vision is a long time coming as it was for Joseph, Moses and David.   These men were all given a specific vision, or promise, from God for their lives.  And after hearing about the awesome promise, along with the wonder and excitement that accompanied it, they all proceeded to go in what appeared to be the opposite direction by all outward appearances.  However, the time in between was used to prepare each of them for the ultimate fulfillment of the promise or vision.  It is important to remember that in order to do great things you have to be willing to grow and be made uncomfortable as part of the preparation process.

Perhaps you’ve been a stay-at-home mom tending to your family for the past many years.  If so, don’t despair of the desire for your own vision to begin to unfold.  God is using your children to mold and shape you in a way nothing else will.  Please don’t undervalue the skills and lessons you are learning while raising your children and managing a home.  I speak from experience when I say that the growth I have experienced as a mom has been even more valuable than my 15+ years of work experience in the corporate world!  This is what my good friend, Mark Sturgell @pdncoach said on twitter, “I used to coach re-entry moms who told me they had no skills.  Mom with no skills do NOT exist!”

Spiritual perspective:  I believe Psalm 105:19* gives the best description of what it feels like to wait for the fulfillment of a promise or vision: “Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him.”   Wow… it “tested” him.  This sounds like uncomfortable growing pains for sure with a dash of frustration, a pinch of doubt and some humility thrown in.  But after the testing time was over, the word of the Lord came to pass and it will for you as well.

Truth For Your Life: Don’t give up on your big dream, because there is a set time on God’s agenda for the dream to come to pass. If you feel weary like Joseph, Moses and David and are questioning if there’s been some sort of error or misunderstanding on your part, be encouraged that God has not forgotten you and as long as that desire and promise is in your heart, it will come to pass.  It may not happen exactly the way you had thought, but do not despair while waiting for your vision to come to pass. There is a time set when it will be fulfilled.  When your motives are pure, the inspiration and passion you have in your heart will be brought to completion.

Are you in the midst of growing pains right now?  Is there a promise or vision in your heart that has been a long time coming?  How is your faith doing while you wait and are you able to see what you’ve been learning during the process of waiting?  I’d love to hear your comments!

*Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (The New King James Bible Online)

© Copyright 2011 Bridget Haymond, Truth For Life Coaching.  All rights reserved.

© 2011 Bridget Haymond Truth For Life Coaching.  Identifying and igniting your gifts and strengths for a life of passion and purpose www.TruthForLifeCoaching.com

Image: Jeff Ratcliff / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Our pastor and his wife are on vacation in Texas right now, and since I really enjoy hearing him preach and he was absent today, I thought I’d take the opportunity to finally visit our daughter Heather’s and her husband Kyle’s church. They enjoy it because it’s more targeted toward 20- and 30-somethings,  has great worship, is Biblically-based, has a strong emphasis in outreach (locally and overseas missions), and has a good kids’ programs for their daughters Annabelle and Violet. Kyle plays the drums for the worship team and Heather helps out with worship songs “signing” in kids’ church, teaching in VBS, and with other activities.

One of the scriptures their pastor Shawn shared today was from Isaiah 40:31 (ESV). It’s so interesting how God works! Heather’s been asking me to come visit for awhile, but TODAY is the day God led me there – when their pastor shared THIS scripture!

Over the last couple of weeks, God has given me this same scripture 3 different times. He gave it to me the week before Heather ran and I walked the 5K, which encouraged me that I could finish the 5K walk.  Since then, God has given me the verse twice more from other people, then today 2 more times through their pastor Shawn – then tonight in a song on K-Love radio station when I was driving in town. Do ya think God is speaking?

I love bald eagles, so I love this verse:

“But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31, ESV

Today after I went to Heather’s church, I went out to eat at a Mexican restaurant (I love chips and salsa!), then I came home and read a little while. As I was reading in bed, I fell asleep and took a long nap. It was more like crashing! Apparently I was tired and my body needed the rest and renewal.

Are you tired? Worn out? Weary? Stressed? Then come to God. He’ll replenish your strength. He’ll equip and enable you to do the things He’s called you to do today by His grace. You will rise up with eagles’ wings and soar.

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Would you like to learn more about being refreshed in God’s presence? My ebook, Walking With God, is just for you. Just click here.

Img src: Free Digital Photos. Photographer: wishedauan

One of the topics I talk about a lot here at Tablet Of My Heart is “passion.”  Usually I’m referring to your calling from God.   But today’s generation’s passion is texting. Yesterday’s generation was hooked on t.v. or the internet; today’s teens and young adults are addicted to texting. A study by the Nielsen Company shows that Generation Y sends and receives an average 2,2772 texts a month – about 80 texts a day. In fact, they do it so much that they hurt their thumbs, sometimes causing  repetitive stress injury.

Our youngest daughter Leah doesn’t have a cell phone (yet!). But 75% of teens today do have one. A lot of parents restrict their teen’s cell phone use. Many schools forbid cell phone use, and students are hiding it by texting under their coats or desks, or pretending to get something out of their backpacks.

Young people aren’t the only ones texting; we’ve all heard the jokes about grandma or grandpa being on Facebook and having a new Smart phone. The media reported that prior to election, President Obama was addicted to his Blackberry, and he said they would have to pry it out of his hands for him to give it up due to security reasons (he got his way and kept it).

Most teens and young adults would feel like it’s cruel and unusual punishment to take away their cell phones because texting is THE way to stay connected every day with their friends. Friends are so important to Generation Y that they will choose a job just to be with their friends. Texting is how they “talk” now. Any time our grown daughters Heather and Eden visit us here in our home, they are constantly on their phones, texting friends and updating their Facebook status.

And they text fast. When I bought my red cell phone at the Sprint store a couple years ago, I was amazed at how fast the (Generation Y) salesgirl texted as she demonstrated the phone’s QWERTY board feature. I type pretty fast on my laptop, but her fingers were flying. Part of the reason for this speed on their cell phones, of course, is because they don’t spell out words when texting. They just want to get to the point.

Some people are concerned that texting has almost become a language in itself, or is something that young people do to avoid their parents, to shut them out, or to hide things from them. One time I commented to our middle daughter Eden that I didn’t know WHAT they were talking about sometimes, because they texted and talked in unfamiliar “textese.” It was like a secret code. She smiled almost deviously and answered, “Why do you think we do it?” Our oldest, Heather, will use “txtspk” sometimes when she’s frustrated. “OMG!” she will say.

Would you pass a texting test? Maybe we as parents need to start learning the language!

Critics of texting say it’s creating bad spellers, but some studies show that it’s had no effect on spelling. I don’t think it’s making bad spellers. I believe it’s simply an abbreviation of English, like “puter” for “computer,” and agree as long as our kids know how to read and write well, it’s simply a form of playing with language. Think of how often we use slang in our conversations, instead of our formal English language. It’s comfortable and quicker than the textbook English which foreigners outside the U.S. are taught to learn English. “Txtspk” is just another form of slang.

I text, too. In fact, I prefer it so much more than chatting on the phone because it’s fast and it saves a lot of time. But my main concern has been about people texting while driving, which is a huge safety issue. Parents also should probably monitor their kids’ cell phones to ensure their safety, with today’s dangers of “sexting,” their friends sending inappropriate pictures, online strangers having their number or texting them, etc.

I also don’t like it when I see people texting in church, or couples texting when on a date with each other. People have become absolutely addicted to their cell phones. Aren’t God or your mate important enough to focus on right now? Can’t your friend wait just an hour?

Nothing should take the place of our intimate relationship with God, and our spouse deserves our undivided attention on a date!

I agree with an article from Pew Research which described cell phones, especially texting, as a “mixed blessing”. What is your viewpoint of texting? Do you think it’s good, bad – or has become out of control? Are your kids – or you – addicted to it? Please leave your comments below – without it being in txtspk.

I love Jane VanOsdol and Mary Kane of www.OnlyByPrayer.com. They are not only sisters naturally, but also in Christ, are both anointed speakers and writers, and are mighty women of God. They’re also my dear friends.

Jane and Mary were contributing writers in my newest ebook, The Hands Of A Woman: Everyday Women In Everyday Battles, sharing their powerful stories. Tomorrow I’ll be joining Jane and Mary on their Talkshoe show at 1 p.m. Central Time/2 p.m. EDT. We will be discussing spiritual warfare and we would love to have you join us! You can just click here or you can call into the show. Here are the call-in details below:

Talkshoe Phone Number: (724) 444-7444
Call ID: 110616
PIN: 1# or your Talkshoe PIN

Regina Baker

Letting go is one of the hardest life lessons:

• letting go of worry when your newborn baby has his first cold;
• letting go of fear when your teen finally gets her license and drives off in the car unsupervised for the first time;
• letting go of your grown children when they leave the nest;
• letting go of parents who die in old age;
• letting go of always having things your way when you’re married;
• letting go of old thought patterns that are unhealthy so you can think new, positive ones;
• letting go of disappointments and unfulfilled dreams;
• letting go of unforgiveness;
• letting go of failures so you can grow and learn through them and push on through to success;
• even letting go of achievements so that you won’t keep looking in yesteryear’s mirror and forget to focus on today’s opportunities

For recovering control freaks like me, letting go is especially hard. We love to try to fix (control) things ourselves. To let go means surrender and becoming vulnerable, which is scary. Letting go is not easy. But it really all boils down to faith. Do we trust God or not? God is in control, not us.

One of the best books I’ve read on the topic of letting go is by Regina Baker called How To Let Go and Let God. In this delightful and insightful, 21-page ebook, you will be blessed to read Regina’s nuggets of wisdom from her own “letting go” experiences, such as when there was no baby’s heartbeat heard by the nurse when Regina was delivering and later when her husband passed away. God taught Regina about letting go from the Word of God coming alive to her, teaching her spirit.

The book is petite and powerful, and can be read quickly in one sitting. It has deep insights from God’s word and her own life, and humor that you will love, such as giving God something at the altar and picking it right back up as soon as you leave. Regina challenges you that you have to first start with the man or the woman in the mirror when it comes to letting go and letting God. And it’s not just a cliche’. Regina teaches you how to let go.

She confronts you on not blaming God when things don’t happen the way you want, but rather saying (and meaning it!), “Father, not my will, but Yours be done.” One of the things Regina shared that was so powerful was that we don’t need to play around with God. You can’t take just bits and pieces of the Bible, the ones you approve of and like. All of God’s word is truth; all must be obeyed. When you do that, you will experience great peace.

Are you letting go? In what area of your life today do you need to “let go and let God?” Leave your comments below. Mine would be too much worry over our children or over finances at times. But God has all things in His strong, loving hands!

Download an excerpt of How To Let Go and Let God Click here!***

To learn more, just click on the graphic below.***

This website may contain affiliate links. I only promote products that I have tried and truly believe are excellent.

Did you have a good July 4th? Yesterday Ray grilled cheeseburgers and fresh asparagus, but he had to go to work last night so Leah and I headed to Harrisonville to see their fireworks display. You can see the finale in the video below.

Holidays are times we can set apart in our busy, hectic lives to celebrate special events, such as the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus’ birth, Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day for those we love, St. Patrick’s Day, and the Jewish holy days. They’re also great excuses to get together with family and friends or to just go do something fun!

How often, though, do we celebrate ourselves? Sure, there’s our yearly birthday. But the older we become, the less it’s celebrated, except for “over the hill” joke cards or candles that you have to keep blowing out and they won’t blow out, like we did one year for our friend Deann. But we need to take the time to celebrate and enjoy our lives. Life is a gift from God. Each morning when we awake, we should thank God for a new day and new mercies. (Lamentations 3:22-23) Each day is a cause for celebration and joy.

Each day you should celebrate YOU, because you are wonderfully and fearfully made by God. (Psalm 139:14) Don’t compare yourself to others or envy others. Don’t look at those around you and wish you were more like them. Don’t feel insecure or somehow inferior to others.

God made you unique and special. There is only one of you in the timeline of history. God has great plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11), a job only YOU can do. He chose you for His good works.

Today, celebrate YOU! Treat yourself to a nice dinner, a walk outside, a hot bubble bath or a cool dip in a pool, a new outfit, Starbucks and browsing through a charming book store, a pretty charm bracelet, a pedicure. Look into the mirror and smile at yourself. You are YOU, God’s masterpiece.

Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical. – Sophia Loren

Video of July 4 finale fireworks

I’ve scheduled radio interviews for each of the writers who contributed their stories to The Hands Of A Woman: Everyday Women In Everyday Battles, as well as interviews of others who have been through the fire and have encouragement to share with you, so stay tuned for the times and dates.

These interviews are FREE calls, which will greatly bless you. You can listen online at Talkshoe or by calling into the show.  If you miss a show, afterward you can listen to the replay and download them to your computer or your Ipad.

Did you know that spiritual warfare is JUST as real as physical war? Do you know what the weapons of your warfare are and that as a believer in Christ, you have power over the enemy Satan? We’ll be discussing all this and more on my next show with Ray Jones, who wrote the forward to my ebook about this topic.

My next interview will be on Saturday, June 25, at 2 p.m. Central Time (3 p.m. EDT) with my husband Ray Jones, who contributed the forward to my ebook.

You can go here to listen online, signing in with your Talkshoe user and password, or as a guest. Or you can call into the show with the call-in details below:

Talkshoe call-in number: (724) 444-7444
Call ID:  98698
PIN: 1 #

We’d love to see you there in the chat room! Be sure to tell your family and friends. If you’re on Twitter, use the hashtag #womensbattles

Did you miss my Talkshoe interview with Dana Neal, aka MrsCEO?  Then you missed a powerful, anointed session! Dana is a preaching, teaching woman. We had storms the night before the show with a tornado watch, and the next day I wasn’t even sure I’d be able to get on my own show!

But God moved on our behalf, and Dana and I were both able to call in and log into the chat room. At the very end of the show, I was knocked off the call because our internet went down again here. I edited the end of the audio to wrap it up with thanks and prayer, and you can hear the edited version by clicking here. Be sure to check out Dana’s resources. She is an author of inspirational poetry, books, and audios, that come from her hard life experiences and they will minister to you.

Yesterday I was also so blessed and honored to interview Tonia Harrison of PathFinder Ministries. It amazes me how God orchestrates these divine appointments!  Tonia’s website is a wealth of resources, and you will love her new book, Designed With Your Purpose In Mind. If you missed my interview of Tonia, you can listen or download it here at Talkshoe.

You can also hear my other interviews with the contributor writers of my new ebook, The Hands Of A Woman: Everyday Women In Everyday Battles, by clicking here.

Today I created a new video at Animoto and I love it! At Animoto, you can make free videos up to 30 seconds long, with your pics, graphics, and whatever text you want (within reason!). You can set it to music that they provide or upload your own music. They also have an option to make longer videos for a monthly fee.

Here’s my video below for my new ebook, The Hands Of A Woman: Everyday Women In Everyday Battles. I LOVE the ocean theme in this video!  I also really like the song on their site that I picked. It goes perfectly with the ebook’s theme of women who have gone through great pain, being strong by their faith in Christ.

Let me know what you think of the video in your comments below, and be sure to get your copy of my ebook today – only $20! Eight women contributed their powerful, inspiring, true stories to it. It’s 120 pages long, and you also get my study guide that covers each of the 10 chapters, and Cindy Rushton’s Castles Under Fire audio bundle set as bonus gifts.

Enjoy!
Video – THOAW ebook

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Dana Neal, MrsCEO

Do you feel stuck in your pain? Do you want more from life? Do you desire to move forward in your marriage, parenting, your business, your ministry?

Join me as I interview Dana Neal, aka MrsCEO (Christian Encouragement Officer), at www.danamarie.info on Tuesday, June 21, at 2 p.m. Central Time (3 p.m. EDT).

Dana is definitely a woman on the move.  A poet, a speaker, a wife, a mother of 4 children, and a woman who has 5 businesses, Dana can speak to the exotic dancer, the wannabe drug dealer, and the single mom under age 25 with 5 kids. Her life experience makes her the expert to help others to get past pain and to move forward in their lives. You don’t want to miss this exciting show.

You can join me and Dana at this Talkshoe link. Or if you’re on the go, you can call into the show by cell phone at the number below:

Phone Number: (724) 444-7444
Call ID: 98698

The PIN is 1#

We’d love to see you there!

Are you fulfilling your life purpose? What is holding you back from it? Do you want to live your best life, instead of just a busier one?

I invite you to join me as I interview Tonia Harrison, M.A., of PathFinder Ministries, next Thursday, July 23, at 2 p.m. Central Time (3 p.m. EDT). Tonia is author of the Bible study, Designed With Your Purpose In Mind, and now is working on an at-home study course.

As a wife, mother, teacher, speaker, writer and life-coach, Tonia knows it’s hard to find time in a busy day to stop and read. Tonia wants to encourage you to take a minute and listen to God speak as He directs you along the path He’s chosen for you so that you will fulfill your great purpose.

Tonia will probably be sharing about 40 minutes.

Be sure to tune into this anointed call at this Talkshoe link, and share about the call with your family and friends on Twitter, Facebook, your blog, and other social media sites!

If you’d rather listen on your cell phone as you’re on the road, the Talkshoe call-in number is:

Phone Number: (724) 444-7444
Call ID: 98698

(The PIN is 1 #)