When storms come: how Satan uses storms to destroy your purpose

April 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Yesterday, today and this week, severe thunderstorms are predicted for the mid-west and other states, with lightning, hail, high winds, and the possibility of tornadoes. Storms can be deadly, as the Tri-State Tornado was in March 1925, the worst tornado in US history, killing 625 people, injuring over 2,000 and leaving almost $2 billion in damage.

In our lives we face spiritual storms as well – financial problems, job loss, marriage difficulties, children being sick, business struggles, health issues, relationship tensions, ministry challenges, etc. These storms are all designed to hinder or destroy your purpose and anointing from God.  Join Beth Jones for her podcast, When Storms Come: How Satan Uses Storms to Destroy Your Purpose.

Just click on the link below to download it by mp3.

When Storms Come – Download by mp3

Would you rather read this? Just click on the link below to download the pdf.

When Storms Come – Download pdf

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How to get a better attitude to “soar” higher

March 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

We’ve all heard the expression, ‘Your attitude determines your altitude.”  Meaning if you have a great attitude, the possibilities for you are limitless. Our minds and thoughts are powerful, and one way we can overcome everyday problems and even extreme hardship is by having a good attitude, thinking positive thoughts, and having strong faith in God.

The reverse is true, too. Lately dh Ray has been on a pickle kick. Claussen hearty garlic pickles, pickled okra, pickled asparagus. He’s just craving pickles for some reason. Yesterday at a convenience store he bought this pickle:

pickle

Do you see what it says on the package?  “Sour sis…one puckered pickle.”

I don’t want to be a “sour sis.”  I don’t want a frowning, puckered face. I want to have a cheerful attitude, a smile always on my face, to be a positive, life-giving person, and to have a rock-steady faith in Christ. I.e., I want to be like Jesus. 

What about you? Do you have ”an attitude”?  Do you struggle with doubt, negativity, depression, anger, gloom-and-doom expectations, pride, anxiety, stress?  Does your “tude” need adjusting lately?

One way our attitudes can become better is by renewing our minds. Romans 12:2 (NLT) says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

It’s not always easy when problems or trials come up. But day by day we can train our minds to think new faith-filled thoughts and to develop a better attitude with all those around us – much like Roman soldiers used to train daily for hours with their swords to stay physically fit and to be skilled in the art of war. The Roman soldier was a master in sword-fighting, considered one of the best in those days:

“A legionnaire had to go through intense physical, mental, and military drills before being admitted to the unit. The daily regimen of a soldier was grueling: they started their morning with a march to build up endurance; they carried weights in running, walking, or swimming drills to build up strength and stamina; and they needed to endure hunger and thirst to prepare them in times when supplies were cut off. The Roman army was considered the best of its days, and it heavily used military science to defeat enemies. Compared to the armies of the barbarians, it is an army that knew exactly what to do at any point of the fight.”  (http://www.2-clicks-swords.com/article/roman-sword-fighting-techniques.html)

We too can train daily by renewing our minds with God’s word, so we are well-prepared for any battles ahead and so we will “soar” – by thinking on good things:

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” – Philippians 4:8, NLT

***Want to learn more about having a strong faith in Christ during spiritual battles until you see the victory? Sign up for my update list at http://www.bethjones.net (the opt-in box under the little pencil on the right sidebar of the page).  That way you’ll be able to keep up with the latest updates about my ebook on women and spiritual warfare that I’m writing now, which will be available soon.

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Diane Cunningham’s interview of me today (NACWE)

March 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Diane Cunningham, President & Founder of NACWE

Ever wonder why God is just so good to you?  :D  

Today I had the great honor and privilege to be interviewed as a featured member of NACWE by Diane Cunningham, President and Founder of the National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs (NACWE).** If you haven’t met Diane yet, be sure to visit her NACWE site today.**

I absolutely LOVE Diane. She’s just one of those people you are immediately drawn to and want to be best friends with for life.  She’s a beautiful, anointed woman of God.  Diane’s mission is to inspire women to “dream big, catch on fire, and change the world.” She is doing just that.

I found Diane on Facebook, took the leap of faith this year, and joined NACWE. I am going to shamelessly plug this organization because I have been so blessed by it already – and I only joined recently.  What you get in the welcome kit alone is worth the initial (reasonably-priced!) investment.  As a NACWE annual member, you receive:

  • Monthly expert chat telecalls to educate and empower you to build a successful business (and get the mp3 recordings in case you can’t make it to the call)
  • Monthly Q & A calls with Diane Cunningham and other experts to ask for help with your business, learn, and network with others
  • A binder for your monthly calls, handouts, notes, and creative ideas
  • A copy of Diane’s ANOINTED, wonderful book, Dear Female Entrepreneur, My Friend (I felt as if Diane was reading my mail when reading this – like she was sitting right next to me drinking coffee and knew me through and through!)
  • A CD series of Diane’s vision for NACWE
  • A 25% discount on all of NACWE’s products and services, including the annual retreat
  • The NACWE logo for credibility (you can see it on the right-hand side  of my site, below my opt-in buttons on the sidebar)
  • The ability to connect with like-minded business owners through the calls and online group
  • Diane’s success rolodex tha thave helped her on the path to success
  • Diane’s book list that she recommends to those in her inner circle.

You will be encouraged, blessed, and motivated to become all that God desires you to be through joining NACWE.  Take the plunge!  You’ll be so glad you did.  You can learn more by clicking here.**

Did you miss the interview here? Just click on the Blog Talk Radio below or by clicking here. You can also download it to Itunes. My interview is 30 minutes long.

Listen to internet radio with Diane Cunningham on Blog Talk Radio

**These are affiliate links.

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Great grilled ribs – great 2011

January 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

grilled ribs

Have you ever made great ribs on the grill? Tonight my husband Ray made some, and they turned out delicious! These mouth-watering ribs inspired me to make a vlog about accomplishing 2011 goals!

Are you curious? Check it out below. (Let the video fully load first.) Enjoy!

Video of “Perfect Ribs”

Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Homeschooling, Marriage, prayer, Speaking, Spiritual Gifts, Travel, Writing Tagged With: ,

Reflections on 2010, anticipation for 2011

December 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

What's ahead for you in 2011?

Only 15 days until Christmas and 21 days until this year is over!  As 2011 is around the bend, it’s a good time for reflections.  Here’s some challenging questions to look back on 2010 and to anticipate 2011:

  • What went well in 2010? What goals and dreams did you achieve? How did you achieve them? Write these things down. Take yourself out and celebrate these victories – buy yourself a pretty new outfit or scarf, a new book, treat yourself to dinner with a friend or to a movie. You did it! Look at how far you’ve come this year!
  • What goals did you NOT achieve in 2010?  What were the reasons? What hindered or stopped you? Identify self-limiting beliefs and the roots of those beliefs.
  • What grudges are in your heart still? Who do you need to forgive? Forgiveness sets you free.
  • What are you afraid of? How is fear interfering with your dreams and goals? How is anger or discouragement interfering?
  • What relationship(s) do you need to work on? What is one step you can take today to improve it?
  • How did procrastination interfere with your goals in 2010? Re-read the book Eat That Frog.
  • What are some funny things your spouse, kids, and friends said and did in 2010? Write them down. Make a scrapbook of photos and quotes to preserve sweet memories.  Burn digital photos on cds or back up digital photos online. Be sure to date them, and add comments to help jog your memory of events later. Consider writing a diary to go along with the pictures.
  • What good books did you read and study in 2010? Write down 10 books you will read by the end of 2011. Include books that teach you new things such as Dave Ramsey’s book on finances, More Than Enough,  books that make you laugh such as Becky Freeman’s marriage book Marriage 911, books that inspire you like Alexandra Stoddard’s decorating book Living A Beautiful Life, books that grow your faith such as Beth Moore’s Bible studies, and books that help you just get away from it all like Eat, Pray, Love .
  • What lessons did you learn in 2010?  Will you have to pass the test again in 2011 or are you tired of going around this same mountain?
  • Is this the life you want?  What needs to change in your life?  How will you get there?
  • Where did you travel in 2010? Where do you want to travel in 2011? Write dates on the calendar. Start making plans now. Check the airfare and hotel or bed and breakfast rates. Price tours. Dream!
  • What friends did you make in 2010? How have these people enriched your life? What is it about them that you particularly like? Do you still want to be friends with them in 2011?
  • What character trait did you work on in 2010?  Are you still working on it? What is something new you can work on in 2011 to improve yourself?
  • What do you think 2011 holds for you?
  • What big dream is still in your heart?  Do it!  Ask God and He will help you. He is the dream-giver and the dream-fulfiller.

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day. ” ~ Edith Lovejoy Pierce

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Heather did it! Her first 5K run

September 5, 2010 By 1 Comment

Heather Denney, first 5k run

Do you have a goal you really want to accomplish, a dream in your heart? You can do it!  At the beginning of this year, our oldest daughter Heather was determined to lose weight and to run a 5K race. Today she did it! 

Using the book, The Belly Fat Cure (a diet which eliminates white sugar and reduces carbs) and joining and teaching a zumba aerobics class, she has lost weight in 9 months, going from a size 14 to now a size 8!  And today she ran her first 5K run!  I am SO proud of her!

The 5K run/walk today was at the Kansas City Royals stadium and raised awareness for autism. About 1400 people participated: little 5-year-old kids, teens, men, women, senior citizens, handicapped, all backgrounds and races. The enthusiasm was contagious. I was touched by how many people came out so early in the morning for this cause.  There are many runs and walks each month for great causes that you can be a part of, either through running, walking, volunteering, or giving financial support.

The runners were supported all the way to the finish line, which was inside the stadium at third base.  Yes, I “mom” was there, cheering Heather on to the finish line, shouting, “Go, Heather!”  :)   A team of friends from her church was there, running too.

At one point during the run, Heather wanted to quit. She thought that she was almost to the end of the race, and then realized coming around a bend that she still had a ways to go. But she pushed herself, and ran the entire race, not stopping once. She even beat her own fastest time in training by 4 minutes!

Heather had a big smile on her face after the run from her accomplishment. It hasn’t been easy this year for her to get to this point, but  hurray, she did it!

It’s on my bucket list to do a 5K run WITH Heather before the end of this year!  I pray I can do it, losing weight too, with God’s help and my family’s support and encouragement. I need prayers for consistency and self-discipline, so please pray for me!  

After the run as Heather and I got into the car to go home, we both had a great laugh over a postcard advertisement placed on her car window, which had a picture of a pig on it and the words, “Run your pork butt off!”  It is the Royal Rib 5K Run on October 2, at the American Royal.  I have put it on my fridge for humorous motivation!

What goal have you set that you want to do this year?

What’s your stopping point?  What obstacles are hindering you from reaching your goals and dreams in your heart?  Remember, you can do it with God’s help and determination!

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12: 1-2, NKJV)

Here are videos of today’s run.

Vlog of Heather’s first 5K

 

Vlog of military band playing national anthem

Vlog of Heather & friends lining up for the run

Vlog of the runners starting the 5K run/walk

Vlog of Heather going toward finish line

Vlog of Heather right after her run

Vlog of food and water for runners

Fountains at Kansas City Royals Stadium

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How to achieve your success

April 20, 2010 By 4 Comments

Beth Jones

Today I was riding along in my car, minding my own business, when suddenly God spoke to me – from the tailgate of the truck in front of me!  The sign on the tailgate simply said, “The groundwork for your success.” Of course, this got the wheels to moving (pardon the pun!), and I whipped out my FLIP recorder and made a short vlog. 

The key to our success will be found in our daily quiet time with God as we seek His face. Learn more below.   I present this vlog to you now, potholes and all!  (Talk to the city about the bumps in the street!) 

Enjoy!

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In between places

March 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Do you have big dreams in your heart or a prayer that isn’t answered yet? Do you feel stuck, like you’re in between places, not quite where you want to be yet? Do you want to go to the next level, give birth to those dreams?  Join Beth Jones today as she shares about feeling “stuck” from their car breaking down on the side of the road and from an ebook written by a nurse-midwife on the transition phase of labor – the most difficult, painful stage before the baby is born. You will be encouraged to just hang on, great things are on the horizon for you!

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