Faith
I’m Thankful…that I’m not a Zombie!
I’m thankful for a lot of things this Thanksgiving… like having a healthy, happy family, an awesome business that helps to support that family and encourages others in the process, amazing friends, a fantastic and fun community to live in, and so much more!
So what is this about zombies? Ryan has recently become obsessed with the undead. He’s watched just about every zombie movie there is and now is loving the new show The Walking Dead. I love that the shows are about survival and pulling together and the importance of community, but I don’t like the scary, rotting creatures that chase the living (who would?!).
As far-fetched as they might be, zombie shows illustrate the reality of this world. As Christians, we are surrounded by legions of the undead. While we look forward to eternity in paradise, they do everything they can to get as much as they can from this life, blind to their own rotting condition. Unlike the zombies in movies, though, those people around us can experience re-birth and LIFE abundant. They can be healed. They just need to hear the truth that can set them free.
So, yes, I am thankful that I am not a zombie. I am alive because Christ died for me. As the old song says, “I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me. It makes the lame to walk and the blind to see. Opens prison doors, sets the captives free. I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me.” So the question is…am I sharing that life with others, or hiding in my zombie-proof house?
A video of a kids’ choir singing “I’ve got a river of life” for those of you who aren’t as old-school as I am! :)
The 21 Day Dad’s Challenge
The 21-Day Dad’s Challenge serves a huge need in our society today. With millions of children growing up without dads in their lives, we have more of a need for true fatherhood than ever. Not only that, but many of those boys are growing up to become dads themselves, with no idea of what it means to be a dad.
This books, containing brief chapters from men like Carey Casey, Josh McDowell, Mark DeMoss, Randy Alcorn, and Dr. Gary Rosberg, gives dads simple suggestions for making a big impact on their children’s lives. From creating family memories to being a good leader, this book contains great suggestions that kids and dads will enjoy!
Best of all, the book is a quick, simple read, with chapters being only two-three pages long. Even dads who don’t have much time or don’t like to read, this is doable! As an added bonus, many of the chapters include a QR code that links to a video giving dad’s ideas on implementing the ideas in that chapter, like the video found here.
It was gratifying to see that my hubby has already incorporated many of the ideas in the book into his relationship with our kids, but he also promised to help me out with this review, so I’ll post an update when I have an opinion from him! :)
Lonestar Angel
Lonestar Angel, by Colleen Coble, is a riveting story about an estranged couple searching for their daughter. Five years prior, Brianna, just a few months old, was kidnapped and believed drowned in an accident involving the kidnapper. However, the body was never found. Her parents, Clay and Eden, split up after her disappearance. Eden has started a new life and is on the brink of getting engaged when Clay shows up with a shocking announcement–they are still married and their daughter is alive.
Clay and Eden head to the desert where he believes their daughter is–the problem is that there are 5 five year olds, four of whom could be their daughter, and someone is trying to kill Eden. As the couple works through the mystery and tries to discover who their daughter is, they uncover startling information about themselves. In the process, they find that they love each other after all.
This is a captivating story of overcoming odds–both in life and in relationships. The message of God’s love and protection is clear as the book attempts to tackle some tough questions about why bad things happen–especially to children. Not only did I enjoy the story, but the focus on foster children and adoption is a great reminder that Christians should be caring for the lost and forgotten and abused children–whatever that means for each of us.
Sister of the Month!
I am so excited to be the Mompreneur Sister of the Month! Theresa Ceniccola is an amazing coach who has the wonderful ability to help women achieve success in their business, while putting faith and family first. I participated in the Mompreneur Mastermind last spring and experienced a great turning point in my own business as a result. I am so blessed to have found a likeminded friend to encourage me in my own journey. I highly encourage you to take a look at what Theresa has to offer!
Having a Clear Sense of Purpose
On our LONG trip to AZ yesterday, I took the opportunity to use some of my car time to listen to Think and Grow Rich. One of the things that struck me was the author’s insistence on having a clear sense of direction. If you don’t know what you want, your subconscious mind cannot lead you in the right direction. This reminded me James 1:6-8, “…for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
Sometimes I find myself at a sort of crossroads. It seems that I have multiple visions of my future. On the one hand, I see myself as a mom, baking cookies and making bread. On the other, I see myself speaking at events, motivating my team members and other women to create financial freedom for themselves and their family. I think most of us have these different kinds of dreams–what we need to do is find a way to merge them together. How do all the different aspects of our personalities fit together to make a future vision that makes sense for us?
This week, I’m going to take some time to re-vision my future. Who do I really want to be? How do I see all of my dreams merging together? Once I have a clear direction, I’ll be able to move forward with confidence towards the life of my dreams!
Karen
A Cool Breeze
This morning, I stepped out of my front door for my morning run–and the heat and humidity took my breath away, even at 8 am! But, I put on my running shoes and started walking anyway. And as I walked, a cool breeze started to blow. I don’t know where a cool breeze is coming from in central Texas today, but that breeze made my task seem easier! The run was just as hard, but that cool breeze was refreshing and gave me a little bit of extra strength.
I started thinking that God is like that cool breeze in my life. Yes, there are tough things. Hard things that I have to walk through. Days it feels like I’m just taking it one step at a time. But with God, those hard things are just a little bit easier to handle. I still have to go through them, just like I had to make it to the end of my run, but God is the cool breeze that allows me to breathe easier and just enjoy the journey.
So, today, I am thankful for cool breezes on hot, humid July mornings and for God’s refreshing in my life.
Have a great day!
Karen
Find your Purpose!
Last night, I was reading through a re-cap of a Monday night team call from one of my favorite people–Jordan Adler. Jordan is such an inspiration to me because he is a real person with a real heart for making a difference in the world. His call Monday night really reflects his passion–and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it!
Meaning or money–which one are you after? Your answer to this question can determine the outcome of your business, of your life. If you are only after money, you will find life pretty empty. Empty of relationships. Empty of meaning. BUT if you are after meaning–you will find success. Jordan says, “I do not believe that money should be the goal. When money becomes the goal, it can corrupt the soul’s purpose. We are guided to our higher purpose as long as we don’t allow greed to creep in.”
I’ve mentioned this before, but I LOVE this quote from Mathew Barnett’s book, The Cause Within You, “When you find that sweet spot that reflects your cause, it is at the intersection of your passion (what really matters to you), your gifts (what you do best), and your contribution (how you make the world better).”
Our lives should be about finding that sweet spot–that purpose that we were created to accomplish. Did you know that the Bible says that “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph 2:10) We were created for a specific purpose to do good things that God prepared for us to do! True meaning in life comes from finding those good things.
And when those good things intersect with making a commission–that’s fantastic! But money should never be the primary goal in our lives. Our mission should be the primary goal. As we serve others and fulfill our purpose, we will find that success comes our way. As Jordan says, “Money is a result, not a destination. As we attract others that share a common vision and mission, our checks will go up BECAUSE we have a compensation plan is attached to our mission.”
So, as you search for a company to align yourself with, make sure it’s one that you believe in with all your heart–one that aligns with who you are and what your purpose is. I have–and it has made all the difference! :-)
Blessings-
Karen
Being Worry Free begins with knowing who God is…
The Unexpected…
You may know that I am speaking with my License to Dream co-authors at the Women’s Conference in Phoenix on Saturday. I am really excited about this great opportunity to introduce our first Master Class, as well as to spread the word about SendOutCards throughout the day. However, I have been most excited about getting to see my family and friends after almost a year of being here in Texas.
We were planning to drive out and spend the week…maybe even stay until Mother’s Day. But, of course, the unexpected happened, and Ryan can’t leave as scheduled. He’s staying here in Texas to finish a project. So, rather than cancel the trip altogether, I am driving out to AZ on my own with the kids. I’m a little apprehensive about this adventure, but I think that, like all things that are unexpected and take a little bit of courage, it will make me stronger and braver. I like that.
So, I want to encourage you–whatever is happening in your life that is unexpected–whether it’s scary or hard or fun or whatever–choose to seek the good that can come out of moving through that unexpected circumstance. :-)
Karen
Mom to Mom
This morning I went to an amazing program at the First Baptist Church down the road. It’s called Mom to Mom–a ministry based on Titus 2 (older women mentoring younger women). I love the idea of bringing women together to learn what God says about parenting, as well as having the opportunity to talk to other moms. When Megan was a baby, it was a women’s Bible study that saved my sanity. Knowing that I was not alone–that other moms were going through the exact same situations with their kids–made a huge difference in how I felt about my own parenting and my life in general.
If you are involved in women’s ministries at your church, I encourage you to take a look at the program!
Karen
