This month marks the 10th anniversary of an event none of us wish to celebrate; the terrorist attacks of 9/11. It’s one of those times in life when everyone can remember where they were that day. On September 11th, 2001, I was 7 months pregnant with our first child and my husband was in Southern California on a business trip. He called me at 8:00 in the morning wondering if I had turned on the TV or heard any radio news yet. I had not.
As I pressed the button on the TV remote, I entered a chaotic war zone, and I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. All day, I sat planted on the couch feeling that I had to watch everything, see every interview and hear everyone’s story of their lost loved one. My heart felt that I owed it to those people to share their pain. Because all airports were shut down that day, my husband started his 18-hour drive home in a rental car that afternoon. It seemed like a small inconvenience for our family compared to what others were going through.
Every American has a 9/11 story just like this to tell, although some stories are much more intimately connected to, and came face-to-face with, the tragedy. Many Americans also share another common 9/11 thread – prayer.
“…if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” -2 Chronicles 7:14
Millions of people prayed that day: We prayed for survivors to be found, families to reunite, for justice, for healing, and for God’s mercy. Some people may think, “Why pray afterward when the damage has already been done?” Good question, but it really is necessary. Why? Prayer authorizes God’s hand to work on our behalf. Prayer makes a difference. Prayer changes things. Prayer helps us refocus our priorities and find answers. It’s a natural action with supernatural implications.
As you and I remember the heartbreak, heroism, loss and significance on 9/11’s 10th anniversary, please also remember to pray. Have a conversation with God for a few minutes while you’re in your car, while you’re on a walk, when you wake up first thing in the morning, while you’re in the shower, as you cook, as you rake leaves or mow your grass, etc.
Not sure exactly what to pray for? Suggestions for prayer topics:
· Pray for the people who are still suffering because of their loss and still have emotional trauma.
· Pray that plots for future destruction, such as 9/11, are thwarted beforehand.
· Pray for a covering of peace and safety on cities and schools.
· Pray for leaders to be led by God’s Spirit when making decisions.
· Pray for peace and healing for our land.
What could God be waiting for you to pray for, right now?
By Krista Dunk, In remembrance of those who died on September 11th, 2001.
www.StepOutandTakeYourPlace.com
www.KBWomen.com
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Breakthrough Conference 2011 is Coming!
Hi Ladies,
I am very excited to announce a fabulous event happening this fall. November 14-18, Breakthrough Conference 2011 is coming! It is a 5-day virtual women's ministry conference with 10 amazing speakers that have 10, must-know teaching sessions for women of God. Since this is a virtual conference, you can participate from anywhere via your computer!
Learn more and register at www.BTconference.com.
For the past year, God has really been showing me how much we're missing - knowledge and wisdom we need to know as His people. Our lack of knowledge is hindering us in many ways, including in our emotional, spiritual, mental, physical/health, financial and relational areas of life. All of these hindrances also keep us from stepping out and taking our places within His plans and purposes (our calling).
Breakthrough Conference helps you, women of God, to breakthrough where you've been stuck, reveal practical steps to move forward with and will encourage you to take hold of all that God has established for you!
Your opportunities:
- Attend the conference for ONLY $12. Yes, shocking, I know :-). Register today at http://www.btconference.com/.
- Partner with this event by becoming a promo partner. Promo partners earn $5 from every ticket sold that they've referred. Simply sign up as one of our affiliates here: http://www.eventbrite.com/affiliate-register?eid=2060686569&affid=7517445. Then spread the word and invite women of God to the event using your affiliate link.
- Become an event sponsor and get your products and services in front of over 25K+ Christian women. If this is your target market (or women in general), this will be a great opportunity for you! Sponsorship info: www.BTconference.com/sponsors.htm.
Posted by Krista Dunk
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Choose ONE Thing, by Natasha Golinsky
by Natasha Golinsky, of www.fortuneandfaith.com
In working with my clients, I regularly run into business women who are burned out because they feel like they’re working on developing so many sources of income; however, none of them are succeeding. I met a woman recently who excitedly described herself as a “serial entrepreneur” meaning that she dabbled in many different businesses. Although she seemed excited all I could think was “she is making a big mistake and there is no way she can successfully handle all that in the long term.”
I admit that there is something fun and exciting about having many projects on the go but if you’re this type of person ask yourself “how’s it going so far?” Is it working? Do you own multiple domain names, run multiple Facebook pages and/or market yourself differently to different audiences? Just like I thought about the woman I met, until you focus on one venture and brand yourself as a person who can solve one type of problem for one particular market you will never truly gain traction with your business.
People always seek out the BEST person to solve their problem. They don’t want a Jane-of-all-trades trying to give them solutions but they want the specialist. What are you great at? What are you more passionate about than anything? Which one problem could you see yourself consistently, passionately solving for others? Which one idea can you stay excited about communicating over and over (and over and over)?
Trying to market yourself as being a bit of everything is not believable and also draws attention to the fact that you’re not sure who you are as a brand.
Take some time to explore your spiritual gifts and natural strengths. Be open to God’s wisdom to show you which market He has designed you to serve. We all have a call and a purpose on our lives. Like Seth Godin always says “In today’s market where anyone can get anything they want, people seek the experts for solving their particular problem.” Become the expert that people could not live without.
Originally posted at http://integratedwomanministries.com/choose-one-thing.
In working with my clients, I regularly run into business women who are burned out because they feel like they’re working on developing so many sources of income; however, none of them are succeeding. I met a woman recently who excitedly described herself as a “serial entrepreneur” meaning that she dabbled in many different businesses. Although she seemed excited all I could think was “she is making a big mistake and there is no way she can successfully handle all that in the long term.”
I admit that there is something fun and exciting about having many projects on the go but if you’re this type of person ask yourself “how’s it going so far?” Is it working? Do you own multiple domain names, run multiple Facebook pages and/or market yourself differently to different audiences? Just like I thought about the woman I met, until you focus on one venture and brand yourself as a person who can solve one type of problem for one particular market you will never truly gain traction with your business.
People always seek out the BEST person to solve their problem. They don’t want a Jane-of-all-trades trying to give them solutions but they want the specialist. What are you great at? What are you more passionate about than anything? Which one problem could you see yourself consistently, passionately solving for others? Which one idea can you stay excited about communicating over and over (and over and over)?
Trying to market yourself as being a bit of everything is not believable and also draws attention to the fact that you’re not sure who you are as a brand.
Take some time to explore your spiritual gifts and natural strengths. Be open to God’s wisdom to show you which market He has designed you to serve. We all have a call and a purpose on our lives. Like Seth Godin always says “In today’s market where anyone can get anything they want, people seek the experts for solving their particular problem.” Become the expert that people could not live without.
Originally posted at http://integratedwomanministries.com/choose-one-thing.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Don't Let Pride Silence Your Cries
Devotional by Katie Nolan, www.liasophia.com/katienolan
“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see”. At first glance, the story of the blind men in Matthew 20:29-34 may not seem to apply to our modern day lives. But like many stories in the bible, once we dig deeper, we find we are not so different from the blind men by the road in Jericho. Like the familiar song Amazing Grace, we have been blind and even now may feel our vision is impaired in certain areas. We need a Healer. We need a Counselor. We need our God.
The accounts in Matthew, Mark, and Luke vary slightly regarding the miraculous recovery in sight but the message is the same. Matthew describes two blind men sitting beside the road who upon hearing Jesus was passing by began crying out “Lord, have mercy on us”. The blind men acknowledged their need for healing before Jesus and the crowd. They did not pretend everything was fine or just press on like we so often do. They went straight to the One who could heal them. We have many options in our lives for help and advice. Do we neglect going to our Source with all the options available to us?
Or do we let pride silence our cries? The cry of the blind men is defined beautifully. It is an urgent scream, a ravens piercing cry, and inarticulate shouts expressing deep emotion. They certainly were not whispering a quiet amen. They weren’t afraid to lift their voice in the congregation or the street to grab the attention of their Healer. Maybe we are too refined in modern day churches to understand the loud, emotional cry these men were willing to utter. It was a cry of desperation with no concern regarding what others would say or think. As a matter of fact, when the crowd tried to silence the blind men, the blind men cried out even more.
Those following Jesus rebuked the men, telling them to be silent. Simply following Jesus among the crowd did not mean everyone in the crowd was “saved” and it also did not mean (regardless of their salvation) they knew what was right for the blind men. The crowd did not discern Jesus had a divine appointment to fill that day. We must be discerning of the crowd surrounding us as well. Always turn to God first and foremost. If God is our first Counselor we won’t miss our divine appointments.
“Have mercy on us” literally means have compassion by divine grace. They called on the grace of God to heal them and it did. By calling him Lord, they were calling him master and supreme authority. They believed this man could heal them. “It takes grace to reach greatness. It takes faith to release grace”. These words come from my Pastor and this story illustrates them perfectly. The blind men believed Jesus could heal them and that activated divine grace to do just what they hoped.
The opening of their eyes refers to a physical and spiritual opening. We are told their sight was restored and immediately they followed Jesus which is defined as being in the same way with and to accompany especially as a disciple. The blind men were in the right place at the right time by being on the road Jesus traveled. Throughout our lives we will face trauma and difficulty. When it strikes, we need to be found on the path of Christ. We will then see difficulties as opportunities to cast aside pride, cry to our Healer, and when others try and silence us, we will cry out even louder. In our cry we are expressing our belief that God is able and we are giving room for His divine grace to go to work and accomplish what we asked for. The result is not only healing but a deeper following of our Savior.
“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see”. At first glance, the story of the blind men in Matthew 20:29-34 may not seem to apply to our modern day lives. But like many stories in the bible, once we dig deeper, we find we are not so different from the blind men by the road in Jericho. Like the familiar song Amazing Grace, we have been blind and even now may feel our vision is impaired in certain areas. We need a Healer. We need a Counselor. We need our God.
The accounts in Matthew, Mark, and Luke vary slightly regarding the miraculous recovery in sight but the message is the same. Matthew describes two blind men sitting beside the road who upon hearing Jesus was passing by began crying out “Lord, have mercy on us”. The blind men acknowledged their need for healing before Jesus and the crowd. They did not pretend everything was fine or just press on like we so often do. They went straight to the One who could heal them. We have many options in our lives for help and advice. Do we neglect going to our Source with all the options available to us?
Or do we let pride silence our cries? The cry of the blind men is defined beautifully. It is an urgent scream, a ravens piercing cry, and inarticulate shouts expressing deep emotion. They certainly were not whispering a quiet amen. They weren’t afraid to lift their voice in the congregation or the street to grab the attention of their Healer. Maybe we are too refined in modern day churches to understand the loud, emotional cry these men were willing to utter. It was a cry of desperation with no concern regarding what others would say or think. As a matter of fact, when the crowd tried to silence the blind men, the blind men cried out even more.
Those following Jesus rebuked the men, telling them to be silent. Simply following Jesus among the crowd did not mean everyone in the crowd was “saved” and it also did not mean (regardless of their salvation) they knew what was right for the blind men. The crowd did not discern Jesus had a divine appointment to fill that day. We must be discerning of the crowd surrounding us as well. Always turn to God first and foremost. If God is our first Counselor we won’t miss our divine appointments.
“Have mercy on us” literally means have compassion by divine grace. They called on the grace of God to heal them and it did. By calling him Lord, they were calling him master and supreme authority. They believed this man could heal them. “It takes grace to reach greatness. It takes faith to release grace”. These words come from my Pastor and this story illustrates them perfectly. The blind men believed Jesus could heal them and that activated divine grace to do just what they hoped.
The opening of their eyes refers to a physical and spiritual opening. We are told their sight was restored and immediately they followed Jesus which is defined as being in the same way with and to accompany especially as a disciple. The blind men were in the right place at the right time by being on the road Jesus traveled. Throughout our lives we will face trauma and difficulty. When it strikes, we need to be found on the path of Christ. We will then see difficulties as opportunities to cast aside pride, cry to our Healer, and when others try and silence us, we will cry out even louder. In our cry we are expressing our belief that God is able and we are giving room for His divine grace to go to work and accomplish what we asked for. The result is not only healing but a deeper following of our Savior.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Free Newsletters by Christian Women in Business
Hello Readers,
Later this week, KBWomen's association KBWA, is having a tele-class on creating business e-newsletters. In honor of our e-newsletter theme for the month, below is a list of several free e-newsletters that you may be interested in receiving.
E-newsletters/e-zines, just like KBWomen's *BLING* newsletter, are a great source of information, inspiration, learning and trend updates, depending on their topic/focus. Browse this free newsletter list below, and feel free to visit these business women's sites for more info if they are of interest to you:
Toby Parsons: It's Your Image, Professional Wardrobe Consultant for Women, offers a quarterly newsletter. You receive a free gift/download when you sign up at: http://www.iyimage.com/.
Karen Wells: Receive the "Woman to Woman" ezine for women wanting hope, acceptance and change today! Get un-hooked from past pain. Sign up at http://mybestlifepossible.com/
Krista Dunk: The "Gifts & Calling Newsletter" for people of God who want more information about how to discover their God-given gifts and His calling for their lives. Sign up at http://www.stepoutandtakeyourplace.com/.
Tammy Redmon: Inspiring Action - Shifting Perspectives. Weekly tips that will motivate and propel you forward in life and business. http://www.tammyredmon.com/
Kathie Nelson: Sign up for Kathy's "Insights for Busy People" e-newsletter at www.kathienelson.com/sign-up.
Cherish Flieder: "Painting for Life" is an inspirational arts newsletter from a husband and wife artist team who paint for the Way, the Truth and the Life. Sign up at http://paintingforlife.com/.
Ericka Jackson: The "Greater Works" weekly ezine is for Christians who've been called to build a thriving ministry and need inspiration and equipping. Visit http://www.erickajackson.com/ to sign up.
Kathy Wright: Receive a free, weekly health and beauty tips newsletter for women - creating health and preventing disease, by Kathy Wright, ND. http://www.bkathywright.com/
Janice Campbell: "The Edge: Success Strategies for People Who Work with Words" is a monthly newsletter with career-building articles, events, tips and quotes for writers and editors. Sign up at http://naiwe.com/.
Tonya Fitzpatrick: "Positive Footprints"complements the "World Footprints Radio Show" and focuses on socially conscious & responsible travel and lifestyle. It features interviews with celebrities and newsmakers. Sign up at http://www.worldfootprints.com/.
JoJo Tabares: Receive the Art of Eloquence newsletter with tips on leadership, overcoming shyness, homeschool speech and debate, social communication, conflict resolution and sharing the faith among other things. http://artofeloquence.com/pages/newsletters.php
Koinonia Business Women: "*BLING* Newsletter" - for Christian women in business who want ideas, tips and inspiration. Get a little sparkle in your inbox :-). Sign-up link: http://www.kbwomen.com/
E-newsletters (AKA e-zines) are a great way to stay informed, get new information, hear about events, and/or learn about a particular topic...and they're free! If any of these newsletters are of interest to you, please visit the sign-up website that is mentioned.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Prayer for Men
This is Gail Dudley. I am having one of those weeks in which I have not had in a long time. The Holy Spirit is speaking and I am simply being obedient.
Please - Please - Please pray for men around the world, Friday, July 8, 2011 throughout the day. Nothing organized, just need to pray.
Godly men are being attacked every day. Phone call after phone call I am hearing women cry out for the men in their lives (husbands, brothers, fathers, grand-fathers, co-workers, male pastors, friends, and the list goes on). Men are losing their jobs, therefore unable to provide for their family and to maintain the bills. Men are becoming stressed and becoming ill. Men are becoming discouraged. Men are not taking care of themselves, and they are losing motivation, becoming distracted, etc.
What I am seeing in the spirit is that men are being attacked by the enemy. The enemies plans is to take out and or distract the head. God holds the victory. Let us join in a time of prayer of intercession. Men, women, children, prayer warriors, please join in a day of prayer for men.
What I am hearing in the spirit is – this is urgent!
Mark 14:37-38 - New International Version (NIV):
"Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. 'Simon,' he said to Peter, 'are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.'”
Please - Please - Please pray for men around the world, Friday, July 8, 2011 throughout the day. Nothing organized, just need to pray.
Godly men are being attacked every day. Phone call after phone call I am hearing women cry out for the men in their lives (husbands, brothers, fathers, grand-fathers, co-workers, male pastors, friends, and the list goes on). Men are losing their jobs, therefore unable to provide for their family and to maintain the bills. Men are becoming stressed and becoming ill. Men are becoming discouraged. Men are not taking care of themselves, and they are losing motivation, becoming distracted, etc.
What I am seeing in the spirit is that men are being attacked by the enemy. The enemies plans is to take out and or distract the head. God holds the victory. Let us join in a time of prayer of intercession. Men, women, children, prayer warriors, please join in a day of prayer for men.
What I am hearing in the spirit is – this is urgent!
Mark 14:37-38 - New International Version (NIV):
"Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. 'Simon,' he said to Peter, 'are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.'”
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Never Sell Anything Again - And Watch Your Business Soar
by Barry Moltz: www.barrymoltz.com (originally posted on the AMEX Open Forum)
I pity the small businesses that try to sell their products or services only through features and benefits. They think that hard sales tactics like cold calling or deep price discounting actually still work and are a solid way to build their business. They keep trying to sell to the same old prospects until they become so unresponsive that they are lost on how to find additional business.
Sales, in the traditional sense, is dead. In fact, trying to sell to prospects only breaks down our confidence and make us feel bad about our company. When a prospect says no to our product or service, we think they are saying no to us personally. We hate it. We feel the sting and it makes us reluctant to try it over and over again.
I learned a long time ago from Sander Selling Systems that the formula for people buying is actually very simple. Customers buy when:
1. They are in pain.
2. They have the money to solve that pain.
As a small business owner, the first task is to be able to describe the pain that your company solves and identify who has the money to solve that pain. In fact, this should be practiced as your “elevator speech."
The next step is to forget the “S” word. Now learn the “R” word: relationships. Relationships are the key to growing your company and can bring sales to you almost effortlessly. This is because we actually can’t sell anything to anyone. We just need to be there when people are ready to buy. This is why consistent marketing is so important. You need to continually remind people what you do and how you help others. When they have a problem you can solve (and the money to solve it), they will naturally buy from you. They may even know someone else that has the same pain and make a connection.
Don't waste your time by chasing the people that long ago decided not to buy from you. These are the same people that have stopped returning your phone calls or e-mail inquiries months ago. Remember, every prospect needs to continually qualify themselves for it to be worth your time in the sales process. As a result, the only way to grow your company over the long term is to keep investing in building trusted relationships. This is done by implementing a systematic method for "staying in touch" with people over a long period of time.
Three simple methods for doing this are:
1. Use CRM software such as HighRise, Salesforce, or Goldmine to know when to periodically contact people (monthly or quarterly). Any simple reminder system that can capture information can be effective.
2. Consistently reach out to people through phone, e-mail or snail mail. This is done not by selling them anything, but by giving them something of value they can use in their business. This can be a person they should meet, a lead, a resource article or a helpful website.
3. Use social media to “Like” or “Retweet” their comments or content. They will think of you for an instant and remember the value you bring.
Vow never to sell again. Think building relationships. It works every time.
Submitted by Barry Moltz: www.BarryMoltz.com
I pity the small businesses that try to sell their products or services only through features and benefits. They think that hard sales tactics like cold calling or deep price discounting actually still work and are a solid way to build their business. They keep trying to sell to the same old prospects until they become so unresponsive that they are lost on how to find additional business.
Sales, in the traditional sense, is dead. In fact, trying to sell to prospects only breaks down our confidence and make us feel bad about our company. When a prospect says no to our product or service, we think they are saying no to us personally. We hate it. We feel the sting and it makes us reluctant to try it over and over again.
I learned a long time ago from Sander Selling Systems that the formula for people buying is actually very simple. Customers buy when:
1. They are in pain.
2. They have the money to solve that pain.
As a small business owner, the first task is to be able to describe the pain that your company solves and identify who has the money to solve that pain. In fact, this should be practiced as your “elevator speech."
The next step is to forget the “S” word. Now learn the “R” word: relationships. Relationships are the key to growing your company and can bring sales to you almost effortlessly. This is because we actually can’t sell anything to anyone. We just need to be there when people are ready to buy. This is why consistent marketing is so important. You need to continually remind people what you do and how you help others. When they have a problem you can solve (and the money to solve it), they will naturally buy from you. They may even know someone else that has the same pain and make a connection.
Don't waste your time by chasing the people that long ago decided not to buy from you. These are the same people that have stopped returning your phone calls or e-mail inquiries months ago. Remember, every prospect needs to continually qualify themselves for it to be worth your time in the sales process. As a result, the only way to grow your company over the long term is to keep investing in building trusted relationships. This is done by implementing a systematic method for "staying in touch" with people over a long period of time.
Three simple methods for doing this are:
1. Use CRM software such as HighRise, Salesforce, or Goldmine to know when to periodically contact people (monthly or quarterly). Any simple reminder system that can capture information can be effective.
2. Consistently reach out to people through phone, e-mail or snail mail. This is done not by selling them anything, but by giving them something of value they can use in their business. This can be a person they should meet, a lead, a resource article or a helpful website.
3. Use social media to “Like” or “Retweet” their comments or content. They will think of you for an instant and remember the value you bring.
Vow never to sell again. Think building relationships. It works every time.
Submitted by Barry Moltz: www.BarryMoltz.com
A StemEnhance Testimonial
We commonly see health as the absence of disease, but being healthy is much more than not being sick. Many people falsely believe they are in good health until they suffer a quick blow, like a heart attack or kidney failure. God made our body self-healing, but less than optimal operating conditions make the arduous task even more difficult. At the vertex of health and wellness lay human adult stem cells which are there the day we are born. They're found mostly in bone marrow.
Stem cells are primitive or master cells. They circulate and function to replace dysfunctional cells, fulfilling the body’s natural process of renewal and maintaining optimal health. Studies have now shown that adult stem cells can be brain, liver, eye & muscle cells - Then they have the ability of becoming cells of all other tissues in the body. Thus adult stem cells are the natural renewal system of the body.
I was first introduced to StemEnhance in 2009. I had a slight injury in my hand - a boil which was getting itchy. I took StemEnhance, and to my surprise, the boil dried up in 2 days and today there is no scar on my hand. I started to introduce to my friends and I am amazed at the testimonies. StemEnhance is not stem cells or embryonic stem cells. But what, then, is StemEnhance?
StemEnhance is a patented breakthrough, first ever natural stem cell enhancer, anti-aging food supplement that increase the number of stem cells released from our bone marrow into the bloodstream. It is made up of 100% natural organic Aphanizomenon Flos Aqua (AFA) extracted from Klamath Lake, USA. The effect of StemEnhance on stem cells was tested in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Consumption of StemEnhance triggered a significant 25% increase in the number of circulating stem cells. It was published in Cardiovascular Revascularization Medicine (Volume 8 Issue).
I do not suffer from any serious sickness…Praise God! But I do consume this for ‘maintenance!’ I do not feel easily tired, and even my mum has been consuming it. This year, after 2 eye check ups, the doctors confirmed she had a cataract. She doubled the dose of StemEnhance and praise God, today she says her eye sight is clear and there is no sign of cataracts. Truly, there are many testimonies and all I can say is to visit my website, http://www.nictangse.stemtechbiz.com/. Watch the video, and you will understand better.
Enjoy your life with good health! Submitted by Nicole Tang
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