Poetic Inspirations and Practical Applications for Blissful Living

Business, Life and Your Lenten Journey

Business, Life and your Lenten Journey

Business, Life and Your Lenten Journey

Image courtesy Detanan at www.freedigitalphotos.net

 

Purposeful Pathway is the haven for faith-based entrepreneurs. Part of my mission is equipping faith-based businesses with information that is practical, actionable and Scriptural.

The theme of this post is business, life and your Lenten journey!

It is hard to believe that springtime and Resurrection Sunday are nearly upon us! It seems not too long ago we were preparing for Christmas and the New Year. Yet here we are: traveling the 40-day Lenten journey. We tend to think of Lent as a personal pathway, and surely it is. Yet Lent is a spiritual journey, and our faith-based businesses intertwine with our spiritual journeys. For this reason it is important to prayerfully incorporate Lent into our businesses.

How exactly do we take our businesses on a Lenten journey? Let’s explore four actionable steps for those forty days:

 

  1. Contemplate. Contemplate any areas in which Christ is not first and foremost in your business. Perhaps in your mission statement? In your marketing? In your projects or products or programs? Prayerfully and thoughtfully compose a list. “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)
  2. Capitulate. Surrender these areas to Christ and seek His forgiveness. The more we die to Christ, the more we experience rebirth in Him. This is true in every aspect of life, including our businesses. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
  3. Concentrate.  Having contemplated and capitulated, it is time to concentrate your efforts and energies to Christ-centered transformation. Ponder each area of surrender and determine the practical steps of repentance. How exactly will you revise your mission statement? What exactly will you change in your marketing practices or messages? What will you add, change or eliminate in your projects, products and programs? Determine the practical steps and commit yourself to their practice. “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matthew 3:8)
  4. Celebrate. Lastly, celebrate the fruit and give glory to God! Lent is a time of testing and trial; yet the triumphant outcome is deeper intimacy with Christ, powerful transformation for His glory and sweet celebration in His presence. “Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!” (Psalm 150:1-6)

 

Embrace this Lenten journey as a time to grow in God’s grace both personally and professionally. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6)

 

If you need help with traveling a Lenten journey for your business or with building your business overall…I invite you to attract your ideal clients and powerfully boost your business over the next 40 days! There is no need to reinvent the wheel. I have organized my knowledge and experiences in business into an implementable 40-day series of actionable daily steps, instructional videos and powerful worksheets. If you need a serious boost in business, I encourage you to take the next step by visiting  Purposeful Pathway Business Academy today!


Let’s Pray:  Our Loving Lord, we thank You for this Lenten journey. We thank You for the transformation we will experience by Your grace. We thank You for the victory we will know by Your power. Help us, Life-Giving Light, to capitulate areas of sin and to concentrate on repentance. Help us to live every moment for Your glory. We love you with every fiber of our beings, every moment of every day…and it is in Your Name, Jesus, we pray. Amen.

I Treasure Your Thoughts and Comments!

Treasure of Trust

Treasure of Trust Poem

The Treasure of Trust

Treasure of Trust Poem

Image courtesy Dr. Joseph Valks at www.freedigitalphotos.net

 

“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.” (Psalm 13:5)

 

When foggy

Is the horizon before you,

When confused you are,

Not knowing what to do,

 

When pained is your heart,

When tears fill your eye,

When raindrops endlessly

Fall from the sky,

 

When weak is your soul,

When rocky is your way,

When darkness enshrouds

Your night and your day,

 

Trust in Me,

Yes, trust Me, My child,

For My way is perfect,

I am loving and mild.

 

I am working all things

For Your very best,

So trust in Me, child,

Yes, please find rest.

 

Nothing you encounter

Do I not allow,

I work all for good,

Though you know not how.

 

So smile, little one,

Look up now at Me,

In My eternal eyes

Is it not love you see?

 

Surely for best

I work all things,

So trust in the good

My provision brings.

 

Bright I will make

Your night and your day,

I will pave with grace

Your purposeful way.

 

I will wipe every tear

From your eye,

I will brighten with sunshine

The once gray sky.

 

Yes, trust in Me,

Trust in all that I do…

As eternal is my love,

Sweet child, for you!

 

© COPYRIGHT 2014 Caroline Gavin

 

How do you express your treasure of trust?

I treasure your Thoughts and Comments!

~*~

Want more joy for your journey? I offer 5 complimentary “Take Me to Transformation” consultations per month. Contact me via caroline@purposefulpathway.com to see if you qualify for this powerful session. Walk away with heightened clarity, renewed energy and a customized action step plan!

You Are All I Need

Poem: Everlasting Arms

 

You are all I Need, Lord Jesus

Poem: Everlasting Arms

Image courtesy Witthaya Phonsawat at www.freedigitalphotos.net

 

“Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.” (Psalm 73:25) 

 

You are all I need, Lord,

Yes, all I need is You;

You are everything good,

You make all things new,

 

You are my portion,

My reward for eternity,

You are the song I hear,

The rainbow I see.

 

You are the smile

That beams in my eyes,

You are every joy,

Every precious surprise.

 

So all I ever need

Is You, my King,

As You are the Source

Of my everything.

 

No wish, no want,

No longing, no desire,

No craving, no prayer,

No heart’s burning fire…

 

Do You not satisfy –

Yes, all things You give;

You are the fire of love,

The breath to live.

 

So of You and for You

I sing this song,

In You and beside You

I do belong.

 

Yes, You are the smile

That beams in my eyes,

You are my joy,

My every surprise.

 

With You I will be

For all eternity,

As You are sweet love

In everything I see.

 

You are everything good,

You make all things new…

So You are all I need,

Yes, all I need is You!

 

© COPYRIGHT 2014 Caroline Gavin

 

How do you celebrate all you have in Jesus?

I treasure your Thoughts and Comments!

~*~

Want more joy for your journey? I offer 5 complimentary “Take Me to Transformation” consultations per month. Contact me via caroline@purposefulpathway.com to see if you qualify for this powerful session. Walk away with heightened clarity, renewed energy and a customized action step plan!

Biz Tip: Pressing Reset

Pressing Reset

Pressing Reset

Pressing Reset

Image courtesy kangshutters at www.freedigitalphotos.net

 

Purposeful Pathway is the haven for faith-based entrepreneurs. Part of my mission is equipping faith-based businesses with information that is practical, actionable and Scriptural.

The theme of this post is pressing reset!

Habits are powerful tools, yet they can accumulate over time to leave us stuck in an uninspired quagmire. Routines that once served us may no longer. Perspectives may need shifting. Beliefs may need revamping. As overwhelming as it may seem to overhaul our habits, we can ignite powerful change…and quickly! Yes, we can press that reset button at any moment.

How exactly do we press reset? Let’s explore five actionable steps:

 

  1. Vision Victory. If things are not ideal in your business or in your life, begin to envision what “ideal” looks like. How does your ideal day unfold from beginning to end? What type of clients do you serve? What types of programs do you offer? How much free time do you enjoy? How many vacations do you take? How much income do you earn? How much money do you contribute to churches and causes? Vision your victory with as much detail as possible.
  2. Evaluate and Evict.  Having envisioned victory in your business and life, evaluate your current habits and determine which ones should remain, which ones need refinement, which ones need to be added, and which ones need eviction. Write a comprehensive list of your current habits, document your notes by each list item, and seek God’s guidance throughout the process.
  3. Ride the Tide.  In adding, refining and eliminating habits, you will undoubtedly feel discomfort, disruption and pain. Choose to ride the emotional waves and to embrace the positive changes.  View the discomfort as birthing pains…and remember that these challenges are more than worthwhile. Ride the tide and keep your eyes on the prize. “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. “ (2 Corinthians 4:17)
  4. Face the Fruit. Once you have overhauled your habits despite the discomfort, start documenting your short-term and long-term fruit. We often overlook the good fruit of our efforts unless we train our eyes and our hearts to see. Choose to see your fruit and to celebrate your progress. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
  5. Rejoice in Renewal. All things are made new in Christ, and we can press reset at any moment by His grace. Remember to give glory to God and to thank Him for the refreshment we find in His presence!

 

 

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:5)

 

If you need help with pressing reset or with building your business overall…I invite you to attract your ideal clients and powerfully boost your business over the next 40 days! There is no need to reinvent the wheel. I have organized my knowledge and experiences in business into an implementable 40-day series of actionable daily steps, instructional videos and powerful worksheets. If you need a serious boost in business, I encourage you to take the next step by visiting  Purposeful Pathway Business Academy today!


Let’s Pray: Remarkable and Radiant Source of Renewal, we thank You for the new life we find in You. We thank You for the refreshment we find in Your living water. We thank You for the new creations You have made us to be. Help us to discern areas that need growth, and grant us the grace to press reset. We love you with every fiber of our beings, every moment of every day…and it is in Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

I Treasure Your Thoughts and Comments!

Strength in Being Stretched

Strength in Being Stretched

 

 

Strength in Being Stretched

Strength in Being Stretched

Image courtesy ponsuwan at www.freedigitalphotos.net

 

Purposeful Pathway is the haven for faith-based entrepreneurs. Part of my mission is equipping faith-based businesses with information that is practical, actionable and Scriptural.

The theme of this post is finding strength in being stretched!

Ah, stretching…each of us has experienced the sharp pain of stretching muscles. Being stretched by life circumstances, too, is rarely comfortable; yet there are few ways far better for growing and gaining strength than stretching. God often stretches us through the people and situations He places on our paths. We can also intentionally stretch ourselves in order to grow.

How exactly can we gain strength in being stretched? Let’s explore five actionable steps:

 

  1. Choose to lose. Choose to lose the comfort of the status quo. Yes, it feels nice to stick with the routine and to avoid shaking things up; yet, in order to maximize growth and joy, we must choose to let go of the current paradigm. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)
  2. Question the unquestionable.  Some things we take for granted as being perfect as is. These things could be our morning quiet time routine, our marketing habits, our friendships or our business goals. Yet we discover new visions and new energy when we choose to question the unquestionable. Write a thoughtful list of your many habits and routines; review this list and start questioning how you can improve, modify or even eliminate items.
  3. Break the boundary.  Having chosen to let go of the comfort zone and to question the unquestionable, you can now make steps to break old boundaries. Is your quiet time lacking in power? Increase the time you spend with God even if it means going to bed earlier at night. Are your marketing efforts bearing little fruit? Rethink your strategies, hire a coach or take a marketing class. Are some of your friendships dragging you down? Think about setting healthy boundaries and surrounding yourself with those who inspire you.
  4. Delight in discomfort. Having broken boundaries, you will most certainly deal with reactions both on an internal level and on an external level. Learn to rise above resistance and also delight in discomfort. The discomfort is a sure sign that you are growing and gaining strength. “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
  5. Give glory to God.  God is the giver of all good things, including strength. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) So give Him glory as you stretch yourself and as you grow!

 

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10           

 

If you need help with stretching for strength or with building your business overall…I invite you to attract your ideal clients and powerfully boost your business over the next 40 days! There is no need to reinvent the wheel. I have organized my knowledge and experiences in business into an implementable 40-day series of actionable daily steps, instructional videos and powerful worksheets. If you need a serious boost in business, I encourage you to take the next step by visiting  Purposeful Pathway Business Academy today!

 


Let’s Pray: Strong Savior, thank You for stretching us when we need to be strengthened. Remind us that we can do all things through You; remind us also that Your strength is made perfect in our weakness. Allow us to grow for Your glory that we may draw many souls to heaven and to Your heart. We love you with every fiber of our beings, every moment of every day…and it is in Your Name we pray. Amen.

 

I Treasure Your Thoughts and Comments!

Poem: Heartwarming Love

Wisdom of Winter - Inspirational Christian Poem by Caroline Gavin of Purposeful Pathway Christian Life Coaching

 

Heartwarming Love

Wisdom of Winter - Inspirational Christian Poem by Caroline Gavin of Purposeful Pathway Christian Life Coaching

Image courtesy Evgeni Dinev at www.freedigitalphotos.net

 

“For thus the LORD has told me, ‘I will look from My dwelling place quietly Like dazzling heat in the sunshine, Like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.’” ~ Isaiah 18:4

 

Cold it may be,

The winds may blow,

Yet wonderful the warmth

My heart does know,

 

Gray the skies,

Dark the clouds above,

Yet bright is the light

Of Your sweet love,

 

Wintry storms

May rage around me,

Yet calm I am

In arms of infinity…

 

Yes, cold it may be

In the world outside,

Yet warm I am

As in You I abide.

 

You, Lord Jesus,

Make summer the winter day

By the love You shine

On my pathway.

 

Your smile brightens

The dark winter sky,

Your song inspires

The birds to soar high,

 

Your love melts

The ice and the snow,

Your grace shows

The way I must go.

 

So I lift this song

To You, my King,

Yes, in every season

For You I sing.

 

I rejoice in the love

You endlessly shower,

In Your heartwarming graces,

In Your infinite power.

 

Though wintry storms

May rage around me,

Calm I am

In Your arms of infinity,

 

Though gray be the skies,

Dark the clouds above,

Bright is the light

Of Your sweet love…

 

Yes, cold it may be,

The winds may blow,

But Your heartwarming love

Is all that I know!

 

© COPYRIGHT 2014 Caroline Gavin

Heavenly is Jesus’ heartwarming love! How has it warmed your days and changed your life?

I treasure your Thoughts and Comments!

~*~

Want more joy for your journey? I offer 5 complimentary “Take Me to Transformation” consultations per month. Contact me via caroline@purposefulpathway.com to see if you qualify for this powerful session. Walk away with heightened clarity, renewed energy and a customized action step plan!

Poem: Always Sunshine

Free Image Field with Sun tungphoto

Always Sunshine

Always Sunshine

Image courtesy tungphoto at www.freedigitalphotos.net

 

“He dawns on them like the morning light, like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning, like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth.” (2 Samuel 23:4)

 

Whether the snow falls

Or the sun does shine,

I feel in my heart

A song divine,

 

A presence peaceful,

A joy everlasting,

A happiness heavenly,

A treasured blessing,

 

A bliss beautiful,

A hope to endure,

A faith forever,

A love ever pure,

 

Yes, no matter the weather,

No matter what may be,

I feel heavenly happy

As Jesus is with me.

 

So come what may,

Snow, sun or rain,

Come what may,

Joy, laughter or pain,

 

I will sing,

Yes, I will sing with my all,

Rejoicing in music

Of my Savior’s call.

 

I will live for Him,

For His Kingdom and glory,

Yes, I will live for Him

And for His~story.

 

For Jesus gives to me

A hope to endure,

A faith forever,

A love ever pure,

 

A presence peaceful,

A joy everlasting,

A happiness heavenly,

A treasured blessing…

 

Yes, He gives me

A song divine,

So no matter the weather

It is always Sunshine!

 

© COPYRIGHT 2014 Caroline Gavin

There is always Sunshine with Jesus! How do you celebrate the Eternal Sun?

I treasure your Thoughts and Comments!

~*~

Want more joy for your journey? I offer 5 complimentary “Take Me to Transformation” consultations per month. Contact me via caroline@purposefulpathway.com to see if you qualify for this powerful session. Walk away with heightened clarity, renewed energy and a customized action step plan!

Release to Receive

Release to Receive

Release to Receive

Release to Receive

Image courtesy Gualberto107 at www.freedigitalphotos.net

 

Purposeful Pathway is the haven for faith-based entrepreneurs. Part of my mission is equipping faith-based businesses with information that is practical, actionable and Scriptural.

The theme of this post is release to receive!

 One way to enjoy remarkable growth in our faith-based businesses is learning to receive. Our Loving Father desires to lavish us with blessings from His bounty. Yet how often do we stymie our receiving by clenching our spiritual fists? When we push too hard in our labors or when we cling too tightly to outcomes, we actually repel the act of receiving. Yes, it is important to plan, to give our best efforts and to be committed to highest results; yet it is equally important to release outcomes to God’s hands and to make space for grace.

How exactly do we release to receive? Let’s look at five practical yet powerful steps:

 

  1. Review. First things first: start with an honest review. Are there any areas in which you are pushing too hard or clinging too tightly to outcomes? Are there any areas in which you can open your hands to give more of yourself or your resources? Are there any areas in which you are spinning your wheels rather than seeking God’s grace? Ask God for His revealing light in these areas.
  2. Renew. Once you have reviewed, choose to renew these areas by God’s grace. Commit to Christ your desire to change; allow His Holy Spirit to spark the transformation.Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)
  3. Release. Having reviewed and renewed, it is now time to release. Release control of outcomes; release stress about success; release fear about finances; release perfectionism in your projects; release excess items in your environment; release unhealthy relationships in your heart; release your anxieties to God. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
  4. Receive. Having released, be ready to receive. Open the hands of your heart to God and to others by giving; in doing so, you open your heart to receive from God’s bounty. “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35)  And we know, as Jesus told us, to “give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)
  5. Rejoice. Remarkable are the love and providence of our Redeemer. Choose to rejoice in Him and in His grace! “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

 

Yes, release to receive…and rejoice all the while! I encourage you to be intentional in this practice for boosting your business and deepening your joy!

 

If you need help with releasing to receive or with building your business overall, I invite you to attract your ideal clients and powerfully boost your business over the next 40 days! There is no need to reinvent the wheel. I have organized my knowledge and experiences in business into an implementable 40-day series of actionable daily steps, instructional videos and powerful worksheets. If you need a serious boost in business, I encourage you to take the next step by visiting  Purposeful Pathway Business Academy today!

 


Let’s Pray: Remarkable Redeemer, we thank You for Your perfect provision. Help us to release that which hinders our love for You and for others; strengthen us to let go of that which is not for Your glory. We choose to release these things in order to receive Your goodness. We love you with every fiber of our beings, every moment of every day…and it’s in Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

 

I Treasure Your Thoughts and Comments!

Guest Post: What Does Your Silence Say?

What Does Your Silence Say?

Guest Post by Heart and Soul Health Coach Mike Fenton

 

     Have you heard the term actions speak louder than words? Often times our actions will convey our feelings more clearly than our words. One of those actions are what is sometimes called “the silent treatment” or “the cold shoulder”. What message are we sending out to others? How would you feel if it were happening to you? Silence may be golden at times, but not when someone is trying to communicate with you. In Mark 7:12 we are told “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets”. So if we would not like to have someone treat us that way we should not treat others as such. If we want others to listen to what we have to say, we should be listening to what they have to say.

How about taking time to talk things through if there is a misunderstanding, is that not a better solution than not speaking at all? It is written in John 13:34A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another”. There will be times when you have made the effort to talk things out, but have not received a response back, at least you have made the effort. The only thing left to do is pray and put it in God’s hands.

Silence does not always stem from a misunderstanding or argument, sometimes it comes from not paying attention when someone is trying to communicate with us. Often times we find ourselves pre-occupied with electronic devices like the I-phone, which now not only allows us to communicate, but to watch TV, play games, listen to music etc…

Being silent because we are too preoccupied with our electronic device sends another message all in itself. It has the potential to say, what you’re saying is not that important. When we are together with others (especially if we are with a loved one) we should leave the electronic devices to another time and spend time enjoying the company of others.

Lastly, think about what our silence says when we have not spoken to the Lord in a while. Take some time now as He is waiting to hear from us all.

Live Your Power: Freedom of Forgiveness

CarolineM.Gavin

Live Your Power Radio Show: Freedom of Forgiveness

 
 

 

I am tremendously grateful to have shared my journey with Jesus, how to live with joy and how to find freedom through forgiveness on Jenny Craig’s inspirational “Live Your Power” radio show!

Listen to the interview via Live Your Power with Christian Business Coach Caroline Gavin

 

Jenny Craig shares: Caroline Gavin is a Christian Business Coach, Speaker, Author and Radio Host. Her life path involved overcoming the dark depths of depression and the near-death of an eating disorder. She is now passionate about sharing hope, inspiration and joy in her journey. As a Christian Business Coach and the Founder of Purposeful Pathway Business Coaching, she helps faith-based entrepreneurs pave their vocational paths, live with purpose and walk with God’s way.

* 3D Vitality Health Coach Ann Musico and Purposeful Pathway Business Coach Caroline Gavin have linked arms to offer a 40-day program called Healthy Business, Healthy Body and Healthy Life! This powerful journey is very affordably offered at an introductory price of $27 through January 31st. Visit PurposefulPathway.com and click on the “Healthy Business, Healthy Body, Healthy Life” tab to learn more and to register for this amazing program at an amazing introductory price! 

 

* Purposeful Pathway Business Coach Caroline Gavin invites you to sign up for the free 7-week Journey to Joy. Rich with Scriptural insights, practical step-by-step guidance and poetic inspiration, the “Purposeful Pathway: Journey to Joy” workbook is a gift from Caroline when you sign up at www.PurposefulPathway.com

 

* Purposeful Pathway Business Coach Caroline Gavin invites you to join the 21-Day ATTRACT Clients NOW Challenge! If you are an entrepreneur desiring to change the world for good with the gifts God has given you and yet you are struggling to find clients consistently, embrace the opportunity to sign up for this free 21-Day Challenge today. Simply visit www.PurposefulPathway.com and click on the “21-Day Attract Clients NOW Challenge” tab to register. Caroline looks forward to working with you to attract more clients and to create a fun, fruitful and profitable business for you! 

 

* Purposeful Pathway Business Coach Caroline Gavin invites you to reach out to her for a complimentary “Boost my Business” session. She is excited to offer five sessions per month to qualified candidates. From this 25-minute session, you will walk away with clarity, renewed enthusiasm and a clear-cut customized action plan to boost your faith-based business; simply email Caroline via caroline@PurposefulPathway.com to learn more.