Poetic Inspirations and Practical Applications for Blissful Living

Adding Adventure

Adding Adventure

Adding Adventure

Adding Adventure

Image courtesy pat138241 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 adding adventure!

My prayer is that you are savoring the start of this New Year! These past few weeks have involved a lot of traveling and shifting personal situations for me, and some have labeled my life as full of “adventures.” I must say that I have to agree! As disruptive as these “adventures” may be on the surface to a business, they are rewarding in that they shift perspective and boost creativity. It is very easy in our faith-based businesses to get lost in the practicals; it is important to remember the power of adding adventure!

 

How do we add adventure? Let’s look at seven steps for doing just that:

 

  1. Be open to it. Decide that adventure is an important component of growing and stretching…and decide to embrace it as part of your business (and life) journey. If you view adventure as dangerous or frivolous, you will not carve the space and the grace for it.
  2. Determine what adventure is to you. Your idea of a healthy adventure may be completely different than mine. What is a good adventure to you? What does it look like? Feel like? Smell like? Taste like? Sound like? Write down in detail what your fun and fruitful adventures involve.
  3. Open your eyes. Once you have defined your adventures and have opened your mind to them, keep your physical, emotional and spiritual eyes open as well. God is gracious to give us opportunities, but we must be vigilant to see them and receive them.
  4. Don’t dismiss discomfort. Yes, you want the adventure and you have been looking for it…but do not expect everything to smooth sailing. It would not be an adventure if that were the case, right? Remember that the discomfort stretches us, challenges us and changes us…and all for the better if we allow it. “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)
  5. Find purpose in pain. You may find your adventures to have periods of pain far beyond simple discomfort. Others may resist your changes, you may feel unsettled with new scenarios, old wounds may come to the surface; yet purposeful is our pain when we remember that God only allows what is for our best and for His glory. Choose to see the purpose in the pain, and choose to embrace peace by seeking God’s Presence. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” (James 12:8)
  6. Find fruit in the fun. On the other side of the pain and discomfort is fun and joy. Learn to find the fruit in the fun. Grow in the midst of it. Be freed by it. Give glory to God in it. Allow fruitful fun to boost your Christ-centered creativity. “Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.” (Ecclesiastes 11:9)
  7. Add adventures while adding value. Add value to your business and to God’s Kingdom as you are adding your adventures. Share the wisdom, the treasures, the insights and the love that you have gained with your family, friends, followers, clients and colleagues. Beautiful, then, is the ripple effect of your remarkable adventures! “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16)

 

I encourage you to be intentional in adding adventure for boosting your business and deepening your joy!

 

If you need help with adding adventure 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: Awesome Adventurous Father, we dedicate all to You on our purposeful pathways. Help us, Divine Daddy, to add adventure for Your glory and for the blessing of others. Stretch us, change us, challenge us that we may become more and more like Christ. Allow us to enjoy fruitful fun for you, O Father. 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!

The Greatest Gift of All

Mike Fenton

The Greatest Gift of All

Guest Post by Heart and Soul Health Coach Mike Fenton

 

     As we grow, the things that we are grateful for continually change, for instance when we were children one of the greatest gift of all was the new sled, or doll; whatever Santa left for us under the tree.

     Then as we got older watching the innocence of Christmas through the eyes of our children was the greatest gift of all. There was/is nothing like watching a child wake-up on Christmas day to the wonder of Christmas.

     Then we reach a point in life when we learn and accept the greatest gift of all was given to us by the Lord Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He made on the cross, and through that sacrifice we were given the gift of eternal life.

      We should all think about giving during this blessed time of the year as we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. No matter how big or small the gift may be, we should think about what is written in Proverbs 18:16 which say “A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great”.

     Remember each of us is a gift in our own way and we all have something special to offer others. It is not how much we have to give, it is that we give. In Luke 21:3-5 it reads “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

     We need not concern ourselves about giving and being without for when we have faith we will never be without, the Lord SHALL provide. There are so many opportunities to give that cost us nothing but our time such as doing and being there for others. Volunteering helps others while at the same time provides us with the good feeling we get from helping others. You are a gift that is unique in many ways. Use your God given abilities to make a better life for someone else and enjoy the gift of giving.

 

 

     December’s Reflection – I have been gifted by God and I am going to share that gift with others in His holy name.

 

Mike FentonI am a certified health coach who inspires, empowers & helps people create desired lifestyle changes that will give them healthier alternatives to prescription medications. With my Total Wellness Health Coaching Program you can decrease and or eliminate your need for prescription medications. Your body is designed to heal itself! Contact me at mike@mikefentoncoaching.com to schedule a free health breakthrough session today.

Biz Tip: Make Room for Miracles

Make Room for Miracles

Make Room for Miracles

 

Biz Tip: Make Room for Miracles

 

Image courtesy Dan 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 making room for miracles!

So often in our faith-based businesses we rely on our own strength and intelligence and power. We plan and plan. We construct and control. We draw outlines and devise structures. Beneficial as it is to prepare, and it most certainly is, we still do well to leave room for miracles.

 

How do we make room for miracles? Let’s look at seven steps for doing just that:

 

  1. Embrace the unknown. Do you have a vision in your heart, yet you are not sure how it could possibly come to fruition? Rather than dismiss it, embrace it and smile. God has graced you with a beautiful vision for a reason, and He will pave your steps if you cling to Him with the hand of faith. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
  2. Take the next best step. Now that you have embraced (rather than dismissed) the “crazy” vision, it’s time to take the next best step. Is your dream, for example, to travel the world? Get a passport. Start a language program. Register for emails from travel web sites. Go ahead and take a step, the next best step, of faith.
  3. Be ready to redirect. Did you take a step and encounter a challenge? Don’t worry. Natural paths in the forest never unfold in a straight line. There are twists and turns, and these add to the mystery and the fun. Trust God to lead you, even if it means constant course correcting along the way.
  4. Expect varying visions. Expect your visions to change. God often directs only one step at a time; so too He often gives only one glimpse of a vision at a time. Your vision of a national ministry, for example, may evolve to a vision of an international ministry. Allow space in your heart for the visions to grow in God’s grace.
  5. Dedicate all to the Divine. As you are taking each step, keep Christ at the center of your path. Wherever you go, whatever you do, dedicate all to the glory of God. He will surely bless your steps. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
  6. Rejoice in your weaknesses. Stumbling along the way is inevitable. Yet our weaknesses, shortcomings and failures are the windows by which God demonstrates most powerfully His strength. Rejoice in your weaknesses, as they provide space for miracles.But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
  7. Marvel the miracles. Surely you will see miracles unfold if you faithfully apply the previous steps; marvel these miracles and lift praise to God. The more we give thanks, the more we behold God’s grace.

 

 

I encourage you to give space for grace and to make room for miracles. Surely your business will grow and your joy will burgeon.  “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” (Matthew 19:26)

 

If you need help with making room for miracles 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 Miracle Maker, thank You for the blessings You bestow on us. Grateful we are for the marvelous miracles You perform on our purposeful paths. Help us, Faithful Father, to make room for miracles and to make space for grace. We love You, and we desire to glorify You every step of the way. It’s in Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

 

I Treasure Your Thoughts and Comments!

Biz Tip: Finding Time Treasures

Finding Time Treasures

Finding Time Treasures

 

Biz Tip Finding Time Treasures

 

Image courtesy usamedeniz 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 how to find time treasures!

The holiday season is upon us, and we are eager to exchange treasures with one another. Yet, if you are like me and many other faith-based entrepreneurs, you likely find that time itself is a priceless treasure. But are time treasures beyond reach? Is having an abundance of time an off-limit luxury? Seemingly so sometimes, yet I promise that time treasures can be found when sought purposefully.

Let’s look at seven steps for discovering those time treasures:

 

  1. Cues and Clues. Areas of stress can serve as clues and cues to time treasures. Do you feel drained when you think about going to that weekly networking meeting? Do you feel overwhelmed when you prepare to attend a certain event? Do you feel conflicted when you partner with someone? Lean into these clues and learn from them.
  2. Investigate for Inspiration. Having uncovered some cues and clues, investigate your feelings about them. Why do you feel drained by that meeting? Is it because, on some level, you feel your time would be better spent elsewhere? Why do you feel overwhelmed by a certain event? Is it because you are not sure exactly how it fits in with your goals? Why do you feel conflicted about that business partner? Is it because your values are not aligned? “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3) Document your feelings and their potential sources.
  3. Commit to Change. Having uncovered cues and investigated feelings, you can make the powerful commitment to change. Recognize these flags as indicators of misalignment; be grateful for the cues, clues and feelings, and determine to shift things for the better.
  4. Document the Details. What changes will you implement? How exactly will you implement them? By what dates? Will you stop attending those meetings? If so, whom do you need to contact, and when?  Seek God’s guidance and document the details in your journal. The Lord promises us, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” (Psalm 32:8)
  5. Lean on the Lord. Expect challenges and resistance when you make changes. This phenomenon is completely normal; it is part of purposeful progress. The bigger the changes, in general, the bigger the challenges. Lean on the Lord for His strength. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” (Ephesians 6:10)
  6. Treasure your Time. Now that you have made changes and have uncovered time treasures, purposefully protect your treasures. Do not jump on saying “yes” to every opportunity. Do not feel obliged to accept every partnership. Do not feel burdened to move forward with every project. “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23) Guard your heart above all things; guard also your time.
  7. Savor moments with the Savior. Finding time surely bears fruit in business; yet the sweetest blessing is the opportunity to savor more moments with the Savior. Carve all the more time for Jesus and enjoy all the more your journey. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:1-2)

 

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17)

I encourage you to be a treasure-hunter for time. Discovering time treasures brings blessing to business and joy to the heart!

If you need help with finding time 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: Timeless and Treasured Father, we thank You for providing us abundantly with all things, including time. Help us, Loving Lord, to discover time treasures by investigating the cues You provide. Grant us the wisdom and the courage to change; help us to guard our hearts and our time that we may bear more fruit for Your glory every day. It’s in Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

 

I Treasure Your Thoughts and Comments!

Guest Post: Handcuffed to the Past?

“Are You Handcuffing Yourself to the Past?” by 3D Vitality Health Coach Ann Musico

 

In the posts before the holidays I talked more about cellular memory and stress and its effects on us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. According to many well-respected experts, including Dr. Bruce Lipton, beliefs and cellular memories are in control of our cells – not our DNA.  We also know that stress causes mutations in our cells – cell “suicide.”  There are all different types of stress – physical like injuries, accidents, surgeries, abuse; emotional like guilt, shame, fear and anger; and mental stress like worry, low sense of self-worth.

 

And we also know that stress is unique to each one of us.  What stresses me out may not even affect you at all!  But it all must be addressed internally.  You cannot solve your problem, regardless of what it is, outside yourself.  You cannot “blame” God or anyone else, even if they are the “cause” of the problem. 

 

So besides praying that Prayer of Transformation, possibly the most essential step is  http://www.impactministries.com/Resources/PrayerofTransformation.aspx forgiveness.  This is critical physically as well as spiritually.  Think about what we most often do when someone offends or hurts us – we feel that emotionally and unless the person comes to us and apologizes and we are able to release that offense, in order to “get over it” we bury it – we just ignore it in order to stop continually feeling it.  However, it’s not gone – it’s just hidden inside us. 

Dr. Jim Richards explained that the original meaning of the word forgive is to send away.  So let’s look at John 20:23 from the Amplified: “… if you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of anyone, they are retained.”  If I substitute Dr. Richard’s definition it reads:  “If you send away the sins of anyone they are sent away; if you retain the sins of anyone, they are retained.”  Obviously retained means they are held on to but it also means to give them mastery!  So you could say:  If you send away the sins of any, they’re sent away from you (!); if you retain them, then they have mastery over you.  Wow!  That is worth thinking about.

Well that hit me like a ton of bricks!  So we are to forgive or send the offense away – not ignore it, bury it or pretend it doesn’t bother us any more – because if we don’t send it away, our bodies assume we want to keep it. It has less to do with the person who hurt us than it does the feeling it causes us because whenever we get into a similar situation in the future, that buried feeling from the offense is triggered.   So, we are to send the offense away and to treat the person with “mercy” and wisdom – in other words, be more kind to them than they deserve but you don’t have to necessarily trust them or spend time with them.

Are there sins or offenses that have been committed against you that you have not sent away?

Guest Post: Raising Fruity Children

Dr. Traci Teasley

Raising Fruity Children by Dr. Traci Elizabeth Teasley

 

 

Children learn what we teach them.

 

When you hear the word “teach”, what image comes to mind?  You probably see a teacher in the front of the room imparting his/her wisdom to the students seated at their desks.  Formal school structures, such as this, are an extremely productive way to teach our children; however, do you know we also teach them by how we behave? My Pastor, Bishop Daniel Robertson, Jr.[i] says, “Some things are taught; some things are caught”, which means that our children absorb not just what we say, but also what we do.

 

All adults have influence on children, whether as a parent, neighbor, uncle, aunt, grandparent, coach, teacher, minister, community or business leader, so it is our collective responsibility to encourage the development of the skills children need to walk purposefully with the Lord.  One way to ensure they will learn is if we demonstrate these skills.  Children should not only see us reading our Bible and discussing God’s Holy Word, but applying His divine principles by loving each other, being patient with those we interact with, and exhibiting God’s joy in our conversations.

 

In the gospel according to Matthew, Jesus explained to His disciples that examples are more powerful than words:

St. Matthew 7:20 NLT

Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.

 

To encourage our children to “catch” our fruit, we will need to be positively productive in how we live and love; specifically, do we:

 

  • Smile and say “Please”, “Thank You” and “Excuse Me”?
  • Refer to God’s Holy Word when making decisions?
  • Resolve differences amicably?
  • Exhibit a Spirit of Thanksgiving?
  • Pray at home and our respective houses of worship?
  • Help others willingly and cheerfully?

 

Even though I do not have children of my own, I act as if I do because God’s children are all our children. It is my job (and yours too!) to bear the fruit of the Spirit so young people can truly understand that God is not only in Heaven, or just a mere abstraction, but resides in each of us through His Holy Spirit.

 

We all play a part in raising fruity children; the question is what fruit are we serving them? Love or Hate?

Remember, children learn what we teach them. They will exhibit fruit and what they catch from us is more than likely what they will display.

[i] Pastor of the Mt. Gilead Full Gospel International Ministries, Inc. of Richmond, VA: www.thebalmingilead.org.

~*~

Enjoy Caroline Gavin’s interview with Dr. Traci Teasley via the media player below:

 

Rise Above Resistance

Rise Above Resistance

Rise Above Resistance

 

Christian Business Tip Rise Above Resistance

Image courtesy M-Pics 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 how to rise above resistance!

Have you met up with resistance lately? Congratulations if you have! It has become radiantly evident in my journey and in my clients’ journeys that resistance will meet us when we are growing. The resistance often comes in two broad categories: internal and external. We will experience internal conflicts, as the part of ourselves that wants comfort and complacency will battle with the part of ourselves that is ready to grow for God’s glory. We often will face external resistance too, whether from people or situations. Our growth shifts the balance of things; this shift can be uncomfortable and threatening for others as well as for ourselves. Uncomfortable as these “growing pains” may be, it is important to embrace them as a natural part of the process. It is essential to rise above the resistance and to celebrate it as a God-given gift.

How exactly can we rise above resistance? Let’s look at seven ways:

 

  1. Accept Always. Accept at all times that pain is a part of the process of sanctification. “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12) Peter does not state “if” fiery trials will come, but rather “when.” Acceptance is a gateway to peace in the midst of pain.
  2.  Seek Christ’s Comfort. Resistance provides the wonderful opportunity to rest all the more in God’s arms and to seek His comfort. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) Present your prayers to God. Journal your feelings to Him. Write letters of heartfelt supplication. God will surely wrap you in His divine comfort. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
  3. Recall your Reasons. Recall the reasons why you have made changes. When I have made significant changes in my life, it helped tremendously to review journal entries and prayer logs to remind myself why I did. The reminders refresh the strength to rise above the resistance!
  4. Give Voice to Virtue. Should others disapprove of or criticize your changes, you can grow all the more in virtue by responding with truth and with grace. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.” (Proverbs 15:1-2) Resistance provides perfect opportunities to reflect God’s love.
  5. Eyes on the Prize. “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12) Keep your eyes on the prize, remembering that God rewards those who seek Him. He is faithful to exchange your cross for a crown if you remain faithful in the resistance.
  6. Pearls from the Pain. Journal your feelings and revelations in the process. Much we learn in the midst of trial, so be intentional about gleaning from the pain the precious pearls of wisdom. These pearls will serve not only to comfort you in future trials but also to comfort others.
  7. Grow in God’s Love. Resistance is a remarkable opportunity to grow in God and to grow in God’s love. “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” (Matthew 5:44) Thank God for the opportunities to exercise your faith and to abound in His love.

 

 

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,  and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)

God is gracious to provide resistance to build our emotional and spiritual muscles just as we use weight resistance to build physical muscle. Welcome the muscle-building opportunities, and delight in the fruit that comes with keeping faith.

If you need help with rising above resistance 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: Radiant and Risen Savior, we thank You for the opportunities to rise above resistance. We thank you for Your grace in converting crosses to crowns. We thank You for Your power to turn tears into songs of joy. Help us, Loving Lord, to rise above resistance in order to bring You glory. Tenderly hold our hands every step of this purposeful pathway. Is in Your Name, Jesus Christ, that we pray. Amen.

 

I Treasure Your Thoughts and Comments!

 

How to Accelerate with Action

Christian Business Tip How to Accelerate with Action

How to Accelerate with Action

 

Business Tip How to Accelerate with Action

Image courtesy Sura Nualpradid 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 how to accelerate with action!

All of us know that we must take purposeful action to reach our powerful goals, right? Yet how often do we stall, even unwittingly, in the progress on our pathways? I have seen this in my own life and in my clients’ lives. Are you experiencing any area of stagnancy or being stuck? I encourage you to take even one inspired action step in that area in order to accelerate your business…and accentuate your joy!

How exactly does action accelerate our businesses? Let’s look at seven ways:

 

  1. Creating Confidence. Action builds confidence. For example, a new coach may not have much faith in her skills. Yet, as she works with clients, she witnesses the results they bear time and time again. If she waited until she had strong confidence before enrolling clients, she may never start. Yet, in starting, she develops confidence. So don’t wait for confidence in order to do; rather do in order to build confidence.
  2. Strengthening Skills. What is more effective at strengthening your cooking skills: watching countless cooking shows or simply getting your hands dirty and actually cooking? “Hands-on” training is a powerful skill-builder. As much as I encourage my clients to be avid consumers of excellent content, we all know too well the “analysis paralysis” syndrome. Is there an area in which you are devouring information but stalling on action? I encourage you to stop the information overload and start applying what you have learned. “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” (James 1:23-25)
  3. Wielding Wisdom. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7) The Lord speaks to us when we love and revere Him. He speaks to us in His Word and through His Spirit. Often, too, He speaks to us when we are in action. I have learned some of the most valuable lessons by the actions I have taken and their corresponding failures or successes. Taking action not only reinforces what we know but also reveals to us new insights and inspirations.
  4. Jumpstarting Joy. Want to boost your joy? Delight in doing. Taking action shakes things up, shifts our perspectives, and shines light on the miracles of God’s moving hand. “They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” (1 Timothy 6:18-19)
  5. Discerning Direction. God often reveals to us only one step at a time on our purposeful pathways. Go ahead and take one step in the “Red Sea” of your life; the Lord will part the sea and lead your steps. It is prudent to pray for wisdom in your decisions, but do not stall so long that you avoid the direction-revealing power of action. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
  6. Propelling Prosperity. “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.” (Ecclesiastes 11:4) When we pause to watch the winds and read the clouds of life, we miss opportunities to sow seed and bear fruit. Sow your seed even when the winds are blowing and the skies are gray. God blesses the one who takes diligent and consistent action. “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.” (Proverbs 6:6-8)
  7. Honing Holiness. We are made righteous by our faith in Jesus Christ, yet we express our faith in our doing. “But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:18)  Acting upon our faith is an essential element of progressive sanctification.

 

“Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”  (1 John 3:18)

 

These are seven powerful benefits of taking action. You may wonder now what action to take? Start with the next best step, and you can learn exactly how here in another post. Is there an area in which you have been postponing action? Pause to pray and then accelerate with God-inspired action!

If you need help with taking action 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: Loving Lord, thank You for inspiring us with action that glorifies You. Thank You for teaching us Your perfect ways and for paving our paths. Thank You for blessing us with eternal fruit when we sow faithfully in Your Name. Bless our businesses and our lives as we choose to follow You every moment of every day. It’s in Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

 

I Treasure Your Thoughts and Comments!

Giving Thanks

Giving Thanks

Guest Post by Heart and Soul Health Coach Mike Fenton 

 

     At some point in our life we all have given thanks for something, and oh what a wonderful feeling it was. When we think about giving thanks there is so much to be thankful for of which the biggest reason of course is for the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross. It is because of that sacrifice we have the chance to be saved and enjoy heaven’s beatitude. That is why it is so very important for us to keep in mind and heed the words written in Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him”.

     Giving thanks allows us to feel good and makes us happy for it is then that we realize just how wonderful life is. For some it may take more, and for some less; the important part is to find something to be grateful for and give thanks. It can be the simplest of things such as, I thank you Lord for this new day or as it reads in Chronicles 29:13 “Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.”

     We find that the more we give thanks, the happier we are. Why? Because we are looking at the things in life we should be grateful for and by seeing and acknowledging the good basic things we have in life, it gives us strength, courage and wisdom to deal with the things that need change, the things that may be preventing us from finding inner happiness.

     There is also great happiness in helping others find things in their life they can be grateful for. By doing so we enable them to give thanks, and to experience personal happiness as well. Also by doing this we hope to create the desire in them to want to do more. Yes, giving thanks is contagious and once you experience its goodness you most certainly will want give thanks even more.

Acquired Tastes

Acquired Tastes in Business

 

Acquired Tastes in Business

Image courtesy PANPOTE 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 acquired tastes!

I admit it: sometimes my food choices raise eyebrows. I prefer whole foods and, generally, the simpler the better. So ordering a salad without dressing, eating raw veggies without dip and savoring brussel sprouts without butter are the norm for me. I didn’t, however, always taste the goodness in spring greens and the beauty of raw broccoli. These were acquired tastes, and I am sure you have many acquired tastes of your own!

Our acquired tastes exist not only in the food arena but also in the business arena. Many things that were once distasteful become the “tastiest” and healthiest treats of business.

Below are seven healthy tastes to acquire in business.

  1. Remarkable Resistance. How can we learn to relish resistance? By recalling that resistance opens the most remarkable doors! So go ahead and smile when you sense resistance. Know that you have come face to face with an opportunity for phenomenal growth and bountiful reward.
  2. Uniqueness of you. The more we appreciate being uniquely ourselves, the more we bless others and bring glory to God. Yet this is not a “taste” that comes naturally. Our natural tendency, rather, is to fit in and to avoid rocking the boat. Choosing to be boldly you for God’s glory is choosing to be blessed. So go ahead and be true to the uniqueness of you!
  3. Marvelous Marketing. Ah, marketing. Who can enjoy marketing? After all, isn’t it lacking humility to bring attention to ourselves? In certain situations, yes. Yet it is also lacking humility to not share our gifts due to fear of others’ judgments. A self-conscious shrinking back stems from pride. When we market from a space of love and adding value, however, we provide life-changing opportunities to those whom we touch.
  4. Sales calls. Sales calls are oftentimes the culmination of our marketing efforts. These are the moments in which our potential clients either say “yes” or “no” to God-honoring growth. If our products, programs or services are gateways to transformation, the sales call is of utmost importance and impact. The more we practice asking for business for the benefit of others, the more we grow comfortable with it…so it’s time to savor those sales calls!
  5. Public speaking on purpose. Are we really, as statistics seem to say, more afraid of public speaking than of death? Scary as it may be initially, public speaking is a powerful way to present our messages and solutions to larger audiences. The secret to public speaking confidence? Practice. Start with small groups and move up from there. Lean into your fear and step onto the stage!
  6. Teaching as a tool. Teaching is a tremendous tool in business. We enrich our clients and following, and we enrich also ourselves in the process. Yet teaching does not always come naturally. We sometimes feel inadequate to teach others, particularly those who have more credentials or degrees or status. We must remember, though, that God has placed on our hearts a special message and in our lives special experiences. Each of us is equipped to teach others in one area or another. Refusing to teach is, in essence, refusing to grace others with the wisdom God has freely given us.
  7. Reaping the reward. It seems this would be an easy one! After all, don’t we naturally embrace rewards? In a word: no! We often feel selfish when we are paid for our gifts. If we enjoy something so much, we ask ourselves, how can we charge others for it? It is important to remember that our clients enjoy far greater success when they are invested in themselves. A client enrolled in a program for free or for a minimal fee, for example, will not be nearly as committed as the one who has paid the full fee. Would you be more likely to perform the activities and to get results if you paid $1 for a program or $1,000 for that same program? We must also remember that it is fair and just to be rewarded value in exchange for the value we give. “Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.” (Romans 4:4) Additionally, compensation allows us to continue to sharing our gifts. If we are not compensated, our faith-based businesses will close and the sharing of our gifts will cease on a number of levels. So, yes, acquire a healthy taste for the reward!

 

Bonus Step: Give glory to God in both good and bad, in both the savory and the unsavory. After all, He is the One who brings the triumph from the trial, the opportunity from the obstacle and the crown from the cross! He is the One who tailors our healthy tastes and Who provides true transformation.

“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)


If you need help with acquiring tastes 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. Faithful Father, we seek Your favor in our businesses, our ministries and our lives. Help us to acquire healthy tastes; help us to honor You in all we do. We trust You that we will reap rewards if we do not grow weary of doing good. We cherish every precious step of this purposeful pathway with You. It is in Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

I Treasure Your Thoughts and Comments!