Poetic Inspirations and Practical Applications for Blissful Living
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Never Say Impossible

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  [Purposeful Pathway Radio] Never Say Impossible

I am excited and honored that the inspirational Myra Goldick shared on Purposeful Pathway Radio! Myra overcame a childhood laced with racial discrimination, poverty and disability. As a child completely paralyzed by polio, Myra was told she would never walk again and that living with it was her only option. Myra decided to fight for her physical and emotional survival. Through passion, perseverance, artistic creativity and God’s grace, she rose above adversity and developed a life full of love, family, success, accomplishment and prosperity.

Today Myra is the host of the ‘Never Say Impossible’ radio show and ‘The Dancing On Our Disabilities’ show. She is an author, a speaker, and a professional artist. Her mission is to motivate, inspire, share other people’s successes and engage the audience through thought-provoking communication.
Join us as Myra shares how to Never Say Impossible via [Purposeful Pathway Radio] Never Say Impossible with Special Guest Myra Goldick  or via the media player below.

Bountiful blessings on your purposeful pathway!

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Nov 13, 2013 By Vocation / Career / Calling 2 Comments

Acquired Tastes

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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!

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Nov 11, 2013 By Spiritual Growth, Vocation / Career / Calling 9 Comments

Finding Your Voice

Purposeful Pathway Radio
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Finding Your Voice on Purposeful Pathway Radio

I am excited and honored that Author Joel Boggess joined Purposeful Pathway Radio today!

Joel Boggess is the author of Finding Your Voice and also the host of Finding Your Voice Radio. With the heart of a teacher and the patience of a friend, Joel blends his educational experience together with a passion for helping others to realize their God-given potential.

Join us as he shares how to pave a purposeful pathway by finding your voice via   [Purposeful Pathway Radio] Finding Your Voice with Special Guest Joel Boggess  or in the media player below.

 


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Nov 6, 2013 By Vocation / Career / Calling Leave a Comment

Next Best Step

The Next Best Step: Business Tip
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The Next Best Step

 

The Next Best Step Business Tip

Image courtesy Evgeni Dinev 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 taking the next best step!

Have you ever been overwhelmed with a “big thing” to do in your business? Perhaps it is writing a book or creating a program or filming videos? Overwhelm can stymie our progress far more than we realize. Seemingly valid reasons to procrastinate incessantly plague us. We then lose ourselves in a long list of good activities rather than focusing on the few best activities.

So how can we get unstuck? How can we overcome overwhelm? Simple as it may seem, I cannot emphasize enough the power of taking the next best step. So powerful that I share now seven steps for taking that one step!

  1. Be clear about your big ideas. Write down your list of looming big to-do’s. What exactly are they? Define them clearly on paper. This “letting go” from the mind onto the paper in itself brings peace, as clinging mentally to many ideas drains precious energy.
  2. Embrace the one and only. Yes, choose one – and only one – big idea for the time being. You will re-visit the other ideas in due time, but choose the one that God has placed most strongly on your heart. We can expect to climb over many ant hills in a single bound, but not so with mountains. Choose then your one “mountain” and commit to climbing it.
  3. Figure out the one for the one. What is the one next best step for this one mountain? Is it writing an outline for the book? Creating a draft of the program? Figuring out how to use your video camera? Making a list of potential joint ventures? Determine the one next best step.
  4. Plan but do not perfectionize. Yes, you will need to plan the consequent steps ahead, but do not get stuck in the mire of perfectionism. Take that first step. Make that book outline; it’s only a draft. Write that list of partners; you can revise it later. Take out that video camera; you will learn as you go. At all costs avoid the time- and energy-wasting perfectionism trap.
  5. Keep on keeping on. Once you take the next best step, imperfect as it may be, keep up the momentum. Plan your next steps with clarity and start to walk through them with confidence.
  6. Delight in discoveries. Open your eyes, your mind and your heart to remarkable revelations. God reveals our next steps when we are in motion. For example, as I was re-writing one of my programs recently, God revealed the need to create a book in part with its contents. It was only in the motion of doing that I was able to see.
  7. Savor each step. Choose to savor each step of the purposeful pathway. In doing so, you will discern God’s direction, hear His voice and delight in His presence. Big ideas can often lure us with the promise of happiness in their completion. The truth is, however, that the joy is in the journey. Blessed we are when we embrace the beauty of being with God every step.

 

 

Oftentimes God reveals only one “next best step” at a time, so it is critical for us to stay in movement. Yes, we are called to prepare and plan, but we must be open to God’s perfect way. He may lead us in the most unexpected direction.

So be bold for His glory and take that next best step on your pathway!

 

If you need help with taking the next best step 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. Divine Director, we thank You for the precious steps You pave on our purposeful pathway. Help us, Father, to discern our next big project and to take the next best step. We choose to savor every step and to delight in Your Presence that we may appreciate Your perfect peace. We love You, we glorify You and we commit all we do unto You. It is in Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

I Treasure Your Thoughts and Comments!

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Nov 4, 2013 By Spiritual Growth, Vocation / Career / Calling 7 Comments

Shaking Things Up

Shaking Things Up - Business Tip by Business Coach Caroline Gavin
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 Shaking Things Up

Business Tip Shaking Things Up

Image courtesy stockimages 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 shaking things up!

God has been gracious to remind me that business and life are intimately interrelated, just as are the mind and body and spirit. A shift in one area creates a shift in all areas.

When we experience stagnancy in business, “shaking things up” not only on the business front but also in the personal front can bear amazing business fruit. We see new opportunities, our creative juices flow and our joy begins to burgeon.

How can we shake things up to boost our faith-based businesses? Here are seven practical and powerful ways.

  1. Drive a new route. Take the scenic way. Dare to get lost. Savor new sights. Discover new territory. Experience new beauty. This seemingly small step can provide a powerful boost in creativity and joy.
  2. Find new foods. Be intentional about buying new a food every time you shop. Go ahead and buy that vegetable with the tongue-twisting name that you have yet to try. Look up ways to prepare it. Pick out that exotic fruit. Experiment with that recipe that has long intimidated you. Treating the taste buds opens up the “taste” of the heart to new ideas and insights in all areas, including our businesses.
  3. Have fun with furniture. Create a new perspective by moving your desk, your couch or your dining room table. Moving furniture is an effective yet inexpensive way to create a new look and inspire a new view.
  4. Donate with delight. Letting go of things is a powerful way to shake things up and bust through stagnancy. Bless others in giving them what they need by donating what you no longer want. “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” (Proverbs 19:17)
  5. Be a tourist in your town. Walk the scenic trails, explore the state forests and preserves, and visit the historical sights. Being a tourist in your town or city opens your eyes to the treasures in your own back yard (and in your own business).
  6. Connect the dots. Reconnect with old friends and connect with new ones. Relationships are remarkable sparks for joy and creativity…and wonderful windows to opportunity!
  7. Wonderfully worship. Find new ways to worship the Lord. Take your quiet time to a mountain top. Infuse your devotionals with music. Sing the psalms. Dance with delight before Jesus. Finding new and wonderful ways to worship deepens your gratitude, increases your blessing and strengthens your connection with the Almighty!

 

We are created to flow and to be in movement. “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8) So go ahead and shake things up to inspire your soul!

 

If you need help with “shaking things up” 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 call on You to rekindle the creativity in our lives. Help us to shake things up as we follow the lead of Your Spirit. Help us to open our eyes to new sights, our minds to new insights, our hearts to new inspiration. Fill us, Father, to overflowing with Your Spirit that we may bring glory to You in all we do. We savor every step with You on this purposeful pathway. It’s in Jesus’ Name that we pray. Amen.

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Oct 28, 2013 By Vocation / Career / Calling 9 Comments

Effective Facebook Marketing

Effective Facebook Marketing
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Effective Facebook Marketing

All You Do Christian Poem

Image courtesy Kromkrathog 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 effective Facebook marketing!

Social media can be a very powerful medium for marketing.  Yet social media can also drain a lot of time and energy from an entrepreneur if there is no clear-cut plan.

How can you leverage social media, specifically Facebook, for your faith-based business?

  1. Use consistently a Facebook page in addition to a profile. You can most certainly build relationships via a profile, but Facebook pages include analytics and applications that profiles do not have. Friends can become jaded when they see too many marketing posts on a personal profile, but they expect enriching business-related information on a page.
  2. Build a fan base you will be excited to serve. Building a fan base is not an end in itself. Thoughtfully build a base of potential ideal clients. Offer something compelling for free, such as eBook or an exclusive interview audio; think of your ideal client when you create this offer. What does he or she need most? Build an opt-in form for this offer on your Facebook page; you can then deliver the gift via email and consequently stay in touch. The benefits are twofold in this situation: you attract potential clients to your page, and you build your mailing list. Both allow you to nurture relationships.
  3. Keep an engaged page. One method for increasing engagement is by liking fan pages that your ideal client would like; do so using your fan page. For example, if you are a health coach, your ideal client may like pages for weight loss tips, health clubs, health food stores, wellness centers and healthy recipes. In terms of connecting with local clients, look for local venues and local pages. Once you have liked these pages, consistently engage with the posts from these pages (commenting from your page rather than your profile); doing so will allow the followers of these pages to see your page and also potentially like and engage on your page.
  4. Host joint ventures and offer special promotions with owners from other pages. Doing so allows all page owners to expand their followings.
  5. Build relationships with your personal profile too. Join groups that attract your ideal clients and actively participate by sharing your posts and promotions in these groups. You can also befriend local media, community organizations and local businesses.  In sharing their posts, you will be a rich resource for your ideal clients.
  6. Do not forget Facebook ads. Although there is a cost involved, Facebook ads can be very effective and can provide a great return on investment. Before you invest in Facebook ads, clarify your ideal client demographics and also create a compelling ad with an irresistible offer.
  7. As with all marketing, put yourself into your clients’ shoes. What are they thinking? What do they need? With whom are they talking? What is their biggest problem expressed in their words? How can you bring value to them? Before you sign onto Facebook or social media in general, pray about providing what your ideal client most needs to receive from you. The more we step out of ourselves and into the heads and hearts of our clients, the more we attract them and the more we are able to serve them.

 

The mission of our faith-based businesses, after all, is to serve others and to glorify God with the gifts He has given us! These seven steps for effective Facebook marketing will allow Facebook to be one avenue in which you are able to do just that.

 

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11

 

If you need help with Facebook marketing 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, You created us to be in relationship with us. How blessed we are by Your love for us. As we build relationships with others, help us to do so always from a space of love and service. Help us, Father, to glorify You in all that we do. Bless every step of our purposeful pathway. It’s in Jesus’ Name that we pray. Amen.

I Treasure Your Thoughts and Comments!

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Oct 21, 2013 By Vocation / Career / Calling 1 Comment

Biz Tip: Letting Go with the Leaves

Business Post: Letting Go with the Leaves
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Letting Go with the Leaves

Letting Go with the Leaves Christian Business Tip

Image courtesy James Barker at www.freedigitalphotos.net

 

Autumn is to me a sacred and special time of year. The beauty of the trees seems to culminate in a remarkable rainbow of color. The winds stir the soul with precious promises. The cool weather inspires deep introspection.

In watching recently the leaves dance from the trees, I was reminded of the wisdom in nature. Although the leaves are at their peak of beauty, the trees let go of them. The trees let go simply because it is time to let go.

These very leaves dancing in the Autumn breeze will fertilize the winter ground and become the substance for springtime leaves to grow. So much we can learn from this beautiful cycle. How important it is for us to let go, for in doing so we nourish our roots and encourage new growth.

How can we apply the awesome wisdom of Autumn in our faith-based businesses?

  1. Enjoy precious moments to ponder. Sit still in God’s presence. “He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’” (Psalm 46:10) Hear His wisdom. Heed His voice. Harken to His call. Bask in the sunshine, watch the leaves dance and feel the invigorating winds. Allow the rhythm of the seasons to stir your soul. “He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.” (Daniel 2:21)
  2. Request of God what needs to be released. What items? What relationship? What resentment? What activity? What goal? What desire? What habit? “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5) Journal the wisdom you gain from Jesus when asking these questions. Document these discoveries without judgment. List everything from a space of love.
  3. Commit to let go with the leaves. Preferably in an inspiring space, commit to release these various things just as the leaves are released to Autumn winds. Place all in God’s hands.
  4. Prepare with a plan. Create a plan for this release. For example, how will you release the items? Donate to a charity? Sell on eBay? Host a garage sale? How will you release an unhealthy relationship? Does doing so require a letter? A conversation? Or simply a shift in your perspective? How will you release the activities? The habits? The desires? Create plans with time-lined steps.
  5. Follow through with faithfulness. Move forward with your plans by leaning on your Father. Expect discomfort in the process; yet expect also divine comfort to follow your heartfelt prayers. “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) Letting go provides breathing space for healing and growth. Release engenders rejuvenation, revitalization and refreshment. Surrender brings sublime peace.
  6. Wait with wonder. Wait on God to bring about the phenomenal fruit of lovingly letting go. “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) Document this fruit in your journal.
  7. Rejoice in your release. You will notice beautiful breakthroughs in life and business when you lovingly let go. Rejoice in this fruit and give glory to God!

 

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

 

If you need help with this powerful process…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. Through October 15th this program will be offered at the incredible introductory price of $27. 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 rely on you as we release according to Your will. Grant us Your wonderful wisdom, pave our purposeful paths and shed Your luminous light. Give us strength to let go in order to lovingly embrace Your will. Allow us to bear remarkable fruit from this release for Your glory. It’s in Jesus’ Name that we pray. Amen.

I Treasure Your Thoughts and Comments!

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Oct 14, 2013 By Spiritual Growth, Vocation / Career / Calling 3 Comments

Wisdom Wednesday

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[Purposeful Pathway] Wisdom Wednesday

 

I am excited to announce that Wisdom Wednesday launches tomorrow!

 

 

As the Purposeful Pathway Radio host, the founder of Purposeful Pathway Business Coaching and also the Author of Purposeful Pathway: Your Journey with Jesus, Purposeful Pathway: Journey to Joy and 7 Steps for Life on PURPOSE, I find tremendous joy in helping others live on purpose!

The “Wisdom Wednesday” segment on Purposeful Pathway Radio provides a forum to answer your questions on purpose, business, faith and life.

Do you have a question that you would like answered on Wisdom Wednesday? Perhaps about attracting clients? Using social media? How to integrate your ministry with your business? How to master the work-life balance? How to walk more intimately with God? Contact me via  caroline@purposefulpathway.com to have your question featured in future shows. If your question is among those selected, I am happy to share your brief bio and your web site link to give exposure for your business or ministry!

Enjoy the launch of “Wisdom Wednesday” tomorrow, October 2nd, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time via [Purposeful Pathway Radio] Wisdom Wednesday.

I welcome you also to enjoy all episodes of Purposeful Pathway Radio for free on iTunes here.

God’s graces to you on your purposeful pathway!

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Oct 1, 2013 By Vocation / Career / Calling Leave a Comment

Biz Tip: Rejoicing in Rejection

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Biz Tip: Rejoicing in Rejection

Christian Biz Tip Rejoicing in Rejection

Image courtesy Sura Nualpradid at www.freedigitalphotos.net

 

Purposeful Pathway is a 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 rejoicing in rejection!

We’ve all been there. Perhaps a book manuscript was turned down. A potential client does not move forward. We are not picked for a project.

There’s no way around it. Rejection happens. And, strong as we may be, rejection can sting. For good reason too: God wired us to want to belong. He designed us to desire love. He created us to crave companionship and community.

Yet our healthy distaste of rejection can turn into an unhealthy discouragement. So how can we flip disfavor to favor? How can we rejoice in rejection?

Here are seven steps to rejoice in rejection in order to boost a faith-based business:

  1. Accept that rejection happens. No matter how beautiful, kind, godly, gifted and loving you are, rejection will happen. So, when it does happen, remember that it is not personal but rather inevitable. Simple as this step may seem, it is the powerful foundation for rejoicing in rejection.
  2. Dig deeper. Examine the particular rejection. Could it have stemmed from miscommunication? Misaligned interests? In digging deeper, you can determine the source of the rejection. Very often what we experience as rejection is nothing more than not experiencing a good fit. A pair of shoes can be absolutely beautiful and exquisitely made, yet these shoes will not fit every pair of feet. In digging deeper we uncover the reality…which, more often than not, is not true rejection.
  3. Look upon the Lord. No one was more rejected than Jesus. “He was despised and rejectedby men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” (Isaiah 53:3) Rejection is a remarkable opportunity to unite your suffering with Jesus’ that you may also know His joy. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) Remember also that, no matter how rejected you may be by man, you are loved limitlessly by God. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
  4. Ask God to reveal the purpose of the rejection. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, whohave been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) If you encounter rejection, it follows that God allowed it for your highest good. Prayerfully request enlightenment regarding the purpose of this rejection. Perhaps it exists to lead you in another direction? To protect you from harm? To heighten your awareness? If God does not reveal the specifics, trust His perfect way to experience peace. “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)
  5. What is the remarkable resolution? Trials are the perfect pruners. “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:2) Painful as trials may be, they ultimately produce more fruit for our Father. What can you do to turn your rejection into a remarkable blessing? Can you strengthen your skills? Practice your persistence? Pursue a different venture? Extend your comfort zone? Give glory to God by rejoicing in trial? Be chiseled more into the likeness of Christ? The closing door of rejection is, on the other side, the opening door to new growth and experience.
  6. Walk with wisdom. With the wisdom gained from step five, move forward to convert the rejection to a remarkable blessing. Document specific action steps, walk them out accordingly and document in your journal the fruit of your labor. “I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.” (Proverbs 4:11-12)
  7. Rejoice in rejection. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) God commands us to rejoice always. He would not command this if it were not possible. Rejection is a wonderful opportunity to commune more closely with Christ, dig more deeply for answers and to rejoice more radiantly in Jesus! Remember, God not only loves and accepts you, He delights in His relationship with you. So, yes, rejoice in rejection – and, even more so, in your relationship with the Lord!

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 12:4)

 

I am excited for you as you transform obstacles to opportunities in your business!

Would you like to boost your business through a proven system 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. I invite you to enjoy this home study version of Purposeful Pathway Business Academy! Also, through October 15th this program will be offered at the incredible introductory price of $27. 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. Lord God, You who were rejected and despised by men, thank You for allowing us to rejoice in rejection. Thank You for converting our crosses to crowns. Thank You for transforming our trials to triumphs for Your glory. We choose to rejoice in rejection, Remarkable and Radiant Son, for we know You work all things for our highest good. We love You with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength. It’s in Jesus’ Name that we pray. Amen.

I treasure your Thoughts and Comments!

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Sep 30, 2013 By Vocation / Career / Calling Leave a Comment

Overcoming Obstacles

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Overcoming Obstacles is only hard…not impossible.

Guest Post by Michael De Rosa

Overcoming ObstaclesI write from experience, having endured many years with a severe speech impediment which quickly mushroomed to my isolating from conversations because of the ridicule from my peers for talking so funny.  Overcoming obstacles at this point in life was not even on the radar!

So I can, at least, begin to understand others with disabilities and their own struggles in overcoming obstacles.  You and I may not have the same problems, but one thing that I do know is that the there are some tried and true methods that I have found that can help you as well.

Support

First, I had lots of support.  I was blessed to have a family that wanted my best and they sent me off to various schools/programs whereby I would learn to talk well.  That took about 15 years!  If you don’t have the support from your family, don’t despair.  There are many other ways to get the support.

  • look online for ‘support groups’
  • talk with your doctor about your desire to improve your life
  • talk with your friends
  • Call the local social agencies

Support is invaluable, and can be much less inexpensive that counseling or medications, both of which are not necessarily to be shunned!

Perserverance

You can not forge ahead unless you really want to move.  Unless you ‘own it’, you won’t go far.  Don’t measure your progress in years, but narrow it down into smaller chunks of time.  For me, overcoming the obstacle of differentiating between my ‘th’ and ‘t’ sounds was the first goal.  Under the direction of my first speech teacher, my parents made me say table grace for each of our meals.  This grace had a lot of “thank you, Lord’s”.  At first, I struggled and the food probably became colder than I realized because it took me so much time to get through the grace.  But I made it.

Today, I talk a lot, and people really have a hard time believing that I was ever shy.  Well, overcoming this obstacle was not done for others, but for me, because I know that I have a message to share with others, and I will not allow a speech impediment to stop me.

The Goal

Perseverance is important, but you have to know why you are hanging in there!  So, what is your goal, your reason in overcoming obstacles in your life?  My goal is to continue to help people with disabilities live life to the fullest.

For the past couple of years, I have been keeping the principle of ‘beginning with the end in mind‘ (Steven Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People)  before me.  It has not been easy.  Rather my journey as been akin to swimming upstream against some pretty strong current;  it has, though, been very rewarding.

The Bible, too, addresses the importance of goals:

Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:12

I would recommend that you have a long term goal, but also mini goals/ mileage markers as you press in on your journey of overcoming obstacles in your life.

I have created a worksheet, SMART Goals, that you might want to get.  It is designed to help you become realistic with your own goals as you continue to work on overcoming obstacles in your life.

 

Michael De Rosa is a disability advocate, and the strength of his advocacy is God’s love for him through Christ. Because of who God created him to be, he easily sees the proverbial glass as always half full. As an advocate for the disabled, he wants them to see their value and then be able to communicate this to others. At birth, he had a very serious speech impediment. Because of what he has learned and because of where he has come from, he identifies with the disabled population, wanting for them what he has found, namely hope beyond disability. He currently leads a discipleship class at his local church in which he has the blessed responsibility to help others understand better what it means to follow Christ.
Join us as he shares hope for healing — and how to dismantle disabilities – on Purposeful Pathway Radio via http://www.blogtalkradio.com/purposeful-pathway-radio/2013/09/25/michael-derosa-on-dismantling-disabilities!
 
 
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Sep 21, 2013 By Vocation / Career / Calling Leave a Comment

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