A REAL Relationship

     So many pastors and preachers teach through great sermons every week.  This morning's teaching is no exception from my pastor, Michael.  He's been doing a series on being "Remade" through Christ.  Total TRUTH in that.  And part of the calling for any pastor is to talk about the gospel of Christ - and how to believe, how to accept Him, and how to live out the life we're all called to - and what separates us from God is sin apart from Jesus.  Makes sense, sin is not holy and God does not allow anything unclean in His presence.  Jesus, however, ate with sinners.  He touched them.  He loved them.  He died for them. He remade them.

     I wanted to share how this relationship with Jesus is REAL for me.  We shared at a recent Work-Life Networking lunch about how some look at God like a father figure.  That didn't work for me simply because my earth-bound father relationship was non-existent.  And for me to accept that God was real in my life, I couldn't allow myself to fall in the trap of seeing Him in my realm.  Enter in Jesus.  Big brother Jesus.  The one who adopted me into the family - regardless of ME - my sin and all - I am in the family.  So, even sin no longer separates me from God.  Let me share.

     Jesus adopted me in the family.  NOTHING can separate me from God's love (Romans 8:38-39).  I can come before Him with confidence knowing He will show me grace, not condemnation (Hebrews 4:16, Romans 8:1).  He uses even my own rebellious sin for good (Romans 8:28).  Now, the apostle Paul writes to the Romans about grace and asks the question, "Should we go on sinning?"  Knowing that God forgives, God loves, God works it ALL out for good.  Well, to be a recognizable follower of Jesus - we should choose what is good...to not sin...and pray for help from the Holy Spirit to see that through.  But what happens when we DO sin?  We all fall short.  Everyday.  Do you give up?  Throw blame on circumstances or people?

     For me...that's when I go back to that foundation of Jesus' love, acceptance, and grace for me.  I may not immediately stop the sin that is causing grief and guilt.  But He still loves me, because He just does.  And when I confront that sin, confidently before the throne of grace, I feel like the image in this post - arms wrapped around me in a love so big it's indescribable.  And I am truly alive, living out a REAL relationship with the God of the Universe who created me for a purpose, a Big Brother who has saved me and brought me into a HUGE eternal family, and the Holy Spirit who breathes new life into me daily. I can come to Him for ANYTHING - good or bad, big deals or small frustrations, attitude issues, joyful dances, hurts and hopes, my desires or devastations - He's always there for me.  He listens, He guides, He saves my sanity and my heart. If you don't have a relationship like that, I'd be happy to share!

Video Tour of Great Real Estate for Sale....Mine :-)

The video tour of my house that's for sale through Schuler Bauer Real Estate.  The link for technical info is:  http://www.schulerbauer.com/property-search/detail/4/201200777/4640-west-cole-rd-salem-in-47167/

The Internet Is A Tempting Arena to "Spill It."

Ok.  Here's the situation in a no-detail nutshell.  I have SOMEONE who has made a request of me that I feel is completely uncalled for and none of their business.  This request was to take down one of my videos about a dog and his first fireworks.  Who could possibly want to deny the world the pleasure of watching a dog share his excitement about his first fireworks.  The video was completely about the DOG and HIS FIRST FIREWORKS - NOTHING to do with any ancillary people that happened to be in the video.  I LOVE this video - it's MINE.  It's purely entertaining because of the DOG. Hopefully, that's been clarified.

However.....

This is the part where it is so tempting to "spill it" on the internet.  Of course there's a backstory to this video request.  One I won't be sharing here simply because this whole thing is ridiculous and really does NOT INVOLVE ME.  But because I've received this request - along with a litany of other pointless syllables - it is really tempting to just tell the whole world how I feel about it.  And the internet provides the perfect venue.  But that would not be the wise thing to do.  Oh, there will be follow-up, but offline and in my usual way. 

What is a wise response when emotions run high?  What about when someone just simply offends you because of their views?  Do you ignore it?  Do you put a nasty comment on their status?  Do you message a litany of useless syllables hoping to gain a response in your favor? 

Why am I writing all this anyway?  Well, first to use the platform to make it clear that what I post is MINE and not meant to cause harm but enrichment to others' lives.  If it has offended - sorry, but I'm not retracting.  Second, to gently remind us all to take a pause before reacting online.  Breathe, think it through, then respond if necessary.  You may find that it's not necessary to jump into someone else's "drama party."

Mobile Lifestyle = Plans For The Future

No, that's not my cat.  However, that's exactly what my cat does on a regular basis nowadays.  See, I'm living a pretty mobile life lately.  My house is up for sale (check it out here & pass the word), and I am trying to transition to my friends' house.  Part of a master plan. In the meantime, I am using my suitcase a lot.  I already pack up my office every day to go out and make a difference. I have LOTS of tote bags and big purses that hold my laptop and notepads. 

During this transition, I am internet-challenged.  It's not set-up at home.  So I try to utilize all the wi-fi spots I can, and there are BUNCHES available.  Everything I do has to be done two ways: paper AND digital.  I use Google stuff, so it syncs with my phone.  And I double it on paper so if I can't get internet usage for a couple of days, I revert to paper, then update the digital. Redundant, maybe; stressful, definitely.  I'm just trying to make sure I don't miss anything.

Yesterday I had that magical hour open to sit on the swing and converse with God for a bit.  It was so refreshing to just sit and "be" with God.  I take full advantage of having God's ear and simply lay my heart out there.  I am pretty blunt and totally honest, helps to hear from Him in a genuine way.

So when I laid it out that I was feeling a little overwhelmed trying to deal with this "in-limbo" mobile state and actually be productive with my businesses, I received some interesting insight.  Think about it.  I know how to do business (2 of them) effectively from anywhere.  I know how to manage life from a suitcase.  I can adapt to different surroundings.  More consistent travel is in my future.  Arkham Executive is going national within five years!  And my Premier Jewelry business won't be far behind. Woohooo!!!  Now to work out the flexible plan...

I'm In The Summer Season

Spring has more than sprung around here - it pretty much feels like Summer out there today!  I did take advantage of it, all the windows open in the house, took a walk around the "lake," managed to NOT mow the yard - no gas for the push mower.  Now settling-in to THRIVE at GCC for the evening, checking my facebook updates and got this from one of our Premier Designs Jewelry Senior Leaders:

... From "An Enemy Called Average" by John Mason. By the way, go to Amazon and order the book. You will love it.

Here is what John says, "God is a God of seasons. 'To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven' Ecclesiastes 3:1. Distinctly different things happen in differe...nt seasons. There is a wintertime in God. It is a season of preparation, revelation and direction. It is also the time when roots grow. God wants to establish the right foundation in you during this season. But there is no harvest right now.

There is springtime in God. It is a time of planting, hoeing, and nurturing. In other words, hard work. God wants you to work your plan. But there is no harvest in springtime.

There is summertime in God. Summer is a time of great growth. Now is the time when activity, interest and people begin to surround your God-given idea. For all the activity of summer, there is only a minimal harvest. But then comes autumn.

This is God's harvest time. It is during this season that the harvest is reaped in much greater proportion than the work, activity or idea expended. But most people never make it to the fall. Often, they end up quitting along the way because they don't know what season they are in.

When you understand that God is a God of seasons, it prepares you to do the right thing at the right time. It inspires you to persevere to the Fall. God's Word is true when it says, 'Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up' Gal. 6:9 NIV)."

Getting More Done With FOCUS

Ok, ok...I haven't kept-up my personal blog very well lately. I have a few logistical challenges, but I have a way around those now. So here I am!

I wrote a posting for our Arkham Executive blog about calendar control (part one). This is something I have been a student of for more years than I care to admit.  There's always so much to fit into a day, like networking for business.

Yesterday was a great networking day.  Had a wonderful meeting in the morning over smoothies, then off to the Jtown Business Expo where I hung around the silent auction area guiding people to the things they really wanted to win.  I met a few new people, connected with others I knew, and caught up with those I hadn't seen in awhile.  For my business partner it was like coming home.  Then after that event, we still had No Rules Networking to host - during the March MADNESS.  Fox & Hound was PACKED with red, then blue depending on gametime.

Here's the kicker.  One businessman hovered around for a few minutes during the expo.  He waved, I smiled - then looked around cause I didn't think he was waving at me, I didn't recognize him.  Then he told he compatriot "I know that girl." I looked around again.  Nope, noone behind me.  "Hmmmmm, how does he know me?" I wondered.  Then he approached me, "Do you recognize me?"  "I'm assuming I should, help me remember from where."  So we started that timeline of events to see what matched up.  Turns out, we worked together 'back in the day' at WVEZ and WSFR radio in Louisville.  Roughly 19 years ago!!!!  Not exactly 20, no.  But close enough to make me feel old.

We'll be catching up over lunch sometime, and potentially doing business.  But that was a really cool moment to have someone recognize me and want to reconnect after so long.  It actually fed my ego a bit - I still look young  :-) .  And like sands in the hourglass...so are the days of our lives...(can you hear the music?) 

2012 Word For The Year

This time of year it's "the thing to do" to set a New Year's resolution.  Well, I quit doing that simply because it was the same ones over and over: lose weight, make more money, be a better person.  When my relationship with God went to a new level a few years ago, I adopted a new idea - Word for the Year.

The year I used "Flexible," I was given the opportunity to do something other than my corporate job.  Year after that was "Preparation." I received training to be an official Executive Coach.  Last year - "Simplify." Wow - lots of lessons learned with that one.  This year, my word is FOCUS.

Focusing on one thing at-a-time will make a huge difference in my life. I will focus on growing my businesses - the planning, the action of it, the relationship-building. I will focus on training new ministry team members.  I will focus on being fully engaged in my relationships - family, friends, and potential suitors (there might be one out there). I will focus on myself - my health, my look, my mind. Most importantly, I will FOCUS on God.  Seeking first His Kingdom, and all the rest will fall into place.

Learning New Ways...

Both of my businesses are very face-to-face relationship necessary. This requires me to drive roughly 100 miles a day. Most days include the trying-to-get-across-the-bridge experience.  Some go quickly, others not so much.  Take one morning not too long ago...

I headed to Louisville at the appointed time, giving myself an hour and 30 to get to my destination across the river.  However, I did not factor in the sprinkling of rain  Everyone moves slower in the rain - unless they're actually IN it then everyone's a sprinter. I take my normal route tempted to try a different way - maybe the stoplights won't hold me up too much.  Nah...stick with the original plan.  Well, I manage to get to the traffic parking lot about four miles from the bridge...about a hundred yards from the last exit to freedom.  Sheesh. 

So I reassess the situation.  My time is dwindling, my frustration is rising.  Maybe I should try the next exit and take the 2nd Street bridge instead.  Now, to do that, there are a few options off that exit.  I chose the unknown...I couldn't actually SEE the backup until I got into it.  Ok. No problem.  However, my bladder is now screaming for my attention.  It had already been my alotted hour & 30 with my morning Dew.  Not a good combination.  But that's the beauty of having a truck that can ride the shoulders.  All I could do at this point was laugh at the hilarity of it all.

After a short respite in the nearest restroom, it was back on the road again.  Willie Nelson wrote a theme of my life before I could drive. 

More choices. Again - I choose the slower route.  Not on purpose, it's just how it worked out.  More laughing.  Good thing I have a YouTube favorites playlist on my smartphone.

When I finally arrive at my meeting - thank God for a business partner! - I had an epiphany.  It was an illustration of many people's path to success.  We start out with that determined plan to reach a goal.  We have the timing, tools, everything in place, when all of a sudden the unplanned element throws us into a crossroads of choices.  We may have to change our plans to get to our desired goal.  We may have to take a detour along the way. We may have to make a pit-stop every now and then.  But with support (my partner to cover me), a good attitude (my perspective & YouTube motivators), and the resources (my trusty truck), my desired goal (the meeting) became reality.  Not necessarily in the way I originally planned it - but it happened. 

So for all of you with a goal: losing weight, taking your business to the next level, having a retirement fund, marrying that perfect someone, whatever that goal may be, be flexible along the way but stick to it. 

An amazing day ... can be found in the details

I had such a great day I just had to share it!


The morning started with a gloriously gorgeous sunrise.  A scene like that cannot be truly captured in a photo - and quite frankly, I just laid in bed with the cats and watched and thought.  Wonderful thoughts. 

Change scenes to one of my long-time traditions...Saturday morning cartoons!  I don't get too many Saturday mornings where I can relax on the couch (with my laptop now) and just watch cartoons.  Totally fun and totally outrageous!

Let's not forget breakfast!  Man.... (my roommate) Bill's son, Tom, turns 10 next weekend and he's here this weekend.  So in honor of Tom's pending birthday - a BIG breakfast/brunch:  biscuits & sausage gravy, bacon, cheesy eggs, and fried potatoes.  We were stuffed! 

Once that settled it was time to head out to work ON my Premier Designs High Fashion Jewelry business - not IN it.  I went to watch my "mama's" show.  It was so much fun meeting new ladies, playing in all her jewelry, and getting new ideas for my own shows.  The best part...she has some of the new holiday line!!!  That Buckle Up bracelet I'm simply in-love with?  She has it!!!  And did it ever look lovely on my wrist.  I've been on an "in-love" high all day. I'm using my free jewelry certificate from Premier to get that sucker!

 

Back home to spend some much needed time in the sun in my retreat area, worked out a bit, and updated my blog designs - among a few other things. Nothing major, but all the little things have added up to a pretty amazing day.   

More changes coming!

This is an official notice....I am Arkham Executive's Wonder Woman!  There's a whole story behind it.  Of which, I'll write more later.  If you are curious and can't wait...comment and I'll message you directly!  Better yet - let's TALK!