Deneen Troupe-Buitrago

Grow from your overflow

Personalized Faith Plan

P.R.A.Y.E.R.

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Prayer, What does it mean to you when you hear the word? Do you see yourself kneeling in church, lifting your arms toward the sky, or holding hands in a group? What does it mean to Pray without ceasing? How can Prayer help your life and your business?

PRAYER is-

Purposeful. Research shows that prayer is a powerful tool for self-control; making you a nicer person; increasing your ability to forgive; increasing trust; and, offsetting the negative effects of stress. But you probably don’t need to hear this. You know that prayer and praying are good for you, right?

And, prayer is part of your planning process. In the Bible, we learn that God used Rahab, a woman with a questionable reputation, to be part of the lineage of Jesus. She trusted God when she didn’t even know Him yet. She started with a Plan. Her thoughts were her prayers. She wanted to save her family, she wanted a different life, and God redeemed her through her Planning.

Make your prayers purposeful by bringing all your plans to God.

 

Real. Talk to God in the way you would talk to a friend. God wants your vertical relationship with Him to be your most intimate. How do you connect with people in the world? Through conversation, right? When we open up to God and are honest with ourselves before Him, then we are being real.

Our deepest need is that soul longing connection with God. In a conversation with a friend there needs to be authentic communication. Guess what? It works the same way when you are talking to God. He invites you to spend time with Him. You have to agree to have real connection with Him through prayer.

Charles Spurgeon said, “You learn to pray by praying.” That is the best communication practice you have that makes connection with God Real.

 

Adjustment. We are all following a path in this life. Some paths are straightforward while others meander in different directions. No matter where they go or how they are travelled we are each on our own path. It is okay. Galatians 6:4-5 says, Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

God wants us to align with Him for our success. He will give you the vision for what He wants you to do. AND you know what? He also equips you to do what He is calling you to do. By staying in communication with Him through daily prayer you stay close to Him, know His will, and have no fear for the adventure.

Prayer can look different too. Find a way to pray that helps you connect to God. (For me it is using my colored pens & pencils in my Journal.)

 

Yielding. God’s will for you is better than you can imagine. The vision you have for your business was put there by God. He asks us to be satisfied in the place He has us now; then we are ready to move into the next phase. Do you really believe He has your best interest at heart?

Remember, 10% of life is what happens to you and 90% is how you react to it. So, the more you pray then . . . the better you can handle any situation. Do you see the logic? God wants to transform you into His image. He wants you to see your work as your way of serving Him. AND, He wants you to place Him at the head of life and business. Trust Him by doing what He is asking you to do.

Plus, prayer is your first line of defense so you show up in your business exactly as God planned for you.

 

Expectation. Your definition of success needs to be what God has designed for you. Many times, we can be caught up in the world’s definition of success. God has so much more for you. Celebrate successes along the way. Each time you obey God, success. Each time you make progress, success.

Expect God to show up in BIG ways for you. Ask Him for outrageous things. That vision He gave you when you began your business is small compared to where He wants to take you. And, don’t worry about feeling equipped. He will bring the resources you need to help you when you most need it.

Pray prayers of gratitude for all He has given you so far AND prayers of expectation as you plan the future together.

 

Routine. Have you found it hard to find time to pray? Do you think you are not good at praying? Are you not able to focus when you pray? You are like me (and a lot of others who are not being honest). I want to share a simple technique. Instead of working through an entire hour, stop what you are doing at the end of a ‘50-minute hour’ and allow yourself to switch gears by re-charging your brain. (This is science.)

Sit comfortably and quiet your mind by focusing on your breathing. Close your eyes or focus on an object/picture. Just breath normal and bring your attention to the breath moving in and out of your nose. Then feel the breath moving your chest and stomach as you inhale and exhale. Give yourself a minute or two just focusing on it. This gives your brain needed oxygen (yes, you will start to breath deeper, it is natural).

Now move into intentional thinking: Prayer

  • One thing you are Grateful for
  • One thing that is a Concern for you
  • One Friend
  • One Family member

No more than these four points. You can write it down or just think through it. By doing this exercise at various times during your day you will accumulate several minutes of prayer that will be better for your brain, your body, and your soul.

 

Pray, Plan, Pray MORE.

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

 

 

 

Lessons Learned

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I closed the GFYO Business and Educational Center in November of last year. It was an 18-month lesson in trusting God. When I began, I knew for certain it was what God wanted for me. I had been meeting with my Women’s Networking Group in different locations for a while and felt His leading to have my own space.  But it failed.

I took the month of December to look at what God was asking of me now. I came through the month with these few take-a-ways. Thought you might like me to share.

What does God want from me?

First, God wants me to depend on Him. One thing He continually puts into my thoughts is, “Am I enough?”. My success means nothing unless I am in relationship with Him. I talk about this vertical relationship all the time. Connecting Faith and Business begins with Faith.

The next thing God wants from me is to transform me into the image of His Son. He teaches me through His Word, prayer, worship and more. I love spending time with Him on my Quiet Retreats and meeting with my CEO each day. If nothing else happens in my life, I trust God enough to be okay in this space.

BUT, He does call me to more. He calls me to fellowship with other believers. In real fellowship we experience authenticity, give & take, sympathy, and mercy. I love that God has given me the women in the GFYO Network Group to bring encouragement, support and learning into my life.  We share our business challenges, study God’s Word together, serve our community, and suffer together as we pray for one another. They fill up my life and make me stronger.

Lastly, I know that only by serving God in the way He has created me can I live out His purpose for me. I am taking one step at a time and trusting God for the rest. I know taking the step to open the Business and Educational Center was the right thing. So was closing it.

God wants the best for me

These outward setbacks can be discouraging. I spent most of December just trying to understand what to do next. There was much time alone, an open Bible & journal, and prayer. That’s when an idea formed that has led me through most of this year. I have been writing a book about twelve business women in the Bible.

I have been given a gift. I feel like God is downloading new insights into me about these women and it excites me to write about them so others can learn how to Connect their Faith and Business. The last few months have opened me up to be in deeper relationship with God, learn more about Him, have stronger fellowship with others, and use my gifts, talents, and abilities to do exactly what He has designed me to do.

Exchanging something good for something even better is amazing.

God wants the best for you

What is God asking of you? In what ways are you using your personality, abilities, gifts, talents, etc. to live out the business vision He has given you? What is keeping you from taking the next step to serve God through your business?

Take some time to sit with the Father and evaluate where you are. Pour out those disappointments and setbacks. I did. Listen to what He says to your heart through His Word. The Bible is alive and will speak to you in new ways.

God wants you to be fulfilled in your purpose and He is waiting to unfold it to you. Your responsibility is to take each step as He reveals the next thing He wants you to do. No fear, God is there. No excuses, God is there. No procrastinating, God is there.

If you have doubts, work on knowing God better. There is no way you can have any success in life if you do not know the Father. Allow Him to fill you up and transform you into His image. Then there is room for you to experience true fellowship with others and live out your purpose.

Connecting Faith and Business requires trust. God asks, “Do you trust Me?”. I scream, “YES” and throw myself into the work He has for me because it is what is best for me. He will give you that enthusiasm and passion too.

The Business and Educational Center needed to close so I could focus on the next thing God had for me. I was too distracted to see the next step. God’s lessons may sting but that only gives opportunity to turn to Him and pursue something even better.

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

Choose Your Adventure

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Do you remember the Choose Your Own Adventure books? Those stories were exciting to read. The story was always full of suspense and the adventure intriguing. At the bottom of a certain page there would be a choice to make.  AND, those choices never seemed to be exactly what you would do. What to do next . . .

For me it was always a dilemma to make those types of choices. I wanted to choose the best adventure. Should I flip to the next page or go deeper into the book? Which would be better? Did it matter? The beauty of these books was that you could read them again and again and never have the same thing happen.

Your Christian life can be the same type of adventure. Just like those books, your choices have direct influence on how the adventure goes. Maybe you feel there are too many choices? Serving God can mean showing up for a volunteer opportunity at church. Learning about God by joining a Bible Study. Or, for more adventure, going on an overseas mission trip. What choices have you made that are making this Christian adventure exciting? Is it working for you?

God has so much more. He has created an adventure specifically for you and wants you to choose to be on the ride. The adventure is daily and runs through your entire life, not just at times when you are with ‘God’s people’ learning and serving. God’s plan includes your uniqueness shining in the world.

1 Corinthians 12:12 says that we are all part of the same body. Your function is different from everyone else’s. Your adventure is exclusive to you. AND, you get to complete the picture God has for His Church, His people, by choosing to live it.

How? By inviting God into every day.

Recently, I led a group in the study of Spiritual Gifts and how they can be applied to the workplace. Each woman in the study is a business owner and each desires to live out her own Christian life adventure. This study revealed their top Spiritual Gifts and we discussed how each was or could be applied daily through their work.

Spiritual Gifts are given when we need them. They are meant to edify the group. They can reflect natural abilities but are often surprises on the adventure. Recognizing them can be a challenge; allowing God to use them is your choice.  I wanted to see the diversity of our group and how we complemented one another.

One woman has the Faith gift. She did not know how that fit into her adventure. Faith is defined as belief that God will do things that are impossible for us apart from His intervention. She had been dealing with cancer that had reoccurred. Her attitude has always remained positive. Those in her office see her as calm, steady, and assured that everything will work out. She hadn’t seen that her Faith was sticking out all over the place as she trusted God for the results of treatment.

Another woman has the Pastoring gift. She laughed when this result came to light. At first she felt that she could not possibly have a gift she thought was reserved for Pastors. But the definition for Pastoring is caring consistently for the personal needs of others through personalized counseling and coaching. While she is not a coach, she is a listener. God has given her many opportunities to pour into other’s lives. She is a magnet for those hurting and in need of comfort.

Each has her own adventure. Within our small group we have Administration, Teaching, Connecting, and Hospitality gifts. Each woman contributes to our group in her unique way. Each gives a perspective that brings richness to our group and fulfills the needs of someone else.

You have an adventure too. Your GIFTS are for you to share. Choosing to serve God and others through your gifts brings an awareness of God to the world. You SHINE for Him.

The Christian life is an adventure. It is a daily commitment to see your world through God’s eyes. Ask Him to help you choose the right next step. God is surprising and He will sometimes give you a choice that seems different than anything you would choose. That’s when He says, “Do you trust me with your adventure?”

Your story continues. You may not be able to go back and make a different choice in the adventure, but you can move forward in your story and make choices that create the Christian adventure God has for YOU. You are right where you need to be. Ride the adventure in His strength by connecting to Him. Your choices will be easy.

 

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

P.S. Your Personalized Faith Plan is waiting for you. Find your uniqueness and make your adventure count for God.

 

Serving God at Work

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Sharon came to my Christian Women’s network group one month and asked this question. “How can I serve God at my work?” I began to laugh. Why? Because she had just told me this story. . .

“There is a new woman at work and she is having a difficult time adjusting to the culture of the company. Up until this point I have been the only female in the office. I have adapted my style of communicating and functioning to reflect the male dominated atmosphere. I had not realized how flexible I was at being able to adjust my style based on the person in front of me. I have been working with her the last two weeks to coach her through email language, speaking directly, and confidence issues. She has come a long way in being able to deal with what she has called ‘male abruptness’ and has learned to match her style with the person she is speaking with.”

Why did it make me laugh when she asked the question? For me it was clear that she was serving God by being a mentor to this woman. She was sharing her expertise and giving insight to this woman. I reminded her that she does not need to be at church, volunteering at a soup kitchen, or helping the underprivileged to be serving Christ. She was showing kindness, hospitality, love, and concern for someone at work. That is enough.

Her shoulders dropped, mouth opened and her eyes lit up when she realized that it was true. She thanked me for helping her realize something very important for her life. “I have been thinking I needed to be in church more, volunteering more and looking for opportunities to serve. It is so difficult for me because I am a wife and mom too. Now I see I have those opportunities every day while I am at work.”

As a Christian Woman in business or in the workplace you can serve God by serving those you have direct contact with each day. He calls you to use your unique personality, strengths, gifts, and abilities to show up as you. He wants to use you in a mighty way right where you spend most of your waking hours.

Have you heard this before . . . ‘you may be the only Jesus that this person ever sees’. My calling is to equip you to see your potential in the Marketplace. God has called you to do a specific job that ONLY you can do. Understanding this unique calling is part of my job.

Let me give you a tool to begin thinking about this. Ask God to show you 5 people in your everyday life that do not know Him. Write down their names and commit to pray for them each day. Even if it a quick prayer when you see them in passing. Next, start to grow your relationship with them inside and outside of the ‘office’. Pour into those relationships until you have the opportunity to share your story about what Jesus has done for you.

There is no pressure here. BUT, this is what we are called to do as believers in Christ (Matthew 28:19,20). It begins with kindness, interest, affection, caring, and love. For me, Priscilla’s story in the Bible shows me how she not only used her relationships with other believers to give her strength but she also gives me an example of how to reach out, mentor, and tell others about Jesus while I am at work.

Do you know how you are uniquely equipped to serve in your calling? Do you have a longing in your heart to do more for God? The Calling Clarity Course is designed for you. This Course will give you the tools to break out of the volunteering mentality and push you toward the opportunities’ mentality.

These are the Outcomes you will receive:

  • Determine 3-6 Spiritual Gifts and how to apply them to business/work
  • Discover 5 Strengths to know how you operate as a leader
  • Connect to your Personality and the way you think
  • Create a decision filter based on your top 5 Values
  • Identify your Expertise in many areas
  • Remember the Talents you may be over-looking and how they work for you
  • Pinpoint Experiences that add value to your uniqueness
  • Personalized Faith Plan to help you grow in Christ

Sharon woke up that day to what God had specifically for her to do through her work. Are you ready to take that next step to discover all that God has for you? He is placing opportunities in front of you to grow and learn so you can then go and do.

Join me for the Calling Clarity Course. Email me for details. This Course is limited and sign-ups are closing this week. There is no obligation to get more information. Send me a message today. J

Be filled to overflowing,

 

Deneen

Get Out of the Trap

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Have you ever felt like your life is a puzzle but you have one piece, or a few pieces, missing? There is always someone else who is smarter, prettier, taller, nicer, tanner, kinder . . . should I go on? You know that comparison is a trap. I know it too. But I still get stuck in it, sometimes. What you need, and me too, is a plan to get out of the trap as soon as we know we are in it.

In the social media world of today we get caught in this trap on many levels. It can be a trap about our parenting style, our eating preferences, or our business choices. We are constantly able to see how everyone else is doing because it is all out there. I am exhausted just thinking about the perfect women in cyber world.

God created you perfect for what He planned for you. Your puzzle pieces have been selected exactly for you. AND, you have all your pieces! So, let’s first look at a plan to get your eyes off ‘them’ and placed on you. Better yet, on God.

God tells us in Philippians 4:8 to “. . . Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. . . “ Did you notice that there is an AND between each word? When that happens in writing it means you are adding depth, not more.

One piece of your puzzle is your expertise. Especially for your business activities. The trap is that you may see others with a degree or certificate in what you are offering, yet you have none. This was true for me when I started to call myself a coach. BUT, God.

Let’s run that thought through the verse.  What is true? I had been coaching many people about how to do their business better by helping them through their goals and action steps. What is honorable? I could give them a direction and plan for moving forward in a positive way. What is right? They were succeeding in their business through what I was teaching. What was pure? They were following God’s calling on their lives. What was lovely? I was developing lasting relationships with each person so that they were enriching my life. What was admirable? Together we were pursuing God’s calling on each of our lives and keeping one another accountable.

I became a coach without having the credentials. I had the expertise because I pursued excellence in learning how I could help others. It interested me and I learned on my own. It is something that came natural to me and I loved doing.

That is what you need to call yourself the ‘expert’. God has equipped you to do what He has called you to do. Figure it out. 🙂  You may want to study in a traditional setting, and your calling might include that. But, don’t limit yourself if you feel God tugging at your heart. Explore it fully and give yourself a thorough evaluation of your skills.

Another piece to your puzzle is your experience. This is another area where a degree is not required. The trap here is that you feel you don’t have the ‘right’ experience. BUT, God.

He has you go through things so you learn more about Him and so you can speak truth into others. Those difficult experiences are vital for you to be refined so you reflect Christ in your life. Those good things in your life are just as important to give you a way of approaching your business in a way that is authentic to you.

The worse experience in my life has become the catalyst for everything I am doing now. AND, a load of other experiences (e.g., drama, mission work, homeshooling) are filling in the unique parts of what I offer through my business.

Again, let’s put these experiences through the Philippians 4:8 filter to get out of the trap. What is true? I was diagnosed with MS while homeschooling my then six and ten-year-old daughters, going to Graduate school, and working a small business teaching Spanish. What was honorable? God was teaching me what true dependence on Him really looked like in my life so I could grow into a wise woman of faith. What was right? That I could speak into others’ lives about His goodness, His provision, His desire to want a relationship with them first and then use their businesses to bring Him glory. What was pure? That through suffering I was learning more about who I was and how God had creatively and uniquely designed me to be an equipper of others. What was lovely? That He showed me how the things I excelled at were the perfect fit for what He would have me do next in my business. What was admirable? That I learned to trust Him and was able to step into the next thing He had for me over and over again on this adventure of connecting my faith and business.

I am still surprised at how He uses the little things I have learned or experienced to bring me into a new place in my business. What He wants is obedience. He wants you to take the next step. You may have a big vision, a God-sized dream, but have you handed God each part of you for Him to use? Your experiences and your expertise work into your business in a unique way. God created you perfect for your calling. Get the clarity you need and get out of the trap.

Join my list bit.ly/PutMeOnList for more information about the Calling Clarity Course.

It begins with a day workshop where we will explore your business vision and the parts that make up you. You will be given tools as we advance together.

Then, 8 weeks of virtual meetings to check in with your assignments and to mastermind. (Assignments will be checklists, assessments, and journaling.)

The last part includes a weekend Retreat. We will put together all the things that make up YOU. You will know who you are, Whose you are, and how YOU can make a difference with your business.

You will walk away from this course knowing how you show up in your industry unlike anyone else. You will know God’s plan for you right now and show up whole, holy, and authentic in your business.

Get on ‘The List’ for even more details and information. No obligation. Click bit.ly/PutMeOnList and subscribe.

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

3-Steps to Create a Habit and Beat Procrastination

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You are who you are and do the things that you do because of your habits.  Think about how you brush your teeth, the order you shower your body parts, tie your shoes or how you get dressed.  There are even bigger learned behaviors that are habits, like driving your car or checking email every time it dings.

Not convinced you are the sum of your habits? Bring awareness to your day and see how many things you do as routine: get coffee, arrange desk, open social media, etc.  There are things you do each day that do not require you to think, you just do them. That power is what we are going to harness to create a new behavior or change an existing one.

First, look at the problem. Have you ever thought or heard yourself say: “I work better under pressure”, “Forces beyond my control are keeping me from doing this”, “I need to be in the mood to do this”? Those are all excuses for your procrastination problem. You CAN do this.  You are in control of you.

No more excuses for completing the things you really want to complete and getting your life into the shape you want it to be. There are three power words I want you to harness. Reminder-Routine-Reward. These three words can become your mantra to a successful life dong exactly what you want in a way that becomes part of what makes you, you.

So, you are clear. . . developing a new habit is NOT about an exercise in self-control; finding a new dose of willpower; a lack of motivation; or, remembering to do it. It is about creating a structure that WILL make you successful. Once in place you have the tools to make any desire a reality in your own life.

The Reminder-

This is your selected trigger for the new behavior. It can be a timer, an event, an object placed strategically. You need a Plan, write it down. You need a reason for your goal, write it down.

When I was going through a new nutrition plan I set alarms for my supplements, planned meals for the week and drank water at scheduled times. My power reason was to get off high blood pressure medicine.  Now I live my nutrition plan, have lost 50 pounds, and don’t think about what I lost (bread) but what I have gained (stamina).

Give yourself a strong reminder. Something that will trigger the behavior.

Routine-

When the reminder goes off, it is that time of day, or you see your trigger object, just do the behavior.  There is no thinking here.  Don’t allow your procrastination excuses take over. Prioritize it and be consistent.  Do it no matter what.

This will only happen if you have made it a small behavior. Don’t think you will solve all your problems in one big action. These behaviors are small and doable. One behavior at a time for 30 days and you will see an increase in, “This is what I do”. It will become part of your ‘MO’. Then you will start to see progress.

Reward-

Make it something positive, say it aloud and repeat it often. It can be something tangible like a new pair of shoes or more stamina to complete a project. Acknowledge your improvements, celebrate how you feel. Make it enjoyable so you will continue repeating the behavior.

You may also need to know the pain.  What are the consequences if you do not continue to follow your plan? Write down the negative things that could happen. Knowing the downsides can give you motivation as well.

Make your goals personal. Harness the power of Reminder-Routine-Reward. Yes, there will be days of doubt and frustration. Allow yourself to be imperfect. When those negative, procrastination thoughts threaten to take over, reframe them. Turn each into an affirmation of your determination.

Remember, it is the small changes in just one area of your life that reverberate to all the other parts.  Once you have the 3R’s down you can change any behavior, positive or negative, into something beneficial for you.  You have the power to change your world.

Leave a comment below about a habit you want to create using the Reminder-Routine-Reward system for yourself.

Be filled to overflowing,

 

Deneen

4 Ways to Trust God with Your Business

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You are committed to making your business relevant for God’s Kingdom. You want to be the entrepreneur that gives God priority. Here are four things you can do now to trust God and make it happen.

 

Take a Sabbath

It’s Sunday afternoon and you are working on next week’s Social Media posts. Where is your family? What are you doing to honor God and remember Him? I am not saying that your Sabbath should be on Sunday, but do you have a time set apart each week for relaxation and refreshment? Do you take time to focus on things you enjoy so you recharge? Trust God with your business and you can take time to do the things you want to do, really.

Taking a Sabbath is just the beginning of the journey to trusting God with your business. That 24-hour period is important for your spiritual as well as mental health. God gave you the vision for your business and He is the One who will make it happen in the timing He wants. His example from Genesis was to show you that you can have time set apart to focus on Him so your brain can rest.

Brain studies show that your brain gets new information that can be applied to your challenges and therefore give you new ways to solve problems. Trust God when He says to take a REST. Know He has your best interest at heart and will help you through the business situation you are facing.

 

Make God your CEO

What about every day? Do you meet with your CEO, your Boss, each day? Carving out a daily time to check-in with the Boss, take challenges to Him, and/or have a brainstorm session will move your business forward. God cares about what you are doing in your business.  It is your way to serve others.  Marketplace service cannot happen unless you are connected to the One who gives you strength and support.

Create a journal or notebook with the meeting notes each day. Over time patterns will emerge as to the direction your business should go. Take time to review the pages and ask God to bring items to your attention that are important. Shut down all other distractions when you meet with your CEO. Focus on what He wants to say to you. His instructions are precise for your business.

Setting this time apart to think, regroup, and plan is important for any type of success. Your success is guaranteed if you are placing your trust in God and listening for His plans, His motives, and His methods. Trust that He wants the best for you and that He will direct you on the right path for your business. Through this daily meeting, ideas will come that are the perfect solution for you and your business.

 

Get calling clarity

Why are you in your business? What vision has God given you that tugs at your heart and motivates you? God has equipped you with all that you need to do what He is calling you to do. Think back over your life and look at the experiences, training, talents, and gifts you possess. God has given you this unique combination so you can show up in your industry, with a unique perspective. There is only one you.

Think through and list all your skills. Ask God to bring up things that are important for you to remember. Things you know how to do. Don’t discount any experience, class, hobby, or expertise. Even without formal training you may have a skill that is ideal for the way God wants you to present your business to the world.

Putting things down on paper gives you a way of getting it out of your brain so it doesn’t have to keep it captured. This allows more ideas and thoughts to enter. You have what you need inside of you, it is just a matter of coaxing it out. Trust God to bring all your talents to the surface. You will discover your Calling Clarity by trusting this process. See you as God sees you, fully equipped.

 

Grow in God

Do you have a time in your planner for your Spiritual growth? Are you making it a priority during your day? The only way to connect Faith and Business is to start with Faith. Setting aside time for prayer and Bible study is the beginning of wisdom. Being wise in your faith creates wisdom for your business. Allow God to reveal His heart to you through His love letter. Make that CEO meeting truly meaningful by adding faith into the mix.

Give God your best time of the day for this meeting. The time when you can best focus on Him. Personally, this is morning for me. I wake, grab the coffee, and sit in my favorite spot. I collect my materials for this important time. I have my study, Bible app, and journal. I give time to pray and start my day with listening to God’s heart. Everything we need for life and godliness is found in His Word (2 Pet 1:3).

Cultivating Spiritual Practices in your life will produce a growing Faith-life. These roots will give you the stability you desire as you move forward with your business. Trusting God comes from knowing God. Don’t neglect this step before you talk with Him about your business. He wants to be in relationship with you first and then everything else will follow.

 

Trusting God is simple when you have the success formula: Relationship with God + Time with God + Life led by God. Boost your trust factor by prioritizing. Trust Him when He brings resources into your life to help you seek Him first.  Start your Faith growth today with a Personalized Faith Plan. Trust God to make it happen.

 

Be filled to overflowing,

 

Deneen

 

Be Equipped for your Business Vision

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What is the Vision God has given you for a Business? I know you have one. There is something inside of you that is dying to get out. You feel that push in your Heart that must get out. Do you know what I am talking about?

As I began my Business journey I realized that the Vision I had was not big enough. Don’t be scared, but that push will open into an amazing adventure. Instead of being afraid of it, embrace it. Know that God is taking you through all the steps that lead to His Vision for you.

The Journey through these steps is FUN if you are with the perfect guide, God. He will keep you informed, inspired, and ready to take the Next Step. By using deep Spiritual Practices you will KNOW for sure you are on the right path. God wants to Connect with you on a level you have never experienced. Are you ready to begin?

The basic Spiritual Practices that we have talked about are Prayer, Bible Reading, Worship and Service. Those ARE the beginning. To keep in the Center of God’s Will and not be afraid to take the next step you must continue to go deep into other Spiritual Practices. Some you may already practice; some you may not have thought about . . . yet.

Okay, so what am I talking about? Journaling, Sabbath, Fasting and Solitude. These are the practices that will take you to a New Level in your Faith, and in your Business Vision.

Journaling. You may be thinking, I hate journaling. All that writing, so many feelings, etc. That is not what I am talking about. While writing down and responding to Scripture is a way to journal, so is just doodling around the Name for God on the page.

Physically, your brain slows down when you allow your hand to color and draw on the page. This allows for Communication with the Father. Write down your idea in the center of a page and see what God tells you about it. Your Listening capacity opens when you sit and journal the images, thoughts, words and ideas God gives you (and color makes it super fun).

Sabbath. Trust God and take a day off. We are pressured to ‘keep hustling’, but God says you need a break. He gave us the example of Rest (He did not need it). Again, brain research says that by going away from a problem or project and focusing on something completely unrelated gives your brain time to work on it. By refreshing your body and mind you CAN make better decisions and have more ideas.

I always save special things for my 24-hours off. I begin early Saturday evening until Sunday evening, but Sabbath can be when you make it. Save reading, family time, movie watching, outdoor fun, etc for this day. Connect to God while you connect to others through Rest. Come back to your hustle totally recharged.

Fasting. This is the Practice I am still struggling to incorporate on a consistent basis. For me it represents the most Trust I can give God. One reason is that I am sensitive to not having food in my system. This comes from my nutrition plan but then I think God can handle it, right?

Plus, it does not always require food.  It can be a fast from Social Media, Netflix, or anything that drains your time. Replace the activity with an extended time of prayer, journaling, Bible reading, and/or worship. It can be as simple as going on a walk in order to talk to God or as disciplined as going into your prayer closet (have you seen War Room). This Practice takes a plan and it does take more effort. Choose a time each week and just do it. Maybe skip a meal, turn off the television, or don’t check your phone for a period. Whatever you can do to carve out extra time to focus on what God wants to tell you, especially about your Business Vision.

Solitude. This is my favorite. I call it Creative Silence & Solitude. This is a quarterly Practice for me. There is something about coming before God, the CEO and Boss of my Business, to give a report. By having this extended time to sit with Him I can say I have had the Best Breakthroughs in Clarity.

This is a 6-hour day of pure Communication with Him. I have done many types of things on this day but it is my time to Hear from God. Whether I am doing Yoga, walking on the trails, sitting in a chair or on my knees by the bed, I am there to Seek His Will for my Business.  I reaffirm that it is His and that He has uniquely equipped me to bring it into the world.

Connecting your Faith & Business is easy when you are Connected to the ONE who gives you everything you need to Succeed. Get started today with a Spiritual Practices Plan that is as unique as you. Click on the PFP button and let’s chat.

Be filled to overflowing,

 

Deneen