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Build a Life that is Whole, Holy, & Authentic

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Before Christ went to the cross He prayed for his disciples and He prayed for us too. In John chapter 17 He said, “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.”

Jesus prayed for you to love Him and the Father and to fulfill you part in His plan for the world. It is possible to live the life God has designed for you. It is possible to live Whole (healed), Holy (correctly), and Authentic (worthy). AND, it can be done as you serve God through your Calling and work.

Whole

We all have experiences, good and bad, that have shaped who we have become. Some experiences gave us confidence in who we are, while others tore at the core of our being and left scars.

God wants to heal you. This happens when we are in relationship with Him. Jeremiah 17:14 says, “O Lord, if you heal me, I will be truly healed; if you save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for you alone!”

When we look for help outside of God, we can become confused and farther from Him. His ways and reasons are to always point us to Him first. Because Jesus died for us, we now can receive His healing and be whole.

“He (Jesus) personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)

We can be who God has called us to be when we allow Him to heal the parts of us that were hurt by others, by sin, and by our own wrong choices. Each experience gives us opportunity to depend more on Him for our actions each day. We can live whole.

What hurts are you holding on to that you can give to God for healing?

Holy

Once we are believers in Jesus, God calls us into holy living. Being holy means being set apart to do something special. Our lives need to look different than others who do not know Christ. We can live holy because God gave the Holy Spirit to help us. Paul tells it to us this way, “We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you.” (2 Corinthians 1:12)

Yes, we are not perfect and there will be times we disappoint God and ourselves. What is truly wonderful, is that God forgives us when we genuinely come to Him with true repentance. Sometimes we find it hard to forgive ourselves and the enemy uses that to make us feel like we will never measure up. But it is a lie.

God promises to be with us when we “. . . cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1) Yes, there are things we need to be doing to live correctly with God. And, as we do them (with the help of the Holy Spirit) we begin to see the fruits of living our life for Jesus: love, kindness, joy, peace, patience, self-control and more.

What thoughts play in your head and keep you from striving to be holy?

Authentic

This word is not in the Bible, but it is a popular word today. Some synonyms are true, reliable, faithful. God calls us to walk in a way that is worthy of Him. Paul reminded the Thessalonians of this, “We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory.”

The word does not mean to be rude because you are ‘speaking your truth’. We are called to place others before ourselves and to meet the needs of those God has placed in our sphere of influence. Being authentic does not mean we get to do whatever we want. Being authentic allows us to show up as the transformed person God has called into relationship with Himself.

God will make you worthy of the Calling He has placed on your life. Your responsibility is to live well, “So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.” (1 Peter 1:10)

How are you aligning yourself with God to show up authentically in Him?

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God has put you in the marketplace so you can be His ambassador to those who do not know Him. You have a mission to go and make disciples and that comes from living a life that is Whole, Holy, and Authentic. God wants to heal your past, transform your present, and fulfill His plan for your future. Be the believer and disciple who lives in gratitude for all He has done for you by living to show His goodness and glory.

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

 

Clarity Retreat- Your Vision for 2019

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Do you want to do MORE for God this year through your work?

Are you searching for a way to incorporate your faith into your everyday?

The Clarity Retreat is for you if:

You feel the heart pull to serve God and others in the marketplace

You want to invite God to be a part of your work

You are tired of feeling guilty about not doing what you ‘think’ is necessary to serve Christ

At the end of this 24-hour Retreat you will:

Define your goals for 2019

Create a filter for decision making

Identify your best way to show up authentically in your business

Some Activities during the Retreat:

Discussion

Prayer & journaling

Hands-on exercises

Biblical insights

Swimming

Vision boards

     Regular Ticket includes:

  • Dorm style twin bunk-bed/Shared bathroom
  • Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch
  • All materials & gifts
  • Use of facilities (at appropriate times)

     VIP Ticket Includes (only 4 spots):

  • 2-person room with Queen bed each/Jack & Jill bathroom with adjoining 2-person room
  • Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch
  • All materials & gifts
  • Use of facilities (at appropriate times)
  • 45-minute one-on-one Session with Deneen

*Tickets on SALE until December 20th! Hurry to give you & your Business this special GIFT

 

 

 

 

How to Create a Word for Your Year

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“With a clear vision you will live on purpose and in your purpose.” -DeneenTB

I have chosen a word for the year for the last several AND it has made a huge difference in how I show up in my business and my life. Having a word gives me focus in a way that is real and allows me to have a quick filter to evaluate the opportunities that come in front of me.

Past WORDS

My first word was intentional. During that year I was creating my online presence for the first time. I needed to learn about social media, sales funnels, and leadership. Every course, workshop, class, and coaching investment went through the filter of being Intentional.

The next word was daring. During that year I was writing a book. I used my word to reach out to Podcasts, Magazines, and Influencers in order to get my name and message out. It was definitely something that was out of my comfort zone and took Daring.

Last year my word was meraki. It is a Greek word that means doing something with all your creativity, heart & soul. I looked at opportunities to advance my message and worked on projects where I could truly leave a piece of myself and feel good about it. It gave me a great focus on what I really wanted to do and what I knew God wanted me to do. If I couldn’t Meraki the opportunity, I left it alone.

Your WORD

So, how can you begin to determine your word for this year? I have three questions you can ask yourself.

  1. What is your power? Things you are good at doing, skills, talents.
  2. What is your passion? That idea/thing, that motivates, inspires, and energizes you.
  3. What is your purpose? The pull of your heart, your mission.

If I ask myself these questions (and journal the answers) I get concrete responses about goal setting, action steps, and habits. I am good at being organized and focused. I get out of bed each morning excited to work on the projects I know will help women grow in God and grow in business. I believe I was put on this earth to take away the guilt from Christian Business Women and show them how to serve God through their work.

My WORD

What is my word for this year? IMPACT

I am looking at how to have more impact on Christian Women. I am engaging in activities that will expand my tribe. I am opening up to where God wants to take me and bring more women together in a way that is new, relevant, and honoring. I will use the word to determine if an opportunity will have an impact (or not) on what God is calling me to do.

My word started brewing a few months back and has been growing. Is there a word that has been stirring in you? Use the three questions to bring it to the forefront. Oh yeah, write it down. Put it somewhere you will see it every day. It will make all the difference when you have a choice to make. It will also help you determine the next steps to take.

I would LOVE to hear what your word is going to be for 2019. Write it in the comments below and if you are still struggling. . . let’s chat. I have a FREE (no obligation) Clarity Call that will help. Click HERE to schedule your chat.

It is going to be a more focused year with your word leading the way. Ask God to bring it to your mind through the three questions. Ask Him for His guidance as you move forward in your business and life.

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

 

Suffering to Do Right

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Ready to suffer? No one is. But, as a believer in Jesus we need to be ready to suffer for doing what is right.

Many years ago I was in a job that required transporting mentally ill clients. We were in a residential treatment center so we took them to the grocery store, to their appointments, and to day programs. We were responsible for them and I took the job seriously as I drove the 15-passenger van.

Others who worked in the program were not as diligent as me. When it came to my attention that a few of them were showing up to work intoxicated I knew it would have to be me who reported it. What was even worse, the biggest violator was the boss’s own daughter.

It was not easy, and I did not make any friends. In fact, I stood alone in my accusations because the person who had told me would not back me up. But I knew it was right. After that, we had safeguards put into place to prevent this from happening again.

1 Peter 3:14 says, But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.

 

When I think about SUFFERING. . . a few thoughts come to mind as I remember back on this situation.

Standing

If I had not been the one to stand up for the clients, then something horrible could have happened. I had to know what was right and be ready to say something.

Faith

Doing what is good is what we are mandated to do. God expects us to live in a way that shows our faith. That means doing the unpopular thing at times.

Risking

I thought about what the consequences would be if I did nothing and it scared me. I also thought about the awkward work environment and that I may have even lost my job.

Intentional

I could not just pray that the situation would go away. I had to make the effort to do the right thing. There could be no shying away from my responsibility.

Growth

By doing this one thing in the way God wanted, I felt empowered. My relationship with Him grew as I took one more step into being obedient.

 

It is not always in the BIG Moments that we become closer to God. It is in our everyday work as we do it with excellence, follow Christ’s example, and continue to do what is right. And the best part? God will reward you.

James 1:2-4 says, Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

So, suffering has a place and a purpose. How are you ‘suffering’ for your faith?

 

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

P.S. Grow your Faith with a Personalized Faith Plan. Only by cultivating your vertical relationship with God will you walk in obedience and grow into suffering for the right reasons.

Creating Disciples

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In Jesus’ day a disciple meant that you were so devoted to your Master that you would have gotten the dust of the road all over you as you walked with Him because you followed so closely.

What does discipleship mean to you?

As a follower of Jesus, you are a disciple. And, we are called to make disciples too. How can we do this through our work each day?

Here are four ways to get you started:

  1. Meet with Jesus.

Show you are a disciple of Jesus by making it a priority to meet with Him each day and listen to what He wants to say to your heart. The word discipline comes from the same root as disciple. Make this meeting a priority. You can only do what God is asking you to do if you align with Him for your success.

  1. Model the behavior you want others to follow.

This is a form of discipleship. In your work that may look like working without complaining, being helpful to others, and going beyond the expectations of your clients. It may also include the way you express yourself ‘thanking God’ for good things and talking about faith-based activities.

  1. Grow intentional relationships.

Ask God for the who and start to simply pray for them. Then look for opportunities to meet with them socially. Forming intentional relationships is the first step in discipleship. Relationships take time and can get messy. Look for ways to support and encourage before you ever share Jesus.

  1. Share your own adventure with Jesus.

Part of who you are as a believer is sharing Jesus with those around you. There are many ways to ‘show’ you are a believer, but God expects you to ‘tell’ others as well. Don’t be afraid of answering questions. Give honest answers based on your own experiences and don’t shy away from hard questions. Be willing to find the answers together.

One discipline I love is Silence & Solitude. I go on a ‘Quiet Retreat’ every quarter so I can spend the day with God and check in for a long strategy meeting. This is where I get insights as I reflect on my last quarter and plan for the next. I allow Him to speak to my heart and I evaluate how I am aligning with Him.

The hardest step is always the first one. God is calling you to live for Him 24/7. That means you are the same person in the Sunday School class, at the PTA meeting, and in the Boardroom. What is God saying to your heart about sharing Him with those you encounter every day?

What do you need to do first so that you become the disciple He desires you to be?

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

P.S. The next Quiet Retreat is scheduled for Monday, October 8th. Sign up HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 Ways to Share Your Faith at Work

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The Great Commission says, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.” (Matt 28:19-20a)

BUT, look back at the command from Jesus. . . it begins with THEREFORE. That means there is something He said that was important before He got to this part.

It hints at the reason He gave the command to everyone present and for us today. As part of the Church, the bride of Christ, our role is to be an EZER, a helper, to Jesus.

How is this possible? How can we HELP Jesus? That’s where the THEREFORE comes into play. As we say in my Bible Study, “What is it THERE FOR?”

Back up to verse eighteen. Jesus says to his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.” Woah! All authority? What does that mean?

Since Jesus died for us and took His place next to God in heaven He can do and send whomever He pleases. AND it pleases Him to send you and me into the world to be part of HIStory. You live in this time, in this culture, to personally live out the Great Commission.

He wants you to figure out your BEST way to Serve Him through your work. To live out the Great Commission through your business.

Four ways to get started

  1. Do your work with excellence

Show up with a good attitude and being helpful to others. Work with integrity and do what you say you are going to do. Build a reputation as a person who works with purpose, creativity, kindness, and encouragement. Remember, people are always watching.

“. . . shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. . .” Philippians 2:15-16 

  1. Give God space in your workday

Let people know in natural, easygoing, confident ways that you’re a Christian. Express yourself in ways that identify you with Jesus and what He is doing in your life. Don’t mentally censor your Christianity out of your interactions and conversations. You’ll be amazed at how people are often more interested in spiritual things than you think.

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Colossians 3:23

  1. Build relationships that matter

Ask God to show you one or two people He wants you to be intentional with and begin to develop a deeper relationship. Start by praying for them. Then, begin to have more interaction by inviting them to coffee or lunch. Continue the friendship by seeing them socially outside of the workday. Share yourself with them, show them your care about them, and you will get the opportunity to share your faith.

“We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.” Romans 15:2

  1. Change your mindset

You are in your job or have your business for a reason. You may be the only person that your coworkers, boss, clients, and team ever meet who is a believer in Jesus. See your daily work as your place to serve God. Take away the guilt about not being at the last church sponsored activity and see your workweek activity as the way you are serving God.

“For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. . .” 2 Timothy 1:9

You can do this! Why? Because Jesus gave you a promise. . . “I am with you always.” Matthew 28:20.

 

Want to learn more about how you can show up in your daily work doing what God is asking you to do? Connect with me for a 30-minute Clarity Session. It is FREE and there is no obligation.

Be filled to overflowing,

 

Deneen

Four Acts of ‘Hospitality’

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When you think of hospitality, what comes to mind?

Entertaining family and friends?

Martha Stewart?

A laborious chore?

Something done by only a few who have the ‘gift’?

Hospitality for me means: welcome, warmth, kindness, generosity, reception, friendliness, taking care of, anticipating needs. It is an action. Something you do for someone you know, or for a stranger.

Martha Stewart didn’t invent hospitality. More radical still, she hasn’t perfected it either.  Hospitality, as presented to us in the Bible, is not a practice for a few but is a way of life for us all.

It is a Kingdom function that offers us an opportunity to show God’s goodness.

Hospitality Actions

1. Get to know someone better.

Food is always a good place to start, right? Remember, food shows love. BUT, it doesn’t have to be at your home, with three other couples, at an appointed time.

It can be with one person on the spur of the moment, it can be a gift, it can be your time & attention, it can be anything that makes the person feel valued by you.

If we all stopped for a moment and thought about who we could encourage today through hospitality it would make a super difference in their life, in your own life, and I would dare to say, in society.

2. Make it a heart connection.

Today’s world is full of people who have lost their sense of real connection. We are wired into the world but separated from one other more than ever. So, the challenge to hospitality is our perception of how we fit into the world with others when we are face-to-face.

We all want to matter to someone else. We want to know that someone cares.

How can you show that care? First, choose to develop a friendship with a co-worker, a business partner, a person in your sphere of influence. It is amazing how far a smile will go to ease tension. An invitation for coffee or lunch is a natural step. Find a way to invest in the friendship through mutual interests and then do it.

3. Learn to use active listening

This type of listening is called ‘listening INTO’ another person. Imagine putting down your phone, turning off the television, not thinking about what you are going to say, and just listening.

The INTO also means using not only your ears and eyes to listen but using your heart and body. Physically positioning yourself for a ‘good listen’. This is when the person feels heard and you can discover what’s going on inside them. It is listening from their there instead of your here.

It also requires you to pause often from your own thoughts and reactions, eliminate distractions, and be mindful. Stay present in the moment. When you are with another person this can mean asking probing questions about how they feel or think about the situation or, ask for clarification on what it means to them.

You will forge the stronger connections you crave. AND, in the process, you will become the best listener your family, friends, clients and colleagues have ever known.

4. Let others know you are thinking about them

We are all busy, yet we all crave attention. God came to us to give us His love and now we are to share that love. How can we do that? What are some practical ways we can use hospitality as a tool to serve and love others?

  • Talking over the fence to the neighbor; asking how they are
  • Shooting off a text, email, fb message to say you are thinking about them
  • Meeting someone after work for an hour for a drink
  • Hosting a game night at home or somewhere else
  • Organizing a get-together at the park
  • Meeting at a restaurant with someone

We don’t know how much people think about us because we are too busy to tell them.

Like I said, this is not about a dinner party. It is not about impressing someone with your clean house, expensive dishes, or terrific recipes.

It IS about letting people know you care about them and in return they will show you that they care about you.

Jesus is our biggest example of displaying hospitality. Not all the people he welcomed were welcoming to him. Yet, he still extended hospitality to each as if the outcome didn’t matter. AND, since we don’t know the outcome, we need to extend hospitality to those in our lives.

Hospitality Challenge

Write down one goal for yourself about deepening relationships through hospitality. This could be a person at work, a person you see often, an acquaintance, even a family member. Write down the steps you will take to reach your goal. Make the steps small and attainable.

Keep this information where you will see it and remember to continue to work on it. When you have reached your goal, thank God for His provision and then set another goal for yourself.

Creating goals and actionable steps allows you to see progress. Need help in this area? Connect with me for a FREE (no obligation) Clarity Session. Together we can get you on the path God designed for you.

 

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

Everything God makes is GOOD

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For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10

You are His masterpiece. Let that sink in . . . everything God makes is good.

When you understand that God created you unique and then learn exactly how He put you together, an amazing thing happens. You begin to believe that your TRUE self is what God wants to shine through.

Get to know you

I remember the first time I took a personality assessment. All those things I thought were weaknesses and things I should change about myself were actually the very things I could embrace and use to move forward in my life and do MORE for God.

There is nothing about you that God cannot use to bring about His story in your life. You can follow His Calling no matter your background or how many times you think you have ‘messed up’. He has allowed every experience and every situation to grow you into the person He wants you to be.

What do you feel God is calling you to do that seems WAY out of your comfort zone?

Get to choose for you

Another powerful tool I use in my life is a values’ assessment. By understanding which things are important to you, it gives you the power to say NO to many things. I use my values as a filter for whatever activity, event, or opportunity arises. I pull it through my filter and if it does not align with any of my values, I get to say NO (with no guilt).

I remember a time when I was super busy and super stretched. I was always saying YES to things because they were all things that came easily to me. BUT, this is what I realized, just because you CAN do something doesn’t mean you SHOULD do it.

If you had the power, What would you LOVE to say NO to right now?

Get to show you

Showing up in any situation authentically allows you to be who God has created you to be. He wants you to bring your whole self to the Sunday School class, the PTA meeting, AND to the Boardroom.

Never apologize for being the person God created you to be. Realize that we are all on a journey to discover our best selves. Forgive others (forgive yourself) and ask for forgiveness but never stop being your brilliant self, the one God created, because He loves you.

What are you trading of yourself to only bring part of yourself to the table?

Get to grow you

Celebrate your uniqueness. Discover your personality style. Create the business you want and that God wants for you. Design your future with Him. Develop your skills so you can be ALL that God is calling you to be.

Do all this at the Clarity Leadership Retreat! Register by FRIDAY. Get moving . . .
www.deneentb.com/clarity-leadership-conference

 

Be filled to overflowing,

DeneenTB