Deneen Troupe-Buitrago

Grow from your overflow

Listening

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

 

 

 

How to Show Your Faith at Work

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We have been slowly unraveling what it looks like to show up in your work as a Christian. Your faith is part of who you are and there should be no pieces left behind as you go to your work each day. There should only be wholeness.

So, how can you show your faith at work and not break some unwritten, unspoken rule? Before we look at that, let’s back up for a minute and talk about where you are in relationship to faith and business.

Faith Levels

There are basically four types of Christians in the marketplace. Where do you place yourself?

  1. A Christian who is simply trying to survive.

You see no purpose in your job or business. It is the time between weekends. Your life is compartmentalized and you don’t see how your work has anything to do with your faith. You feel defeated in your faith.

      2. A Christian who is living by Christian principles.

You live your life ethically and morally. You like a set of structures and systems that are proven and make you feel like you are doing something. You want to do the right thing and that includes being good at what you do both at work and at church. The two never mix and you can be a little overwhelmed

      3.  A Christian who is living by the power of the Holy Spirit.

You have a heart toward God and are actively listening to what He wants to tell you. Prayer, Bible study and obedience to God are important to you. You also seek out opportunities to show God’s goodness in your marketplace.

     4.  A Christian who is transforming their workplace for Christ.

You have a mindset that is looking at the big picture to change the world for Christ. You see yourself as an integral part of what God is doing. You are looking to have a bigger impact in your industry so you can change it for good by watching for and acting on ‘God-incidences’ that show His power.

Source: Ed Silvoso, Anointed for Business

 

1 Corinthians 6:17 says, “. . . the person who is joined to the LORD is one spirit with Him.”

Do you think that by showing your faith through your work, you are breaking the rules? Are you afraid to move into the deeper levels of connecting your faith and business because you will get into ‘trouble’?

Faith Solutions

God has you at your job or in your business for a specific purpose. It requires a mindset shift to see your work as the place God wants you to show up as who He created you to be. He doesn’t want you sitting around, waiting to go to heaven. He began this relationship with you and now asks you to trust Him to start to show it by having a good attitude and seeing others as He sees them.

God has given us all we need to show others our faith. He has you ‘on mission’ as you enter your work week. There is no difference between the church you, the parent you, the friend you or the work you. Every place you go God is asking you not to follow a set of rules so you can check off the boxes. He wants to equip you to feel like you are the same person in all situations. He wants a you that is integrated and living to please Him in all things, not the expectations of others.

Growing your personal relationship with Jesus is important. Only by getting into the Bible on your own will you grow your faith so that it can overflow in your life. I always say, “If you are so filled up with God, He can’t help but stick out all over the place in your life.” This is where God wants you, in a relationship where He can show you just how wonderfully He designed you. See yourself as Christ’s ambassador in your workplace and business. You are to impact your sphere of influence and that includes the people you see during your working/waking hours.

God called you to step out and do more for Him as your live your Christian faith. It is not part of your life, it is ALL of your life. You have the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of you. Pray and ask God for His Spirit to give you the confidence to walk in His truth, His love, and His power as you enter your work week. Look for ways to be helpful, have a good attitude, and show others you care about them. God wants you to work with excellence not just for the paycheck but for Him.

Faith Life

God is looking for those who will step up to follow Him no matter the cost. He has you in your work (that job or business) so you can live out and share the gift He has given you. Bring your whole self to your work each day. Believe you are in relationship with Him so you can have relationships that matter with others.

There is no rule at work that says you cannot be you. God’s goodness comes through when you take time to listen to a colleague or invite someone to lunch to get to know them better. God designed you to be in community and to care about others. It is messy, but it is necessary. The more others know that you care about them, the more open they will be to hear about your faith. The more you open up about Whose you are, the more opportunities you will see to live whole, holy and authentic.

 

Be filled to overflowing,

 

Deneen

 

Re-frame your Thinking and See God Opportunities Everywhere

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Lean In

One of my favorite ‘secular’ books is Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg. In it she says, “We hold ourselves back in ways both big and small, by lacking self-confidence, by not raising our hands, and by pulling back when we should be leaning in.”

Are you leaning in to what God has for you?

I am intrigued with the idea of Leaning In . . .  to God.  Throughout her book one message rings clear, if you want something or want to do something then you have to stand up for it and sometimes fight for it.

Are you, as a Woman of Faith, ‘fighting’ for the ONE relationship that matters most?

Lean In to God

Connecting Faith & Business starts with your Faith. Let’s look at the concept, LEAN IN. Since I love acronyms, I have devised this one to help you visualize the actions behind it.

L- listen to God

E- evaluate and reframe your viewpoint

A- access His power

N- note or place your attention

I- imitate the Father and Christ

N- His name, your reputation, and whose you are

Lean In through God

Start with the vertical relationship to fill up on God. This is a daily habit that needs to be nurtured so it grows. Sitting with God each day gives you His perspective and aligns you with His plans for your day and your life. It allows you to LISTEN to what He wants to say to your heart.

Next, think about how you view your service to God. Do you think it is only when you are involved in a ‘church sponsored’ activity? When do you really think about asking God for opportunities to share Him? EVALUATE your pre-conceived ideas and ask Him to change your thinking so you see it more in your day-to-day activities.

Then ACCESS God’s power that lives in you. Because you are a believer in Jesus you have the Holy Spirit living inside of you. You have God’s power to do what He wants you to do. God only asks that you trust Him and take the next step. Is that next step giving someone a smile? Is it asking someone to do something social outside of work? Is it doing something that is important to someone else? Get over any fear and know that God’s power will give you exactly what you need when you need it.

Take NOTE of what God is doing. We have heard slogans like ‘pay it forward’ and ‘acts of kindness’ BUT do you think to do those things? It is an opportunity to show God’s goodness. When you ask someone how their weekend was and their eyes don’t match their ‘fine’, take a minute to ask what is going on. Find ways to invest in the people around you.

As a believer in Jesus we are called to IMITATE the Father. What does that look like when we are reframing our opportunities to show God? Kindness, caring, attention and time. How did Jesus let others know He cared? He spent time with them, asked them questions about themselves, and listened to what they had to say. Start with a cup of coffee in the break room. Take someone to lunch who is having a hard time. Talk on the phone or skype and just be present with the person.

The people in your world are looking for hope and guess what, you have it. You can make God’s NAME known by being the woman He is calling you to be at work and in your business. Your reputation grows and in turn gives God glory. Don’t hide from Whose you are. Stand up and fight for your position at the table. Fight to show God to others as you LEAN IN to Him.

 

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

You Are Made To Lead

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Leading Daily

Each day there are many decisions you must make that create success for your business and family. No matter if you are leading one or 100 you display confidence, you inspire, and you focus on the task at hand. God will give you what you need to succeed just as He did for Deborah.

Deborah is a wife and she may have been a mother too. Her job is that of a political leader as well as a spiritual leader. Her office is under a date palm tree that sits in the hill country of Ephraim. The entire Nation comes to her for counsel (Judges 4:5).

Leading like Deborah

She must have had enough prestige and money to have others running her household. Do you think her husband, Lappidoth, was the first stay-at-home Dad? Since she was well respected and had a lot of responsibility outside the home we can assume someone else oversaw her household.

Taking your business to the professional level requires that you give up other ‘jobs’ you think belong to you: cleaning, grocery shopping, creating meals, laundry, social media marketing, accounting, etc. Unless one of these activities IS your business I think it is safe to say you can delegate them to someone else. Deborah knows what she is good at and that is what she does.

Deborah is a leader. God has called her to this position and she takes it seriously. Imagine sitting in the shade of the palm tree giving advice and dispensing justice to the Nation and then receiving a message from God.
Deborah’s message from God is about Israel’s victory over their 20-year oppressors. She tells Barak, the commander, ‘Get ready! This is the day the LORD will give you victory over Sisera, for the LORD is marching ahead of you.’ (Judg 4:14) She always puts herself behind God. She is willing to allow God to take the first place.

Leading with God

She knew she needed God in order to do the job He had given her because Barak refused to go into battle without her! She doesn’t back down from the new role as military leader, she embraces what God says she is to do and moves ahead bravely.

Many times we may feel we are not qualified to do the task in front of us. God is always stretching us to make us more like Him. It can be scary; I am sure Deborah was scared. Adrenaline coursed through her body that day as she led the fight. We also can use that adrenaline to move through the scary times. It can give you courage to take that step, right now.

Barak goes into battle that day under the specific instructions of Deborah. He does ‘win’ the battle; exactly as the Lord promised Deborah. However, because of his refusal to fight without her, she told him the specific victory over Sisera, the leader, would be at the hands of a woman.

Deborah was not that woman. . . though she might have expected it. A Bedouin woman named Jael had the honor. However, Jael stands in contrast to Deborah. Jael used what she knew best to complete the task, a tent peg. Deborah needed to depend on God for her leadership position that day because it was not in her experience.

Leading with Heart

Leadership takes risk, leadership takes courage, both women showed that. True leadership also takes trust. Only Deborah trusted that what God had said would come to pass. Trust God to give you the strength and courage to take risks in your business. Let go of things that are holding you back and lead by trusting Him.

You also must look beyond what you are capable of doing and see what God is calling you to do. Leading others takes dependence on God. Use leadership to set your business apart from others in your industry. Be the leader others want to aspire to be.

What qualities come to mind when you think about Leadership? Character, courage, focus, passion, generosity, responsibility, vision? In the comments tell me one way you show Leadership every day.

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

P.S. The Clarity Retreat sign up is happening NOW. Get motivated to LEAD 2018 with way God wants you to and live in your Calling.

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

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

Become THE Expert Communicator

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Have you ever had a customer . . .

. . . that was demanding, impatient, and competitive?

. . . that was enthusiastic, impulsive and a little disorganized?

. . . that was cooperative, supportive and yet indecisive?

. . . that was cautious, systematic and somewhat critical?

Welcome to the world of personality profiling.  Knowing a little about the DiSC can help you deal not only with customers and clients but also with colleagues and co-workers.

All month (March 2017) we have been looking at various aspects of these personalities and understanding how to identify the people we encounter.  This week I want to look at our communication styles.

By this point you should have identified yourself and know where you sit in the DiSC profile.  Remember, when you are the one who is communicating, it is your responsibility to be the chameleon and change to meet the situation.

Let’s review how you should communicate to each type . . .

D . . .  Be efficient and businesslike

Get to the point

Set and clarify goals and objectives

Give conclusions, details only when asked

Solve problems and objections

Talk in terms of results, not methods

 

i . . .  Leave time for small talk and social niceties

Ask about family and children (be ready to talk about yours)

If possible, let them ‘experience’ what you are communicating

Talk in terms of people and stories

Use lots of examples

 

S . . . Don’t come on too strong

Earn their trust in small steps

Don’t ask for big decisions right away

Provide plenty of reassurance

Talk in terms of security

 

C . . . Be well prepared

Have lots of facts and figures

Be prepared for skepticism, objections

Answer all their questions

Go slow, giving them time to think and analyze

I love being able to have a plan and recognize what words will work and not work for certain types.  I hope you see the advantages of using DiSC as well.  Let’s look now at the actual word choices that work best for each personality.

Again. . .

D . . . Words that Work

  • Win
  • Lead the field
  • Results
  • Now, new
  • Challenge

Words/Actions that DON’T Work

  • Follow my directions
  • In my opinion. . .
  • Frequent interruptions

 

i . . . Words that Work

  • Fun
  • Exciting
  • I feel. . .
  • Sociable
  • This will make you look good

Words/Actions that DON’T Work

  • . .
  • The same for everyone
  • Sophisticated
  • Requires study

 

S . . . Words that Work

  • Step-by-step improvement
  • Help me out
  • Guarantee/Promise
  • Think about it

Words/Actions that DON’T Work

  • Substantive change
  • Innovation
  • Play to win

 

C . . . Words that Work

  • Here are the facts. . .
  • No risk
  • Proven
  • Analysis
  • Guaranteed

Words/Actions that DON’T Work

  • Untested
  • Cutting-edge
  • Educated guess
  • Experimental

Imagine receiving an email or having a meeting with any of these people.  Right away you should be able to pin point their DiSC personality style and then match their energy, word choices and answer any concerns in a way that is meaningful to them.  This works if they are customers, clients or co-workers.  You have the tools you need to move forward with your idea, project or product because you can get everyone on the same page with you. Magic.

The next time you are in a meeting, listen to each person’s word choices.  Use your other observation skills to pinpoint DiSC personalities based on their clothing and their body language.  You will have an arsenal of valuable insights to use so that you become the expert communicator and hit your goals in sales, collaboration, and team building. And as my D self would say, “You will WIN”.

Be filled to overflowing,

 

Deneen

 

 

Looking Back & Looking Ahead- Get things DONE

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This year has been super-productive.  My word for the year was Intentional.  I took this seriously and weighed every decision, every goal, and every action against the word.  How was your year? Did you have great plans in January and have them fizzle out by March?  Did you hang on, plodding through until June?  Congratulations!  Personally I like the 12-week plan I have used for two years now.  I realize that this year specifically I accomplished many things using the plan.

What do you want to get accomplished?  What are your goals?  How do you want your life to be?

I believe God places resources and people in our lives at just the right time.  The 12-week plan came into my line of sight two years ago and has brought me focus and clarity for my goals.  What resources is God putting in front of you? It may be me.  🙂

My health goal was the first I tackled this year.  I was determined to get off my blood pressure medicine, so I put a plan in place with a nutritionist to get my inside cleaned up.  Within six months I was off the medication and had lost almost 50 pounds!

During that time, I also created the Kaleidoscope Prayer & Devotional book.  It is available on my website and is a great way to start your connection to God through Prayer & Coloring. This introduction to my signature verses Ephesians 3:14-21 was a collaboration with my youngest daughter.  I completed it by April and took it with me to a Women’s Conference in Washington state where I led a break out session.

Many of you reading this post today have been to one of my Trainings.  I want to thank you for making this year so much fun.  I hope you received something you needed for your Business and for your Faith.  Every month this past year has been an opportunity to grow. The Lunch & Learns included Social Media training in Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and choosing your best platform.  Workshops included, Using the DiSC personality profiling system, setting Goals-Actions Steps-Time Management as well as Praying in Color and Finding Your Way to Journal.

Another goal for this year was to be invited to speak.  These opportunities started coming in by mid-year.  In August I spoke at the Sustainable U Conference at Cranbrook where women of all ages came to be equipped as leaders.  In September I spoke for the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) in Utica on Time Management. In October I was part of the Personal Development panel at the Leadership for Women Summit in Detroit. And, in November I spoke in St. Louis at both the Tapestry Network Retreat and the Audacious Faith LIVE Event. It is great to look at these opportunities and see how placing my Intention on something made it come to pass.

There are many other goals that were reached this past year.  I would LOVE to have coffee with you and tell you my story but more importantly, listen to yours.  The biggest surprise this year was the opportunity to help others through coaching.  I love sharing the tools God has placed in my life to help me accomplish my goals.  It is always about filling up on good things and then overflowing that knowledge and experience to others.  Need focus, accountability, a push?  Connect with me for that coffee, I’ll buy. 🙂

What is coming for next year?  First, I invite you to join me at a Quiet Day Retreat on January 4th.  This time is for YOU to think, pray, plan and rest. Connect to God in a way that is intimate; a true time of discovery. I want to help you get clear on what your goals are for the year and of course, your Word. I want you to look into 2017 and be ready to attack it with direction and a plan.

Second, the Bible/Book Club will be using the book, The Marketplace Christian by Darren Shearer.  We begin on Tuesday, January 17th.  Every 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month we will explore what it means to use our Spiritual Gifts in our Business.  I am so excited to share this book with you and explore what it means to LINK Faith & Business. Join us for this Lunchtime group.

This week and next are a time to look back and see what God has accomplished in your life this past year.  AND, a time to look forward and ask God what He would have you do for the next year. You are here on this life journey to do His will and live in His purpose. I am here to serve you. I am called to reach out and be the resource God is placing in front of you.

What do you need?

 

Be filled to overflowing,

 

Deneen