DeneenTB

Helping you to do MORE for God through your Work

Planning

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

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Fears & Consequences

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Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. Proverbs 9:10

What do you FEAR? How is FEAR affecting you? AND, How can you overcome FEAR?

Types of Fears

Rejection

The fear of rejection is really the fear of people. If you go through life constantly seeking to please others in ways that will bring you happiness, you may be dealing with this fear.

Even with this fear, you naturally seek more out of life, however, because you are a people pleaser you refrain from making decisions or taking actions that might cause other people to deny you the things that you want.

Does this sound like you?

Failure

The fear of failure means going through life worrying about making mistakes, about hurting other people, and about being judged for your actions and decisions.

You can identify it in yourself if you feel like you are suffering from extreme emotions and reactions. You may be quick to anger. You also seek perfectionism and always try to do whatever it takes to over-please the people in your life.

Does this sound like you?

Success

The fear of success is possibly the most prevalent goal-oriented fear within society today. The truth is, the thought of stepping outside of your comfort zone brings a great deal of uncertainty and unpredictability that naturally stifles your decisions and actions.

You may find that you tend to procrastinate, to be disorganized, and seem to be gifted with a natural lack of productivity. These behaviors are self-sabotaging tools (excuses) you are using to lay the foundation for roadblocks toward your goals.

Does this sound like you?

Minors

Along with the above three fears, you may also deal with fears of inadequacy, change, commitment, confrontation, responsibility, and losing control. Each of these minor fears are powerful self-sabotaging forces too.

Overcoming Fears

Validate

You have no hope in the world of ever effectively dealing with something if you don’t first acknowledge that it exists within your reality. You must validate the existence of your fears (even though they are just irrational projections of your mind) in a way that will throw a little doubt and uncertainty your way.

Ask: Is this fear reasonable? Does this fear make sense?

Understand

The next step is to learn to understand your fears at a deeper and more profound level, which can be accomplished by moving back through time to gain a realization of how your fears came into existence.

Ask: Why does this fear have a hold over me? How did I originally come to fear this?

Consequences

To successfully overcome your fears, you will need to gain some leverage. You must first identify the potential losses that will come to the surface if you continue to hold onto this fear, while on the other hand acknowledging the potential gains that you are likely to achieve if you successfully overcome this fear in a rational and proactive way.

Ask: What am I likely to lose if I continue to hold onto this fear? What am I likely to gain if I manage to successfully overcome this fear?

Plan

This process involves looking ahead in time, identifying and strategically contemplating how you will deal with this fear under the blanket of different scenarios and perspectives. You must effectively determine how you will deal with your fear from an emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental perspective.

Ask: What’s the worst that could possibly happen? How will I effectively deal with this scenario?

Changing your Perspective

At this point I am going to ask you to become a courageous person. That means you are not going to simply accept reality.

A courageous person has a set of distinguishable habits that help them to successfully move through their fears and into a world of unlimited opportunities and potential. This means transforming your perspective about yourself, others and circumstances in ways that will help you overcome your fears.

Self

Believe you will achieve your goals and objectives despite your fears. Believe you will attain a positive outcome. And believe there are hidden opportunities around every corner.

Finally, have the unshakable belief that God is working for your betterment.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

Others

Look at others in ways that will help to further your cause as you move through the fears and obstacles that are standing in your way. This means you must be fully committed to your goals.

Commitment is necessary as it helps you move through your fear-driven obstacles with a greater sense of determination and persistence that will keep you going despite naysayers.

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. Galatians 6:4-5

Circumstances

Identify the seeds of opportunity hidden within the problems and fears that are currently confronting. You have no limitations. Strive for seemingly insurmountable goals that keep you on your toes and moving forward each day.

Be patient and use rational thinking to encourage better and more proactive decision-making. And, have faith, faith that gives you a sense of confidence so you move beyond any obstacles.

The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?  Psalms 118:6

 

What are you fearing? How are you allowing fear to affect you? AND, How will you overcome fear?

Want someone to chat with about what you are going through as you seek to live out God’s Calling, connect with me for a Clarity Session.

 

Be filled to overflowing,

 

Deneen

 

 

 

Stepping into Challenges for Progress

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My challenge over the last few years has been around making progress toward my vision. After leaving teaching I became a serial entrepreneur. I began with teaching Spanish classes & camps, then went into direct sales & leading a networking group, and now I have transitioned into an author, speaker & Clarity coach.

I look at this line of adventures and ask myself- Have I made any progress?

Progress

For me, progress means taking one step at a time. There is the adage, ‘the journey of 1,000 miles begins with one step’. Looking back at all those years I feel like I have walked those miles. How about you?

Another thing I have come to realize is that progress only happens when you take on the next challenge. That means trusting God to provide help. Now, I am a risk-taker. That doesn’t always mean the risk pays off the way I thought but it does mean I trust God so I can take the next step into what He is calling me to do.

Making progress also means having patience. I have my timelines, and I work hard to achieve my goals, but sometimes I am anxious. That’s when I turn to Philippians 4:8 and use it as a check list and filter. What is true? What is right? What is lovely? What is praiseworthy? It really works to take those thoughts captive and turn them into Truth.

And, never forget to celebrate progress! Celebrate when you accomplish a step in your plan. The most beneficial times for me have been when I have taken time to look back and see all the small steps I have taken to get to where I am right now. God wants you and me to be satisfied in our work, not just satisfied when we finish the work. Jesus came to give us a rich and satisfying life (John 10:10).

Steps

What step are you wanting to take in your business? Are you trying to get started? Are you wanting to grow? God has you, He gave you the desire and He will give you direction. Trust Him and take the step.

What challenge are you facing right now in your business? It could be He is asking you to do something that is out of your comfort zone. Leadership? I know this is one area that God has challenged me. We can only make progress if we believe we are working as a leader. The Clarity Leadership Conference & Retreat can help you Clarify your leadership style and how to best use it for your business or ministry.

I guess I can say YES, I have made progress over the years. Each step I have taken has taught me a skill for the next. Each time I have waited on God the results have gotten better. And, it has been worth every step because I am doing it with God.

Look at your past week- What progress have you made for your business and other projects? Give gratitude to the Father for His help. 😊

 

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

 

 

 

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