GBG|Christian Homebased Business|You Got to have a Map or at least a GPS

Putting my Christian homebased business on the backburner is an easy thing to do and  it seems I can always come up with some sort of excuse, if I have to--but most of the time, I get sidetracked by distractions that seem important at the time. In reality, however, my lack of focus is due to lack of clearly defined goals.

Life happens to the best of us. Some people may tell you that when they are handed a lemon, they make lemonade. Some people just look at the lemon, tell you how much they hate it and then try to pretend it is not there. What am I talking about? What I'm talking about is when life happens, we have a decision to make: are we going to face the problem head on or procrastinate and do nothing about the situation. If we choose the latter, our life may soon becomes a blur of unfinished tasks and projects.
 

There comes a point when we are given a wakeup call and must decide to do something about our situation or pay the penalty of forfeiting what God has planned for us. Lack of focus is a killer. It is often easier to get off track than to get back on track.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.



We all veer off the path God has planned for us from time to time, but we can all get back on track. One thing I do when I get off track is go on a date with myself. I take myself to a nice restaurant or somewhere I can just think and be alone with my thoughts and plans and also at the same time look for direction from God. I take my tablet and write down those things which are important to me and goals I wish to accomplish. If I've veered too far off course, I know it is even time to get away by myself for a day or two. Now, I know that is not possible for everyone, especially if you have many responsibilities, but re-evaluation is necessary to get yourself back on track. (Keep your tablet by your bed and write down ideas or thoughts as they come). We often get overwhelmed with thoughts and our minds are here, there, and nowhere.

 Habakkuk 2:2-3
   “ Write the vision
      And make it plain on tablets,
      That he may run who reads it.
      ³ For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
      But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
      Though it tarries, wait for it;
      Because it will surely come,
      It will not tarry.
      

With my Christian homebased business, GBG, we have a list of ten commitments which were designed by our team leader, CJ (Charles Johns) to keep us going in the right direction. Many times, I find that if I am not moving forward, it is often that I have failed to accomplish one of the commitments.

GBG Ten Commitments and Blueprint for Success

Some people treat network marketing as if it were a lottery, joining any new company which comes along--just because it may look good on the surface. But, there are so many features a person must look for in choosing the right network marketing company. I really believe I chose the right one with GBG.

When I was laid off, I really wasted a lot of money trying to find the right vehicle for success, when it was right under my nose all along. I was a customer with GBG first before I ever began to tell others about the money which could be made with the product.

Since life had happened to me lately, my homebased business really took a back seat. But now, again--I'm back on the journey towards success. My excuses for not moving forward are in the past now.

If you are involved in network marketing and feel you are where God wants you to be with the right company, just begin again. Don't give up. Take your legal pad with you and ask God to reveal to you the right steps for success. He really wants you to prosper and be in good health, both of which are possible benefits with our company and maybe yours too.

Each person has the opportunity to choose failure or success. Today can be your time for a turnaround in your business. Don't let others dictate your success. The price for success may not be easy, but it will definitely be easier if you have a roadmap for success. The right vehicle is necessary, but by actually stopping and determining an action plan, you will be more apt to succeed.

Also, there is so much out on the Internet, you will be tempted to be distracted. You may need to decide how much time you are availing yourself to each project. Find out what actions you are doing which are bringing you closer to your goals, and then concentrate on those specific areas.

I really hope I have motivated you to get out of complacency and do something. Begin with a plan, your plan.

Christian Home Based Business - Gives Me Time for My Favorite Thing - Socializing

My Christian Home Based Business gives me the time to enjoy my friends and my church. I am so thankful. Last year at this time, I would have been busy working a 50 hour work-week, chasing after the almighty dollar. Now it chases after me.  Having a Cookie Swap is one of the fun ways of enjoying socializing with your friends. 

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24 (KJV)

Yesterday was an exciting day for Women of Power at our church, Power Plant Ministry Center, located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  This was the first time I had been invited to a cookie swap or even known about such a concept. (Where have I been?) 

 How it works is that each person bakes about three dozen cookies and brings them to a specific place for swapping. In our case, we did it at our church.  Each person goes around the table and takes one cookie from each plate until all the cookies are gone or until she wants to stop.  There were all kinds of cookies at the swap; however, the most fun was had by women who came together to do what women do best, talk.  And talk we did. Also a luncheon of simple sandwiches was arrayed along with chips and dips. You could tell our pastor's wife and others had put some time into the preparation for the luncheon.

The two events (both the luncheon along with the cookie swap) surrounded by Christmas decorations and Christmas music gave us an environment which was both fun and relaxing. We took our time and stayed as long as someone was still there.  At some cookie swaps, people engage in sampling, but most of us took our cookies home.

Click for Taste of Home Minute about Organizing a Cookie Swap
Our church (which meets its maximum on Sunday mornings of around 200)  is basically a typical sized church, similar in size to many of the churches in the United States. The median church in the U.S. has 75 regular participants in worship on Sunday mornings, according to the National Congregations Study http://www.soc.duke.edu/natcong/ (median meaning that half are larger and half are smaller).  The average (186 attenders reported by the USCLS survey http://www.uscongregations.org/charact-cong.htm ) is larger due to the influence of very large churches.

For many years, I went to a large church, or  a mega-church as they are called in the United States. Due to some personal situations I had been through, my heart's desire was to enter into a small church and develop relationships which would enrich my Christian experience here on earth. My previous affiliation with a large church made me feel that I only had surface relationships. The word was great, social interactions were nice, but for me there was a hollowness on the inside of me which could only be filled by deep
"real" relationships. Have you ever seen alot of people, most all going around with smiles on their faces, each afraid to open up and allow people to really get to know them (most all wearing masks). The "feel good" mentality was shallow, at least for me. Thankfully, I have found those enriching relationships for which I craved at my current church. It did take some time and also both change and commitment on my own part, before I finally felt a sense of belonging.

I attribute the prolonged timespan (one year) for developing close friendships and the nurturing I was craving partly due to the fact that we had no Sunday School; however, classes are now planned in the near future. Another large aspect of not developing close relationships was also due to the fact that I was "broken," as I believe many people are who attend church. Healing takes time and commitment. A person or family cannot realistically believe that a strong comfort level will be achieved within their first few times of attending. It does happen, but it is not a realistic espectation, in my opinion.

Our church is also multi-racial and has a young pastor who is in his early 30's (the average age of a pastor according to the above report is in his early 50's).  Our church breaks both age and racial barriers. Our church was formed on the premises that it would not be just another "me too" church. Even the name, Power Plant, differentiates it from most churches in our vicinity.  It was planned to be different because we wanted to break down walls of religion which have pervaded our area for many years. We do not even have formal membership. There are many aspects of our church which do make it unique. All churches are different to some degree, but those which do God's will are those which allow its constituents to worship God in both spirit and in truth (worship from the heart and the teachings of the truth found in the scripture). There are many churches now which teach on concepts not even related to scripture.

23: But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

24: God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24)

I believe God knew our time here on earth, following after him and his principles, would not be an easy route to follow.  It is easier to follow the road of the masses which have a different agenda. When a person is truly "sold out" to Christ, he craves to be around other like-minded people. Even if he did not, it is still scriptural for people to assemble themselves together as one unified body.

Hebrews 10:23-25 (KJV)
 ²³Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
 ²⁴And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
 ²⁵Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 

The cookie swap as we had at our church, was a memory which will be cherished for years to come. I feel pretty sure we will do it again next year. 

Don't be afraid to Reach Your Goals - Nerium - Christian Homebased

Cindy Brooks (423) 475-5918
Free Home Based Business Consultation

For some reason, I started thinking about something that happened to me as a child.  I grew up in poverty, not even realizing that I was poor. Our family which consisted of my Mom and Dad, myself and three younger brothers, was the one of the first to live in government housing (a housing project) in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  I thought everything was really nice, and I was very happy.  There was no trouble, and the school was within walking distance.  There was also a playground with lots of equipment; we had alot of fun.

Once, my neighbors went downtown to get clothes that were being given to people who were underprivileged and I went with them.  When I came back, my mother was standing there ironing clothes.  I  had three dresses I thought were beautiful in my hand.  I was particularly excited about a yellow dress with two large pockets in the front. Just looking at that dress made me feel happy.  I told my mother that somehow the people downtown had gotten me mixed up and thought I was poor too.  She didn't say anything.  My mother worked hard as a homemaker trying her best to keep everything in line with a simple life being provided for us four kids, me being the oldest. 

We spent two years living in the housing project and they were incredibly fun.  I never knew I was poor because everyone else around me was poor.  We would even go looking for pennies, one of our favorite pastimes--but still not realizing I was poor.  I had an aunt with five kids who wanted to move into the projects, but they said she made too much money, even though I would have thought her family might have been on a lower scale than ours.  My Dad was a barber along with my uncle Hoyt and my grandfather.  My Dad cut hair for twelve years before the hippy era came, and his customers no longer cut their hair.  Grandfather continued because most of his customers were older and conservative. 

Anyway, my Dad along with most of his brothers were alcoholics--so as I look back on it now, maybe much of the money went towards alcohol (whisky the drink of choice). I remember bottles being hid around the house.  My Dad later gave his life to the Lord and does not drink alcohol now.  He said that if he ever started, he could not quit; therefore he does not drink at all.  Alcohol was what killed my parents' marriage which ended when I was ten years old.

I'm telling you where I come from only to explain my story and an important lesson I learned at an early age about going for your goals.  The situation occured after we moved closer to the other side of town, probably a step up, even though I didn't know it at the time.  This was the time when the first mall in Chattanooga was opened.  The event was an Easter Egg Scramble.  It worked like this--everything was roped off and plastic eggs with prizes in them were scattered all over the parking lot.  Along with the marshmallow eggs, these plastic eggs had the name of a store and the gift being offered written down on a small piece of paper inside the egg.  Security guards were on hand in case any problems developed.  We were all told to stay back until we hear a whistle blow.  Soon it was blown and all the kids on hand all ran at once to pick up as many eggs as possible. It was a very exciting day for us all.

Before the whistle was blown, before we ran for the eggs, I noticed there were several baskets out in the center.  I did not run out towards the center.  What would have been the use.  Everyone would have been running for those baskets (which were about five feet high stuffed with all kinds of goodies and prize eggs).  I tried as hard as I could to pick up those eggs closest to me. After the Easter Egg Scramble was over, I noticed Gerry, my cousin--the one everyone called Popeye, who was about three years younger than me, with a huge smile on his face.  He was elated as he stood beside one of the baskets. I said, "Gerry, how did you get that?"  Wow, I couldn't believe it.  He said, just matter of factly, "nobody else was trying to get it; it was easy."  The lesson I learned that day was that if you see something that you want--your mindset must be focused towards getting it.  There are so many people who are not going to go for the big prizes because they do not believe they can receive.  Gerry believed he'd get one of those baskets, and he did.  Had he never tried, he would never have known.

This same thing happened to my son in regards to his degree in Art Education.  He did his student teaching and did not like teaching. I asked him if he felt bad he had his degree in something that he didn't like.  I was the one who had encouraged him to get a degree in something that he loved and not to worry about the money. It's funny how when you follow your passion, the world aligns itself to give you what you expect.   My son really liked computer technology and decided to get Microsoft certified. His career field was enlarged because he had his degree and was affiliated with the educational aspect of the field in which he was interested. His experience intertwined with his goal, and he was soon earning a six-figure income, at least up until the last few years with corporate cutbacks.  Anyway, he loves his job and his career, even though now he drives over 120 miles to work each day.  It all started by just going for it and having the proper mindset to achieve his goals.

Sidenote: 3/17/13: Brian no longer drives over 120 miles to work. He, along with my two beautiful grandchildren and daughter-in-law moved back home. He has a beautiful home, works for himself and made more in one month than he did his best year working for someone else. Most of the time he only has a few steps from his bedroom to get to his office.

Mindset is so very important.  So many children are not taught to go after their goals, and many do not have self-confidence that they will receive.  I believe that is the reason why the Bible states:

              For ye have the poor with you always - Mark 14:7 KJV



 It's all about mindset and moving towards a desired end.  It's all about vision, which many people fail to develop, especially the poor.  They have been deceived by the enemy to think they will never rise above poverty, and therefore they do not.

Yes, our world has changed immensely since I was a child, but the lesson I learned is the same today as it was then -- go for what you want--you may get it.  You never know unless you try.  You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

My passion is to give hope to the hopeless.  A friend of mine told me the other day a profound statement:  The best way to help people in poverty is not to become one of them.  For those of you who need a plan to rise above the mundane and enter a world of prosperity, please visit my website at:  A REAL BUSINESS (Click Here) or give me a call at the telephone number above.  I also have a program which can be leveraged to get enough money to start with Nerium, should you not be able to get the start-up necessary. Many people work this program along with whatever it is they are already working because it is FREE to get started. FREE AND POWERFUL (Click Here)

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6 KJV