A few weeks ago I shared (read the post here) that I am reading through The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges. It’s been quite a journey these past few weeks as I’ve encountered truths about sin, holiness and the struggle we each face inside. I’d like to share with you one of the lessons I’ve learned just this week.

In chapter five of the book, Bridges discusses the power that sin has over us. He talks about the “dominion of sin” and reminds readers that once we are saved, sin’s hold us on is broken. Now, I’ve heard this said over the years and while I believe it to be true, I have always wondered what, then, is wrong with me? Why do I still struggle with sin? In fact, I’ve often thought to myself, “I must not be a very good Christian if I’m still struggling with such-and such. I’m sure so-and-so doesn’t struggle like I do.”

Over and over I’ve barraged myself with thoughts like these until I truly believed there was something wrong with me – that somehow sin DID still have power over me. Read the rest of this entry »

My first step into the work-at-home world was as a data extractor for a company in my local area. Believe it or not, I found that job in the Classified Ads section of the newspaper. That, however, was ten years ago. A lot has changed in the last ten years – the internet alone has grown by leaps and bounds. So, what are some of the best ways for people in today’s market to find a telecommuting opportunity?

Classified Ads
One good thing about the technology available to us today is that most Classified Ads are now not only listed in print newspapers, but online as well. Take a look through these to see if there are businesses in your area looking for local at-home workers.

Online Job Sites
Most online job websites now offer telecommuting listings. Use the search term “telecommute” to help give you the best results. There are even websites that cater to the work-at-home crowd such as HireMyMom.com. Remember – always be sure to read the fine print, and research each company/opportunity that interests you.

Freelance
More and more at-home workers are freelancing on a contract basis. Writers, web designers, graphic artists, and more are finding this a viable option to allow them to work from home. There are websites, such as elance.com, that cater specifically to the freelance community and make it easy for freelancers to connect with companies and individuals looking to hire them.

Start A Business
Other trend among telecommuters is heading out on their own. Taking the data entry and executive assistant skills that they’ve gained over the years, these at-home workers are now launching their own Virtual Assistant (VA) services, Copy-writing services and other such businesses.

There are an amazing amount of resources for telecommuters today. These positions are in high demand, so be sure to polish your resume and tailor it to fit the type of work that you’re searching for. Be persistent – it may take a while to locate the right opportunity, but it will be well worth the wait.

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Jill Hart’s entrepreneurial career began in her teens when she spent a summer working with her father who ran his own business. When he put her in charge of a Coke machine and allowed her to keep the profits, she saw the benefits of being her own boss. She is the founder of the popular Christian work-at-home website CWAHM.com and mentors business owners at http://SuccessfulChristianWomen.com. Jill is also the co-author of So You Want To Be a Work-at-Home Mom (Beacon Hill Press, 2009).

by Tracy DeGraaf

As a work-from-home mom with a husband and five boys, there have been plenty of times when I’ve been on an important phone call while waving my hands violently to get my boys to stop sword fighting with the plunger and the toilet brush (or whatever crazy testosterone-driven activity my boys come up with). It happened to me AGAIN just the other day. I was interviewing someone on the phone and recording it for my radio show (The Laugh Anyway Mom Show found at www.webtalkradio.net and www.thewinonline.com). I had a gigantic sign taped to the front door that read “DO NOT RING DOOR BELL. MOM IS ON THE RADIO.” I told all the boys that I was going to be recording, so they would have to go outside, down the basement, or upstairs.

Apparently, I missed one because half way through the 30 minute recording, my son Luke appeared at my office doors (French doors with glass) and started to come in. I waved at him like an air traffic controller trying to ward off a direct hit. “STOP, turn around and go back!” He ignored me. Instead, he thought it was funny to watch me act like a maniac on the outside while trying to keep a calm demeanor in my voice.

He stood there, crossed his arms, and made faces at me. I could almost understand this behavior if Luke was a two-year-old, but he’s 19! I paused for a long awkward moment trying to figure out how to make him go away and respond to my guest at the same time. She thought we had been disconnected. “Sorry,” I said, “I think we were getting some static on the line or something.” Thankfully, I was able to edit out the “dead air” later. I also decided to edit out my son’s driving privileges for the day because, even though he’s 19, can go to war, and exercise his right to vote, I guess he still needs to be reminded that there are absolutely times when Mom cannot be interrupted (especially when she works from home). Read the rest of this entry »

by Cherie Hill

Do you ever feel like life is nothing but a roller coaster ride and everything within you just wants to get off? Your joy and peace can be stolen, within moments, by discouragement and despair. We find ourselves with fleeting faith, when the troubles of life come crashing in on us like relentless waves in a stormy sea.

Though we claim to trust in a Shepherd who leads us through valleys . . . we find ourselves “wanting” . . . “fearing evil” . . . wondering if He’s really with us. With each step we take, it seems unlikely that there are any “green pastures” . . . much less “still waters.”  We’re not so sure we like His rod or His staff . . . they don’t seem to be so “comforting.” Instead of our “souls being restored,” we’re convinced, with each passing moment, our valley may lead us into a canyon.

It can be difficult to believe that God’s plans are for “good,” when life seems to be unraveling.  Yet, without doubt, there would be no need for faith. (God uses ALL things for good . . . even our doubt and disbelief) And faith is where God draws the line. It’s the place where you must make a decision to step over the line. In the words of missionary Helen Roseveare, God’s voice shouts to us in our pain . . . “Can you thank Me for trusting you with this experience, even if I never tell you why?” God’s question cuts to the heart of our faith. He calls us out, and His question begs an answer. He asks us to trust Him, even if He never answers our questions. It’s His way of making us completely dependent upon Him. He’s taking us on a journey, and He’s asking us to make a decision to trust Him at every step.

When we find ourselves in difficult and sometimes seemingly insurmountable situations . . . God draws a line. We stand on the side of questioning His ways, giving into doubt, unsure that we can take even one more step. But, there’s Jesus. He stands on the other side of the line and His outreached hand beckons us like a child learning how to walk. There’s the strength in His eyes that assures us He’s there to help us, and He will not let us fall . . . if we will take that step. Read the rest of this entry »

I tend to see the frustrating things in my kids…the things I think need changing…the things that I’m mad at myself for not being more consistent about.  One example is I’ve noticed that with summer comes a lot more together time for them, and so their bickering has upped itself quite a bit.  They have this thing where they insult each other, sometimes for real, sometimes tongue-in-cheek, and it drives me crazy.

So I’ve instituted that every time I hear them say something unkind, that person has to say something kind in its place.  It’s been working…sort of. Jack isn’t Sara’s biggest fan.  Asking him to compliment her is like asking him to wear a dress to basketball practice.  This was his highest form of flattery to date that he could muster up for his big sister, after he had just slammed her, let me point out: “Your glasses seem to fit well.”  It gets better.  Not only does he struggle with complimenting her, he can’t stand when she says something nice about or to him (kinda weird).  The other day she said his shirt looked good on him and he replied, “Now you have to say something mean to balance it out.”  Unbelievable.

But I digress ever so slightly.  My point being, I focus on the negatives.  But I was sharing a few stories about my kids with a new friend and she said, “How have you gotten your kids to turn out like that?”  The question surprised me.  I don’t think I have gotten them to turn out quite yet, for one thing.  But for another thing, I forget the good.  I don’t see it, I don’t acknowledge it. Read the rest of this entry »

by Sandy McKeown

“Teach us to fly, Momma!” my grandchildren plead when they are seeking attention. I am engrossed as my daughter-in-law begins the familiar routine.

“Hold out your arms,” she gently coaches. “Now, wave them up and down.” She watches as their little arms begin flapping. “Good! Now faster, faster!” And my grandchildren, with their arms flapping ever faster and faster, run away from their mother, their arms flapping as fast as they can go. Then my daughter-in-law calls out, “You did it! You’re flying! You’re free!”

At this point she turns back to whatever she was doing, and the kids usually come back for more attention, but that’s okay—it was just a game.

Realistically, we expected the kids to leave and “be free” on their own. After graduation, we would help them pack, show them the way to a job or college, and say, “You did it! You’re on your own! You’re free!” We also expected them to never move back home again.

This economy has changed that.

We recently moved almost five hours from where we raised our kids. We bought a bigger house. Three of the four kids who had moved out previously are back.  Did we buy too big? Some may think so. I’m not there—yet. Read the rest of this entry »

by Cheryl Moeller

1. Any roadside diner advertising, “Home Cooking” and “Free Oil Change.”

2. Any medieval jousting match asking for your blood type and name of next of kin.

3. Any mule trip into the Grand Canyon selling only one-way tickets.

4. Any tour of a nuclear power plant promising, “You’ll be the first on your block to glow in the dark.”

5. Any Wild West rodeo cautioning, “Patrons must not feed the bulls that charge into the bleachers.”

6. Any 3D Imax theater showing, “The Fantastic Gall Bladder.” Read the rest of this entry »

Greetings to my fellow CWAHM’s!

My name is Victoria, but everyone calls me Tori. I was invited by Jill to be a columnist here at CWAHM.com, and I feel incredibly blessed to be among so many wonderful Christian women. My column, “The Artistic Heart”, will hopefully inspire you and bring out the joy and creativity that each of us are gifted with to one extent or another. I will be covering a wide variety of topics, from baking to scrapbooking, and just about everything in between.

Many people don’t realize that having an artistic nature can be a great way to minister to others, as well as a starting point for many home-based businesses. I am here to hopefully change the idea that artistic joys are not simply a hobby, and to show how you can use your gift for creativity to bring joy and happiness to the lives of those around you.

After many years of trying to decipher the age-old question, “What is my purpose?”, I have finally realized that the desire the Lord gave me for all things that are “artsy” is not simply something that He wanted me to enjoy, but it is truly one of the things I can use in ministry, as well as in business. Sounds strange, doesn’t it? I thought so too, until a conversation I had with my husband Derek opened my eyes. Read the rest of this entry »

by Cherie Hill

You pray, but God doesn’t seem to be listening. You trust Him, but it appears He’s letting you down. You believe His Word, but His promises are coming up seemingly empty in your life. You seek, but do not find…you knock, but no one answers. If God is doing anything at all in your life…you can’t see it. The fight of faith intensifies, as it appears that not only is God running late…He may not even show up at all. By the looks of things, God’s either too busy in the lives of others or He just simply doesn’t care. With each passing hour, your Spirit grows weary…

in the waiting.

My eyes are straining to see your Promises come true.

When will you comfort me?

(Psalm 119:82 NLT)

I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched.

My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me.

(Psalm 69:31 NLT)

It’s been said that the hardest part of faith is the last half hour. You see, there are times of overwhelming confusion that come just before deliverance. In the darkness, we tend to give up just before the Light breaks through. Charles Spurgeon once said, “The wilderness is the way to Canaan. Defeat prepares us for victory. The darkest hour of the night precedes the dawn.” We love God’s grace, but we don’t like His watch. His calendar appears to be astonishingly different than the ones we hang on our walls, and we’re not sure He’s managing time, or our lives, very well at all. Unless we continue to look through God’s eyes in the mundane, seemingly empty, times of our lives, we will grow weary and our faith may fail. Read the rest of this entry »

by Jill Hart and Diana Ennen

Over the last several years blogging has become the foundation for social media campaigns of businesses big and small. Where Facebook and Twitter help keep companies in the limelight, spreading the word about special events, discounts and newsworthy items, blogs are the place where companies build their reputation and make sales.

As popular as blogging has become, I often hear from home-based business owners who are trying to figure out exactly what a blog consists of and how they can use one to benefit their business. Below are three tips that can help maximize the impact of your business blog.

1. It’s All In The Name

Be sure to choose a name for your blog that is both descriptive and easy to remember. Try to stick to either your business name or the name of your star product/service. If none of these are available consider using your name or business tagline.  Also, consider possibly adding in your keywords … such as Publicity Virtual Assistant. Read the rest of this entry »