Social Media is quickly growing into one of the most-used marketing tools for work-at-home moms. One of the largest social media websites, Twitter.com, can be an effective way to spread the word about your business and learn from other top representatives in your business niche. However, it can take a lot of time to determine the best ways to use Twitter effectively for business. Below are ten tips to help shorten that learning curve.

1. Choose a Meaningful User Name
If possible, grab your business name as well as your own name for use on Twitter. Having an easy-to-find and easy-to-remember username is essential.

2. Brand Your Twitter Page
Don’t leave your Twitter page boring and plain – spice it up. Make sure you add your logo, contact information and any other information that will be helpful for customers and visitors to your page. You can use a website such as TwitBacks.com to create a free or very low-cost background to bring life to your page.

3. Learn the Lingo
Twitter can be very useful, but it can also be very frustrating … especially if you have no idea what all those little symbols mean that fly across the screen. Take the time to research the meanings of the tags most often used on Twitter. One great place to do so is right on Twitter itself: http://help.twitter.com/portal

4. Follow Industry Leaders
Veteran entrepreneur Diana Ennen shares this tip: “I love to follow industry experts on Twitter and gain all their business insight.  It’s almost like being right there in their office and getting in on their trade secrets.  Not only do they post tips and how to information, they often share their business successes and mistakes and that allows me to learn from them.  It’s so worth it!“

5. Interact
Don’t be shy! Take a few minutes each day to comment on what others are discussing or to throw out a question or idea. You never know when a topic is going to spark a response and help you build relationships with customers and your fellow Twitter users.

6. Don’t Make It All Business News – Be YOU
It’s great to share about the things going on in your business and you certainly will want to share specials, discounts and other items of interest to your customers. However, as a small business owner you have the unique ability to put a personal face on your business. Let your customers and readers get to know a little about you as well as your business.

7. Run Contests
Twitter is a great fast-paced way to a run a contest. By having a great prize, you can create a viral network of “tweets” about your company and the giveaway you’re holding. Sit down beforehand and plan out some great 140-character tweets that you can use throughout the giveaway time – whether that be minutes, hours or even days.

8. Share
Make your Twitter feed a worthwhile read for your customers. Share tips that apply to your target market, links to articles and other informational tidbits. Create a #hashtag for your business or topic (see #3 above) so that you can track re-tweets and mentions of your posts.

9. Be Thankful
A great way to make friends and build contacts is to thank others who re-tweet (RT) your posts. Send a shout-out saying thanks or feature them at special times like FriendFriday (#FF). They’ll know that you’re grateful and you’ll build a community that supports you – and each other.

10. Promote Others
Contrary to popular belief it IS in your best interest to work together with other entrepreneurs and to help spread the word about great things that they may be doing. Not only will people be drawn to your Twitter feed for great information, but they will see that you’re willing to share about more than your own interests. Another great benefit is that those you help promote will one day be there to help promote you, as well.

Twitter is a great marketing tool for work-at-home moms. It can help drive traffic to your website, as well as aid you in building relationships with your target market. Use the tips above to help guide you in how to best use social media to benefit your business and your customers.

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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).

You can find her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/cwahm

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).

Leader…Or Not?

Every MOMent Counts
By Tracey Lanter Eyster,
Creator & Senior Editor of MomLifeToday.com

Is she, or isn’t she, a leader; Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin?  That question seems to be on everyone’s lips.  Lipstick or not.

That question has caused me to take a step back, peer into the mirror and wonder how I would answer that question about myself.

My initial thought…I used to be a leader.  I was a Paralegal in one of the top law firms in South Florida with offices on the island of Palm Beach.  The attorneys I worked for recognized my leadership abilities and trusted me with free reign on the projects I worked on.  I ended up becoming somewhat of an expert in my field because the firm specialized in Equity Country Club conversions and ultimately I ended up on the leadership team of a start up club in Stuart, Florida and then the Membership/Marketing Director of an exclusive golf club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.  Not long after that, the unexpected happened – I was blessed with a pregnancy, though the doctors told me I would never get pregnant.

What is a woman (who is a leader) to do when faced with a fulfilling job and motherhood looming on the horizon?  In my opinion, a woman and her husband are to pray, seek God and determine what is best for her (and their) plans for the future.  Once you know God’s desire you then have to act on it, make that tough decision – even if it requires sacrifice.  Isn’t that really what leadership is after all?

In my leadership roles in the business world I have had the best of business plans, put them into action and then circumstances changed and suddenly the perfect business plan had to be altered.  To quote the US Marine Corps, “adjust and adapt” … that is the role of a leader.

Yes, I enjoyed my career, but the tough decision for me was to leave my job, and the sacrifice was to sell our large golf course dream home and move into a 1,400 square foot home in an entirely different type of neighborhood.

Did I become less of a leader when I made the decision to stay at home with my daughter?  Is Michelle Obama less of a leader because her first priority is to care for her daughters – even when her residence is the White House?  For me, staying at home with my child was the right decision and the sacrifice was not painful because my husband and I chose it.

Leadership can look different during our changing seasons of life.  I have used my leadership skills in church and civic organizations and I have run more than one “at home” business in an effort to utilize my skill set.  As I look back over the years I recognize that I have learned more about leadership and working with others through motherhood, my many hours of volunteerism, and being an entrepreneur,  than I ever would have learned had I stuck with the law firm or the country clubs.

Ladies, if you are assuming leadership is only for women in suits who have spent the last few years sitting behind a desk, or in a classroom, I’m here to tell you that you are definitely mistaken.

As someone who has lived “both lives” so to speak – career woman and stay at home working mom – I believe that the greatest news of all is that today’s woman now has choices and she is not bound by what the world tells her, she need only be bound by how God directs her.

Remember…every MOMent counts!

Blessings.

Tracey

Tracey Eyster is the creator and senior editor of MomLife Today and has served with FamilyLife.com as a writer for three years. After becoming a mom, she “retired” from her career in public relations and marketing but continued to serve by volunteering on many committees and boards. She is passionate about momlife, encouraging other moms through speaking and writing, and is in the process of publishing her first book. Tracey is happily married to Bill has two teenagers at home (and several extras always looking for some fun n’ home cookin) and they live the simple life on a small ranch – horses, four wheelers, go carts and dirt bikes included! Always known as the “fun mom”- she embraces that title and challenges other moms to lighten up and make memories because … Every MOMent Counts!  You can find her at www.momlifetoday.com,  www.momlifeoutloud.com , www.blog.familymatters.net follow her on twitter at www.twitter.com/momblog, and hear tips from her on parenting at www.iquestions.com.

This week we’re talking about Starting Fresh In The New Year.

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

Thinking Through It All

Today we talked about starting each new year – and each new day – remembering that God’s mercies to us are new each morning. I’d love to discuss the following in the comments section below:

* How can you remind yourself daily that God’s mercies are new each morning? What verse has He given you? (If you don’t have a verse that helps remind you of this, pray and ask Him for one!)

* How can you make time to learn His promises and then stand firm in them?

* How can we be praying for you?
(You can post prayer requests below or send your request in here)

Comment Below!

Order Today from CWAHM and get FREE SHIPPING!

Want to read the first chapter of So You Want To Be a Work-at-Home Mom?
CLICK HERE!

Or buy the book at Amazon.com!

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This week we’re talking about Balancing Work and Family During the Holidays.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. .
Matthew 6:33

Thinking Through It All

Today we talked about finding our confidence in God. I’d love to discuss the following in the comments section below:

* What ways have you learned that help you keep your focus on Jesus in the midst of the chaos of life?

* How can we be praying for you?
(You can post prayer requests below or send your request in here)

Order Today from CWAHM and get FREE SHIPPING!

Want to read the first chapter of So You Want To Be a Work-at-Home Mom?
CLICK HERE!

Or buy the book at Amazon.com!

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This Broadcast: Teaching Kids to Have a Giving Spirit at Christmastime with Jill Hart of CWAHM.com

Listen Here!

With a history spanning three decades, Crown Radio programs help listeners discover how God relates to their money and their lives, addressing the challenging issues that are confronting them today. The programs give help, hope, and insight to the listeners as they learn to fulfill God’s purposes for their lives in the ways that they make and manage their money.

Each week, MoneyLife™ examines current, relevant themes from a biblical perspective and explores the practical, emotional, and relational impacts of life issues. Host and Crown’s CEO, Chuck Bentley, addresses topics related to life-stage decisions and shifting economic realities and focuses on the emotional connection of biblical truth with its practical application.

Moments for Mom
Elizabeth K. Corcoran,
Author of He Is Just That Into You

For various reasons, my holiday season is going to look nothing like my past several holiday seasons.  I’m going through a personal crisis, one side of the family is dealing with the death of a loved one this year, and the other side of the family is navigating some central relationships that are struggling.  Add to that, I’m not even hosting Christmas (long, long story) this year, a decision made about five minutes after last year’s Christmas party.  So this December looks different, and already feels different.

I could’ve taken two possible approaches.  There was the woe-is-me/bah-humbug approach, where I would decide to not put up Christmas decorations and curl up in a ball until sometime in mid-January.  And then there was the let’s-look-at-this-as-an-opportunity approach, where this season unfolds like a blank slate and I could dig in and re-evaluate what really means something to me and what can fall away without being missed.

So a few days ago, my kids and I sat down.  We wrote out everything we do from Thanksgiving through Christmas every year, and then we wrote down what was going to make this year different – what events and traditions we knew just weren’t going to take place.  It was sobering, I have to say.  The three main events that we participate in, that have been years-long traditions, aren’t happening, and it is sad, and some grieving needs to take place.

But we talked through those lists and we shared what we love to do each year.  We love doing some kind of service together, so we decided on that.  And the kids wanted to make sure that they spent at least some time with their cousins over Christmas break, so I’m going to do whatever I can to make that happen.  And we all love the tradition of Christmas Eve at church and taking back roads home to look at Christmas lights, something we’ve been doing since they were little.  And we talked about if there were anything else new that they’d to add, and I committed to put up the tree even though a part of me wants to pretend it’s already February.

And you know what I realized?  I don’t have to fear or dread change.  I can choose to embrace the shaking up of traditions, especially if some of them weren’t all that meaningful in the first place.  And this can be a really special time where I let my kids speak into how we spend our time and share what’s really important to them.  I wouldn’t have had this conversation with Sara and Jack had all these changes not been taking place, but now I know what matters to them about the holidays.

So now, with fewer obligations, I can be more intentional about bringing peace into our home on cold, cold nights, and I can remind them without all the rushing around that Christmas isn’t really about running from one place to the next but about a God who loves us so much that He let His Son come down here to surprise us with his humanity and his God-ness and to bring not just peace on earth, but peace to each one of them, no matter what we’re going through right now.

And, can I remind you, that He offers that peace to you as well?  Just as He did with Mary who was taken aback by startling news…just as He did with Joseph who had totally different plans for his life…just as He did with the shepherds in the field who were met by an angel of the Lord.  It all matters to Him what you’re going through, but no matter what it is, Emmanuel – God with us – offers Himself to you as your peace.

© Elisabeth K. Corcoran, 2010

Elisabeth lives her with husband and children in Illinois.  She is the author of He Is Just That Into You: Stories of a Faithful God who Pursues, Engages, and Has No Fear of Commitment (WinePress), In Search of Calm: Renewal for a Mother’s Heart (Xulon), and Calm in My Chaos: Encouragement for a Mom’s Weary Soul (Kregel). All of her books can be purchased on Amazon or through her website at www.elisabethcorcoran.com.
Check out her book trailer for He Is Just That Into You at http://www.vimeo.com/7093233.

Visit her blog at http://elisabethcorcoran.blogspot.com/. You can follow her on Twitter at ekcorcoran or friend her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/people/Elisabeth-Klein-Corcoran/1301703500. Watch Elisabeth and her friends spread hope through Africa with Samaritan’s Purse at http://www.vimeo.com/7919582.

This week we’re talking about striving to please God daily.

Our verse this week is:

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)

Thinking Through It All

Today we talked about what it means to be free. I’d love to discuss the following in the comments section below:

1. Do you set aside time each day to spend with the Lord? If not, will you commit to making time this week?

2. How has God blessed or encouraged you this week? Let’s share Praise Reports!

3. How can we be praying for you?
(You can post prayer requests below or email them to prayer@cwahm.com)

Order Today from CWAHM and get FREE SHIPPING!

Want to read the first chapter of So You Want To Be a Work-at-Home Mom?
CLICK HERE!

Or buy the book at Amazon.com!

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Every MOMent Counts
By Tracey Lanter Eyster,
Creator & Senior Editor, MomLife Today.com

Welcome to Every MOMent Counts!  Here you will find words harnessed together by energy and enthusiasm that I hope will provide encouragement and empowerment to you as a mom.

You see once God blessed me with the title “mom” my entire outlook on life was forever altered, tipped away from self and towards legacy.  Suddenly my desire to glorify God was transcended from my life and into the life of His great blessing to me…my children.  I was being entrusted with these tiny little lives to love and mold into “His little soldiers” as my younger brother declares.

In today’s world of “meism” the ability to place one’s personal desires aside and contemplate daily life through the lens of selfless motherhood can only be done… well, through the power of the Holy Spirit.  And lest you think me a prideful, perfectionist, ninnymuggins; allow me to assure you my selflessness exists successfully only when I am well girded.  The daily battle against self continuously screams loudly in my momlife.

Actually, so loudly does it scream that I am compelled though necessity to spend daily time in the word at most, and seek out scotch taped index cards streaming with Bible verses at least.  My home is frequently alive with the cascading sounds of Christian contemporary music to wage war against my selfish thoughts.  And on the days I really need some serious refocus – very loud, foot stomping strains of LeCrae, Skillet and Third Day are at a fever pitch level!

My children have always been the integral part of my life.  They matter.  I make time for them.  I set aside my wants for their needs.  I spend intentional time with them.  I am always a teacher.  I fail.  I apologize.  We keep moving forward.  We make memories.  We play.  I am silly.  I dance.  I sing.  I instruct.  I have “do nothing” days.  I cook.  I am busy.  I err.  I ask for forgiveness.  We rebuild.  We laugh.  We cry.  We create.  I take pictures – lots of pictures.  We make memories.  I am an intentional mom.

My children are now teens.  We have a relationship…still.  I am part of their lives.  They talk to me about things.  I know all their friends.  They hang out at our home with their friends.  They continue to accept instruction.

Why?  How?

Intentionality works.

Remember…every MOMent counts!

Blessings.

Tracey

Tracey Eyster is the creator and senior editor of MomLife Today and has served with FamilyLife.com as a writer for three years. After becoming a mom, she “retired” from her career in public relations and marketing but continued to serve by volunteering on many committees and boards. She is passionate about momlife, encouraging other moms through speaking and writing, and is in the process of publishing her first book. Tracey is happily married to Bill has two teenagers at home (and several extras always looking for some fun n’ home cookin) and they live the simple life on a small ranch – horses, four wheelers, go carts and dirt bikes included! Always known as the “fun mom”- she embraces that title and challenges other moms to lighten up and make memories because … Every MOMent Counts!  You can find her at www.momlifetoday.com,  www.momlifeoutloud.com , www.blog.familymatters.net follow her on twitter at www.twitter.com/momblog, and hear tips from her on parenting at www.iquestions.com.

This week we’re talking about Seeking Wisdom.

Our verse this week is:

She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
Proverbs 31:26 (NIV)

Thinking Through It All

Today we talked about what it means to be free. I’d love to discuss the following in the comments section below:

1. Do you have a mentor in your life? Take time to thank them this week.

2. Ask God to show you who you can be a mentor to – begin by encouraging them using God’s Word.

3. How can we be praying for you?
(You can post prayer requests below or email them to prayer@cwahm.com)

Order Today from CWAHM and get FREE SHIPPING!

Want to read the first chapter of So You Want To Be a Work-at-Home Mom?
CLICK HERE!

Or buy the book at Amazon.com!

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This week we’re talking about Overcoming Fear and Worry.

Our verse this week is:

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
Proverbs 31:25 (NIV)

Thinking Through It All

Today we talked about what it means to be free.  I’d love to discuss the following in the comments section below:

1. Do you lay awake at night worrying? How have you tried in the past to “overcome” your worry problem?

2. Are there specific life issues that create the most worry in your life – bills, kids, etc? Can you turn these over the Lord this week?

3. How can we be praying for you?
(You can post prayer requests below or email them to prayer@cwahm.com)

Order Today from CWAHM and get FREE SHIPPING!

Want to read the first chapter of So You Want To Be a Work-at-Home Mom?
CLICK HERE!

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This week we’re talking about generosity – and how in God’s economy things are upside down…even in business. To lead, we must serve. To “get,” we must give.

Our verse this week is:

She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
Proverbs 31:20 (NIV)

Many of us have read or heard the story of Mary and Martha – the two sisters in Luke chapter 10.

Mary chooses to sit and listen to Jesus teach. Martha, on the other hand, scurries around taking care of what she deems important tasks. Luke 10:38 says that Jesus was a guest at their house, so I’m sure Martha felt that she needed to play the part of the hostess, making sure food was being prepared and floors were being scrubbed. She is busy hurrying, scurrying and worrying while Mary simply sits.

In her frustration, Martha complains to Jesus that Mary has left her to do all the work by herself. And do you know how Jesus replies?

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things. Only one thing is important. Mary has chosen the better thing, and it will never be taken away from her.” (v. 41-42)

Lately I’ve found myself hurrying, scurrying and worrying like Martha. There seem to be so many things to worry about each day – my kids, my husband, my business. And if I’m not worrying about them, who will? And if no one worries about them … well, surely something would go wrong, right?

When I came across this story a few days ago I saw myself in Martha, but I long to be Mary. Mary knew that there is only one important thing in life. Hear me on this: One. Thing. And that one thing? Knowing Christ. Nothing compares and nothing else matters eternally.

The bills won’t follow us into eternity (thank goodness!). The laundry will get done. The floors will eventually be scrubbed. But to know Him is the “better thing.”

Psalm 46:10 tells us to “Be still and know that [He is] God.” To know Him we must quiet ourselves. We have to make the time to sit at His feet as Mary did all those years ago and listen to Him speak to us – through His Word, time in prayer and by simply listening.

So, this week I’m doing just that – making sure my quiet time with the Lord happens every day – and that it’s actually QUIET time. And making sure that my focus is on the ONE THING that eternally matters, laying the rest at His feet.

How about you? Have you been hurrying, scurrying and worrying? Will you lay it all aside today and sit with Him?

About the Author:
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. Jill a contributing author in four books and co-author of So You Want To Be a Work-at-Home Mom (Beacon Hill Press). Jill also has articles published in In Touch Magazine and P31 Woman magazine, as well as across the web on sites like DrLaura.com. Find this article and other discussions at Moms Together, a group of like-minded moms learning together.

This week we’re talking about making wise decisions.

Our verse this week is:

She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
Proverbs 31:18 (NIV)

Thinking Through It All

Today I talked about the fact that we need to take time to evaluate how our businesses are doing from time to time. I’d love to discuss the following in the comments section below:

1. What decisions are you working through in your business or life right now?

2. Take the time this week to evaluate how you spend your working hours. What do you see that is working well? What needs to change?

3. How can we be praying for you?
(You can post prayer requests below or email them to prayer@cwahm.com)

If you’re feeling like you’re “at the end of your rope,” then you’re right where God wants you. The problem is that we tend to hold onto the rope . . . when we should be grabbing hold of our faith in God. So, holding onto God, trusting Him, means “letting go.” Don’t believe me? Here’s an example:

There was a mountain climber who desperately wanted to conquer the Aconcagua and began climbing it after years of preparation. But, he wanted the glory to himself, so he went up alone. He started climbing and it became later and later. He didn’t prepare for camping, so he decided to keep going. Soon it grew very dark . . .

Night fell with heaviness at a very high altitude. Visibility was zero. Everything was black. There was no moon, and the stars were covered by clouds. As he was climbing a ridge at about 100 meters from the top, he slipped and fell. Falling rapidly, he could only see blotches of darkness that passed. He felt a terrible sensation of being sucked in by gravity.

He kept falling . . . and in those anguishing moments, good and bad memories passed through his mind. He thought certainly he would die. But then he felt a jolt that almost tore him in half. YES!! Like any good mountain climber he had staked himself with a long rope tied to his waist.

In those moments of stillness, suspended in the air, he had no other choice but to shout,

“HELP ME GOD! HELP ME”

God replied, “Do you REALLY think that I can save you?”

“OF COURSE, MY GOD!”

“Then let go of the rope that is holding you up,” God said.

There was another moment of silence and stillness. The man gripped the rope even tighter.

The rescue team says that the next day they found, a frozen mountain climber . . .

hanging strongly to a rope . . . TWO FEET OFF THE GROUND. (author unknown)

Chances are, in life, you’re either in a valley and headed to a mountain, or you’re climbing a mountain. We spend very little time on the mountaintops. (God doesn’t want us spending too much time there . . . we could get easily attached and decide to end our journey there.) It’s along our journey that we realize we haven’t prepared for the unexpected circumstances that we find ourselves in. We can find the ground beneath us pulled and the air within us knocked out. We didn’t expect to lose a job. We didn’t expect our home to be foreclosed upon. We didn’t expect our business to go under. We didn’t expect our spouse to leave. We didn’t expect our child to end up in jail. We didn’t expect to be betrayed by a dear friend. We didn’t expect death to take our loved one so early. But, in life, we can expect the unexpected. We can expect, at some point, we’re going to be hanging by a rope . . . and then, one day, find ourselves at the end of it. But, it’s as we’re hanging on for dear life that God is telling us to “let go.”

You see, God knows you’ll fall. But, He knows He’s there to catch you . . . and your faith assures you He will. He wants us to let go of our pride that keeps us from seeking Him. He wants us to let go of the jealousy that keeps us striving for things of this world that only bring disappointment. He wants us to let go of finding our strength in people and things, hopes and desires, so that we might find our strength in Him alone.

When you’re at the end of your rope, ask yourself a few questions:

Do I trust God fully or does my faith waver?

Are His thoughts toward me good thoughts?

Will He reward me for diligently seeking Him?

Is He more willing to give to me than I am to receive?

Did He say He would supply all my needs at all times?

Did he say he would keep me from falling and present me faultless
before the Father’s throne?

Did Jesus say he would never leave me, but would be with me to the
end?

Your faith knows the answers. It’s time to let go of your fears by grabbing hold of your faith. It’s time to hold on . . . by letting go. It’s time to cast yourself completely on the Promises of God. Give God the opportunity to show you His faithfulness, peaceful presence, and unlimited power . . . by letting go of the rope. Loosen your grip on the things of this world and allow God to embrace you with His grace. It’s up to you . . . to just “let go.”

About the Author:
Cherie Hill is the author of Be Still: Let Jesus Calm Your Storms, and an Amazon.com Shorts Bestselling author in the Christian genre. She has a BA in Psychology, a Biblical Counseling Certificate through the AACC, and is continuing studies through the Moody Bible Institute. Cherie is the founder of ScriptureNow.com Ministry that brings the Word of God and prayer, into over 30 countries around the world everyday. (reaching over 100,000 people every year)
Cherie brings instructive and uplifting teaching of the Word of God across the world through the “SpiritWaves™” audio ministry on EzraWebRadio.com and GloryStar Satellite Radio, with a subscriber base of 11 million people.
Cherie’s podcast, “FaithSteps” ranks consistently in the top 100 Christian podcasts in the world on GodCast 1000.

This week we’re talking about overcoming fear and taking chances.

Our verses are:

Proverbs 31:16 (NIV):

She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

and

Proverbs 31:24 (NIV):

She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

Thinking Through It All

Today I talked about the fact that we are often bound by fear. I’d love to discuss the following in the comments section below:

1. What fears are you working to overcome in your business or life right now?

2. What has God taught you over the years about overcoming fear that you can share to help others do the same?

3. How can we be praying for you?
(You can post prayer requests below or email them to prayer@cwahm.com)

This week we’re discussing Proverbs 31:15 (NCV):

She gets up while it is still dark
and prepares food for her family
and feeds her servant girls.

We are also giving away a copy of
The Max Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible

Watch the video to learn how to submit your entry!

Post your comments below!

A few things have converged in my 12-year-old son’s life over the past couple months.  Back in the spring, he and I began reading Take Your Best Shot by then-nine-year-old Austin Gutwein, the story of a boy who decided he didn’t want to wait until he was all grown up to do something big for God.  Then Jack decided he wanted to attend a Christian school and after a few months of praying and investigating, we moved forward with that decision.  In doing so, I found out that Jack would have assignments to complete before school started up again.  Yay – SUMMER homework!  But part of his homework was to read and report on a book called Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado and the Spirit used it to work on both of our hearts.  One reading in particular really got to Jack.  It was Mr. Lucado’s take on what the leper must’ve felt who was healed by Jesus.  Jack wrote in his notes that it reminded him of being at Feed My Starving Children earlier that day.

Jack had gone with some friends for a packing session earlier that day, where they packed meals for children in third-world countries.  While we were reading Just Like Jesus that night, he said, “Did you know that for only ten dollars, you could feed two children for a month?”  “I didn’t know that, bud…that’s amazing,” I said.

And then I could tell his mind was going.  We’d been kicking around the idea for months of ways he could use his love of basketball to raise money for Africa, like Austin Gutwein did, and those books and that day’s packing session all came together for him.

So I prayed with him before putting him to bed and asked Jesus that if He thought this were a good idea, that He would help us be creative and make it happen.  When I stopped praying, Jack said, “I think I know how we’re supposed to do this.”  I grabbed a notebook and took down his thoughts.  It was pretty sweet.  I pointed out that the Holy Spirit just told him what we should do.  I gave him a kiss and told him we’d work on it the next day.

He came and got me a few minutes later to show me something.  He pointed out what when the light hit the wall across from his bed, the shadows looked like letters.  He told me he was asking God to help him see what it said in case it were a message, and before he could tell me, I saw it, “B A L L.” “I think it says ‘B A L L’,” Jack said.  Now, it wasn’t like the handwriting on the wall with Daniel or anything, but it was clear enough that I teared up.  “Jesus must be trying to encourage you, hon,” I said.  “I’ve never had Him do that for me before,” Jack said with a smile.  “Jesus is cool that way, baby,” I said as I walked back out, with my own big smile.

Jack came back out a couple minutes later.  “I think it maybe also says ‘F A I L’,” he said, looking dejected.  “Jack, which word do you think Jesus would be saying to you right now — BALL or FAIL?”  “Ball,” he answered.  “Then we’re going with that,” I said reassuring him.

The lessons here are many and deep, but I’ll just point out a couple.  God can speak to us at any time and in any way.  Never discount what God wants to do through a child.  Always acknowledge a God-thing…I think He loves it when we give Him credit.  It’s never too early to foster in your child a love for others and a generosity that flows out of the love God has for them.  Encouraging our children’s very personal walk with God will build their faith and our own.  And for heaven’s sakes…when the writing on the wall is positive, assume it’s from Jesus.

By the way, my son went on to make 350 free throws in one hour (shooting 871 times), raising over $2200 and providing well over 11,000 meals to children in need.

—–

© Elisabeth K. Corcoran, 2010

Elisabeth is the author of He Is Just That Into You: Stories of a Faithful God who Pursues, Engages, and Has No Fear of Commitment (WinePress), In Search of Calm: Renewal for a Mother’s Heart (Xulon), and Calm in My Chaos: Encouragement for a Mom’s Weary Soul (Kregel). All of her books can be purchased on Amazon or through her website at www.elisabethcorcoran.com.

Check out her book trailer for He Is Just That Into You at http://www.vimeo.com/7093233.

Visit her blog at http://elisabethcorcoran.blogspot.com/.

You can follow her on Twitter at ekcorcoran or friend her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/people/Elisabeth-Klein-Corcoran/1301703500.
Watch Elisabeth and her friends spread hope through Africa with Samaritan’s Purse at http://www.vimeo.com/7919582.