Done…Now What?

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Done… Now What?  Done. That’s what I told the Lord, repeating it many times during a long drive, alone except for him. I’m a big dreamer, and I’ve spent my life pursuing dreams. That’s not a bad thing. Other people call this goal setting. I call it pursuing dreams because that’s the way I’ve lived it—chasing dreams the Lord put in my heart. I did a pretty good job of living in the moment—with plans always simmering. Then I seemed to reach the end of the path. No clear direction to move ahead. So I got honest with the Lord….

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Tip for Speakers

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"Manners are the beginning of integrity." The first time I read that quote I thought how simple yet profound.  I pondered for a moment how simple etiquette reveals immediately whether or or not we courteous, considerate and grateful. And, when it is present it refreshes everyone who happens to encounter it. As speakers, we are often the ultimate focal point of someone’s event.  Therefore we are lavished with praise, gifts and our every need is attempted to met.  In return, what are we giving beside a great talk? Having been both a Women’s Ministry Leader and still a speaker I have sat on both sides of the table. Therefore, I’d like to share from…

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Hopes and Fears

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Good morning from Ava Pennington, CAN Secretary, in sunny Florida… The week between Christmas and New Year is a time between times. The build up to Christmas is over. The new year has yet to begin. Anticipation gives way to fatigue. The Christmas decorations seem to have outlasted their welcome, but I’m not ready to take them down yet. And as much as I love Christmas hymns and carols, they seem anticlimactic. But one Christmas hymn in particular speaks to the writer in me this week.

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Reasons to be Thankful for Books

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Aloha from Karen It’s already Thanksgiving Day. I am thankful today for family (especially my husband who continues to battle breast cancer) and many friends. My family keeps growing-five children and now eight grandchildren. But I also want to express thanks babout books, including thanks for past rejections and current contracts and for books in general. I’m an avid reader and books opened my mind to many possibilities.

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Brand New Year, Same You!

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Hey, friends! It’s time to usher in a brand new year. Now, I know you’re expecting me to jump into a nice little story about making a new resolution to help you become the person you’ve always wanted to be. Sorry, not happening. Instead, I want you to take a minute to celebrate who God created you to be — who He saw before you were created in your mother’s womb. The potential He sees today, in the midst of your failures, trials, and shortcomings. Search for what God sees in you, underneath all the influences of this world. That’s…

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